𝗧𝘂𝗺 𝗛𝗶 𝗧𝘂𝗺 – [𝐀𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞] - 𝐂𝐇 - 𝟑𝟒 ༊˚

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मेरे तो लग गए

हे हे समझे

मेरे तो लग गए

सा सा सा सा सा सा नि

सा नि सा नि सा पा नि सापा

 नि सा सा निधा पा म गा रे सा

___________________________

VOTE: 100+

COMMENTS: 90+

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The classroom was nothing short of a battlefield. Not with swords or blood but with pens, formulas, and full-blown panic.

The midterm Physics exam had turned even the bravest students into beggars of divine mercy.

“Bhagwaan ji… bass pass kara dena… please,” Vivaan pleaded dramatically, staring up at the ceiling as if God might just peek through and hand him a cheat sheet. His hands were folded in sincere devotion.

“Ansh bhaiya ke saath seat karwa dena Bhagwaan ji… Physics pass ho jaayegi,” Shagun added, eyes closed like she was at a temple, not a classroom.

Priya turned, rolling her eyes. “Huh… unke saath baithegi toh cheating bhi nahi kar payegi… ye prarthana kar ki unke saath na baithe hum mein se koi bhi,” she retorted, dead serious.

“Kyu…” Shagun blinked.

“Woh cheating bhi nahi karte aur na karne dete apne aas paas waalon ko,” Vivaan replied like he’d suffered that pain before.

“Gayi bhains paani mein,” Shagun slapped her forehead in despair.

Vivaan turned to his last hope Aditi, who was flipping through her formula notebook like her life depended on it.

“Behen… please paper mein bata dio kuch poochu toh,” he begged.

“Aayega toh pakka…” Aditi murmured absently, eyes still fixed on her formulas.

“Mujhe bhi please haaan jab washroom main milenge to,” Priya joined in, leaning closer.

“Done,” Aditi replied, not missing a beat.

Shagun looked utterly betrayed.

“Meri hi kismat bekaar hai… tum teeno ek hi floor mein ho, mujhe hi phek diya neeche Wale floor pe, washroom k bahane bhi nhii mil sakti” she complained with a pout, already mourning her marks.

“Ruhaan bhaiya se pooch liyo na… apna padhe na padhe tujhe zaroor bata denge,” Priya teased, smirking.

“Woh khud paas ho jaaye yaarrr… mujhe toh baad mein batayega,” Shagun shot back, crossing her arms.

Just as the chaos was peaking, the invigilating teacher entered the room.

“Everyone, settle down and take your seats as per your roll numbers!” she ordered sharply.

Groans echoed, bags were dragged, and the students shuffled to their respective seats.

Aditi found herself seated in front of Vivaan. She was still murmuring formulas under her breath, eyes glued to the front wall.

Vivaan, on the other hand, was not revising. He was mentally sketching cheat plans like a failed spy trying to recover intel.

And then came the other class.

Students from a higher grade entered. One of them walked straight up to Aditi’s desk and tapped lightly on it.

She looked up and almost dropped her pen. It was Ansh.

“Can I sit here?” he asked politely, standing next to her desk with his hands in his pockets.

“Aapka roll no. hai yaha pe?” Aditi blinked in disbelief.

“Haan… kyun?” he asked casually.

Aditi turned back to look at Vivaan, who had also seen what just happened. Their eyes met. Disaster.

“Gayi bhains paani mein…” Aditi muttered in horror, both of them now stuck between their worst case scenario, Ansh sitting near them.

“Ab kya karenge?” she whispered.

“Rukk…” Vivaan said, determination rising like a last-ditch soldier.

He poked Ansh from behind just enough to get his attention. Ansh turned, eyebrow raised.

What he saw made him blink. Vivaan was sitting with his hands folded, eyes almost teary.

“Bhaiya please iss baari cheating karne dena… please… fail ho jaunga warna main… please bhaiya,” Vivaan whispered like a desperate man making a deathbed confession.

Ansh raised a brow, unimpressed. “Padh ke aata na phir… ghoom kyun raha tha kal poore din?” he replied coldly, unmoved by Vivaan’s emotional drama.

Vivaan exhaled deeply, slumping back in his chair. “Bhaiya hai… ya jaani dushman…” he muttered under his breath, earning a snort from Aditi in front.

Meanwhile, in the adjacent classroom, Priya was settling into her seat on the second-last bench, revising nervously through the last few formulas of physics. Her fingers trembled slightly, her mind racing with formulas and definitions.

Just then, she heard the sound of someone pulling the chair behind her. She didn’t even have to look.

“Inko bhi yahi baithna tha,” she muttered under her breath, already recognizing the footsteps.

“Hi,” came Prateek’s voice, casual-but with that mischievous tone he always reserved just for her.

Priya didn’t respond much, just gave him a stiff nod, her nervousness written all over her face. Prateek tilted his head slightly, observing her.

“Kya hua?” he asked softly, leaning forward just enough so only she could hear.

“Kuch nahi… bass Physics ka paper hai aaj… toh darr lag raha hai,” she admitted, clutching her pen like a lifeline.

He grinned-that signature smirk that only made things worse. “Don’t worry… tumhaari partner ko aati hogi Physics. Usse pooch lena,” he teased with a wink.

Priya went red instantly and turned to lightly smack his arm with the back of her hand.

“Prateek!” she hissed under her breath.

Just then, her bench partner arrived and slid into the seat next to her. Before Priya could say anything, Prateek leaned a little forward and addressed the girl politely.

“Swati… please help her with Physics if you get time…” he said, flashing a quick smile.

Swati looked between the two of them, clearly amused at the interaction, then nodded kindly.

“Yeah, sure…” she replied, noticing Priya’s anxious face.

Priya sighed, part-relieved, part-embarrassed, as she sank further into her seat. Her boyfriend was infuriatingly confident.

Meanwhile, in another classroom of ground floor, Shagun sat with her arms folded on the desk, chin resting over them, eyes gazing out the window.

The tension of the physics exam had officially sucked the life out of her. Her brows were furrowed, and her lips were slightly pressed into a pout.

Just then-“Hi.”

She nearly jumped out of her seat as Ruhaan suddenly appeared in front of her, sitting on the desk invertedly, arms resting on the back of the chair, facing her with a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

“Tum har baar dara kyu dete ho!” she huffed, lightly hitting his arm as her heart tried to calm down.

“Tum itni tensed kyu ho? Chill yaar… it’s just an exam,” Ruhaan replied, shrugging dramatically like it was no big deal.

She raised an eyebrow. “Achha? Tumhara kis subject ka hai?” she asked, folding her arms and narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

“English,” he said with a proud grin.

Shagun blinked. And then gave him a soul-piercing glare.

“Mera Physics hai.” Her tone was flat. Her eyes are deadpan. Ruhaan’s smile dropped ever so slightly as he gulped.

“Ohhh… koi na… ho hi jaayega,” he said awkwardly, suddenly very interested in the corner of her desk. She wasn’t buying it.

“Oh wait… tumhara partner kaun hai?” Ruhaan asked, quickly changing the topic to save himself.

“Bhagwaan jaane,” Shagun muttered, shaking her head when suddenly a boy came over with a sheepish smile.

“I’ll be sitting here…” he said politely.

Ruhaan squinted at him. “Oye Rahul, tera roll number hai yaha?” he asked, voice extra inquisitive. The boy nodded.

“Ohh… achha…” Ruhaan mumbled, his posture visibly slouching now, grin gone. Shagun didn’t miss it.

“Bhaiya, aapko 11th ki Physics aati hai kya?” she asked the boy sweetly.

“Thodi bohot,” he replied.

“Aap bata doge mujhe, please?” Shagun plead to him.

“Haan haan, sure,” he nodded.

“Thank youuuu bhaiya!” she beamed in relief, eyes lighting up for the first time since morning.

But when she turned back to Ruhaan, expecting a teasing remark or one of his smug smiles-he was quiet. Chin propped on his hand, he was sulking. Staring at the bench. His eyes flicked once to the boy and then back to the desk.

