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Krishiv guided Kavya through the busy corridors of the hospital, the sterile, clinical smell hanging heavy in the air. He pushed open the door to the casualty ward, his brow furrowing slightly as he glanced over at her. Kavya was still seething with anger, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, glaring at him with a sharp intensity. He knew she was upset, but he couldn't let her stubbornness stand in the way of her health.

Without saying a word, he led her to a chair near the nurse's station. Before she could protest, she stood up, her movements quick and sharp, but Krishiv was faster. He gently but firmly guided her back down into the chair, his hands resting on her shoulders as if urging her to calm down.

"Please, just sit," he said, his tone more gentle than he intended, but still firm.

Kavya shot him another glare, one that could melt ice. "I don’t need this. I’m fine," she snapped, trying to pull away from him, her voice laced with frustration.

Krishiv sighed, his patience thinning, but he held his ground. "Chup rahiye aap," he said, his voice low but commanding. The way she snapped at him only made him more determined. "Please, let the nurse treat your wounds."

The nurse, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward at his request. She gave a nod, preparing her supplies, her eyes moving between Krishiv and Kavya, sensing the tension.

"No, I don’t need it!" Kavya repeated, her voice rising slightly, but Krishiv ignored her defiance, giving the nurse a firm look. He nodded at her, a silent plea for her to proceed.

With an almost resigned sigh, Kavya slumped back into the chair, her face scrunching in pain as the nurse began to clean and dress the wounds on her arms. Every time the nurse applied pressure, Kavya winced, a hiss escaping her lips.

Krishiv, unable to stand seeing her in pain, moved to her side. He kneeled down beside her, his gaze softening as he gently took her hand into his. "It’s okay," he murmured, his voice low and soothing. "You’re going to be fine."

He caressed her hand softly, his thumb brushing over her knuckles, trying to comfort her despite the icy distance between them. Kavya looked at him, her anger simmering beneath the surface.

Her hand trembled slightly in his, but she didn’t pull away, allowing him to soothe her in the way only he seemed to know how.

Once the dressing was finished, the nurse gave one last glance to ensure everything was in place before stepping back. "All done," she said, her voice a quiet hum in the tense silence.

Krishiv stood up slowly, offering Kavya a hand as she also stood. She didn’t take it right away, but eventually, she did, and they began walking out of the casualty ward in silence.

"Ab batayengi aap, kya hua tha?" Krishiv’s voice was steady, his eyes full of silent encouragement, urging her to share the painful memory that was clearly haunting her.

Kavya swallowed hard, trying to steady her breath, but the image of the accident flashed vividly in her mind. Her hands trembled slightly as she began to speak, the words tumbling out as if they were stuck, reluctant to come forth. "Kya bataun! We were walking towards our car... suddenly a car came and hit us... she... she fell... I... I thought..." Her voice faltered, and the words seemed to choke her, the suffocating feeling of helplessness swallowing her whole. She couldn’t finish the sentence, the panic of the moment resurfacing, drowning her.

Krishiv’s heart clenched as he saw the struggle in her eyes, the raw emotion that she was trying to bury. Without a second thought, he took a step forward and wrapped his arms around her gently. His embrace was firm but comforting, the kind that said everything without needing words. His hand rested on her back, the soothing rhythm of his touch attempting to calm the storm inside her.

"Sab thik hai," he whispered into her hair, his voice a soft promise.

Kavya's breath hitched as she pulled away slightly to look at him. Her eyes were filled with doubt, a storm of fear and uncertainty clouding her thoughts. "Sab thik rahega?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, the uncertainty in her words betraying her outward strength.

Krishiv smiled warmly at her, a small but genuine smile that reached his eyes, a beacon of reassurance. He gently cupped her face with his hand, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Bilkul," he said confidently, his gaze unwavering. "Sab thik rahega.”

Just then, Alya appeared around the corner, her face etched with concern as she approached them. The moment her eyes fell on Krishiv and Kavya, the tension in Kavya’s posture was almost immediate, and without thinking, she quickly took a step back, putting some distance between them.

"Krish, I..." Alya began, but before she could finish, Krishiv’s attention was diverted. The sharp, quick footsteps of Vedant made him pause and turn towards the doorway of the emergency room. His eyes widened with urgency.

Without a second thought, he rushed toward the doctor, his hand instinctively reaching out for Kavya’s, pulling her along as they both hurried after him.

Krishiv anxiously approached vedant, his heart racing with worry. His voice cracked slightly as he asked, "How is my Bulbul?? Sab thik hai na?? Is there any danger??”

“ She is fine now. She only has some bruising on her left arm and a mild concussion, but thankfully, no serious injuries. It seems like her mother shielded her from more harm," Vedant explained, referring to the minor contusions on Bulbul’s arm and the gentle swelling on her forehead. "Her vitals are stable, and there’s no immediate danger.”

Amrit, standing beside him, let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, and Nandini wiped away a tear of relief as she hugged Kavya tightly. Kavya, still in shock but holding it together, gave a small, grateful smile, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to steady her breath.

"Can we meet her?" Krishiv asked, his voice softer now, yet still filled with concern.

"Yes, but only two persons at a time," Vedant replied with a polite nod.

Krishiv looked at Kavya, a silent question in his eyes. She met his gaze and nodded, her face pale but determined. "Chalen?" he asked, offering her a small smile to comfort her. She nodded again, and together, they made their way to Bulbul's room.

Krishiv looked at Kavya, a silent question in his eyes. She met his gaze and nodded, her face pale but determined. "Chalen?" he asked, offering her a small smile to comfort her. She nodded again, and together, they made their way to Bulbul's room.

When they entered, they saw Bulbul sitting on the bed, her face pale but otherwise unscathed. She was playing with a stuffed toy, seemingly unaware of the gravity of the situation. As soon as her eyes met Kavya’s, her face lit up, and she scrambled out of bed, running straight into her mother’s arms. Kavya rushed towards her, not too tightly, but holding her close as tears fell from her eyes.

Bulbul, sensing her mother’s distress, cupped her face with her small hands, looking up at her with wide, concerned eyes. "Don't cry na, Mumma..." she said softly, her voice soothing and innocent, as if trying to take away the pain she had caused.

Kavya wiped her tears away and kissed her daughter’s forehead, her lips lingering there for a moment longer than necessary. "Mumma is okay, baby. You’re safe," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Bulbul then looked up at Krishiv, who stood quietly by the door, his hands buried deep in his pockets. "Why are you standing like a bhoot?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly in a playful way. "Ask her to stop crying na."

Krishiv’s heart softened, and he walked over to the bed, kneeling next to Bulbul. He brushed his hand across her hair and kissed her forehead gently, tears filling his eyes at the sight of her safety. "I’m sorry I made you worry," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You’re my brave little girl."

Bulbul giggled slightly at his words, but in the next moment, she shifted her attention to Kavya, playfully scrunching up her face. "Offo! Kaise cry babies ke beech fas gayi mai toh!" she said, half-teasing, half-pouting.

Krishiv chuckled softly, the weight of the situation slowly lifting as he looked at her,"Back to your nakchadi mode?" He asked, gently pulling her nose, his tone light, trying to bring back some semblance of normalcy.

"You nacchada!" Bulbul squealed, sticking out her tongue at him playfully. "Patient ko tease kar rahe ho, mannels nhi hain?" she added with a mock frown, trying to appear stern but failing miserably as she weakly reached out to tug on his nose.

Kavya smiled fondly at the two of them, her heart swelling with love and relief.

As the night deepened, one by one, everyone met Bulbul, sharing their relief and love before leaving quietly.

Stepping outside the room, Krishiv ran a hand through his hair, exhaling deeply. Alya approached him, adjusting her bag on her shoulder.

"Chalein?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Kahan?" Krishiv asked absentmindedly, still preoccupied with his thoughts.

"Kahan matlab kya? Visiting hours are over na," she reminded him.

"Haan, tum log jao," he said, his tone firm yet calm.

Preeti frowned, crossing her arms. "Tu yaha rukega?"

"Haan, masi. I can't leave them," he stated simply, his voice unwavering.

Akshat stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Krishiv’s shoulder. "Ok... khayal rakhna sabka. I’ll send fruits for her," he said with a small smile before walking away.

Krishiv gave him a grateful nod before turning back toward the hospital corridor.

After some time, the hospital was quieter, the chaos of the day giving way to the calm of the night. Krishiv entered the VVIP room, his arms securely wrapped around a sleeping Bulbul. Her small fingers clutched onto his shirt unconsciously, her breathing soft and even. Kavya followed closely behind, her tired eyes watching them.

He gently laid Bulbul down on the bed, making sure she was comfortable before carefully tucking the blanket around her. His movements were slow and precise, as if afraid she might stir.

Kavya, leaning against the doorframe, folded her arms. "What was the need for this room? Pehle wala sahi tha," she muttered, glancing around at the larger, more private hospital suite.

Krishiv straightened up, adjusting the blanket around Bulbul once more. "It's about her health… so no risk," he replied firmly. His gaze softened as he looked at Bulbul, his fingers brushing a stray curl from her forehead.

