♡11♡

English translation will be added tomorrow.

Vote Target - 1.7k (Will not updated this time until target gets completed)

Comments - 800

___________________________________________

Akshat stepped into his family’s grand, airy living room, his shoes clicking softly against the marble floor. The space was as familiar as it was comforting, with sunlight filtering through the large bay windows, casting warm patterns on the floor. His mother, Vishakha, sat at the dining table, leisurely sipping her tea while perusing the newspaper. She was dressed elegantly in a soft, cream-colored sari, her hair tied back in a neat bun. The aroma of freshly brewed tea and the faint sound of the rustling paper filled the room.

As soon as she spotted Akshat, Vishakha set the paper aside and gave him a concerned look. “Akshat! Tu kaisa hai? Maine suna Thakur got arrested for forcing a girl to marry him?” Her voice held a note of disbelief, and there was a faint frown of worry creasing her forehead.

Akshat settled beside her, the weight of the day's events still heavy on his shoulders. “Ji Maa, it’s true,” he replied, his voice steady, but his mind swirling with the memory of everything that had transpired.

Rakshit, his father, appeared in the doorway, his stern but curious gaze focused on Akshat. “What happened to the girl? Is she fine?” he asked, folding his arms as he leaned against the doorframe.

Akshat hesitated for a moment, the image of Amrit’s tear-streaked face flashing in his mind. What could he say? “Um... she... she got rescued. I called the police and told them everything.” He tried to keep his tone neutral, not revealing the turmoil he felt inside.

Vishakha sighed in relief, her hands clasping together. “Thank God! I hope us Thakur ko kadi se kadi saza mile,” she said, her eyes flickering with a protective fierceness.

Akshat's jaw tightened, a surge of determination coursing through him. “I’ll make sure of that,” he muttered under his breath, his hands clenching slightly.

“Kya?” Rakshit asked, his brows furrowing as he caught the tail end of his words.

Akshat quickly shook his head. “Nothing, Dad. I should get some rest. I have lectures to attend later.” He excused himself and made his way to his room, his footsteps soft but purposeful.

Once inside his room, Akshat closed the door behind him. He kicked off his shoes and sank down onto the bed, his thoughts immediately wandering back to Amrit.

The image of her standing there, vulnerable and alone, lingered in his mind. She must be so alone right now, he thought, his brows knitting in concern. He hadn’t had the chance to properly check on her after everything that happened. How must she be feeling? What if she’s hungry? The questions played over and over in his mind, each one pulling at his conscience.

Akshat rubbed a hand over his face, feeling a growing sense of responsibility. It hadn’t even been a full day since the dynamic between them had shifted so dramatically, but he found himself worrying about her in ways he didn’t expect. Perhaps it was because, in a strange and sudden twist of fate, she had become someone he needed to look after.

She’s my responsibility now, he realised. There was something about the idea that tugged at his heart, something that made him want to ensure her safety and comfort, even if they barely knew each other.

He pushed himself up from the bed and walked toward his wardrobe, absently pulling out clothes to change into. His mind, however, was still on her. He couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that something might be wrong, that she might need him, even if she wouldn’t say it outright.

“I’ll pay her a visit after attending classes,” Akshat murmured to himself, making the decision as he tossed his shirt onto the bed.

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

Amrit was sitting on the couch, staring at the picture of her mother. A sharp pain pierced her chest, and she could no longer hold back the flood of emotions.

"Mumma... aap kyun chale gaye?" she whispered, her voice barely audible as tears welled up in her eyes. "Agar aapne mujhe time pe sab kuch bata diya hota, toh hum mil kar kuch kar sakte. Aapko bacha lete. Par aapne toh mujhe kabhi iss qabil bhi nahi samjha," she added, her voice breaking.

The tears that had been pooling finally spilled over, rolling down her cheeks. "Aapko pata hai na, hamesha aapki kitni yaad aati hai? Aapne ek baar bhi nahi socha ki mera kya hoga..." she murmured, wiping her eyes furiously as if trying to push away the pain.

Amrit quickly stood up and went to the washroom to splash water on her face, hoping it would calm her down. The cold water hit her skin, but before she could compose herself, she heard a knock at the door. Akshat had arrived, but absorbed in her grief, she hadn't heard the knock or the doorbell.

Outside, Akshat stood with a furrowed brow. "Ye Amrit gate kyun nahi khol rahi hai?" he muttered, ringing the bell again.

Amrit, meanwhile, washed her face, trying to shake off the sadness, but as she turned to leave, her foot slipped on the wet floor. She reached out, grabbing the shower handle to steady herself, but the water suddenly came rushing out of the showerhead, soaking her suit.

"Hey bhagwan!" she gasped, staring down at her drenched clothes. "Ab isse bhi change karna padega," she mumbled in frustration.

Akshat, growing more worried, imagined the worst. "Kahin... Amrit ne apni Mom ke yaad mein kuch..." His heart raced at the thought, and without hesitating, he used the second key to unlock the door. He pushed it open and rushed inside, calling her name.

"Amrit? Amrit, kahaan ho tum?" he called out, his voice edged with panic as he hurried through the hall. Hearing no response, he instinctively headed toward her room. The door was slightly ajar, and he pushed it open, freezing at the sight before him.