Shagun blinked, a small knowing smile tugging at her lips. So that’s what this was about.

“Ruhaan… all the best,” she said gently, trying to cheer him up, her voice soft with affection.

He looked up, managed a small, fake-ish smile, and gave her a thumbs up half-heartedly.

“Same to you too.,” he said quietly.

Shagun chuckled under her breath, warmth in her eyes now.

_____________________________

Inside the exam hall, the silence was thick – almost suffocating. The only sounds were of pens scribbling frantically against paper, the soft rustle of turning sheets, and the old, tired ceiling fans groaning with every lazy spin. Stress practically hung in the air like humidity.

Aditi sat in the second row, just ahead of Vivaan. Her brows furrowed in concentration, lips slightly parted as she calculated mentally. The wall clock kept ticking mercilessly, reminding her with every second that time was running out.

She was doing okay – more than okay – but the pressure made her handwriting wobble. Her hand ached from speed-writing formulas and answers.

Behind her, Vivaan was in a different kind of crisis. His head drooped low over his paper, sweat beading on his forehead, his pen tapping in frustration. His mind was blank. Physics was cruel.

And then… desperation struck. He leaned forward just a bit and whispered under his breath with all the hope he could muster

“Bhen,” he nudged her desk lightly with his pen cap. “Question 4 ka answer dikha de… bas ek jhalak…” He pleaded to her

Aditi’s hand paused mid-air. She didn’t look back. But her lips twitched.Typical Vivaan.

She sighed quietly and then, with the stealth of a seasoned exam ninja, she tilted her answer sheet just slightly to the left. Her head remained frozen, not a single suspicious movement. It was barely even noticeable unless someone was watching.

“Got it!” Vivaan whispered in triumph, eyes lighting up as he copied down the answer. He mentally high-fived himself, already dreaming of a passing grade.

But then, a shadow fell over the desk. Aditi stiffened. It was Ansh. Seated right beside her perfectly positioned to witness the whole cheating he had noticed.

He turned his head slightly, just enough for his gaze to settle on her. One brow arched. Calm. Quiet. Disapproving… or was it amused?

Aditi’s eyes flicked toward him and her heart did a flip. Busted.

But instead of panic, she gave him her signature move. That innocent, sheepish smile with her dimple poking through and her eyes gleaming like she had no idea what he might be thinking. A perfect blend of fake guilt and charm.

For a second, Ansh didn’t blink. His face remained blank… unreadable.

And then to everyone’s surprise, especially hers the corner of his lips tugged upward. Just a little. A tiny, shy, unguarded smile. There and gone in a heartbeat. But it was real.

He turned back to his paper, pretending nothing had happened.

Aditi blinked, stunned. He didn’t scold her. He didn’t tell the teacher. He smiled.

Her cheeks warmed, her heart thudding wildly inside her chest like it was sitting for its own exam now.

Behind her, Vivaan, who had seen the whole scene play out like a silent movie, almost dropped his pen.

“Bss bss yhii karti reh… main pass ho jaunga,” he whispered, eyes still darting between their subtle glances, his hand furiously copying down answers like his life depended on it.

Aditi bit the inside of her cheek, trying not to smile again.

And Ansh, though focused on his paper now, couldn’t stop that flicker of amusement in his eyes

The final bell rang, and with it came a collective sigh of relief. Pens dropped, papers were gathered, and the silence that had dominated the room finally lifted into quiet murmurs and shuffling feet.

Aditi leaned back in her chair, stretching her fingers. Her eyes, however, weren’t on her paper. They were glued to the boy beside her.

Ansh. He didn’t say a word. Didn’t even look her way.

Without glancing once, he stood up calm, composed slinging his pen into his pocket and walking straight toward the exit like nothing had happened.

But Aditi wasn’t about to let that slide.

“Rukiye!” she called, her voice echoing just enough to make him freeze mid-step.

Ansh paused, mentally cursing himself. Why did she have to stop me now?

Reluctantly, he turned around, schooling his expression into polite neutrality.

“Ha bolo,” he said casually, hands in his pockets, trying not to look like her voice had jolted his heartbeat.

Aditi got up from her seat, brushing her skirt gently, her brows slightly scrunched.

“Aapne complain kyu nahii ki?” she asked, eyes searching his face.

Ansh blinked, tilting his head. “Kiss cheez ki complain?” he replied with practiced innocence.

Aditi folded her arms. “Ham log jab cheating kar rhe the tab apne dekha and still koii complain nahii kii… kyu?”

Before Ansh could even think of an answer, Vivaan walking up behind them chimed in cheerfully “Ha ha bhaiya bolo bolo.”

Ansh gave his younger brother a tight glare.
Traitor.

“Vo…vo…” Ansh mumbled, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly like the answer might be hiding somewhere behind his ear.

“Ab bol bhi do yrr bhaiya,” Vivaan added again, his tone laced with amusement at watching the usually composed Ansh flustered for once.

Finally, Ansh huffed. “Chup kar… fail ho jaata tu isliye nahii bola… chachi ji se pit jaata tu…” he said, shooting Vivaan a fake-stern look. His voice was just convincing enough to sound like a proper excuse but his eyes betrayed him.

He turned back to Aditi, face suddenly serious. “Aur tum… tum kyu chah rahi thi main complain karu tum dono ki?” he asked, flipping the blame so fast it almost gave her whiplash.

Aditi blinked, caught off-guard. “Nahi… matlab apki duty hai vo to.. “

But Ansh didn’t let her finish. “Exam days main mai off duty rehta hu…” he cut her off coolly.

Then, before either of them could retort, he added swiftly, “Abhi chalo dono canteen main kuch kha lo.”

Just like that, he pivoted and walked out of the classroom leaving them both standing there, stunned. Aditi stared at his retreating back, utterly confused.

“Ajeeb nahii hai ye thode?” she frowned, turning to Vivaan with narrowed eyes.

Vivaan nodded sagely. “Ajeeb hain nahi ho gye hain.”

Aditi squinted. “Matlab?”

Vivaan just smirked.

“Fir kabhi batunga. Chal abhii samosa khilata hu tujhe…” He slung an arm over her shoulder casually as they exited the classroom together, their laughter echoing behind them

_________________________

The house was silent, sunrays filtering through the half-drawn curtains, casting warm patches on the marble floor.

Samaira lay sprawled across the living room sofa, phone in hand, lazily scrolling through Instagram reels.

She sighed dramatically. “Ughhh… itna bore ho rahi hoon main…” she muttered, stuffing a cushion under her chin as her feet dangled over the armrest.

Just then, a reel popped up a wildly enthusiastic aunty showing a bizarre concoction of besan, haldi, coffee, mint juice, and what looked suspiciously like toothpaste – all mixed into one weird paste for “instant bridal glow!”

Samaira made a horrified face. “Ewww…yeh log muh pe kya kya laga lete hai?”

But… ten seconds later, as the reel showed a stunning transformation with glowing skin and dramatic before-after shots, Samaira sat up straighter.

“yeh to sach main kaam kar gaya!” She exclaimed.

Within seconds, she leaped off the couch like a ninja on a mission and dashed into the kitchen, opening cabinets like a wild scientist looking for hidden secrets.

“Besan… check. Haldi… check. Coffee… check. Mint juice? Umm… thoda jugaad karna padega.”

Just as she was about to grab the mixing bowl, a devious glint appeared in her eyes. Her lips curled into a mischievous smile.

She rushed to her phone and dialed Aman’s number with zero hesitation.

On Call:

Samaira: “Hello Aman.”

Aman slightly confused said: “Ha bolo… kya hua?”

Samaira in full scheming mode: “Are you free?”

Aman: “Haa bolo.”

Samaira: “Come to my place… jaldi se.”

Aman asked suspiciously: “Par kisliye?”

Samaira: “Are aao na baba….bohot achha mauka hai…aur ha, jaldi ana”

Aman alarmed: “Are par hua kya?”

Samaira: “Tum bas aa jao jaldii se… in 5 minutes… FAST.”