Kavya crossed her arms, staring at Krishiv with disbelief. "I will talk to Vihaan sir… itna kharcha kyun karna?" she asked, her tone firm.

Krishiv, leaning against the bedside, shrugged casually. "I paid the bill."

Kavya's eyes widened. "Kyaaa?? You… but kyun?? Sir, maine kaha tha na… we will be—"

"Fine… hai na?" Krishiv cut her off, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "Dikhao mujhe, how much ‘fine’ you both are? And what were you saying? Maine pareshan kiya hai? Aap dono kya kar rahe ho phir? Maine kaha tha don't be stubborn… par aapko sunna kahan hai," he said, his frustration evident.

Kavya opened her mouth to argue, but before she could say anything, a soft voice interrupted them.

"Krishu uncle…"

Both of them turned to see Bulbul’s eyes slowly fluttering open.

"Bulbul… how are you feeling, baccha?" Krishiv immediately softened, sitting beside her.

Bulbul blinked a few times before offering him a weak but bright smile. "I am fine."

Krishiv let out a relieved breath and gently caressed her head. "Aap baithiye, I will bring something to eat," he said, his voice gentler now.

Before Kavya could protest, he stood up and walked toward the door. She sighed, watching his retreating figure. This man… always doing things his own way.

Krishiv sat comfortably on the couch, feeding khichdi to Bulbul, while his eyes kept drifting toward Kavya, who was sitting nearby, looking utterly pissed off.

"I don't want to eat more," Bulbul whined, making a face.

"Aaj kha lo… kal pizza milega," Krishiv said with a mischievous smile.

Bulbul's eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Kya?? Pizza? Aap pagal ho gaye hain?" Kavya asked, glancing between them.

"Bulbul, tell your mummy that I asked the doctor… unhone haan kiya hai," Krishiv said, smirking.

"Bulbul, tell him that the doctor won’t decide what is good for my daughter," Kavya shot back, crossing her arms.

"Bulbul, tell your mummy to stop assuming she’s above everyone. And I asked Vedant—he was the one jisne haan kiya hai," Krishiv said smugly.

Bulbul let out a sigh and rolled her eyes.

"Bulbul, tell him to stop being oversmart," Kavya huffed.

"Bulbul, tell your mummy that I have brought dinner, so she better have it," Krishiv countered.

"Bulbul, tell him that I don’t want anything," Kavya snapped.

"Bulbul, tell your mummy to stop doing nakhre," Krishiv teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Bulbul, tell him that I don’t do any nakhre!" Kavya shot back, glaring at him.

"Haan haan, Bulbul, you know nakhre toh mai kar raha tha dressing karate time," Krishiv smirked, making Kavya narrow her eyes at him in pure frustration.

"Bulbul, tell your mummy I won’t get scared of her glares, so she should just have her food," Krishiv said, completely unfazed.

"Bulbul, tell him—"

Before Kavya could complete her sentence, Bulbul had had enough.

"BASSS!!" she shouted, throwing her hands up in frustration.

Both Krishiv and Kavya immediately went silent, blinking at her in surprise.

Bulbul folded her arms, shaking her head. "Main patient hoon ya aap dono? Yeh kya 'Bulbul tell him, Bulbul tell her' laga rakha hai! Main kya postman hoon?" she grumbled.

Krishiv bit back a chuckle, while Kavya sighed, rubbing her temples.

Bulbul crossed her arms, looking at her mother with a serious expression. "Mumma, come here," she ordered, patting the space beside her.

Kavya, too exhausted to argue, sighed and sat beside her daughter.

Bulbul turned to her with the authority of a queen. "Serve dinner—khud ko bhi aur inko bhi," she instructed, nodding towards Krishiv.

Kavya shot Krishiv a glare as if this was somehow his fault, but under Bulbul’s sharp gaze, she complied, silently serving dinner to both of them.

"Ab ye khaiye dono. Mera dimag nahi," Bulbul huffed, leaning back with a dramatic expression.

Krishiv raised an eyebrow. "Oye, zyada zubaan chalne lagi hai tumhari? Pehle tumhe khila dun?" he asked, pretending to be offended.

Bulbul gave him a knowing look. "I can eat myself. Aap dono khao," she ordered, her tiny hands on her hips.

Kavya and Krishiv exchanged a glance, both hesitating as if waiting for the other to make the first move.

"Don’t make me repeat myself," Bulbul warned, raising an eyebrow.

With a sigh of surrender, both of them picked up their spoons and started eating under Bulbul’s watchful eyes.

The soft glow of morning light filtered through the hospital room as Kavya slowly opened her eyes, stretching with a yawn. Her gaze instinctively fell on Bulbul, who was still peacefully asleep beside her. A tender smile graced her lips as she leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her daughter's forehead while caressing her hair lovingly.

Her eyes then drifted towards the couch, where Krishiv was sprawled out, fast asleep. A small chuckle escaped her lips at the sight—he looked so adorable when he was asleep.

On an impulse, she took a slow step forward, her fingers hesitantly reaching toward his hair. Just as her fingertips were about to brush against him, his eyes snapped open, and before she could react, his hand shot out, gripping hers firmly. In an instant, he tugged her closer, making her stumble slightly, her breath hitching as their faces ended up mere inches apart.

For a moment, there was silence—just the sound of her rapid heartbeat echoing in her ears. Then, realizing what he had done, Krishiv immediately let go of her hand, his brows furrowing.

"Accha ji?" he said, crossing his arms. "Subah-subah gala daba ke maarne ka plan bana rahi thi aap?" His serious expression only made her roll her eyes.

"Kya ho raha hai?" Akshat asked, raising an eyebrow as he caught the tail end of their interaction.

"Kuch nahi," Kavya replied quickly, snatching the bag from Vihaan’s hands before Krishiv could say something ridiculous.

Vihaan smirked but didn’t comment as he walked over to Bulbul, who had just begun to stir awake.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Akshat said, pressing a soft peck to her head. "How are you feeling, Bulbul?"

"I'm fine, AK uncle," Bulbul replied with a bright smile.

"Kahin pain toh nahi hai?" Vihaan asked, concern evident in his tone.

Bulbul shook her head. "Nahi, bilkul nahi," she assured him cheerfully.

Vihaan smiled in relief, running a gentle hand through her hair. "That’s my strong girl.”

The door to the hospital room opened again, and Vedant strode in, clad in his pristine white coat, exuding his usual aura of authority. His sharp eyes scanned the room before softening as he looked at Bulbul.

"Good morning, everyone," he greeted, walking straight to the little girl and pressing a fond kiss to her cheek.

"Good morning, doctor uncle," Bulbul chirped with a bright smile.

Vedant chuckled before slipping into his professional demeanor, gently checking her vitals and examining her with practiced ease. The room remained silent, everyone waiting for his assessment.

"How is she now?" Akshat asked, his voice laced with concern.

Vedant placed his stethoscope back around his neck and gave a small nod. "She's stable now. If everything remains fine, you can take her home by evening."

A collective sigh of relief passed through the room.

"Accha sun, ek meeting hai, woh attend karni hai," Vihaan said, turning toward Krishiv.

Krishiv hesitated, his gaze shifting to Bulbul. "But what about her? I don’t want to leave her alone."

Vedant let out a sigh, shaking his head. "She’s fine now, Krishiv. It’s just a matter of a few hours. You can go and come back."

Krishiv still seemed reluctant, but after a moment, he nodded. "Fine," he muttered.

Vihaan, Akshat, and Vedant left the room, leaving just Krishiv, Kavya, and Bulbul. Krishiv got up from his seat, smoothing out his shirt before looking at Kavya.

"I’ll come back soon," he assured her.

Kavya simply nodded. "Ji."

Before leaving, Krishiv hesitated for a second before speaking again, his voice softer. "Khayal rakhna."

Kavya rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Of course, she’s my daughter."

Krishiv sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Arre, aapko keh raha hoon, ma’am!" He pointed at her arm. "Dressing change kara lena."

Kavya blinked in surprise, momentarily speechless. Before she could respond, Krishiv smirked. "Chaliye, bye." And with that, he strode out of the room, leaving Kavya staring after him, slightly flustered.

The college campus was buzzing with activity, the air filled with the excited chatter of students preparing for various events. Akshat was walking towards the auditorium, his hands stuffed into his pockets, when his eyes instinctively searched for Amrit.

And there she was—sitting on one of the auditorium steps, hunched over her notebook, scribbling something with deep concentration. But what caught his attention was the stage.

Another girl was rehearsing the same role Amrit was supposed to perform. His frown deepened. His steps slowed as he took in the scene.

Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and typed a message.

"Ye role tum kar rahi thi na?"

A second later, Amrit’s phone pinged with a notification. She glanced at the screen and immediately lifted her gaze, only to find Akshat casually sitting on one of the chairs inside the auditorium, his eyes locked onto her.

Biting her lip, she quickly typed back.

"Haan... par mujhe nikal diya."

Akshat’s jaw clenched as he read her reply. His fingers tightened around his phone, his temper rising instantly. Without thinking twice, he shot up from his seat.

"How dare they? Who the hell are they to do this? Kya problem thi?? Wait, I will talk to them."

