As he returned after sending the bags, Rekha devi teases him saying, " Beta if you had informed us earlier about timing of your arrival,
We would have called Nalina's family to welcome you.
Avinash said with a mischievous smile, " Don't tease me aunty, I just brought some gifts for Nalina from my trip to America, nothing special."
"Don't be shy, beta . It's normal to bring some gifts for your magnetar."Rekha Devi added, " Only if my Ashutosh can be as sensible as you are, caring, understanding, and running your father's business to new levels."
"Don't embarrass me aunty, Ashutosh is a self-made guy" Avinash quickly diverted the attention back to Ashutosh.
_____
Soft morning sunrays embrace a luxurious two story house, chanting of havan can be heard coming from inside, people are going in and out, some in the lawn , some in the garden. Avinash brought the house, they arranged a small ,gray Shanti Puja, and invited many relatives.
As the future daughter-in-law of the family Nalina did the grah pravesh, bold and beautiful as she is , in a designer baby pink lehenga, with light makeup and delicate diamond jewellery, her beauty attracting everyone's eyes.
All Relatives are talking about how lucky Nalina is to have such a good fiance, how Avinash single-handedly took a middle class household to billionaire family, some are even saying Nalina is the lucky start for the family.
Everyone is happy, chatting and drinking sherbet, some ladies are discussing Nalina's outfit.
" I heard Meena specially brought this Sabyasachi lahenga for her. "
" Not only that, but the diamond jewellery she's wearing is a gift from Avinash for her birthday."
"Oh, yes I heard that too, He insisted on buying a more expensive jewelry set, But Nalina likes delicate things, she doesn't like heavy jewelry, that's how they brought this. "
" She is so well behaved and very intelligent."
"That's why, the Mehra family didn't hesitate to spend a fortune on her, even before the engagement. I wonder how lavish her shagun will be at that time."
In the middle of those happily chattering, two faces looked unfit, not happy, not even a simple smile, just intensely watching Nalina,there stood Riya with her mother.
Although famous for her sensibility and modesty, the jealousy in Riya's eyes can't be hidden, the whole time her eyes follows Nalina and when she moves her site from her it's on Avinash.
Riya's thoughts:
I never know Avinash looks so handsome and what a gentleman he is , how caring he is brought gifts for Nalina, gives her birthday gift,
Compared to him Ashutosh is hopeless, cold , hot tempered, can only talk sweetly, but has no sense of caring for me and Nalina she must be so proud now, But with Avinash's status Nalina is not a good match for him.
A Swan and a Tod can't be matched together.
Avinash deserves someone better, a graceful, sophisticated, well mannered girl….
Just like me.
Avinash's thoughts:
Why Riya is looking towards me from time to time, is it that she wants to make a move now?, No ,no, we have already decided that before doing anything we must make a perfect plan, otherwise Nalina and Ashutosh will the victim in everyone's eyes , but what's the reason then?, She is such a delicate beauty, everytime I look at her I fall for her again and again.
Dear God, what a fate. Both of us are tied with an unfit match, compared to Nalina she is so better, her family's status is much higher than Nalina, she's the perfect wife material.
Only if I can get rid of Nalina and marry Riya as my life partner without any fuss.
-----
Avinash's long strain of thoughts disrupt as his phone vibrates indicating a message from Riya, his Darling Riya, he didn't know when it started but it happened, he fall for her in just a one week, short time but as she says love just need one glance and it will bind you for eternity.
The message says,
"Avi, we have to take action today otherwise it will be too late..your grandfather is talking about doing roka ceremony tomorrow, send will send shagun also,
Once the roka is done we won't be able to do anything.
do something please."
He quickly looked at her only to see her worry filled, longing eyes, he quickly replied.
"Don't worry Jaan , I will do anything to marry you."
"Avi, my heart belongs to you only. I can't marry him, if that happens I'll end my life."
His heart clinched as typed,
"Leave everything to me, never talk about ending your life, I love you and I will only marry you in this life, I'll go to any length for that, just wait and watch."
Avinash's message did have an effect, Riya's bad mood turned into happiness in no time.
Watching her smiling so happily Kamla devi said,
"What are you smiling for , this happy occasion is not for you."
"You were so confident about making Avinash fall for you and now he buys diamond jewellery for her."
" Maa, it's just a show. Rest assured, soon this happiness will belong to me." Riya replies with a smug smile.
Hearing her Kamla Devi's eyes also gave a radiant smile.
—-
Ashutosh's thoughts:
That... was unexpected.
I told mom last night but she won't believe me, but look at her, not only me, so many people are noticing, Riya's gaze has freezed on Avinash.
What a disgrace, I've seen her two times last week in this house, in the garden talking with Avinash and she always says that she came here with Nalina to help with house setup.
Who's she trying to fool?
But Nalina, is she blind?Trusting her cousin this much, she better come to her senses before Riya destroys her marriage and I must talk with my grandfather about this.
After completion of puja, after the guests took their leave, the Mehra and Sharma Family joined together to have lunch.
In the joyous atmosphere, with everyone talking happily, Avinash sees his chance with heavy heart he stood up from his chair,
" Everyone, I have something to confess."