banter, clapped her hands together. "So let's play? Girls vs. Boys!" she suggested, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

A collective cheer erupted in the bus, the energy instantly shifting into something more lively. Some leaned forward in their seats, already ready to argue over rules, while others excitedly picked their teams. The trip had just started, and it already felt like one of those journeys they would never forget.

Akash, ever the enthusiastic one, took charge, sitting up straight and dramatically clearing his throat. With a playful smirk, he loudly announced, "Shuru karo Antakshari lekar Prabhu ka naam, samay bitane ke liye karna hai kuch kaam. M se!" His deep voice boomed through the bus, setting the stage for the game.

The girls, always quick to respond, exchanged excited glances before immediately launching into the classic opening anthem for Antakshari.

"Maiya Yashoda, ye tera Kanhaiya

Panghat pe mori pakde hai baiyan

Tang mujhe karta hai, sang mere ladta haaye…

Raam ji ki kripa se mai bachi,

Raam ji ki kripa se!"

Their voices blended harmoniously, and their hands clapped to the beat, their excitement palpable. The boys cheered and clapped along as the girls finished, grinning at each other in triumph.

Not to be outdone, Naman jumped in without missing a beat. He leaned forward, his voice rich and full of nostalgia as he belted out:

"Samne ye kaun aaya, dil me hui halchal,

Dekh ke bas ek hi jhalak, ho gaye hum pagal…

Arre baatein mulaqatein humse bhi toh hongi,

Humse bhi milenge wo aaj nahi toh kal!"

The way he sang with so much energy and expression had everyone clapping along, the entire bus turning into a lively concert. Arushi, sitting beside him, beamed with pride and exclaimed, "Wow, Papa!"

That was all the encouragement needed for Piyush to jump in with a teasing remark, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he turned toward Kirti with a smirk. "Beta, tumhare papa ke man me yahi song bajne laga tha jab Kirti bhabhi ko pehli baar dekha," he quipped, making the entire bus erupt in laughter.

Kirti, who had been blushing lightly during Naman’s performance, turned an even deeper shade of red. She playfully smacked Piyush’s arm. "Shh! Bacchon ke samne ye sab thodi kehte hain," she scolded, her voice flustered yet fond.

Ishika, always ready to stir the pot, grinned mischievously. "Arre Bhabhi, ab bacchon ki bhi shadi hone ko hai!" she teased, nudging Siya, who instantly turned pink, shooting a glare at Ishika.

The game continued, and next word was S. With a mischievous glint in Akash leaned in, his eyes and a dramatically serious expression, he suddenly began belting out in a loud, exaggerated voice:

"Sasu ji tune meri kadar na jaani,

Sasu ji tune meri kadar na jaani!"

For a moment, there was a stunned silence as everyone processed what he had just started singing. And then—chaos. The elders burst into laughter, some shaking their heads at his antics, while the younger ones clamped their hands over their mouths, trying not to burst out laughing too loudly. Richa, sitting beside him, looked absolutely mortified, her eyes widening in sheer horror. Her hand instinctively shot up to slap her forehead.

Shreya, Richa’s mother, who had until now been enjoying the game with a soft smile, snapped her head toward Akash, her narrowed eyes shooting daggers at him.

Are gali di, chaabuk barasaya,

Are gali di, chaabuk barasaya,

Chori ka ilzaam lagaya,

Chori ka ilzaam lagaya,

Aaj sunaungi sabko tere zulmo ki kahani,

Sasu ji tune meri,

Sasu ji tune meri kadar na jaani!"

The moment he finished, the entire bus erupted into uncontrollable laughter. Shreya’s eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape, as if she couldn’t believe what she had just heard. Some of the elders wiped away tears of laughter, while a few shook their heads, amused by Akash’s sheer audacity.

Richa, still recovering from the embarrassment, hesitantly glanced at her mother, who simply shook her head in disbelief, unable to hide the tiny amused smile creeping onto her lips despite her best efforts. Meanwhile, the younger ones were practically doubling over, shoulders shaking as they tried (and failed) to contain their giggles.

The bus was already filled with laughter and excitement when Ishika suddenly stood up, her eyes twinkling with mischief. Without a second thought, she grabbed Piyush’s hand and pulled him up, making him stand. The others watched in amusement as she dramatically flipped her hair, striking a playful pose before she started singing in a sweet yet teasing voice:

"Nazrein mili, dil dhadka,

Meri dhadkan ne kaha…

Love you Rajaaaa…"

The moment the lyrics left her lips, the entire bus burst into hoots and whistles. Some clapped, some cheered, while others simply laughed at how effortlessly she had turned the Antakshari game into a full-on Bollywood performance.

