This chapter is dedicated to Sravya_17, anjila2 & sketchy_niti. Thank you guys for your constant support.

Hey guys!!

I'm back with another chapter. Those who have not read chapter 69, do check it out fast.

This chapter is unedited and may contain grammatical mistakes.

Maya's POV:

Time has passed so swiftly, like a blink of an eye. I feel like it was just yesterday when I came to know about my little one's existence. I'm 18 weeks pregnant now, and have entered my second trimester, and one can see my little baby bump. My little one is doing well, so I'm.

I'm telling you, this boy is a big foodie like his father.《chuckling》 He is making me eat lots of food, specially sweets. I'll surely look like a baby elephant in a few months.《giggling》

There was a time, when I avoided my Avi. But now, I couldn't imagine my life without him; he became my addiction. He became more possessive of me. I have asked him many times about his nightmares, but will that boy share them with me? Nah, stubborn man. But then, I couldn't thank him enough for coming into my life, for not giving up on us, for loving me, and for giving me the most beautiful gift, my little one.

"Slice of Dreams" has been blooming. We have signed deals with some college cafeterias to supply our baked goods. We are planning to open our first cafe.

But I'm sad that Aashi has to handle everything alone, as I'm taking bed rest as suggested by Diya Vadina. She warned me not to do any work, and to take complete rest as I'm little weak, and my possessive family got more possessive listening to this. They are not even letting me lift a spoon. 《pouting》

Thank God, we have a staff of three bakers and two helpers, otherwise it would have been difficult for Aashi to manage everything alone. Three of them are female, and they are so cool and understanding. (Do you think my hubby dear and her boyfriend will appoint male staff? Nah, then it would be the eighth wonder.)

They are Rati, Nadiya, and Anu. Rati is famous for her tasty pies, Nadiya makes flavorful pizzas; Anu's makes delicious cheese cakes, and my boyfriend (Aashi) is famous for her delectable handmade chocolates, and not to forget my yum-yum cupcakes.

And there is something else that has changed in these 5 weeks. The relationship between my parents and me. I couldn't help, but rewind my childhood sweet memories when I was with them. Nandu started to spend more time with me, just like the old days. I knew he used to feel insecure by looking at the relationship between me and Arjun Anna. But then he understood it slowly as he grew up. For Arjun Anna I'm his kiddo, he pampers me to no extent and leaves no chance to irritate me. And in the case of Nandu, the role gets reversed. I have even gone to his foot ball matches along with Aashi, Siri, Arpita akka, Sravya, Diya vadina and Taara akka.

We are welcoming another soul into this family. Taara Akka is four weeks pregnant. She came to know about it two days ago, and we have a family gathering at their house tomorrow, as it's the weekend. She was really heartbroken when she came to know about Dharani Akka (Taara's twin sister and Dharsh's biological mother). Varma family were angry at Surya, Sravya and Janardhan thatha for hiding about Dharani Akka's identity. But eventually they melted, understanding Dharani Akka's point of view.

Darsh became their apple of the eye. It's not that they didn't love him before. But now that they know he is the symbol of their daughter, they lavish him with love and pamper him to no end. And that boy is making all of them dance on his little finger, especially his father and my best-friend, Sunny (Surya).

I didn't know what happened between Sravya and him in the past. But I could see some tension between them. I hope Darsh would bring his parents together.

Now coming nack to us, currently, I'm getting ready to give my hubby dear a surprise. He is in his office, and I'm getting bored by sitting idly. I grabbed my clutch and mobile, after getting satisfied with my look.

I moved down and saw dadu, dadi and ammamma sitting in the living room, watching an old movie. I moved towards them, kissed their cheeks, and sat beside them.

"Are you going somewhere?" Dadu asked me.

"Yup!! I'm getting bored, so I'm going to AVEL," I answered him.

"Are you going alone?" This time, ammamma asked, raising her eyebrow.

