Tanya's Visit to the Malhotra House
The Malhotra house stood grand and imposing, its architecture a seamless blend of luxury and heritage. As Tanya stepped out of her car, she inhaled deeply, steadying herself before walking toward the entrance.
She had been here before, but today felt different. Today, Avinash's mother had specifically invited her to discuss their engagement, making it feel more real than it ever had.
A staff member opened the door for her, greeting her with a polite nod before leading her inside.
"Tanya, beta!" Avinash's mother's voice came as she walked toward her. She extended her hands, taking Tanya's warmly. "I'm so glad you could come."
"It's always a pleasure, Aunty." Tanya replied, offering a small smile.
Just then, Avinash's chachi joined them, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Tanya, I talked to your mother." She began, settling onto the plush couch. "She told me you are designing yours and Avinash's outfits for the engagement?"
Tanya nodded, feeling a small surge of pride. "Yes, aunty. Avinash suggested it."
Avinash's chachi's eyebrows lifted slightly in a little shock and her smile widened. "He did?"
Tanya nodded again.
"Well, that is something." Avinash's mother teased, as they both said down on the couch. "Avinash has never let anyone decide what he wears, let alone design it and it's surprising that he asked you to."
Tanya smiled softly.
Darsh's vice came from behind.
"Tanya Bhabhi, designing the outfits is fine, but just don't make Avinash Bhai wear anything too soft. Ever since you came into his life, he has already started showing little emotions. If you make him wear something soft too, I think we will completely lose our cold and intimidating Bhai." Darsh said, grinning as he leaned against the doorway.
Aarav, who walked in behind him, smirked. "I don't know, Darsh. Maybe a little blush pink would bring out the warmth he doesn't have."
Tanya blinked, caught off guard by their teasing. "I—umm.... I will keep that in mind." she said
Avinash's chachi gave both her brothers a look. "Stop teasing Tanya. She's designing their outfits, not dressing Avinash in florals."
"Though that would be a sight." Darsh murmured under his breath, earning a light smack from Darsh's mother(Avinash's Chachi).
Both brothers dropped onto the couch beside Tanya. "So, Tanya Bhabhi, we can call you Bhabhi now, right?" Darsh asked, grinning.
Tanya met their gazes and nodded with a small and a little hesitant smile. "Umm... yes, you can."
Aarav setting himself on the couch spoke "So, Bhabhi, how's work going? And how's everyone—Uncle, Aunty, Coco, and you? It's been so long since we last met. I think the last time was at the family gathering before this whole marriage thing, and Bhai wasn't even there. Now, with the wedding stuff and the change in relation, everything feels different, doesn't it?"
Tanya looked at him and with a soft smile she replied "It really has been a long time. Work is going well, Aarav, and everyone's doing fine. And yeah... it does feel different."
Avinash's mother gently placed her hand over Tanya's, her voice warm and reassuring. "It's okay, beta. It's natural to feel a little different in a new home, but you don't have to be uncomfortable. We are not just like your family—we are your family only now. You belong here, with us. You should start calling me 'Maa' just like Avinash does. And remember, no matter what, you can always come to me for anything."
Avinash's Chachi nodded with a smile. "And you can call me 'Chachi.' The rest of the family too—Dadaji, Dadiji, Papa, Chachu, we are all yours now. It might take time, but soon, this place will feel like home."
Tanya felt a warmth spread through her chest at their words. She looked at them, her fingers lightly fidgeting with the edge of her dupatta.
She gave a small, grateful smile. "Thank you... Maa, Chachi. That really means a lot.” Her voice was soft, a little hesitant and acceptance.
Avinash's mother reached out, gently patting Tanya's hand. "Beta, we mean it. You don't have to feel like an outsider. This is your home now."
Avinash's chachi nodded with a warm smile. "And soon, you won't even have to think before calling us that."
Tanya nodded, her heart feeling a little lighter. Maybe, just maybe, this place would truly start feeling like home.
