Chapter eighteen
"So, you are saying you didn't like the petition the advocate has drafted?" Avika heard her mother hum on the other end of the phone. "He has exaggerated a lot of things and even lied about some things; I don't like it. If I do this, I want to do it the right way, not in some twisted way," she stated firmly, indicating her stance was non-negotiable.
Avika paused for a moment, searching for the right words. Finally, she exhaled softly and said, "Mummy, could you share the draft with me? I want to read it once," her voice laced with uncertainty, wondering if Ishita would consent. To her relief, Ishita responded affirmatively, "Thik hai. Main tujhe whatsapp par bhej rahi hu. Tu padh kar bata mujhe ki tujhe sahi lagta hai ya nahi."
(Alright. I'll send it to you on WhatsApp. Let me know your thoughts on it after you've gone through it)
Avika nodded before she quickly remembered her mother couldn't see her nod, so she added, "Okay. Main dekh kar call karti hu aapko." After exchanging goodbyes, they ended the call, and Avika kept an eye on her phone, anticipating the arrival of the WhatsApp message.
(Okay, I'll take a look and call you back)
Ten minutes later, her phone chimed, and Avika grabbed it swiftly from the sofa. She then dedicated the next twenty minutes to meticulously going through the document on her phone, her focus unwavering. As she read, her brows knitted together in concentration, and gradually, a frown etched itself across her features. The draft was not only misleading but contained fabrications that even Avika could identify as false. It became clear to her why Ishita was hesitant to proceed with it.
Next, she called back, and Ishita's voice came through, asking, "Padh liya?"
(Did you read it?)
Avika let out a deep sigh, "Haa." She paused before continuing, "Aap unse keh dijiye na ki isme bohot kuch galat hai aur—"
(Yes) (Could you tell them that there are many inaccuracies in this and—)
"Avi, maine kaha unse lekin woh lawyer ne kaha ki agar yeh case jitna hai toh thoda jhooth toh bolna padega kyunki mere case mein divorce ke koi valid points hi nahi hai." Ishita clarified, leading Avika to ponder anxiously.
(Avi, I've already mentioned this, but the lawyer said that to win this case, some embellishments are necessary because my case lacks valid reasons for divorce)
Ishita went on, "He hasn't been unfaithful, nor has he physically harmed me," prompting Avika to interject. "What about emotional abuse?" There was a pause before Ishita responded in a subdued tone, "But how do we prove that? It's not as though he's been openly hurling insults at me or my family, right?" Feeling a surge of frustration, Avika's grip tightened on her phone.
"Dekh, Avi, abhi ke liye main uss lawyer ko mana kar rahi hu ki kuch naa kare," Ishita said, anticipating Avika's interruption and swiftly adding, "isiliye main tujhse keh rahi hu ki mere liye ek jagah dhundh de toh main waha shift ho jaungi. Abhi mujhe sirf iss aadmi se durr hona hai." Her voice carried a blend of distress and desperation.
(Listen, Avi, for now, I've told that lawyer not to proceed) (that's why I'm asking you to find a place for me so I can move there. Right now, all I want is to get away from this man)
Avika's voice grew warm and determined as she comforted her mother, "I will. Main jaldi aapke liye ek achi jagah dhundhti hu. Aap tension na lein. You'll be out of there very soon, okay?"
(I'll find a nice place for you quickly. Don't worry)
Hearing Ishita's sniffle, Avika's heart squeezed with pain. She detested the thought of her mother in tears. Even if she struggled with the right words of comfort, just being by her side would have made a difference.
After hanging up, Avika sought solace in the kitchen, surrounded by a myriad of cupcake ingredients strewn across the counter. Channelling her frustration, anger, and sorrow into the task, she began vigorously combining the ingredients in a bowl.
Observing the bustle, Parul ventured into the kitchen, finding Avika intently whisking batter with a fervour. Noticing the array of cake-making supplies yet again, her curiosity piqued. Although she contemplated inquiring about the evident distress, Parul ultimately chose to respect Avika's space and silently exited the kitchen.
•ᴗ•
As Avika's anger dissipated and clarity returned, she took stock of her surroundings and noticed she had baked an astonishing quantity of cupcakes. Counting the ones cooling and the batch currently in the microwave, her tally reached an overwhelming total of fifty. Surrounded by so many, she was amazed at the huge number of cupcakes she had made.
She sighed as the microwave beeped, and she quickly grabbed a glove to take out the tray. After finishing the decoration on all the cupcakes, Avika looked at them, unsure what to do with so many.