Arav and Shashwat, who had been sipping on their water bottles, almost choked, their mouths falling open in sheer shock. They stared at Ishika, then at Piyush, and back at each other as if unable to believe what they were witnessing.

Piyush, never one to back down from a challenge, smirked before smoothly taking Ishika’s hand. With a practiced ease, he twirled her around, making her spin gracefully before pulling her close. Then, with a wink, he continued the song in his deep, melodious voice:

"Jaadu koi chhaane lagaa,

Mujhko maza aane lagaa hayeee,

Bas me nahi dil mera,

Mujhe seene se lagaaa…

Kiss—"

Before he could complete the word, a loud thwack echoed through the bus.

Naman, sitting nearby, had smacked Piyush’s head with just enough force to stop him mid-sentence. "Ho gaya ab, chup reh… Bacche bhi hain!" he scolded, trying (and failing) to keep a straight face.

The entire bus erupted into fits of laughter. Some of the younger ones covered their ears dramatically, while others teased Piyush for almost crossing the ‘family-friendly’ line. Ishika, laughing uncontrollably, playfully hit Piyush’s arm before sitting back down, her cheeks slightly flushed from all the attention.

Ritika, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, shook her head before dramatically pointing at Arav. "Yaar mummy-papa, aap log toh kitne bold ho! Ye kisko padh gaya?" she said, gesturing towards Arav, whose expression was a mix of horror and embarrassment.

Harsh had been observing Reyansh and Shashwat for a while now. The way they kept whispering to each other, exchanging glances, and occasionally smirking made him suspicious. Something was definitely up, and if there was one thing Harsh loved more than anything, it was exposing secrets in the most dramatic way possible.

With a knowing smirk, he suddenly cleared his throat and, without warning, burst into song, his voice ringing through the bus:

"Jahan teri yeh nazar hai,

Meri jaan mujhe khabar hai…

Jahan teri yeh nazar hai,

Meri jaan mujhe khabar hai…"

The moment the lyrics registered, all eyes turned towards Reyansh and Shashwat. Harsh, still singing, pointed at them, wiggling his brows mischievously.

"Bach na saka koi, aaye kitne,

Lambe hain mere haath itne,

Dekh idhar yaar, dhyaan kidhar hai."

As the game continued, the energy inside the bus remained high, filled with laughter, teasing, and spontaneous bursts of music. When the turn landed on ‘K,’ everyone looked around, waiting for someone to take the lead. Without missing a beat, Akash leaned back, dramatically placing a hand over his heart, and started singing in a deep, emotional voice:

"Kitne bhi tu kar le sitam,

Hans hans ke sahenge hum,

Ye pyaar na hoga kam,

Sanam teri kasam..."

His exaggerated expressions made everyone laugh. Before anyone could comment, Divya jumped in as the turn shifted to her, choosing a song that immediately shifted the mood.

"Mera dil bhi kitna paagal hai,

Yeh pyaar bhi tumse karta hai,

Par saamne jab tum aate ho,

Kuch bhi kehne se darta hai..."

Her voice was soft yet carried an unintentional vulnerability, and as she sang, her gaze flickered toward Darsh for the briefest moment before she realized what she was doing. Her heart thumped, but she quickly masked her emotions with a fake grin.

"Chalo, ‘Ha’ se gao," she said hurriedly, brushing off any possible meaning behind her song.

Darsh, who had been watching her closely, smirked slightly, tilting his head as if reading her unspoken words. Instead of saying anything, he simply picked up his turn, his voice steady yet playful:

"Hai apna dil toh awara,

Na jaane kispe aayega…"

His voice carried a teasing undertone, and as he sang, his eyes remained fixed on Divya. She stubbornly refused to look at him, pretending to be engrossed in her phone. But everyone else noticed the unspoken exchange—the charged glances, the way Darsh’s voice seemed to hold a meaning beyond just the lyrics.

As the game continued, the excitement in the bus only grew. The next turn landed on ‘R,’ and without wasting a second, Ritika shot up from her seat with an impish grin, pointing at Arav.

She started singing dramatically, swaying and twirling:

"Ruk ruk ruk, arre baba ruk!