Amrit stood by the bed, her dupatta clutched in her hands, dripping wet. Her back was to him, and she was just undoing the knot of her wet suit. The moment Akshat realized what was happening, he froze in place, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Amrit quickly spun around, panic flooding her expression as she saw him standing there. She hurriedly grabbed her dupatta and tried to cover her back. "Aap... aap yaha kya kar rahe ho?" she stammered, pulling the fabric tightly around herself.

"I... I'm really sorry!" Akshat said, his face turned away, clearly flustered. "Tum... tum gate nahi khol rahi thi. I got worried and used the second key to get in. Mujhe laga kuch hua hoga. I didn’t mean to—"

Amrit’s face softened for a moment, understanding his concern, but the situation was still awkward. "Aap itne jaldi aa gaye?" she asked, trying to change the subject as she adjusted her dupatta more securely.

"Ha...haan," Akshat stammered, still not looking at her. "Wo... college mein half day tha, toh... I came early."

"Ohh..." Amrit mumbled, still feeling embarrassed but not wanting to make him feel worse.

Akshat cleared his throat, still staring at the floor. "Tum... tum change kar lo. Mai... I’ll wait outside." He quickly turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Once alone, Amrit sighed, her heart pounding from the mix of emotions. She clutched her dupatta and whispered to herself.

Outside, Akshat leaned against the wall, rubbing the back of his neck.

Amrit stepped out of the room, still feeling a bit flustered from the earlier awkward moment. "Wo actually, mai face wash karne gayi thi, isliye knock ki awaaz nahi sunai di," she explained, her voice soft and awkward.

Akshat, standing a little stiffly, shook his head. "I’m sorry. Mujhe ek baar aur knock karna chahiye tha," he said, genuinely apologetic.

Amrit’s heart softened at his words. The way he respected her space and privacy only deepened her respect for him. She offered him a small smile. "It's ok, meri galti thi," she said, trying to ease the tension.

Not knowing how to proceed, Amrit glanced down at her feet. "Wo... mujhe laga aap late aayenge, toh maine kuch banaya nahi," she added, almost apologetically.

Akshat’s eyes widened in mock relief, and he whispered to himself, "Thank God."

"Kya?" Amrit asked, confused by his sudden reaction.

Akshat quickly straightened up, waving his hands. "Nothing, nothing... I said it's ok. Mai bana deta hoon," he said with a nervous chuckle, trying to cover up his slip-up.

Amrit smiled softly, but then her face turned more serious as she spoke quietly, "Mujhe time lagega par mai seekh jaungi..." She looked down sadly, feeling a little insecure about not knowing how to cook well.

Akshat’s expression softened as he stepped closer. "Amrit, koi zaroori nahi hai….agar tumhe naturally khana banana aata hai to It’s ok. Par apna time nikaal ke, studies side mein rakh ke, tum khana banane pe focus mat karna. Tumhare liye studies important hain," he said gently. "Par tumne subah se kuch khaya?" he asked, looking at her with concern.

"Haan, wo... Maggie khayi thi," Amrit said, almost sheepishly.

"Ohh, okk," Akshat replied, his eyes moving toward the kitchen. He made his way there and his eyes immediately fell on the utensil Amrit had used for making the Maggie. It was burnt at the bottom. He rolled his eyes, though he couldn’t help but smile.

Amrit walked into the kitchen and noticed where his gaze had landed. She saw the burnt utensil and immediately closed her eyes in embarrassment. "Sorry, mai dhul deti hoon," she offered, reaching for it.

Akshat shook his head, smiling. "It’s ok, tum rehne do," he said, trying to sound casual.

Amrit, determined to make up for her little mishap, insisted, "Itna toh aata hai mujhe."  Both of them looked at each other, trying to keep straight faces, but the absurdity of the situation made them smile. They struggled to control their laughter, but it was clear neither of them was upset anymore.

After some time, Akshat stood up from the table, his gaze shifting to Amrit, who was still seated quietly, lost in her thoughts.

"I am free in the evening," he began, his voice soft but steady. "Toh groceries ham sath me lene chal sakte hain. And we'll buy a new phone for you as well."

Amrit looked up, her eyes meeting his. She gave a small nod. Akshat gave her a reassuring nod, sensing the weight of her emotions but not pushing her to say more. He knew she needed time, and he was willing to give it to her.

"I should leave now," he said, standing up fully and adjusting his shirt. "Take care.” His tone was gentle, yet firm.

Before he could step out, he was met by the sight of Bulbul, standing right outside the door with her arms crossed and her eyebrows raised in curiosity.

"Bulbul?” Akshat said curiously, bending down slightly.

"Hello Ak uncle, aap aise cholon ki tarah kyun jaa rahe ho?" Bulbul asked innocently, tilting her head as if she was trying to solve a puzzle. She couldn't pronounce his name properly so she started calling him AK in short.

Akshat chuckled at her words. "Pehle yeh batao aap yaha kaise?"

Bulbul smiled cheekily. "Mumma aur mai yahan shift hue hain, aap jahan se nikal rahe the wahan ke side wale ghal me."