Hearing someone approach, she turned to see Parul entering the kitchen, offering a sheepish smile in response to her mother's questioning look. "Why all the cupcakes? Is there a special reason?" Parul inquired, and Avika chuckled awkwardly, explaining she just made them without any particular reason. Parul looked surprised. "Oh, really?" she said, and after Avika confirmed, Parul considered the cupcakes and then suggested, "Maybe it's time to follow your own advice," leaving Avika puzzled.
"Remember when you shared my art on that thing... what's it called... instant? You know, where you posted it," she hinted, and Avika caught on. "You mean Instagram?" Parul waved her hand dismissively, "Jo bhi hai uska naam. Waha daal ke dekh lo, koi toh khareed lega, yeh sab bhi khareedte hi honge waha se?" Her suggestion sparked excitement in Avika, who hugged her mother tightly. "You're brilliant, Maa. Thank you!" she said, already thinking about how to showcase the cupcakes.
(Whatever it's called. Try putting these there, someone might buy them. People buy all sorts of things from there, right?)
"Thank you, Maa. You are a genius." She thanked her excitedly before turning towards the cupcakes and getting an idea.
Ultimately, Avika set aside a few cupcakes for Kiaan, Yug, and Parul to enjoy and decided to distribute the rest to those in need. It was getting late, around 7:30 PM, and although Parul offered to come along, Avika declined, mindful of her mother's knee issues.
She roamed the streets, searching for anyone who might welcome her efforts. While some declined and others requested money, Avika focused on finding children who would delight in the cupcakes.
Avika was successful in distributing some of the cupcakes, yet quite a few remained. As she carried on her search, her phone's ring caught her off guard, and she was surprised to see it was already past 8:30 PM, with Kiaan's name flashing on the caller ID. Chastising herself for losing track of time, she quickly answered, pressing the phone to her ear with a hint of nervousness.
"Avika, kaha hai aap?" came Kiaan's voice, laced with concern, through the phone.
(Avika, where are you?)
"Woh main yahi hu paas mein, bas thode time mein ghar pohoch jaungi," she replied, hoping to soothe his worries, though with limited success.
(I'm nearby, I'll be home in a bit)
"Aap mujhe bataiye kaha hai aap, main lene aata hu aapko," Kiaan insisted. Avika knew arguing would be futile, so she reluctantly shared her location. He told her to wait for him and then ended the call.
(Tell me where you are, I'll come pick you up)
As Kiaan pulled up, Avika slipped into the car, her gaze flitting over his expression in search of anger or annoyance. However, his stoic demeanour offered no clues. The drive home unfolded in quiet, with Avika too uncertain to break the silence and Kiaan focused solely on the road.
Back at the house, Avika stepped out ahead, leaving Kiaan to park. Inside, she was met by Parul's anxious figure on the couch, deepening her sense of guilt for causing concern.
"Maa, aap kyu jaag rahi hai. Please so jaiye. Sorry, aapko pareshan karne ke liye," she apologized. Parul responded gently, "Aap theek hai wahi kaafi hai. Bas aage se time ka dhyaan rakhna." She stroked Avika's hair before heading to her room.
(Maa, why are you still awake? Please go to sleep. I'm sorry for troubling you) (As long as you're safe, that's all that matters. Just be mindful of the time in the future)
Hearing footsteps, she turned and saw Kiaan walking towards their bedroom, clearly upset. Deciding to address the situation, she went to the kitchen, stored the remaining cupcakes in the fridge, and took out the ones she had set aside for him. Hoping to mend things, Avika carried the cupcakes to their bedroom, only to find Kiaan missing. Then, noticing the sound of the shower, she realized he had gone to freshen up.
She lingered on the bed, browsing bakery and patisserie pages on Instagram, admiring their aesthetic presentations but doubting her ability to replicate such effort. Lost in thought about potentially creating her own page, she was interrupted by the sound of the bathroom door. Looking up, she saw Kiaan emerge. Their eyes met briefly before his gaze shifted to the box near her. Anticipating his reaction, she remained silent, but he simply diverted his attention away and walked over to his bag on the chair.
She nervously bit her lower lip and softly called out to him, "Suniye," noting how his back muscles stiffened and his grip on his bag seemed to tighten at her voice. She wondered, concerned, if he was feeling unwell.
(Listen)
When he paused and didn't return to his bag, Avika saw an opportunity to continue, "I—uh—I made these today and—uh—would you like some?" She winced at her own hesitance, silently chastising herself for her lack of confidence.
This time, he turned to face her, examining her with his gaze rather than the box in her hand, causing her to feel uneasy and look away.
Kiaan finally broke the silence, his voice softer than she had anticipated. "Aapne mujhe bataya kyu nahi ki aap yeh baatne ke liye bahar gayi thi?" He gestured towards the cupcakes. Avika, surprised by the gentleness in his question, met his gaze, noticing a hint of concern rather than anger.
(Why didn't you tell me you were going to distribute these?)
