AVANTHI
✨

His words kept ringing in my ears. Yet my ears couldn't believe it. The man...the demon...I have been running away from...has offered to marry me. I couldn't understand what a dirty game fate has played with me. I had everything set. A groom to fake my wedding, I would pay him by writing off my property in his name, he could later marry his girl... everything was planned but everything just collapsed. I still couldn't believe the fact that Abhi ditched me.

I didn't want to blame him because I knew he loved his girl way too much to just marry me for money but my frustration here was that, why did he agree to do it and then run away at the nth hour. Rather he would have just said a no. I would atleast fake a heartbreak, get some time from dad and then plan something better in future but his mistake has now cost me huge.

Neil Nayak...The nightmare I've lived for the last 9 years wants to marry me now. Wow!!!

And I'm left numb and speechless. How can he even have the guts to propose to me after what he did to me in the past? Just because I chose to keep silent and not tell anyone about our past doesn't give him the rights to play with my life... again. Why does he want to be shining armour to this damsel in distress because he's not a prince or a hero. He's the demon. He's the villain.

And no...neither in movies, nor in books...Female leads don't end up marrying a villain! Then why am I in this situation? I can't even go back and tell dad that I can't. He's not in a condition to hear me out. He needs to be taken for surgery asap. And here I am still thinking of ways to resolve everything.

I wanted to scream, shout and cry loudly venting out my frustration but I cannot even do that. I silently kept shedding tears when I suddenly felt a strong manly arm circling me. I turned around and looked at Kedar Bhavaji who had pulled me into a side hug.

'Your sister is restricted from climbing the staircase...I'm here as her replacement. You can hug me and cry it out. I am here as her proxy!!!' he said with a small smile and I couldn't stop myself and I burst out crying and hugging the life out of him. He patted my back and caressed my head trying to shush me. I don't know for how long I continued crying. Post that he offered me his handkerchief. I wiped my face with it.

'Okay to talk now?' he asked and I nodded.

'First things first...You don't need to consider me your Bhavaji. I know at one point of time we were going to marry each other but even then I had zero emotions for you. But ever since I married your sister, I see you as my sister too. You are my Pakku's motherly figure and a little sister for me. So ...I promise you as an elder brother here Avanthi...if you are not willing to marry my brother, believe me no power on this planet earth can ever force you into it at least till Kedar Nayak is alive. Get it?' he asked wiping my fresh tear and I nodded.

Wasn't Pranay supposed to tell me this? What was shocking here was that my own brother wanted me to marry someone, anyone whereas my brother in law was ready to fight the world for me. I don't know if I'm the luckiest girl or the unluckiest one here.

'Dad...I'm worried for him!!!' I said when Kedar Bhavaji patted my back saying

'Dr Aahir Sehgal... India's finest cardiologist is handling your father's case. He is on his way. He and his team will perform your father's surgery. So be rest assured I will take care of everything. You tell me...would you want to marry Neil? If it's your no then I'm the wall between him and you and don't forget I'm his elder brother. He might be healthier than me but I'm taller than him and also more powerful and more adamant.' he said and I sniffled through my tears

'But dad is extremely sensitive right now...I don't want any harm happening to him because of me Bhavaji!!!' I told him and he looked at me saying

'Arranged marriage is a great option if you are single Ava... sometimes you find comfort in strangers...people you don't know bring calmness and peace in your life which your own family couldn't give you. Your sister did that to me. She made me meet my own self. She made me accept my own self. I still can't believe my marriage gave me the woman I was destined to fall in love. But it's different in your case.

To the world it's an arranged marriage where as we know that Neil was the reason you cut off yourself from your family. You don't need to marry him to satisfy your father Avanthi. It may hurt him now but you can't spoil your life for being in his good books. To give him security you are screwing up your happiness. That is wrong on so many levels Avanthi!!!' he said and I closed my eyes taking a deep breath.

'I have decided Avanthi. I am going out there and talking to your father and Pranay. I'm going to stop them and your father has to accept it. It may hurt him a little but if he will know what his choice has done to his own daughter, he will be your biggest shield ever!!! Neil is my brother and I love him but I haven't even been able to forgive him for all that he did to you seven years ago.' he said and I looked at him with immense respect.

'This is not just mine...it's mine and your sister's decision. We are going to talk to everyone. Just take your time and come downstairs. They are shifting your father into ICU in an hour or two. They need to prep him for surgery. They have to control his BP and sodium levels. You take your time and be there...' saying Kedar Bhavaji left me on the terrace of the hospital building and went downstairs.

✨
PRAKRUTHI
✨

I saw Kedar walking downstairs. There was no service lift going to the terrace so I decided to stay here on this floor because I'm pregnant. Well...not really that alone was the reason. I wanted Ava to have someone like Pranay next to her. But that man was dying to get his sister married. He was hugging Neil and already devoted to him. How I wish I could tell him that he's not the demigod instead he's the demon who destroyed his sister's life years ago.

I pulled Kedar into a warm hug and he patted my back saying 'We have to tell your father and Pranay Mi Vida!!! She's not good there. Neil can't do this. We have to talk to dad!!!' he said and I hugged him more and nodded.

'How is she?' I asked and he said 'Not good. She is not at all happy. That's why we have to talk to your dad' he said when I looked at him asking

'But we can't tell this to dad. Doctors have told us to keep him away from any kind of stress!!!' I said when Kedar thought for a minute and said

'Then we will tell Neil to back off!!! And he has to agree!!!'. I nodded.

✨

'I WON'T!!!' and Kedar clenched his fist.