Akshat raised an eyebrow in mock disbelief. "Oh God!" he thought to himself, shaking his head slightly. "Sabko yahin pe aa ke kyun rehna hai!”

Bulbul tugged at his sleeve, pulling him from his thoughts. "Batao na, uncle, aap chol ki tarah kyun aa rahe the?"

Akshat smiled and ruffled her hair. "Beta this is my apartment. Mai bas check karne aaya tha sab theek hai ya nahi."

"Ohh," Bulbul said, looking around as if trying to verify his statement.

Akshat gently patted her cheeks. "Okk I should leave

"Bye bulbul." He waved and left, glancing back once to see her standing there with a puzzled look.

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

Nandini furiously scrubbed the dishes, her thoughts simmering with anger at Vedant. Each clatter of the plates echoed her frustration as she muttered under her breath. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Wiping her hands hastily on a towel, she stomped towards the door, yanking it open. Her eyes immediately fell on a bouquet placed neatly on the floor, with a small card attached to it. Frowning, she bent down, picked it up, and read the message:

"I am sorry." The words were followed by a small, almost playful emoji.

She rolled her eyes, already knowing exactly who sent it. Her anger only deepened as she stared at the flowers.

"Ye sahi hai!" Nandini said, her voice raised, hoping he could hear her if he was nearby. "Galti karne mein toh bilkul sharam nahi aati, aur maafi maangne ke liye bhi khud se nahi aa sakte! Card bhejna hai!" She scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

With a sharp movement, she marched to the dustbin, tossing the bouquet inside with finality. “Sorry, Mr. Vedant Mathur. I can't accept these hollow apologies.”

She slammed the door behind her as she walked back inside, fuming. The empty gesture had done little to cool her temper, and she knew he was lurking around, probably waiting for her to soften.

Not this time.

Vedant, hiding awkwardly near the staircase, let out a long sigh as he massaged his temples in frustration. He knew he had messed up, but finding the right way to apologize to Nandini wasn’t going to be easy. Gathering his courage, he took a deep breath and approached the door, raising his hand to knock.

“Com’on, Vedant! You can do it,” he muttered under his breath. Just as his knuckles were about to hit the wood, the door suddenly swung open, and instead of knocking on the door, he tapped Nandini’s forehead—twice. Her eyes widened in shock, and before he could react, she slapped his hand away.

"Ow!" He recoiled, eyes wide with surprise.

Nandini stood in front of him, glaring. She didn’t say a word, her silence making the tension in the air unbearable. Vedant shifted nervously.

"Nandini... I’m really sorry," he began, his voice sincere but uncertain. "I shouldn’t have talked to you like that. I didn’t mean it."

She ignored him completely, walking past him with the garbage in hand, heading towards the dustbin. Vedant, feeling even more desperate, followed her with his gaze. When she turned to walk back inside, he instinctively grabbed her wrist, trying to stop her.

"Mr. Mathur, stay in your limits!" she snapped, her eyes flashing with warning.

Vedant immediately let go, his hand dropping to his side. "Sorry... please forgive me, Nandini. Mujhe uss time samajh nahi aa raha tha ki mai kya bol raha tha. I was so worried... but I’m not justifying my behavior. I shouldn’t have blamed you. I’m really, really sorry."

His words hung in the air, but Nandini’s expression remained cold. She didn’t respond, her silence cutting through the apology like a knife. Without a single word, she turned on her heel and slammed the door shut in his face.

Vedant closed his eyes, the sound of the door echoing in his ears. Defeated, he let out a soft breath, knowing he had a long way to go to win back her forgiveness.

Later, Amrit was comfortably seated on the couch, absorbed in her book when the doorbell suddenly rang. She got up, opened the door, but to her surprise, found no one outside. Confused, she closed the door and returned to her book.

Moments later, the bell rang again. She frowned, went to check the door, and again saw no one. This repeated four or five times until Amrit, now determined, decided to stand by the door and catch the culprit in action.

Soon enough, she spotted a small figure walking toward her door. The little girl, unaware that Amrit was watching, approached cautiously but froze the moment she saw Amrit standing there. The girl turned on her heel, attempting to flee, but Amrit swiftly grabbed her by the arm.

"Pakad liya chhote chor ko! Batao, tum hi thi na jo baar-baar bell baja rahi thi?" Amrit asked with a playful smile.

Bulbul's eyes widened in innocence. "Nahi, nahi! Mai toh bas ghal jaa rahi thi," she stammered, trying to wriggle out of Amrit's grip.

Amrit raised an eyebrow. "Acha ji, toh tum mere room ke paas kyun aa rahi thi? Aur mujhe dekh kar bhaag kyun gayi?"

Bulbul hesitated before responding, "Woh... mai dar gayi thi... yeh dekho, mera ghar yahin hai, mai bas apne ghar jaa rahi thi," she said, pointing to the house next door.

Just then, Kavya, who had just returned from work, saw them both standing near the door.

"Bulbul!" Kavya called out.

"Mumma!" Bulbul exclaimed, rushing toward her mother and hugging her tightly.