Aman: “Aree parr-” Call disconnected.

Aman stared at his phone, blinking like someone just got hit with a lightning bolt in broad daylight.

His eyes widened. “Kya hogya isse ab…?” he muttered, slowly lowering the phone from his ear.

Ten minutes later…

Aman stood at the Mishra residence gate, trying to mentally prepare himself for whatever “bohot achha mauka” Samaira was talking about. His hair was neatly set, shirt tucked in, and a generous amount of perfume lightly clouded around him.

He rang the bell. The door swung open. Aman blinked. Once. Twice. And then forgot how to breathe.

There she stood Samaira in an oversized night shirt that hung loosely off one shoulder, paired with a short pair of cotton shorts that showed off her glowing legs glistening under the light.

Aman’s eyes widened. His breath hitched. Before he could think of anything else, the words tumbled out.

“T..tumne itni jaldi kyu bulaya mujhe?” he stuttered.

“Kyu… bula nahii sakti?”Samaira gave him a lazy smirk and leaned against the doorframe, her tone dripping with playful seduction.

“Nahi… me… mera matlab hai… kuch kaam tha tumhe… to phone pe hi bata deti,” he said, nervously gulping as his eyes darted anywhere but her legs.

But she took a step closer, intertwining her fingers with his. His heart practically skipped a beat.

“Jo kaam hai… vo phone pe nahii kar sakte the,” she whispered, tugging his hand gently and guiding him inside.

Aman stumbled forward like a puppet on invisible strings.

“Samaira koi dekh lega… aur tum mujhe apne room main kyu le ja rhi ho?” he asked in a panicked whisper, glancing around like a thief caught red-handed.

Samaira leaned in, placed her finger on his lips and whispered, “Shhhh…. ghar par koi nahii hai… sivaye ham dono ke.”

Aman’s knees nearly buckled. “Samaira… yeh tum…” he stammered as she pushed him gently down onto the edge of her bed.

She traced a finger down his cheek, making him gulp again. “Yahi baithe rehna… eyes close kar ke… main aati hu,” she instructed, her voice like silk against his nervous system.

Aman closed his eyes tightly, trying to hold onto the last pieces of his sanity.

“It… it… it’s too early Samaira… we shouldn’t be doing” he tried to protest, hands clutching the bedsheet for moral support.

But her voice came again, firm, seductive, and persuasive. “Shhhhh… you love me na… then we should do this.”

He opened his eyes briefly, looking into hers with desperation. “But… it’s not right,” he managed, his voice trembling.

She smirked and gently placed her hands on his shoulders. “Shhh… just close your eyes.”

And he did. Because resistance was futile.

“Samaira… it’s not right… main bhaag jaunga,” he said, voice small and terrified, like someone who knew he was in too deep.

She grinned like a villain out of a rom-com. “Aise kaise bhaag jaoge…” she whispered mischieviously.

“Dekho… tum aisa nahi kar sakti…” he mumbled again, still keeping his eyes shut but sensing her get closer the scent of besan and coffee faintly floating in the air now making him frown.

“Oh reallyy,” she said, and in that one second Aman’s heartbeat exploded in his chest.

Aman sat like a statue, his eyes still squeezed shut, hands clutching the sides of the bed, heart thudding like a bass drum in his chest.

He was about to speak again when suddenly-
SPLAT.

Something cold, gooey, and suspiciously sticky landed right on his cheek.

“Dekho-” Aman tried to say, but the moment was gone.

His eyes flew open in panic. And what he saw nearly made him scream.

There stood Samaira, holding a bowl of something that looked like yellow cement in one hand, and a brush dripping with the same goo in the other. She had the smirk of a villainess in a K-drama, eyes sparkling with mischief and pride.

Aman touched his face the paste was thick, sticky, and smelt like death and haldi had a baby.

“What the-” he gasped in horror, sniffing the air.

“Eww… chiii, what’s this?” he asked, nose scrunching up in pure disgust.

“You are on a skincare date, babe,” Samaira winked, stepping closer like a predator stalking prey.

“No I’m not,” Aman answered in genuine terror, slowly inching away from her like she was holding a weapon.

“Oh, you are,” she declared confidently, grabbing his wrist and holding him in place, like a kidnapper making demands.

“Ye tum theek nahii kar rahi ho!” he cried like a toddler, now hopelessly trying to wiggle free from her grip.

Samaira tilted her head, arms crossed with fake innocence.

“Achha ji… aur tum kya soch rahe the thodi der pehle?…huh?!” she demanded, her tone shifting from playful to dangerously teasing.

Aman’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Because what he had been thinking earlier…. well, no words were safe for that.

“Mai to bss-” he began defensively, but Samaira wasn’t done.

“Tum to bss soch rahe the… ki ham dono… hmmm hmmm~” she taunted with a wicked grin, mimicking romantic background music as she wiggled her eyebrows at him.

Aman turned redder than a tomato in love. His ears, cheeks, neck everything screamed guilty.

“Aisa nahii hai!” he tried to clarify, looking like he wanted to dig a hole and disappear.

“Ohoo… itne bhi seedhe nahii ho tum,” she said, eyeing him with a mock judgement.

Then her voice turned sweet deadly sweet. “Chalo… chup chaap lagvao isse… be a good boy,” she ordered like a mafia boss, raising the brush again.

“No… I’m not doing this,” Aman yelped as he grabbed a pillow and sprinted to the other end of the bed, holding it like a shield.

“Yess you are, baby,” she said with a giggle of evil, before pouncing onto him like a lioness ready to conquer.

The chaos had somewhat settled, but the room still looked like a battlefield of haldi and besan. Bowls were tipped, towels half-soaked, and the mirror bore the evidence of the skincare war that had just occurred.

Samaira, now sitting peacefully in front of her dresser, applied the same glowing-yellow paste to her face with utmost care and grace, as if she hadn’t just chased Aman around like a wild cat.

Meanwhile, just a little behind her on the floor, sat Aman. Or rather, what was left of him.

His entire face, neck, and even arms were thickly coated in the gooey face pack. His hair was tied into two small ponytails on either side of his head, thanks to Samaira’s khurafati mood, he looked like a defeated, confused, and heavily marinated chicken.

And his eyes? They were silently screaming betrayal… locked onto Samaira with the most deadpan expression ever.

Samaira, still applying the last bit of the pack on her nose, glanced at the bowl. “Ohoo… itna bach gaya,” she said, observing the leftover paste.

She turned her gaze to Aman like a scientist inspecting a sample.

He raised his brows. She leaned in, scanning his face like a canvas. Then she spotted one clean patch behind his ear.

Without mercy, she dipped her finger and applied the final drop right there.

“Tumko quantity thodi kam nahii banai chahiye thi?” Aman asked, voice flat as if he’d lost all hope.

“Kam hi tha ye… main to poora ik banana dalne wali thi…” Samaira answered casually, like it was the most normal thing to say.

Aman looked at her with utter disbelief.
“He bhagwaan…apne iske dimaag ke andar kuch dala bhi hai ki nahii,” he cried dramatically, looking up at the ceiling like pleading with the gods above.

“Hehehehe,” Samaira just laughed, her eyes twinkling as she looked at the poor boy she had turned into a skincare experiment.

But before she could react Aman stood up.

A slow, dangerous smile spread across his face. He scooped up some of the paste still sticking to his arm… and plopped it straight onto Samaira’s hands.

“Eww… that’s unfair,” she exclaimed, recoiling in mock horror.

“You started it… mujhe marinate kara h to khud bhi to marinate hona padega na,” he said, eyes gleaming with mischief as he lunged forward again.

“AMAN NO-” she screamed.

Too late. Within seconds, the skincare date turned into round two of the “haldi war.”

They chased each other across the room – laughter echoing, bowls tipping, besan flying.
Aman caught her in a gentle yet playful grip, smearing her cheek, while she screamed and tried to return the favor.

Eventually, both collapsed on the soft carpet, giggling breathlessly, the war settled.

Now, they sat tangled in warmth.

