"Oh my god, Dev! It's Vinod! Justin's son!"

"Yes. He looks like Justin when he was his age. You remember those pictures at your mother's?" Dev remembered me as well.

"Duh, I do. So handsome like him. You have grown up. You remind me of when I would dream Justin would marry me one day."

And like that, we were having a family reunion. It wasn't a reunion, but rather them hugging the breath out of me and planting kisses all over me. I needed to tell them that I wasn't 6 anymore.

"Is Justin here? Where is he? And Anna! Oh, Baghwan! How I missed those guys!" Dev said smiling at no one in particular.

I knew it had to reach that point, and I was supposed to deliver the bad news but not in front of Zain. He had a whole lot of information about me.

"Umm about that, I think we should talk. Somewhere quiet maybe."

"Let's go to the fountain." Dev led the way before turning around to glare at Zain. "And Agar, we are not done. You can't just get away with telling people that this beach that had been in our family for years, is yours. You are deeply wrong if you think so."

"I think that's my fault, I'm sorry. I just said all that when there was no proof it is his. I should have asked him if the rumors back in Uttar were true. You know teenagers tend to say things and exaggerate them so people think they are somewhat more important than others. I apologize on his behalf." I should have taken a point when he was shocked after I told him about what Disha said.

"The way he says teenagers like he isn't one. He is so his father's son." Shreya started giggling.

"I believe I can let that slide, but we still have a lot to talk about. You are not even a manager to interfere with my orders, let alone disobeying them. We will talk after here." Dev said taking Shreya's hand.

"Boss, I'm sorry. I just thought you would be impressed with what I did. Your way of going through that was an old method, I thought I would do it the modern way. That was all."

And there he was again. Saying things without filtering them to know what weight they held exactly. He sure was getting himself fired. You don't tell your boss who happens to be the owner of a place for numerous years that his methods are old. Doesn't he see the technology change and all that?

"I think he tends to say things without weighing them out just like his little sister. I believe what he meant was he was trying a new thing to impress you. Maybe try to take in the brutal honesty he says rather than the disrespect in his words." I said to Dev and Shreya.

"Still, you got lucky today, but we will talk."

We then moved to the fountain and should I say it was ecstatic. It was chill and so serene. It felt like I wanted to be there forever.

"So, where are Justin and Anna? Are you here on a school trip?" Shreya asked me enthusiastically.

I had to start with my father's sickness so it would make great sense when I narrated the whole story to them. I told them everything, from being chased home, their divorce, him losing his job, mom moving countries, Minna Ma and Rustema's deaths to him being at the police station. I left out no detail that was in my head.

"That is so apocalyptic. I'm very sorry about that." Dev said patting my shoulder.

"I still can't get my head around the fact that Justin and Anna have gotten a divorce. And now Anna is getting married?!" Shreya was out of all strength.

"It was bound to happen. My mom has a habit of running away from her close family and finding closure with strangers. I've been told a lot about her, I kept thinking how my dad got her on a check." I found myself saying that without thinking through it. I never did that.

"You are telling me! I knew she was a bitch the first day I saw her. She kissed Justin in front of the whole family and she wasn't even properly introduced. She is such a slut! I bet she's freestyling all the men she has seen there!"

"Aunt! She is still my mom! I don't wanna hear that!" I had to cut her off.

She was still the same Shreya Anand Singh I knew when I was young. And Dev Chopra was still the lawfully loving husband of Shreya. I wonder what thing got them together because it was as clear as day that their horoscope lay if they matched. At least that's what I'd been told about arranged marriages in India.

"That was true Shreya. We are only allowed to say that when her children aren't there. Like how we've been doing these last couple of years." And there was the Dev I expected.

"And how about Justin? What is needed? I mean if it's about money, we can bail him out." Shreya asked looking concerned.

"No, it's not money. The case is closed and until court dates start, there is nothing we can do about it. And if it was money that was needed, the guy I live with now, Roy, owns a restaurant that's a bit successful and I have been doing some decorating gigs so I saved a bit amount that could help greatly in the case." I answered her.

