♡32♡

Vote Target - 4.7k

Comments - 3k

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of the classroom as Amrit sat at her desk, her notebook open and pen in hand. Her brows were slightly furrowed in concentration as she absorbed the lecture. Around her, the quiet hum of her classmates’ murmurs filled the room as they diligently took notes. The atmosphere was a mix of focus and anticipation, given that the Diwali vacation was just around the corner.

At the front of the class, Akshat stood, his posture poised and confident. Having just finished the day’s session, he glanced at the students, his eyes scanning their attentive faces. He cleared his throat, signaling that he had an announcement to make. The murmurs subsided as all eyes turned to him.

“Alright, everyone,” Akshat began, his voice steady yet authoritative. “As you know, these sessions were meant to serve as an introduction—to familiarize you with the syllabus, the key topics, and the expectations for your PhD program in English Literature. However, starting after the Diwali vacations, we’ll be transitioning to the next phase of your studies.”

A ripple of curiosity spread through the class, with a few students exchanging glances. Amrit leaned forward slightly, eager to hear more.

“From now on,” Akshat continued, “there won’t be regular lectures like the ones we’ve been having. The nature of a PhD program is independent and research-driven. Your primary focus will shift to conducting in-depth research, participating in seminars, and attending workshops. These activities are designed to refine your critical thinking and analytical skills, which are essential for advanced study in English Literature.”

He paused, allowing the information to sink in before elaborating. “Each of you will be assigned to a research group based on your chosen area of interest—whether it’s literary theory, comparative literature, post-colonial studies, feminist literature, or any other domain. Every group will be provided with a guide, who will mentor you throughout the process. Your guide will assist you in narrowing down your research topic, structuring your thesis, and navigating the challenges you may face during your research journey.”

A hand shot up from the middle of the class. It was a bespectacled student, his face curious. “Sir, will you also be a guide? I mean, you’re the director, so it’s not certain that you’ll take up individual mentoring, right?”

Akshat smiled slightly, appreciating the straightforward question. “That’s a valid point,” he said, nodding. “Given my responsibilities as the director, my schedule is tight. However, I’ll review my availability and, if possible, I may take up guiding one group. But this will depend entirely on my commitments and the topics at hand. Rest assured, the assigned guides will be experienced faculty members who are well-versed in their respective fields.”

He leaned slightly against the podium, his tone growing more encouraging. “Use the Diwali break to think deeply about your interests and potential topics. When you return, be ready to share your preliminary ideas. Remember, the more effort you put in now, the smoother your research process will be.”

With that, Akshat closed his notes and looked at the class. “Any further questions?”

When no hands went up, he nodded in satisfaction. “Alright, that’s all for today. Class dismissed.”

The bustling college campus echoed with the chatter of students, their conversations filled with excitement, gossip, and dreams. Amrit and Vidya were no different, standing by the notice board, their expressions animated.

"Kash mere guide Akshat sir hon," a girl nearby sighed dreamily, clasping her hands together as if praying.

Changing the topic, Vidya nudged her. "Chal canteen chalte hain. Thoda timepass karte hain."

Amrit glanced at her watch and shook her head. "Tu jaa, mujhe library jaana hai. Himanshu sir ne kuch books ke baare mein bataya tha. Unhe dekhna padega."

Vidya gave her a thumbs up. "Alright, library queen. Milte hain baad mein."

As Vidya walked away, Amrit made her way to the quiet sanctuary of the library. The calm atmosphere welcomed her as she pushed the door open. The soft hum of the air conditioner and the faint rustling of pages created an oddly comforting background noise.

Her focus on her task, Amrit didn’t notice the chair slightly jutting out from its place. Her foot hit it with a thud, causing the chair to screech and topple over. She stumbled, arms flailing as she tried to regain her balance, the commotion breaking the silence of the library.

All heads turned towards her, some annoyed, others curious. But none of those stares were as piercing as Akshat’s. He was seated a few tables away, deep in discussion with some professors. His sharp gaze shifted to the source of the disruption, and for a moment, his eyes locked with Amrit’s.

Embarrassed, Amrit froze, her cheeks turning crimson. She quickly straightened up and gave a sheepish smile. Akshat’s expression was a mix of exasperation and amusement as he shook his head ever so slightly, his lips pressing into a thin line to suppress a reaction.

Amrit settled into a chair near the corner of the library, placing the books she had gathered on the table in front of her. The quiet surroundings allowed her to fully immerse herself as she flipped through the pages, her expressions changing with each line she read. Sometimes her brow furrowed in concentration, and other times her lips twitched into a soft smile as she came across something amusing.

From a distance, Akshat found himself distracted. Sitting at the head of a table surrounded by professors discussing an upcoming proposal, his gaze kept drifting toward Amrit. He watched as she smiled at something in the book, her fingers tracing a line on the page. Then, suddenly, she slapped her forehead, realizing she had picked up the wrong book. Her sheepish chuckle reached him, and without thinking, a chuckle escaped his own lips too.

The professors turned to him in confusion, and he quickly cleared his throat, covering his reaction with a cough.

Amrit, oblivious to his attention, stood up and walked toward the bookshelf to replace the book. She moved along the shelves, scanning the spines, her expressions shifting between curiosity and satisfaction as she picked and examined different books. Her carefree manner and subtle antics made her look almost… adorable.

Akshat couldn’t help but stare, a small, involuntary smile tugging at his lips. But then, as if sensing his gaze, Amrit turned and caught him staring. Her eyebrows rose in surprise, and she tilted her head slightly, silently questioning him.

Flustered, Akshat quickly looked down, pretending to shuffle through some papers on the table. Amrit smirked, shaking her head as she returned to the bookshelves. She hadn’t taken his reaction seriously, but when she glanced back again, she found him looking at her once more. This time, he didn’t look away.

"So, what should we decide, sir? How does this idea sound?" one of the professors asked, drawing Akshat’s attention back to the meeting.

Without thinking, still partially lost in his thoughts, Akshat murmured with a faint smile, "So pretty."

The room went silent. Every professor turned to him with frowns and puzzled expressions. Across the room, Amrit froze, her eyes widening as she realized what he’d just said.

Akshat’s smile dropped, and he blinked rapidly, scrambling for an explanation. "I—I mean, yeah, the idea is… pretty good. We should go with it," he stammered, trying to regain his composure.

The professors exchanged hesitant glances before nodding. "So it’s decided. We’ll host a cultural fest every month," one of them announced.

Akshat’s expression immediately shifted from flustered to incredulous. "What?? Every month?" he asked sharply, leaning forward in his seat. "Whose idea was this?"

Another professor, emboldened by his earlier approval, replied, "Yours, sir. You just said it was good."

Akshat pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Actually… I was thinking of something else. Sorry for the confusion," he said, his tone firm but composed. "But let me make this clear: this is not happening. This college is known for its academics. We cannot waste time and resources arranging cultural fests every month. They will continue to happen as they usually do, and that’s final."

His strict tone silenced any further arguments, and the professors nodded, quickly wrapping up their notes and gathering their things. "Alright, sir. As you say," one of them muttered before they all began to leave.

Amrit wandered over to another section of the library, scanning the rows of bookshelves as her fingers lightly traced the spines. She spotted the book she needed on a higher shelf and frowned. Rising onto her toes, she reached for it, but it was just out of her grasp. Determined, she jumped slightly, hoping to knock it loose.

Instead of the desired book falling, three others tumbled down, landing squarely on her head. She winced, rubbing the spot where the books had hit, muttering under her breath about her terrible luck.

Just then, Akshat, who had been walking nearby to browse a different shelf, saw the incident unfold. Suppressing a sigh, he approached her, shaking his head at her antics. Without a word, he bent down and picked up two of the fallen books.

Amrit, flustered, quickly bent to grab the third one. She stood up, clutching it awkwardly, as Akshat placed the two books back on the shelf. Then, turning to her, he extended his hand expectantly, palm out.

"Book," he said simply, his tone low but authoritative.

Amrit blinked, momentarily stunned, but then hurriedly handed over the book she was holding. Akshat took it without breaking eye contact and moved a step closer to her. His gaze was intense, and she instinctively stepped back, only to collide with the bookshelf behind her.

Her breath hitched as she found herself cornered. Akshat’s eyes softened slightly, a small smile playing on his lips as he leaned in, his face just inches from hers. The proximity made her heart pound wildly in her chest, her cheeks burning crimson.

Amrit felt her pulse quicken, and time seemed to slow as his gaze traveled over her face. He lingered for a moment, studying her expression with an amused glint in his eyes. Then, without a word, he turned, reached up effortlessly, and pulled out the book she had been struggling to retrieve earlier.

Before walking away, Akshat reached out and gently patted her cheek, his touch lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.

Kavya stepped into the grand Singhania mansion, following Vihaan with a stack of his files in her hands. The rich, sophisticated decor of the house never failed to momentarily dazzle her, but today her attention was drawn to the living room. There, Krishiv was seated on the plush sofa, engaged in animated conversation with a young woman who exuded elegance and charm. Vishakha, always poised and graceful, sat nearby, watching the two with an approving smile.

