In the previous chapter....📑
Ishaan was surprised to see Rohan back with Avantika. He felt sad and broken,he wanted to leave as soon as possible, but Avantika asked him to stay for dinner. He tried to refuse but couldn't do so.

📑📚🖋️ Continued.......

"Avantika... I'll have dinner some other day," Ishaan made one last attempt. "Shh...!! I'm not going to listen anything. Sit quietly and eat," Avantika said, placing her finger on Ishaan's lips.

Ishaan liked Avantika asserting herself on him like this. The way she was giving him importance made him quite happy, but in the next moment, Rohan's face flashed in his mind, and his happiness turned into sorrow.

Ishaan sat at the dinner table like an obedient boy. Avantika had cooked a lot today... Matar Paneer, Vegetable Biryani, Roti, Daal, Raita, and for dessert, Ishaan's favorite Gajar ka Halwa. She prepared a plate and served it to Ishaan. He had many questions in his mind as he watched her continuously. He was constantly asking her in his mind "Why Avantika ? What was the hurry? After all that he did to you..."

After serving the plate, Avantika chuckled and said, "Will you keep staring at me or eat your food? Did your system freeze again or something?"

Ishaan didn't say anything, just smiled and started eating. The food was indeed tasty. It exceeded his expectations by far. He never thought Avantika would be this good at cooking.

Ishaan, who himself was a decent cook, was impressed by Avantika's skills.

"Didn't the food turn out good? You're not saying anything," Avantika asked with an anxious expression.

"How can I speak ? You were the one who asked me to eat quietly," Ishaan teased Avantika. He was enjoying this atmosphere better, where there was no Rohan between them.

"So, whatever I say, will you listen quietly?" Avantika pretended to scold him.

"Do I have any other option?" Ishaan said to himself. Then he saw Avantika looking at him for an answer & replied,"The food is good. It's not easy to impress me with food, but you passed," Ishaan said.

Avantika pretended to be sad and said, "Just passed?".

"Okay, fine... You get distinction marks. And the Gajar Halwa, it's one the best I have ever had. Do you feel better now?" Ishaan said.

"Thank God, I was scared. For a topper, just passing marks are no less than a nightmare," she said, laughing.

There was silence between them for a while. Ishaan didn't like such silence, especially when he was with Avantika, but today he was feeling a strange conflict within himself. Maybe he hadn't expected Avantika's surprise. Maybe he expected something else.

Trying to read his face, Avantika said, "What's wrong, Ishaan? You seem quiet since you came."

"Oh no, it's nothing," he said, avoiding Avantika's gaze.

Avantika said, "I know we've only met again a few days ago, but in these few days, you have become an important part of my life. In a way, you've become my support system. If there's anything bothering you, you can tell me." Maybe I can't give you as good advice as you give me, but talking might lighten your heart."

Trying to smile, Ishaan said, "Come on, there's nothing like that, Paglu. It's just that I had a lot of work at the court today, so I'm a bit tired, that's all." He didn't want to make things complicated by telling her how he felt.

"By the way... thank you and sorry," Avantika said, placing her hand on his.

Surprised, Ishaan asked, "What? But why?"

"Thank you for everything you've done for me, and sorry for causing you so much trouble last night. Naina told me how much you helped us," Avantika's eyes showed that she meant it.

Ishaan held her hand and said, "Avantika, there's no need to say this. All that matters is that you're finally happy."

"I have a feeling that you're the one who will always stand by me, no matter what," Avantika said.

Ishaan didn't say anything and just smiled.

Avantika smiled back and said, "Why didn't you meet me earlier, Ishaan?"

Ishaan silently thought, "I've always been there, Avantika... but you kept ignoring me."

Coming out of his thoughts, he said, "Well, I'm here now... everything has its right time. Anyway, I'm done. I should leave now."

Avantika also stood up and returned to the drawing room with him. There was pin drop silence between Naina and Rohan, as if both were observing a vow of silence. Seeing Naina's face, Ishaan understood how frustrated she must be feeling.

He went to Naina and whispered in her ear, "I hope you both enjoyed each other's company."

Naina pinched him and said, "Yes, we were just missing you."

Then Ishaan turned to Rohan and said, "Alright, Rohan, it was nice meeting you again. See you soon." Rohan also stood up and shook hands with Ishaan, saying, "Yeah, see you soon." Saying this, he squeezed Ishaan's hand a little harder. He understood what Rohan was doing, and he just smiled. He was happy that he had made Rohan feel jealous today.

Then he said to Avantika, "Okay, Avantika, see you soon. The food was delicious, and if there's any Gajar ka Halwa left, keep it in the fridge. I'll come and eat it tomorrow." And he left.

He himself didn't know why he said the last sentence, maybe he wanted to make Rohan more jealous....

© random_kahaniyaan

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Part -13 is out too... please do read and share your review....
Happy Reading 🙏😊