"Reyansh... wo bakwas kar rahi thi," she said, her voice gentle but laced with frustration.
Reyansh, sensing the protective anger in her tone, turned to her with a soft smile. "I know," he said, squeezing her hand in return. "Don't worry, her words didn't affect me."
He looked at her, the warmth in his eyes showing his appreciation for her concern.
Arav and Ritika stood outside the door, Arav awkwardly adjusting his grip on the invitation cards while Ritika confidently rang the bell. As the door opened, she stepped inside with ease, holding Arav's hand but leading the way like she owned the place.
"Namaste, aunty!" Ritika greeted cheerfully, flashing a bright smile. "Arav told me so much about you!"
The older woman smiled warmly and gestured them inside. "Namaste, beta. Aao, baitho."
Ritika settled herself on the couch with the familiarity of a frequent guest, pulling Arav down beside her. While Arav fidgeted uncomfortably, Ritika took charge of the conversation.
"Arav ke kitne cute stories hain aunty, bachpan ke!" Ritika teased, nudging him playfully.
Arav gave a nervous smile, shifting in his seat. "Ritika, bas kar yaar," he mumbled under his breath.
The woman laughed lightly. "Arav toh sharma raha hai! Achha, shadi ki preparations kaisi chal rahi hain?"
Ritika leaned forward, her eyes sparkling. "Bohot badiya, aunty! Sab decided hai. Venue fix, menu fix, aur honeymoon destination bhi fix."
Arav nearly choked on his own breath. "Ritika!" he hissed softly, his face turning crimson.
She ignored him, continuing casually, "Switzerland ka plan hai, aunty. Bohot romantic jagah hai! Lekin," she added with a mischievous grin, "mostly toh rehna room mein hi hoga, hai na, Arav?"
Arav's eyes widened in shock, and his cheeks turned a deep shade of pink. "Ritika!" he whispered harshly, glancing at the older woman, who seemed caught between surprise and amusement.
Ritika winked at him, clearly enjoying his flustered state. "Kya? Sach toh bol rahi hoon," she said innocently.
Arav buried his face in his hands, muttering under his breath, "Mujhe yahan kyun laya..."
"Acha, ab humein chalna chahiye, aunty," Ritika said, finally standing up. "Aap zarur aana shadi mein!"
The woman smiled and waved them off as they exited. The moment they stepped outside, Arav pulled Ritika aside. "Kaisi baatein karti ho sabke samne! Tumhe sharam nahi aati kya?"
Ritika shrugged, grinning cheekily. "Kya? Sach tha na... room mein hi toh rahenge na!" She nudged his shoulder, her playful tone making him smile despite himself.
Arav shook his head, unable to stay mad at her. "Pagal ho tum."
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The evening was calm at the Malhotra residence, the atmosphere relaxed as the family members sat together in the spacious living room. Everyone was still enjoying their time after the heartfelt conversations that had taken place earlier. The television was on, showing a popular news channel playing in the background as they chatted casually. The quiet murmurs were suddenly interrupted by the breaking news headline that flashed across the screen.
"Breaking News: Major Terrorist Attack in Mumbai's Downtown Area. Hostages Taken in a High-Profile Hotel. Authorities Urge Citizens to Stay Away from the Area."
The sudden shift in tone grabbed everyone's attention. The words 'terrorist attack' echoed in the room, and the faces of everyone present, from Kirti, his mother, to Ishika, his aunty, and even his father, Naman, and uncle, Piyush, became tense. They watched, captivated by the live feed, as reporters provided updates, showing the chaotic scenes from the hotel area, emergency responders rushing in, and police cordoning off the building.
Kirti's eyes widened in concern as she looked at Shashwat. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Shashwat had been sitting at the far end of the room, but at the mention of the terrorist attack, he immediately stood up, his demeanor shifting from calm to alert. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and without hesitation, he reached for it. His eyes narrowed as he glanced at the caller ID.
"It's the authorities," he muttered under his breath.
As he answered the call, the room fell silent, the tension building as Shashwat listened intently. His voice grew serious as he responded.
"Lieutenant Shashwat here," he said, his voice steady but with a hint of urgency.
The room was now on edge as they listened, trying to catch any details from his side of the conversation.
"Yes, I understand. I'll be there in fifteen minutes," Shashwat said. He paused for a moment before adding, "I'll gather the team. We'll need a detailed briefing."
He hung up the call and turned to face his family. His expression was hard to read, but his posture told them everything they needed to know. His hands were clenched at his sides as he exhaled sharply, the weight of the responsibility settling over him.
