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दो दिल मिल रहे हैं
दो दिल मिल रहे हैं
मगर चुपके चुपके
दो दिल मिल रहे हैं
मगर चुपके चुपके
सबको हो रही है
हाँ सबको हो रही है
खबर चुपके चुपके
हो ओ ओ ओ
दो दिल मिल रहे हैं
मगर चुपके चुपके
___________________________________________
VOTE: 135+?
COMMENTS: 130+
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The canteen was alive with chatter, laughter, and clinking lunchboxes. Everyone from the gang was seated at their usual table, peacefully enjoying their food except Vivaan, of course. His typical bandar behavior was in full swing, refusing to let him eat like a normal human.
“Kya hai… tujhe hamesha mera wala samosa hi kyu chahiye hota hai?” Ruhaan shoved him back with an annoyed glare as Vivaan sneakily swapped their plates.
“Aap apne liye bada wala leke aate ho hamesha, isiliye,” Vivaan replied shamelessly, already munching on the stolen samosa like it belonged to him.
Riva watched the entire scene with a look of utter disgust and muttered under her breath, “sach main janwar hi hai ye…”
Vivaan, quick to catch the tone, turned with narrowed eyes. “Kuch kaha tumne?”
“Haan kaha na… janwar ho tum,” Riva said boldly, not backing down even a little.
“Tum bhi koi Miss India nahi ho… chudail kahi ki,” Vivaan shot back, throwing the same sass her way.
“Jo bhi hoon… tumhari jaisi harkatein toh nahi karti kam se kam,” Riva replied coolly, raising an eyebrow.
“Kar bhi nahi sakti… Vivaan ke jaisa koi aur aaj tak paida hi nahi hua hai,” he declared with such overdone pride that everyone nearly choked on their food.
“Haan… Bhagwaan ji khud bhi pachta rahe honge aisa namoona bhejke, isiliye doosra nahi banaya ab tak,” Riva snapped, making the entire table erupt into laughter.
“Yeh sahi tha Riva,” Shagun praised her between giggles.
“Tu chup kar… aayi badi side legi,” Vivaan scoffed at Shagun.
“Oyee! Bol mat dio Shagun ko kuch… bata raha hu haan,” Ruhaan warned with full-on boyfriend mode activated, his protective tone making everyone snicker.
Vivaan wasn’t done. He smirked and said, “Haan toh vo bhi batao na… kaise mujhse aake lipat jaate the jab koi ladki aapko bhaav nahi deti thi. Vo toh maine aapko itna stylish banaya hai ki ladkiyaan marti hai aap par ab.”
Shagun, who had just taken a sip of her juice, froze and turned to Ruhaan with a deadly stare. “Matlab… tumko baaki ladkiyon se bhi attention chahiye hoti thi?” Her tone was as icy as her glare.
Ruhaan gulped. Hard. “Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai Shagun yaar… ye bakwaas kar raha hai bas,” he said quickly, panicking as Shagun continued to shoot daggers with her eyes.
“Haan, vo toh pata hi lag raha hai,” she replied, grinding her teeth, clearly unimpressed.
“Vo toh purani baat hai na… ab toh I’m only yours na…” Ruhaan said, trying to charm his way out in his signature cheeky tone. “I only love my gun gun, yaar,” he added dramatically, placing a hand over his heart.
Everyone chuckled at the cute and slightly cringey exchange, including Shagun, who finally let out a laugh, rolling her eyes at him.
“Bas bhi karo yaar tum dono ye sab… kitni cringe harkatein karte ho,” Prateek said, shaking his head at the two lovebirds, pretending to be above it all.
“Achha, tu jaise karta hi nahi…” Ruhaan immediately fired back, causing Prateek to stiffen.
“Iski girlfriend kaha hai jo ye karega?” Ansh said casually as he sipped his juice.
Everyone at the table stifled laughter, eyes drifting toward Prateek. Priya, meanwhile, almost dropped her spoon. Her soul practically left her body.
“Kya hua… sahi toh bola… iski kaha koi girlfriend hai,” Ansh added with a shrug, pointing toward Prateek like he was stating an obvious fact.
“Haan… sahi bol raha hai tu,” Prateek quickly added with a nervous laugh, trying to mask the sudden panic rising in his chest.
He could feel Priya’s eyes on him, disappointed, silently screaming. He didn’t even need to turn, her silence was louder than any words. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes the way it usually did, and that one missing sparkle hit him right in the chest.
But what could he do? He was helpless. Not because he didn’t love her…he did, deeply…but because loving her publicly meant facing a storm named Ansh.
Ruhaan smirked, casually throwing in, “Theek hai…tu bol raha hai toh maan hi lete hain.”
Everyone laughed it off, the topic moved on, but Prateek couldn’t. He kept glancing at Priya, hoping to catch even a small reassurance in her expressions but it wasn’t there.
After lunch, the group scattered. Priya had walked off to the water cooler to fill her bottle. Her expressions were unreadable. She focused on the steady stream of water, but her mind? It wasn’t calm.
Suddenly, she felt a familiar presence behind her. The air around her shifted. She didn’t need to look, she already knew.
Prateek stood beside her, holding his bottle as if he was also there to refill it. But his eyes? They were only on her. “Gussa ho?” he asked gently, his voice almost too soft.
Priya didn’t respond. She continued focusing on the water, pretending not to care, though her grip on the bottle had tightened ever so slightly.
“Sorry, Priya,” Prateek said after a pause, the guilt evident in his voice.
“Sorry kyu… aapki toh sach mein koi girlfriend nahi hai,” she replied calmly, but her words were dipped in taunt, sharp and deliberate.
“Aisa nahi hai… I do have a girlfriend. And I love her very much,” Prateek admitted instantly, not even blinking, as if the truth had been dying to escape him.
“Apne toh mana kar diya tha sabke saamne,” Priya said with a raised eyebrow, her tone sarcastic, her eyes searching his.
“Vo Ansh tha waha pe… meri chatni bana deta agar usse pata chalta toh,” he explained, half-defensive, half-pleading.
“Iska matlab aap hamesha bhaiya se secret rakhoge?” she questioned, this time softer, but the pain behind her words was sharp.
“Nahi… but sahi time aane pe bataunga usse… taaki thodi kam maar pade,” Prateek tried to add some humour, but it didn’t land.
“Par aap toh best friends ho… aur best friends secrets nahi rakhte,” Priya said, her voice laced with disappointment, her gaze slipping away from him.
“Tumhari baat alag hai Priya… he’s way too protective for you,” Prateek reasoned, hoping she’d understand the delicate thread he was balancing on.
“Toh iska matlab aap mere kuch nahi lagte bhaiya ke saamne?” she shot back in one breath no pauses, no breaks, just pain poured straight from her heart.
“Aisa nahi hai Priya” he tried again, voice softer now.
“Jaisa bhi hai… aapne toh ek second mein mana kar diya tha you don’t have a girlfriend… toh main aapki baat kyun sunu?” she said, her disappointment finally overflowing in her tone.
“Are but sunno toh-” he stepped forward, reaching out with his words more than his hands, but before he could complete his sentence, she turned around and began walking away.
Ruhaan suddenly appeared beside him, casually tossing peanuts into his mouth like nothing had happened. “Kya ho gaya… naraaz kar diya kya usse?” he asked, slinging an arm around Prateek’s shoulder, completely unaware of the emotional mess behind the calm.
“Door reh mujhse… teri wajah se hua hai sab,” Prateek shoved his arm away and walked off in frustration, leaving Ruhaan blinking in confusion.
“Par maine kya kiya?” Ruhaan called out, utterly clueless as he watched Prateek disappear down the corridor without a word.
_________________________________________
As the days slipped by in a blur of excitement and endless preparations of wedding, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation for the destination wedding in Banaras…Aditi’s hometown.
In the past three to four days, Mishra House had transformed into a whirlwind of chaos. Riva and her family had already left for Banaras to manage early arrangements, while Aditi’s family had decided to board the train along with the Singhanias.
Aditi was on a video call with Priya and Shagun, their screens filled with outfits, half-packed bags, and shared confusion.