Kavya, looking a bit stern, scolded her daughter, "Maine mana kiya tha na tumhe ghar se bahar nikalne se? Kya maine bola tha?"

Bulbul looked down, avoiding her mother’s gaze, while Kavya turned toward Amrit, softening her expression. "Isne aapko pareshan kiya kya?" she asked.

Bulbul quickly shook her head, signalling to Amrit to stay quiet.

Amrit smiled warmly. "Nahi, nahi! Bilkul pareshan nahi kiya. Bas yahin khel rahi thi, aur jab maine gate khola, mujhe bahot pyaari lagi, toh baat karne ke liye ruk gayi," Amrit explained, giving Bulbul a playful wink, which made the little girl smile shyly.

Amrit returned the smile, though she felt a bit awkward about initiating small talk on her own. She found it easier to connect with others when they reached out first.

“Ok then… see you,” Kavya said, still smiling warmly as she turned to leave.

Amrit nodded, giving a small wave in return. Kavya’s little girl, who had been standing beside her, grinned widely at Amrit.

"Byee achi didi!" Bulbul waved at Amrit, flashing a toothy grin.

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

Amrit stepped out of her apartment, locking the door behind her, and adjusted her attire, determined to familiarize herself with the surroundings. She chose the stairs instead of the elevator, descending slowly until she reached the ground floor. As she stepped out into the open, her eyes widened in awe.

The entire area was breathtaking. It was a modern, high-class apartment complex that looked more like a luxurious retreat than a residential area. The garden area was expansive, stretching across the property like a manicured oasis in the heart of the city. The lawns were perfectly trimmed, with lush green grass that sparkled under the sunlight. Tall palm trees swayed gently in the breeze, adding an exotic feel to the surroundings. Alongside the pathways, vibrant flowers of every color bloomed in neat, organized flower beds—roses, hibiscus, tulips, and marigolds—creating a beautiful contrast against the deep green of the grass.

To her right, she noticed a large, modern clubhouse. Its glass facade reflected the sunlight, making it look like a beacon of luxury. Inside, she could see people lounging on stylish furniture, sipping drinks, and chatting casually. Beyond the glass walls, there appeared to be a state-of-the-art gym with sleek equipment and a swimming pool that shimmered invitingly in the sunlight. The pool area had elegant lounge chairs, umbrellas, and even a small poolside café where some residents sat, enjoying refreshments.

The paths through the garden were wide and paved with polished stones, leading to several different areas. A children’s play area was situated to the left, with colorful slides, swings, and monkey bars.

Amrit had wandered around the garden area, taking in the beauty of the place, when she reached a large window of a hall inside the apartment complex. Through the wide glass, she could see a group of young women gracefully dancing kathak, their feet tapping rhythmically to the beats of the tabla. She stood there, captivated, watching the dancers move in sync, lost in the art form she had only seen a few times before.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the garden, Nandini and Preeti were walking leisurely, discussing something quite different.

"Preetu darling, I’m telling you... apne bete ko samjha do logon se tameez se baat kare, varna uski haddiyan tod dungi mai," Nandini fumed, her eyes flaring with frustration. "Phir khud ka ilaaz karta firega."

Preeti chuckled softly at her friend’s rage, patting her shoulder. "I know he messed up. Aur mai tumhe usse maaf karne ko nahi kahungi until you want to," she said with understanding.

Nandini, despite her anger, couldn't help but smile at Preeti’s support. She threw an arm around her and hugged her from the side. "That’s why I love you," she said, her tone softening for a moment, appreciating her friend's loyalty.

Amrit turned to leave, feeling awkward about standing near the hall's window for so long, but just as she stepped back, her dupatta got caught in a half-open window near the hall. She sighed in frustration, leaning towards the window to free the fabric, her hands working to untangle it.

Nandini, who was watching this from afar, frowned suspiciously. "Ye Mrs. Dutta ke window pe kya kar rahi hai?" she muttered, narrowing her eyes.

Preeti, always quick to jump to conclusions, gasped. "Pakka she’s a thief!" Without hesitation, she grabbed a nearby stick and began marching towards Amrit, eyes ablaze.

"Chor! Chor! Chor!" Preeti yelled, brandishing the stick in the air as she ran towards Amrit.

Nandini slapped her forehead, already regretting bringing Preeti along. "Oh God, Preetu... seriously?"

Amrit, in the midst of freeing her dupatta, froze at the sudden shouting. She gasped in shock as Preeti came closer. "Aaa!!" she yelped, pulling the dupatta free just in time.

Preeti reached her, gripping Amrit’s arm tightly. "Nandu, call the police! Main pakad ke rakhti hoon is chor ko!"

"P-police?" Amrit stammered, her eyes wide with horror. "Par maine kya kiya?"

Preeti glared at her. "You were trying to enter someone's house! Thieves ke liye police hi bulate hain, aur kya!" she said, raising the stick as if ready to strike.

Nandini, slightly more level-headed, stepped forward. "Preetu, give her a chance to speak, at least. Oye ladki, what are you doing here? Aise taak jhaak kyun kar rahi thi?"

Amrit, terrified and confused, quickly spoke up. "I’m not a thief! Mera dupatta window mein fas gaya tha. I was just trying to free it."

