chapter 26

As They stood outside the grand gates of Disneyland, a hushed anticipation filled the air, mingling with the excited chatter of fellow park-goers. Every day, Disneyland had a tradition of selecting one special family to open the park's gates, and today was no exception.

"The lucky family of the day is the Malhotra family: Mr. and Mrs. Advik Malhotra and Mr. and Mrs. Ishan Malhotra," announced a man, his voice echoing through the crowd.

Anika and Pragya squealed with delight, their excitement bubbling over as they realised they were the chosen ones. Ishan, though less visibly excited, couldn't resist shooting a playful smirk towards Advik, his brother.

"Let's go, Ishan," Pragya urged him, tugging at his arm as they prepared to make their way towards the gate.

Advik exchanged a knowing glance with Ishan, their silent communication speaking volumes. But before he could react, he felt a gentle touch on his hand and turned to see Anika by his side.

"Let's go," she said softly, her eyes alight with anticipation.

Advik nodded, a warm smile gracing his lips as he took Anika's hand in his own. Together, they stepped forward, their hearts racing with excitement as they joined in opening the gates of Disneyland.

"Mam and sir, you will get a special chance to click pictures with Mickey and Minnie Mouse," announced the manager of Disneyland, his voice brimming with excitement as he extended the invitation.

"Wooooow!" Pragya exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight as she caught sight of Mickey and Minnie making their way towards them.

A staff member approached Advik, taking his phone from his hand to capture the special moment. With a click of the shutter, their pictures were immortalised, capturing the joy and excitement of the moment.

"Thank you!" Anika exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement as she hugged Mickey tightly, her face glowing with happiness.

"Lucky bastard," Advik muttered under his breath, a playful grin tugging at his lips as he glanced towards Ishan.

But Ishan's smirk told him that his comment hadn't gone unnoticed. "Awww, brother jealous of Mickey Mouse?" Ishan teased, his voice filled with amusement as he watched Advik's reaction.

Advik returned the smirk, exchanging a knowing glance with Ishan before signalling something with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, hinting at a playful retaliation to come.

Ishan glanced backward and noticed Pragya enveloped in a warm hug with Goofy, a smile spreading across her face as she embraced the beloved character.

"Excuse me," Ishan called out to one of the staff members, gesturing for them to approach.

"Who is inside Goofy's costume? Is it a girl or a boy, and what's their age?" Ishan inquired with genuine curiosity.

The staff member paused for a moment before responding, "It's a boy, around 22 years old," before hurrying off to attend to other tasks.

Advik couldn't help but tease his brother upon noticing his inquiry. "What, brother? Are you jealous of the cute little yellow-colored dog whose name is Goofy?" he quipped, his tone playful as he described the source of Ishan's envy.

Meanwhile, Pragya and Anika were engrossed in studying the map of the park, their heads bent together as they deliberated over their next destination.

"Where should we go first?" Anika asked, her eyes scanning the colorful illustrations on the map.

"Water rides?" Pragya suggested, her voice filled with excitement at the prospect of cooling off on a thrilling aquatic adventure.

"No, our clothes will get wet, so let's buy some dry clothes from here first before heading to the water rides," Anika suggested, her practicality shining through. Pragya nodded in agreement, recognizing the wisdom in Anika's words.

"Then let's go on that cup ride?" Pragya proposed, her eyes twinkling with anticipation as she pointed towards the colourful spinning cups.

Anika smiled in agreement, her excitement matching Pragya's enthusiasm as they both set off towards the ride, their laughter echoing through the air.

"Why do I feel like i am here to babysit?" Ishan remarked, watching the two girls darting ahead with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

"Because we are. Catch them before they get lost," Advik teased, a mischievous glint in his eye as he took off after the girls, his brother hot on his heels.

"But that's cheating! Look, they're both running together. Why are you leaving me alone?" Ishan protested, breaking into a sprint to catch up with Advik.

"Hello, madams, at least take us along, or do you two want some sister time?" Advik called out teasingly, catching up to Anika and Pragya as they made their way through the bustling crowd.