“Yrr mujhe samajh nahii aa raha mehendi pe pehnu kya?” Priya asked, clearly overwhelmed.
“Lehenga pehen le na,” Shagun suggested casually.
“Nahii lehenga tackle nahii hoga… upar se mehendi lag gayi to hogya satyanash,” Aditi said with a dramatic sigh, earning an immediate nod from Priya, who clearly related.
“Ha isliye soch rahi hoon koi suit wagera pehen lu,” Priya muttered, scanning her wardrobe behind her.
“Ha, suit best rahega,” Aditi agreed.
“But yrr… ik hi green suit hai mere paas… aur vo almost 3 baar pehen chuki hu main shaadiyon main,” Priya sulked, plopping on her bed.
“Suit dikha mujhe,” Shagun leaned forward eagerly, and Priya flipped her camera to show the suit in question.
“Ek kaam kar, iska kurta rakh le… neeche ka ek matching sharara hai mere paas, vo pehen lio,” Aditi offered generously, eyes scanning her own suitcase.
“Aur dupatta?” Priya asked curiously.
“Mere paas hoga… ye dekh, match karega kya?” Shagun chimed in, holding up a beautifully embroidered dupatta on screen.
“ye mast lagega,” Samaira’s voice suddenly appeared from behind, making the trio smile.
“Thank you didi… aap se approval liye bina nahii niklugi bahar main… ab best ho,” Priya chimed, grinning as Samaira made a proud expression and blew them a kiss.
“Achha sunno… shaadi mein kya kya pehnoge?” Shagun asked, shifting the topic.
“Mere hisaab se lehenga achha lagega,” Aditi said confidently.
“Haina… main bhi yahii soch rahi hu,” Priya added.
“Okay then… lehenga rakh lungi main shaadi ke liye,” Shagun said, mentally checking off her packing list.
“Dii, aap kya pehnogi?” Aditi asked Samaira, who was still fiddling with her jewelry on the side.
“Soch rahi hu saree pehen lu… achhi lagegi,” Samaira replied, distracted but sure.
“Kya baat hai didi… abhi se bahu training!” Shagun teased, wiggling her brows.
“Chup kar… aise hi bol rahi hoon main toh… abhi decided nahi hai,” Samaira replied with a half-smile.
“Are pehn lo didi, main to bol rahi hu backless rakhna blouse ko… Aman bhaiya poore flat,” Priya teased shamelessly, making Shagun burst out laughing.
“dekhne mein hi bhole ho tum teeno… bakwaas karvalo bas tum teeno se,” Samaira scolded half-heartedly before leaving the room, unable to hide her fond smile.
As soon as she was gone, Priya leaned closer to the camera, suddenly serious. “Achha sunn yrr… main kya keh rahi thi… vo tere bhaiya kya kya pehnenge? Kuch idea hai?”
“Pata nahii yrr… kya hi pehnega vo?” Aditi answered casually, focused on folding a few of her clothes.
“Tu khud pooch le na… bata dega tujhe toh,” she added, smirking.
“Ye kaise poochegi… ye toh pehle hi sharma jayegi,” Shagun teased, unable to let the moment slide.
“Aisa nahi hai,” Priya shot back instantly, face already turning pink.
“Are chhod… main tujhe confirm karke bata dungi. Tu chill kar,” Aditi assured, patting her camera with a playful expression.
“Achha sunn Shagun… teri tickets na mere paas hi hain… main bhej rahi hu tujhe… kal time se aa jaayegi na? Ya main pick karwa lu tujhe yaha pehle?” Aditi asked, her tone suddenly shifting into that of a caring host.
“Are nahi, main aa jaungi… Ruhaan pick kar lega. Tu tension mat le. Bas khaana achha pack karvaiyo aunty se,” Shagun replied confidently.
“Ha, theek hai, done,” Aditi said with a relieved smile, ready to click the send button on the ticket.
As their group call slowly faded into giggles and outfit confusion, Shagun’s screen lit up with another incoming call this one from Ruhaan. Without hesitation, she quickly said goodbye to Aditi and Priya and swiped over to Ruhaan’s call.
“Hello,” she said casually, settling onto her bed, legs folded.
“Hello ha Shagun… packing kar li?” Ruhaan’s voice came, cheerful and curious as ever.
“Haa, bas kar hi li… thoda bohot baaki hai,” Shagun replied, glancing at the semi-packed mess on her bed.
“Achha, toh main bol raha tha na… ki koi ek light green colour ki dress ho tumhare paas toh rakh lena,” he asked suddenly, his voice holding that oddly specific excitement.
“Light green toh dekhni padegi… hai ya nahi… but kyu?” Shagun asked, frowning in mild confusion.
“Vo… twinning karunga na tumhare saath. Abhi lekar aaya hoon kurta… green colour ka,” Ruhaan answered, his words spilling out with pure, unfiltered happiness.
“Achha… aur kisi aur ne bhi same colour pehen liya toh?” Shagun smirked, teasing him.
“Aise kaise pehen lega! Main aur tum hi pehnenge bas green. Main group pe warning likh dunga!” Ruhaan said, his voice suddenly filled with protective pride.
“You’re impossible, you know that?” Shagun chuckled softly at his adorably possessive tone.
“Impossible hoon tabhi toh tumko pasand aa gaya tha… bachpan se hi,” Ruhaan teased shamelessly.
“Ohh please shut up, okay? You were the first one who came crying to me jab vo gande se bachhe tumko bully kar rahe the…’unhone mujhe maara Gun Gun’ karte hue,” Shagun mocked him, perfectly mimicking his baby-voice from all those years ago.
“Haa, aur tumne bhi toh phir uske daant tod diye the ye bolke ki ‘mere Hannie ko chua toh muh tod dungi’,” Ruhaan shot back, grinning at the memory.
The two of them burst into laughter, their hearts warm with nostalgia, their present moment echoing the bond they’d unknowingly been building since childhood.
“Achha enough haan… tell me, kal kitne baje aau?” Ruhaan asked as their laughter faded.
“Train 6 baje ki hai… toh 5 baje tak aa jana,” Shagun said, checking the ticket detail once more.
“Okk, ready rehna haan… aur comfortable kapde pehenna… it’ll be better,” Ruhaan reminded her with the tone of someone who knew her far too well.
“Ha kyu nahi… tum batate nahi toh main toh fancy dress wale costume mein jaati na,” Shagun mocked dramatically.
“Kya pata… tedhi khopdi toh pehle se hi hai tumhari,” Ruhaan shot back playfully.
“Ha ha… ruko tum… bataungi tumko main kal,” Shagun warned, smiling wickedly.
“Abhi bata do,” Ruhaan flirted smoothly, his voice soft and close.
“Pagal ho tum,” Shagun said, shaking her head, trying not to laugh.
“Tumhare pyaar mein hoon pagal… aur hona toh banta bhi hai,” he replied again, without missing a beat.
“Shut up, Ruhaan…” Shagun mumbled, trying hard to hide the blush spreading across her cheeks.
“whyyy…main to bolunga… I love you, Gun Gun. I love my Gun Gun. I love-” Ruhaan began, his voice rising dreamily like he was shouting from the rooftops.
“Bass bhi karo… koi sunn lega toh,” Shagun whispered.
“Kaun hi sunega tumhare alava…” Ruhaan replied but froze mid-sentence.
“Ruhaaaaan!” a loud voice echoed from his end, cutting through the romantic moment like a knife.
“Oh shit-haa maa!” Ruhaan jolted up like a criminal caught red-handed.
“Jab tujhe bola tha maine… ki ye dupatta exchange karva dio aaj jab market jaayega… toh karvaya kyu nahi tune?” his mother, Riya, shouted, storming into the room with her hands on her hips, full desi-mom-mode activated.
“Vo… bhool gaya tha mummy… yaad nahi raha,” Ruhaan stuttered, visibly trembling, trying to hide the laughter bubbling up.
“Bhool gaya tha? Packing toh poori kar li tune… usme toh kuch nahi bhoola tu!” she fired back and lunged at him, her hand ready to land the classic mom-slap. But Ruhaan, the circus clown of the household, expertly dodged every hit like a trained performer.