"Jhuth bol rahi hai!" Preeti snapped, tightening her grip on Amrit’s arm. "Pehle toh kabhi nahi dekha tujhe yahan!"

Amrit groaned in frustration, trying to explain. "Kyunki maine kal shift kiya yahan, Aunty! I’m not a thief, trust me." Desperate, she pulled out the key to her apartment and held it up. "See? This is my key. I live here!"

Preeti’s eyes widened, and she bit her tongue, realizing her mistake. She slowly let go of Amrit’s arm, sheepishly glancing around as a small crowd had gathered, drawn by her earlier yelling. The onlookers stared at them curiously, making Preeti more flustered.

"Oh... uh... I—" Preeti began awkwardly, looking around, trying to play it off. "I just... wanted to be sure, you know?"

Nandini crossed her arms, giving her friend a bemused look. "Preetu, stop creating dramas everywhere we go. Look at everyone staring." She rolled her eyes and turned to Amrit. "Sorry about that.”

Amrit nodded, still a bit shaken but relieved. "It’s okay," she mumbled, rubbing her arm where Preeti had grabbed her.

Preeti smiled sheepishly. "Uh... welcome to the building, I guess?" she offered, trying to smooth things over.

Amrit chuckled nervously, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks... I guess."

Preeti smiled apologetically, still feeling a little embarrassed. "I am so sorry... wo actually, my husband is not here, aur aaj kal yahan bahut chori hoti hain... You know, I’m just so innocent, toh thoda misunderstanding ho gaya." She gave a sheepish shrug.

Amrit smiled, trying to ease the tension. "It’s okay, aunty. Koi baat nahi."

Preeti, still feeling guilty, hesitated for a moment before blurting out, "You know, as an apology, why don’t we grab some coffee at my house? I’m really feeling bad for the whole misunderstanding."

Amrit shook her head politely. "I don’t drink coffee."

Preeti’s face fell a little. "Oh… okay." She sighed, looking a bit disappointed.

Amrit noticed her reaction and smiled warmly. "But chai chalegi."

Preeti’s face lit up instantly. "Ye hui na baat! Tum toh apne biradri ki ho!" she exclaimed excitedly.

Amrit blinked, slightly confused but amused. "Matlab?"

Nandini, who had been silently observing with her arms crossed, chuckled. "Matlab, we’re chai lovers too!"

As they walked, Preeti turned to Amrit with a curious smile. "By the way, tumhara naam kya hai? I didn’t even get your name in all this confusion."

Amrit smiled and responded, "Amrit."

Preeti grinned. "Nice to meet you, Amrit. Main Preeti hoon, aur ye meri best friend, Nandini."

Nandini gave a little wave and added, "Aur tumse milke toh lag raha hai ki hum jaldi best friends ban jayenge. After all, chai jo pasand hai."

Amrit chuckled, feeling more comfortable.

Nandini, always the curious one, leaned forward. "Aur kaam kya karti ho?"

"I am in college completing my PhD in English literature.” Amrit replied with a small smile.

Preeti’s eyes lit up. "That's great.”

As the conversation continued, Nandini’s eyes landed on Amrit’s mangalsutra and sindoor. Curiosity got the better of her. “You are married?” she asked, pointing at the traditional symbols of marriage.

Amrit glanced down at her adornments and nodded. “Haan, mai apne pati ke sath hi aayi yahan.”

Preeti, intrigued, leaned in a little. “What’s your age?”

“23,” Amrit replied, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

Nandini’s eyes widened in surprise. “Bhaii! You are so young. Itne jaldi shadi ho gayi. Jabardasti hui kya?”

Amrit shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Nahi... It's a long story.”

Preeti, still curious, asked, “Kab hui shadi?”

“Kal hi,” Amrit answered, and both Nandini and Preeti’s eyes widened further.

“Toh what are you doing here? I mean, tumhe toh aaj apne mayke mein hona chahiye tha for pag phera,” Preeti said, concern evident in her voice.

Amrit’s expression turned somber as she spoke. “I am an orphan. Papa left me when I was 13 years old and maa left me a few weeks ago.”

The room fell silent for a moment. Nandini and Preeti exchanged glances, their expressions reflecting sympathy and understanding.

“Sorry,” both women muttered in unison, their voices full of empathy.

Nandini reached out and gave Amrit a gentle side hug. “I can understand how it feels. My parents left me when I was 10.”

Preeti looked down, her face reflecting a deep sadness. “My parents also died when I was 55 years old...”

Nandini’s expression turned deadpan as she processed Preeti’s statement. Preeti, noticing Nandini’s reaction, raised her eyebrows in a mix of surprise and defensiveness.

“What? Parents toh parents hote hain na… toh dukh toh utna hi hota hai,” Preeti said, her voice a mix of defiance and resignation.

In the warmth of the café, the conversation took on a comforting tone as Preeti, with a determined yet kind expression, said, “But pag phera toh hona hi chahiye. Nayi nayi shadi hui hai, at least rasam puri hon.”