"As if you guys would allow me. Nandu and Siri are coming, as they don't have college today. And yeah, we are taking the driver with us," I said, giving her a tight-lipped smile.

"You are looking like a college girl. No one would believe that you are soon to be a mom," Dadi said, looking at me.

I giggled, listening to her. I wore a white sweatshirt, and paired it with blue jeans.

I moved to the kitchen to pack lunch for my in-laws and hubby. After packing everything, I told driver to keep the bag in the car. Just then, Siri and Nandu came inside. We bid bye to three of them and left to AVEL.

********************

Me and Siri were sitting in the back seat, while Nandu was sitting in the passenger seat.

"Akka, I have to go for shopping, will you accompany me?", Siri asked, making an innocent face at me.

"You have asked a great person to accompany you for the shopping, Siri", Nandu said, chuckling.

I glared at him, while Siri was looking at me with a hopeful face, making a puppy face.

"Fine", I said.

"But, why do you want to go for shopping now?" I asked her.

"Umm, I have to buy a gift for my friend", she said, looking outside.

"Okay, what do you want to buy for her?" I asked her.

"Guitar", she said, smiling shyly.

I choked the water, I was drinking, listening to her.

"Okay, now I got it, little sister. You want to gift guitar for Pranav on his birthday. Hmm good going, Siri", I thought in my mind.

"And who is that friend of yours who plays guitar?" Nandu asked, turning back and narrowing his eyes at her.

"Why do you want to know?" She asked, looking at him.

"Actually, even I want to buy a gift for Pranav as his birthday is coming", I told, diverting the topic. Though Nandu know, about Pranav love for Siri, he is not happy, as according to him Siri is a kid.

Soon, we reached AVEL, the receptionist greeted us with a smile, me and Siri greeted her back with a smile, while Nandu just nodded his head, how rude.

We entered the private lift and entered the 10th floor. We were going towards Avi's cabin, when I heard something, tears pooled in my ears listening to them.

"Did you look at her, she is our Avinav sir's wife. He is so fair, handsome and hot, while she is dusky and no where matching his standards. I didn't understand, what sir had seen in her", said a female employee.

"Slowly, what if she heard us?" Said another employee.

"I don't care", she said rudely.

Siri just went towards them and slapped hard, I tried to stop her, but that angry bird didn't listen to me. While Nandu was glaring at them.

"How dare you talk like that about my sister? It won't take a minute for us to destroy your career at the snap of our fingers", yelled Nandan.

"Who are you, Mr? Are you owner of this company or what? I didn't say any wrong, I said the truth. Did she look at herself in the mirror?" She said arrogantly, giving me a disgusting look.

I fisted my hand, listening to her. Listening to the sounds manager came running towards us.

"What happened madam, any problem?" He asked us.

"Type their resignation letters, with a black mark and throw it on her face", saying that, I moved towards attayya's cabin, not paying heed to her rants.

Siri and Nandu, smirked, listening to me and came behind me.

"Hi attayya!" We greeted attayya, who was engrossed in the files.

"Hi guys! What a pleasant surprise?" She asked, closing the file.

We made ourselves, comfortable in the couch while she came and sat on the opposite one.

"We got bored at home, so thought to pay a visit, before leaving for the shopping", I told her.

"Okay, but are you really going for the shopping", she asked me.

Huff, why do everyone keep on asking me the same question? Of course, I hate shopping for long hours, but that doesn't mean I don't go for shopping at all.

"Yeah! I have to buy a gift for Pranav as his birthday is nearing", I told her, while she made an "OH" face and muttered okay.

We were talking when Avi barged inside my cabin, shouting my name, umm angrily, and that girl was following him with a smirk on her face. How much I wish to wipe that smirk from her face?

"Why did you tell the manager to fire her, without any reason? You know, she is one of the efficient employee. And how can you take decisions regarding this office without my permission?" Avi yelled at me.

Tears brimmed in my eyes, listening to him.

