chapter 9

Anika stood in the kitchen, engaged in conversation with the new cook, while Pragya and Ishan were out shopping.

Meanwhile, Advik remained in the hall, engrossed in his work. Ranya and Divya reminisced about days gone by, sharing stories and laughter.

Suddenly, Saanvi entered the kitchen, her presence bringing an unexpected tension to the air. She approached Anika with a serious expression, delivering a warning about Divya's past obsession with Advik.

"Look, we don't share any kind of relationship, neither good nor bad, but Sanjay and I had a love marriage. So, I kind of witnessed Advik and Divya's relationship. She was so obsessed with him.and I think she's trying to snatch him again. Be careful" Saanvi cautioned before swiftly exiting the room, leaving Anika lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and doubts.

Avni, noticing Anika's confusion, silently entered the kitchen and stood beside her, offering silent support and companionship in her time of uncertainty.

Anika nodded, indicating her readiness to listen as Avni began to speak."There's this guy... who's obsessed with me, but he claims that he loves me. He's never hurt me or anything" Avni explained, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Now, I've heard news about him getting engaged. When I confronted him about his obsession and how he's now fixated on someone else, he..." Avni trailed off, her expression troubled."And then?" Anika prompted, sensing the weight of Avni's unspoken words.

"He said, 'If you were my obsession, I would have forced you to marry me, but you are my love.

That's why I am letting you go,'" Avni recounted, her words resonating with Anika, who couldn't help but feel a twinkle in her eyes. "In the novel," Anika remarked, marvelling at the unexpected depth of Avni's experience.

"Now, I know there is obsession. Sometimes he stays outside the house for 2-3 hours, just casting glances at me. His eyes are constantly on me in college, but... I don't know," Avni confessed, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty.

"Relax and think with a calm mind," Anika advised, offering comfort and reassurance as she patted Avni's back."Thanks," Avni expressed her gratitude before leaving the kitchen.

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Ishan and Pragya were in the bustling atmosphere of the mall, surrounded by vibrant displays and the buzz of shoppers."Why did you bring only me? This time no bhaiya?" Pragya teased Ishan, referring to his usual closeness to Advik.

"I want to spend some time with my wife," Ishan replied with a smile, his eyes softening as he glanced at Pragya.

"Mom and dad's 30th anniversary is in a few days, so I want to buy some clothes, gifts, and discuss something with the planner. That's why I took you with me," Ishan explained, revealing the true purpose behind their outing.

"Oh, wow," Pragya exclaimed, her excitement growing as she realised the significance of their shopping trip.Eager to get started, Pragya wasted no time in browsing through the racks, her eyes lighting up with each new discovery.

"Ishan, try this," Pragya suggested, holding up a sleek black shirt for him to consider.

Ishan nodded in agreement, appreciating Pragya's input as he accepted the shirt, ready to give it a try After a few minutes he emerged from the changing room, his demeanour composed but with a hint of self-assurance.

Pragya, positioned at a distance, couldn't help but overhear the hushed whispers of nearby girls.Their voices carried on the air, laden with admiration and curiosity.

"Wow, he is so hot!" one exclaimed in a barely contained whisper.

"Who is he?" another queried, her curiosity piqued by Ishan's presence.

"I think he is Ishan Malhotra," chimed in another, her certainty evident in her voice.

Pragya's attention snapped towards the changing room, her gaze locking onto Ishan's figure.

There he stood, the epitome of confidence, with three buttons of his shirt undone, hinting at a casual disregard for conventional decorum.At that moment, Pragya felt a surge of protectiveness towards Ishan.

Without hesitation, she made her way towards him, her strides purposeful and her expression a mixture of concern and frustration.

"Why did you come out like this?" Pragya demanded, her voice carrying a note of admonishment. "Those girls are ogling at you," she added, her tone tinged with a hint of anger.

However, before Ishan could respond, he acted on impulse, enveloping Pragya in a sudden and unexpected embrace. Ishan turned his gaze towards the group of girls, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Kids, I am hitched to her," he announced, his tone light-hearted yet firm.Pragya couldn't help but chuckle at Ishan's declaration, her amusement evident in the soft sound that escaped her lips.

"We are not kids," protested one of the girls, her voice tinged with a hint of indignation.Ishan grinned, his response unwavering.

"Yeah, school-going girls are kids in my eyes," he quipped, his words carrying a touch of gentle teasing.

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Anika served snacks to everyone before retreating to her room. Upon realising her laptop had a low battery and Advik's laptop was already charging, she opted to work in the hall instead. Plugging in her laptop to charge, she diligently began her tasks.