As Kavya and Vihaan walked further in, Krishiv’s eyes shifted, landing on Kavya. A warm smile spread across his face, and he immediately stood up. "Good morning," he greeted her, his voice cheerful.

"Good morning," Kavya replied with a polite smile, her demeanor composed.

Krishiv turned toward the woman beside him, gesturing with a casual wave of his hand. "Kavya, meet Alya. She’s Vihaan’s cousin and my old classmate." He then looked at Alya, adding, "And Alya, meet Kavya. She’s Bulbul ki—"

Before Krishiv could finish, Kavya quickly interrupted, her tone light but firm. "Kavya Dixit," she said, smiling as she extended a hand toward Alya.

Alya smiled back, her handshake warm and friendly. Krishiv scratched the back of his neck, giving Kavya a sheepish look as he mouthed, Sorry. Kavya simply shook her head, dismissing it with a faint smirk.

"Accha, bua, I should leave now," Alya said, rising gracefully from her seat. She turned to Krishiv, tilting her head slightly. "Krish, will you drop me home?"

Vishakha chimed in with a smile. "Krishiv, tum waise bhi ja hi rahe ho. Drop Alya on your way."

Krishiv nodded, his smile widening. "Of course. Chalo, Alya." Turning back to Kavya, he added playfully, "Bye, Bulbul ki mummy," before walking toward the door with Alya.

Kavya watched as they left, her eyes trailing the pair as they laughed and talked effortlessly on their way out. Alya’s laugh was light and musical, while Krishiv’s expression softened in a way Kavya hadn’t seen before.

Once the door closed behind them, Vishakha leaned back and spoke, her voice carrying a hint of hope. "Alya is good for Krishiv, na? I think he likes her too."

Vihaan, seated beside her, looked up from the files he was skimming. "Maa, we can’t assume that. Mujhe toh aisa kuch nahi laga. He just treats her like a normal friend."

Vishakha shook her head, her tone insistent. "Haan, but if they spend some time together, he’ll start liking her. That’s why I asked her to join his company. She already likes him. Kab tak single rahega? Let them spend time together. Maybe they’re meant for each other."

"Ho sakta hai," Vihaan replied with a shrug, his focus returning to his papers.

Kavya stood silently, gripping the files in her hand as their words sank in. A strange heaviness settled in her chest, one she didn’t fully understand. The image of Krishiv laughing with Alya replayed in her mind, and the thought of him with someone else—a thought she had never entertained before—suddenly felt unbearable.

Akshat unlocked the door with the spare key, He stepped inside the dimly lit home and made his way to Amrit's room. As he opened the door, he saw her sitting on the floor, leaning against the bed, fast asleep. Her head rested at an awkward angle, and a notebook was loosely gripped in her hand, while scattered books surrounded her.

He shook his head with a soft chuckle, kneeling beside her. His eyes softened as he took in her peaceful face. Memories of their conversations flashed in his mind.

Amrit's Words

"I do. I love him with all my heart, with every breath I take. He's the air I breathe, the earth beneath my feet. He's like the stars in the sky... guiding me through the darkness. I love him more than words could ever express. He's the reason my heart beats, the reason I smile even when the world seems too heavy."

Vaibhav's Words

"I'm not saying you have to love Amrit right away, Akshat. You don't need to rush. Take your time. But you have to let go of that fear of falling. Just like you did with the bicycle. You kept riding, even when you fell, because you trusted that you would get better. Love works the same way. Let go of the fear in your heart, and give yourself the chance to learn. To grow."

Akshat gently caressed her hair and whispered, “I will try, Amrit. I will try to love you with all my heart, with my soul. But please give me some time.”

Carefully, he picked up the books scattered on the floor, placed them on her study table, and took the notebook from her hand. After ensuring everything was in order, he scooped her up in his arms and gently laid her down on the bed. He pulled the blanket over her and sat beside her, gazing at her face.

“Kash Kritika se pehle tum mujhe mili hoti,” he murmured, caressing her head.

Suddenly, Amrit’s eyelids fluttered open. Disoriented, she saw Akshat sitting close and immediately sat up, startled.

“U-uth gayi tum,” Akshat said, quickly sitting straight and rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

“Akshat? Aap kab aaye? Mai so nahi rahi thi, padh rahi thi!” Amrit blurted, glancing around nervously. She spotted the empty space on the floor where she’d been sitting. “Books kahan gayi? Aur mai to wahan thi na!”

Akshat raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. “Oh madam, aap ghode bech ke so rahi thi! Maine tumhe padhne ko bola tha, ya neend puri karne ko?”

Amrit grinned sheepishly. “Wo... hihi, galti se so gayi thi.”

“Aur zameen par kyun so rahi thi?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.

“Wo… bed pe neend aa rahi thi, table pe bhi. Socha zameen par shayad na aaye… but galti se…” she trailed off.

Akshat shook his head in mock exasperation. Just then, Amrit’s eyes fell on the study table, where some boxes and a bag were kept.

“Wo kya hai?” she asked curiously.

“Khud dekh lo,” Akshat replied casually, gesturing toward the table.

Amrit got off the bed and opened the bag. Inside, she found a small ring box. She opened it to reveal a delicate gold ring.

“Wow, sundar hai! Par kyun?”

“Kal Dhanteras hai. Lakshmi ke liye liya hai. Kal pooja karke chadha dena,” Akshat explained with a soft smile.

Amrit nodded and placed the ring in her drawer. Suddenly, she felt something cold around her neck. She turned to look in the mirror and saw Akshat standing behind her, fastening a diamond necklace around her neck.

“Akshat… yeh?” Amrit whispered, her fingers brushing the necklace.

“Yeh meri Lakshmi ke liye,” Akshat replied with a smile, locking the clasp.

Amrit turned to him, her eyes wide with surprise. “Akshat, iski kya zarurat thi?”

“Tum mujhse kuch maangti nahi iska matlab yeh nahi ki mera tumhare liye koi farz nahi hai. Aur mujhe tumhe yeh dena tha,” he said, his voice firm yet tender.

“Thank you. It's so beautiful,” Amrit said, her cheeks tinged with pink.

“Nahhh!” Akshat teased. “It's looking beautiful because you wore it."

Amrit’s eyes sparkled as she suddenly stepped forward and hugged him tightly. “You are the best husband in the world.”

Akshat laughed, pulling back slightly. “Tum yeh naye naye cringe dulhan wale dialogues kyun bol rahi ho?”

Amrit gasped dramatically. “Haww, Akshat!” She playfully hit his chest but couldn’t help breaking into laughter. Akshat joined her, and the sound of their laughter filled the room.

Akshat couldn’t resist and gently pressed Amrit’s soft cheeks, his fingers sinking into her chubby face. She wrinkled her eyebrows, her fake anger evident as she tried to glare at him. Amused by her futile attempt, Akshat chuckled softly, his laughter warm and teasing. Before she could say anything, he reached out and ruffled her hair playfully, leaving her strands in complete disarray. Amrit huffed, turning her face away as if to show her annoyance, but the slight pout on her lips gave away her amusement.

Akshat shook his head, smiling, and leaned closer to gently fix her messy hair. His fingers worked carefully, brushing the strands back into place. When he was done, he gave her an affectionate look and pulled her into a warm hug.

Amrit melted into his embrace, her fake irritation fading as she rested her head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. A quiet, tender moment passed between them, filled with nothing but soft breaths and the unspoken comfort of being close to each other.

“You’re too cute,” he said with a wide grin.

Amrit pouted, wrinkling her eyebrows in mock irritation. “35 saal ke umar mein 20 saal ke boyfriend jaise behave mat kariye,” she teased, laughing.

Akshat let out a dramatic gasp, breaking the hug and sitting on the bed. “Pehli baat, mai 35 ka nahi hoon. I’m only 29!” he protested, folding his arms.

Amrit suppressed her laughter, pressing her lips together. “To aise budhon jaisa look lekar ghoomenge, to aise hi lagenge na.”

“How rude, Amrit! Aur mai kya karoon? College ke ladke ki tarah T-shirt pehen kar ghoomoon? Aur vaise bhi jo novels padhti ho usme bhi to aise dress up hote hain” Akshat replied, pouting like a child.

Amrit chuckled. “Haan par kabhi kabhi formal se hat ke bhi kuch try karna chahiye...formal me bhi aap aise dress-up hote hain without any colour combination.”

Akshat raised an eyebrow. “Colour combination? Ab mai ladkiyon ki tarah outfits select Karun ki nahi iss shirt ke paas ye blazer acha nahi lag raha ye pants achi nahi lag rahi.”

Amrit shook her head in mock disapproval. “Aapke zamane ke logon mein fashion sense hi nahi hota.”

Akshat widened his eyes in disbelief. “Yaar tum to kabhi kabhi Aise baat karti ho jaise mai dinosaur ke zamane se chala aa raha hoon. Aur tum 23 saal ki ho, sirf 6 saal ka fark hai. Toh zyada bolne ki zarurat nahi hai.”