"I wonder what can we do about it!"

"Where were you? I mean all this time, where have you been? The last I saw you were back when I was 9 or 10."

They looked at each other before Dev decided to answer.

"We wanted to help set peace between your dad and his family back in Karanpur but he wasn't appreciative of that."

"As if he appreciates anything." Shreya chimed in.

"Baby, I'm the one speaking. But we didn't lose hope. We kept pushing and trying until he told us he wanted nothing to do with his family and that if we pursued him any harder, he would call the police on us. That was our cue, and we never talked again."

"Dad, where is your phone? I can't let the reruns of Naagin pass me." A small girl said to Dev.

She was young. Like Aryan young, she couldn't be Smiley. I remembered her, she was supposed to be older than Roshni.

"You can watch TV. Colors TV is installed already!" Shreya answered her.

"Is this Smiley?" I had to ask.

"Phht, as if I could be that loser."

"Gigi, respect! She is older than you!" Shreya warned her.

So, I was right. She was Smiley's young sister. I didn't even know how many children they had. I bet they were passed over to the death of Anand. They were torn by that back in the day.

"Respect goes both ways. If she is older, she should know what respect is and how to earn it." She then stormed off and left us there.

"They are going to fight," Dev announced.

"Yeah, we better go there. Vinod, are you coming?"

"Umm, I think I need to get back to the others. I'll ask Zain where to find you." I told them.

"No need. We are having a bonfire tonight. You should come with the others; I would love to meet them all." Shreya said before I agreed and left.

When I got back, they were agitated after I took a long to get back. They bombarded me with questions and I told them I was fine I just ran into some other people while I went to greet the one that I said I was going to do so. I also promised to take them to those people later that day for a bonfire night. They accepted and left me alone after that.

We didn't have lunch yet and Roy said he had ordered a late lunch for all of us. After a few minutes, servers came with trays of food and put them at the dining table making Roy flinch. It turned, out they brought something that he didn't order. After asking them about it, they said that was the order they were given to take to our apartment. Since it was there already, we decided that we should just eat the food instead of waiting for them to go back and change the order. I mean, I was kinda starving.

Roy wanted to pay for the food but they said it was on the house. They also started to talk to us like we were some president's family or PM's family for India's sake. I then understood what was happening but it was fun keeping quiet and seeing all of it unfold there. They gushed over all their services and told us to be free to call reception if we wanted anything. They then left us to eat promising to come back for the dishes after we were done.

Everybody enjoyed their food but not without looking at Roy though. They thought we were getting free food because he was friends with somebody there when in reality, I was the nephew of the owners of the beach. If that rings anything.

At about 8 pm, Zain had come over to take us to the bonfire. He was quiet than when I met him that afternoon. I bet he was scolded or somebody had said mean things to him. It was there in his eyes; he was just as predictable as Disha.

"Aarush, tell me one thing." He startled me. "When you are there, you are not going to talk about me, right?"

"Jeez Zain, why should I talk about you? They invited us over to have a good evening as a family."

"It's not evening. It's a bonfire on a Saturday night." He corrected me, and there he was.

"Is that all you got from what I said?" I asked him rolling my eyes.

"I didn't know you guys were family. I mean you called them uncle and aunt but, I didn't know they had any other relatives apart from the one I was introduced to." He sounded conflicted.

"You didn't know I was the same Aarush who goes to the same school as Disha until I told you about it!" I stated and from there we saw the bonfire.

"Oh, God! Act like we didn't talk about this. We are already there." Zain said making awkward gestures and doing the exact opposite of what he said.

"Does he know Disha?" Jessica whispered to me.

"He is their first brother," I replied not caring if he heard me or not.

"Ow, he looks young! Aren't they like five I don't know ten?"

"They are just seven Jessica."

"So, she is the Jessica who stole you." It was more of a realization from him than a question.