After a brief moment of silence, Darsh stretched his arms and leaned back. "You know, Bhabhi, I have to say, it's nice seeing you here. Usually, it's just Bhai scaring everyone with his one-word replies."
Aarav chuckled. "True. The house feels... lighter with you around."
Tanya smiled at their words, but then something clicked in her mind. She looked at both of them with narrowed eyes. "Wait—how are you home so early today? Didn't your Bhaiya trap you at the office with work like last time when everyone visited Anand mansion?"
Darsh groaned dramatically. "Don't remind me, Bhabhi. Last time, We literally begged bhai but he being he , didn't allow us."
Aarav smirked. "But today, we were smart. We left before Bhai could assign us more work or even see us. Technically, we 'had an important meeting at home'—which is you, of course."
Darsh nodded quickly. "Exactly! And before you judge, just know that survival requires strategy when dealing with 'The Avinash Malhotra'."
Tanya laughed, shaking her head. "So, you both basically ran away?"
Aarav shrugged. "Let's just say we made a strategic retreat."
---
Avinash's Unexpected Return
Avinash had been in his office, drowning in back-to-back meetings, when he had casually checked his phone. A single message from his mother mentioning Tanya's visit had caught his eye.
Now, as he stepped into the living room, he looked over the scene. Tanya sat comfortably, talking with his mother and Dadi, while Aarav and Darsh looked far too relaxed for his liking.
He didn't announce his presence. He didn't need to.
"Aarav, Darsh." His deep voice was heard from behind.
Both brothers started to tense. Aarav raised his hands in surrender, while Darsh muttered under his breath, already knowing they were caught.
Tanya, mid-conversation, turned slightly. Her eyes widened as she spotted him standing at the entrance, his expression unreadable. He wasn't supposed to be here yet.
His mother looked up,surprised. "You're home early today?"
Avinash, unaffected, answered simply.
"I was done with work."
Dadaji, who had just stepped into the living room, gave him a knowing look, amusement flickering in his aged eyes. Avinash said nothing, only exchanging a glance with Dadiji.
His focus shifted back to Tanya. She was still seated, still engaged in conversation .
Dadiji patted Tanya's hand warmly. "Beta, tell me more about your designs."
Avinash's mother smiled, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Avinash, we were just discussing the engagement outfits—the ones you specifically asked Tanya to design. Quite unlike you to have preferences, hmm?"
Aarav smirked. "Oh, absolutely, Maa! Bhai never cared about these things before. But now? Suddenly, he has a personal designer."
Darsh grinned. "Who also happens to be his soon-to-be fiancée."
Tanya's cheeks warmed as she glanced at Avinash, who had taken a seat near dadaji without reacting—his expression as unreadable as ever.
Avinash's gaze flickered to his brothers, his tone calm but firm."When did you two leave the office?"
Aarav and Darsh exchanged a quick glance.
"Uh... well, Bhai, see—" Aarav started, but Darsh cut in.
"We finished our work early today. So, we thought, why not come home and spend some time with our soon-to-be Bhabhi?" He grinned, clearly trying to shift the attention.
Avinash didn't look convinced. His piercing gaze remained on them.
Tanya, sensing the tension, suppressed a smile. It was amusing how the confident, carefree younger brothers of Avinash Malhotra could turn into nervous schoolboys under his presence.
Darsh coughed. "Bhai, we were just—uh—keeping Bhabhi company."
Aarav nodded quickly. "Yes! And she was enjoying our company. Right, Bhabhi?"
Tanya blinked, looking between them and Avinash, who was watching her intently. She cleared her throat. "Uh... yes?"
Avinash didn't say anything but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes.
----
The Subtle Observations
Avinash hadn't planned to observe her so closely, yet his attention remained drawn to Tanya.
She moved through conversations with a natural ease, as if she had always belonged here.The realization settled in his chest.
Then suddenly, the sound of the main door opening drew everyone's attention.
Avinash's father had arrived.