Amrit smirked. “Phir bhi, thoda to fark hai. Aur jo sach hai woh bol rahi hoon. Thik hai, you look handsome in every outfit, but kuch different try kariye ab. Like T-shirt, pants, and maybe a denim jacket over it!”

Akshat tilted his head, his lips quirking into a half-smile. “Tumhe toh bada pata hai fashion ka, haan?”

Amrit raised her chin proudly. “Haan, pata hai! That’s why from now onwards, I will select outfits for you.” She added a playful flick of her hair for extra attitude.

Akshat shook his head, smirking. “Sapne dekh liye ho jagte hue? So jao ab. Mai khud decide karunga apna style. Tum aaj kal ki ladkiyan pata nahi kya bana dogi mujhe. I don’t want to look like a hippie.” He lay down on the bed, closing his eyes dramatically.

Amrit rolled her eyes and lay down beside him. “Pehn na to aapko meri choice ka hi padega,” she said, turning on her side to face him with a playful smile before closing her eyes.

Akshat peeked at her from the corner of his eye, chuckling softly. “ziddi kahin ki” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

Amrit opened one eye and smirked. “Suna maine, Akshat!”

“Haan haan, sun lo. Mai nahi pehnuga nahi pehunga matlb nahi pehnuga” Akshat said finally closing his eyes.

The night was quiet, the streets illuminated by dim streetlights as Vedant walked with purpose, his footsteps steady and deliberate. His mind raced, but all he could think about was getting one glance at Nandini. Just one. He arrived at Vikram's office, his pulse quickening as he approached the door, heart pounding with anticipation.

As he entered, the soft murmur of voices caught his attention. There, walking confidently down the hallway, was Nandini, laughing freely with a man by her side. Her laughter echoed through the quiet office, and Vedant’s gaze locked onto her instantly. His breath caught as he watched her, but the smile on her face wasn’t directed at him.

The man beside her, laughing along, looked familiar. Vedant squinted and his frown deepened as recognition hit him. It was Kaushik, one of Vikram's employees. He watched as they casually chatted, the easy camaraderie between them making something in Vedant's chest twist with discomfort.

He followed them out, his steps slow and quiet, careful not to alert them to his presence. As he kept his distance, he overheard their conversation.

“Chal, I will drop you home,” Kaushik said, his voice light, as though it was the most casual of gestures.

“Haan, bas kuch din aur pareshan karungi tujhe... meri khud ki car aa jayegi,” Nandini replied, grinning.

Vedant’s heart skipped a beat. She’s buying a car? he thought, his brow furrowing as his jealousy flared up. He hadn’t known about her car, nor had he expected to hear that a man like Kaushik knew such personal details about Nandini.

“Waah! Toh chal, issi baat pe party meri taraf se,” Kaushik said, clearly enjoying the moment.

“Ok, chal,” Nandini responded with a playful tone, and they started walking towards the car.

Vedant’s fists clenched at his sides, the sight of them together stirring something possessive within him. Bhagwan, kya ho raha hai mere saath? Ye sare ladkon ko meri Nandini hi kyun milti hai? he thought to himself, his jealousy intensifying. Wo Rajat se peecha chhuta toh ye naya namoona aa gaya.

Determined to put an end to his spiraling thoughts, Vedant marched over, his steps swift and purposeful. Without thinking twice, he reached them and with a firm hand, he removed Kaushik’s arm from Nandini’s shoulder. Both Nandini and Kaushik paused, surprised by the sudden interruption.

Vedant smiled, though the grin was forced, masking the jealousy that burned beneath the surface. “Hii Kaushik,” he said, his voice cordial but edged with tension.

Kaushik, taken aback, stiffened and frowned at Vedant’s sudden appearance. “Hello, sir,” he said, his tone polite but confused.

Nandini, her eyes wide with surprise, glanced at Vedant and then back at Kaushik. “Vedant, kya ho raha hai?” she asked, her voice a mixture of confusion and curiosity.

Vedant ignored her question for the moment, his focus solely on Kaushik. His grip on Kaushik’s hand tightened slightly, not out of aggression, but as a signal to the man to back off.

“Kaushik, chal,” Nandini said with a dismissive wave, her voice clear but carrying an undertone of irritation. She wanted to get away from the uncomfortable tension that hung between the three of them. She could feel Vedant’s eyes on her, and she knew all too well what he was thinking.

“Kaushik, tum jao, I will drop Nandini. Ham ek hi building me rehte hain,” Vedant said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable authority in it.

Nandini turned to Vedant, her eyebrows knitting together in frustration. “I don’t want to go with you, Vedant. Kaushik, chal!” she said again, a little more forcefully this time, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.

Vedant’s eyes hardened, the possessiveness and tension in his posture becoming evident as he stepped closer to Nandini. “Kaushik, tum please jao,” he said, his voice not a request, but more of a command.

“Sir, I can’t leave her with you when she doesn’t want to go with you,” Kaushik said, his words heavy with reluctance, though he wasn’t entirely convinced.

Nandini turned to Kaushik, her face showing frustration, and then she glanced at Vedant, whose expression was now a mix of annoyance and something deeper. She could feel the strain between them, the conflict rising within her as the night’s calmness started to feel suffocating.

For a moment, there was silence, before Vedant finally spoke, his voice much louder now, firm, and almost challenging. “She’s my girlfriend, Kaushik,” he said, shocking both Nandini and Kaushik into stunned silence. His words hung in the air like a thunderclap, the implication of them hanging heavily between the three of them.

Nandini’s mouth parted in shock, her eyes wide, and she froze in place, completely caught off guard by Vedant’s declaration. She hadn’t expected him to say that, and the suddenness of it left her speechless.

Kaushik blinked, his confusion momentarily turning into surprise. “What?” he said, his voice laced with disbelief. “She’s your girlfriend?” He turned to Nandini for confirmation, but she just stood there, unable to form words.

“Yes,” Vedant said, his voice unwavering. He stepped closer to Nandini, his gaze fixed on her as if he had no intention of backing down. “She is my girlfriend, and I’d like to speak to her alone. So please, leave us be.” His tone was more insistent now, no longer pretending that the situation was anything other than what he had just announced.

Kaushik, sensing the confusion and tension building between them, sighed and finally nodded. “Fine. I’ll go,” he said, though he looked back at Nandini with concern before taking a few steps backward.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Nandini's voice was low but simmering with rage. “How dare you call me your girlfriend? Who do you think you are?” She took a step back, her eyes blazing with fury, her heart racing as the words poured out of her.

“I—Nandini, I’m sorry,” Vedant said, his voice strained. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “I was feeling jealous. I didn’t know what else to do.”

“Jealous?” Nandini’s laugh was sharp, cutting through the air like a knife. “You have no right to feel jealous, Vedant. You have no claim over me. You don’t get to just swoop in and act like you’re the only one who matters!” Her words were harsh, each one like a slap to his face.

Vedant’s chest tightened, and he felt the sting of her words more than he had anticipated. “I’m sorry,” he said again, his voice filled with regret. “I just... I couldn’t stand the thought of you with someone else. I care about you, Nandini.”

“Care?” Nandini spat the word out as though it were something poisonous. “What does ‘care’ even mean when you’re trying to control every part of my life? What do you know about care?” Her hands balled into fists at her sides, trembling with rage. “You don’t care about me, Vedant. You care about your damn ego! You care about controlling me!”

“Please, Nandini, just let me explain,” Vedant pleaded, stepping forward, but she held her hand up, stopping him in his tracks.

“I’ve heard enough, Vedant,” she said through clenched teeth, her voice growing louder, more intense with every word. “I don’t want your apologies. I don’t want your explanations. Just stay the hell away from me!”

With that, she turned on her heel, walking away from him. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and every part of her wanted to escape. But as she took a few steps, she felt his hand reach out, grabbing her wrist gently but firmly, pulling her back.

“No, Nandini,” Vedant said, his voice soft yet determined. “Please, tell me what’s really going on. Why are you acting like this?”

Nandini stood still, her entire body tense, her fists clenching at her sides. She turned to face him, her eyes blazing with a mixture of fury and hurt. “The reason for my cold behavior is simple, Vedant. I don’t love you. Isn’t that enough of a reason for you to stop chasing me?” Her voice cracked with the weight of her words, and she couldn’t hold back the tears that welled up in her eyes.

Vedant’s expression faltered, but he refused to let go. “No, Nandini, that’s not true. It’s not just about love. It’s about us. I’m ready to be everything you need me to be. I’ll wait. I’ll wait for you as long as it takes.” His grip on her hand tightened slightly, his eyes filled with sincerity and desperation. “All I’m asking is for you to say that you’ll give me a chance. Even in the future. Just tell me you’ll think about it, and I’ll spend my whole life waiting for you. Please, Nandini.”