Amrit barely had time to react before another notification popped up on her screen. Her eyes widened in horror as she saw Akshat storming towards the drama in-charge, his anger radiating off him in waves.

“Oh god!” she muttered, slapping her forehead. This was the last thing she wanted—a full-blown confrontation, that too in the middle of the auditorium.

Frantically, she started typing.

"Rukiye!!"

Just as Akshat was about to reach the in-charge, his phone vibrated. He stopped in his tracks, eyes narrowing as he read her message.

"Ghar pe baat karein?"

His brows furrowed.

"But why??" he typed back, still visibly agitated.

Amrit exhaled sharply, knowing she had only one way to stop him.

"Please??"

Akshat read the message and let out a frustrated sigh. He ran a hand through his hair before shaking his head.

Amrit was standing near the table, her brows furrowed as she went through her research file, while Vidya stood beside her, leaning slightly on the table.

Just then, the heavy footsteps of Dr. Tripathi echoed in the room, and within seconds, his loud, enraged voice shattered the silence.

"What the hell is this??" He bellowed, his face twisted in fury as he threw Amrit’s file across the table. Papers flew everywhere, scattering like fallen leaves.

Everyone in the lab turned to look. Some students gulped, exchanging nervous glances, while others simply lowered their heads, not wanting to get involved.

Amrit froze, her heartbeat accelerating.

"Is this your work?? Do you think this is your school project?? Who asked you to add up your own theories?" Dr. Tripathi demanded, his eyes blazing with anger.

Before Amrit could respond, Vidya, as always, spoke up without thinking twice.

"Sir, we are doing research. Apni theory nahi toh kya sadak ke kinare baithe huye paan wale bhaiya ki theory likhenge?" She huffed, crossing her arms.

Amrit’s eyes widened in horror, and she immediately pinched Vidya’s hand under the table.

"Ouch!" Vidya winced. "Kya yaar?" She whispered.

Dr. Tripathi’s face turned red with rage. He slammed his palm on the table, making both girls flinch.

"Enough! Is this how you both talk to your professors?? Amrit, do you even realize the weight of what you’ve done? Research is not a joke! You are not some genius professor who can randomly scribble theories!" His voice rose, booming across the room.

Amrit clenched her fists, trying to keep her composure. "Sir, I—"

"No! No explanations!" He cut her off. "I should have expected this from you. You’re careless, overconfident, and now, you’re proving to be insubordinate as well! Do you think you know better than your professors?"

Amrit swallowed, her nails digging into her palm, but she didn’t respond.

Akshat had just entered the lab for some work when he heard the loud voice. He halted near the door, his brows furrowing as he turned his head towards the scene.

His eyes immediately fell on Amrit, standing there while Dr. Tripathi lashed out at her. Then his gaze shifted to the scattered papers, the way her knuckles had turned white from clenching her fists, and how her shoulders were slightly hunched—trying to keep herself from reacting.

His jaw tightened.

His hands curled into fists.

His name was at the tip of his tongue, ready to call out to Dr. Tripathi, his voice laced with suppressed fury. But before he could say anything, Amrit’s gaze snapped toward him.

Her eyes widened, silently pleading.

She knew Akshat. He would never tolerate someone speaking to her like this. He would lash out. Defend her. And that would only make things worse for her.

Akshat’s nostrils flared, his eyes boring into hers, silently asking her, "You really think I’ll stay quiet?"

She shook her head subtly, her eyes pleading even more this time.

Please.

He took in a deep breath, his fists unclenching slightly, and he exhaled sharply. His rage didn’t subside, but for her sake, he controlled himself.

Dr. Tripathi, noticing the silence, turned towards him. "What happened, sir?”

Akshat’s voice was eerily calm. "You are here to teach them, not to shout at them." His tone was sharp, carrying an underlying warning.

Dr. Tripathi stiffened slightly, but before he could say anything, Akshat turned on his heels and walked away.

The apartment was dimly lit, the soft glow of the lamp casting warm shadows on the walls. Akshat sat on the couch, resting his elbow on the armrest, his fingers tapping against his temple as he waited. He glanced at the clock again—it was much later than usual. Amrit always came home before him, but today, she had called, informing him that work was keeping her back.

A part of him wanted to go and pick her up, but he knew she would refuse, saying she could manage. Still, he couldn't help but feel restless.

Finally, the sound of the door unlocking reached his ears. He immediately turned his head, watching as Amrit stepped inside.

Her posture was slouched, exhaustion evident in her every movement. She barely had the energy to take off her sandals properly as she dragged herself toward the bed, tossing her bag onto it without care. Her hair was a little disheveled, and she blinked sluggishly, trying to fight off the sleep threatening to take over.

She lifted her gaze and saw him sitting there.

Without a word, she walked toward him, her feet heavy, and as soon as she reached him, she wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face into his chest.

Akshat’s muscles immediately relaxed as he felt her warmth against him. He exhaled softly, closing his eyes as he wrapped his arms securely around her.

She let out a tired sigh, her body melting into his. "I hate long days," she mumbled, her voice muffled against his shirt.

He pressed his chin against the top of her head, gently stroking her back. "I know," he whispered.

After a while, Akshat broke the silence. "Listen, it’s okay. Your project was good. But as a professor, maybe Dr. Tripathi had higher expectations. That doesn't mean your work wasn’t valuable. Don’t let this demotivate you." His voice was calm, reassuring.

Amrit simply nodded against his chest, taking in his words. She didn't have the energy to respond, but she knew he was right.

Akshat pulled back slightly and tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. "Jaake fresh ho jao. Mai chai banata hun," he said, his voice laced with warmth.

They sipped their tea in silence. Akshat, his eyes focused on his mug for a moment, finally broke the calm. He set it down on the table with a soft thud, turning his gaze to Amrit, who was sitting across from him.

"Now will you tell me the actual reason?" he asked, his voice gentle but firm.

Amrit, her fingers still wrapped around her tea, looked up, her expression unreadable for a moment. She raised an eyebrow, her mouth slightly curved in confusion. "Kis baare me?" she asked, her voice light.

He didn't waste any time, leaning forward slightly, his eyes narrowing in a knowing way. "Drama."

She froze for a second, her thumb absently tracing the rim of her cup. It was clear she hadn’t expected him to bring it up so directly.

A quiet sigh escaped her lips as she bit her nails in uncertainty, avoiding his gaze. Finally, she looked at him, hesitant but honest. "Wo… maine hi gadbad kar di thi… lines yaad nahi thi…" she murmured, her eyes flickering nervously.

Akshat leaned back, his arms crossing over his chest. The disappointment in his voice was evident when he spoke. "Bewkuf usse banana jo tumhe janta na ho. You did this because I felt jealous, right?"

Amrit winced at the accusation. Her heart skipped a beat, and she almost wanted to deny it, but she knew better than to lie to him. She began to protest, her words stumbling out. "Arre aisa nahi..." But her attempt to deflect was cut short by the sharpness of his look. His gaze was unwavering, and she knew he wasn’t going to let it slide this time.

Her shoulders slumped in defeat, and with a resigned sigh, she finally nodded.

Akshat shook his head, his expression softening into a mix of disappointment and concern. "Amrit... tum kya pagal ho? Do you think I’m an insecure kid?" he asked, his tone a little hurt, though his words were gentle.

She blinked, the sting of his words hitting her, but she quickly met his eyes. "Nahi... I know you can never be insecure." Her voice was steady now, a calm understanding settling between them.

He let out a breath, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Then why did you do this? You worked so hard for this, and... Meri wajah se tumne apni mehnat kyun barbaad ki?" His voice trailed off, disappointment clear in the way his shoulders dropped.

Her thumb brushed over his knuckles as she gave him a small, tender smile, one that spoke volumes more than words could.

"Aapke wajah se nahi, Akshat... aapke liye." Her voice was quiet, but her words were firm and sincere. She squeezed his hand lightly, trying to convey all the emotions she couldn’t express through simple words.

"I know you will never be insecure, you will support me in everything. But it’s just... mujhe man nahi hua," she said, her voice trailing off, her words barely more than a whisper. Her heart ached a little as she realized how much her actions had affected him.

Akshat’s brows furrowed, his gaze sharp as he leaned forward, concern lacing his voice. "Jhuth keh rahi ho tum... you did this because of me. Tumhe ye toh nahi laga that I will suspect you??" he asked, the hurt in his voice evident as he searched her face for the truth.

"Kya bole jaa rahe hain? Accha tell me... why did you block that Arpita?? Aapko bhi ye laga tha ki mai aap pe shaq karungi?" she countered, her eyes narrowing slightly, her voice firm with a touch of playful defiance. Her heart raced as she asked the question, knowing full well that it was his turn to feel some of the uncertainty she had been carrying.

But Amrit, seeing his hesitation, continued, her voice softer now, more vulnerable. "Listen, Akshat," she began, her eyes meeting his with a quiet intensity. "It wasn’t about you suspecting me. It was never about that. It’s just... I couldn’t bring myself to act in a way that didn’t feel true to me."

She shifted in her seat, crossing her legs as she looked down at her hands. "You know, everyone else might think I’m conservative or whatever, but I just... I didn’t want to say those romantic things to anyone else but you." Her voice wavered slightly as she spoke.