“Soooryyy mummy… abhi kara lata hu… maaro toh mat!” Ruhaan yelped while Shagun, still on call, covered her mouth, trying not to burst out laughing.
She heard the chaos unfold with a soft smile on her face, staring out of her window where the first stars had begun to twinkle above. As her eyes locked onto the night sky, a single tear slid down her cheeks.
But that tear wasn’t of pain. It was of gratitude. Of love. Of memories that still felt alive.
“Thank you maa… for bringing him again,” Shagun whispered into the silence of her room, voice trembling with emotion.
And with that, she quietly disconnected the call before Ruhaan’s screams got louder and his mother’s slaps landed harder.
________________________________________
Finally, the moment to board the train had arrived. Aditi’s family was the first to reach the station, all loaded up with their luggage, snacks, and that typical pre-journey chaos. The platform buzzed with announcements and the sound of dragging trolley bags.
Aditi sat quietly on the station bench, dressed in a black t-shirt layered with a striped shirt and loose beige cargo pants. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail, and her earbuds were plugged in, blasting songs into her ears, her little escape from all the noise around. Her eyes occasionally drifted to the clock above, but her face remained expressionless.
Just a little distance away, Prateek stood next to Amit, busy checking the train status on the app. The two of them were trying to predict the platform and exact arrival time.
Meanwhile, Samaira was hovering around their mother, trying to help Shweta adjust her pale yellow saree that just didn’t seem to sit right.
“Bola tha mammy aapko… suit pehen lete,” Samaira muttered, a little disappointed and very much done with the saree drama.
“Arey achha thodi lagta hai… aise sasuraal jaa rahe hain suit mein,” Shweta replied, waving her hand as if dismissing Samaira’s complaint entirely.
“Sab pehente hai aajkal mammy yrr… aapke hi sasural wale anokhe hain… bahu ki saree dekhenge bas,” Samaira huffed, clearly unimpressed by these ‘rituals’ she couldn’t relate to.
“Tu abhi nahi samjhegi… shaadi ke baad samajh aayegi tujhe,” Shweta said, her tone almost philosophical.
“Haan, karva do mammy didi ki shaadi… mast unka room bhi hadap lungi,” Aditi chimed in cheekily from the bench, not removing her earbuds but loud enough to be heard. Samaira shot her a glare that made Aditi grin wider.
“Mujhe nahi karni shaadi abhi… aur main kyun change karungi khud ko shaadi ke baad?” Samaira added with a bit more fire in her voice.
“Har ladki ko karna padta hai beta,” Shweta replied with a sigh, like it was some eternal truth.
“Par main toh aapka ladka hoon na,” Samaira replied, placing a hand on her chest with dramatic flair.
“Hatt pagal!” Shweta laughed, shoving her lightly as the three shared a rare soft moment amid the hustle.
Aditi pulled out one of her earbuds and looked around before whispering, “Train kab aayegi?”
Samaira leaned closer with a small smile and whispered back, “Train se mujhe kya… mera Aman toh aa gaya.”
She subtly pointed toward the opposite side of the platform. The Singhanias had arrived. Leading the little crew was Aman, casually walking in their direction, dragging his bag with one hand, and carrying some unspoken, effortless charm with him.
Samaira, already locking eyes with Aman,out of no where gave him a playful wink one that made him freeze mid-step in visible shock.
“Chal beta… ruk kyu gaya?” Kirti asked, placing her hand on his shoulder, snapping him out of his trance.
“Kuch nahi chachi ji… bas vo bag thoda sa fisal raha tha… aap chaliye,” Aman lied smoothly, eyes darting back toward Samaira who was now smirking like she had just won the round.
But while Samaira was smiling, Aditi had completely different emotions brewing inside her.
As soon as her eyes landed on Ansh, her breath hitched involuntarily. The world around her seemed to dull for a split second. He was right there in soft pink t-shirt paired with beige pants, his hair tousled like he hadn’t even tried, yet somehow, it looked perfect. walking with his usual sense of quiet responsibility, his expression calm, unaware of what storm he just stirred in her heart.
Memories she had worked so hard to bury began whispering to her again. And then… their eyes met. Just for a moment.
But that moment was enough to break her calm. Aditi immediately looked away, panic rising in her chest. Her fingers tightened around her phone, her other hand subtly resting over her heart.
“Please stop it… don’t come again, you stupid feelings,” she silently scolded herself, biting her lip and mentally kicking herself for reacting that way.
Her chest felt a little too tight, and just when she thought she might lose herself to the moment again, a familiar voice broke through her thoughts.
“Hi Adu,” Priya chimed sweetly as she appeared in front of her and wrapped her arms around her in a sudden hug.
Aditi blinked, pulled out her earbud, and looked up at her best friend, the sudden warmth helping her catch her breath again.
“Kaisi lag rahi hu…?” Priya asked with a cheeky smile, twirling in front of her dramatically. Aditi scanned her from head to toe.
“Bilkul tota,” Aditi smirked, eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Aur tu pataka,” Priya flirted right back, making them both giggle.
Then, suddenly lowering her voice, Priya leaned in and whispered, “Achha sunn… bhaiya bhi achhe lag rahe hain na?”
Aditi’s breath hitched yet again and the blush on her cheeks betrayed every denial she had been rehearsing in her head.
“Shut up, Priya,” she said quickly, trying to shove her aside, her tone flustered.
“Arey bata na… maine dekha tujhe, tu unko hi dekh rahi thi,” Priya grinned, refusing to back off as she clung to her teasing.
“Pagal hai… main kyu dekhu unko…vo to bss aise hi nazar pad gyi,” Aditi lied so poorly that even a stranger could’ve read her face.
But before Priya could continue, a third voice suddenly interrupted them from the side.
“To ab dekh le apne hero ko… aur kareeb se,” Vivaan chimed in with perfect comic timing, grinning mischievously as he slid between them.
“Tujhe har time ladkiyon mein hi kyun ghusna hota hai… bhaag yaha se,” Aditi scolded, giving him a smack on the arm as he dodged away with a laugh.
“Beta sambhal ke… station hai ye, playground nahi,” Kiran said gently, watching the kids with fondness but also a warning.
“Sorry aunty,” Aditi said instantly, standing up straighter and giving her an apologetic smile.
“Saasuma bol, idiot,” Priya whispered into Aditi’s ear with a teasing smirk, earning a deadly glare from her friend.
By now, the entire gang had nearly assembled. The buzz of the station seemed to drown beneath their laughter and light-hearted chaos.
“Sab log aa gaye?” Amit asked as he looked around at the group.
“Nahi papa… abhi Shagun aur Ruhaan bhaiya nahi aaye,” Aditi replied, scanning the crowd.
“Poochho phir kaha reh gaye… train aane wali hai 5 min mein,” Rajveer suggested, already checking his watch.
“Ruhaan pahunch gaya hai station pe… bas andar hi aa raha hoga… Shagun bhi bahar hi mil gayi thi use,” Ansh informed calmly, his voice like always measured and composed.
“Theek hai phir, chalo… aate hi honge vo bhi,” Sanjay said as he lifted a bag onto a trolley, preparing everyone to shift closer to the designated platform.
___________________________________
The train had finally begun its journey, slowly pulling away from the platform as the evening settled in and the cool wind rustled softly against the windows.
Everyone had found their spots, the younger gang had excitedly claimed their entire coach compartment like it was their private kingdom of chaos. The elders, having no energy to challenge the inevitable, had already warned them strictly to behave during the journey or suffer serious consequences.
“Main cake layi thi yrr… bhool gayi batana… lo khao saare,” she said, opening a tiffin box full of rich, homemade chocolate cake.
Within seconds, pieces were grabbed by eager hands and the cake began to vanish like it never existed. But as Aman reached for a piece too, Samaira’s voice snapped in sharp concern.
“Tum kyu khaa rahe ho?” she scolded him, eyes narrowing.
“Kyu? Main kyu na khaaun?” Aman asked, mock-offended, holding the cake halfway to his mouth.