Nandini looked at him, her eyes filled with disbelief, before she suddenly laughed. It was a bitter, hollow laugh, as if the weight of everything she had been holding inside was finally breaking free. She shook her head, the laugh morphing into something much darker.

“Ha! Give you a chance?” she scoffed. “You think love is something you can just demand? You think a ‘chance’ is enough for me to forget everything I’ve seen, everything I’ve experienced?” Her voice shook with contempt. “You think I’m going to throw myself into some fairy tale with you, after everything I’ve been through? After what I’ve seen love do to people?”

Vedant was silent, the harshness of her words hitting him like a blow. But Nandini wasn’t finished.

“No,” she continued, her voice growing colder, “I’m not going to give you a chance. You’re just like every other man who’s ever tried to claim me. You say you love me, but you don’t even know what love is.”

She took a deep breath, her face hardening as she stared him down. “Men like you, like my father... you don’t know the first thing about love. You think love is something you can control, something you can possess. But it’s not. It’s not something to be held captive by anyone.”

Nandini’s fists clenched tighter, her voice rising in volume as she went on. “Do you want to know what love is, Vedant? Love is what my father did to my mother. It’s the way he used to beat her down, emotionally and physically, telling her that he loved her, that he couldn’t live without her, while he tore her apart. He manipulated her, lied to her, made her believe that she had to accept his cruelty because it was ‘love.’”

Vedant’s face twisted in horror as the words hit him like a slap to the face, but Nandini wasn’t done.

“Do you want to know how it ended, Vedant?” she asked, her voice growing louder now, as if all the pain she had been holding inside for years was finally spilling out. “He killed her. He killed her, and after all that pain, after all that manipulation, he left me alone with his lies. He left me with the broken pieces of her love, and you know what? I don’t believe in love anymore.”

Nandini’s eyes burned with tears, but she didn’t let them fall. Instead, she took a step back, looking at him with a mixture of contempt and sorrow. “I hate this word. I hate it. I hate it because it’s the thing that killed my mother. It’s the thing that destroyed my family. And you, Vedant, are just another man trying to play that game.”

She shook her head, the tears now flowing freely down her cheeks. “So don’t talk to me about love, and don’t talk to me about waiting. I’m done with it.”

“Nandini…” he whispered, almost to himself, as if trying to make sense of it all. “But that day… you told me your mother committed suicide, and... and you said some other things.”

Nandini’s back was turned to him, her shoulders shaking with the remnants of her emotions, but she didn’t respond immediately. The silence between them was suffocating, every second of it adding weight to the heaviness that had settled in her chest. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she spoke, her voice steady but cold.

“I lied,” she said flatly, her words cutting through the air like a blade. “I made up that story. I told you my mother committed suicide to make you feel better. I wanted you to believe I had a reason to hate love, to hate men. But the truth is... it’s more complicated than that. I didn’t want you to know the real reason why I am the way I am. I didn’t want to burden you with the truth.”

She let out a bitter laugh, her eyes glazed with unshed tears. “But now, I realize I shouldn’t have done that. I shouldn’t have given you comfort, shouldn’t have given you false hope. I didn’t know you’d take it as ‘love.’ I didn’t know you’d turn into this... this person who keeps trying to push me into something I can’t give. You’re not like him, Vedant. But that doesn’t mean I can trust you. I don’t know how to trust anyone anymore.”

Vedant stood still, the full weight of her confession sinking in. His mind swirled, and his heart ached for her, but there was one thing that he couldn’t shake—the burning desire to make her see that he was nothing like the man she feared.

“I understand why you feel this way, Nandini,” Vedant said quietly, his voice trembling slightly as he stepped closer to her, his hand reaching out to gently touch her arm. “But tell me, what will it take for you to believe that I’m not like him? What will it take for you to believe that I’m not trying to control you or manipulate you? How can I show you that I’m different? How can I prove that I’m not going to hurt you like he did?”

Nandini’s gaze flicked to him, her expression hardening. She pulled away from him, her anger flaring once more.

“You want to know what it would take?” she spat. “It would take you getting out of my life, Vedant. It would take you leaving me alone, finally understanding that I don’t want your pity, your love, or your apologies. I’ve been dealing with this pain, with this anger, for so long, and the last thing I need is someone trying to fix me. I don’t need you to show me what love is. I don’t need you to prove anything. I need you to leave me alone and stop trying to make me believe in something that’s never been real for me.”

Her voice broke on the last sentence, but she held her ground, her chest rising and falling with the weight of her words.

Vedant stood there, staring at her, his heart shattering in his chest. The desperation in his eyes was unmistakable.

“No,” he said, his voice low and determined. “I won’t let you suffer like this, Nandini. I can’t just walk away and let you carry this pain alone. You need to see what real love is, the kind of love that’s not toxic, that’s not controlling. You need to know that love doesn’t come with conditions, that love doesn’t come with violence or manipulation. You need to see that love can be kind, and gentle, and patient.”

He took a deep breath, his heart racing with the intensity of his emotions. “I know you don’t want this now, but I will show you, Nandini. I will make you feel what real love is. But if you want me to stay away, I will. I’ll love you from far, doing everything I can to show you that I care, that I’m here. And I’ll wait. I’ll wait for as long as it takes, until you trust me, until you see the truth.”

As Vedant’s words echoed in her mind, she felt something inside her snap, and the tears came flooding out.

She dropped to her knees, her body shaking with sobs, unable to hold it in any longer. She had spent so long guarding her heart, keeping it locked away from anyone who might hurt her, but the flood of emotions was too overwhelming now. The walls she had built around herself crumbled, and she was left exposed, vulnerable, broken.

Vedant, still standing a few steps away, watched helplessly as she broke down. His heart twisted in his chest, torn between wanting to comfort her and respecting her space. But seeing her in pain, seeing her like this—it was unbearable.

Without thinking, he walked toward her, his footsteps quiet on the pavement. He knelt beside her, his hands gently reaching out, and before she could even react, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a warm, comforting embrace. The contact was like a lifeline, and for a brief moment, Nandini didn’t fight it. She let herself lean into him, her head resting on his chest, her sobs muffled by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

She didn’t know how long they stayed like that—time seemed to stretch and blur—but in that moment, she allowed herself to feel something she hadn’t let herself feel in years: comfort. She needed it. Needed him.

But after a few minutes, the reality of the situation hit her, and she pulled back slightly, wiping her eyes furiously. She shook her head, trying to regain control of her emotions.

“I—I can’t do this,” she whispered, her voice hoarse. “I don’t want you to pity me.”

Vedant, still holding her shoulders, looked at her with soft, understanding eyes. He didn’t say anything; he didn’t need to. The connection between them was unspoken, the comfort in his gaze enough to show her that he wasn’t pitying her—he was simply there.

But Nandini quickly pulled away, standing up and wiping the last of her tears. She wasn’t ready for this, for him. She wasn’t ready to open up, to be vulnerable with him.

“I’ll take a cab,” she said quietly, her voice distant. “You don’t need to worry.”

Before Vedant could argue, the sound of footsteps interrupted their moment.

"What's going on here?" Vikram’s voice cut through the tension, and Nandini immediately looked up, her face still streaked with tears.

Vedant quickly wiped his own tears, standing up as he tried to mask the emotion in his expression. He forced a small, somewhat strained smile. “Nothing..aise hi.”

Nandini glanced at Vikram, unsure of how to act, but before she could speak, Vikram’s gaze softened when he noticed her tear-streaked face.

“Nandini, come with me,” he said gently, his tone not leaving any room for argument.

Nandini nodded, wiping her eyes once more and forcing a faint smile.

The group was sitting in the living room, brainstorming ideas for Diwali. The festive decorations were already set, but the focus had shifted entirely to a different matter—bringing Amrit and Nikhil closer. Unbeknownst to the group, their "helpful" plans were making Akshat’s blood boil.

"Tu ghoor kyun raha hai?" Krishiv, who had been observing Akshat’s expressions, asked.

"Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha hai ki aap log kyun apni naak ghusa rahe hain Amrit aur uske pati ke beech. Jo hai wo solve kar lenge na," Akshat said curtly.

"Arre, ham Amrit ke family jaise hain, to uska acha bhi hame hi sochna hai," Preeti retorted, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Haan, aur dono ke beech clearly sab thik nahi hai," Nandini said, gesturing dramatically. "Dono baat hi nahi karte. Jab dekho alag-alag baithe hote hain."

"Aur sahi bhi kaise rahegi," Kavya chimed in. "Uska pati itne din baad aaya hai, to obviously misunderstandings aayi hongi."

"Hame kuch karna hoga," Anika declared decisively. "Dono ke beech ki ice break karne ke liye."

"Diwali par acha chance hai," Preeti added, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Shaam ko terrace par kuch plan karte hain. Lights, dinner, aur ek special gift exchange moment rakhein."

"Diwali ki lighting aur festive vibe mein romance blossom karne ka acha time hota hai," Nandini said with a dreamy smile, clasping her hands. "Hum kuch aisa plan karte hain ki dono thoda waqt saath mein guzarein."

