Chapter 23: Sherni

A few weeks later,

Outside the school campus:

(Naina and Vikram stood under the shade of the large neem tree near the school entrance.

They casually chatted as they waited for their twins to come out of the examination hall.

Naina, dressed in a simple pastel kurta, leaned against the tree, while Vikram, in his regular shirt and pants, adjusted his watch, glancing at the school building occasionally.)

Vikram: (glances sideways at Naina) I hope they don't get embarrassed seeing us here.

Naina: (smiles) Jaan, aap uski  tension, kyun le rahe ho? Yeh toh apna tradition hai. Har saal, final exam ke last din, we always come to pick them up.

Vikram: (small smile tugging at his lips) Haan, tradition toh hai. But you know how they are these days... (imitates them) 'Mumma-Papa, please don't make a scene!!!!' ... (continues) Yaad nahi uss din restaurant mein?? Dono ke 17th birthday ke din we went out for lunch, to Barbeque Nation..... and then Last mein the waiters brought out the cake singing 'Happy Birthday'... the waiters were dancing too!!!!

(Naina bursts out laughing, realizing what he was talking about.)

Naina: Oh my God! Woh waala din, kaise bhool sakti hoon!!!! Kaise dono apne muh chhupa rahe thay!!!!

Vikram: (imitating Kiara's exasperated tone) 'Papa, why did you do this?? Kyun bataane ki zaroorat tha, ki aaj hamaara birthday hai!!!! Look!!! Everyone is staring at us!'

Naina: (joining in) Aur Kiaan ka toh bas... (laughs) usne toh declare kar diya tha—'I'm never coming back to this restaurant again!' Matlab poore time sulk karta raha.

(Both laugh heartily, drawing a few curious glances from other parents. Naina wipes her eyes, still smiling.)

Naina: Jaan. This is the adolescent life!!! It is so unpredictable! Ek din woh humse chhupne ki koshish karte hain, aur agle din they're back to demanding our attention, like chhote bachhe!!!

Vikram: True..... chalo, yeh phase bhi enjoy kar lete hain. Baarish ke baad ki dhup jaisi hai... kab nikal jaaye pata hi nahi chalta.

(Naina nods, a hint of nostalgia creeping into her expression. Just then, the school bell rang loudly, indicating the end of the exam session.

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A while later,

(A swarm of students began pouring out of the gates, chatting animatedly, discussing the examination paper.

Naina straightened up, scanning the crowd for their children.)

Naina: Woh dekho, aa gaye!!!!

(She nudged Vikram and pointing towards Kiaan and Kiara, who had just emerged, backpacks slung over their shoulders.

To Vikram's surprise, instead of looking embarrassed, both Kiaan and Kiara broke into wide grins the moment they spotted their parents. Without a second thought, they rushed towards them.)

Kiara: Mumma! Papa!!!!

(She called out, her voice loud and clear despite the noisy surroundings.

Kiaan joined her, and before Vikram or Naina could react, both kids enveloped them in a tight hug.

The warmth of their hugs took Vikram and Naina by surprise, their earlier worry about being an embarrassment quickly dissipating.)

Kiaan: Mumma! Papa! Aap log aaye?!

Vikram: (ruffles Kiaan's hair) Obviously, beta!!!! Aaj tum dono ka last final exam tha, it is a special occasion!!!

Naina: (smiling) so... paper kaise gaya?

Kiaan: Last exam toh mast gaya!!! I nailed the biology diagrams!!!!

Vikram: (giving Kiaan a high-five) Beta, tumhaare liye toh har exam, mast hi hota hai!!!! (turns towards Kiara) and Kiara? tumhaara?

Kiara: Mere economics ka paper bhi accha gaya. Analysis-based questions thay, but manageable.... But I realized one thing.... Macro-economics is not for me!!!! I mean, why does macroeconomics even exist?

Kiaan: (teases) To make you appreciate microeconomics?

(Kiaan laughed and ducked as Kiara playfully swung her notebook at him.)