Amrit looked at her, a mix of surprise and gratitude in her eyes. “You can come to my house for that rasam. Consider me as your mother from now on. Vaise bhi, I needed a daughter,” Preeti offered, her tone filled with genuine affection.

Amrit was overwhelmed, her emotions visibly stirring. “But aunty, how…”

Preeti waved off her concerns with a smile. “Kuch aunty vunty nahi. Dekho, I am so cool, so our vibes will match. You won’t regret making me your family.”

“Me too,” Nandini chimed in, grinning warmly.

Amrit, touched by their heartfelt offer, had tears welling up in her eyes. Nandini and Preeti, sensing her emotional state, reached out and hugged her from both sides, their embrace enveloping her in comfort.

Preeti beamed with excitement as she clasped Amrit's hand. “Toh done, you’re coming to my house for pag phera with your husband tomorrow morning! Uske pehle, I have so many preparations to make. Mai aaj hi Vedu ko keh dungi,” she said, practically bouncing with joy at the thought.

Amrit smiled softly, nodding. The gesture was so heartfelt that it made her feel truly welcomed. “Tumhare husband kya karte hain?” Nandini asked curiously as they began walking.

“He’s a professor,” Amrit replied, her voice soft but filled with a quiet pride.

“Ohh, professor? Interesting,” Nandini mused with a thoughtful expression.

Amrit took Preeti to her apartment, smiling as she gestured toward the door.

“Ye raha mera apartment,” Amrit said proudly.

Nandini, who was with them, suddenly perked up. “Tum to padosi ho gayi... ye samne mera ghar aur ye mere bagal mein Preeti Darling ka apartment,” Nandini added with a playful smile.

Preeti, however, seemed puzzled. “Ye to Akshat ka apartment hai,” she said, curiosity clear in her voice.

“Haan, unka hi to hai,” Amrit nodded in confirmation.

Just then, Akshat, Vedant, and Krishiv walked toward the group, their expressions quickly changing when they saw the ladies standing together. Akshat’s eyes widened in shock when he spotted Amrit with Preeti and Nandini.

Noticing the commotion, Bulbul came out from her apartment.

“Haan ye to Akshat bhaiya ka apartment hai, to tum yaha kaise?” Nandini asked, now confused.

Amrit tried to explain, “Haan, I know ye unka hi hai, par aap unhe kaise janti hain? Wo mere...”

Before Amrit could finish, Akshat quickly interrupted with a big smile plastered on his face. “Helllllooo, everyone!” he said a little too loudly, catching everyone’s attention.

“Aap abhi aa gaye? Aapne to kaha tha aap late se ayenge,” Amrit said, narrowing her eyes.

Everyone turned to look at Akshat, raising their eyebrows in suspicion.

Preeti couldn’t hold back her question any longer, “Tum isse kaise janti ho? Aur Akshat this is your appartment na?” she asked.

“Haan, mera hi toh hai,” Akshat said, trying to sound casual.

Preeti was still confused. “Exactly, par yaha Amrit aur uske husband kaise rehte hain?”

“Wo...wo actually, maine inhe de diya... aur mai paise lene aaya tha,” Akshat quickly added, cutting her off once again.

Amrit raised her eyebrows at him but played along. “Par aap to bole the ye mera bhi ghar hai. Aap paise lenge? I.. don't have any money..mai apne purane vale ghar me vapas chali jaungi,” she said, feeling pang in her heart.

“H...haan, ab aapne khareed liya, to aapka hi hua... hai na, MAASI?” Akshat said, stressing on the word "Maasi," causing Amrit’s eyes to pop out in surprise as she realised the relation between Preeti and Akshat.

“Ha...haan, wahi wahi. Haan, wo inhone ye apartment hame de diya hai, to paise lene aaye hain bache hue,” Amrit added hurriedly, trying to back him up.

Bulbul, however, was too curious for her own good. “Par uncle, aap to aaj dopahal me nikal rahe the iss house ke peeche wale side se. Maine pucha to aap bole ki aap yaha kuch check karne aaye ho,” Bulbul said innocently, her big eyes looking up at Akshat.

Everyone turned to Akshat again, waiting for his response. He cleared his throat. “Haan beta, wo mai check karne aaya tha ki sab thik hai, inhe room acha laga ya nahi,” Akshat mumbled, looking awkwardly at the ground.

He noticed Bulbul was still staring at him with her curious gaze. He gulped and tried to avoid her piercing eyes.

Preeti, sensing the tension, quickly stepped in. “Acha, sab aa gaye hain, to aao mere ghar mai chai banati hu,” she said cheerfully, trying to change the subject.

She looked at Bulbul. “Bulbul baby, aap bhi aao, aapke liye tasty si milkshake banati hun,” Preeti said, smiling at the little girl.

Krishiv picked Bulbul up in his arms. “Haan, Bulbul, chalo,” he said with a chuckle.

“Cheatel uncle, mai door lock kar ke aati hun,” Bulbul said as she wriggled out of his arms and ran back to her apartment to grab the key.

Amrit, confused, looked at Krishiv. “Cheatel uncle?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“That’s me!” Krishiv replied with a laugh, making everyone chuckle.

"But aren't you Akshat's student?" Krishiv asked, suddenly remembering where he'd seen her before.