"Anika, can you please make some glucose for Prakash?" Ranya's voice interrupted her concentration.

"Sure, Mumma," Anika replied, acknowledging the request. She headed into the kitchen, swiftly preparing the glucose for Prakash before returning to their room to tend to his needs.

"God bless you, my child," Prakash blessed Anika, eliciting a chuckle from her."Mom, i am working on my new story. I have to submit at least 5 drafts. Just the last one is left, so can I resume it?" Anika asked, seeking permission from Ranya.

"Sure, beta. And if anyone asks you to work, then strictly tell them that I said no," Ranya instructed, prompting another chuckle from Anika.

Returning to the hall, Anika noticed that the desktop site was open, but her MS Word document was nowhere to be found. Panic surged through her as she quickly searched for her work, realising that someone had used her laptop without saving her progress.

"Who used my laptop?" Anika demanded, her voice carrying through the room, startling the Sheghal siblings who were sitting nearby.

They shook their heads in response."What's going on, Anika?" Ranya inquired, entering the hall along with Prakash and Advik.

"Mumma, someone used my laptop and they erased my work," Anika explained, frustration evident in her voice.

"Who?" Ranya questioned, her concern growing.

"That's what i am asking! Who used my laptop?" Anika responded, her frustration mounting as she searched for answers.

"I used your laptop," came a voice from behind, startling Anika." I used it," said Divya casually, munching on an apple, oblivious to Anika's growing frustration.

"Why did you use my laptop?" Anika asked, her tone tinged with anger."Anika, relax," Advik interjected, attempting to diffuse the tension.

"First of all, I was working on Word. She saw it. If someone was already working on it, then she didn't have any right to use it. And if she used it, she could have at least saved it," Anika argued, her frustration evident.

"I thought it was Advik's, that's why," Divya replied casually, seemingly unconcerned by Anika's anger.

"What if it was his? Would you erase his important project too?" Anika questioned, her anger reaching its peak. "Anika, calm down, let's talk calmly," Advik urged, trying to mediate the situation.

"But I have to submit my work by tomorrow. I have thousands of responsibilities, and now all my hard work is in vain because of her!" Anika exclaimed, her voice rising.

"Stop accusing me. If that's the case, you could have saved it too. Why didn't you?" Divya retorted defensively.

"Anika!" Advik's voice rang out loudly as Anika angrily threw her phone to the floor.

"Mistake is totally hers and still you are taking her side" Anika accused, her gaze piercing into Advik's eyes.

"When did I? I am just saying to talk calmly. Breaking the phone is not a solution," Advik reasoned, attempting to calm her down.

"Why? Why did she come? My married life was already a mess, and she came here to ruin it," Anika lamented, a tear escaping her eye.

"Anika, look" Advik's tone softened, his expression reflecting concern and understanding.

"I don't want to. I am creating a scene over just a little matter. Don't worry. She is special to you," Anika declared before swiftly running from the room."Anika!" the family members called out after her, but she didn't look back even once.

Advik stood there like a statue, feeling hurt by her words. He had specifically told her about Divya. He had done , including being rude, just to avoid Divya in the end, only to hear this from his wife.

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As Ishan and pragya  returned home, he found the entire family gathered in the hall, their faces marked with concern.

"What happened?" he asked, noticing the distress in the air. "Pragya, Anika has been gone for five hours," Ranya replied, her voice trembling with worry.

"Mom, relax. She must be at the office," Pragya reassured, trying to calm her mother's fears.

"No, she's not at the office. I checked there," Prakash chimed in, his tone heavy with concern.

"Then call her," Pragya urged, gesturing to Ishan to take action."Actually, Pragya..." Ranya began, recounting the incident from the morning to Pragya"What? Where is she? I will not leave her today," Pragya erupted in anger, her frustration boiling over.

"Relax, Pragya. Let's go to the room and think of something," Ishan suggested, trying to calm the situation and find a solution to Anika's sudden disappearance.

"Now what?" Pragya asked, feeling helpless."Just relax, and let Advik bhaiya be more worried about bhabhi," Ishan suggested casually, prompting Pragya to throw a pillow at him in frustration.

"If your brother was worried, then my sister wouldn't have left home today," Pragya retorted, her worry evident in her voice."Chill, Pari. Just enjoy the show and trust your husband " Ishan advised but Pragya couldn't help but curse silently in her mind, frustrated with Advik's seemingly indifferent attitude.