AVNEIL.SHORT STORY - Chapter 5: Chapter 5

The Khanna mansion was buzzing with preparations.
Swetha had planned a grand anniversary party for Prakash and herself — an elegant evening with close friends, family, and business partners. The entire house was lit up with fairy lights and floral decorations. Even the servants wore coordinated uniforms.
Bebe had insisted that both Neil and Avni attend — together.
Neil had grumbled, of course.
“She doesn’t need to stand next to me like a trophy,” he had told Bebe.
“And you don’t need to act like a statue,” Bebe had snapped. “You both are married. People will look. Let them see something good.”
That night, as Neil adjusted the cuffs of his navy suit and ran a hand through his hair, he realized he hadn’t seen Avni all day.
Not until she walked down the stairs.
He froze.
She wore a deep maroon lehenga, simple yet graceful, with golden embroidery along the edges. Her hair was swept to the side in soft waves. A small bindi glimmered on her forehead. No flashy jewelry — just delicate earrings and a matching chain.
She looked like someone he didn’t know.
Or maybe… someone he hadn’t noticed before.
Avni avoided his gaze, walking straight to Bebe and touching her feet.
“She looks beautiful,” said someone behind him.
Neil turned slightly. It was Rohan Malhotra, his cousin. Young, charming, a little too flirtatious for Neil’s taste.
“Damn, bhai,” Rohan grinned. “How did you land someone like her? If you ever mess it up, I call dibs.”
Neil’s jaw clenched. “She’s my wife,” he said coldly.
“Right, right.” Rohan winked. “For now.”
Neil didn’t respond, but his mood had changed. Sour. Restless.
Throughout the evening, Avni remained poised, gentle, polite. She stood beside him when needed, never speaking unless spoken to. She smiled at guests, served sweets to elders, helped Bebe sit comfortably, and even calmed a fussy toddler in the corner with a sweet lullaby.
Neil couldn’t stop noticing her. Or how others were noticing her too.
Especially Rohan.
“Let me get you a drink,” Rohan said, reaching for Avni’s glass.
Before she could answer, Neil stepped in.
“She’s fine,” he said sharply. “She’s with me.”
Avni blinked. Rohan raised an eyebrow.
“Relax, Neil. I was just being polite.”
“Then be polite somewhere else.”
The tension was thick. Rohan walked away with a smirk.
Avni looked at Neil, confused. “Why are you talking to him like that?”
Neil looked at her, and for once, he didn’t have a ready insult.
He just… didn’t like it.
Didn’t like her smiling at Rohan.
Didn’t like how she looked in that dress when she wasn’t even trying to impress him.
Didn’t like how she wasn’t afraid of him anymore.
“I don’t like people hovering around what’s mine,” he muttered under his breath.
She stared at him. “What’s yours?”
He looked at her then, really looked. “You’re my wife.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “Only when it’s convenient?”
Silence.
Before he could answer, Bebe called out to them from across the room. “Come, come, I want a picture of the couple!”
Neil clenched his jaw.
Avni swallowed.
They both walked toward the camera and stood next to each other, too close, too stiff. The photographer adjusted the angle.
“Closer,” Bebe said. “Stand like husband and wife, not like strangers!”
Neil hesitated.
Then, slowly, his hand moved around Avni’s waist.
Her breath caught in her throat.
She didn’t move. She didn’t speak.
And for the first time, under the twinkle lights and curious eyes, Neil realized something terrifying.
He didn’t hate touching her.
And he didn’t like how much that scared him.