O my darling, give me a look!

Dil mera dhadke tere liye,

Dil mera tadpe tere liye…"

Her playful expressions and exaggerated dance moves made Arav turn completely red. He covered his face with one hand while everyone else burst into laughter.

"Gussa tera wallah wallah,

Nakhre tere uff uff uff,

Love love love love love love,

Tumse love hua!"

By the time Ritika finished, Arav had grabbed a pillow from the bus seat and tossed it at her, making everyone laugh harder.

Just then, the turn shifted to Reyansh, and he smoothly leaned back, locking eyes with Arushi. Without looking away, he began in a deep, mesmerizing voice:

"Aap ki aankhon mein kuch, mehke huye se raaz hain…

Aapse bhi khoobsurat, aapke andaaz hain…

Aap ki aankhon mein kuch…"

Arushi’s breath hitched. The way Reyansh was singing, completely lost in her, made her heart skip a beat. The teasing and laughter around them faded into the background as their silent conversation through music continued.

She quickly looked away, trying to focus on her tea, but the small, victorious smirk on Reyansh’s face showed that he had noticed her flustered state.

Then, the next turn arrived, and Siya took center stage, her voice turning playful as she looked at Shashwat.

"Hum tum chori se, bandhe ek dori se,

Jaiyo kahaan, aye huzoor…"

She twirled slightly, grinning as she saw Shashwat’s eyes widen at her direct gaze.

"Arre yeh bandhan hai pyaar ka,

Ji hum tum chori se, bandhe ek dori se…"

She smiled, watching as Shashwat’s ears turned pink. She could see him struggle between blushing and acting normal, but his shy smile gave him away.

Then, as if responding to her song, Shashwat took a deep breath and started his turn. His voice was steady but carried an emotion that made Siya’s teasing smile fade into something softer.

"Saath chhutega kaise mera aapka,

Jab mera dil hi ghar ban gaya aapka…"

His eyes held hers, steady and full of meaning. Siya’s heartbeat quickened as she realized that this wasn’t just a song anymore—it was a confession hidden in melody.

"Aap ki ek nazar, kar gayi kya asar…

Mera dil tha mera, ho gaya aapka…"

Siya’s cheeks turned warm, and she quickly looked away, biting her lip. But that only encouraged Shashwat to continue.

"Dar hai mujhko,

Na badnaam kar de kahin…

Is kadar pyaar se dekhna aapka…"

His voice softened as he saw her eyes widen at his words, and for a second, everything else blurred around them.

Siya, still flustered, grabbed her phone and pretended to scroll through it. But the slight smile on her lips betrayed her.

Shashwat leaned back, completely satisfied. He had won this round—not in the game, but in making Siya speechless.

As the evening settled in, the group checked into their hotel in Katra. After a long journey, everyone dispersed to freshen up and rest for a while before dinner.

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

The next morning, excitement buzzed through the air as everyone prepared for their trip to Vaishno Devi.

Siya stepped out of her room, adjusting the pleats of her red floral suit. The delicate embroidery on the fabric shimmered slightly under the soft morning light. She wore simple silver bangles on her wrists, their soft jingle accompanying her movements. As she walked, she ran her fingers through her silky, freshly brushed hair, ensuring they were set properly. Her bare feet felt the coldness of the floor as she reached the main hall, where everyone was busy with their own little tasks.

On one side, Harsh was sitting cross-legged on the floor, carefully applying nail polish to Tara’s feet nails. Tara, meanwhile, was completely oblivious to him, too engrossed in fixing her hair in the mirror propped up against the wall.

Meanwhile, on the couch, Piyush was crouched down in front of Ishika, phone in hand, capturing candid shots of her.

"Ek aur! Is baar thoda aur natural pose do," he instructed, his photographer instincts kicking in.

Amidst this lighthearted atmosphere, Siya’s gaze casually swept over the table in front of her—until something unfamiliar caught her eye.

There, sitting neatly beside her bag, was a small, elegant box.

Her steps faltered, and for a moment, she simply stared at it, confusion flickering across her face. The box was modest yet beautifully wrapped, its delicate ribbon tied with care, as if placed there with purpose. A faint crease appeared between her brows as she reached out, her fingers brushing against its surface before she picked it up.

A set of pristine red bangles.