“Tumko allergy hai chocolate se bhool gaye?!… Ye lo tumhare liye ye wala hai,” she said, handing him a small separate tiffin she had packed just for him.
But instead of accepting it, Aman gave her a mischievous grin and, before she could stop him, shoved the piece into his mouth and chewed gleefully.
Samaira gasped, horrified. “Pagal ho gaye ho kya… khaa kyu liya use?” she panicked.
“Tasty bana hai… I must say,” Aman replied cheekily, still munching.
“Thooko jaldi bahar… nikalo muh se usko!” she cried, ready to grab him by the head, frantic with worry, while he only dodged and grinned.
“Are yrr khane do na itna to tasty banati ho tum” Aman protested with laughter.
“Nahi! Ulti karo abhi… kuch ho gaya to kahan jaayenge hum tumhe leke?” Samaira’s voice trembled as her concern grew.
“Didi… khane dijiye,” Vivaan joined innocently.
“Tu chup reh chuhe! Allergy hai isko chocolate se, aur uss cake mein maine chocolate daala tha. Kuch ho gaya toh…” Samaira scolded Vivaan sharply, her words laced with frustration.
“Didi… bhaiya ko bas external allergy hai. Vo bhi sirf chocolate ke powder se… internally vo kha sakte hai chocolate,” Ansh calmly informed with a soft smile.Samaira froze. Her eyes shifted between Aman and Ansh, the realization dawning slowly.
” Matlab… tum mere maze le rahe the?” she asked in disbelief. Aman nodded, utterly shameless and victorious.
“Pehle nahi bata sakte the? Mujhe double mehnat nahi karni padti!” she huffed and turned away, arms crossed, clearly annoyed.
“Pehle hi bata dete to extra cake kaha se khane ko milta didi…” Ruhaan grinned, pointing to the second tiffin she’d packed specially for Aman.
“Aur aapka pyaar bhi nahi dekh paate hum,” Priya added, making the entire group burst into laughter.
Samaira just huffed and turned her face to the window, cheeks tinted a deep red. “Kisi ko nahi dungi main ye wala cake… main khaungi isse bas,” she mumbled, hiding the box like a precious treasure.
“Are… mere liye layi thi tum, toh do mujhe,” Aman protested, reaching for the tiffin.
“Ji nahi! Khao wahi chocolate wala tum bhi… aye bade,” Samaira replied, scrunching her nose at him.
Aman, who was sitting opposite her, leaned slightly toward Aditi, who was seated beside Samaira, and signaled her with a subtle nod. Aditi caught on instantly and, with an exchanged grin, silently switched seats. She slipped into Aman’s place beside Priya, allowing Aman to slide next to Samaira.
“Achha sorry, Samaira,” Aman whispered gently.
“Bhaad mein jao,” she snapped, still facing away.
“Par vo toh Gujarat mein hai didi… hum to Banaras ja rahe hain,” Shagun piped in from the side, completely ruining the tension.
“Chup reh tu,” Samaira fired back, glaring, making Shagun retreat instantly.
“Achha ek bite to de hi sakti ho,” Aman nudged her again with a teasing smile. She didn’t respond.
“Chhota sa bite please…,” he pleaded again, nudging her arm. She glanced at him with a side-eye, trying not to smile.
“Kya bhaiya aap bhi kisse maang rahe hain…” Prateek commented playfully, already knowing how stubborn his sister could be.
“Apni future wife se maang raha hu… hai na, Samaira?” Aman dropped the bomb without hesitation. Samaira’s eyes widened in horror, and the entire group erupted in howls of laughter and dramatic gasps.
“Hmm.. hmmmm wifeee haan bhaiyaa,” Aditi chimed, raising her brows teasingly.
“Ab bas didi se bhabhi bana do aap inko hamari,” Vivaan added with a cheeky grin.
“Aur aap jija ji ban jao hamare jaldi se,” Shagun joined in.
“Main bata raha hoon… mujhe Udaipur ki destination wedding chahiye aapki haan,” Ruhaan declared, raising his hand as if voting in a class election. The teasing grew wilder, the laughs louder, and Samaira’s blush deeper.
“Ayee hayeee didiiii… itna blushh… ufff,” Aditi teased more, only to get a death glare from Samaira, which she returned with a wicked grin.
“Chup karo saare… abhi hum kisi aur ki shaadi mein ja rahe hain… uspe focus karo,” Samaira snapped, trying to deflect.
“Aapki bhi to hogi hi ek din… bhaiya ke sath,” Vivaan added, not missing a beat.
“Jab hogi tab dekh li jaayegi,” she replied quickly, turning away again, clearly hiding a smile.
“Dekhoge kya didi… practice to abhi se shuru kar hi do aap dono bhi,” Shagun commented, nudging Priya.
“Waise manna padega haan… Aman bhaiya mein guts to bohot aa gaye hain… fully didi ko future wife introduce kar rahe hain Prateek bhaiya ke samne vo bhi,” Vivaan added, impressed.
“Haan to… jab pyaar karta hai mujhse to isse kyun darega Aman,” Samaira said coolly, holding her chin up.
“Are nahi… saale sahab se to darna hi padega na… kyun Prateek” Ruhaan slung his arm around Prateek’s shoulder, teasing him casually. “tu bhi to darta hai” his next words came more like a wisper to him. Prateek stiffened ever so slightly but covered it quickly.
“Pagal hai… kuch bhi bolta hai… infact main to bhaiya ke liye darta hu… pagal na kar de didi unhe,” he replied with a forced laugh, playing it cool.
The group roared in laughter again, but amidst the noise, Prateek’s gaze quietly drifted to Priya. She was laughing along and just like before, Prateek caught the flicker of discomfort she tried to hide
she looked at him and nodded with a reassuring smile but she could sence a flash of guilt into his eyes.
As the night deepened the gang found themselves too energized to sleep and too bored to sit still. they decided to play the age-old savior of every long journey that is Truth and Dare.
The bottle sat in the middle like a mischievous king, spinning with the flick of a wrist, deciding fates with no mercy.
“Nahi yaarrr main phir se nahi!” Vivaan slumped dramatically on the seat, groaning for the tenth time as the bottle’s neck once again pointed directly at him.
“Nahi nahi nahi… ab to dare hi lega, truth khatam tera.” Shagun declared with folded arms, grinning like a villain.
“Yaar nahi… phir se tum log mujhe daant padvaoge.” Vivaan sulked harder, almost burying his face in his palms.
“Chal chal nautanki band kar ab… chal ‘Pink Lips’ pe naach ke dikha.” Ruhaan said with a wicked gleam in his eyes, arms crossed in command mode.
“Theek hai, gaana bajao.” Vivaan stood up reluctantly, trying to make peace with his fate.
“Are ruk ja chuhe… itna aasaan task thodi na denge tujhe.” Aditi said with a devious smirk as she scooted forward, already imagining the chaos.
“To phir kyaaa ab?” Vivaan looked at them, clearly scared of what was coming.
“Iss gaane par tu jaake Papa ke samne naach ke aa.” Samaira said, looking straight into his eyes. Vivaan’s soul almost left his body.
“Pa-pagal ho gaye ho kya didi? Kyu meri arthi uthwana chahti ho…?” His eyes were wide in absolute horror.
“Na bhai… karna to padega. Warna shaadi bhar humare saare orders maanne padenge. Bol manzoor?” Priya said with an evil grin, raising her brow.
“Pagal hai kya… usse accha main yahi kar leta hoon.” He huffed with fake bravery, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder.
Before anyone could blink, Vivaan marched towards the elder’s coach like a soldier on his final mission. The rest of the gang tiptoed toward the connecting door to peek in.
The elders were casually chatting when Vivaan appeared at the door, tense but committed. Shweta looked up, slightly confused.
“Kya hua Vivaan? Kuch chahiye beta?” she asked sweetly.
But before Vivaan could answer, the music began Pink Lips blasted softly from his phone speaker. What followed was nothing short of a cultural disaster.
With exaggerated hip swings, hands twirling in the air, and eyes half-shut, Vivaan began dancing like he was the backup dancer of Sunny Leone. The elders sat frozen. Samaira had already hit record on her phone and was struggling not to wheeze.