"I—I didn't plan it initially. It just... happened," she stumbled over her words, unsure of how to explain the whirlwind of emotions that had led to her impromptu decision.
Kiaan sighed, moving closer to sit beside her on the bed. "I was worried about you, Avika. I'm not upset that you didn't inform me rather about how you lost track of time," he said, his tone laced with worry rather than reprimand.
Feeling a mix of relief and guilt, Avika nodded, understanding his concern. "I know, and I'm really sorry. I promise it won't happen again," she offered, hoping to alleviate some of his worry.
He looked at her for a long moment, then his gaze softened. "Just... let me know next time, okay? Even if you think it's not a big deal. It's important to me." Kiaan reached out, taking one of the cupcakes. "Ab aapne itne mehnat se yeh banaye hai toh ab kha kar toh dekhna padega."
(Now that you've made these with so much efforts, let's see how good these are)
A tentative smile flickered across Avika's worried expression. Watching him savour a cupcake, his eyes sparkling with genuine delight, the strain that had lingered between them dissipated. With a mouthful of cupcake, Kiaan couldn't hide his pleasure. "This is sooo delicious!" he exclaimed, and Avika couldn't help but laugh at his endearing appearance.
Kiaan grinned. "Aapko yeh bechne chahiye. Seriously, they're amazing," he complimented between bites.
(You should sell these)
Avika blushed, grateful for the praise. "Woh... Main soch rahi thi ki ek chota sa baking page Instagram par banadu. Aapko kya lagta hai?"
(I was actually thinking of starting a small baking page on Instagram. What do you think?)
His eyes lit up, and he nodded with enthusiasm. "Seriously? That's a fantastic idea! Aapko mujhe puchne ki bhi zarurat nahi hai. Aap itni talented hai, sabko aapki banayi hui cheezein bohot pasand aayegi."
(You don't even have to take my opinion on it. You've got the talent for it, and people will love your creations)
Encouraged by his response, Avika found herself smiling genuinely. Perhaps, in the midst of uncertainty, a newfound passion could be the anchor she needed. As they continued enjoying the cupcakes, the tension of the evening gradually faded, replaced by a shared moment of joy and newfound understanding.
•ᴗ•
As Avika emerged from the bathroom, refreshed, she noticed Kiaan sitting calmly on the bed. His gaze brightened upon seeing her, and he extended a hand towards her. Puzzled yet intrigued, Avika accepted his invitation, letting him draw her closer to sit face-to-face.
With a tender touch, Kiaan caressed the area beneath her eyes. "Aapko pata hai main roz bhagwan ko thank you kehta hu ki unhone aapko meri zindagi mein bheja. Saat mahine. Humari shaadi ko saat mahine pure huye aaj aur inn saat mahino mein jitna maine aapke saath waqt bitaaya hai," he said, gently catching a tear that escaped her eye, his gaze radiating warmth and deep affection.
(Every day, I thank the gods for bringing you into my life. Today marks seven months since we got married, and in these seven months, the time I've spent with you)
Kiaan continued, his voice soft but filled with emotion, "woh meri zindagi ka sabse khubsurat waqt raha hai. And I just want to thank you for giving this relationship, for giving me a chance." He paused, searching her eyes for a moment, ensuring she felt the weight of his words. "I know it might not be easy for you to show affection as I do but you trying is enough for me."
(That time has been the most beautiful of my life)
Avika felt a warmth spreading through her heart, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. His words, sincere and heartfelt, wrapped around her like a comforting blanket.
Struggling to hold back her emotions and the tears that were eager to spill, Avika clenched her lips together, attempting to suppress the tears as she usually did. She took deep breaths and shut her eyes, yet the tender touch of his thumb beneath her eyes began to crumble her defenses. In an effort to conceal her tears, she instinctively did the first thing that came to mind. She softly brushed his hand aside, closed the gap between them, and wrapped her arms around his neck, hiding her face in the crook of his neck.
Kiaan wrapped her tightly in his arms, drawing her nearer and nestling his face in her neck. They stayed like this, closely embraced, until Kiaan whispered, "You're getting good at this."
Feeling his breath on her skin made Avika shiver and she held him tighter, her arms firmly around his neck. As they separated, strands of her hair obscured her face, prompting Kiaan to gently tuck them behind her ear, his eyes softening with affection. He then offered a smile, asking, "Now, how about I give you your gift?" This caught Avika by surprise.
He dug into his pocket and retrieved a small box, presenting it to her with an open palm. Avika gazed at the box, then back at him, wordless. Kiaan, amused by her stunned silence, opened the box himself, watching her closely. Her reaction—eyes widening and mouth slightly agape in astonishment—did not disappoint him.