"Haan," Kavya chimed in enthusiastically, "Mujhe lagta hai hum ek special dinner setup karein dono ke liye. Terrace par fairy lights, ek chhota sa candlelight dinner, aur light music… bas!"

Akshat’s jaw clenched, but he maintained a composed expression. He tried to focus on his phone, pretending to scroll, but his eyes kept darting toward the group.

"Aur Amrit ko pata bhi nahi chalega ki hum sab ne milke plan kiya hai," Nandini added with a mischievous grin.

"Right! Pati-patni ke beech misunderstandings ko solve karne ka sabse tareeka hai," Anika said. "Imagine karo… dono ek doosre ki aankhon mein aankhein daal ke baithenge, aur bas pyaar hi pyaar hoga."

Akshat’s grip on the phone tightened. His mind screamed, Amrit ke aankhon mein koi aur kyun dekhega?

Akshat couldn’t hold back anymore. "Yaar, jaroori nahi ki wo dono aapke samne baat nahi karte to unki baat hi nahi hoti hai ya unke beech sab thik nahi hai. Ye aap log ka TV serial nahi hai," he said, his voice tinged with irritation.

"Tu chup kar! Reality mein bhi aisa hota hai," Krishiv countered. "Aur tujhe kya dikkat hai, bhai? Apna kaam kar na."

Akshat inhaled deeply, trying to keep his composure and thought “Mujhe kya dikkat hai? Tum log meri wife ke liye romantic plans kar rahe ho kisi aur ke saath, aur main chup baithoon?”

"Okay, so final plan ye hai," Vishakha began, ignoring Akshat's glare. "Ek romantic dance moment hona chahiye."

Kavya’s face lit up. "Haan, Amrit aur Nikhil ka ek slow dance. Fairy lights ke neeche, How romantic!"

Akshat’s fists clenched.

"Romantic dance ke baad ek aur special moment hona chahiye," Preeti suggested. "Ho sakta hai dono ek doosre ko diya hua koi gift ya letter exchange karein."

"Haan," Anika agreed. "Aur dono ko thoda personal space dena padega. Hum unhe terrace par akele chhod dete hain."

The group was deep into their plans, oblivious to Akshat’s growing annoyance. He leaned forward, his expression a mix of irritation and disbelief, and finally decided to interrupt.

"Yaar, tum logon ko lagta hai ki candlelight dinner aur slow dance se sab kuch thik ho jayega?" Akshat said, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Zindagi koi Bollywood movie nhi hai."

"Akshat, tujhe har cheez mein problem kyun hai?" Vishakha asked, frowning. "Hum kuch acha kar rahe hain. Tum bas chup raho."

"Main bas yeh keh raha hoon ki yeh sab unnecessary hai," Akshat said, struggling to keep his tone calm. "Ho sakta hai wo dono comfortable na hoin. Aap log zabardasti kyun kar rahe ho?"

Preeti narrowed her eyes. "Beta, Mujhe lagta hai time aa gaya hai…2 jhapad lagane ka tujhe."

"Kya?" Akshat scoffed, though his slightly flushed face betrayed him. "Maine kya kiya?"

"Kyunki bhaiya aap har plan me tang adaa rahe ho," Nandini said with an eye roll. "Aur ek baat bataiye… aapko kaise pata ki wo dono comfortable hain ya nahi?”

Before Akshat could respond, Kavya jumped in. "Bhaiya relax aapki shadi hogi to aapko aur aap ki wife ke liye bhi ham aise plan kar denge.” Everyone giggled and Akshat shook his head.

“Tu itna react kyun kar raha hai? Amrit ki life hai, let her enjoy." Krishiv said shaking his head.

Akshat couldn’t take it anymore. He stood up abruptly. "Enjoy? Aap log enjoy karne ke chakkar me pata nahi kya kya kar rahe ho." He paused and looked at Preeti. "Aur wo terrace dinner… kaun karega setup? Aap sab kya Nikhil aur Amrit ke naukar ho?"

Preeti raised an eyebrow. "Tension mat le, Akshat. Sab ho jayega. Aur agar itna hi problem hai, to tu mat involve ho."

"Haan," Anika said, smiling sweetly. "In fact, tu chhod, Akshat. Hum manage kar lenge. Tumhe bas dekhna hai ki Amrit aur Nikhil ke beech sab thik ho raha hai."

"Main dekhunga?" Akshat said, his voice rising slightly. "Main… kyun dekhunga?" He fumbled for words, realizing he was drawing more attention to himself. "I am not interested in these filmy type things."

Vishakha, ignoring Akshat’s objections, clapped her hands. "Okay, decide ho gaya. Dinner setup ke baad hum ek chhoti si game rakhte hain, jisme Amrit aur Nikhil ko saath participate karna hoga."

"Game? Kaisi game?" Akshat asked suspiciously.

"Truth or dare type ka kuch," Preeti said. "Dono ek doosre ke secrets share karein ya dare karein ki ek doosre ke liye kuch romantic karein."

Akshat clenched his jaw. "Aap log kyun itna pareshan ho rahe hain mujhe to ye samjh nahi aa raha?"

"Relax, Akshat," Krishiv said, patting his shoulder. " Let them have fun, yaar."

Akshat glared at him, fuming inside but unable to say more. He knew one thing for sure, he had to stop this so-called romantic plan before it went too far. His wife wasn’t going to share a "special moment" with anyone but him.

The kitchen was filled with the aroma of spices and simmering ingredients as Akshat stood in front of the stove, stirring a pot of something that smelled delicious. Amrit had just finished her studies and had wandered into the kitchen, her presence a quiet reminder of their life together. She leaned against the counter, watching him with a small, fond smile.

"Ho gayi padhai?" Akshat asked, glancing over at her as he continued his work.

Amrit nodded, giving a tired but contented sigh as she sank down onto the counter. "Finally," she muttered, her exhaustion evident, but there was still a spark in her eyes.

"Mai kuch help karun?" she asked, eager to do something even though she knew he’d likely say no.

Akshat didn't even look at her as he shook his head, his focus on the task at hand. "Sochna bhi mat," he replied, a teasing note in his voice.

Amrit rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips. "Akshat, atleast let me try na… aap sikha dijiye kuch," she insisted, her voice playful yet sincere.

Akshat sighed dramatically, putting down the spoon he had been stirring with. "Fine," he said, handing her a knife with a slight frown. "Hold this."

Amrit took the knife, but held it awkwardly, as if she was about to murder someone rather than help him with the cooking. The blade was pointed downward, and she looked more like a confused chef than someone ready to chop vegetables.

"Ye kya hai? Murder nahi karna hai, sabji kaatni hai," Akshat said, raising an eyebrow as he watched her. "Straight pakdo."

Amrit pouted, embarrassed at her clumsiness. She adjusted the knife, holding it more properly as Akshat's gaze softened. With determination, she slid off the counter and stood in front of the cutting board. She grabbed a potato and began to slice it, but instead of neat, even cuts, the pieces were all over the place—some too thick, others too thin—clearly a sign that she was putting all her energy and focus into the task but getting nowhere near the result.

"Ye kya hai? Missile nahi bana rahi, itni mehnat aur tension mein nahi hota," Akshat said, laughing lightly as he walked up behind her.

Amrit looked at him in frustration, but her annoyance was short-lived. Akshat reached around her, his hands coming to rest gently over hers, guiding the knife with his palms firmly pressed against her back palm. His warm touch sent a jolt of surprise through her, and her breath hitched as she felt the unexpected closeness between them.

He was focused, his attention entirely on the task at hand, but the warmth of his body so near her own made it difficult for her to concentrate. "See," he said, his voice soft but confident, "just be relaxed. Lightly pakdo knife ko." He began to gently guide her hand with his, showing her the right pressure to apply as they cut through the potato together.

Amrit, lost in the feeling of his hands guiding hers, found herself mesmerized by the simplicity of the moment. She wasn’t looking at the knife or the potato anymore; she was just focused on him.

Amrit's breath hitched, her eyes tracing the lines of his face as he focused on guiding her hand. The world seemed to shrink around them as she looked at him, her heart racing at the unexpected tenderness he was showing her.

Akshat, feeling the pull of the moment, tilted his head slightly, his nose brushing against hers in the most intimate of ways. The sensation was electric. A shiver ran down her spine as her eyes fluttered shut, her breath catching at the sudden closeness.

"Concentrate," Akshat whispered, his voice low, his lips just inches from her skin. His warm breath on her face made her pulse race, the world narrowing to just the two of them, the knife, and the potatoes they were meant to be cutting.

Her eyelids flickered open slowly, and there he was—his deep brown eyes, filled with an intensity she had never seen before, staring straight into hers. Amrit's heart seemed to skip a beat as she realized how close they were. She could feel the warmth of his breath, his presence surrounding her like a steady, comforting force.

Akshat chuckled softly at her flustered expression, his gaze softening as he watched her blush and avert her eyes to the potato on the cutting board, embarrassed by the heat rising in her cheeks.