Then Vivaan committed the final sin, he seductively moved toward Amit uncle, traced a finger near his cheek, and pouted as if he was in a Bollywood item song.
“Kya kar raha hai tu?!” Kirti shouted and hitted him hard on the back.
“Owwww!” Vivaan yelped, startled, his dance coming to an awkward end.
“Kya harkat hai ye, Vivaan?!” Rajveer’s voice came stern and disbelieving.
“S-sorry bade papa… dare complete kar raha tha bas!” he yelped, trying to cover his embarrassment as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“Maaf kariyega bhai sahib… thoda dimag kam hai isme.” Kirti apologized, shaking her head in disbelief.
“Koi baat nahi, bhabhi ji… jaane dijiye, bachha hai abhi.” Amit said, smiling awkwardly, still trying to process what just happened.
“Bachha?! Ghode jaisa ho gaya hai… par akal do paise ki nahi hai.” Kirti muttered as she twisted his ear like he was six.
“Aahhh… chod do papa ki darling… dard ho raha hai yaar!” Vivaan yelped again before making a run for it, leaving the elders shaking their heads and chuckling.
He dashed back into the younger coach and collapsed dramatically onto the seat, panting like he just escaped death.
“Bach gaya…” he muttered.
The gang burst into uncontrollable laughter, most falling over each other, trying to breathe between giggles.
And just as the laughter began to settle, the bottle was spun again, and this time… it pointed to Aditi.
But before anyone could challenge her, Prateek’s phone buzzed, and he excused himself, stepping out into the aisle to take the call, leaving the game temporarily
“I’ll take truth,” Aditi said confidently, folding her arms as the bottle pointed at her.
“Iske baad agar aaya toh dare lena padega tujhe… ye last hai tera truth,” Priya warned with mock strictness.
Aditi casually nodded, unfazed. “Theek hai, theek hai.”
“Main poochu?” Aman offered, raising a brow with a mischievous glint.
“Ha, poochhiye,” Aditi replied.
“Nahi nahi bhaiya, aap baad mein… mujhe poochne dijiye,” Ruhaan interrupted, almost jumping in excitement.
“Chal theek hai, tu hi pooch le,” Aman gave in with a chuckle, waving his hand.
Ruhaan leaned forward with a smirk. “So tell me Aditi… tujhe kisi pe crush hai?”
The question dropped like a thunderbolt. Aditi’s world paused for a beat. Everyone stared at her with curiosity, but her eyes darted nervously until they landed on Ansh. His gaze wasn’t teasing like the others it carried something deeper, something unreadable.
“Sach sach batayo Aditi, please,” Shagun urged gently, breaking the silence.
Aditi looked down for a second, then smiled softly. “Hmm… hai.” her words made Priya Vivaan Ruhaan and Aman pause a bit and look at ansh for a mooment they all sensed how his expressions saddened slightly.
“Kisspe?!” Samaira nearly jumped, eyes gleaming like a predator closing in on prey.
“Naam thodi bola tha batane ko… haan ya naa mein batana tha, bata diya,” Aditi said, her confidence making up for the fluttering of her heart.
“Mujhe bhi nahi batayegi?” Priya raised a brow dramatically thinking she would tell her.
“Nahi,” Aditi replied, holding her ground.
“Rehne do bhai…iske muh se kuch nahii nikalega… continue karte hai,” Vivaan intervened, trying to move things along. He spun the bottle again before anyone else could ask more questions.
Aditi stole a glance at Ansh. For a fleeting second, she saw something shift in his expression. A flicker of sadness passed through his eyes, as he looked down, then back at her. She quickly looked away, her breath hitching.
She already likes someone… his thoughts whispered painfully.
“Kya ho gaya?” Ruhaan nudged Ansh lightly.
“Huh… kuch nahi,” Ansh mumbled, brushing it off like dust on his sleeve.
chill kar…crush hi hai uska…koi celebrity wagera bhi to ho sakta hai…jaroori thodi hai koi ladhka hi ho” Ruhaan reassured him and he just nodded.
Priya, sensing Prateek’s absence for too long, stood up. “Main washroom jaake aati hoon,” she said and quietly left, her worry hidden behind a casual excuse.
Near the train’s entrance, Prateek stood staring intently at his palms, moulding something. He was clearly occupied doing something secretive until Priya walked up to him, her voice soft but direct.
“Aap kabse yaha… kya kar rahe hai?” she asked, her tone laced with concern.
“Uh… nahin vo… kuch nahi, aise hi,” Prateek replied quickly, slipping the thing into his pocket, trying to sound casual.
“Koi problem hai?” she asked again, stepping a little closer, her brows slightly knitted.
“Nahin, koi problem nahi hai… actually…” he hesitated, looking away for a second, clearly battling with his nerves.
“Main vo… tum mujhse gussa hogayi thi uss din, so… I tried to make this… but ye aate aate toot gaya.” He looked down and slowly extended his hand, revealing a small, broken clay bunny its head separated from the body. The guilt in his voice was unmistakable.
Priya stared at the tiny figure in his palm, then at his lowered eyes, and couldn’t help the soft chuckle that escaped her lips.
“Ye aapne banaya tha?” she asked as she gently took the bunny’s broken head in her hand. He simply nodded, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.
“Bunny ke kaan itne chhote kab se hone lage?” she teased, inspecting the crooked ears on the clay head, making him a little more embarrassed.
“I’m sorry, vo uss din…” Prateek began to apologize again, but Priya interrupted him softly.
“Sorry mat boliye… aapki galti nahi thi usme. mujhhe uss dinn aise nahi bolna chahiye tha apse” Her voice held no resentment, only understanding.
She looked down, then quietly added, “Agar bhaiya ko sach mein pata chalega ki hum date kar rahe hain, toh vo sach mein gussa ho jaayenge… jaise har bhaii apni behen ke liye hota hai.” Prateek blinked, speechless.
“Main bhaiya ko bachpan se jaanti hoon,” Priya continued, her voice steady and clear. “Vo kabhi kuch nahi bolte… but jab baat meri aati hai na, toh I know how protective he is. Aapka unse darna banta bhi hai.”
He listened carefully, nodding slowly, the weight of her words settling in his chest.
“But I can see that you feel uncomfortable ki we’re hiding it from Ansh… even I feel like I’m betraying him,” he confessed honestly.
“Shhh… kuch nahi hota aise,” she said, smiling. “Bas bhaiya nahi jaante, but baaki sab ko toh pata hai na. And sahi time pe hum unko bhi bata denge… vo bhi maan jaayenge.”
“Par nahi maana toh?” he asked quietly, a genuine fear in his eyes.
“Toh… thodi si maar kha lena aap,” Priya said with a teasing smirk, trying to lighten the moment.
“Are you sure thodi si hi maar padegi?” he raised a brow, finally smiling.
“Kya pata zyada pad jaye… kuch pata nahi bhaiya ka,” she laughed, her eyes twinkling.
“Tum bacha lena… warna vo toh seedha upar pahuncha ke hi maanega,” Prateek joked, earning another chuckle from her.
“Itne bhi bure nahi hain vo,” she defended Ansh quickly.
“Tumhare liye sweet hoga vo… mujhe toh kachha chaba jaaye,” he exaggerated dramatically.
“Jaise bhi hain… ab toh aapke saale sahab hain… jhelna toh padega hi,” Priya said confidently, crossing her arms with mock pride.
“Achha ji… toh wife ko bhi toh bachna padega na phir mujhse?” he leaned in slightly, smirking as he gently intertwined his fingers with hers, making her blush deep red.
” aap kya kar hain?” she asked, her breath hitching slightly as his hands wrapped around hers.
“Kar lu… batao?” he whispered, leaning even closer.
She didn’t answer her heartbeat was too loud, her words stuck in her throat. Prateek smiled at her silence, lifting her hand and placing a soft kiss on her knuckles.
“Tum toh itne mein hi sharma gayi… abhi toh kuch kiya bhi nahi maine,” he teased her gently, watching her go redder than ever.