"See," Dadiji chuckled, glancing at Tanya. "All the men of this house are home early today. And the reason? Tanu has come. If Dilip(Avinash's chachu) hadn't been away on a business trip, he would have come with Veer(Avinash's father) too."
Tanya flushed at the teasing tone, glancing down and Aarav and Darsh exchanged grins.
Avinash's father smiled and said. "Of course, Maa. When someone special is here, how could we stay away?"
His gaze softened as he looked at Tanya."It's good to see you, beta. I hope everyone has been making you feel at home."
Tanya nodded, still a little shy. "Yes, Uncle. Everyone is making me feel like home."
"Uncle?" Dadiji said playfully. "Beta, you should start calling him Papa now."
Before Tanya could respond, Avinash's father smiled warmly. "It will take time, Maa. Let her be comfortable first."
Dadaji, who had been quietly watching, finally spoke in a low voice to Avinash."She fits in well, doesn't she, Avinash?"
Avinash shifted his gaze, meeting Dadaji's eyes.
He didn't answer.
Because the truth was already there.
Yes, she did. And for the first time in a long time, Avinash found himself unsure of how he felt about it.
-----
The Goodbye That Wasn't Just a Goodbye
The evening had passed quicker than Tanya had expected. Conversations had flowed effortlessly, laughter had filled the air, and for the first time, she felt like she was truly stepping into this new phase of her life.
But now, as the night settled in, it was time for her to leave.
As Tanya stood up, Avinash's mother pulled her into a warm embrace, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "Beta, come again soon." she said with a gentle smile.
His father placed a reassuring hand on her head. "Take care, Tanya. You're always welcome here."
Dadaji patted her head. "Come back soon, beta. This is your home now."
Dadiji cupped her cheek with a kind smile. "Always stay blessed, beta."
Chachi smiled warmly. "It felt nice having you here, beta. Come soon."
Aarav smiled. "Bhabhi, Hope to see you again soon."
Darsh nodded with a grin. "Looking forward to next time, Bhabhi."
Tanya felt an unexpected warmth spread through her chest. Their kindness, their acceptance—it was something she hadn't expected, yet it settled deep within her heart.
She smiled softly. "Thank you, really for everything. It means a lot." Her gaze flickered over each of them, gratitude shining in her eyes. "I'll come soon."
With that, she turned toward the door, her heart feeling just a little lighter.
She was surprised when Avinash silently fell into step beside her.
She glanced at him but didn't say anything. Neither did he.
The others stayed behind as the two stepped outside. Her car was already waiting, the driver standing by the door.
Avinash reached the car first, opening the door for her. Tanya hesitated for a second before turning to him.
"I had a nice time today." she admitted softly.
Avinash met her gaze, his face unreadable, yet something in his expression made her heart skip a beat.
He gave a small nod. "That's good." Then after a pause."So, how's the planning for our outfits going? Is work stressful with everything happening—engagement planning, designs, your company? I also heard your fashion show is coming up right after our engagement."
Tanya blinked at his unexpected interest, then offered a small smile. "It's a lot to manage, but I'm handling it." She paused. "And yes, the fashion show is right after the engagement. So, things are a bit hectic."
Avinash studied her for a moment before speaking, his voice quieter than before. "Don't stress yourself. If you need any help, I'm here. In fact, everyone's here for you."
Tanya looked at him, momentarily taken aback. It was such a simple reassurance, yet coming from him, it held weight.
A small, genuine smile touched her lips. "Thank you, Avinash."
His only response was a slight nod.
For a moment, silence settled again. Then Avinash spoke, almost casually.
"So, you went with pastels in the end, right?"
Tanya blinked at him, confused.
"Or did you listen to your best friend and decide on a deep maroon and black theme?" There was a hint of amusement in his tone.
Tanya let out a soft laugh. "She was joking, Avinash."
"Hm. Good."
His response was so typical of him that Tanya had to bite back a smile.
She swallowed, suddenly unsure of what else to say. "Goodnight, Avinash."
In a voice lower than usual, he said, "Goodnight, Tanya."
