Shashwat laughed wholeheartedly, his eyes crinkling with amusement. He barely dodged the cushion before it hit the screen, but his laughter filled the room, echoing through the morning. Siya quickly disconnected the call, feeling like she was going to burst from embarrassment.
The cushion still rested on the screen as she buried her face in her hands, her cheeks still burning with the aftermath of her awkwardness.
******************************************
The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the living room as Siya descended the stairs. She stopped midway, taking in the scene before her. Harsh was busily sweeping the floor, his focus unwavering. His sleeves were rolled up, a handkerchief tied around his head to keep the sweat at bay. The house was already sparkling, but Harsh, as usual, was determined to make it even cleaner.
"Papa, abhi hi toh saaf hua tha ghar," Ritika groaned, stepping into the room with an exasperated expression. She placed her hands on her hips and shook her head. "Aap toh aur ho... ye nahi ki khali baithe hain toh chup chap baith ke rest karen. Kabhi jaa ke upar tanki saaf karenge, kabhi ghar. Aapko chain nahi hai!"
Harsh paused mid-sweep, giving her a pointed look. "Tum sabko kya pata mehnat karne ke fayde. Bas pure din pade rehna hai. Abhi tak fit hun mai kyunki aaj bhi saare kaam khud karta hun. Mere age tak aate aate tum log toh buddhe ho jaoge," he said, standing tall and puffing out his chest a little, clearly proud of his energy.
As he resumed cleaning, Divya walked in, rubbing her temples with a dramatic sigh. "Mumma, mera sar dard ho raha," she complained, her voice laced with weariness.
Before anyone could respond, Harsh jumped in, his voice tinged with mockery. "Ye dekho... kisi ka sar dard hota hai, kisi ka pair dard hota hai. Itni age ho gayi meri, mazal hai ek bhi bimari choo ke gayi ho!" He gestured towards himself, his expression triumphant. "Immune system kharab kar liya hai tum sab ne, bas pade pade!"
Siya bit back a laugh from where she stood, watching the scene unfold like a daily ritual. Harsh's energy was infectious, and his determination to keep everyone on their toes never wavered.
"Galti ho gayi bol ke... accha, aap chhodo. Mai saaf kar dungi," Ritika offered, stepping forward to grab the broom from him.
Harsh swatted her hand away lightly, his expression firm. "Baith jaa chup chap," he commanded, glaring at her as if daring her to argue.
Tara's voice as she entered, wiping her hands on her saree. She shot a glance at Harsh, who was still busy cleaning. "Ho gaya kitna saaf karenge? Jaa ke naha lijiye, Ritika ke sasural waale aur Manav bhaisahab aate honge," she said, her tone part command, part exasperation.
Harsh paused mid-sweep, frowning slightly but not replying. Before he could defend himself, Siya interjected, her eyebrows raised in curiosity. "Woh kyun aa rahe? Kamaal hai, ek taraf aap log hi Ritika didi aur Arav bhaiya ko milne se mana karte hain aur phir khud bula lete hain," she said, folding her arms as if she had caught them contradicting themselves.
Harsh didn't miss a beat. He straightened up, pointing the broom at her for effect. "Haan toh tum sabko hi shauk chadha tha na Jammu mein destination wedding ka! Toh sabse discuss karna, tickets dekhna, preparation karna, yeh sab kaun karega?" he retorted, his voice rising slightly in mock frustration.
He continued, his words tumbling out in an agitated rant. "Pehle toh kisi ko kuch bataya hi nahi. Engagement fix hone ke ek hafte baad aake bolte hain ki destination wedding chahiye! Mumbai mein kitne acche jagah decide kiye the, yahan kya kami hai? Par nahi, destination wedding hi chahiye. Paisa udana hai toh udayenge hi!"
Siya suppressed a laugh, sneaking a glance at Ritika, who was trying to keep a straight face. But Ritika couldn't resist jumping into the conversation. "Khud ne Udaipur mein destination wedding ki thi, woh nahi yaad hai?" she said, raising an eyebrow at her father.
Harsh turned to her, his expression immediately defensive. "Haan toh woh tumhari maa ne zidd ki thi, isliye," he said quickly, attempting to justify himself.
Before anyone could react, Tara, who had been standing quietly until now, narrowed her eyes at him. "Accha?" she said, her voice laden with mock sarcasm. She folded her hands, leaning slightly forward. "Mujhe kisne kaha tha? Main yaad dilaa doon?" she challenged. Without waiting for a reply, she mimicked his voice, deepening her tone. "Tara, Udaipur is the best place for a wedding... tum apne parents se bolo na... mujhe papa se dar lagta hai," she said, her impression spot on.