'What do you mean you won't? You have to...If not then I'm going to tell everyone about what happened seven years ago. Why did Avanthi run away? What she went through all alone and what a demon you are!!! Just because I love you I'm not going to support your wrong doings Neil!!!' he shouted when Neil didn't utter a word.

I walked towards Neil and said
'I have always been polite to you Neil. Even though I know you were the one who broke my sister's heart and trust but I still treated you as a brother in law and not as Avanthi's criminal. But that doesn't mean I'll let you play with my sister's life. Kedar and I will bring your truth in front of the whole world!!! And then you will suffer' I said when he smiled saying

'You think I'm not suffering already Prakruthi Vanni? Look at me...how was I? What have I turned into...I pray to god relentlessly, beg him for forgiveness everyday and regret my every single wrong! And when I'm getting a chance to correct my mistakes, I would be a fool to let go of this opportunity!!!' he said and my blood boiled.

'Dont you understand when I say that she's not happy with this proposal?'' I screamed when he calmly said

'Then let her deny my proposal!!! I am not forcing her to marry me!!! There is no compulsion!!!' he said when Kedar caught him by his collar and said

'The guy who was supposed to marry her, left her alone in the alter only to marry someone else, her father is going to have a surgery in a few hours from now and is lying on an hospital bed waiting upon doctors and above all, that man considers you to be the perfect match for his daughter and you think she can easily deny your proposal? Look Neil Nayak I don't care how you do it...But you are backing off from this marriage. Avanthi does not wish to marry you and you are doing it all as per her wish!!! Do you get that?' Kedar asked growling angrily when Neil was still as calm as water.

After a few seconds he bore his eyes into Kedar's eyes and emotionlessly said

'I AM NOT DOING ANY OF THAT!!! I want to marry Avanthi Kamath and there is nothing that can stop me from doing it!!' he said bluntly earning a tight slap from Kedar.

'Well if you are that selfish then even I am hell bent in protecting the girl whom I have took as my sister and there is no way I'm letting the man who's responsible for her destruction marry her just because his ego gets satisfied!!!' saying Kedar walked away from there.

I looked at Neil and asked him 'Why are you doing this Neil? You clearly told us years ago that it was just a mistake. You love someone else. If I'm not wrong that girl... Isabella's sister is still in touch with you ain't she??? Then why do you want to marry my sister? What is it? Ego?? 'Wannabe-hero' in front of our families, lust or.... revenge?' I asked when he looked outside the window saying

'I dont think I owe an explanation to anyone other than Avanthi Kamath herself... Prakruthi Vanni...For that she has to marry me!!! Or deny me!!! Ask her to face me rather than hide like a coward!!!' saying he walked out of the room leaving me speechless.

✨

'Dad...I want to talk to you!!! Are you willing to listen to me patiently?' Kedar asked while sitting next to dad in his room. I was scared. Doctor had clearly told that he's not in a state of taking in any kind of shock but Kedar was ready to take the blame but not ready to let Avanthi's life spoil.

'Dad...I spoke to Avanthi. And she is-' before Kedar could complete the statement we heard Avanthi's voice that said

'I am ready to marry Neil!!!' and we were shocked. Everyone was happy with her decision except Kedar and I who were fuming.

'I just have one condition!!! The wedding should be done right away in dad's presence... without any hype or crowd. Just we family members!!!' she said and Dad happily agreed to it.

✨

'Why are you doing this Ava??? I'm not understanding anything!!!' I said while making her wear the wedding jewellery. She silently stood up and tucked a pin into her hair bun. In a simple Kanjeevaram saree and jewellery she was ready to get married to the man of her nightmares.

'Pakku!!! I was never in love with Abhijit. I knew about Haasini as well. Haasini...the girl with whom he was trying to elope to London. Infact I had bribed him to marry me in return I was going to give him my apartment back in London and a free divorce!!! It was just to please dad!!!

I did that when dad was only unwell today dad is ready to go into a surgery...so you think I'll care about who the groom is and what is the reliability and stability of this relationship? Dad and his peace of mind is what matters and anyways...I have met Neil Nayak before I said yes to this wedding!!!' saying she tightened her earbuds and I was shocked by what she unveiled.

'You went to his office?' to which she smiled saying

'I even heard you and Kedar Bhavaji threaten him!!! And yes I was right there!!!'

'Then why didn't you ask him to deny the proposal?' I asked when she smirked saying

'Because I don't like to stand helplessly asking for mercy from that demon!!! Id rather face him!!! You see two can play the game!!!' she said with an evil smirk and now I was getting scared.

'Wha ..what have you done Ava? You look pure evil when you look at yourself like that in the mirror!!! That look is creepy!!!' I confessed when she chuckled dryly saying

'And scary!!! And I promise you it is nowhere even near to being subtle!!! That man wants to marry me right? So be it...be my guest!!! He is dying to marry me right? Then even I'm marrying to kill him. I will kill him with humiliation and shame every single second, every single minute making him regret this very day when he chose to offer marrying me.

He wants to be a hero in front of dad right, then be it!!! But even I vow to make sure that the entire world especially his mother gets to see his true side.

I am done running away from this Asmodeus Pakku!!! It's time I face it!!

One on one!!!

An eye for an eye!!!

Loss for a loss!!!

It's high time Neil Nayak knows what Avanthi Kamath in reality is!!!

This time I will make him face the heat!!!

I swear!!!' saying she stood up tying the pearl waist chain on her waistline as she took the garland in her hand and took a final look at herself in the mirror and said

'Come let's get married to the Asmodeus!!!'