And then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a small folded chit placed beside the box—one she hadn’t seen earlier in her initial surprise. Frowning slightly, she picked it up, unfolding the neatly folded paper.

"For the one who owns these bangles and a heart."

The moment she read those words, nostalgia hit her like a crashing wave. Her surroundings blurred for a fraction of a second as memories from seven years ago surged through her mind—the same setting, the same gift, the same silent message, and… the same man.

As if her body instinctively knew what to do, her head snapped up toward the upstairs railing, as it had done years ago, her breath still caught in her throat. And there he was.

Shashwat.

Standing at the railing, his posture relaxed, but his eyes—his deep, knowing eyes—held an intensity that made her pulse race. His elbows rested on the railing, his fingers joined together loosely at the front, exuding the same effortless charm that had made her weak in the knees all those years ago. But it was his expression that truly made her heart flutter.

A soft smirk played at the corners of his lips, his dark eyes filled with teasing mischief, pride, and something else—something deeper.

And then, as if sealing the moment with unspoken words, he winked at her.

Her heart stuttered, warmth creeping up her neck as she quickly tucked the chit inside her bag. She lowered her gaze for a moment, biting the inside of her cheek to control the emotions swirling within her. But even as she tried to compose herself, she could still feel the weight of his gaze on her, still feel the silent demand in his eyes.

He wanted her to wear them.

She inhaled softly, then, without hesitation, removed the silver bangles from her wrists, one by one, letting them slide onto the table. Then, her fingers delicately picked up the red bangles, and she carefully slid them onto her wrists. The cool glass felt foreign yet familiar, their weight reminding her of the day she had worn a similar set, gifted by the same hands.

Once all the bangles were in place, she lifted her wrist and gently shook it, allowing the soft melody of the glass bangles clinking together to fill the air. But instead of looking directly at Shashwat, she acted as if she was merely admiring them for herself, taking a few pictures with her phone.

From the railing, Shashwat placed a hand over his chest as if struck by an invisible arrow. His mouth parted slightly, and his head tilted back dramatically, his expression one of exaggerated pain and bliss combined. His other hand flailed slightly before coming to rest on the railing, his entire posture screaming, "I’m dead!" as if seeing her in those bangles had stolen the very air from his lungs.

Siya bit her lip, her shoulders shaking with the effort of holding back a giggle. His dramatic reaction was so perfectly him—teasing yet endearing, playful yet sincere.

Still holding onto the edge of the railing, Shashwat slowly peeked at her through half-lidded eyes, as if recovering from his “deadly” attack. When he saw that she was still watching him, a lazy, victorious smirk curled onto his lips. He straightened slightly and brought his hand to his lips, then pressed it against his chest, as if accepting defeat at her hands.

Siya walked outside with the others. The cool breeze played with the loose strands of her hair while she adjusted the strap of her bag.

Just as she reached down to pick it up, the bag slipped from her grasp. Before it could hit the ground, a strong hand caught it effortlessly.

Siya blinked and looked up—only to find Shashwat standing there, his familiar warm smile gracing his lips.

He straightened up, holding out her bag for her to take. She reached for it, but just as her fingers brushed against the handle, she realized something—he wasn’t letting go.

Her eyes widened slightly as she tugged lightly, but his grip remained firm, his fingers wrapped gently around hers beneath the strap.

"Shashwat, chhoriye," she whispered, glancing around nervously.

A small chuckle escaped his lips. "Chhura lijiye," he teased, making no effort to release her hand.

Siya’s heart pounded as she quickly looked around. "Koi dekh lega yaar," she muttered, her voice laced with urgency.

At that, he finally let go, his laughter soft and fond. But instead of stepping away, he bent down and started helping her pick up the rest of her things.

Siya sighed in relief, thinking the moment had passed. But when she glanced at him again, she noticed his eyes hadn’t left her face. There was a softness in his gaze, an admiration so intense that it made her heart flutter.

She frowned slightly. "Aise dekh kya rahe? Kuch hai kya hamare chehre pe?"

He tilted his head, his lips twitching in amusement. "Haan."

Her brows furrowed. "Kya?"

A beat of silence. Then, with a small, knowing smile, he answered, "Meri duniya."

Siya felt her cheeks flush instantly, the warmth spreading up to her ears. "Jyada hero mat baniye… ye sab uthaiye aur peeche aaiye," she said quickly, trying to mask her flustered state as she turned on her heels.

Shashwat chuckled, shaking his head as he picked up the