She couldn’t help but feel a deep flush of warmth at the tender yet playful look in his eyes. The space between them seemed to disappear as the realization hit her that they were no longer just two people in a kitchen—they were two souls, intimately connected by something much deeper.

Akshat gently placed a hand on her cheek, his thumb brushing over her skin as he leaned closer. His lips whispered the softest of words before he placed a gentle kiss on her temple, a smile tugging at his lips as he pulled away slightly, his forehead resting against hers.

But just as the silence between them began to feel comfortable, the door swung open with a sudden creak, and Nikhil walked in, his eyes widening as he caught sight of Akshat and Amrit in such close proximity. His surprise was almost comical, and before Akshat could even say a word, Nikhil turned and bolted back towards the room, his footsteps echoing in the hallway.

"Where are you running? Aa jao," Akshat called after him, amusement lacing his voice.

Nikhil, cheeks flushed with embarrassment, hesitated for a moment before awkwardly walking back into the kitchen. His eyes were still wide, as if processing what he had just seen. "Sorry, sir... I was hungry, so..." he stammered, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.

Akshat chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Ek toh, stop calling me sir. Pure Mumbai ka sir nahi hun mai," he said, waving off Nikhil's formality.

Nikhil nodded, his face turning even redder from embarrassment. "Sorry, Akshat bhai," he muttered, not knowing where to look.

Akshat smirked and shifted his attention back to Amrit. "Cooking aati hai?" he asked Nikhil, raising an eyebrow.

Nikhil nodded eagerly, his enthusiasm returning now that the awkwardness was subsiding. "Haan, thoda bahut," he replied, his hands twitching as if ready to dive into the kitchen duties.

"Accha hai. Aao, help karao," Akshat said with a grin, gesturing for Nikhil to join them. Nikhil's eyes lit up at the offer as he eagerly moved closer to the counter.

Akshat began rolling the dough, his movements steady and efficient. Meanwhile, Nikhil, ever so eager, began slicing onions, his knife moving quickly as he worked beside them.

She picked up the knife once more, attempting to slice the potato evenly, but her cuts came out crooked, and the pieces were far from uniform. Nikhil, standing across from her, couldn't help but notice her struggle. His eyes narrowed as he watched her mishandling the task.

"Amrit, yeh kya kar rahi ho tum? Yeh toh galat hai," Nikhil said, his voice rising with frustration, pointing to the uneven pieces of potato.

Amrit’s eyes flashed with irritation as she put down the knife. She crossed her arms over her chest, looking at Nikhil with a glare that could cut through steel. "Chalo chalo, jyada sikhao mat mereko. Jhuthe makkar aadmi, tum merese baat mat karo," she snapped, her patience wearing thin.

Nikhil’s eyebrows shot up, genuinely shocked by the remark. "Kya??" he asked, incredulous.

"Jhuthe makkar aadmi," Amrit repeated defiantly, her tone full of disdain.

Nikhil blinked, struggling to comprehend what just happened. "Accha?? Mai jhutha?? Aur aap kya hain? Satyawadi Harishchandra ji ki maa? Shuru kisne kiya yeh jhuth?" he shot back, his voice sarcastic and mocking, but the tension was evident in his tone.

Amrit, now fully riled up, retorted with a biting comment, "Haan toh, mujhe kaha se pata tha ki tum aise tapak padoge... pure India mein kaam karne ke liye tumhe mere devar ki hi company mili thi." She shook her head, as if the very idea of it was laughable.

Nikhil, not willing to back down, crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at her. "Aur pure Instagram mein tumhe meri hi photo mili thi," he said with a smug smile, clearly enjoying the banter but also not backing down.

Amrit, with her arms crossed and an amused glint in her eye, shot Nikhil a look that could cut through glass. "Haan ek bandar jaisi shakal ka insaan dhundh raha tha aur tumhari profile picture dekh ke ek minute ko mujhe laga kisi bandar ki picture hai," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm and a playful challenge.

Nikhil’s eyes widened in mock surprise before breaking into a smirk. "Wow, what a funny comeback! Hahaha, haste haste pet dard ho gaya," he said, his tone dripping with amusement, clearly enjoying the verbal sparring.

Amrit wasn’t one to back down. "Toh pet ke andar ka kachra jaa ke washroom me nikalo, yahan muh se nahi," she shot back, her voice sharp, and a little mockingly.

"Chii!! How cheap," Nikhil exclaimed, his face scrunching up in fake disgust.

Amrit raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Like your face?" she quipped, not giving him an inch.

Nikhil rolled his eyes, trying to focus on the onions he was chopping. His face remained stoic, but the mock pain of her words lingered in the air. As Amrit continued to slice potatoes, her eyes were brimming with tears from the sharpness of the onions. She blinked rapidly, trying to keep them at bay, but it was no use.

"Kya hai yaar, udhar jaa ke kaato na... you are doing this intentionally na?" she asked, her voice laced with irritation as she wiped a tear from her cheek.

"Dimag hila hua hai kya? I can't believe that an intelligent person like him married YOU," Nikhil said, his words slicing through the air with a mix of disbelief and sarcastic amusement.

Amrit’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Awww, jalan ho gayi? Tumhe shadi karni thi?" she teased, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction as she took in his irritated expression.

Nikhil, now visibly annoyed, snapped, "Shut up!" His grip on the knife tightened as he chopped the onions faster, clearly done with the entire conversation but unwilling to give her the satisfaction of winning.

Amrit wasn’t done though. She leaned back against the counter, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow at him. "Ek toh mere ghar me hoke mujhe hi akad dikha rahe," she said, her voice low and biting.

"Inka bhi ghar hai, and he gave me permission to stay," Nikhil replied nonchalantly, a smug grin on his face as he subtly reminded her of the fact that Akshat had agreed to let him stay. His confidence was now clearly showing.

Amrit scoffed, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Haan toh abhi jaa ke pol khol dungi na, job bhi jayegi, ghar bhi," she said, sarcastically implying she could make Nikhil’s stay problematic if she wanted to.

"Haan, aur mai toh chup reh jaunga," Nikhil replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he feigned innocence, pretending to be quiet in the face of Amrit’s threats.

The bickering continued, the back-and-forth banter escalating. Meanwhile, Akshat was standing off to the side, witnessing the whole scene unfold before him. His hands were still busy with the dough, but his mind was far from focused on cooking. With each insult thrown, with each sarcastic jab, his temple throbbed in irritation.

"Will you both shut up?? Mujhe shanti se kaam karne do, ya phir bahar jao," Akshat said, his voice sharp and exasperated.

"Isko nikaliye, bakwas kar raha hai, kuch kaam toh aata nahi hai," Amrit added with a hint of mockery, pointing at Nikhil as if he were the source of all the trouble.

Nikhil glanced at the potatoes, which now looked like a crime scene. He burst into laughter, his voice echoing in the now tense room. "Wow, tumhe kitna accha kaam aata hai. Aisa lag raha hai aloo bechare ka khoon ho gaya hai," he teased, clearly amused by the mess.

Akshat's patience was wearing thin as he tried to keep the peace. His phone rang, and he quickly excused himself. He needed to take the call, but more importantly, he needed a break from the madness that was unfolding in his kitchen. "I'll be back," he muttered, walking out of the chaos.

A few minutes later, Akshat returned, and his eyes immediately widened in shock. The scene before him was nothing short of a disaster. The kitchen was unrecognizable—food was scattered everywhere, flour had exploded into the air, and both Amrit and Nikhil were covered in it. They stood there, like two war generals, with flour caked on their faces and hair.

His jaw dropped, and he froze in horror at the sight of his once-perfect kitchen turned into what could only be described as a battlefield.

"Kya batmeezi hai yee??" Amrit exclaimed, his voice rising in frustration. "Ek belan padega wahan chamgadad jaise latak jaoge," he threatened, his tone a mix of amusement and disbelief.

"Tum Akshat sir ki wife na hoti toh utha ke aate ke bori me daal deta tumhe," Nikhil shot back, her tone equally threatening but filled with playful malice.

Akshat stood frozen for a moment, trying to process the madness in front of him. He was speechless. "What the hell is this??" he asked, his voice tinged with both shock and exasperation.

Amrit, never one to back down, pointed a finger at Nikhil dramatically. "Akshat dekhiye isse..kya kiya isne? Pura aata mere sar pe ulat diya. Aur kitchen ki kya halat ki," she complained, her voice dripping with sarcasm and frustration as she gestured to the flour explosion that had ruined everything. She wiped her hands on her apron, looking completely exasperated. "Yeh sab uski wajah se ho raha hai."

"Nahi sir...she is lying. Pehle isne merepe pyaz tamatar pheka tha," Nikhil accused, his face scrunched in mock anger as he pointed an accusing finger at Amrit.

Amrit’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Akshat mere pati hain, tumhari baat pe kyun trust karenge? Akshat, trust me," she said, a mixture of hurt and frustration in her voice. She shot Nikhil a glance, trying to show that he was twisting the truth.