Amrit continued, her voice stronger now, more resolute. "I know these chances are rare... but they come and go, Akshat. The play, the drama—it’s all temporary. But nothing is more important to me than you. Nothing. I didn’t want to lose sight of what really matters while I was chasing something that wasn’t even in line with my heart." She sighed, rubbing her temples as if trying to clear her mind. "And honestly, it was distracting me from my studies too. I had so much on my plate already, and all of this just felt like too much to handle. I wasn’t ready for it.”

He leaned forward, his hand reaching out to gently cup her face, his thumb brushing over her cheek. "I get it, but still I don't think you did right." he said softly, his voice steady now.

As evening settled in, Kavya and Bulbul returned to their apartment, with Krishiv helping Bulbul get comfortable on the bed. He adjusted the pillows carefully, ensuring she was at ease.

"There you go, all settled," he said, brushing an affectionate hand over Bulbul’s hair.

Bulbul grinned. "Thank you, Krish uncle!"

Krishiv chuckled. "Bas bas, ab drama mat karna. And listen," he turned serious, looking at her. "You have my number, right? Just call me if anything happens."

Bulbul nodded enthusiastically. "Pakka!"

Satisfied, Krishiv turned toward the door. "Alright, I should leave now—"

"Acha suniye..." Kavya’s voice stopped him in his tracks.

He turned back, eyebrows raised in question. "Hmm?"

She hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath. "Sorry… and thank you."

Krishiv frowned slightly. "For what?"

"Sorry for shouting at you earlier… and thank you for everything you did," she said, sincerity clear in her voice.

A small smile tugged at his lips. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "It was my fault too. I should’ve understood your situation better. So, I’m sorry as well." His smile widened. "And it happens in stress, so chill."

Kavya watched as he turned and walked away, his casual yet reassuring words lingering in the air. A small smile formed on her lips as she whispered, "Chill, huh?" before closing the door gently.

Vedant walked down the quiet corridor of his apartment building, his steps measured and deliberate. The day had been exhausting, and all he wanted now was the solace of his own space. As he reached for his keys, he heard the distinct sound of a door creaking open. His hands stilled mid-air.

Nandini’s apartment.

He clenched his jaw, forcing himself not to look. He knew Preeti was at the Singhania mansion for the night, and Vikram had a late-night meeting. He had no reason to concern himself with what was happening across the hallway. And yet—

A low, masculine chuckle echoed in the silence.

His head snapped towards Nandini’s apartment, his breath caught in his throat.

Standing in the doorway was Kaushik. The same man he had seen before. His arm was lazily draped around Nandini’s waist, while she stood close, her hand resting on his chest.

Vedant’s gaze darted to her face—her hair was disheveled, lips slightly swollen, and her clothes slightly crumpled. So was his.

The implications crashed into Vedant like a wave, his grip on his keys tightening until his knuckles turned white.

Just when he thought it couldn't get worse, Nandini’s voice rang out—loud and clear, deliberate, almost as if she wanted him to hear.

"Mmm... you were so good tonight, Kaushik. I don’t even feel tired anymore."

Vedant felt his knees weaken. His fingers trembled as he fumbled with the key, but they kept slipping from his grasp. His heart pounded against his ribs, his breath coming in short gasps.

"I don’t know how I survived without this for so long." Nandini’s voice held a teasing edge, followed by another soft laugh.

Vedant shut his eyes tight, his body going rigid. He didn't want to hear. He couldn't.

"You should stay over more often, you know? It feels so... right."

A sharp, gut-wrenching pain stabbed through him. The weight of her words crushed him, and suddenly, the walls of his world felt like they were closing in.

His hands trembled violently, his chest heaving with emotions too strong to contain. He tried again to fit the key into the lock, but his fingers were numb.

Then, another dagger.

"You’re so much better than I expected… definitely better than I ever had before."

His vision blurred, his breath hitched. A deep, aching hollowness settled in his chest. She knew. She knew he was here. And yet, she said it. Out loud.

As Kaushik finally left, the sound of the door shutting behind him echoed in the silence of the dimly lit corridor. Vedant stood frozen, still reeling from the words that had shattered something deep within him. His mind screamed at him to move, to just walk away, but his feet felt cemented to the floor.

Then… her eyes met his.

Nandini stood at her doorway, her arms lazily crossed over her chest. A slow, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. The same lips that had just whispered things to another man.

His chest tightened painfully.

She took a step forward, her bare feet making a soft sound against the floor.

"You must be feeling disgusted, right?" she drawled, her voice sickeningly sweet, laced with cruelty. "Shattered? Betrayed?" She tilted her head, watching him like a predator enjoying the pain of its prey. "Poor Dr. Vedant Mathur."

Vedant didn’t say a word. His hands clenched at his sides, his jaw locked, but his silence didn’t deter her. She walked closer, slowly, deliberately.

"I mean, I am like this only," she continued with a shrug, feigning innocence. "This is me, Vedant. I don’t do love. I don’t do commitments. I enjoy my life the way I want, and no one—no one—gets to tell me otherwise. Certainly not you."

He sucked in a sharp breath, his lips parting, but no words came out.

"Tell me," she taunted, her tone mocking, "do you still love me after seeing this?"

She was testing him. Daring him.

Vedant swallowed thickly, his vision slightly blurred. He tried his best to hold it in, to stay strong, but no matter how hard he fought it—a broken sob tore through his chest.

For a split second, something flickered in Nandini’s eyes. A softness. A hesitation. But it disappeared as quickly as it came, masked behind her cruel smirk.

She stepped even closer, her voice lowering to a whisper, dripping with venom.

"So? Now that you finally see what I really am… has your fake love or stupid attraction faded away?"

Vedant’s throat burned, but still, he didn’t respond. He couldn’t.

Nandini let out a sharp laugh, shaking her head. "Oh come on, Vedant. Say it. Say that you don’t love me anymore. Say that you finally see what a mess I am and that you don’t want me anymore. Say it and move on already."

When he still didn’t speak, she let out an exasperated sigh and mockingly asked again, her eyes glinting with dark amusement, "Do you still love me, Vedant?"

And this time… he whispered.

"Yes."

Nandini’s smirk faltered.

Vedant let out a shaky breath, finally looking at her properly, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"You don’t love me, Nandini… I know that. And this is your life. You can do whatever you want, however you want." His voice was hoarse, each word laced with quiet agony. "But my love… it doesn’t stop just because you want it to. It doesn’t disappear just because you keep pushing me away.”

But Vedant couldn’t take it anymore. His walls were crumbling, his heart too heavy to bear another second of this.

Without another word, he turned around, fumbled with his keys, and stumbled inside his apartment.

His hands trembled as he turned the lock, his breath coming out in uneven gasps. The moment the lock clicked into place, he collapsed onto the floor.

His back rested against the door, his knees bent, and his head dropped as he tried to steady himself. But it was impossible.

His chest felt like it was caving in. Like someone had reached inside him and ripped something out, leaving only an unbearable emptiness.

A strangled sob tore from his lips.

He wasn’t supposed to feel this way. He knew it.

He had no right to tell her how to live. No right to question her choices. She had her own life, and she was free to do whatever she wanted.

He wasn’t judging her. He never could.

But that didn’t stop the pain.

The image of her—messy hair, flushed cheeks, standing so close to Kaushik, touching him, smiling at him— kept playing in his head like a nightmare he couldn't wake up from.

It was that she flaunted it in front of him.

That she wanted him to see it. To feel it.

That she stood there, looking him in the eye, and mocked his love as if it was nothing.

Another sob escaped him, louder this time. He pressed his hand over his mouth, as if trying to muffle his own brokenness, but it was useless. He was falling apart.

Akshat stood at the door, holding a spare key in his hand. As he turned it in the lock, the door creaked open, revealing the cozy warmth of Amrit's house. He entered, looking around and calling out her name.

Amrit stepped out from her room, her arms full of books, and gave him a cheerful smile. "Aa gaye aap," she said, taking the books from his hand and adjusting them in her arms.

Akshat, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, pulled her into a tight hug from behind. "Kya karun? Biwi se door nahi raha jaata," he murmured into her ear, his tone playful.

Amrit smiled, though her expression soon turned a little exasperated. "Haan, jada boliye mat, Kal poora din gayab the aap, aur wo Nikhil… mujhe itna pareshan kar raha tha," she said, shaking her head. "Sade muh wali chuhiya aur kitchen saaf karne vala pocha kaha usne mujhe! Aur aaj… usne jo khana banaya, uss mein laal mirchi mila ke lunch pack kar diya… abhi maza ayega!"

Akshat couldn’t help but chuckle, his laugh a mix of amusement and sympathy for Nikhil. "Oye, shaitan ki bachi! Bechare ki halat kya ho rahi hogi… ache se kha bhi nahi payega! Phir aa ke ladega tumse, aur dono mil kar mera sar khaoge!" he said, his arms still around her, rocking her gently from side to side.

Amrit laughed softly, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Akshat broke the hug and took a step back, his expression turning slightly more serious. "Vaise, I am sorry yaar. Actually, kal Maa ki tabiyat thodi thik nahi thi, toh unke paas hi ruka tha," he explained, his voice soft with concern.

