Chapter 5

Bridal Glow

Steve came back with a big surprise, he secretly contacted Avni's parents and arranged a fairy tale proposal. Amidst friends and family the duo got engaged and within few days a wedding extravaganza was arranged. Avni's marriage was a big thing for her family and everything was elaborate and elegant. The white shamiyana was shining like a star from a distance and as Avni’s came closer to it, her smile grew bigger.

Dressed in a champagne colored bridal ensemble, she looked like a fairy lost her way into the mortal world. Her face had that bridal glow, which was adding a lot more charm to her persona. Her mother wiped tears of joy from her eyes and ushered her princess towards the aisle, where someone is waiting for her eagerly. Prince charming can certainly feel jealous of how Steve can steal the show in a simple golden kurta matched with red dhoti and pagdi. Simple yet elegant, Avni’s Prince looked nothing less than a royal scion.

After exchanging garland, the couple headed towards the magnificently decorated mandap. Decked in white and red roses with hints of gold, the mandap looked spectacular. The couple exchanged vows of togetherness while circling the holy fire. With chants of Hindu wedding rituals and blessings of families and friends, Avni married the man who loved her beyond words and started a new life.

Chapter 4

A Second Chance

She was sleeping like a baby and he couldn't stop admiring the beauty she is blessed with. To him she wasn't just beautiful, she was art; she made him feel something every time he looked at her. Her calmness reminded him of the pristine ocean, while her anger was like lava flowing through cracks of an old mountain, capable of mass destruction yet so resplendent. To her he was a man, who felt like home. His simple gestures were healing the hidden soars in her heart and love was blooming like petals unravel a captivating flower in spring.

Fights, yes they happen, even between the happiest couples, and even between the ones, who die holding hands; Avni and Steve were no exception. The honeymoon period was over and they had a fight that devastated Avni. Shattered and heartbroken, she boarded the flight but as her mother says life goes on. It was her third visit to NYC in an year; they both made every effort to make this long distance relationship work but even the brightest bloom fades away in fall and so did their love. How she wished to get back in time and relive those moments with him. His surprise visit to India, his giant arms holding drunk Avni and his bad Hindi, so much was taken away from her in a day that she felt her heart freezing. Next few months were full of anxiety, therapies, and this wasn't as easy as Ankit was. Steve didn't make her fall in love, he made her believe in it and suddenly he wanted to change her belief.

“Why did I argue? He just wanted to go on a bachelorette, was it a big deal? No, it wasn't, I fucked up this time and I am going to die single. I am not good enough for a man like him, I am no good!” Jumbled thoughts kept her awake till dawn and this restlessness, this pain was taking a toll on her health. Therapies, parents, friends, everyone and everything that she needed were around but the one she longed for was not.

It was a cold winter night and Avni slept on a pillow smeared with tears and crushed with screams. A woolen blanket covered her and kept her warm through the cold winter night. Suddenly she felt a cold hand on her forehead and she immediately switched on the light. Her scared pale face turned bright red soon, as Steve comforted her in his arms. It wasn't a dream, a guy she loved has crossed seas and oceans to be with her and tears of joy started falling from her big beautiful eyes.

Chapter 3

I Love NYC

Avni was received by Mr. McKinley’s assistant, who was responsible to take her to the hotel, where a room was booked for her stay. A Luxury suit that was decked to perfection, Mr McKinley surely knows how to treat his associates. 15 hours of travel were ruthless on Avni's back, she slept like a baby for the next 9 hours. She woke with a phone call at around 7 in the morning, it was her mom. “ you were supposed to give me a call once you reach, do u realize I have had so many sleepless nights because of your business trips?” Her mother was furious yet right. So Avni decided to not say anything that can add fuel to the flames. While talking to her she realized that she has a meeting with Mr. McKinley within two hours. She told her mother that she has some urgent work and disconnect the phone to run towards the bathroom. In an hour she was ready for the meeting, white shirt with a black pencil fit skirt and black stilettos were perfect for the occasion. Her pearl necklace and subtle makeup were giving that perfect finishing touch to her look. She looked amazing and felt confident, many heads turned to have a look at this new Asian beauty in the city and Avni just couldn't stop enjoying the attention. The meeting was perfect and so was Avni’s day; after a long time she felt really complete and as she walked down the road to grab a coffee serendipity made its way in her life. Steve, a tall blue-eyed stranger with a contagious smile. This is what he was to her but little did she knew that he is a new beginning, a second chance for love.