Ritika and Siya burst into laughter, clutching their stomachs at Tara's accurate portrayal. Harsh, clearly caught off guard, scratched his head and looked around for an escape. "A... woh... kaam nahi hai kya tum sabko? Yahan bakwaas kar rahe ho! Jaa ke help karao," he stammered, quickly changing the topic and waving the broom dismissively at them.
******************************************
The Rajvansh family arrived at the Malhotra residence shortly, and with them came Shreya, Manav, and Richa. The house buzzed with activity as Shashwat, Arav, Darsh, and Akash stepped forward to greet the elders, joining their hands respectfully and exchanging warm smiles. Amidst the formalities, Shashwat's eyes darted to Siya, who stood at the side with a serene smile.
With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Shashwat joined his hands in front of Siya, bowing slightly as though greeting an elder. He added a subtle wink, making her cheeks flush a rosy hue. Embarrassed, Siya quickly turned on her heel and left the gathering with Arushi and Richa, her heart racing.
As the families settled in, Reyansh and Ritika served tea and an array of snacks to the guests. The living room buzzed with cheerful conversation as the elders moved to one side, catching up on family updates and wedding preparations. Meanwhile, the younger crowd gravitated toward the dining area, hovering around the remaining snacks like bees to honey. Laughter and playful banter filled the air as plates clinked and crumbs scattered on the table.
Siya, standing near the snacks, picked up a piece of her favorite sweet, a mischievous smile dancing on her lips. She popped half of it into her mouth, letting the rest stick out deliberately, and made her way to where Shashwat stood. He was leaning against the wall in a quieter corner, engrossed in a serious phone call with someone from the authorities. His brow furrowed slightly, and he gestured animatedly as he spoke.
Siya tapped his shoulder lightly, breaking his concentration. He turned, slightly surprised, and quickly ended the call. When his eyes landed on her, standing there with a sweet sticking out of her mouth, he shook his head, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"It's not good," he said, his tone flat but playful.
Siya shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, as if to say, Who cares? She turned to leave, but before she could take a step, his hand shot out, grabbing her waist.
"Shashwat!" she gasped, her eyes widening as she stumbled closer to him. Her gaze darted around nervously, scanning for any prying eyes. But they were at a secluded corner, far from the commotion of the main room. His hand remained firmly on her waist, pulling her just a fraction closer.
Shashwat's smirk grew wider as he leaned in closer to Siya, his face mere inches from hers. His lips gently brushed the exposed end of the sweet that was still in her mouth. Before she could react, he bit down, tearing off the rest of the sweet with his teeth and pulling away. His eyes twinkled mischievously as he chewed, savoring the taste.
Siya stood frozen, her cheeks heating up as her breath hitched. She blinked rapidly, unsure of what had just happened.
"It tasted even sweeter," Shashwat whispered, his voice low and teasing.
Her wide eyes darted around, desperate to make sure no one had seen them. Before she could gather her wits and step away, his arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer.
"Shashwat!" she whispered urgently, her voice trembling. "Chhoriye... koi dekh lega!"
"Chhura lijiye," he replied with a smirk, clearly enjoying her flustered state.
She tried to push him away, but her strength was no match for his firm hold. As her eyes met his, he leaned in further, and to her utter shock, he placed a soft, lingering kiss on the tip of her nose.
Her heart thudded loudly in her chest as she froze, her face now a deep crimson.
Just as the intimate moment stretched between them, a loud, booming voice echoed from behind.
"Kya ho raha hai ye??"
Their eyes widened in synchronized panic. Siya immediately jumped back, her hands covering her flushed face in mortification. Shashwat turned slightly but didn't face the source of the voice, his protective instincts kicking in as he positioned himself in front of her.
"Uncle... I... I can explain..." Shashwat stammered, his voice shaky but determined. "Please, don't say anything to Siya. It was my fault. I-"
Before he could finish, loud laughter erupted behind them. Both of them turned toward the sound, confusion replacing their panic, and saw Darsh doubled over, clutching his stomach. Tears streamed down his face as he laughed uncontrollably.
"Kaisi lagi meri voice mimicry?" Darsh choked out between fits of laughter, clearly pleased with himself.
Siya's mouth fell open in disbelief as the realization dawned on her. Her embarrassment quickly morphed into anger as she grabbed her slipper from her foot.
"Farsh ke bacche!" she yelled, her voice sharp. "I will kill you!"
Darsh's eyes widened as he noticed the slipper in her hand. "Aaaaaa!" he screamed dramatically, taking a step back. "Soya bhabhi, how could you do this to your devar?" he added, his voice filled with mock hurt as he tried to dodge her attack.