Aman’s arms gently wrapped around Samaira’s waist, his head resting against her back as he held her in a cozy back hug.
Samaira leaned slightly into him, her fingers laced with his, both of them glowing not just from the pack, but from the soft, safe bubble they’d built.

Everything felt quiet. Warm. Peaceful. The world outside faded.

Until…A faint thud. A sound. Both of them frowned in unison. Their eyes shot towards the room’s entrance.

“Did you hear that?” Samaira whispered

“Jaldi chal na… ruk kyu jata hai beech mein?”
Aditi’s voice rang through the doorway, her bag half-sliding off her shoulder as she pushed Prateek forward with an annoyed nudge.

“Itni jaldi hai to pehle hi ghus jaati na.” Prateek shot back, still balancing on one foot as he clumsily removed his shoes, rolling his eyes.

The moment the sibling duo’s voices hit her ears, Samaira froze mid-step, her face still marinated in the yellowish-brown glow mask. Her heart dropped. She peeked outside, and panic immediately replaced whatever skincare calm she’d had.

“Shittt…ye itni jaldi kaise aa gaye?” she whispered under her breath, spinning around to Aman like a general preparing for war.

“Didi…kaha ho…bhook lagi hai!” Aditi shouted from the hall, plopping her bag loudly on the sofa.

“Jab dekho tab khati rehti hai…pet hai ya pitara?” Prateek mocked in his usual tone, following her in.

“Tu to chup hi reh.” Aditi threw back her response, not missing a beat.

“TUM chup jao kahin jaldi se…Jaldi karo!”
Samaira whispered with wide eyes, flailing her hands at Aman, who had immediately stood up like a scared schoolboy.

Aman sprinted toward the cupboard, ready to dive in headfirst.

“Udhar kidhar jaa rahe ho…kapde gande ho jayenge mere saare…Bathroom m jao… bathroom main! Aur jab tak main bolu, nikalna mat!” She directed in one breath, dragging him away from the wardrobe and pushing him toward the bathroom. Aman obeyed without question, vanishing inside like his life depended on it.

Samaira took a deep breath, wiped her hands, and stepped out of the room, trying to look normal, well, as normal as someone with a full face mask could look.

“Yeh kya chudail bane pade ho didi?” Prateek burst out laughing the moment he saw her, pointing at her face like a 5-year-old.

“Skincare kehte hai isse gawaar.” Aditi gave him a light smack on the back of his head as she walked past him and towards Samaira.

“TUM log itni jaldi kaise aa gaye?…tumhari chhutti to 2 baje hoti hai na?” Samaira asked quickly, trying to stay calm while her brain did Olympic-level calculations on how to get Aman out.

“Are didi…mid term start hue hai aaj se to half day chalenge ab.” Aditi replied casually, stretching her arms.

“Pehle nahi bata sakti thi?” Samaira huffed, eyes still darting toward her room every five seconds.

“Aap ko kya karenge hum bata kar…aap to waise bhi 10 baje tak sote rehte ho.” Prateek shrugged, flopping onto the sofa.

“Haan to kya…badi behen hu tumhari. Itna to batana chahiye tha na…kuch bana leti main khane ke liye.” She tried to act hurt while internally screaming about the boy hiding in her bathroom with besan drying on his face.

“Koi naa…ab nahi banaya hai to kya kar sakte hai…order kar do.” Aditi chimed in nonchalantly, tossing her phone on the table.

“Hatt…bass bahar ka khana hai isko.”
Samaira shoved her lightly, still holding onto her facade.

“To bana hi do kuch.” Aditi gave her a sweet, innocent smile.

“Order hi kar deti hoon…jao fresh ho jao dono.” Samaira said hurriedly, already imagining the small window of time to execute the Great Aman Escape Plan.

“Aaram se fresh hona…” she added, overly sweet, almost suspiciously.

Both Aditi and Prateek stopped in their tracks and shared a look. “Pehle to kabhi nahi kaha apne aisa.”
Prateek squinted at her.

“Khaana aane mein time lagega…isliye bola aaram se fresh hona…jao abhi bhaago!”
Samaira waved them off with fake cheer, practically pushing them toward the hallway like a bouncer throwing people out of a club.

As soon as they disappeared into their rooms, Samaira sprinted back to hers, her heartbeat racing louder than her sibling’s footsteps

As soon as Samaira shut her room door behind her, she rushed toward the bathroom, her heart still thumping from the earlier chaos. Opening it, she found Aman inside, now cleaned up from all the skincare marination, but still looking utterly betrayed by life.

She quickly handed him a towel, whispering,
“Jaldi dry kar lo…you have to move out.”

But before Aman could even raise the towel to his face…BANG! The room door swung wide open, and Aditi barged in like a hurricane.

“Didi….yrr apne mera facewash dekha kya?”
She asked casually, scanning the room while Samaira’s reflexes kicked in.

SLAM! Samaira crashed the bathroom door shut with a panic so intense, it made the walls tremble. Inside, Aman’s foot caught the edge of the door, and he let out a muffled groan of pain, pressing his mouth shut tightly to suppress the scream.

“Nhii…nhii toh…maine nahii dekha.” Samaira lied, her body planted firmly in front of the door like a human security system.

“Are dii…apke bathroom mai hoga ik baar check karo.” Aditi suggested, stepping closer.

“Aree mere bathroom mai kaise ayega…tere wale m hi hoga, theek se dekh jaake.” Samaira snapped, her voice trying to sound calm but clearly strained.

But Aditi wasn’t convinced. “Ik baar dekhne do na yrr didi…” She pleaded, now trying to move past Samaira.

Samaira pressed her back harder against the door, spreading her arms out wide. “Are bol rhi hu nahii hai yaha!” She insisted, borderline yelling now.

Aditi raised a brow and smirked mischievously. “Pakka apne hi liya hoga…hato, m dekhe bina nahii jaungi.” She announced dramatically, her mission for the facewash becoming a matter of pride.

Samaira panicked, arms still stretched out like a goalkeeper. But Aditi, ever the gymnast of the family, used her flexible arm to sneak past, pushing open the bathroom door just enough and there it was.

The Scene.

Inside stood Aman, still rocking two tiny ponytails on his head. One hand held his injured foot, the other covering his mouth in pain. His expression screamed: “I wasn’t ready for this.”

“Ahhhhhhh-“Aditi shrieked, pointing at the scene like she’d just seen a ghost.

“Chup hoja meri behen….Prateek ne sunn liya to lag jayegi meri.” Samaira immediately clamped her hand over Aditi’s mouth, whispering in terror as she looked toward the door. Too late.

“Kya hua…chilla kyu rahi hai?” Prateek’s voice rang out as he rushed inside, face full of panic. He came to a halt.

Eyes moved from Aditi’s shocked face… to Samaira hiding in the corner like she was trying to blend with the walls… and finally, to the bathroom…

Where Aman, still inside, waved awkwardly with a sheepish grin and whispered,

“Aman bhaiya…”Prateek whispered, stunned, blinking at the strange image of him marinated, ponytailed, towel-wrapped-like a spa-chicken gone rogue.

Aman, still waving gently, tried to salvage dignity. “Hello Prateek.”

The tables had turned.

Aditi and Prateek now sat on Samaira’s bed like royalty, legs crossed, looking smug and victorious-one like a queen with her crown tilted, the other like a self-declared judge in family court.

Meanwhile, on the floor like caught criminals, sat Samaira and Aman-heads lowered in shame, hands in laps, looking every bit like two kids busted red-handed.

Samaira had cleaned the dried face pack off, and Aman’s iconic two ponytails were now gone, though the memory still lingered in the silence like a scar.

“Hmm….to kya kar rahe the AAP dono Ghar main akele?” Prateek leaned forward, folding his arms with raised brows, interrogator mode ON.

“Just skincare.” Samaira replied quickly, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Aditi narrowed her eyes, suspicious. “Akele vo bhi…kya jo main soch rahi hu…vo to nahii ho raha na yaha?” She tilted her head, trying to scan their faces.

“Umm vo actually….we are dating each other.” Aman dropped the truth like a nuke, his voice calm but direct.