"Kyunki wo intelligent hain...please trust me," Nikhil said, his grin never faltering. He was trying to turn the tide in his favor, but Amrit wasn’t having it.

Akshat, standing at the doorway with his arms crossed, had heard enough. His face hardened with irritation as he took in the chaos in front of him. His patience had finally snapped. "Out!" he commanded, his voice firm and unwavering. The force of his words cut through the tension in the room.

Amrit and Nikhil looked at each other, then back at Akshat, shocked by the sudden outburst. "Kya?" they both asked in unison, their voices a mix of surprise and disbelief.

"Both of you, get out from my kitchen," Akshat repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument. He didn’t raise his voice, but there was an undeniable authority in it. The way he stood there, his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed, made it clear that he wasn’t joking.

Amrit’s expression softened, realizing that this situation had gone far beyond playful teasing. She stepped forward, her voice now apologetic. "Akshat, sorry I didn’t do this intentionally...mai help karti hun saaf karane mein," she said, her hands raised slightly in a gesture of surrender. She was genuinely sorry for making a mess of things, and she wanted to make it right.

"I’ll help too," Nikhil added, his voice a little quieter now, but still carrying the same sense of mischief. He wasn’t ready to back down completely, but he could tell the situation was getting serious.

Akshat, however, was done with the drama. "Aur meherbani mat kariye aap dono, please," he said, his voice taking on a softer tone. "I request you... Amrit, jaa ke padhai karo aur tum jaa ke room mein. Dinner bante hi dono ko bula lunga.”

The next day, Kavya accompanied Vihaan to Krishiv's office for a meeting. As they entered Krishiv’s cabin, Kavya’s eyes fell on a heartwarming sight. Krishiv was seated on the floor with Bulbul, surrounded by colorful toys spread out across the carpet. He was showing her a small teddy bear and a wind-up toy he had brought back from his recent business trip abroad.

"Mumma, see! He brought me these!" Bulbul exclaimed excitedly, rushing toward Kavya with her tiny hands full of toys. Her face lit up with pure joy as she showed off her new treasures.

Kavya’s lips curved into a soft smile, her gaze flickering between her daughter and Krishiv. "They’re lovely," she said gently, her voice filled with warmth.

Before Krishiv could say anything, the door opened, and Alya walked in. Her vibrant energy filled the room as she greeted everyone cheerfully. "Hi, Bhai! Hello, Krishiv Sir," she said with a playful grin, emphasizing the ‘sir’ with a mock-formal tone.

Krishiv chuckled at her antics. "Good morning, Alya."

Alya’s attention shifted to Bulbul, her smile growing softer. "Hi, baby," she cooed, kneeling down to Bulbul’s level.

Bulbul, however, looked up at Krishiv with curious eyes. "Who is she?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

Krishiv’s lips twitched into a small smile. "She’s my friend," he replied simply, his tone patient.

Alya, clearly amused, leaned in closer to Bulbul. "And who are you?" she asked with a playful glint in her eyes.

Bulbul straightened her tiny shoulders and grinned proudly. "I am also his friend. No, no—I am his most special friend, hai na?" She looked up at Krishiv with wide, expectant eyes.

Krishiv’s expression softened as he reached out to gently ruffle her hair. "Of course, princess. Ye bhi puchhne ki baat hai?" he said, his tone warm and reassuring.

Alya let out a small laugh, clearly charmed by the little girl. "Aww… she’s adorable! Is she your daughter?" she asked, turning to Kavya with a smile.

Kavya, caught off guard for a moment, glanced at Bulbul and then back at Alya. "Yes, she is," she said with a polite nod, though something in her tone was guarded.

Vihaan’s phone rang, and he excused himself to take the call outside. The moment he left, the air in the room seemed to shift slightly. Krishiv glanced at Kavya, his expression softening.

“Actually, I have something for you too,” he said, his voice casual yet carrying a hint of hesitation.

Kavya looked up, surprised. “Mere liye?” she asked, her brows lifting in disbelief.

Krishiv nodded, pulling a small, elegant jewelry box from his bag. “Haan. Wahan trip ke dauran I met Arpit... and he sent this small gift for you.” He handed the box to her with a small smile.

Kavya’s eyes flickered to the box in his hand, and for a moment, a spark of hope lit up in her chest. But the moment he mentioned Arpit’s name, her smile faltered. She had thought—hoped—he might’ve brought something for her himself.

“Oh,” she said, her voice dipping slightly. “It’s not needed, sir.”

“Arre, rakh lijiye na,” Krishiv insisted, his tone light. “Mai kya karunga iska? I don’t have anyone else to give this to.” He added the last part with a shrug, his playful tone masking any deeper meaning.

With a reluctant sigh, Kavya took the box. “Alright. Say thanks to him on my behalf,” she said, carefully placing it on the table beside her.

Bulbul, who had been quietly playing with her toys, suddenly piped up, “Mumma, kholke dekho na kya hai!”

Kavya gave a soft smile to her daughter, gently patting her head. “Later, baby. Abhi kaam karte hain.”

Just then, Alya, who had been watching the interaction with mild curiosity, leaned forward. “Who is this Arpit? Aur wo inke liye gifts kyun bhej raha hai? She’s Vihaan’s PA na?”

Krishiv turned to her with a mischievous glint in his eyes, his lips curving into a small smirk. “Arpit? Well, that’s a long story… and kind of a personal matter,” he said, winking at Bulbul, who immediately giggled, covering her mouth with her tiny hands.

Krishiv, still standing with his relaxed posture, gave a small smile and pulled out a neatly wrapped box from his bag. He placed it in front of Kavya, his fingers lingering for a second longer than necessary.

“Aur ye mere taraf se,” he said casually, though there was a warmth in his voice that hinted at something deeper.

Kavya blinked in surprise, her eyes widening as she stared at the box. “Matlab?” she asked, her tone a mix of confusion and curiosity.

“Matlab se kya matlab hai aapka?” Krishiv replied, his lips curling into a playful smile. “I brought this for you.”

Kavya slowly opened the box, her fingers brushing against the soft packaging. Inside, she found a set of beautifully crafted cookie moulds. She stared at them for a moment, unable to hide the smile that spread across her face.

“You love to bake, na... toh I thought ye kaam aayega,” Krishiv continued, his voice light and sincere.

Kavya’s eyes sparkled, the unexpected gesture making her heart swell. She looked up at him, unable to contain the joy in her smile. “Thank you,” she said, her voice soft but filled with genuine appreciation. “I love this.”

Krishiv gave a small nod, happy to see her so pleased. “I’m glad you like it,” he said with a warm smile, his eyes lingering on her for a beat too long.

Before either could say more, Alya’s voice interrupted, light and playful. “Accha, Krish, chalen? You were going to show me the office na?”

Krishiv glanced at her, momentarily distracted, then turned back to Kavya with a knowing smile. “Alright, chal. Bulbul aur mujhe ghar jaana chahiye,” Kavya said, glancing down at her daughter, who was contentedly playing nearby.

“Ok… bye, Bulbul,” Krishiv said, his voice softer as he leaned down to kiss Bulbul’s cheek. The little girl giggled, hugging him briefly before waving him off.

The night sky was decorated with twinkling stars, and the terrace had been set up beautifully for the Diwali dinner. Soft golden lights shimmered on the decorations, filling the air with warmth. Akshat stood hidden behind the large plant pots, peeking out from behind them like a spy. His eyes were fixed on the terrace where Amrit and Nikhil stood. He could hear their voices, but it was the sight of them together that was slowly driving him crazy.

Akshat whispering under his breath, looking through the gap between the plants. "Mere gharvale bhi na pata nahi kya hum sath sath hai ban ne ka shauk chadha hai sabko"

He squinted his eyes, trying to focus on the scene before him, but his heart was pounding with every passing second. He was peeking at them from behind the planters, fully aware that the others—Preeti, Nandini, Kavya, and the rest—were also hiding and watching the scene unfold from the other side. They, too, were observing Amrit and Nikhil, probably thinking everything was fine between them. But Akshat knew otherwise. He knew what was really going on.

"Ye sab kya hai?" Amrit asked, looking around. “Kavya didi ne bulaya tha mujhe yaha tum kya kar rahe ho?” Amrit added

Nikhil merely shrugged. "Mujhe kya pata…" he said, though his gaze had already caught sight of Preeti, Nandini, Kavya, and the others peeking from behind the plants, watching with eager eyes. They were obviously waiting for something to unfold.

Amrit, unaware of the silent drama behind her, turned toward Nikhil. "Kya hua? Aise ishare kya kar rahe ho, pagal ho kya?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Nikhil's lips tightened as he realized she had no idea what was going on. He wanted to say something, to confront the situation, but he was caught in a tug-of-war of emotions.

She saw Nikhil, who had his camera out, grinning like a love-struck puppy.

"Amru baby, tumhari ek photo kheechna toh banta hai! Itni pyari lag rahi ho." Nikhil said with an exaggerated smile, trying too hard.