Just as she opened her mouth to respond, her phone buzzed with a notification. It was a message from Aditi- “Wahi maregi bhaiya ke saath kya… wapas bhi aa ja.”
Prateek peeked at the screen and groaned, “Ik isko bhi chain nahi milta.” He looked irritated but amused.
Priya laughed softly at his expression, her gaze affectionate. “Aap aise bhi bade cute lagte hain.”
He brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear with delicate fingers, leaning close to whisper, “Aur tum aise blush karte hue…”
She gently pushed him back with a nervous laugh. “Chaliye ab… bohot ho gaya.”
“Tum chalo… main tumhare peeche-peeche aata hoon,” he flirted, still not letting go of her hand until she gave him a look. Then he followed behind her, a smile never leaving his lips.
As they rejoined the group, Ansh looked up, slightly suspicious. “Badi der laga di Priya ane main?”
“Haan vo… washroom mein bheed thi na bhaiya, isliye time lag gaya,” Priya said, covering up quickly, her tone convincing.
Ansh nodded, satisfied. Then turned to Prateek, “Aur tujhe bhi?”
“Are ye toh wahi phone pe baat kar rahe the kisi se,” Priya jumped in again, saving him once more.
“Haan… vo baat thodi lambi ho gayi thi call pe,” Prateek added, scratching his neck as he tried not to look guilty.
__________________________________
The night had finally rolled up, and the coach was now dipped in silence. Most of the gang had found their berths and were already deep in sleep.
Aditi and Priya were on the uppermost berths, curled up under their blankets. Ruhaan and Shagun had taken the side berths. Just below the girls, on the middle berths, were Prateek and Ansh. The lowest berths were taken by Aman and Samaira, while Vivaan had to shift to the elders’ coach, as his berth had been allotted there.
It was close to midnight. Everyone seemed to be in a restful slumber, except Ansh. His eyes remained wide open, his thoughts far from quiet. “She already likes someone.”
The sentence echoed painfully, leaving behind a bitter taste. His eyes shifted upward toward Aditi’s berth. The dim blue light from the corridor faintly revealed her sleeping form. She lay with her hair slightly tousled, her cheek resting on her arm, lips slightly pouted, peaceful, dreamy. A soft expression unknowingly settled on Ansh’s face.
Pulling out his phone as quietly as possible, he typed into Google, “how to impress a girl who has a crush on someone else?”
His thumb scrolled through various articles, but nothing satisfied him. With a disappointed sigh, he kept the phone aside, sulking silently.
Just then, a small sound made him turn. Aditi stirred in her sleep, rubbing her eyes like a child, and looked around. Ansh’s heart stopped for a second. He was so captivated by her sleepy adorableness that he almost forgot to pretend to be asleep. As her gaze dropped toward him, he quickly shut his eyes and lay still.
But Aditi didn’t move her eyes immediately. She stared at him quietly for a moment her mind revisiting a memory she hadn’t touched in a long time.
“He still has that mark…” Her eyes caught the faint scar on his wrist. A wave of emotion passed through her, but she quickly shook it off and climbed down quietly to go to the washroom.
The moment she stepped away, Ansh sat up, eyes trailing her figure as she moved past a few guys still awake in the compartment. They were scrolling through their phones, exchanging glances as she walked by, glances that didn’t sit well with Ansh. A tight knot formed in his chest. No hesitation, no second thoughts,he quietly got off his berth and followed behind her.
A few minutes later, Aditi emerged from the washroom, drying her hands with her scarf. She paused in surprise when she saw Ansh standing there
“Aap yaha kya kar rahe hai?” she asked, her voice polite but curious.
Ansh was momentarily caught off guard. “Washroom use karne aaya tha,” he lied quickly.
“To wait kiska kar rahe hai?” she questioned with narrowed eyes.
“Vo… khali nahi tha na… isliye yaha wait kar raha tha,” he answered.
Aditi raised a brow and immediately pushed open the other cabin door right next to them. “Par ye wala to khali hi tha?” she asked, clearly not buying his story.
Ansh was now entirely out of excuses. “Vo… vo… main…” he stammered.
But Aditi interrupted “Aap yaha un ladhko ko dekh ke aaye the na?” she said, her tone softer now. Ansh, caught and exposed, could only nod slightly.
“Thank you,” she whispered gently, a soft smile playing on her lips. He returned a subtle nod, not wanting to make the moment heavier than it already felt.
“Vaise… kaha pohche hai hum abhi?” she asked, changing the topic.
Ansh checked his phone. “Ganga ji wala bridge aane wala hai… yahi dikha raha hai,” he replied.
“Sach mein?” Her eyes lit up with excitement, and Ansh couldn’t help but nodded and smiled at her childlike joy.
“Aapke paas coins hain?” she asked him eagerly, but he shook his head.
She rummaged through her pocket and pulled out two coins. “Bas do hi hain… ek aapke liye, ek mere liye,” she said, handing one to him.
“Ye kyun?” he asked, confused.
“Aisa mana jata hai ki agar hum Ganga ji mein coin phek ke wish maange, toh vo poori ho jaati hai,” she replied dreamily.
“Is that true?” he asked. She nodded quietly.
As the train started crossing the bridge over the river, the sound of wheels thundering on the metal intensified. The breeze blew through the slightly open gate where they stood at a distance.
Aditi closed her eyes, held the coin to her forehead, whispered her wish silently, and threw the coin with a slight flick of her fingers into the darkness below. Ansh watched her, mesmerized by her belief.
“Khade kyun hain aap… phekiye jaldi!” she urged him playfully. He smiled and did as told, flicking the coin into the river below.
“Tumne kya maanga?” he asked curiously.
“Wish bata dungi to poori nahi hogi,” she said, shaking her head with a smug expression.
He looked at her for a moment, then said softly, “Tum bataogi nahi to main poori kaise karunga?”
His words slipped out almost too naturally, and for a second, it felt like the air between them had shifted. Aditi blinked at him.
“aap kyu meri wish poori karenge…we are not even close enough yet,” she said with a teasing smirk, trying to brush off the tension.
“to uske liye kya karna hoga mujhe?” he asked sincerely, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes locked onto hers. She froze.
Then, with a soft, almost trembling smile, she whispered, “just stay away… don’t come close to me. I’m a little too weird.”
“Perfect …normal cheeze vaise bhi nhi pasand mujhe,” he said with a small smile, almost like a confession. Aditi stared at him for a moment, her heart thudding wildly in her chest.
Without saying anything else, she turned and walked back toward her berth, trying to hide the growing smile on her face. Ansh followed a few steps behind, a sense of warmth blooming in his chest that no wish could ever explain.
________________________________
Finally, the morning arrived as the train slowly pulled into Banaras station. They had finally reached the venue where the wedding was to take place.
It wasn’t a grand palace or someresort, it was a warm and cozy wedding hall tucked near the Assi Ghaat, blessed with the serene presence and soothing hum of the sacred Ganga river nearby.
Everyone got freshened up, and soon the crowd started moving toward the lunch arrangements. Some had already eaten, while others were still busy with their plates. But the younger ones particularly the girls were growing impatient.
“Yaar ham log kab khayenge?” Shagun grumbled, holding her growling stomach.
“Pata nahi yaar… bhook lag rahi hai,” Aditi added, eyeing the mouth-watering food being enjoyed by the elders.
“Kisne ye pratha banayi hai bhai ki pehle aadmi hi khayenge?” Priya complained dramatically.
“Bhagwaan jaane ab woh toh…” Aditi sulked even more, her tone heavy with annoyance.
Just then, Ansh passed by them, busy serving food to some of the relatives.
“Bhaiya…” Priya called out, catching his attention.
“Ha bolo,” he answered, pausing mid-task.
“Bhook lag rahi hai… ham kab khayenge?” Priya said, visibly sulking now. Ansh glanced at her, then at Shagun, and finally at Aditi, sensing their collective hunger. Without saying much, he quietly nodded and walked toward Aman.
“Ruko, main karta hoon kuch,” he said in a low voice and disappeared into the kitchen area with Aman.