“Whatttt!” Both Aditi and Prateek screamed in perfect synchrony, jaws dropping, eyes bulging. It was like someone had dropped a mic and a bomb at the same time.

But Aman and Samaira just nodded in silent confirmation.

“Bhaiya are you fine na…. didi ne apko kahi blackmail to nahii kiya na?” Prateek asked, concerned like a protective soldier, eyeing him suspiciously.

“Shut up Prateek….we love each other.” Samaira snapped, frustration bubbling as she shoved his arm to make her point.

“Love…vo bhi AAP dono main…ye kab huaa?”
Aditi burst out laughing like they’d just cracked the lamest joke ever.

“Bss 2 hafte pehle hi.” Samaira muttered.

“2 hafte….aur aap ab bata rhi ho?” Prateek said, sounding personally betrayed.

“Bataya bhi nhii inhone to… Vo to mera facewash nhii mil raha tha to maine expose kara inhe.” Aditi smirked proudly, tossing her imaginary detective badge in the air.

“Please mammy papa ko mat batana tum dono.” Samaira actually begged, palms folded together dramatically.

Aditi exchanged a mischievous glance with Prateek before putting up her conditions.

“Hmm….har Sunday pizza khilaoge to nhii bolenge…deal.” She said, extending her hand like a proper mafia don.

“Sath main chole bhature bhi.” Prateek added, rubbing his hands together.

“TUM dono ki to Mai….” Samaira started to curse under her breath but was cut off.

“Jaldi bolo… Time nhii hai.” Prateek added with a smug grin, loving every second of his new leverage.

“Fine…khila dungi.” Samaira groaned, utterly defeated. But Prateek wasn’t done yet.

“And bhaiya aap….apna laptop doge Minecraft k liye.” He pointed a commanding finger toward Aman, already dreaming of pixel castles. Before Aman could even open his mouth, Aditi smacked the back of Prateek’s head.

“Jyada nhii lalchi ho raha tu…” She scolded, rolling her eyes.

“Kya…itna to bnta hi hai.” Prateek defended himself, rubbing his head.

Aditi smirked, flipped her hair like a villain, and dropped her own bomb, “Achha to tu bhi nikaal 500 ki patti.”

“Main kyu nikalu?” Prateek asked, scandalized.

“Kyu…tu Priya ko date nhii kar raha kya?” Aditi fired casually, like she just asked for a glass of water. Everything froze.

Samaira and Aman, who had been quietly enduring all this, turned their heads to stare at Prateek with jaws dropped and full betrayal in their eyes.

“Kuttteee…. mujhe blackmail karega tu…” Samaira launched herself at Prateek, tackling him with a vengeance only an elder sister can possess.

“Aree didi suno to…” Prateek tried to shield himself, flailing like a noodle in defense.

“Waah bete… khud Priya ke sath set hua pada hai aur mujhse vasooli karega tu.” Samaira scolded, pinching his ear in the process.

Meanwhile, Aman turned to Aditi, still reeling. “Par ye hua kab?”

“Janmastami se ik dinn pehle.” Aditi grinned, thoroughly enjoying the family drama.

“Par tujhe kisne bataya?” Prateek asked, genuinely confused.

“Tujhe kya lgta hai tu nhii batayega to mujhe pata nahi chalega?….ab pit baith ke… ache se khatirdari karna dii iski.” Aditi taunted, flipping the situation on him.

She turned to Aman, fixing her imaginary shirts collar like a mafia sister-in-law.

“Khyaal rakhna bhaiya didi ka…aur thoda bach ke bhi rehna…mental h didi thodi.” She said with a smirk only to receive a flying pillow from Samaira which she dodged and moved out of her room. But the moment she stepped out, her laughter froze in her throat.

Right there-Shweta and Amit stood, just entering unexpectedly talking with each other over a serious topic.

Aditi whispered to herself like she’d seen death itself,

“Marr gaye…”Aditi whispered to herself like she’d seen death itself, She did a clean 180° and sprinted back into the room, eyes wide with panic.

“DIDIIIII… MAMMY PAPA AA GAYE!” she yelled.

The room froze. Aman looked like someone had paused him mid-breath. Samaira nearly dropped her phone. Prateek squinted in disbelief.

“Mazaak mat kar.” Prateek waved her off.

“Sach bol rahi hu! Neeche hi hain! Abhi abhi aaye hain!” Aditi panicked, grabbing a comb and shoving it into Samaira’s hand like it was a weapon. Samaira turned to Aman, eyes full of fear.

“Bhaiya ko chhupao! JALDIII!” Prateek shouted, and chaos erupted. Aman, now in complete panic mode, began running around the room like a headless chicken trying to hide himself.

“Saare ke saare kaha marr gaye?!”From the hall came Shweta’s voice, echoing with suspicion:

“Haan mammyyyy! Bas aa rahe hain!” Aditi screamed back, gripping her hair.

“Mar gaye mar gaye… ab kya hoga?!” Aman almost cried.

“AMAN… tum yahaan se neeche kood jao!” Samaira shrieked, pointing to her first-floor balcony.

Aman looked out the window, then back at her like she had gone completely mad. “Yahan se kooda toh main sach mein marr jaunga!”

Samaira blinked. “Ohh sorry sorry… main bas… dar gayi hu!” she muttered, clutching her head.

“Ek kaam karte hain… main aur Prateek bhaiya unko distract karenge. Didi, aap bhaiya ko nikal lena.” Aditi said, suddenly turning into the master strategist of the mission.

She grabbed Prateek’s shoulder. “Chal ja papa ko garden mein le ja… kuch bhi kar, bas le ja!”

“Main kya plant hoon?!” Prateek hissed.

“NAHI! Tu PLANT-PREMI hai! jaa ab!” Aditi pushed him out.

“Didi, main ishara karungi… jaise hi karun, turant bhaag jaana. Bhaiya ko leke.” aditi instructed and Samaira nodded like a soldier receiving final orders before battle.

Prateek marched up to Amit, pretending to be all serious. “Papa… jo plant apne pichle Sunday lagaya tha na… vo sukh sa gaya hai…”

Amit paused, alarmed. “Kya?! Hatt! Mujhe dikhaa!” He rushed out towards his beloved garden like a man on a mission.

Meanwhile Aditi waltzed into the living room.

“Mummyyy… mujhe bhook lagi hai… kuch bana do na.” she faked her hunger rubbing her stomach.

“School mein nahi khaya kuch?” Shweta asked, half frowning.

“Vo… waha pe achha nahii tha kuch bhi.” She clutched her stomach with Oscar-worthy acting.

“He Bhagwaan… chain se baithne bhi nahi dete tum log.” Shweta muttered, moving toward the kitchen.

That was the cue.,Aditi whipped her head up toward Samaira’s room, signaling with intense eye gestures like she was in a spy thriller. Samaira caught the signal.

“CHALO!” She grabbed Aman by his collar like he was a misbehaving toddler and pulled him toward the door. But just as they reached the hallway…

“Ab kya khayegi ye bhi toh bata!” Shweta yelled again from the kitchen.

Aman and Samaira froze, backs against the wall like fugitives samaira trying her best to hide him and herself.

“Kuch bhi bana do mammy… jaldi please!” Aditi shouted back, palms sweaty, heart racing blocking the view between hall and kitchen with her weird exercise pose.

“BHAAGOOOOO!” Aditi hissed from the living room like she was conducting a covert military op. samaira taking the signal tiptoed along with aman towards the main doorand She pushed Aman out the main door holding their breath.

Outside, Samaira whispered urgently, “Jaldi left se jaana… right mein garden hai… papa dekh lenge!” Aman nodded furiously, heart beating in his ears.

Before he left, he suddenly turned and pulled Samaira into a quick, tight hug. “Thank you… for saving my life.”

“Hatt pagal! Bhaago abhii!” Samaira shoved him, hitting his chest lightly in panic. And with one final look, Aman bolted like his life depended on it.