"Aap... yeh kya..." her voice trailed off as he lifted the gift from the box for her to see. "Main pehna du?" Kiaan asked, and Avika's heart warmed, leading her to smile and nod silently in agreement.
(You... what is this...) (Shall I put it on for you?)
She adjusted her position, pulling her knees towards herself and extending her feet towards him. A gasp escaped her when he gently grasped her ankle, lifting one foot to rest it on his thigh. As she began to object and attempted to retract her foot, Kiaan secured it with a steady grip and cast her a persuasive glance. "Please ab yeh typical baatein na karna—yeh kya kar rahe hai aap? Mujhe paap lagega—yeh zamane mein yeh sab baatein zara bhi achi nahi lagti," he exaggerated for effect.
(Let's not delve into clichés now—what are you doing? This will feel wrong—I don't like how these things are perceived nowadays)
Avika made a face at him as he concentrated on his task, slipping the anklet onto her foot. Once he had adorned her other foot in the same manner, she looked down at her feet, marvelling at them. The anklets were both simple and beautiful, and she cherished the sensation of wearing such lovely jewellery.
"Bohot sundar hai yeh," she admired his selection, making Kiaan's face brighten with joy.
(These are very beautiful)
However, she then came to the realization that she hadn't even been aware they had reached the seven-month milestone in their marriage. Her expression turned concerned as she faced her husband. "Mere paas aapko dene ke liye koi gift nahi hai," she confessed, feeling remorseful.
(I don't have a gift for you)
Kiaan grinned, "You've already given me two gifts," he revealed. Before Avika could ask what they were, he suggested, "Why don't you go to your side of the bed?" adding a "Please" with a bashful grin.
When she complied, anticipating an explanation, her jaw dropped in surprise as she saw him lie down and turn off the lights. "Aap—" Her words were cut off by a squeal when she found herself suddenly pulled into his embrace.
(You—)
"Much better," Kiaan sighed contentedly, one arm wrapping around her waist, the other tucked under her head as a makeshift pillow. Avika gazed at him, her expression unimpressed, prompting a chuckle from him. "Bata raha hu, aise ghooriye nahi," he teased. "Waise hi aapki aankhein itni khubsurat hai. Aise dekhengi toh aur pata nahi kya hoga mera." He mumbled the last part to himself but being so close to him she was bound to hear it and it made her cheeks warm. She was glad that it was dark and he couldn't see her.
(I'm getting to it, no need to glare) (Especially with your eyes already so captivating. If you keep staring at me like that, I don't know what'll happen to me)
"Okay, so the first gift is your determination to start your own small business, which fills me with immense pride. And the second gift is your acceptance of my gift, understanding that you're never under any obligation to accept anything from me. Whether you like it or not, or wish to decline it, that's entirely up to you. I won't pretend it won't make me sad, but I promise to respect your perspective." As he concluded, Avika couldn't help but wonder if she was dreaming. His words seemed too considerate to be true. How could he be so understanding, making her feelings for him deepen even further?
She then heard him softly inquire, "So gayi?" His tone was so genuinely curious that it prompted her to laugh, easily picturing the disappointed frown that must be gracing his face. "Nahi so nahi rahi hu. Main soch rahi hu ki jab maine aapko 2 gifts de hi di hai aur aapne sirf ek hi di hai, toh main apni dusri gift maang lu?" she shared her thoughts aloud and felt the gentle press of his lips on her forehead.
(No, I'm not asleep. I was just thinking... since I've already given you two gifts and you've only given me one, maybe I should ask for my second gift?)
"Kuch bhi maangiye, sab aap hi ka hai," he whispered, playfully adding, "Main bhi." After she playfully smacked his chest, eliciting an exaggerated groan from him, she ventured, "Aap mujhe mere business ke liye ek naam suggest karenge?" well aware that deciding on one by herself would be challenging.
(Ask for anything you want, everything is yours) (Myself included) (Would you help me come up with a name for my business?)
"Really? You want me to suggest a name?" he sought confirmation, and she affirmed with a nod, burrowing closer into his embrace as her eyelids began to feel heavy, while Kiaan gently played with her hair. "Okay. I'll think of something and let you know," he assured her.
Avika then recalled another piece of news she intended to share with him, "There's something else, mom called. She mentioned she's decided against filing the lawsuit because she doesn't want to win by unfair means. She even instructed the lawyer to dismiss the case." She fought to keep her eyes open, but sleep was quickly overtaking her.
The last thing she faintly registered was his voice, "We'll talk about this tomorrow," before her head found a comfortable spot nestled against his neck, drawing her even closer as they drifted off to sleep.
I wish to find a Kiaan for myself🥲
I've asked this question on insta, but I'd like to ask this again— what does this book mean to you? What do you like about #SOTH?