But Nikhil was determined. He clicked the photo and then immediately showed it to her. "Dekho, dekho... kitni pyaari lag rahi ho tum."

Amrit blinked, clearly confused as she looked at the screen, but her eyes quickly darted to the side. That’s when she saw everyone peeking from behind the planters, grinning like children caught in the act.

Amrit under her breath, realizing what's going on "Arey yaar, yeh sab kya ho raha hai?"

She turned back to Nikhil, who was still admiring the photo. Seeing her reaction, he started overacting, making exaggerated poses.

Nikhil acting over the top  "Kya baat hai! Tum toh bilkul film ki heroine lag rahi ho!"

Amrit gave him a side glance, clearly unimpressed. But as she turned to walk away, Nikhil dramatically pulled her back by her arm. Akshat closed his fist controlling himself

"Arey, baby, ek aur, ek aur! Dekho na, sabko dikhao, humare couple shots!" Nikhil grinning, his voice full of cheesy excitement.

Amrit, now realizing the extent of his overacting, sighed and looked over at the plants where Akshat and the others were hiding. She caught a glimpse of Akshat’s irritated face peeking from behind the leaves.

Amrit whispering to herself, noticing Nikhil's angry expression "Overacting band karo?"

And then She posed dramatically, rolling her eyes as Nikhil continued snapping pictures.

Amrit is loud enough for everyone to hear “Aww Nikhil….you are so cute….tum itne ache kyun ho…you are the best husband.”

Akshat’s jealousy hit a new level. He gritted his teeth, but his eyes stayed fixed on Amrit. He was still hiding behind the plants, watching her every move. "Yeh Nikhil ko kya ho gaya? Aur yeh Amrit isko itni acting kyun karni hai!" Akshat thought, biting his lip.

Meanwhile, Nikhil was still in full-on dramatic mode, now turning to Amrit with an exaggerated gesture as if preparing for the perfect shot.

Nikhil completely overacting, arms wide open "Amru, tum toh meri ki jaan ho! Yeh photo ko passport size karva ke apne wallet me rakhunga.”

Amrit, now slightly embarrassed, shot him a look but trying to be normal "Stop it na….you know na mujhe itne pyaar ki adat nahi hai aur tum hamesha mujhe special feel karvate ho phir chale jaoge aur mai akeli pad jaungi,"

Nikhil continued clicking photos like there was no tomorrow. “Don't worry baby mai aage se kabhi nahi jaunga chhor ke tumhe.”

Amrit slaps his hand away in frustration, trying to hold back her irritation so no one can notice her real emotions "Nikhil…you are really so sweet!"

Akshat muttering to himself, voice low but seething with jealousy "Yeh sab kya ho raha hai? Aur yeh Nikhil… bilkul pagal ho gaya hai! Isko to bataunga mai ache se room me…sari acting ka keeda nikal dunga"

Meanwhile, Nikhil, oblivious to the tension, kept clicking photos.

"Amrit, ek aur pose, chalo!" Nikhil laughed and continuing his overacting.

Amrit sighed dramatically. “Chalo ab dinner time ok.”

Amrit and Nikhil settled down at the terrace,. A soft light from the hanging lanterns illuminated their table, and the atmosphere was perfect for a quiet, romantic evening. But the peaceful scene was abruptly interrupted as Akshat jumped out from behind a cluster of plants, startling both of them.

"Hey guys, kya ho raha hai?" Akshat said, trying to sound casual.

Preeti, who had been observing from a distance, muttered under her breath, "Ye gadha kahan se tapak gaya?"

Krishiv, standing next to her, couldn't hold back either, "Kabab me haddi kahin ka."

Akshat, ignoring the whispers, grinned widely as he walked closer to the table. "Ohh wow, dinner date and all that...vaise wo noodles mere favorite hai...chalo sath me khate hain," he added with a forced smile, sitting down in Nikhil’s seat without waiting for an invitation.

Amrit raised an eyebrow, her thoughts racing, Ye Akshat kaha se aa gaye achanak?

"Amrit, tum bhi baitho, aao, Nikhil baitho," Akshat said cheerfully, completely disregarding the fact that Nikhil was already seated.

Akshat gestured in front of her, “Amrit, baitho." Amrut took her seat.

“Arre Nikhil baitho.” Akshat said with a forced smile.

But Nikhil, uncomfortable, replied, "Sir, jagah hi nahi hai."

Akshat waved dismissively, "Arre, ye hai to itni space... poora chhat tumhara hi hai." He made himself comfortable, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

From a distance, Preeti was fuming. "Ye bewakoof khud to kuch karna nahi hai, hamara bhi plan kharab kar diya," she grumbled to Krishiv.

"Chaliye, ham log chalte hain ab, kya dekhen?" Nandini interjected, ready to leave the awkward situation behind. Preeti, Krishiv, Kavya, Nandini, and Anika all began to walk away.

As soon as everyone left, Akshat stood up, his demeanor shifting from casual to serious. He stared directly at Nikhil, his gaze intense.

"Bahot jada shauq tha photos click karne ka?" Akshat said, his tone darkening as he glared at Nikhil.

Nikhil, gulping nervously, stammered, "S...sir, wo to aap ke ghar wale the to..."

Akshat cut him off, his voice cold, "Abhi ke abhi sari photos delete kar do, Amrit ki." His demand was sharp and commanding.

Nikhil, trying to wiggle out of it, said, "Iski photo khichi hi kisne thi sir... Maine apni pics click kar raha tha, aur wo photo iski thi hi nahi…mai iski photo kheech ke phone me virus nahi dalna chahta…wo to Aapke gharwale jo jasoosi kar rahe the unki photo thi Amrit ko dikhane ke liye."

“Meri photo khichne se Virus kaise aayega kyunki Virus to already mere samne khada hai.” Amrit shot back.

Akshat sighed, "Ok ok, ab tum jao."

"Kyun?" Nikhil asked, clearly confused.

"Kya kyun? Ye dinner date hai na, to yaha pati-patni ko hona chahiye, wo ko nahi... ab niklo ya ache se samjhaun," Akshat replied, his voice now firm, warning Nikhil to leave.

"Haan haan, samjha jaata hun," Nikhil muttered and quickly walked away.

As soon as Nikhil was out of sight, Amrit couldn't hold back her laughter. She burst into a fit of giggles, holding her stomach.

Akshat, still standing and looking at the spot where Nikhil had been, asked with a blank face, "Arre, what?"

Amrit, still laughing, teased, "Aap jab jealous hote hai, tamatar ki tarah lagte hain gusse mein man karta hai aise aap ke gaalon ko pakad ke kheech lun." She leaned forward and playfully pulled his cheeks.

Akshat rubbed his cheeks, his expression not softening. "Aur abhi wo pakda jata agar mai na aata to... itna overacting kar raha tha," he said, shaking his head in amusement.

Amrit raised an eyebrow. "Chaliye, jhooth mat boliye, samjh aa raha kisliye aaye aap... aapko jalan ho rahi thi aur kuch nahi."

Akshat shrugged, trying to maintain his composure. "To...haan to kya hua? Koi bhi pati aise hi react karega."

Amrit grinned, her voice teasing, "Acha, ab ye sab hai hi to, ham dono hi dinner date enjoy kar lete hain."

Meanwhile, Krishiv, who had been observing from afar, sat in a corner, deep in thought. "I think mujhe Akshat ko wahan se le aana chahiye... dono ko disturb kar raha hoga," he thought, trying to rationalize the situation.

He stood up and began to walk upstairs, determined to put an end to the awkwardness. But as he reached the terrace, his eyes widened in shock. He saw Akshat and Amrit sitting together, laughing and enjoying their dinner, completely at ease with each other.

"Ye....ho kya raha hai ye?" Krishiv thought, his mind racing as he processed the unexpected sight.

Turning quickly, Krishiv made his way back downstairs, his heart racing. "Nikhil wahan se chala gaya to, Akshat Amrit ke sath Nikhil ke jagah baith gaya... how could he do this... and Amrit...usse ab apne pati se jada apne dost ke sath time spend karna hai... kuch samjh nahi aa raha," Krishiv muttered to himself.

After a few moments of silence, Krishiv tried to calm himself. "Nahi nahi, aisa nahi ho sakta. Mai jo soch raha hun kash galat ho. Amrit bahot shareef ladki hai. Wo already married hai aur Akshat bhi kabhi apni student, wo bhi ek married student ke sath aise relationship mein nahi ho sakta... kya pata sach mein Nikhil aur Amrit ke beech cheej thik na ho, isliye shayad Nikhil wahan se chala gaya ho.... hey bhagwan, kya ho raha hai? Mujhe bharosa hai Akshat pe poora, par phir bhi mujhe lag raha hai ki inn dono par nazar rakhni padegi ab."

Krishiv shook his head, trying to shake off the confusion that had settled in his mind. He knew something wasn’t right, and his instincts told him to be cautious.

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

How to the chapter??

Your favourite moments??

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