“Tu waha kya kar rahi hai?” A deep voice shot across the room, and Samaira froze on the spot, like a statue caught in crime. It was Amit, standing there with crossed arms and a curious frown.

But just then, a saviour appeared in the form of a delivery guy walking up the gate.

Samaira immediately jumped into damage control, “Vo… vo papa, food delivery wala aaya hai… usi ke liye khadi thi.”

“KHANA ORDER KIYA HAI TUMNE?” Shweta suddenly emerged from the kitchen, spatula in hand, looking no less than a warrior ready for battle.

Samaira gulped, “Haa vo… mujhe pata nahi tha aap log jaldi aa jaoge… aur Adu ko bhook lagi thi… toh I ordered it.”

Shweta’s eyes shifted to Aditi, burning holes through her soul. “Jab tujhe pata tha khana order kiya hai usne, toh mujhe kitchen mein kyun bheja itni garmu main?!”

Aditi fumbled. “Vo… mammy mujhe laga didi ne order nahi kiya…”She gave Samaira a classic “ab aap dekhna” look.

“Tum teeno ki na, AADAT hi bigad gayi hai! Kabhi ghar ka khana khana hi nahi hota!” Shweta started, pacing like a general scolding her troops.

“Haa! Bas bahar ka pizza, burger… pata nahi kya kya sada-gala khane ko kudte ho sab!”
Amit added, full papa energy unlocked.

“Are par…” Aditi tried to defend-

“KYA ‘PAR’? Teri hi zubaan zyada chatori ho rakhi hai! Jab dekho tab bahar ka chahiye!”
Shweta unleashed her fury, pointing her spatula at Aditi like it was a mic drop weapon.

Prateek let out a low chuckle, clearly enjoying the show.

“Tu kya daant dikha raha hai? Chhoti behen hai teri, samjha nahi sakta tu isse kuch?”
Amit smacked the back of Prateek’s head.

“Arey par meri sunti kaha hai ye!” Prateek said dramatically.

“Jhoot kyun bol raha hai?! Tune hi toh pizza mangwane ko bola tha!” Aditi turned to betray him with no remorse.

“HAAWWWW… JHOOTHI! Mammy maine kuch nahi bola! Isi ne bola tha!” Prateek tried to defend, eyes wide.

Samaira jumped in, hands up like a peacekeeper. “Arey chhodo na… ab jab aa hi gaya hai… kha hi lete hain na.” But before they could escape the crossfire-

“Aur TUM! Sabse badi ho ghar mein! Thodi samajh toh honi chahiye!” Amit redirected the scolding cannon to Samaira.

“Ab usse kyun daant rahe ho?! Aap ki hi dein hain ye! Chadha rakha hai sar pe!” Shweta now turned to scold Amit with double energy.

Amit blinked in disbelief. “Achha ji! Jab kuch galat ho toh tum seedha ilzaam mujhpe daal do! Meri hi dein hai sab kuch?”

“Aur nahi toh kya? Kabhi apni dono ladkiyon ko daanta bhi hai aapne? Bas mere bachhe ko daante rehte ho!” Shweta glared, pointing at Prateek like he was a delicate cinnamon roll.

Samaira raised her hand like a student. “Abhi toh daanta papa ne mujhe.”

“Saal bhar mein ek baar daantna… daantna nahi hota.” Shweta replied with peak desi-mom logic.

Amit grumbled. “Toh apne bete ko bolo na… theek se kaam kara kare!”

Shweta rolled her eyes. “Achha? Kya kaam nahi karta mera beta, huh?”

Amit waved her off. “Arey rehne do… tum aur tumhara beta. Aaye bade.”

“Haa batayiye na… chup kyun ho gaye ab?” Shweta poked, loving the comeback.

Amidst all this glorious chaos  “Arey bass kariya aap dono… bhook lag rahi hai. Chalo khate hain!” Aditi finally said, grabbing the pizza box from Samaira like it was national treasure.

Shweta narrowed her eyes.”Haa thoosle baith ke bahar ka. Phir bimaar padegi toh ‘Mammy mammy’ chilaayegi!”

Aditi pouted, “Arey ab bhook lagi hai toh khaun bhi na?”

Amit patted her head like the ultimate support system. “Tu kha beta… main dekhta hoon kaun rokeyga tujhe.”

Aditi grinned wide, Samaira gave him a thumbs-up behind Shweta’s back, and Prateek let out a victorious “hoo” under his breath.

Shweta crossed her arms. “Khilaao bahar ka aap bhi. Haan.”

“Haan khilaunga.” Amit fired back like a soldier refusing surrender.

And in the middle of their cute domestic war, the trio happily devoured their pizza, chatting and giggling like they weren’t almost caught red-handed hiding a boy and nearly jumped from a balcony just minutes ago.

__________________________________

The canteen buzzed with end-of-exam energy as trays clattered, laughter rang out, and relief hung in the air like perfume after a storm. The OG gang-finally reunited without the shadow of chemistry formulas looming over them-had collapsed onto their usual table, half-eaten samosas and cold colas scattered around.

“Finally… maut ka khel khatam hua,” Vivaan groaned, stretching out like he just came back from war.

“Haa… ab bas result aa jaye achha sa,” Aditi added innocently.

“Chup kar, pagal hai kya… abhi to paper khatam hue hain, result pe kyu jaa rahi hai,” Vivaan said, snapping out of his stretch and glaring at her.

“Aaj nahi to kal usko bhi aana hi hai,” Priya said glumly, like her fate had already been sealed.

“Tu kyuu muh sada rahi hai… paas to ho hi jayegi,” Shagun chimed in, nudging Priya lightly.

“Kya pata,” Priya sulked harder.

“Are ho jaogi… chill,” Prateek added, swaggering in and shoving Aditi gently to steal the seat next to Priya obviously how could he mis the chance to sut next to his girlfriend.

“Haaa haaa… bhaiya bol raha hai to ho hi jayegi… kyu Priya?” Aditi teased, rolling her eyes and scooting to the seat beside Vivaan. Priya blushed harder than the ketchup sachet next to her.

“Kaash… mere paas bhi koi hota… bhagwaan ji achha nahi kar rahe aap,” Vivaan muttered, looking dramatically at the ceiling pointing towards the couple infront of him.

“Harkatein dekhi hain apni?” Riva taunted instantly.

“Tujhse to achhi hi hai,” Vivaan shot back, quick as ever.

“Ayyyiiiiiayyyyiii,” Riva mimicked a disgusted face, making everyone snort.

“Aditi, apni behen ko samjha le… maar vaar dunga main,” Vivaan warned furiously.

“Haath laga ke dikha,” Riva challenged, leaning forward.

“Guysss… guyssss… shanti! Please mujhe important baat karni hai,” Ruhaan finally cut in, raising his hand like a peacekeeper.

“Haa bolo bhaiya, inka to roz ka hai,” Aditi said casually, flicking a chip at Riva.

“Main aur Shagun na… kal date pe ja rahe hain, so we’ll be on leave tomorrow” Ruhaan announced with the widest grin.

“Yeh kab hua?” Shagun asked, blinking in surprise.

“Just abhi decide hua,” he replied, proudly leaning back.

“Main nahi… mujhe kaam hai kal,” Shagun said, arms folded.

“Areee please naa… please… please… pleaaaseee,” Ruhaan whined, earning chuckles from priya and prateek.

“Achha okay… I’ll see,” Shagun gave in with a tired smile.

On the other end, Aditi, Vivaan, and Riva exchanged horrified glances like they just watched a crime.

“Ewww… chiiiii… insaan pyaar mein kuch bhi karta hai,” Riva said with pure disgust.

“Agreed… mujhe ghutan ho rahi hai yahaan… chiii,” Aditi added, holding her chest dramatically.

“Chup kar… tera abhi kuch chal nahi raha isliye bakwaas kar rahi hai,” Priya said, shoving her gently.

“Chalega bhi nahi kabhi,” Aditi retorted proudly.

“Chalega to beta zaroor tera bhi,” Vivaan smirked.

“Never,” Aditi challenged instantly.

