[7]

" जिस पल तू साथ मेरे , उस पल में ज़िन्दगी है ,

तुझे पा के पाया सब कुछ,कोई ख्वाहिश अब नहीं है ,

मैं तो बस तुझसे ही बनी हूँ , तेरे बिन मैं बेवजह हूँ

मेरा मुझमें कुछ भी नहीं , सब तेरा, सब तेरा..."

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"Ved, come fast, we are getting late for the airport," Vidhan's voice resonated through the spacious living room, laced with urgency.

Just then, Vidhi stepped in gracefully, her presence immediately drawing his gaze. Her hair, slightly disheveled from the morning rush, framed her face with an effortless beauty.

"Let's go," Vidhi said softly, her eyes meeting Vidhan's with an affectionate glimmer.

"Abhi Ved nahi aaya," Vidhan replied, his expression easing as he moved closer to her. Without hesitation, he slid his arms around her slender waist, pulling her back against his chest in a warm embrace. His touch was gentle yet firm, his chin finding its place on her shoulder. Vidhi stilled, a tingling sensation spreading from where his breath brushed lightly against her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.

( Ved didn't came yet )

"Accha, ek baat puchu?" Vidhi whispered, melting into his hold. She leaned further into his chest, letting herself be enveloped by his familiar warmth.

( Should I ask you something )

"Hmm, pucho," Vidhan murmured, his voice a low, soothing hum that seemed to reverberate through both of them.

( Yes )

"Aap log Pune kyun ja rahe ho? I mean, I know ki wo aapka hometown hai, but achanak kaise?" Vidhi asked, her tone curious, yet soft.

( Why are you visiting pure ? I mean I know it's you hometown but why suddenly )

Vidhan tightened his embrace slightly, savoring the closeness. "Woh... bahut dino se ghar nahi gaye the, isliye," he answered, his voice carrying an undercurrent of nostalgia.

( Actually we didn't visited home from so long, that's why )

"Oh," Vidhi murmured, the single word laden with understanding. She could sense the unspoken yearning in his voice, the longing to reconnect with his roots.

Before either of them could say more, a voice cut through the moment.

"Let's go," Ved called out, his voice casual as he descended the stairs. He approached them with a slight smile, his eyes briefly flickering between the two.

Vidhan, sensing his brother's presence, reluctantly broke the embrace. He stepped back and stood beside Vidhi, his hand lingering for a moment longer on her arm as if unwilling to part.

"Hmm," Vidhan nodded to Ved, and with that, they made their way to the waiting car.

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

The ride to the airport was a quiet one, the car enveloped in a tranquil silence. Vidhi sat beside Vidhan, while Ved settled behind them, occasionally glancing at his phone.

Upon reaching the airport, the formalities were a blur, and before long, they were seated in the aircraft, buckling in for the journey. Vidhan beside Vidhi and Ved occupying the seat just behind them.

As the flight took off, the vibrations of ascent lulling her senses, Vidhi's eyelids drooped. Within moments, she was fast asleep, her head nestled comfortably against Vidhan's shoulder.

Vidhan looked down at her, his expression softening as he adjusted his arm around her, holding her close. She appeared utterly at peace, lost in the serenity of sleep. He could feel her gentle breathing against his chest, and the sight tugged at something deep within him.

Ved, noticing the scene, leaned forward slightly. His gaze lingered on Vidhi's sleeping form before shifting to his brother.

"Main bata raha hoon, bhai. Agar aapne Vidhi ko galti se bhi hurt kiya, toh mujhe bura koi nahi hoga," he said, his voice low and steady, carrying an unmistakable edge of protectiveness.

( I am telling you, brother. If you hurt Vidhi even by mistake, I will not leave you )

Vidhan, feeling the weight of his brother's words, turned his gaze to meet Ved's. A small, sincere smile curved his lips as he replied, "Kabhi nahi karunga, I promise." His eyes, bright and unwavering, bore the depth of his resolve and sincerity. Ved held his gaze for a moment longer, then nodded, satisfied. He leaned back in his seat, reassured by his brother's vow.

( I will never, I promise )

With Ved's words echoing softly in his mind, Vidhan tightened his hold on Vidhi, his fingers gently brushing her shoulder. He gazed at her for several long moments, taking in the delicate lines of her face, the slight flutter of her eyelashes, the way her hair framed her features so effortlessly.

She looked so serene, so utterly unguarded, and he felt a fierce surge of emotion rise within him-love, protectiveness, and something deeper, something unnameable.