"Oops, sorry, jiju," Pragya apologised playfully, her laughter echoing through the air as they continued on their way. Just then, a passing girl overheard their banter and stopped to join the conversation.

"Where are you from?" the girl inquired, her gaze lingering on Advik as she spoke.

"We're from India," Advik replied politely, his attention focused on the girl

"Is 'jiju' a term used for someone attractive in India?" she asked, flashing a flirtatious smile in Advik's direction.

"No, let me explain the meaning," Pragya interjected, eager to set the record straight. The girl's attention shifted to Pragya as she eagerly awaited the explanation.

"It means 'sister's husband'," Pragya clarified, her voice filled with amusement as she delivered the unexpected revelation.

The girl's smile faltered, her expression changing from flirtatious curiosity to mild embarrassment as the true meaning of the term sank in. With a quick nod of acknowledgment, she excused herself, disappearing into the crowd as Pragya and Advik shared a knowing chuckle at the amusing exchange.

Anika quickly grasped Advik's hand, her fingers intertwining with his.

"You'll stick with me, won't you?" Anika's voice carried a hint of playfulness as she gazed into Advik's eyes, her dimples deepening with a smile.

Pragya's soft laughter filled the air, a musical accompaniment to their lighthearted banter. However, Pragya's laughter faded as she noticed a striking girl making her way towards Ishan. With determination, pragya took Ishan's hand, pulling him away with an assertive tug.

"Huh, seems like we have to put on a show, considering how every other girl here fancies our husbands," Pragya remarked, a touch of amusement lacing her words.

As they settled onto the ride, the cacophony of excited chatter surrounded them. The lights flickered, casting playful shadows as the ride began its exhilarating journey.

"It was such a thrill," exclaimed Pragya, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and Anika nodded in agreement.

“ My head is still spinning," Ishan declared with a hint of dizziness, his hand instinctively reaching for support.

"Then perhaps you should take a moment to rest here.we're off to explore another ride" suggested Pragya with a knowing smile.

"I willll join him" declared Advik, settling beside Ishan with a reassuring pat on the back.

"Alright, take this map we've already marked our next destination" said Anika handing the folded map to Advik.

After a few minutes, Advik glanced at the map and his eyes widened in alarm.

"Come on, get up fast," he urged urgently.

"What happened?" Ishan inquired, sensing the urgency in Advik's tone.

"They've gone into the haunted house," Advik replied, his voice tinged with concern.

"Oh no," Ishan exclaimed, his heart racing as he realized the potential danger. Without wasting another moment, both boys bolted towards the looming silhouette of the haunted house, their footsteps echoing in the deserted alleyways of the amusement park.

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Anika and Pragya cautiously entered the spooky haunted house, holding hands tightly as they moved forward. The air felt icy, making them shiver despite being indoors.

As they walked through the dark corridors, they saw flickering candlelight that cast weird shadows on the walls, making them look like strange creatures watching them. Anika gasped when she thought she saw a ghostly figure pass by.

"Did you see that?" Pragya whispered, gripping Anika's arm tightly.

Anika nodded, feeling just as scared. They heard eerie moans echoing around them, making their hearts race even faster as they walked on, feeling the presence of something spooky all around them.

Suddenly, a gust of cold wind blew out the candles, plunging them into darkness. Anika and Pragya screamed and reached out for each other in the blackness.

"Where are you, Anika?" Pragya's voice trembled with fear.

"i am here, Pragya," Anika replied, trying to stay calm. Then, they spotted a faint light in the distance, giving them hope. With shaky steps, they moved towards it, eager to escape the scary darkness of the haunted house.

Within a few minutes, they heard footsteps and spotted Advik and Ishan approaching them.

"Why did you two come here alone?" Advik asked, his expression filled with concern.

"We came together, not alone," Anika replied defensively.

"Oh, thank you so much for clarifying that you weren't alone," Advik retorted sarcastically.

"Let's just go outside; you two can argue as much as you want there," Ishan suggested, reaching out to hold Pragya's hand.