"I don't know where you left your common sense today, but we are family if you haven't noticed. And I thought you wouldn't believe everything Disha said after what she told me about you." I clapped back right the instant after seeing the disgusting look on his face.

He was then quiet but it didn't last long before someone shouted.

"Smiley, he is the guy. He is the guy from the afternoon who Appa and Amma are talking about!"

It was Gigi. Her voice was just as high-pitched as herself. She sure also was high maintenance at such an age.

"I know him. But he is young. In Grandma's photos, he was like that as well." She said turning to look at Shreya.

"He is your cousin. Your uncle Justin's son, Vinod." Shreya said to Smiley.

"I believe this is where I turn around and go mind my business as I continue with my shift. Thanks, boss for not demoting me." Zain said after we got there.

"Boss!" They were all shocked.

"At least you are grateful. Or did Vinod tell you to say that?" Dev asked him.

"I didn't even know about it. Maybe you should let him go and also if possible, give him a break for the day. He sure is going to scare the customers if he doesn't sleep the gloomy mood away." I hurriedly replied.

"Zain, you are dismissed for the day. Thanks to Vinod." Dev said and Zain didn't even wait for a second longer. He just looked at me and thanked me with his hands and left.

"Wait, why are they calling you Vinod?" Roy asked me after a moment of contemplating whether to ask or not.

"He is our Vinod."

And like that, aunt Shreya took it upon herself to introduce themselves and explain the whole embarrassing childhood I had. It was supposed to be a fun night but ended to be a family reunion as I had to introduce the rest as well.

I introduced Roshni, Aryan, and Mahir and they nearly busted into tears and planned to sue mom for leaving behind a child who was only a year old. I surprisingly managed to get them to relax and I introduced the rest of them from Roy, Priya, and Jess to Leen. It was a lovely night to just spend the night with them until Shreya said that they owned the place and we weren't supposed to pay for anything.

They all attacked me with questions asking why I didn't tell them about it when they brought food. I had to ask if dinner was ready to get out of their claws and did I succeed. Smiley had hit it off with Leen trying to learn a lot of things from her, and Roshni was talking Naagin with Gigi so it was a win for us.

We then retired and looked forward to the next day which didn't have a lot. We just went swimming in the morning, had breakfast, and then watched a movie at the shore cinema before we were eating lunch and got driven to the airport to go back to Uttar.

It was a crazy experience thanks to Roy, Dev, and Shreya, and I felt more refreshed than I've ever been. It was a moment of life.

Dev and Shreya also agreed to come on the court day to see what was happening and promised to give us support from there onwards. It was great to have them back in our lives.

¶

I went directly to my room first thing when we got home. I had to put my clothes in the laundry bag and check for any emails that came in when I was away. We had agreed that it was a no-phone weekend and with all the activities, I had managed to do that. Or managed to miss most of the important things.

I was deadpanned and nearly screamed when I first opened my Instagram. I used to be a boy of the low spotlight, but the four pictures of the prom night and the hall I had decorated, gave me nearly 42,000 followers and likes that I couldn't count. Let alone that, I had nearly twenty DMs. That was a thing that I didn't expect.

I didn't open any DM I had and went straight to my Gmail to find 36 emails waiting in my inbox. There was this invitation to Mumbai University for the graduation of event planning students and an offer to work with cosmopolitan India. At least those were what caught my eye.

Many wanted to know my schedule and my prices, as they wanted me to work on their events, and a lot more offers to partner with companies, and this one weird mail. It wanted me to teach decoration at a certain private college of the nearly low-middle class.

I had to call Roy to consult about all the sudden interest people had after my big break. Since he said he would be my manager, he helped me out by getting back to all the people who reached out to me by arranging meetings with the ones that he knew would be a great deal for us, me in consideration, and reply kindly to the ones that were not up on our choices.