She stepped into the car, and the door shut behind her.
As the car pulled away, Tanya couldn't help but glance in the rearview mirror.
Avinash was still standing there, hands in his pockets, watching as she left.
Just as she reached for her phone, a message appeared.
Avinash: Take care, Tanya. And message me when you reach home.
Her fingers hovered over the screen. For a man who always seemed so detached, this simple message carried a warmth she hadn't expected.
A small, soft smile touched her lips as she typed back.
Tanya: You too, Avinash. Take care. And I will message you when I reach.
She locked her phone and leaned back in her seat. Being in his thoughts. She traced her thumb over the screen, rereading his message. It was just a few simple words, but they carried a weight she couldn't ignore.
-----
Tanya Returns Home
The lights of the Anand residence glowed softly against the evening sky as Tanya stepped out of the car. She was still feeling the warmth of the evening at the Malhotra mansion, the laughter of Avinash’s cousins, everyone’s warmth, and... his presence.
She unlocked the main door and walked in.
Her mother looked up from the living room, her eyes lighting up. “Tanya!”
Her father kept the laptop aside, smiling. “How was it? Everyone treated you well?”
Tanya kicked off her heels near the entrance and nodded, slipping into the familiar comfort of home. “It was… really nice, actually. They are always so sweet and welcoming.”
“We told you, didn’t we?” her mother said gently. “They’re a good family. And you… you’ll find your place there.”
Her father nodded in quiet agreement. “You’ll get comfortable in no time, Tanya. Sometimes, things fall into place quietly. And when they do… you’ll feel it.”
Tanya offered them a small smile, feeling a quiet sense of agreement. Maybe that’s what she’d been feeling lately, things slowly, quietly falling into place.
Her mother cupped her cheek lightly. “Go freshen up, Tanu. Dinner’s almost ready.”
Tanya stood with a soft nod and began walking to her room. Her mind replayed the evening, the teasing cousins, smooth and calm conversation with Dadij’s, and…
“Message me when you reach.”
She paused at the entrance of her room, pulled out her phone, and typed a quick message without thinking too much.
Reached home.
She didn’t re-read it, just sent it. A moment later, his reply came.
Good.
She smiled faintly. A typical Avinash Malhotra response.
-----
Tanya Begins Designing Their Outfits
Late at night, the city outside Tanya’s window quieted. Inside her bedroom, a warm lamp cast a gentle glow over her sketchbook as she sat cross-legged on the bed, pencil in hand, sketching lines that had already been erased and redrawn three times.
The engagement was just days away.
And while Tanya had designed dozens of outfits for clients, none had consumed her like this one. Not even her own lehenga, which she had finalized with surprising ease. But this... his outfit... felt like a responsibility, feeling compelled to get every detail right.
Her phone buzzed beside her. She reached for it, smiling faintly at the name flashing on the screen.
Dishh calling...
She put it on speaker and placed it beside her sketchbook.
“Still sketching?” Disha’s voice came through, playful and warm.
“Hmm.” Tanya murmured, eyes focused.“Trying to get the collar just right.”
There was a pause. “You’ve re-drawn that part four times already, haven’t you?”
Tanya chuckled. “Maybe.”
Disha giggled. “You’ve designed for celebrities without blinking, Tanu. What is this sudden obsession with his sherwani’s collar?”
“It has to be perfect,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. As if Coco heard the heaviness beneath her words, a faint scratching came from the door. He padded in, tail wagging gently, and hopped onto the bed. He circled once around her before settling by her foot, his warmth spreading under the blanket. Tanya’s lips curved into a soft smile, sometimes, Coco had a way of showing up exactly when she needed him.
There was a beat of silence on the other end.
Then Disha spoke, gentler this time. “Tanya... how are you feeling about everything?”
Tanya blinked, surprised by the shift. She stared at the page.
“I don’t know,” she whispered honestly. “It’s happening so fast, Dish. Some days I’m okay, and others... I don’t know what I’m feeling.”
“Is it him?”