A few minutes later, Aman approached the girls and signaled them silently to follow him to a separate room. They looked at each other in confusion but didn’t question much and followed.
“Yaha kyun bheja bhaiya ne?” Aditi asked, clearly puzzled.
Before anyone could answer, Ruhaan entered with two plates of food in his hands and placed them on the floor with a mischievous grin.
“Baitho deviyo… khao yaha pe,” he said dramatically.
Prateek came in right after, holding another set of plates, and placed them beside the others. A few moments later, Riva walked in with her own plate, beaming with excitement.
“Chalo didi, khao na,” Riva insisted sweetly.
“Bhaiya log aur Samaira didi nahi khayengi hamare saath?” Priya asked curiously.
“Aa rahe hai vo log bhi… bas unko pakad ke rakhe hai bahar bua ji aur fufa ji,” Riva answered with a shrug.
“Mujhe toh bohot tez bhook lag rahi hai… main toh khane ja rahi hoon,” Shagun declared dramatically and quickly sat down, digging into her plate. Priya followed her lead, settling beside her.
“Aaja Adu, kha le tu bhi,” Priya called out.
“Haan, aayi… paani pee ke aati hoon,” Aditi excused herself and stepped out of the room, leaving them a little confused.
She made her way out, scanning the area and spotted Aman, Vivaan, and Prateek making their plates ready to join the others. Samaira noticed her and called out, “Aaja Adu, kha le. Waha mat ja, bohot time lag jaayega warna.”
But Aditi simply replied, “Aap chalo, main aa rahi hoon.” She wasn’t looking for food she was looking for Ansh.
Her eyes landed on him as he stood in the corner, still serving kheer to the elders with his usual silent dedication. Without thinking too much, she quietly walked up to him and gently poked his shoulder.
Startled, Ansh turned around. “Kuch chahiye?” he asked, concern flickering in his eyes.
She shook her head. “Aapne khana khaya?”
He blinked, caught off guard. “Nahi… bas… aa hi raha tha serve karke.”
Before he could say more, Aditi took the heavy bucket of kheer from his hands and firmly placed it aside.
“Pehle chaliye, khana khaiye ham logon ke saath… ho gaya yaha sab kuch,” she said firmly.
“Par agar kisi-” Ansh started to object, but she cut him off instantly.
“Kisi ko kuch chahiye hoga toh baaki log bhi hai yaha… aap hi ne sabko khana khilane ka theka nahi liya hua. Chaliye,” she said in a tone that left no room for argument.
Stunned into silence, Ansh nodded, filled his plate, and obediently followed her.
When they entered the room, the rest of the group was already seated on the floor, happily sharing food and laughter. The entire setup felt like a secret picnic, tucked away from the chaos outside.
“Achha kiya Aditi tune, bhaiya ko bhi le aayi… warna yeh waha sabko khana hi paroste reh jaate,” Vivaan said with a thankful grin.
“Haan… well done, Aditi,” Aman added.
Aditi simply sat down between Shagun and Priya and began eating, acting like it was no big deal. But Shagun wasn’t going to let it go so easily.
“tu bhaiya ko daant ke layi na khane ke liye?” she asked teasingly. Aditi gave a small nod, too tired to argue.
“Kyu… vo toh tere type ke nahi hai na?” Priya leaned in and whispered, nudging her playfully.
“Pagal ho gaye ho tum dono… vo toh main isliye laayi unko saath, because unhone bhi kuch nahi khaya tha subah se,” Aditi clarified, trying to sound casual.
“Haan haan, tune bola aur humne maan liya,” Shagun smirked, clearly not buying it.
“Chup karo aur khao khana,” Aditi said sternly, trying to brush off their teasing.
But Priya wasn’t done. “Hmm hmm… chhupa le beta… patta toh tera bhi kat hi chuka hai,” she said, nudging her gently once again. Aditi shot her a glare, but Priya just grinned wider, victorious in her teasing.
_________________________________
As night gently settled The hall had transformed into a buzzing ground of activity. The elders were seated in clusters, deeply engrossed in their political debates and discussions. The aunties, meanwhile, had built their own gossip kingdom in one corner.
Among the ones actually doing the work were Ansh, Prateek, Ruhaan, and a few cousins moving around with purpose, helping the decorators and checking arrangements for the rituals that would begin tomorrow with the Tilak ceremony.
Away from the action, in the garden sat the girls, Aditi, Shagun, Priya, Riva, and Samaira. It was their pre-wedding planning headquarters.
“Achha sunn… vo chirkut nahi aayegi kya?” Priya asked Aditi casually, chewing on her nail.
“Naam mat le uss kalmuhii ka… kal hi tapak jaayegi warna,” Aditi scoffed, her annoyance instantly evident at the mere mention of Charu.
“Haan kal aayegi vo… bade papa special invitation jo dekar aaye the unke yaha,” Riva informed, her tone dry with disbelief.
“Papa bhi na yaar… pata nahi kya milta hai unko bhi,” Samaira added, rolling her eyes.
“Ab vo aayegi aur mere Prateek pe phir se dore daalegi…” Priya sulked with a dramatic pout.
“Aur mere Ansh pe bhi,” Aditi muttered under her breath, not realizing she’d said it loud enough.
“Kya bola tune?” Shagun’s eyes sparkled as she leaned forward, catching that slip.
“Maine bola ki vo saare ladko pe dore dalegi aake,” Aditi tried to cover up instantly, her voice rising a pitch too high.
“Nahi nahi nahi… maine Ansh bhaiya ka naam suna aapke muh se,” Riva chimed in gleefully, raising her brows.
“Haan maine bhi,” Samaira and Priya said in unison, both grinning like hyenas who smelled gossip.
“Haan toh unko bhi gin lo na… unpe bhi toh dore daalti hi hai vo kalmuhii,” Aditi said quickly, trying to sound casual, waving her hand like it was no big deal.
But Samaira narrowed her eyes. “Sach sach bata Aditi… tujhe Ansh pe crush hai na?” she asked, almost smug.
“Nahi nahi… pagal ho… kya aap bhi!” Aditi scoffed hard, shaking her head, trying to throw off the topic like it was a bad idea she never entertained.
“Haan, Ansh bhaiya iske type ke nahi hain… isi ne bola tha,” Shagun added, clearly taunting her while giving her a sly side-eye.
“Are chhodo na… main kya bol rahi thi… kal open hairs rakhte hain na Tilak ke function mein?” Aditi blurted, changing the topic faster than a politician during a scandal.
“Nahi subah ka function hai… garmi hogi, kuch aur dekho,” Priya replied, going along with it but not entirely letting Aditi off the hook.
“Photos ke liye khol lenge, phir clutcher se baandh lenge na,” Riva suggested, always the practical one.
“Haan ye kar sakte hain,” Samaira agreed thoughtfully.
The conversation went on, but in the middle of all of it, Aditi found herself slowly zoning out. Her eyes drifted toward ansh across the lawn. There was a kind of quiet dedication in the way he moved. Simple. Effortless. Yet… deeply attractive.
Her eyes lingered a bit longer than they should have, until suddenly he looked up. Their eyes met. Only for a second.
But it was long enough for her breath to hitch and for his hands to pause just briefly before he looked away. A tiny smile tugged at his lips. She quickly turned back to face the girls, hoping her face wasn’t as red as it felt.
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The next day dawned not with serenity, but with full-blown chaos.
The wedding hall buzzed with energy as relatives scurried across every corridor, staircase, and doorway The Tilak function was about to begin in a few hours, and while excitement simmered in the air, not everyone shared the joy.
Especially Aditi. She sat near the window of the room where the girls were getting ready, her eyes narrowed, mouth twisted in clear displeasure.
Her gaze was Fixed On none other than Charu, who had arrived just a few hours ago but had already hijacked the entire venue with her over-the-top sweetness. Floating around like she owned the event. Twirling her over-accessorized dupatta and making sure she was seen in every camera angle possible. Aditi’s glare could have set fire to fabric.
“Chal Aditi, ready ho ja…” Samaira’s voice broke her death stare.