Amrit turned towards him, placing a reassuring hand on his cheek. "Arre, I know. Maa se vaise bhi door hi rehte ho aap," she said, giving him a comforting smile.

Akshat let out a sigh of relief, but then his expression shifted again. "Vaise, sach kahun to, ye chupke rehna sab ab acha nahi lag raha… Kal Maa meri shaadi ki baat kar rahi thi… ab kaise bataun unhe? Itna man hota hai ki unki Bahu ko unse milwaun par…" His voice trailed off as he sank down onto the couch, a hint of frustration in his eyes.

Amrit joined him on the couch, sitting beside him and placing her hand on his shoulder. She looked at him with understanding. "I am sorry, meri wajah se aapko itni problem ho rahi hai..tab shuru shuru tha hamare beech isliye I said that..mujhe laga aapki family agar kahin meri education me problem na laaye but abhi we can reveal it" she said confidently.

Akshat looked at her, his eyes softening. "Exams aa rahe hain, focus on that..uske baad sochenge."

Amrit sighed, shaking her head in mock frustration. She then stood up from the couch, straightening her clothes. "Acha, chalo. Mere best friend ki birthday party hai, toh usne invite kiya hai tumhe aur mujhe," Akshat said, standing up too. "Chalo, ready ho jao."

Amrit froze for a moment, her eyebrows knitting together in suspicion. "What? Par unhe mere baare mein kaise pata? Aur Krishiv bhaiya to aapke childhood friend hain, unhe nahi pata… par ye wale ko sab pata hai kyun?" she asked, her tone confused.

Akshat hesitated for a moment, scratching his head awkwardly. "W…wo he is my therapist," he said, looking anywhere but at her.

Amrit raised an eyebrow but didn’t press him further. She knew Akshat well enough to know that he would eventually tell her everything when the time was right.

"Ohh, ok. Main ready ho kar aati hoon," Amrit said, her voice softening. She gave him a small smile before turning and walking towards her room to get ready.

Amrit stood before the mirror, her fingers fumbling with the delicate organza fabric of the saree. The soft shimmer of the material seemed to mock her every attempt as she tried, for what felt like the hundredth time, to pleat it perfectly. No matter how hard she tried, the pleats wouldn’t stay neatly in place, slipping through her fingers. She let out a frustrated sigh, her patience wearing thin.

She was already late, and the event she needed to attend was looming, but this damn saree was determined to keep her from being ready. “Gussa aa rahi bahot?” she muttered to herself, her brow furrowed in concentration.

Akshat strode into Amrit’s room, his voice a mix of concern and impatience. “Amrit, we are getting late, kya kar rahi ho?” But as he walked in, his words faltered when he saw her.

Amrit stood in front of the mirror, still trying to adjust her saree. The delicate organza fabric was draped haphazardly around her body, the pleats completely out of place. She looked frustrated, her brow furrowed as she tried, yet again, to make them stay.

Akshat’s initial annoyance faded as he watched her struggle. His eyes softened, and a small smile tugged at his lips. Amrit had never been one to back down from a challenge, but right now, the saree seemed like her greatest enemy.

"Mai help kar dun?" he asked gently, stepping closer to her.

Amrit shot him a quick, determined look. “Nhi mai kar lungi," she said, her voice laced with frustration. "Just one more try.”

Akshat raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Amrit, tum kabse try kar rahi ho…Let me help.”

Without hesitation, and without seeking her permission he pushed himself off the door and made his way toward her. He took a step closer to her. The proximity between them seemed to electrify the air, and Amrit’s breath caught slightly as she felt the heat of his presence behind her.

Without a word, Akshat gently took the saree from her hands, his fingers brushing against hers in a way that sent a shiver through her.

“Mujhe karne do.” He said , stepping closer to her.

“Aise hi raho,” he murmured softly. His voice had dropped to a husky tone that seemed to vibrate in her chest. She nodded, unable to do anything but comply. She wanted to speak, but the proximity made her feel dizzy.

Akshat moved closer, his hands carefully gathering the fabric of Amrit’s saree. The pleats of the lower part of the saree were unruly, and as his fingers worked, he smoothed each fold with a precision that only he seemed to possess.

His hands were steady, confident as he worked the saree into perfect pleats. Amrit’s eyes fluttered closed for a moment, her pulse quickening as she felt his fingers glide over her skin, smoothing the fabric over her body with practiced ease. Every movement seemed deliberate, as though he was savoring the task of dressing her.

His touch was gentle, yet purposeful, as he tugged the pleats just a little tighter, pulling them into the fabric around her waist. She could feel the way his fingertips brushed against her skin, the warmth of his hand sending heat blooming under the fabric.

Akshat’s lips curled into a slight smile, but he didn’t say a word. Instead, his fingers brushed the edge of the saree over her waist once more, and she could feel the pull, the slight tug that brought her a little closer to him. The feeling was almost magnetic, like he was drawing her in without saying anything, and she couldn’t help but give in, her body instinctively inching toward him.

Then, as he reached to adjust the shoulder drape of the saree, his fingers brushed the bare skin of her shoulder. His touch was soft, almost reverent.

Akshat paused, his hand lingering on her shoulder. He was close now, so close that Amrit could feel the steady rhythm of his breath, the heat radiating from his chest. Her skin prickled under his touch, the sensation almost electric.

Without a word, he gently tugged the fabric at her shoulder, pulling the saree into place with a soft but deliberate motion. His fingers slid across the curve of her shoulder, the fabric falling perfectly into place, but his hand didn’t pull away. Instead, his fingers lingered, brushing over the soft skin of her shoulder in a slow, deliberate caress.

Amrit’s heart skipped a beat, and she fought to keep her breathing steady. His presence surrounded her, filled every inch of space around her, and she felt a flush spread across her skin, her breath shallow.

Then, without warning, Akshat leaned down, His lips brushing the delicate skin of her shoulder, his kiss gentle yet charged with a quiet intensity. The contact was soft at first, a fleeting press of warmth, but it left her breathless. He pulled away for a moment, the air around them thick with the weight of the touch. The gentle caress of his kiss seemed to ignite something deep within her, the intimacy of the moment drawing them closer.

Her breath faltered as the kiss, so tender yet so charged with emotion, sent a shiver through her. The world outside disappeared, leaving only the quiet, intimate space between them, where the touch of his lips and the warmth of his presence lingered in the air, unspoken but understood.

Amrit felt her cheeks flush with a soft warmth, her heart racing as she tried to compose herself. She looked away, unable to meet his gaze, her blush betraying the emotions swirling inside her. Amrit felt the heat in her cheeks, and her heart fluttered in her chest. She couldn’t quite put into words how she felt, how the simple touch had set something off inside of her. She was overwhelmed, but in the best way possible.

Akshat, noticing the way her body responded to his touch, couldn't help but smile, his lips grazing the curve of her neck before he slowly moved upward, inching closer to her lips. The anticipation in the air thickened, and he felt a magnetic pull to close the distance between them. His breath was warm against her skin as he leaned in, his lips just a breath away from hers.

But then, suddenly, a sharp knock on the door echoed through the room, jarring them both. Amrit froze, her heart sinking as the quiet intimacy was shattered. Akshat pulled back, eyes briefly flashing with frustration before he closed them, letting out a soft exhale. His fingers curled into a fist at his side as he muttered under his breath.

“Nikhil ka bacha.” he whispered, his voice laced with irritation.

Amrit’s expression shifted the moment the knock interrupted the moment. Her eyes, which had been soft with anticipation, darkened with irritation. Her lips, still slightly parted from the breath she had held, pressed into a thin line as the sudden intrusion snapped her back to reality. She could feel the heat of her blush intensify, but it wasn’t from the kiss anymore, it was from the annoyance that bubbled up inside her.

She crossed her arms over her chest, a small, frustrated huff escaping her lips . “Iss mirchi ke pakode ko abhi aana tha…subah to bola tha ki late ho jayega Aaj.” she thought, the timing of the interruption feeling almost cruel.

Amrit was just about to open the door when she suddenly heard familiar voices from outside.

"Amrit kahan hai?"

It was Preeti’s voice. Amrit’s eyes widened in shock. Her heart skipped a beat as panic took over.

"Gate kyun nahi khol rahi? So to nahi rahi hogi na?" Krishiv asked, sounding impatient.

"Itne time kaun sota hai?" Vishakha added with mild irritation.

Amrit stood frozen for a moment, her mind racing. Her gaze darted towards the couch where Akshat was sitting comfortably, casually scrolling through his phone.

She turned and sprinted towards him, whispering urgently. "Preeti Masi, Maa, Krishiv Bhaiya ki awaaz aa rahi hai!" Her face was pale with shock.

Akshat, who was sipping water at that moment, choked and coughed violently. "Kyaaaa?! Ye sab ek saath yahan kya kar rahe hain?!" he panicked, eyes widening.

Amrit frantically looked around for a hiding spot. "Aap wo sab chhodo, kahin chup jao!" she urged, whispering loudly.

Akshat’s eyes darted around the room as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "A…kya karun…? Kahan jaun?" he muttered.