Unable to resist, he leaned down and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead. The gesture was gentle, almost reverent, as if sealing the promise he had just made. Her skin was warm against his lips, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

Slowly, he rested his head against hers, his cheek brushing the crown of her head. He closed his eyes, letting the world outside the small cocoon of their seats blur into insignificance.

In that quiet, fleeting moment, it was just the two of them, wrapped in each other's presence, suspended between words and silences, between the earth below and the sky above.

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In the Evening...

The Ahuja brothers had just returned home, the weariness of travel slowly giving way to the anticipation of the evening ahead. They had barely settled in when the hustle and bustle of preparations began, as they were invited for dinner by the Oberoi family.

Ved, Vidhan, and Darsh lounged in the living room, the atmosphere relaxed as they waited for Vaidehi and Vaani to join them. The men were dressed in their semi-formal attire, but it was clear that none of them could sit still, especially Ved, whose eyes kept darting to the staircase every few seconds.

Finally, Vaidehi and Vaani made their entrance. Vaidehi looked resplendent in an elegant blue saree that highlighted her grace, while Vaani, dressed in a sky-blue anarkali, looked ethereal, her smile adding to the sparkle of the evening.

"Let's go!" Ved exclaimed excitedly, unable to contain himself any longer. The family exchanged amused glances before nodding in agreement.

They split into two cars-Darsh, Vaidehi, and Vaani sat together in one, while Ved and Vidhan took the other. Vidhan was at the wheel, his focus seemingly on the road ahead.

"Kaisa lag raha hai bhai, pehli baar sasural jaakar?" Ved teased with a mischievous grin, his eyes twinkling with playful mischief.

( How are you feeling brother, going to your in-laws house for the first time )

Vidhan's lips twitched into a soft smile, but he quickly masked it with a frown, attempting to keep his composure. "Shut up," he muttered, but Ved could see the telltale blush creeping up his ears.

Soon, they pulled up in front of the grand Oberoi Mansion, its elegant façade glowing under the evening lights.

Everyone got out of their cars and walked toward the main door. The bell rang, and the door swung open to reveal Meera Oberoi, a gracious smile on her face.

"Namaste, aaiye," Meera welcomed them warmly, stepping aside to let them in.

( Hello, please come inside )

The Ahuja family entered the spacious living room, the air filled with soft lights and the scent of freshly arranged flowers. Vidhan's eyes darted around the space, taking in the luxurious yet homely decor. His gaze, however, seemed to search for something-someone-amidst the surroundings.

"Bhai, aa jaegi Vidhi," Ved whispered teasingly, noticing his brother's restlessness.

( Vidhi will come )

Vidhan's ears turned crimson as he stammered, "M-main toh bas ghar dekh raha tha."

( I was just looking at the house )

"Really?" Ved raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips.

"Shut up," Vidhan mumbled again, taking a seat beside Vaidehi, trying hard to appear composed. But just as he settled in, a soft, familiar voice drifted through the room, capturing everyone's attention.

"Maa, everything is ready," Vidhi announced, walking toward the couch. Vidhan and Ved turned simultaneously, their eyes drawn to the source of the voice.

Vidhi was a vision in a simple white anarkali, her hair styled in a messy bun, tendrils framing her face delicately. The simplicity of her attire only accentuated her ethereal beauty. Vidhan's gaze locked onto her, his eyes tracing her features with a reverence that he couldn't hide. There was something about the way she carried herself-graceful yet unpretentious-that captivated him completely.

Vidhi, sensing someone's gaze, turned her eyes towards him. The moment their gazes met, the rest of the world seemed to fade away. Vidhan's breath hitched, and his heart seemed to stutter as he found himself lost in the depth of her gaze.

But just as quickly, confusion flickered across Vidhi's face. "What is he doing here?" she muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing slightly. Then, her gaze shifted, and she noticed Ved sitting beside Vidhan, a wide grin plastered across his face.

Suddenly, Ved jumped up from the couch and made his way to Vidhi in a few quick strides, wrapping his arms around her shoulders in a playful, affectionate embrace.

"Surprise!" he announced cheerfully, a wide grin lighting up his face.

Vidhi's eyes widened in surprise, but the shock quickly gave way to a radiant smile. "Arey, tu achanak se yaha?" she exclaimed, her happiness evident. She turned to glance at Vidhan for a brief moment, then shifted her gaze back to Ved.

( you are here suddenly )

"Tujhe pata hai, aaj na meri bhabhi ki family bhi-" Before she could finish her sentence, her gaze darted back to Vidhan, who was standing a few feet away, watching them with a gentle smile playing on his lips.