"Kya? Seriously?? You are studying in his college?" Preeti asked, her eyes widening in surprise. She looked at the Amrit standing in front of her.

Amrit nodded nervously, her fingers fidgeting as she glanced down, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden attention. “Haan... I’m in his class,” she admitted softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Meanwhile, Bulbul called her mom. “Haan, baccha” Kavya’s voice came through the phone.

“Mumma, mai cheatel uncle ke sath Preeti aunty ke ghar jaun? Wo mujhe bula rahe hain,” Bulbul asked sweetly.

“Bulbul ki mummy I will take care of her. Please allow her.” Krishiv requested.

“Uh! Okk, Par bulbul , no shaitani, chup chap se baithe rehna wahan,” Kavya instructed.

Everyone then made their way into Preeti’s home. Nandini, however, stood by the window outside.

“Nandu, andar aa jao,” Krishiv called out to her.

“Nahi, Krishiv. Mujhe andar dekh ke kuch log jal bhun jate hain... mai yahin theek hoon,” Nandini replied, clearly taunting Vedant.

Everyone turned to look at Vedant, who looked equally uncomfortable.

“Vedant, kya kiya tune?” Akshat asked, raising his eyebrows.

“Rehne dijiye bhaiya. Varna phir taane milenge ki maine sympathy pane ke liye shikayat kar di,” Nandini said with a smirk. “Acha, Amrit, tum Akshat bhaiya ke college mein padhti ho? Bhaiya, aap iss se college mein hi mile the kya?” she asked, smoothly changing the topic.

Krishiv laughed. “Akshat, tu college padhane jata hai ya students se ghar ki dealing karne?” he teased, making everyone burst into laughter.

Before Akshat could respond, Kavya arrived from work. She was about to enter Preeti’s home but noticed Nandini standing by the window.

“Nandini, aap yahan aise kyun khadi ho?” Kavya asked, confused.

“Hehe, wo aise hi. Mujhe abhi ghar jana hai office ka kaam karne, to socha kaun andar aaye,” Nandini said with a wink. “Preetu darling, Kavya aayi hai,” she called out.

Kavya entered the house and greeted everyone. “Hello, everyone,” she said with a warm smile.

“Kavya, aao, baitho. Mai chai bana rahi hu,” Preeti offered.

“Nahi, it’s ok, Aunty. Mai bas Bulbul ko lene aayi thi. Come, beta,” Kavya said, trying to politely decline meanwhile bulbul hides behind Krishiv clutching his shirt.

“Bulbul ki mummy she just came here and Preeti aunty is preparing chocolate milkshake for her. Aap bhi aaiye na.” Krishiv said

Preeti, however, wouldn’t hear of it. “Bilkul, aise kaise chali jaoge lekar, tum bhi chai pee kar hi jaana. Aao, ab baitho,” Preeti said, gently taking her hands and making her sit down.

As they settled in, Kavya noticed Amrit. “Arre, Amrit, tum bhi yaha ho?” she asked, surprised.

“T...tum bhi janti ho inhe?” Akshat asked, equally surprised.

“Haan, I met her at afternoon,” Kavya replied casually.

Akshat mentally groaned. “Hey Bhagwan, isko puri building me dosti karne ke liye mera khandan aur jan pehchan ke log mile the kya,” he thought to himself in frustration.

Just then, Vikram, after a long business trip, finally entered the house and was surprised to see a group gathered in the living room. “Ye itni bheed kyun lagi hui hai bhai?” he asked, looking around with raised eyebrows.

Preeti's face lit up, and she grinned widely. "Vikrammmmm!!" she yelled excitedly, rushing toward him. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Vikram, clearly not expecting such a public display, looked around awkwardly, noticing everyone trying to hold back their smiles.

"Preeti, what are you doing? Bacche hain yahan!" Vikram muttered under his breath, feeling a bit embarrassed by her enthusiasm.

"So what? I’m just welcoming my husband back! Koi problem hai kya?" Preeti asked, pulling back slightly and planting a playful kiss on his cheek, completely unbothered by the crowd.

Everyone immediately shook their heads, grinning.

"Tumhara kuch nahi ho sakta," Vikram sighed, shaking his head while trying to hide a small smile of his own.

Preeti just clicked her tongue playfully. "Arre, you missed me, admit it!" she teased, folding her arms with a cheeky grin.

Vikram smiled softly. "Haan, haan... I missed you," he mumbled, his affection shining through despite his feigned annoyance. Everyone around couldn't help but smile at their playful banter.

Preeti smiled warmly. “Aaiye, mai milwati hoon. Ye Amrit hai, ye apne husband ke sath hamare samne se side wale ghar me shift hui hai kal hi,” Preeti said.

“Namaste, mausi... uncle,” Amrit said, standing from her place and touching Vikram’s feet out of respect. Akshat smiled, pleased by her gesture.

“Arre, arre, beta... khush raho,” Vikram said, holding her shoulders to stop her from bowing.

As Amrit settled back in her seat, Vikram asked curiously, “Par beta, samne se side wala apartment to Akshat ka hai.”

Amrit quickly explained, “Inhone hame de diya hai. I mean he selled that apartment.”