“I think it’s everything,” she admitted. “But... he’s there in everything now. Every plan. Every thought. Every time I tell myself to just focus on work, his name comes up somehow.”
Disha was quiet for a second before saying softly, “Maybe because... you’ve started caring. And you don’t know when it happened.”
Tanya swallowed.
“You remember how you were after the first meeting?” Disha continued. “You said he surprised you. That he wasn’t what you expected. And now here you are, obsessing over thread patterns and neckline cuts like he’s walking the Met Gala.”
“Shut up,” Tanya said, but her smile betrayed her.
“Or…” Disha’s voice carried a hint of playfulness again, “You could just ask him what he wants. Like a normal client. Which might also… you know… lead to talking about other things.”
Tanya hesitated, her gaze lingering on the sketch. “Maybe.”
Disha yawned. “Alright, sleep at some point, okay? We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Goodnight, Dish.”
-----
Tanya Talks to Coco
After Disha hung up, Tanya set the phone aside, glancing down at Coco, who was curled up near her feet like a little marshmallow with a tail. He let out a soft huff, lifting his head as if sensing her thoughts.
She reached out and gently ran her fingers over his fur. “What do you think, hmm?” she asked quietly. “Should I call him?”
Coco tilted his head.
Tanya smiled, curling a little closer to him. “I mean, it’s a simple question. Fabric preferences. Nothing more.” She paused. “Except... it feels like more.”
Coco licked her palm, his way of answering.
Tanya sighed, grabbed her phone again, and stared at the screen.
A simple message.
Tanya: Do you have a preference for the suit fabric?
She hit send before she could overthink it.
------
Late-Night Conversation
She didn’t expect a reply immediately, and definitely not a call.
But the phone rang.
Her heart stuttered when she saw his name.
“Hello?” she answered, trying to keep her voice normal.
His voice came low, warm, slightly rough from the hour. “It’s late. You should sleep.”
Her lips curved. “I will. Just finalizing a few things.”
After a long pause, she asked quietly. “Have you eaten?”
“Not yet. Finishing up some work.”
“Avinash…” Her voice carried soft blame mixed with worry. “It’s almost midnight.”
“It is.” His voice was casual; she could hear the faint click of his keyboard in the background.
“You should go and eat. Right now.” She hesitated, a smile tugging at her lips as a memory surfaced. “You know Maa told me...” she stopped, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she remembered his mother’s words—You should start calling me ‘Maa’ just like Avinash does. “Maa told me how sometimes you skip lunch… even dinner. She’s tired of you doing this. She’s worried about you, Avinash.”
For a second, he didn’t answer. Something in the way she said Ma—so natural, so certain, pulled at him. She hadn’t hesitated, hadn’t tested the word like it was unfamiliar. It slipped out of her like it belonged to her. He leaned back in his chair, feeling a quiet, unexpected warmth settle in his chest.
“I know. I try to… but I forget when I’m caught up in work.”
“Then I’ll remind you from now on,” she said simply, like it was the most natural thing in the world. “But for now… go eat. I’m hanging up.”
For a moment, there was only silence on the line. Her words—I’ll remind you from now on—stuck somewhere in his chest, warm and surprisingly comforting.
“…Okay,” he murmured. “I will. And you should also sleep.”
“Hm, I will, Goodnight, Avinash.”
“Goodnight, Tanya.”
The call ended, but neither moved immediately. Tanya stayed with the phone pressed to her ear for a few seconds longer, as if holding onto the echo of his voice.
And Avinash… set the phone down slowly, her voice still echoing in his head. She’ll remind me from now on. It wasn’t an empty promise, it felt like care. He felt something warm and unfamiliar. The faintest twitch tugged at the corner of his mouth, he almost didn’t notice before he pushed back his chair and headed toward the kitchen.
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Hello, my lovely readers!
Now tell me, after this break, do you think Avinash is finally realizing how much she’s become part of his life… or is Tanya the one feeling it more?
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Keep reading, keep sharing your thoughts, and stay tuned!
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