Suddenly, Amrit’s eyes lit up with an idea. "Idea!" she whispered, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Without giving him a chance to react, she grabbed a thick bedsheet lying on the chair, threw it over him, and shoved him onto the couch. Before he could even protest, she quickly adjusted the cushions around him, making him blend into the furniture.

Akshat looked up at her in horror. "Ye kya kar rahi ho?! Mujhe couch kyun bana diya?!" he hissed.

Amrit clamped a hand over his mouth. "Chup! Agar pakde gaye to bhool jaana ki aap mujhe jante ho!" she whispered urgently.

Akshat sighed internally. "Ye Amrit ka dimaag kahan se aata hai? Mujhe couch bana diya! Ab pata nahi aur kya kya banna padega! Aur mere ghar walon ko sukoon nahi hai kya? Saare ke saare aa gaye ek saath!" he thought, shutting his eyes in frustration.

Just then, the doorbell rang again, making Amrit jolt.

Taking a deep breath, she forced a wide smile and opened the door. "Namaste Aunty! Namaste Aunty! Hello Bhaiya! Andar aaiye!" she greeted sweetly, doing her best to look calm.

But as soon as she fully opened the door, her smile wavered.

"Hum bhi hain!" A teasing voice came from the back.

Amrit turned her head, and her fake smile almost broke.

Vihaan, Anika, Nandini, Kavya, Vedant, Vikram, and Rakshit stood there, grinning at her.

Her heart sank. "Aaa…aaa…aap sab ek saath yahan?" she asked, voice laced with shock.

Anika smirked. "Kaisa laga surprise?"

Amrit blinked rapidly, still processing the situation. "Acha! Bohot acha! Ekdum shock jaisa!" she said, her voice slightly strained.

Just then, Kavya’s sharp eyes landed on the oddly shaped couch. She frowned and pointed at it.

"Amrit, wo kya hai? Kal to nahi tha."

Amrit’s blood ran cold. She quickly rushed to block their view and thought of an excuse at lightning speed.

Forcing a nervous laugh, she said, "Bas chhota sa couch hai… kal balcony me rakha tha, to Nikhil ne laa kar yahan rakh diya." She gulped, praying they wouldn’t ask more questions.

Meanwhile, under the covers, Akshat was mentally groaning. "Hey bhagwan ye ladki!" he thought, shutting his eyes tightly.

Everything was going fine… until

"Aachhooo!" A loud sneeze echoed through the room.

Everyone froze. Nandini’s eyes narrowed. "Ye awaaz?" she asked suspiciously, looking around.

Amrit’s brain went into overdrive. Within a second, she faked a loud sneeze.

"Aachhooo! Aachhooo! Pata nahi kyun… kal se thoda zukam se ho gaya!" she said, rubbing her nose dramatically.

Before anyone could question further, Preeti walked over to the couch and sat down right on top of Akshat!

Underneath, Akshat’s entire body stiffened. "Aaj meri haddi bach jayegi ya nahi!" he thought in horror.

Completely unaware, Preeti smiled at Amrit. "Hum yahan ek saath isliye aaye kyunki kal Nikhil ka birthday hai. Usne bataya tha… so we were thinking ki uske liye ek party organize karen!"

Amrit quickly nodded, trying to suppress her panic. "Ohhh! Acha, acha!" she said, forcing a smile.

Vikram narrowed his eyes. "Tumhe pata nahi tha kya?" he asked, sounding suspicious.

Amrit felt sweat trickle down her forehead. "Arre, nahi, pata tha na, Uncle! Wo to bas maine aise hi bola!" she lied, forcing out a laugh.

Preeti shook her head. "Dekho beta, tumhare nazar me important nahi hoga, par hamare liye to hamare jaan pehchaan ke sab log important hain…especially tum aur Nikhil."

"Kya?" Amrit asked, confused.

Before Preeti could say anything further, Anika quickly jumped in. "Unka matlab hai ki tum already Nikhil ke sath birthday celebrate kar chuki hogi, par hamare liye to yeh pehla hai!"

"Ohhh… haan haan!" Amrit said with a nervous laugh.

Meanwhile, under the disguise of a couch, Akshat was losing his mind.

"Masi ko kaise uthne ko bolun! Agar abhi bhi nahi hategi to sach me mujhe flat kar degi!" he thought in horror.

He clenched his fists, taking slow, deep breaths, praying for the nightmare to end.

Akshat was trapped. Quite literally. Preeti was still sitting on him, completely unaware that she was crushing the life out of her dear nephew. He had never imagined that one day he would be reduced to being a couch.

Meanwhile, Amrit was panicking inside but kept a composed smile on the outside. "Agar maine jaldi kuch nahi kiya, to Akshat sach me furniture ban jayege!" she thought.

Then, an idea struck her like lightning. Haan! Sabko yahan se door le jaana hoga!

With a bright, fake smile, she clapped her hands together. "Aap log baitho, main pani le aati hoon!" she said in a cheerful tone, masking her nervousness.

Preeti, still comfortably seated on Akshat, nodded. "Haan beta, le aa, bohot garmi ho rahi hai."

Amrit quickly turned and dashed towards the kitchen, her heartbeat racing. She had to act fast.

Once inside, she took a deep breath, mentally preparing for her next move. "Yahan sirf dimaag se kaam nahi chalega… drama bhi karna padega!"

She eyed the floor dramatically, took her position, and then,

"AHHHHHHHH!" she let out a loud, ear-piercing scream.

Simultaneously, she threw herself onto the floor with a loud thud, making it seem like she had fallen hard.

"Amrit!" Preeti gasped, immediately getting up from her 'couch' in shock.

"Kya hua?!" Krishiv shouted, already rushing toward the kitchen.

"Oh God, kahin gir gayi kya?!" Kavya panicked.

"Chalo dekhte hain!" Vihaan said, leading the way.

Within seconds, everyone sprinted toward the kitchen, leaving the living room empty.

Akshat, finally free from Preeti’s weight, peeked out from under the cover like a fugitive escaping from prison.

He took a deep breath. "Waah! Kya dimaag lagaya hai Amrit ne! Bilkul perfect timing thi!" he thought, feeling a new level of admiration for his wife.

But before he could celebrate, reality hit him.

"Par ab mai kya karun? Yahan jyada der tak nahi reh sakta… meri kamar to abhi se jawab dene lagi hai!" He stretched his back slightly, feeling the strain.

Then he heard their voices coming from the kitchen.

"Mujhe dekhne do!" Krishiv said, concerned.

"Amrit, tum theek ho?" Preeti asked, worried.

Akshat’s eyes widened. "Yeh log to wapas aane wale hain!"

His survival instincts kicked in. Without wasting another second, he quickly but quietly got up from his 'couch' disguise and sprinted toward their room.

Once inside, he spotted the bed and without thinking twice, dove onto it, grabbing a blanket and covering himself completely.

Amrit successfully executed her distraction plan, and everyone had rushed to the kitchen, leaving Akshat free to escape. He quickly bolted to Amrit’s room, hid under the duvet, and prayed no one would find him.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Amrit was dramatically holding her ankle while everyone fussed over her. After ensuring they believed her act, she nodded and said, "Main theek hoon, chaliye sab baithte hain."

Krishiv and Vihaan helped Amrit back to the living room, making her sit on the couch carefully.

Preeti, still a little concerned, sat down beside her. But the moment she did, she frowned.

"Ye couch patla kaise ho gaya?" she asked, looking around confused.

Amrit’s heart skipped a beat. She gulped and quickly said, "A... wo... Kahan aunty? Aise hi to tha!" She tried to sound casual, forcing a nervous smile.

Preeti blinked. "Haan, maybe," she said, shrugging before settling comfortably back into the couch.

Amrit let out a silent sigh of relief. "Lagta hai Akshat kahin aur chup gaye," she thought, shaking her head.

The conversation soon shifted as they started discussing Nikhil’s birthday party.

"Humein kuch special karna chahiye," Vihaan suggested.

"Haan, ek surprise party organize karte hain," Anika added excitedly.

"Theme kya hogi?" Vishakha asked.

As everyone brainstormed ideas, Kavya suddenly clapped her hands together. "Arre ek kaam karte hain, mai wo frame lekar aati hoon tum dono ki photo wala… ham uska bada size karva denge!"

"Wah, mast idea hai!" Krishiv agreed.

"Ha…haan," Amrit added, trying to focus on the discussion rather than Akshat’s whereabouts.

Kavya smiled and went to Amrit’s room to fetch the frame

The moment Kavya stepped inside, she saw a large figure lying on the bed, completely covered with a duvet. She froze.

Her eyes widened, and then "AAAHHHH!" she screamed in horror.

In the hall, Amrit's eyes widened in realization. She gulped. "Kahin Kavya didi ne Akshat ko dekh toh nahi liya?!"

Without wasting another second, she dashed towards the room.

"Kya hua Kavya?" Vihaan asked, following behind.

Everyone else, alarmed by the scream, quickly got up and ran after them.

Amrit rushed inside and saw Kavya pointing at the bed, still in shock.

"Amrit! Yeh kaun hai?!" Kavya asked, her voice slightly panicked.

Amrit gulped, her mind racing a hundred miles per second.

Akshat, still under the duvet, closed his eyes. "Aaj toh gaye ham dono."