“Ayi didi,” Aditi sighed and stood up, walking towards the dressing room where everyone was in various stages of preparation.
She slipped into a simple green suit, Her dupatta was light, Her jhumkas were small, classic silver matched the mood she was in simple yet subtle.
At the window, Priya, in a blue suit that made her look nothing short of stunning, was sulking in synchrony.
“Mar kyun nahi jaati ye chirkut si… saari limelight le legi ab ye,” Priya muttered, glaring at Charu through the curtain.
“Ab kya hi kar sakte hai… vo to iski purani aadat hai,” Aditi replied, folding her arms, her expression unreadable but her eyes still fixed on the chaos queen below.
Just then, Shagun walked in holding a set of colorful glass bangles in her hands.
“Aditi ye le… pehen le. yeh achhi lagengi tere suit pe,” Shagun offered with a smile.
“Nahi mujhe nahi pasand kaanch ki chudiyaan… tu pehen lena,” Aditi refused politely, her tone soft, but firm.
“Tere bhi ajeeb hi chochle hai,” Samaira teased lightly from across the room.
“Isse chhodo didi… aap mera makeup kar do,” Shagun said, quickly hopping onto the chair near the dresser, impatient to get ready.
“Haan aa ja,” Samaira nodded, pulling her hair back and getting to work.
Just then, riva from the bathroom emerged in frustration, shouting as she held the loose dori of her sharara suit, struggling to tie it properly.
“Unke baad mera kar dena didi!” she shouted, hopping on one foot. Aditi instantly, stepping forward and helping her tie the dori with ease, brushing her hair aside like an older sister would.
As the Tilak function commenced, the grand hall echoed with the rhythmic chants of the Pandit Ji, the aroma of sandalwood, and rose petals floating gently in the air.
On the stage, Rajesh, dressed in a traditional kurta-pyjama with a modest smile and calm composure, sat patiently, ready for the ritual. The ceremony was important it symbolized the acceptance of the groom into the bride’s family, and every eye was on the sacred ritual about to unfold.
Since both Renuka and Riva were sisters and didn’t have a brother, the emotional responsibility of conducting the Tilak ceremony had naturally fallen on Prateek.
With respect and grace, Prateek walked up to the stage, taking his place beside Rajesh. He sat down next to him, joined by a few elders from both sides.
As the mantras began and the rituals commenced, the atmosphere thickened with emotion. With careful hands, Prateek dipped his fingers into the kumkum bowl and gently placed a tilak on Rajesh’s forehead. The ritual was beautiful, simple, yet emotionally profound.
While the world’s attention stayed on the stage, Aditi’s eyes had a completely different focus. From across the hall, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black formal pants, Ansh stood, his hands behind his back, shoulders relaxed, watching the ceremony with a composed expression.
There was something about the way he stood calm, dignified, subtly protective that always drew her attention like a magnet. Her eyes traced his profile quietly, admiringly. But the moment he turned and caught her gaze, she immediately looked away, flustered, pretending to fix her earring.
The function moved forward swiftly. Soon, it was time for the Cheka ceremony the moment when the groom’s side showered the bride with gifts and blessings. Renuka, sitting like a vision on the same stage, draped in a regal Banarasi saree, accepted each token with grace.
Meanwhile, Ansh, who was now in casual conversation with Ruhaan and Prateek, seemed fully engrossed in their banter until someone tapped his shoulder.
A hand casually slung around his shoulder and a cheerful voice rang out.
“Hii Ansh,” the girl chirped, her smile wide and overly familiar. Ansh turned around, momentarily surprised.
“Ohh helloo Kritika… what a surprise,” he said warmly, clearly recognizing her.
“Mujhe nahi pata tha tum bhi aaogi?” he asked, genuinely curious.
“Tum aa rahe the to main kaise na aati,” she replied flirtatiously, then turned to face the boys standing beside him.
“You all must be his friends… right?” she smiled at Ruhaan and Prateek.
They both exchanged a quick look and nodded.
“Nice to meet you all… I’m Kritika… Ansh’s close family friend,” she added, her tone sugary as she extended her hand confidently.
Polite introductions were made, and soon, the group was laughing lightly over something Kritika said. But elsewhere, someone wasn’t smiling.
Across the stage, Aditi stood, arms loosely crossed, her eyes narrowing at the scene unfolding in front of her. Her brows furrowed slightly, confusion and irritation bubbling under the surface.
Her jaw tightened slightly as she whispered, “ab ye kon aa tapki?” her tone laced with clear annoyance.
“Kuch kaha tune?” Shagun asked, standing beside her, slightly amused.
“Haa… udhar dekh… Ruhaan bhaiya ko,” Aditi covered up quickly, pointing toward the trio now sharing a loud laugh with Kritika right in the middle.
Shagun squinted in their direction. “Ye nayi ladki kaun hai?” she asked, curious.
“Kya pata… kuch zyada hi close lag rahi hai,” Aditi muttered, her voice low but her irritation not so hidden anymore.
“Cousin hogi kya pata ?,” Shagun offered, trying to make sense of the comfort level Kritika had.
“Ho sakta hai,” Aditi agreed absentmindedly, but her eyes didn’t waver. She still wasn’t convinced.
“Chal abhi… photos hone wali hai.aake pooch lenge,” Shagun said with a grin, grabbing Aditi’s wrist and dragging her gently toward the stage.
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As the day’s vibrant functions came to an end, the decorated hall slowly slipped into a quieter mood. Most of the elders had drifted off into their rooms for a nap, while the younger kids scattered across the space, playing with laughter echoing faintly.
In one cozy corner, the girl gang had created their own little world.
Priya, Aditi, and Shagun sat cross-legged, peeling fresh peas into a large steel bowl, the green pods dropping rhythmically. Samaira and Riva were focused, chopping vegetables carefully for the dinner prep later that evening.
The air was filled with idle gossip, hushed laughter, and the aroma of masalas still lingering from lunch. But Aditi’s mind was… elsewhere.
Her eyes had been involuntarily shifting toward the other side of the hall towards Ansh, who was still talking and laughing with Kritika.
Aditi watched them, her jaw slightly clenched, an internal growl rumbling under her breath.
“Pehle ye chirkut kam thi kya ab ik aur aa gayi?” she muttered, voice low but laced with burning annoyance.
She nudged Priya subtly with her elbow.
“Sunn…” Aditi whispered.
“Ha bol,” Priya responded, still focused on her peas.
“Ye hai kon…aur ye itna kyu chipak rahi hai tere bhaiya se?” Aditi asked, her tone dry, dripping irritation.
Priya glanced up, spotting Kritika with her brother, and immediately a teasing smile tugged at her lips.
“Kyu…tujhe kyu padi hai uski?” she teased, smirking.
“Mujhe koi padi wadi nahi hai… I was just asking,” Aditi tried to sound casual, but her tone betrayed her.
Shagun, now curious, leaned in.
“Deh rahi hai Priya… madam ko jalan bhi hoti hai,” Priya smirked wider.
“Haa pehle to bolti hai mere type ke nahi hai… phir chid kyu rahi hai usse tu?” Priya raised an eyebrow playfully.
“What… no way… main to bas aise hi pooch rahi thi,” Aditi scoffed, trying to sound unaffected.
“Aise hi kyu pooch rahi thi?” Priya questioned further.
“Nahi batana to mat bata… hatt!” Aditi grumbled and got up abruptly, grabbing the bowl of peas and heading toward the kitchen with a small huff.
As she passed by, her eyes once again flicked toward Ansh still deep in conversation with Kritika, laughing freely.
“Mere samne to awaaz nahi nikalti… uske sath badi khi khi khi khii choot rahi hai,” Aditi muttered to herself, bitterness in every syllable.
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That’s all for this chapter…hope pasand aya hoga…🥹🫶
sorry agar thoda boring ya cringe laga ho chapter…shama kar dena please…🥲😭
also agar achha laga ho to vote and comments karna mat bhoolna…aur agar koii gusses ho to vo bhi add kar dena…i’ll surely read that.
till then saty safe…stay healthy…keep smilling…and krrp reading.💌🙂↕️
love you all…💖🦋
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