Naina: overall toh paper accha gaya, hai naa?

Kiara: haan, mumma. It went well!!!!

Naina: Good! Mujhe pata tha tum dono accha karoge.

(As the group began walking towards the car, Vikram casually announced—)

Vikram: (smiles) chalo... I was thinking ki aaj lunch ke liye bahar chalte hain. Are you guys up for it?

Kiara: (grins) I am so DOWN for it!!!

(Vikram stops in his tracks, eyebrows raised in confusion. He glances at Naina with a questioning look.)

Vikram: Down for it??? Matlab they dont want to go???

(Naina stifles a laugh and shakes her head.)

Naina: Vikram ji, aaj kal 'down for it' ka matlab hota hai 'haan'. Yeh naye zamaane ka slang hai.

(Vikram lets out an exaggerated sigh, looking defeated.)

Vikram: chalo... okay then. Should we go to Broadway???

Kiaan: (eyes light up) Oh man, that place is THE SHIT!!!

(Vikram halts mid-step, his face twisting into utter confusion. He turns to Naina again, his voice tinged with disbelief.)

Vikram: Wait... ab ye shit bol rahe hain? Matlab jaana nahi chahte? Abhi tak toh Broadway jaana tha inhe!

(Naina laughs, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.)

Naina: Relax, Jaan. 'The shit' ka matlab hota hai 'the best'. It's a compliment!"

Vikram: (shakes his head in disbelief) 'Shit' aur compliment? How is that even possible???

Naina: (amused) Yeh younger generation ki language thodi ajeeb hai. Main to used ho gayi hoon, kyunki race training classes mein, mere students bhi aise hi baat karte hain.

Vikram: (mock surrenders) Yeh slang dictionary ke bina toh, mujhe ab kuch samajh hi nahi aayega. Chalo, let's go before yeh mujhe naye words aur sikha dein!!!

(The family laughs as they walk to the car, Vikram still shaking his head at the absurdity of the language evolution.)

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Later,

In the car:

(The car hummed smoothly as Vikram drove, with Kiaan and Kiara squabbling in the backseat over the aux cable.

Naina leaned her elbow on the window, her lips curling into a faint smile as she listened to the chatter.)

Vikram: (glancing in the rearview mirror) Guys, decide jaldi!!! Mujhe bhi music sunna hai, not your fights.

Kiaan: (teases, holding the cable away from her reach) Kiara, your playlist is just sad Arijit Singh songs!!!!

Kiara: At least it's better than your gym beats.... Mumma... bolo naa, isko!!!!

(Before Naina could intervene, two rowdy boys on a motorcycle swerved recklessly in front of the car, cutting them off so sharply that Vikram had to slam the brakes.

The tires screeched loudly against the asphalt, the sound cutting through the lively chatter in the car.

Vikram and Naina jerked forward in their seats, the seatbelts locking them in place with a sharp tug.

However, in the backseat, Kiaan and Kiara weren't as fortunate.

Caught off guard, both teenagers were thrown forward slightly, their hands instinctively shooting out to brace themselves against the front seats.

Kiaan's phone slipped from his grasp, tumbling to the floor with a clatter, while Kiara clutched the edge of the seat tightly, her heart racing from the unexpected jolt.)

Vikram: (honking loudly) Shit!!!

Naina: (exclaims) oh!!! what the Fu**!!!! Oye bh***ike!!!! Dikhaayi nahi deta kya??? Aankhein hai, ya button???? Lagta hai, dimaag bhi ghar pe rakh ke aaye hain!!!

(The twins froze, their jaws dropping as they stared at their usually calm and composed mother.)

Kiara: (blinks) Mumma? Aap... gaali de rahi ho??

Kiaan: I didn't even know ki aapko gaali aati bhi hai.

(Even Vikram couldn't hide his surprise. He glanced at Naina briefly, then took a deep breath.)

Vikram: Naina, relax! window upar hai apna... unn dono ko toh sunaai bhi nahi diya hoga!!!