After the tiring process of answering all those emails and DMs, Roy had to go back to the living room to speak with Priya and I decided I was going to scroll through my WhatsApp and see what people were putting on their statuses. I had my first surprise when I found more than a hundred chats were waiting for me. But what surprised me the most was the Jeep X group being active again. I had it pinned up there and didn't think of unpinning it. I messaged them in an instant to make them know that I was back as well.

'Seems like the boys are still in the game.'

'Wow! Aarush! Finally, I thought the spotlight will make you forget us.' Zack.

'He knows better than ditching us.' Kesari.

'Guys, I don't even understand how this happened. It is like I woke up in a Keeping up with the Kardashians world.' Aarush.

'Haven't you seen the news? Dude, you were in the news. They even added the decorations to a magazine that is coming out tomorrow. You are a star now.' Rahul.

'He won't understand you with your crazy explanation, Rahul, 😜😜😜. Go and find the news of Zee News Friday Night, and you will see everything by yourself. And there are tags for a lot of pictures from big companies, just check your Instagram notification tab.' Sid.

I was not going to go back to my Instagram. Not after that massive amount of followers and likes I had acquired. I reluctantly went to the living room and saw the whole family watching the news already. It was a rerun done every evening. I just sat on the sofa direct to the TV so I could see it with my own eyes. They all smiled at me as I sat down.

'...that boy is something else. He did all these and planned the whole event schedule by himself since we couldn't get through to the event planner that was supposed to plan the event for us. He even chose music and you know what he told me 'You do something foolish then you might lick your own shit.' Mr. Jagdish spoke on TV.

They laughed at that and watched me as if I was a certain philosopher who might release a word bomb any moment. But I remember saying something like that and I laughed as well. I never imagined he would tell anyone that.

'...I didn't take my chances because I know his work. He planned this prom at his school, and it was fire. I have pictures of the event, I'll show them to you. He did everything on his own, the teachers were just there to approve and correct some points. He sure shouldn't be taken for granted. He has a great future, and this is me acknowledging that and paying my gratitude. You know that boy nearly rejected the payment for planning the event, he was like keep it and you will send it if the event goes well. It went perfectly. It was more than well, and that's why apart from sending him the payment, I also called the press and any people that would make sure to broadcast the whole event, and thanks to God, it was a bombshell.'

I was crying by the end of the news being suddenly extra emotional. I could swear Aryan knew nothing that was happening, but still came to hug me. It was a sweet gesture and I couldn't keep my happiness in check. Bursting, I blurted out in sniffles with a smile on my face as Priya proceeded to hug me and the rest followed before they started to sing for me. I couldn't resist the urge to join them and we were singing along to the radio.

¶

Monday.

Yes, it was finally Monday. Roy made sure he left us at the school gates before he headed to the restaurant. He feared there might be people who were after me pro the news and sudden fame. There was no talking him out of it and so, we all went to school with him with me promising to pay him a visit after school.

That way, we were finally able to talk about how he was holding up after everything. He never really talked about it except for the court issue, but I could see how it was taking a toll on him. He was braving it all and trying to be strong, but I could see through it. I bet he was only acting strong to make me feel proud of him. Little did he know, I was proud of him for his vulnerability let alone the strength he held within.

After school hours, I did visit him and right after he saw me, he led me to his office and asked me to sign a lot of papers that he had them prepared and sent over to his office for all offers we had accepted. I wonder where did he get the time to do all that and take care of his restaurant as well. I was getting worried, but if I wanted to get anything out of him, I was supposed to play by his rules. And I sat down for that.

After my ass started to hurt, I just signed all of them without even reading. I was reading earlier not because I didn't trust Roy, but because I wanted to know what contract was about what. It's not like he was going to screw me over even if he had a chance to. He was too obsessed with me to do any of that and thinking about it, I learned that I was taking advantage of him. Somebody who was helping wasn't supposed to be my manager, my secretary, my agent, and my assistant at the same time. I didn't manage to go deeper than that since there was a knock at the door and Arnold came in with a smile on his face. He told us, that some people wanted to speak with Mr. Aarush Solanki.

I was in shock, but Arnold assured me that, good things had taken a