Thinking fast, Amrit blurted out, "Wo… wo… meri Masi hain!"

Kavya blinked. "Kya?!"

Vishakha, who had just entered, frowned. "Tumne bataya nahi ki tumhari Masi aayi hain?"

Amrit forced a nervous laugh. "Haan wo… mujhe laga baad me bataungi, waise bhi aap log mil lete na. Aur unki tabiyat theek nahi hai, bohot mushkil se soyi hain."

Everyone nodded, accepting her explanation.

Akshat, still under the blanket, mentally groaned. "Pehle couch, ab Mausi! Yeh kya ho raha hai mere saath?!"

Just when Amrit thought she had managed to cover up the situation, there was a sudden knock on the door.

She turned, frowning. "Ab kaun aa gaya?"

Taking a deep breath, she walked to the door and opened it.

The moment she saw who it was, her eyes popped out in shock. It was Pratibha, her actual Masi.

Pratibha smiled warmly. "Namaste!" she greeted, stepping inside.

Amrit stiffened. "Masi?!" she whispered in horror.

Nandini, who had followed behind, raised an eyebrow. "Kon hai Amrit?"

Pratibha, hearing her, turned and smiled. "Arey, main uski Masi hoon."

Everyone collectively turned and looked at Amrit suspiciously.

"Tumne toh kaha tha ki andar tumhari Masi hain," Vishakha said slowly.

Amrit gulped. "A..haan… wo… yeh…" She looked at Akshat, who was mentally banging his head on the pillow.

Vihaan narrowed his eyes. "Toh yeh kaun hai jo andar so raha hai?"

Amrit panicked. She had to come up with something fast.

"Haan… wo… masi nahi… masi ki saas hain!" she said quickly trying to be normal.

Anika frowned. "Par abhi toh tumne masi bola tha?"

Amrit forced a grin. "Mai unhe bhi masi bolti hoon!"

Pratibha looked at her, confused. "Maa ji kab aayi yahan? Wo toh ghar pe hain na?"

Amrit nearly choked. "Nahi… wo… nahi…" She scrambled for an answer.

Then, as if a lightbulb went off in her head, she blurted out, "Wo Riti Mausi hain na, jo Mummy ki best friend thi… unki saas hain!”

Pratibha blinked. "Acha! Bade din baad dikhi… chalo mil lete hain!" She started walking towards the bed.

Amrit’s soul nearly left her body. "NAHIIII!" she shrieked, jumping in front of her.

Everyone looked at her, startled.

She quickly composed herself. "Mera matlab… unki tabiyat theek nahi hai… bohot mushkil se soyi hain."

Pratibha frowned. "Oh… acha, phir baad me mil lenge."

Amrit sighed in relief. "Bach gaye!"

Akshat, still under the blanket, groaned internally. "Pehle couch, ab Mausi, ab toh saas bhi ban gaya hoon! Yeh kya ho raha hai?!”

Amrit had somehow managed to convince everyone that the person under the blanket was her "Masi ki saas," but she knew this lie wouldn't hold for long. She needed to get everyone out of the room before they got too curious.

"Waise bhi humein Nikhil ke birthday ki planning karni hai, chalo sab baithte hain hall me," she said, flashing a nervous smile.

Everyone seemed convinced, except Kavya, who still looked at the covered figure suspiciously.

"Bas ek baar dekh leti hoon, kabse itni awaz ke baad bhi uth nahi rahi thik to hongi na." Kavya muttered and took a step forward.

Amrit panicked and quickly threw herself in front of Kavya. "NAHIIII!" she shrieked dramatically.

Kavya and the others stared at her, startled.

Amrit quickly covered up. "Mera matlab… unhe disturb nahi karna chahiye. Aap log jao na, mai paani lekar aati hoon!"

"Haan chalo chalo, planning karni hai," Preeti agreed, thankfully taking the lead to exit.

But just as everyone was turning to leave, Vihaan turned. "Arey inka pair khul gaya hai mai sahi kar deta hun!"

Amrit’s soul nearly left her body.

"NAHIII!" she shrieked again, throwing herself onto the bed, sprawling her entire body over Akshat like a human shield.

Akshat, still under the blanket, nearly suffocated.

"Amrit, marwayegi kya?! Yahaan andar dum ghut raha hai!" he thought, struggling to breathe.

Vihaan frowned. "Arre kya hua?"

Amrit forced a laugh. "Arre mujhe bas unki health ki fikr hai!"

Vihaan narrowed his eyes. "Mai dar gaya tha."

Amrit sighed. "Aaj toh gaye hote kaam se!”

She turned to the bed and quickly patted the duvet-covered Akshat like a mother putting a baby to sleep. "Aap araam se soiye, koi tension nahi!" she said loudly, trying to make it clear that no one should disturb the "so-called saas." Akshat rolled his eyes.

Just when she thought she had managed to handle the situation, Preeti suddenly gasped,

"Arre ek minute! Masi ki saas ka naam kya hai?!"

Silence fell over the room as every pair of eyes turned expectantly toward Amrit.

Her brain froze. Naam?! Masi ki saas ka naam kya bataun ab?!

She swallowed hard, forcing a smile. "Uh… Rita! Haan… Rita Devi!" she declared confidently, as if she had been prepared for this question all along.

Under the blanket, Akshat bit his tongue to stop himself from laughing. "Ab main Rita Devi ban gaya?!"

Pratibha frowned, tilting her head in confusion. "Par Riti didi ki saas ka naam toh Savitri hai."

Amrit’s entire body stiffened. Her confident smile faltered for a second before she quickly covered it up with an awkward laugh. "Haan toh… unka nickname hai Rita!"

Vihaan snorted. "Kaisi saas hai jiska nickname Rita hai?"

Amrit felt sweat forming on her forehead. “Bas kisi tarah Akshat ko bacha loon!” She forced another nervous chuckle, hoping they would drop the topic.

But fate wasn’t on her side today.

"Kya hai ye?!" Kavya suddenly shrieked, her voice filled with horror as she pointed at the bed.

Amrit’s heart leaped out of her chest. "Kya?!" she blurted, panicking.

Kavya frowned, stepping closer. "Kuch hila blanket ke neeche!"

The room went eerily silent. Everyone’s eyes snapped to the bed.

Amrit’s breathing turned shallow. Her mind screamed for a way out, but she had none.

Vihaan narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Lagta hai wo jaag gayi hain!"

And before Amrit could stop him, he reached for the blanket.

Her entire world slowed as she lunged forward, praying for a miracle.

"NAHIII!" Amrit shrieked again, throwing herself onto the bed in an overly dramatic fashion and clutching the blanket as if her life depended on it.

Under the blanket, Akshat yelped in alarm. "Yeh mujhe hi maar degi!" he muttered, barely able to breathe under Amrit's sudden weight.

But Amrit wasn’t paying attention. She pressed her cheek against the blanket, fake sobs racking her body. "Mat uthaiye!" she wailed. "Masi ki saas bohot weak hain! Unki aankhen kholte hi chakkar aa jayega!"

Everyone stared at her.

Vihaan, who had been mere inches from snatching the blanket away, immediately pulled his hand back. His face paled. "Oh, sorry!" he blurted, stepping away. "Phir toh unko rest karne do!"

Amrit nodded vigorously, wiping her imaginary tears. "Haan haan, bilkul! Unko bas rest karne do!" She patted the blanket as if comforting a frail old lady beneath it.

Vishakha clapped her hands, distracting everyone. "Chalo chalo, sab birthday planning karein!"

A collective murmur of agreement spread through the room.

"Arre haan!" Preeti exclaimed. "Itna time waste ho gaya, humein decorations bhi discuss karni hain!"

Vihaan shrugged. "Haan chalo, Aunty ko sone do!"

Before anyone could change their mind, she sat up and started shooing them toward the door. "Haan haan, chaliye sab! Jaldi se planning shuru karein!"

The second they were gone, she locked the door, turned around, and collapsed against it, her heart still racing.

A deep sigh escaped her lips. Bach gayi!

And with that, she quickly followed the others, hoping no one would ever bring up this topic again.

Everyone was deeply engaged in planning Nikhil’s birthday, discussing decorations, cake flavors, and guest lists. Laughter and chatter filled the room, but Amrit’s mind wasn’t there.

Her eyes kept darting toward the closed bedroom door, her heart pounding with worry. "Akshat ko nikalna hoga, warna hum dono pakde jayenge!"

She quickly grabbed her phone and typed a message with shaky fingers:

"Ab zyada der bach nahi paayenge. Akshat, please nikaliye kaise bhi!"

A second later, her phone buzzed.

"Tum kuch karo, inka dhyan bhatkao dobara. Mai chance dekhte hi bahar chala jaunga."

Amrit sighed, chewing on her lower lip before responding:

"Haan."

She placed the phone aside and rubbed her temples. Dhyan bhatkao? But how?

Her mind raced through possibilities knocking over a glass? Spilling something? No, too predictable. She needed something dramatic, something that would shift everyone’s focus entirely.

And then, a crazy idea struck her.

Her lips curled into a mischievous smile. “Yeh kaam kar sakta hai!”