“Ohh, acha acha,” Vikram nodded in understanding.

Preeti then pointed out, “Aur ye Kavya aur iski beti Bulbul. Ye bhi do din pehle shift hue.”

Kavya joined her hands in greeting. “Namaste,” she said politely.

“Namaste beta.” He said, gently pulling her cheek.

As everyone gathered in Preeti’s living room, chatting and enjoying each other's company, Akshat took out his phone from pocket and quickly typed out.

Akshat: "Shopping par kal chalte hain?"

Amrit, sitting across from him, heard the faint buzz of her phone. She checked the message and glanced at Akshat, who gave her a casual nod. She quickly typed her reply:

Amrit: "Thik hai, jaisa aap kahen."

Akshat, sensing her hesitation, immediately texted back:

Akshat: "Nahi, tum batao. Agar important hai to aaj hi chal denge, raat me."

Amrit bit her lip, feeling a bit nervous about the whole situation. She looked around the room, seeing Akshat's family, and typed:

Amrit: "Par aapke ghar wale hain. Dekh liya kisine toh problem ho jayegi."

Akshat chuckled softly to himself, glancing at Amrit before replying:

Akshat: "Don’t worry, kuch nahi hoga."

However, their quiet exchange didn’t go unnoticed. Little Bulbul had been eyeing them both. Her innocent voice broke the moment.

"Amrit didi, aap aur Akshat uncle ek sath type kar rahe ho? Ek dusre se baat kar rahe ho kya?"

The room went silent, and suddenly, all eyes were on Akshat and Amrit. Akshat's hand froze over his phone as he shot a quick look at Amrit, whose face had turned crimson. Both of them scrambled for an explanation.

Akshat was the first to recover. He cleared his throat and spoke, trying to sound casual.

"Uh...nahi, nahi, Bulbul. Wo... mere ek student ka message tha. Kal ki class ke baare mein pooch raha tha." He forced a smile, though his voice was slightly strained.

Amrit, equally flustered, quickly followed up.

"Haan... aur..mere pati ka message tha!" She blurted the first excuse that came to her mind, her heart racing.

Bulbul tilted her head, still curious but now a little confused. Kavya, noticing the tension, quickly stepped in to rescue the situation.

"Bulbul, beta, tum aaj kal bohot bolne lagi ho. Zyada sawal poochti ho!" Kavya said gently, smiling to lighten the mood.

Bulbul’s eyes widened as she realised she might have said something wrong. She looked up at Akshat and Amrit, her small hands covering her mouth.

"Sholly” Bulbul said apologetically, her voice soft and sincere.

Amrit smiled at her and patted her head, "It's ok, little shaitan.” Akshat also gave her a reassuring smile.

"Alright everyone, gotta go! I have a meeting. Aur yaha khade khade pair dukh gaye," Nandini said, waving at everyone as she headed for the door.

Vedant’s eyes followed her, and he looked down, guilt creeping into his expression.

Preeti noticed and immediately snapped at him. "Ab shakal kya bana raha hai? Maine kitni baar kaha hai, think twice before saying anything. Dekh, mai keh rahi hun agar do din ke andar Nandu mere ghar nahi aayi na, toh tujhe bahar phek dungi mai," she warned, wagging a finger at her son.

Vedant sighed heavily, unable to find the words to defend himself.

"But what exactly happened?" Krishiv asked, curiosity piqued. Preeti, not one to hold back, filled everyone in on the situation.

Vikram shook his head in disappointment. "What's wrong with you, Ved?"

"Aunty is right, you need to apologise to her," Krishiv added, looking at Vedant seriously.

"I know..." Vedant muttered. "I just... I don’t know how to."

Akshat, leaning back in his seat, gave a shrug. "You’ve messed up yourself toh khud soch," he said bluntly, crossing his arms.

Vedant ran a hand through his hair, clearly stressed. Just then, Akshat stood up, signaling it was time for him to leave. "Accha masi, I should leave now," he said, pulling out his phone discreetly and typing a message.

Amrit, sitting nearby, glanced down at her phone. "I will be in the car, so you come after me," the message read. She nodded subtly in response, while Bulbul watched them suspiciously from the corner of her eye.

Akshat noticed Bulbul’s gaze and quickly looked away, trying to avoid raising more suspicion.

"You just came, Akshat! Aur I’m thinking ki aaj dinner yahin kar ke jao," Preeti suggested with a warm smile.

"Haan, that’s a good idea," Vikram chimed in, clearly liking the thought of everyone staying longer.

Akshat scratched the back of his head, hesitant. "Par maa..." he began, but Preeti cut him off with a wave of her hand.

"Arre, didi ko mai samjha dungi," she said confidently. Akshat exchanged a quick look with Amrit, typing another message under the table.

"Kal hi chalte hain." he sent. Amrit saw it and responded with a thumbs-up emoji, playing along quietly while keeping her expressions neutral.

The rest of the group carried on their chatter, unaware of the quiet exchange between the two.

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

How was the chapter??

Do vote and comment ❤️✨.

Tap the star button to vote.

Do follow us on Instagram for spoilers and news related to updates.