"They've called me in for the operation," Shashwat said, his voice low but resolute. "It's a hostage situation in one of the high-rise hotels. The authorities have requested my team for planning and execution. I have to go."
Kirti's face paled, and she immediately stood, walking toward him with concern in her eyes. "Shashwat, no! This is dangerous. Please don't go," she said, her voice breaking.
Harsh looked at him with a grim expression, pacing slightly. "Shashwat, I've seen operations like this before. You need to prepare yourself. If things go south, it won't be easy. The stakes are high."
Shashwat took in a deep breath, knowing what was at stake. "I know this is tough, but this is what I've trained for. I'll be with a team, and we'll have a plan. I can't risk losing anyone."
Shashwat stepped out into the cool evening air, the weight of the situation pressing down on him as he made his way to the car. His uniform and gear would need to be picked up from home before heading to the operation site. The family stood gathered outside, their faces painted with concern, but their support for him undeniable. He hugged his mother first, followed by Ishika, then Piyush, Kirti, and Naman. Each of them whispered words of luck and safety, but it was Akash who stood at a distance, not approaching like everyone else.
Shashwat's eyes met Akash's as he walked toward the car. Akash wasn't saying anything-he wasn't moving-but the pain in his eyes was palpable.
As Shashwat took another step forward,his foot faltering on the ground, Akash suddenly moved. In one swift motion, Akash crossed the small distance between them and wrapped his arms around Shashwat in a desperate, almost frantic embrace. The suddenness of it caught Shashwat off guard, but he didn't pull away.
Akash's voice, usually sarcastic and playful, broke through the air, heavy with emotion. "Please... please come back, Shashwat," Akash murmured, his words raw, cracking under the weight of the fear he had buried for so long. "I don't know what I was thinking, man. When I said I wished you never came back... I didn't mean it. I can't lose you. I... I can't even imagine a life without you in it."
The words hung in the air, unsaid for so long, and the depth of regret flooded Akash's chest.
Shashwat hesitated, the weight of Akash's words and emotions settling heavily on his heart. He patted Akash's back slowly, his hand gentle, almost hesitant.
Akash pulled away after a moment, his hands still gripping Shashwat's arms as he looked at him, eyes filled with vulnerability that Akash had never shown before. There was a flicker of uncertainty, of fear that Shashwat might not make it out, but there was also something stronger-hope.
Shashwat stepped back slightly, the space between them growing, but the emotion still lingering in the air like a thick fog. He clapped a hand on Akash's shoulder, the contact grounding both of them.
As Shashwat turned away from Akash, he noticed Siya standing by herself near the edge of the garden, watching the group go back inside. Her gaze lingered for a moment, but her eyes met his soon after, and a soft, understanding smile tugged at her lips. There was something unspoken between them, something that transcended words but still lingered in the air, heavy with emotion.
Ishika, noticing the moment, gave Siya a reassuring nod. "Mai garden mein hoon... bula lena," she said before turning and walking back inside. Siya nodded gratefully, appreciating the space, the quiet that allowed her to be with Shashwat, just the two of them, for a little longer.
Siya didn't speak at first. She simply watched him with quiet eyes, allowing him to come closer. When he reached her, he paused for a moment, letting the silence hang in the air before he finally moved to cup her face with his hands. His touch was gentle, but the weight of it was something more. His thumb brushed her cheek lightly, as if he were memorizing the soft contours of her face, something he might need to remember in the moments ahead.
"Are you scared?" Shashwat asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. The words seemed heavy in the air, and they were more for him than for her. He could feel the unease creeping into his own heart, and he didn't want to admit it, but he was just as scared as she was.
"No" she replied, her voice a calm whisper that held more than just words. "Because I know you'll come back to me. I trust you more than I trust my own fears."
He leaned in slightly, his forehead brushing against hers for a brief moment, grounding himself in the warmth of her presence. In that simple act, everything else faded away - the mission, the risk, the fear. It was just her. And him.
Siya gently pulled away and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, her lips lingering for a second longer, as if to imprint her love, her hope, into him. "I will pray for you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She held him close, her arms wrapping around his neck as she buried her face into his chest, her heartbeat steady but strong.
Shashwat felt his own breath hitch as he hugged her back, his arms pulling her even closer. In that moment, he didn't want to let go. There was comfort in her arms, a sense of safety, even though he knew what awaited him. She had always been his anchor, and now more than ever, he needed her to be.
After a long moment, they slowly pulled away from each other. Shashwat looked down at her, his eyes searching her face, committing every detail to memory. Her smile, though tinged with sadness, was genuine. "Jaldi aaiyega," she said, her voice soft but steady. She tried to be brave, tried to hold on to the hope that he would return safe.
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