"You dare to pull a prank like that? You'll see what happens now!" Siya shouted, advancing toward him with her slipper raised.
Darsh darted behind a chair, trying to put some distance between them. "Bhaiya!" he called out desperately, looking at Shashwat, who stood nearby with his arms crossed and an amused expression on his face. "Samjhao apni vali ko! Inpe Divya chudail chad gayi hai!"
But Shashwat simply shook his head, an indulgent smirk playing on his lips. Without saying a word, he turned on his heel and walked away, ignoring Darsh's cries for help.
"Bas ek-" Darsh began, but before he could finish, Siya whacked him lightly with her slipper.
"Ow! Bhabhi, yeh toh domestic violence hai!" Darsh said, clutching his arm dramatically.
The gathering inside was lively, with laughter and chatter filling the air. Shashwat had joined the group, and everyone was comfortably settled in, discussing old memories and teasing each other. Amid the cheerful ambiance, Akash excused himself, pretending to take a call. He stepped outside into the cool evening breeze and found a quiet corner on the garden bench. The lively atmosphere inside felt too overwhelming.
He sat there for nearly twenty minutes, scrolling through his phone aimlessly. He wasn't reading or watching anything; his mind was preoccupied with a swirl of emotions he couldn't shake off.
Unbeknownst to him, Richa had noticed his absence. After a few moments, she slipped away from the gathering and followed him. As she approached, she saw him sitting with his head slightly bowed, his phone resting in his hands. She quietly made her way to him and sat down beside him without saying a word.
Startled, Akash glanced at her. "Tum?" he said, slightly surprised. "You should go inside. Sab ke saath baitho na."
Richa gave him a pointed look. "Aur tum? Yahan baith ke tapasya kar rahe ho?" she retorted, a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
A small chuckle escaped Akash's lips. "I... I don't know," he admitted softly. "Whenever I face Shashwat and Siya, mujhe khud ke words yaad aate hain, Richa. Aur mujhe dekh ke unn dono ko bhi wahi yaad aata hoga... They must think I'm so selfish."
Richa frowned, her brows knitting together in concern. "Selfish? Kisne kaha tum selfish ho?"
"Tumne hi kaha tha," he replied, his tone heavy. "And honestly, this is the truth, Richa. I was selfish. I failed them."
Richa sighed deeply and turned to face him, her eyes steady. "You can be anything but selfish, Akash. Uss din maine jo kaha, sirf uss moment ke liye kaha tha... You became selfish for just one moment, but that doesn't define you, samjhe?"
She gently held his chin, forcing him to look at her. "Accha, answer me this: That day, when you distanced yourself from all of us after my accident, yaad hai wo?"
Akash nodded silently, his expression clouded with guilt.
"Kyun kiya tha aisa tumne? Why were you going to end your life?" she asked softly, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and pain.
Akash hesitated, the weight of his memories bearing down on him. "Because I wanted to keep you all safe," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mujhe kuch aur samajh nahi aa raha tha, Richa. I thought... if I removed myself from the equation, everyone would be safe. I know it was wrong-therapy sessions ke baad ye samajh aaya ki I was being stupid. But at that time, I couldn't think of anything else. All I wanted was to protect everyone, even if it meant giving up my life."
Richa listened intently, her eyes softening. "And then you're calling yourself selfish?" she asked, her tone gentle yet firm. "Akash, tumne galat kiya tha, I agree. And yes, you became selfish in that moment. But that doesn't mean you're a selfish person. You're one of the most selfless people I know. Sabko pata hai yeh baat."
Akash looked at her, his eyes filled with doubt and vulnerability.
Richa continued, her voice steady and reassuring. "No one hates you, Akash. Kisi ko tumse nafrat nahi hai. They're just upset, bas naraz hain tumse. Aur naraz bhi apno se nahi honge toh kis se honge?" She gave him a small, encouraging smile. "Stop thinking about all these stupid things. Jo ho gaya, wo ho gaya. Just focus on trying your best to win them back. That's all you need to do. Ok?"
Her words struck a chord deep within him. Akash blinked a few times, processing what she said, and then finally nodded. A small smile tugged at his lips as he looked at her with gratitude.
"Richa..." he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "What would I do without you?"
Without waiting for an answer, he leaned in and wrapped her in a warm hug. She hugged him back, patting his back gently.
"Nothing," she said playfully, pulling back slightly and meeting his gaze. "Tum toh mera naam leke hi zinda ho."
Akash let out a genuine laugh, the heaviness in his chest lifting ever so slightly.