“Kar le beta jo karna hai… padegi to tu bhi kisi ke pyaar mein… woh bhi sabse gehra,” Shagun muttered under her breath with a knowing smile.

“Apne pe dhyaan de tu chal… hawa aane de,” Aditi rolled her eyes.

Just then, a familiar deep voice cut through the chatter.

“main kaha baithu?” Ansh asked, appearing out of nowhere like always. All heads turned. Priya and Prateek straightened like soldiers caught sleeping. Aditi, unfazed, continued picking at her fries.

Ansh scanned the crowd and found just one seat left-right next to Aditi.

“Aree bhaiya yaha baitho… khali hai ye… aao na,” Vivaan called out innocently pointing towards an empty chair beside aditi, already grinning at the death glare Ansh shot him.

Without a word, Ansh settled beside Aditi, who still didn’t look up. But a tiny smile played on her lips.

“Achha bhaiya… kal to chhutti hogi na?” Riva piped up.

“Nahi… kal kis cheez ki chhutti?” Ansh said casually, already sipping his drink.

“Kyaaa… exams khatam hone ke baad chhutti nahi dete ye school wale?” Aditi asked in pure betrayal.

“Nahi… exam hi to khatam hue hain… aur waise bhi kal Wednesday hai,” Ansh shrugged.

“ahehehiriiirjdjdeee,” Aditi cried, slumping onto the table like a child.

“Uth ja chal… zyada phel mat raite ki tarah,” Vivaan scolded, straightening her up.

“Matlab kal ki chhutti marni padegi,” Riva sighed.

“chachi marne dengi tujhe chutti?” Aditi asked.

“chachi kya… aap bhi nahi aa rahe kal school aur na Prateek bhaiya,” Riva smirked.

“Hein… woh kyun?” Prateek blinked.

“Pata tha… bhulakkad family hai poori… kal Renuka di ki engagement hai,” Riva dropped the bomb.

“Ohh haan… kal hi to hai!” Aditi jolted up excitedly, full energy restored.

“Bass… ho gaya kal ka plan set,” she declared.

“Iska sahi hai… ye jayegi engagement mein, Shagun jayegi date pe, main akele sadungi class mein kal,” Priya sulked.

“Aap bhi aa jao na phir hamare saath engagement mein…” Riva offered.

“Sach bol… main aa jaungi,” Priya said instantly.

“Are haan aa jaio… hum ghusa lenge tujhe andar… bas ghar pe permission le lio,” Aditi added.

“Uski zarurat nahi hai… bhaiya hai na,” Priya smiled hopefully at Ansh.

“Don’t,” Ansh warned immediately, already sensing the trap.

“Please bhaiya… please please pleaseeeee,” Priya begged with puppy eyes.

“No… nope,” he repeated.

“Bhaiya yrr kya itna bhaav khaa rahe ho… bade papa se ek permission hi to leni hai… aap mat chalna mere aur Priya ke liye hi le lena na bas,” Vivaan added dramatically.

“O hellooo… main bas Ansh bhaiya aur Priya didi ko invite kar rahi hu, tumhe kaun bula raha hai?” Riva snapped at Vivaan.

“Abe jaa na… jahan mere bhai behen wahan main…” Vivaan shrugged.

“Main bahar phikwa dungi tujhe function se,” Riva warned.

“Touch karke dikhaio tu,” Vivaan challenged.

“Didiiiiii,” Riva whined, turning to Aditi.

“Relax… relax, we’ll see that later,” Aditi laughed, calming the tension.

Then she turned towards Ansh, blinking rapidly, her best innocent act in full swing. He immediately tensed.

“Aap please permission dilva dijiye na… ek bhai itna to kar hi sakta hai,” she said sweetly.

“Bhaiyaaa ab to maan jao… dekho Aditi bhi keh rahi hai,” Priya joined in.

“Iski mat suniyo… bohot bakwaas karti hai ye,” Prateek muttered, earning synchronized death glares from Aditi, Priya, and Vivaan.

“Haan, nahi… kabhi kabhi maan bhi sakte hai… theek bol rahi hai Adu,” Prateek backtracked instantly.

“Please bhaiyaa,” Priya added again, clasping her hands.

Ansh sighed. “Okay, I’ll see,” he finally surrendered.

“Okay to matlab kal hamara mass bunk hoga,” Ruhaan said with a grin.

“Correct,” everyone chorused, erupting into cheers.

_______________________________

The night had settled quietly, with the soft whirr of the ceiling fan filling Aditi’s room. She lay on her bed, scrolling through memes with half-hearted interest, when a thought crossed her mind.

“Priya se poochti hu… mil gayi permission ya nahi.” she thought

Without a second thought, she hit the call button. After a couple of rings, Priya picked up.

“Hellooo,” came Priya’s cheerful voice.

“Ha sun… mili permission? Aa rahi na tu kal?” Aditi asked eagerly, her tone hopeful.

There was a pause on the other end. “Umm… actually…” Priya hesitated, her voice softening. “Kal hum bhi jaa rahe hain… kisi relative ki engagement hai. Papa ne abhi hame bataya.”

Aditi’s face fell instantly. Her fingers stopped moving, and her voice dropped a little.

“Ohh… accha… toh tu bhi busy hai kal,” she said, trying to keep her tone light, even though the excitement fizzled inside her like a soda left open too long.

Priya felt the change but knew Aditi would never admit it.

“Haan… sorry yaar, main to pakka aa jaati… but close relaive hai to pap ko mana bhi nahii kar sakti?” she mentioned.

Aditi let out a small breath. “Nahi yaar… koi nahi. Tu bhi enjoy karna, okay?” she said, forcing a little smile.

“Pakka. Aur tu bhi… sab ke saath enjoy karna… bohot masti karna,” Priya replied gently.

“Haan haan… chal, good night. Sweet dreams.” aditi said.

“Good night Adu…” Priya replied softly.

And just like that, Aditi disconnected the call.

She stared at the screen for a few seconds, the smile fading as quickly as it came. She tossed the phone on the bed, hugging her pillow with a sigh.

The sun poured into the house like golden confetti as the Mishra’s household turned into a mini salon-slash-war zone. Clothes were being flung across beds, hair straighteners were heating like weapons of mass grooming, and lipsticks rolled under beds like rogue bullets.

Samaira, already dressed in a gorgeous pastel blue lehenga with flowers printed on it, stood with her hands on her hips like the self-declared fashion general.

“Riva, why are you still wearing your cartoon wala t-shirt?! Engagement hai yrr, jaldi pehen kapde…chachi tujhe yaha chod ke isliliye gayi hai taaki tu time pe tayiyaa hojaye…aur tu abhii tak tshirt main bhatak rahi hai” samaira scolded Riva.

“Abhi ready ho rahi hu na didi! Stop shouting like I’m in a boot camp,” Riva grumbled, tugging her lehenga over her head.

In the corner, Shweta, their mother, sat patiently while Samaira tied her saree’s pallu perfectly.

“Bas mummy, aapki look ho gyii, let me just fix it a bit!” samira said

“haa ye choti bhi theek se pin kar de,” Shweta replied, unflazed.

Meanwhile, Aditi was staring at her reflection, a bit unsure. She wore a white and golden suit with delicate dots all over it, delicate and soft, and her hair curled slightly at the ends.

Samaira turned to her and gasped, “Arre wah Adu! white bhi suit karta hai tere pe…koi na koii to jaroor flat ho hi jayega tere pe bhi aaj!”

Aditi still unflazed, adjusted her dupatta. “Zyada mat chadhao didi… waise bhi main kisi se baat nahi karne wali.”

“Acha hai, kyunki baat karne ka time hi nhii milega!” Samaira said, walking over and adjusting Aditi’s earrings.

“Sun, ek baat bolu?” samaira said her voice lowered a bit, more serious now. Aditi looked up, curious.

“Tere aas-paas koi bhi extra friendly uncle type ya vo waale creepy fufaji type aaye na… toh seedha elbow maarna…aise.” Samaira held Aditi’s elbow, positioned it, and did a slow-mo demonstration, dramatically grunting as if breaking bones.