( Do you know today my sister-in-law's family is -- )

As the realization dawned, her expression shifted subtly, eyebrows arching in confusion. A sudden wave of understanding swept over her, and she turned back to Ved, shooting Vidhan a look that unmistakably read : Aapko toh main baad mein dekhti hoon. Her eyes narrowed in a mixture of surprise and amusement.

The rest of the family, who had been observing the interaction silently, exchanged curious glances. The unspoken questions in their eyes seemed to intensify, the air thick with unvoiced inquiries. Sensing the collective confusion, Vidhan cleared his throat softly, drawing everyone's attention.

"They're classmates... and best friends," he clarified, his voice calm yet carrying a hint of amusement. He glanced between Ved and Vidhi, his smile widening as a ripple of understanding passed through the family members. As if on cue, everyone nodded slowly, the tension in the room easing as smiles spread across their faces.

"Mujhe bataaya kyun nahi?" Vidhi demanded, her voice laced with mock anger.

( Why didn't you told me )

"Aree, surprise dena tha!" Ved defended himself, raising his hands in mock surrender.

( I wanted to surprise you )

"Surprise? Rukh, main nikaalti hoon tera surprise," Vidhi threatened, stepping forward, her hands already outstretched to give him a playful smack. But Ved, sensing imminent danger, took off with a laugh, darting around the couch.

( Surprise, wait )

Vidhi chased him, her annoyance melting into laughter as she ran after him around the room. The living room erupted into peals of laughter and delighted exclamations as the two best friends engaged in a merry chase. The rest of the family watched, smiles tugging at their lips.

Vidhan, still rooted in place, couldn't take his eyes off Vidhi. Her laughter, the way she moved with such uninhibited joy-it was mesmerizing. He felt a warmth spread through him, softening his gaze even further.

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"Let's leave them to it. Inka toh chalta hi rahega," Meera said with an indulgent smile, gesturing towards the bickering duo.

( Let's leave them to it, they will continue like this only)

Vaidehi glanced around the living room, a curious expression on her face. "Rishit nahi hai ghar par?"

( Rishit is not at home )

"Abhi nahi, but he will be back any moment," Meera replied warmly as everyone began to move towards the dining area, the aroma of the freshly prepared meal wafting through the air.

( No, but he will be back any moment )

Just as they were making their way to the table, Vidhi, still chasing Ved around the room, accidentally collided with Rishit, who had just entered the living room with Kartik. Both men were deep in conversation, discussing the intricacies of an upcoming business deal, when the sudden impact took Rishit by surprise. Caught off guard, he stumbled and, in a blink, found himself toppling onto Vaani, who had been walking just a few steps ahead.

Time seemed to freeze as they both fell to the ground, Rishit instinctively placing one hand on his waist and the other protectively behind Vaani's head, his grip firm but gentle. The room went silent for a heartbeat, concern flickering in everyone's eyes as they watched the scene unfold.

Vaani, momentarily stunned, found herself looking up at Rishit. Her eyes widened, and then softened, her initial shock giving way to an expression of subtle affection.

Rishit, on the other hand, was quick to recover. He struggled to get back on his feet, careful not to hurt her further. As soon as he managed to stand, he offered Vaani his hand, his gaze searching hers anxiously. She accepted it gracefully, her fingers curling around his in a silent exchange of reassurance, and rose to her feet with his support.

"Waah bhai, kya entry maari hai!" Vidhi quipped cheekily, breaking the silence and a soft smile appeared on her face. She turned to Kartik and gave him a high-five, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

( What an entry )

Kartik, who had been standing beside her, chuckled softly, shaking his head in amused disbelief. "Perfect timing Rishit."

"Are you okay, beta?" Meera's concerned voice cut through the lighthearted banter. She stepped forward, her eyes scanning Vaani for any sign of discomfort.

Vaani, cheeks flushed and heart still racing, nodded quickly. "Yes aunty," she murmured, casting a sidelong glance at Rishit, who was still standing awkwardly beside her, his hand hovering uncertainly at his side.

"Sorry, I didn't see you," Rishit apologized softly, his voice laced with genuine concern. His gaze lingered on her a moment longer before he turned back to the rest of the family," Mein change karke aata hu ", and left.

( I will come after changing my clothes )

Vidhan, who had been standing beside Ved, exchanged an amused glance with Kartik. Both men had noticed the way Rishit's hand had instinctively moved to shield Vaani's head as they fell-a small, almost imperceptible gesture that spoke volumes about his protective instincts. A soft smile tugged at Vidhan's lips as he watched the scene unfold, the subtle tension in the room dissolving into a warm, unspoken understanding.

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[ A/N : Hey guys, I need people to make character account on Instagram so if you are interested...DM me on Instagram ]

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Thanks for reading

- Roohi