"If you forgot, then let me remind you, I'm one of the board members of this company. So, I have that right", I told him, composing myself.

"Then, I'm the CEO of this company. I know, whom I should appoint and remove from this office", he said, angrily.

"Bava, don't shout at my sister. There is no fault of my akka, it's your employee fault. She is the one who insulted my sister", Nandu said, defending me.

"I didn't do anything sir, I just stopped mam, and told her that you are busy and told not to allow anyone. But this mam got angry and slapped me", she lied, without any shame, pointing at me and Siri.

"Siri, is this way to behave with someone elder to you? Now, say sorry to her", Avi told Siri, with a stern voice.

"My sister won't say sorry to anyone", saying that, Nandu dragged me and Siri along with him.

We could hear attayya calling us from behind, but we didn't stop. We saw employees looking at us, but we just left the office, not before telling the security head to give them lunch. I messaged attayya that I'm fine and switched off my mobile.

**********************

We left to a shopping mall, and Nandu dragged us both to the food court. He went and ordered food for us.

Though we are not in a mood to have the food, but I can't neglect my health. I can't keep my little one starving.

We had our food silently. After that, Nandu dragged us to a movie to enlighten our mood. Later Siri bought guitar for Pranav, while Nandu bought some sneakers for himself. I have decided to paint Pranav portrait and gift him, as he has asked me long back to paint his portrait. So, I have bought the required things. Nandan and Siri told me to come with them. But I just denied them and said I would stay some other time. I dropped at them and came back to our house.

By the time, I came back it's already 7 o' clock. I left to my room directly, saying that, I'm tired. I unlocked our room and directly left to the bathroom to have a relaxing shower to calmdown myself. I switched on the shower and stood under it. I stood there with tears flowing down my cheeks.

After sometime, I heard someone knocking on the door.

"Maya, are you there?" I heard, Aashi's voice from outside.

"Yeah", I told, not wanting to worry her.

"Have your shower quickly and come out fast. It's been fifteen minutes since you went inside. You'll catch cold and it's not good for your health", she shouted.

I quickly had my shower and dried my body. I came out in a bathrobe, as I forgot to take my clothes. I moved to the and wore my night wear.

I came out of the closet, and sat on the bed.

"What happened actually?" She asked me, while drying my hair.

I stayed mum, as I didn't have mood to talk about that incident. And even Aashi didn't budge me more, understanding my silence.

How dare he shout at me in front of his employees, for no fault of mine. I agree, Siri shouldn't have slapped her, but then that girl deserved it.

If she has guts to insult her boss's wife, then I wonder, how does she behave with her colleagues? That's why, I told the manager to fire her. I'll tolerate anything, but not when someone comment about one's body shape, color, and beauty. I strongly believe, beauty lies in one's heart and soul, not in one's looks.

I told her to bring my dinner to her room and also that I would sleep with her today. I grabbed my mobile and laptop bag and moved towards her towards her room. Let him sleep alone.

**********************

Me and Aashi were working in my laptop in Aashi's room. We are discussing about our cafe which we are planning to launch, when we heard someone banging on the door. She unlocked the door, and we saw Diya vadina standing there with a tensed face.

"Arjun punched Avi Anna", said vadina (sister-in-law), huffing.

Me and Aashi immediately moved down along with vadina, and saw Arjun Anna yelling at Avi.

I just dragged Anna from there, while he was huffing, but followed me silently. We stopped in front of his room.

"Anna, please don't make the issue big. We will solve it", saying that, I left to Aashi's room.

I don't have energy to argue with him. I gulped my meds and lied down on the bed and covered myself with the quilt. I drifted into sleep soon, due to the tiredness.

Hey guys!!

I hope you have liked the update.

《NOTE: As this book is going to end in a few chapters. I'll be updating this daily. So, until then I'm not going to update my other books. I hope you guys understand》

Keep smiling and take care ❤