Relieved to leave the haunted house behind, they stepped out into the fresh air.

"Now, let's head to the water ride, and then we can buy some clothes," Pragya suggested.

"Pragya, the water ride is too common; we should try the jungle safari ride instead. We'll get to enjoy the water and won't need to buy clothes," Anika suggested, and Pragya nodded in agreement.

As they rode through the jungle safari, Ishan and Pragya were busy taking pictures of the animals and scenery, laughing and chatting happily.

But Anika and Advik were not enjoying themselves. Advik was upset that they had gone into the haunted house without him. He couldn't shake off his anger, and it made the air between them tense.

Anika could feel Advik's frustration, but she didn't know how to make things right. She glanced at him nervously, wishing she could take back what had happened.

Advik was silent, his anger evident in the way he clenched his fists. The safari ride passed by in a blur, the beautiful sights around them forgotten in the midst of their unspoken conflict.

When the ride finally ended, Anika and Advik still hadn't spoken. They both felt miserable, the tension between them casting a shadow over what was supposed to be a fun day.

As they exited the jungle safari ride, Pragya suggested they head to the parade.

"Let's go, everyone!" she exclaimed, and they made their way to where the parade was about to start.

The parade began with all the beloved Disney characters marching down the street, waving and smiling at the crowd. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy were all there, along with princesses like Cinderella and Snow White.

The music was lively, and the floats were colorful, making everyone feel happy and excited. Anika and Advik couldn't help but smile as they watched the spectacle unfold before them.As the parade passed by, children cheered and clapped, and even the adults couldn't help but join in the fun. It was a magical moment that brought everyone together in joy and celebration.

"Girls, before coming here, we made appointments for you. Both of you can dress up like your favorite princess," said Ishan with a grin, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Pragya's face lit up with delight, and she couldn't contain her joy as she enveloped Ishan in a tight hug whispering him thanks.

Meanwhile Anika approached Advik with a sheepish smile, her cheeks tinged with a hint of embarrassment.

"Advik, i am sorry," Anika murmured softly, her gaze filled with regret as she met his eyes, hoping for forgiveness.

Advik's expression softened as he regarded her, his heart warming at her apology. "It's okay, Anika," he reassured her gently, reaching out to squeeze her hand affectionately. "Just promise me you won't wander off again," he added with a playful twinkle in his eye.

Anika nodded earnestly, grateful for his understanding, before turning her attention to the shop ahead. They made their way towards it.

As they arrived at a quaint shop nestled near the grand Disney castle, they were greeted by a friendly lady in her mid-40s.

"Hello, ma'am. Hello, sir," she said warmly, her smile inviting.

"Sir, you two can wait over there and watch any Disney movie, and ma'am, you come with us," the lady instructed, motioning for the girls to follow her.

Ishan and Advik made their way to the waiting area as instructed by the lady.

"What should I play? Avengers or Cars?" Ishan asked, eager to pass the time.

"Nothing, i am using my phone," Advik replied casually, already immersed in his device.

"Using the phone is a nice idea," Ishan remarked, nodding in agreement, and soon both brothers were engrossed in their own digital worlds.

As the clock ticked away, nearly two hours passed, and Advik and Ishan found themselves growing increasingly restless in the waiting area.

"Huh, how much longer?" Ishan groaned, his impatience evident in his tone, while Advik shot him a bored glance, clearly sharing his sentiments.

Suddenly, without warning, the lights in the waiting area dimmed, plunging the room into darkness.

"What the hell?" exclaimed Advik, his frustration mounting as he glanced around in confusion.

Before they could comprehend what was happening, a spotlight illuminated the gate at the entrance, drawing their attention.

Then, to their surprise, they heard the faint strains of music filtering through the air, filling the room with an air of anticipation.

As they watched in awe, a figure emerged from the gate, bathed in the soft glow of the spotlight. It was Pragya, her hair cascading down in loose waves, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she made her way towards them.

Pragya glided towards them, her movements graceful and elegant, clad in a stunning pink gown that bore a striking resemblance to Princess Ariel in her human form. The gown flowed around her like waves, adorned with delicate embellishments that shimmered in the spotlight, lending her an ethereal beauty.