The room was buzzing with conversation as everyone sat together, enjoying the lighthearted banter and shared moments. Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps caught their attention. Kanak appeared at the doorway, clutching her purse nervously and wearing a tentative smile.
Siya's face lit up as she spotted her. "Arre, aa gayi tum? Aao," she said warmly, waving her over.
All eyes turned to Kanak as she stepped inside, her nervousness evident in the way she fidgeted with the strap of her purse. Siya looked around at the group and said, "I called her. Waise kisi ne thanks bola bhi nahi isse."
Kanak shook her head quickly, waving her hands in dismissal. "Arre, it's okay, Siya. It's not needed. I just did what I should," she said softly.
But Siya wasn't having it. "Nahi, thank you so much, Kanak. I really mean it. I don't know how to thank you enough. Aur sorry bhi... uss din ke liye. I misunderstood you," Siya said earnestly, her voice filled with regret.
Kanak gave her a small, understanding smile. "It's not your fault. Meri image hi aisi thi," she said with a self-deprecating chuckle. Her voice softened as she added, "I just wanted to reduce my guilt for what I did in the past. I'm so sorry... Ritika didi, I'm sorry. I can't justify it by saying I was a kid, because I wasn't. I... I was just stupid."
Ritika's expression softened, and without a word, she stepped forward and pulled Kanak into a warm hug. "Jo ho gaya, bhool jaa," she said gently, patting Kanak's back.
Kanak's eyes glistened slightly as she hugged Ritika back. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with gratitude.
Siya clapped her hands together, breaking the emotional moment. "Chalo sab, ice cream parlour jaane wale the na!" she announced, her tone cheerful as she grabbed her phone and headed toward her room.
The group began to stir, following Siya's lead, but Kanak lingered near the doorway, hesitating. Arushi noticed and turned back. "Tum kahan chali?" she asked.
"Ghar," Kanak replied simply, avoiding their gazes.
Arushi frowned. "Kyun? Ab special invitation dena padega aane ke liye?"
Richa chimed in, her tone light but firm. "Haan! Tumhare liye koi red carpet bichhayein?"
Kanak fumbled for an excuse, glancing down at her casual attire. "Mai? Mai kaise... and I'm not even dressed properly," she said, gesturing to her outfit.
Siya rolled her eyes dramatically and grabbed Kanak's wrist, tugging her forward. "Wahan modelling nahi hai meri maa! Chalo," she said with a grin, dragging her along despite Kanak's protests.
Ritika glanced back at Kanak and teased, "Pehle apni mummy ko bol do ki ghar late se jaaogi."
Kanak hesitated, her smile faltering slightly. "Arre nahi, she doesn't care anyways," she said, her tone casual but with an undertone of something deeper.
The group paused and exchanged looks, sensing there was more behind her words.
Realizing her slip, Kanak quickly corrected herself, plastering on a brighter smile. "I mean, she's cool na... unhe koi problem nahi," she said, brushing it off lightly.
After returning back from ice cream parlour, The group sat together in a large living room, surrounded by stacks of cards, envelopes, and stickers. Siya groaned dramatically, stretching her fingers.
"Yaar, itne logon ko kyun bulana hai? Card pe naam likhte-likhte haath dard ho gaya," Siya complained, shaking her hand to emphasize her point.
Darsh, who was sitting nearby folding cards, rolled his eyes. "Aap logon ko to bas naam likhna hai. Hume fold karna, envelope mein daalna, sticker chipkana sab kuch karna pad raha hai... Aur hum to ladke waale hain. Ladki walon ki help kyun kar rahe?"
Divya shot him a glare. "Inko dekho, Alasanand ko! Abhi Arav Bhaiya ki shaadi ka card ayega, to hum aa jaayenge na help karvane? Chup chaap kaam karo."
Vihaan, focused on his task, continued writing. Arav glanced at his neat handwriting and remarked, "Vaise, Vihaan ki writing mast hai."
"Aakhir bhai kiska hai," Akash said with a smirk, leaning back with an air of confidence.
Reyansh couldn't resist. "Ohh Mr. Bhai, teri writing dekhi hai maine aur Shashwat ne. Aisa lagta hai kisi ne upar se apne pet ka saara khana chhod diya."
"Chee, chai pee rahe hain na sab! Tereko aur koi example nahi milta kya? Jab dekho aise hi example deta hai," Shashwat retorted, shaking his head.
Siya chimed in with a grin. "Arre, iski soch hi Sulabh Sauchalaya tak hai."
Akash added quickly, "Jahan Reyansh ki soch, wahan Sauchalaya."
Shashwat raised an eyebrow. "Reyansh, yeh meri baat pe reply kyun kar raha
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