“Didi! Yeh kya WWE sikha rahi ho?” Aditi giggled.

“Self-defence, babe. Tere dimples cute hain, lekin sab ka mann cute nahi hota. Especially that one fufaji…” samiara warned her

Aditi laughed harder now. “He’s harmless didi!”

“vo to pata hai tond leker chalenge aise to kon hi darega” Samaira said with narrowed eyes and full dramatic flair.

“Okay okay, elbow ready. I’ll go Bruce Lee mode if needed,” Aditi saluted her.

“Good girl. And agar koi ladka nazar se bhi chape hone ki koshish kare na… toh usey dekh ke aise karna,” Samaira said and gave the most exaggerated eye roll + disgusted look + head tilt combo ever.

Riva, now fully dressed, joined in. “Waise didi, mujhe bhi sikha do woh elbow move. Kaam aayega uss banrakas pe try karungi.”

“tu har waqt bss marti hi to rehti hai usse” Samaira said, making everyone burst into laughter.

Just then, Shweta stood up, fixing her saree and looked at her girls-one applying eyeliner to the other, the third laughing with a hairbrush in hand.

She smiled softly. “sab ready hojao jaldi…mai wait kar rahi hu neeche… jaldi ana.”

haa bss 5 minute main ate hai…aap chalo” aditi said as shweta left the room.

scene shifts to Decorated lawn lit with fairy lights and floral drapes. Music playing softly in the background. Staff setting up food counters, relatives hustling around, and the mishra’s family prepping everything in coordinated chaos.

Prateek, dressed in a sharp kurta with a brooch that Aditi had lovingly pinned earlier with a proud smile, was diligently helping his father arrange seating near the stage. As he bent down to adjust a chair, the ever-persistent Charu approached with her most saccharine smile, heels clicking like warning bells.

“Hello Prateek! You look so handsome… need any help?” she asked sweetly, twirling a strand of her hair like she was auditioning for a shampoo ad.

Without sparing her even a glance, Prateek replied dryly, “Thanks, but I’ll handle it,” and moved to the other end of the stage, completely uninterested. Charu, flustered but not giving up, followed him like a bad ad popup.

“Acha… toh main idhar khaali khaali khadi rahu?” she asked, giving a soft, awkward giggle in a desperate attempt to sound charming.

“Your wish,” Prateek shot back flatly, his tone more dismissive than a “no” in an exam hall, still refusing to look at her.

Before Charu could recover from the insult, Aditi’s voice came chirping like sunshine through a cloud of cringe, “Prateeeeeek bhaiyaa!” He immediately turned, relieved like a prisoner granted bail. She hurried over, handing him a big polythene full of rose petals. “Bhaiya ye flowers na jaldi se staff ko de aa… ladkewale aa gaye!”

“Theek hai… tu udhar dekh le, kuch chahiye to nahi kisi ko,” he instructed, and she nodded dutifully.

Still barking instructions like a wedding planner, Prateek turned toward the door with the flower bag in hand-but not watching his front. And bam! He crashed headfirst into someone. The rose petals flew not fully but slightly, the air paused, and before he could fall, strong arms caught him mid-way in a pose straight out of a Bollywood film. Time froze as Prateek blinked up… at Ansh.

They both stared, still awkwardly locked in the hero-heroine rescue moment, until a loud cough from behind broke the magic. Vivaan stood there, grinning like a meme. “Oooho yaha bhi  romance?”

Snapping out of it like they’d been electrocuted, Prateek and Ansh immediately stepped apart, looking horrified.

“Tu… tu yaha kya kar raha hai?” Prateek asked, straightening his kurta.

“Mera chhod… tu yaha kya kar raha hai?” Ansh replied, suspiciously brushing off his sleeves like he’d caught feelings.

“Renuka didi ki engagement hai toh main nahi rahunga yaha toh kaun rahega,” Prateek said as if defending his national duty.

Ansh raised a brow. “Matlab tu ladki walon ke side se hai?” Prateek nodded.

“Are waah… aur hum ladkewalon ki side se aaye hain!” Vivaan jumped in cheerfully, like he just solved a riddle.

“Matlab kal tu issi function ki baat kar raha tha call pe?” Prateek asked Ansh, his eyes narrowing.

“Aur tu bhi?” Ansh asked, mimicking him like a suspicious parent.

“Aree achha hi hai na… phir se saath mein masti karne ko milega,” Vivaan chirped again, clearly the only one enjoying this reunion.

“Haan… achha hai,” Ansh agreed, finally softening a little.

“Waise tum dono hi aaye ho bas?” Prateek asked casually.

Vivaan rolled his eyes. “Hum akele kyu aayenge? Aman bhaiya bhi aaye hain… bade papa, badi mummy, mummy, papa sab aaye hain,” he counted dramatically on his fingers like he was reading attendance.

Prateek’s next question came too fast. “Aur Priya?”

Vivaan smirked. “Woh kaise nahi aayegi… vo bhi aayi hai na,” he added teasingly, dragging the words like ghee on hot paratha.

Ansh’s eyes narrowed again. “Tujhe Priya se kya kaam hai?”

Prateek stumbled. “Are… mujhe kya kaam hoga… bas aise hi pooch raha tha… dikhi nahi na tum dono ke sath…” He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck like he suddenly had dandruff.

Vivaan, ever the rescuer, chimed in, “Are chhodo na! Bhaiya chalo kuch khate hain!” He clapped his hands, trying to change the topic and possibly save a life.

“Haan tum dono chalo… main aata hu,” Prateek said quickly, walking away like he just dodged an emotional bullet, leaving Ansh squinting behind him like Sherlock Holmes with a love radar.

As Ansh and Vivaan strolled toward the food court or rather, as Vivaan half-dragged a reluctantly hungry Ansh behind him the older one suddenly came to a complete halt. His footsteps froze mid-air, and his breath caught somewhere between his chest and throat.

Because there she was…Aditi.

Dressed in a soft white and golden suit that hugged her frame just right, she moved gracefully, unaware of the storm she was stirring in someone’s heart across the lawn. Her soft curls cascaded over one shoulder like poetry in motion. The dupatta, effortlessly draped on one side, swayed with her every step. 

The makeup was subtle just enough to highlight her naturally radiant features and her small, elegant earrings shimmered each time she turned her head. 

She was helping someone with the flower arrangements, deeply involved in the chaos of the function, but to Ansh, it felt like time had slowed, spotlight fixed only on her.

For a few seconds, he just stood there, lips parted slightly, heart doing an absolute flip like it had jumped off a rollercoaster with no seatbelt.

Noticing Ansh’s sudden stop, Vivaan, who was still pulling his wrist lightly, paused and turned to him with a frown. Then he followed Ansh’s line of sight, and his smirk practically grew on its own.

“Hmm… sundar lag rahi hai na?” Vivaan teased, his voice laced with mischief and affection.

Ansh didn’t even blink. “Bohot…” he whispered absentmindedly, the word slipping from his mouth like a secret he didn’t mean to speak out loud.

Vivaan raised an eyebrow, barely holding back a laugh. “Toh jaakar bol do na… pyaar karte ho usse,” he said, giving Ansh a light push not enough to actually make him stumble, but just enough to snap him a little out of his trance.

“Bol dunga na… sahi time pe… hatt abhi,” Ansh scoffed, brushing Vivaan’s hand off as he started walking again this time a little too quickly, ears tinted pink.

But Vivaan, of course, wasn’t going to let the flustered Romeo go that easily. He jogged right beside him, grinning from ear to ear, the image of Ansh’s face burned in his memory forever.

Aditi’s outfit…

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That’s all for this chapter…hope you liked it…💖🤗

I know utna achha chapter nahii hoga ye wala but I promise aage ke chapter you’ll love it… aur agar next chapter anne main der hojaye to samajh jana ki mein tapak gayi hu…👀

till then stay safe…and stay healthy…also keep reading as well and haa don’t forget to vote and leave you comments…it really motivates me.🫶🏻👀

love you all so much…💖💖💖 

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