Her eyes danced with joy as she approached Advik and Ishan, a radiant smile gracing her lips. With each step, she seemed to embody the essence of a true princess, exuding confidence and poise.

Advik and Ishan could only stare in awe at the sight before them, marvelling at Pragya's transformation into a real-life princess. It was as if she had stepped straight out of a fairytale, enchanting and captivating in every way.

As she reached them, Pragya extended her hand towards them, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Come on, let's make some magical memories together," she exclaimed, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

"Brother, close your mouth," Advik chided Ishan, noticing his gaping expression.

But Ishan was too absorbed in admiring his wife to pay much heed to his brother's advice.

Pragya approached Ishan with a gentle smile, her cheeks flushing with a rosy hue as she met his gaze.

"You look beautiful," Ishan whispered, his eyes filled with adoration.

"Yes, very much," Advik added with a warm smile, and Pragya mouthed a silent 'thank you' in response, feeling touched by their compliments.

"Ishan, let's go to our theme," Pragya suggested, breaking the momentary silence, and Ishan nodded eagerly in agreement.

Together, they made their way to their designated area, where Ishan's eyes widened in awe at the sight before him.

It resembled a beach scene, with sandy shores stretching out before them and numerous rocks scattered about, lending an air of authenticity to the setting.

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As Advik eagerly awaited her entrance, the room was bathed in darkness once again, signaling the arrival of his princess.

His eyes were fixed on the entrance, and finally, she appeared before him, resplendent in a soft blue Cinderella outfit. The fabric shimmered in the faint light, casting a gentle glow around her, as she stepped forward with an air of regal elegance.

Her curly hair framed her face like a halo, adding to the enchanting aura that surrounded her. Advik's heart skipped a beat as he beheld her, captivated by her beauty and grace. In that moment, she truly looked like a fairytale princess come to life, filling his heart with an overwhelming sense of joy and wonder.

She glided towards him, her steps as graceful as a swan on a shimmering lake.

"You are looking damn pretty," Advik complimented her, his eyes twinkling with admiration, causing Anika to blush bashfully.

"Let's go, my lady," he said, offering her his hand, which she gladly accepted, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world.

They made their way to their designated theme, which transformed into a lush jungle scene. Advik's eyes lit up with excitement as he spotted the iconic pumpkin-shaped car, a symbol of their fairytale adventure.

They settled inside the car, and as they journeyed through the jungle, Advik couldn't help but marvel at the breathtaking view around them.

Their magical ride came to a halt near a majestic castle, its towering spires reaching towards the sky. Hand in hand, they ventured inside, greeted by the grandeur and beauty of the castle's interior.

Anika couldn't contain her joy as she twirled in her dress, the fabric billowing around her like a cascade of petals.

Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and spotlights illuminated the dance floor. The soft strains of "Lavender's Blue" filled the air, setting the scene for a romantic dance.

Advik extended his hand towards her, his eyes sparkling with affection. "Will you dance with me, princess?" he asked, a playful smile tugging at his lips, causing Anika to chuckle with delight.

As they swayed together in perfect harmony, their bodies moving as one, Advik's hand rested gently on Anika's waist while the other held hers securely. Similarly, Anika's hand rested on Advik's shoulder, the warmth of their touch sending shivers down their spines as they gazed deeply into each other's eyes.

In that moment, time seemed to stand still, the world around them fading into oblivion as they lost themselves in the enchantment of the dance. It was as if they were the only two people in existence, cocooned in their own little bubble of love and happiness.

"Anika," Advik murmured softly, his voice barely above a whisper, his heart pounding with emotion.

"Yes?" Anika replied in a hushed tone, her breath catching in her throat as she met his gaze.

"I love you," Advik confessed, his words filled with sincerity and devotion, sending a rush of warmth flooding through Anika's veins as she felt butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

A radiant smile spread across Anika's face as she leaned in closer to him, her heart overflowing with love. "I love you too," she whispered back, her voice filled with tenderness and joy.