Taking a deep breath, she straightened up on the sofa, her hands subtly clutching the cushion beneath her. She let herself fall sideways, her body going limp as she collapsed onto the couch like a ragdoll.

A loud gasp echoed through the room.

"AMRIT?!" Preeti shrieked, rushing toward her.

"Arre yeh achanak kya ho gaya?" Vihaan exclaimed, his voice filled with concern.

Vishakha’s eyes widened. "Pani lao jaldi!" she ordered, her hands already shaking Amrit’s shoulder.

Amrit kept her breathing shallow, her eyelids fluttering weakly.

"Bas thodi der ka natak, Akshat ko nikalne ka mauka milna chahiye!"

In the background, amidst the commotion, the bedroom door clicked open ever so slightly.

Amrit fought the urge to smirk. "Plan kaam kar raha hai!”

"Amrit, kya hua?!" Rakshit patted her cheeks urgently, his face filled with worry.

Kavya bent down, shaking her slightly. "Amrit, aankhein kholo!"

Vishakha panicked. "Pehle sab theek tha, achanak behosh kaise ho gayi?"

Vihaan scratched his head. "Aisa kya shock laga jo behosh ho gayi?

Akshat peeked out from behind the slightly open bedroom door, his heart thudding in his chest. Everyone’s backs were turned toward Amrit, their attention solely on her.

"Yahi moka hai!"

Moving with the precision of a trained spy, he tiptoed out of the room, his steps light as a feather. He maneuvered carefully, ensuring he didn’t bump into any furniture or make the floor creak.

The front door was in sight. “Bas thoda aur… thoda aur… aur!” A triumphant smirk tugged at his lips as he envisioned his great escape.

But just when he was about to bolt

"Mai paani laati hoon!" Anika suddenly announced.

Akshat froze mid-step, his eyes widening in horror.

Anika turned around, her gaze sweeping toward his direction.

Nowhere to go! Thinking fast, Akshat dived behind the long window curtain, pressing himself flat against the wall. The fabric swayed slightly before settling around him.

Anika, thankfully oblivious, walked right past him, focused entirely on her mission to revive Amrit.

Akshat stayed deadly still, barely breathing.

Meanwhile, Anika quickly brought a glass of water and sprinkled it on Amrit’s face.

A shiver ran down Amrit’s spine at the sudden chill, but she stayed in character, blinking weakly as if just regaining consciousness.

"Amrit!" Vishakha sighed in relief. "Tum theek ho?"

Amrit’s eyes fluttered open ever so slightly. "Haan… bas… thoda chakkar aa gaya tha…" she mumbled weakly.

"Amrit! Theek ho?!" Vishakha asked, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, her voice laced with concern.

Amrit blinked innocently, her mind working at full speed.

"Haan, haan… abhi I am fine," she said, trying to sound as weak and believable as possible.

Vikram frowned, crossing his arms. "Par hua kya? Achaanak behosh kaise ho gayi?"

All eyes were on her again. Amrit’s brain scrambled for an excuse. “Soch Amrit, soch!”

She quickly exhaled and put on a dramatic pout. "Nikhil se ladai ho gayi thi. Gusse mein kuch khaya nahi, bas weakness aa gayi."

A collective ohhh of understanding echoed in the room.

"Aree toh pehle bata deti! Chalo kuch kha le!" Preeti said, shaking her head like a mother scolding a careless child.

Amrit was about to nod when her eyes casually drifted toward the window.

And then, her entire body froze. Her heartbeat nearly stopped as she spotted something.

Akshat!

He was still hiding behind the curtain, peeking out like a cartoon villain.

But that wasn’t the worst part. His foot. His clearly visible foot was sticking out from beneath the curtain.

Amrit’s eyes widened in absolute horror.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!" she shrieked at the top of her lungs, her voice echoing through the entire house.

Everyone jumped back in shock.

"KYA HUA?!" Rakshit nearly dropped the water glass, his face paling.

Vihaan took a defensive stance. "Bhoot dekh liya hai kya?!"

"Wo… wo…" Amrit frantically tried to think of an excuse, her eyes darting between the curtain and the suspicious stares directed at her.

Finally, she blurted out, "PAIR DIKH RAHA!— I mean PAIR DUKH RAHA!"

Akshat, realizing his blunder, immediately snapped his foot back inside the curtain.

Vihaan narrowed his eyes. "Tu toh keh rahi thi weakness ki wajah se giri, ab pair kaise dukhne laga?"

Amrit forced a big, bright, utterly fake smile. "Arre weakness se girne se dukh raha hoga na!"

Everyone seemed to buy the explanation, nodding in agreement.

Amrit let out a silent sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, hidden behind the curtain, Akshat was mentally cursing his entire existence.

"Sab mera kaal ban ke aaye hain aaj!"

First, she almost got him caught by screaming like a banshee. Then, she barely covered up his foot blunder. He was seconds away from being exposed!

He took a deep breath to calm himself. “Focus, Akshat! Bhagns ka koi rasta dhundh!”

His sharp eyes scanned the room. And then, he saw it. The main door was open.

Relief washed over him. “Bas ab 4 kadam aur bahar!”

He inhaled deeply, his body tensed, his muscles ready to launch into action.

"Teen… do… ek—"

But just as he took a step forward, Everyone sat back down on the sofa, directly blocking his path.

His jaw dropped. "Yeh sab yahi baith gaye?! Ab kya karu?!"

His mind raced a mile a minute. He couldn’t just stand there forever!

And then, an absolutely reckless, utterly stupid, but the only available plan hit him. Without thinking twice, he grabbed onto the curtain rod and climbed out of the window.

The cold air hit his face as he dangled precariously from the edge, gripping the rod for dear life.

"Bhagwan please zinda bacha lena!"

Meanwhile, inside, Amrit had barely managed to calm everyone down.

The moment he realized he was hanging two stories up, Akshat’s stomach dropped.

"Maine kya kar diya?!" he thought in horror.

This was not how he had imagined his escape. He had planned to sneak out gracefully, not dangle off a window like a Bollywood stunt gone wrong.

But now, he had no choice. If he climbed back in, he’d be caught. If he let go… well, that wasn’t an option. So, there he was.

Clinging to the window ledge like his life depended on it.

Inside, Amrit was still looking around.

"Akshat gaye?" She peeked around the room, half-expecting him to still be hiding somewhere.

But when she saw no sign of him, she sighed in relief.

"Lagta hai finally bhaag gaye!”

Meanwhile, outside,

"Bhaag nahi paya, latak raha hoon!" Akshat mentally screamed.

His fingers were starting to slip.

Inside, Vedant stretched. "Thandi hawa aa rahi," he said lazily. "Ek kaam karta hoon, window band kar leta hoon!"

Amrit’s soul left her body.

"NAHIII!!" she shrieked, leaping to her feet like a rocket.

Vedant stopped mid-step, frowning. "Ab kya hua?"

Amrit frantically thought of an excuse. "Wo… khidki mat band kariye! Bahar hawa hai jo mujhe i mean meri skin ke liye achi hai!"

Krishiv raised an eyebrow. "Hein ye kya tha.."

Amrit let out a nervous laugh. "Jaise thandi ki dhoop achi hoti hai vaise hi hawa mere liye !"

Vihaan gave her a weird look, but shrugged. "Theek hai,."

Satisfied, he flopped back down onto the sofa.

Outside, Akshat let out a shaky breath.

"Bach gaya!"

Inside the living room, the discussion about Nikhil’s birthday party was in full swing. Everyone was chatting animatedly, completely unaware of Akshat’s life-and-death situation outside.

Amrit, on the other hand, was sweating bullets. She kept stealing glances at the window, praying that Akshat had somehow managed to escape.

Suddenly, Kavya stretched her arms and sighed.

"Uff… yeh thandi hawa kitni tez chal rahi hai.. Amrit tum baad me jaa ke aram se hawa kha lena." She shivered slightly.

Amrit froze. "No, no, no—"

Before she could react, Kavya got up and walked towards the window.

"Mai window band kar deti hoon!" she said casually.

Kavya reached the window. She pulled the curtain aside… and her eyes landed on him.

For a full second, she just stood there, processing what she was seeing.

Akshat, hanging outside the window like a scene straight out of an action movie. His hair was a mess, his eyes wide in panic, and he looked like he was fighting gravity with sheer willpower.

Then-

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!"

Kavya let out an ear-piercing scream, stepping back so fast that she nearly tripped.

Everyone jumped in shock.

"KYA HUA?!" Vishakha asked, alarmed.

Kavya’s face had turned completely pale. She didn't say a word. Instead, she lifted a trembling hand and pointed toward the window.

Everyone’s eyes followed her finger.

One by one, each person peeked toward the window… and let out their own screams.

"AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!" Anika shrieked.

"TUMM!!" Vikram yelled.

"YEH KYA HO RAHA HAI?! Vihaan almost stumbled back.

“YE KYA THA?” Krishiv said in disbelief.

Finally, Vishakha and Rakshit, the only ones left, turned to look.

Their eyes widened in pure shock.

The room fell into a deadly silence.

Amrit’s heart was hammering.

She squeezed her eyes shut, muttering under her breath. "Shitt!!"

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Khikhikhi...

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