Chapter 2

“Sorry Man! I Am Super Late”

Avni’s entrance didn't make much of a difference for her very professional assistant, Karan. Dressed like a corporate big shot, staring at his system with pensiveness, he calmly said, “you are late for your first business meeting for the day ma'am.” The face of her most finicky client Mr. Ahuja flashed in front of Avni’s face. She has done it yet again and now he will most probably hire a contract killer to deal with her. Avni ran towards the meeting room screaming, “you have to tell me these things.” Raising one of his sharp well-defined eyebrows, he said, “please check your phone ma'am. By the time Avni could hear him she slammed open the meeting room door only to find a rather annoyed Mr. Ahuja. She nervously uttered “I am sorry sir, I I.” “Shall we start the meeting ma'am because explaining the importance of time and commitment in business to you is of no use to me, he said.” Avni explained her new ideas and tried hard to impress him while controlling her hunger pangs. “I will eat breakfast from tomorrow before reaching office”, she took a mental note that she will forget for sure.

The day started at a not so positive note but Avni got a surprise. While checking her email, she stumbled upon a reply from a foreign client. It stated -

Ms. Avni,

We are impressed with the designs that we received last week. I apologize for the delay in sending a reply. We will be delighted if you could visit us by the end of this month for further discussions.

Regards

Mr. Jonathan McKinley

Mc & Co. NYC

Avni screamed, yesssssss!!! Karan we are on it, make the reservations, I am going to New York City. He smiled, which happened rarely, “yes madam”, he said.

The day is finally over but there is something that needs Avni’s attention and that's her body. Let's make an appointment before leaving for NYC, she thought. She called her favorite spa & salon to fix an appointment for tomorrow and canceled few meetings to make sure that she doesn't miss this appointment. She would die instead of visiting NYC looking like a woman, who has lost her charm with age. Since makeup is not her thing, hence a couple of beauty treatments should help, she thought while staring at the raindrops that have drenched the windows of her car. “Rain! How it sends me down the memory lane”, she said. The driver looked back at her and said, “yes madam, did you say anything?” “No! I I was reading a message, sorry to disturb you” she said while the birds of her mind fluttered away to the time when she had him. Ankit, the only man who swept her off her feet; her childhood sweetheart and best friend. She remembered that a mutual friend once mentioned that he was in New York City but Avni could not muster the courage to ask more because the damage she has done to him was irreparable. She leaned back and thought “No! Let's not even think about meeting him.” The rain stopped and Avni is now running towards the lift in her heels, trying to avoid Mr. I think I am handsome so, I will flirt. She was successful and as the lift closed Avni thanked God for saving her from his “trying to be friendly to get into your pants” conversation.

Flight is delayed by six hours and Avni is sitting alone in a cafe, sipping her coffee and curiously reading a book. Suddenly she looked up and time stopped when their gaze met, both recognized each other in a split of a second; it is like they can see each other's souls instead of the physical manifestations. Ankit! This was the only word, the only name that she often craved to say and now after 9 years she got a chance to say it again. He came near her, sat down next to her, trying to hide his emotions. “Long time Avni”, he said. The only words that came out of her mouth were, “yes indeed.” Hours went by, both were talking about mundane things, in spite of the fact that their souls yearned to start those old conversations once again. Avni realized that she should prepare to board the plane now. She gave him a big warm hug, promised to stay in touch and left him like she did nine years ago. She turned around to see him for the last time and he was still watching her, with a smile on his face and tears in his eyes. Seems like nine years aren't enough to change a lover.

Chapter 1

“Once upon a time”

It was almost six in the morning, Avni woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside her bedroom's window. The sky was drenched in the resplendent hues of blue and orange and the wind was reviving everything with her gentle touch, it was a beautiful summer morning. Avni loves to wake up early and witness the glory of nature before getting lost in the hustle and bustle of the city life. She prepared a cup of ginger tea and enjoyed it along with the amazing view from her studio apartment, which was tucked away from the chaos of New Delhi. This quaint society was located in Janakpuri, New Delhi and was just the perfect place for a flower child like Avni. Being the only girl in her extended family, Avni was raised in a loving and caring environment. Her mother always knew that she was free-spirited and unconventional and she was proud of her little bundle of joy, who grew up way too faster than she expected. Avni was never the victim of forced traditions of the society and her family lovingly supported her in every endeavor. In spite of getting so much love and attention, Avni was never a spoilt and greedy child. Instead of asking for toys and chocolates, she was busy planting trees in her neighborhood and helping people around her at a very tender age. Her angelic smile and sweetness made her the most loved child in not just her family but also in her neighborhood.

The love and care that she received as a child helped Avni in growing up to be a strong, independent, and virtuous woman. She is 33, unmarried and one of the most sought after interior designers of Delhi. In spite of being one of the brightest children of her school, Avni never wanted to go for the conventional career options. Her decision to shift to Delhi and pursue interior designing as a career raised many eyebrows in her family but her parents were sure that like a river, Avni will carve her path through the roughest terrains.