Naina: (snaps, still fuming) lekin dikhaai toh de raha hai naa??? itni badi SUV dikhaai nahi di, unhe??? (exclaims, her jaw tightens) Motorcycle ride karne aati bhi kya unko???

Kiara: (trying to lighten the mood) They must be practicing for a crash course

Vikram: (sighs, shaking his head) Naina.... relax... ab bas karo!!! Hum itne acche mood mein lunch karne jaa rahe hain.

Naina: ya... okay.

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Later,

(The car slowed down as they approached the red signal.

To everyone's dismay, the same rowdy bikers were idling a few feet away.

Vikram rolled down the window and spoke in a calm but stern tone.)

Vikram: Beta, thoda sambhal ke chalaana chahiye.... Tumhaare mazaak ke chakkar mein, kisi ka accident ho sakta tha.

Rider 1: (leans on his handlebars, speaks rudely) oh uncle... aap, apne gyaan ki dukaan band karo. Humein mat sikhaao!!!

Rider 2: (giggles) Chill karo.... Uncle ho, uncle ki tarah behave karo!!! Iss umar mein, hum se panga loge kya?

(Vikram's grip on the steering wheel tightened, but he forced a smile.)

Vikram: Main sirf tumhaari bhalaai ke liye keh raha hoon. Zindagi kaafi precious hai—

Rider 1: Arrey bas karo, uncle!! (revvs his super bike) Aapko kya problem hai? Hum toh aise hi ride karenge.... Aapko jo ukhaadna hai, ukhaad lo!!!!

(That was the final straw for Naina. She couldnt tolerate their rudeness. Without a word, she unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door handle.)

Kiara: (exclaims, grabs Naina's arm from behind) Mumma! What are you doing?!!!

Vikram: Naina!!!! rehne do!!! Signal green hone wala hai.

(But Naina had already stepped out.)

Vikram: let it go.... Yeh immature bachche hain!!!!

Naina: Bachche hain toh, samjhaana toh padega. Hai naa??

(She shut the car door firmly.)

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Outside the car:

(Naina stormed toward the bike, her eyes were blazing.)

Naina: abbey chu**ye!!! tere baap ki road hai kya??? Kaise cut maar raha tha? waise, tumhe driving license diya kisne? Itni badi gaadi saamne dikhi nahi, tumhe?? Ek toh motorcycle chalaani aati nahi hai.... bas lekar nikal padte hain!!!!

Rider 1: aunty ji, aap ghar jaake kitchen sambhaal lo!!!! yeh motorcycle, aur superbikes, hamaare liye chod do!!!! superbike mein jab turn maarna hota hai, toh thoda cut lagta hi hai!!!

Naina: (gives him a weird look) chal... chal, tere baap ko mat sikha, chal!!!! Aur waise.... Yeh jo side mirrors hain... fashion ke liye lagwaaye hain kya? Agar rearview mirror dekhna nahi aata, toh nikaal hi do na!

(The boys stared at her, momentarily stunned.

Before they could react, she balled her fist and punched the side mirror of the bike.

A loud crack echoed, and a visible crack spread across the glass.)

Rider 2: (leaping off the motorcycle) Arrey, madam! Kya kar rahi ho?!!

(Naina didn't even glance at him. She punched the mirror again, harder this time.

Then, with one final blow, she yanked it off completely. She shoved the broken mirror into the rider's hands.)

Naina: (speaks coldly, her voice razor-sharp) toone hi kahaa tha naa.... jo ukhaadna hai, ukhaad lo!!!! toh yeh le!!!.... isay, apne ghar le ja, aur showcase mein rakh le!!!! Aur ghar jaake motorcycle chalaana seekh le. Nahi toh mere paas aaja.... Main sikha doongi!!!!

(The boys looked at each other, their shock quickly turning into anger.

The pillion rider stepped closer, aggression boiling over.)

Rider 2: Madam, ab zyada mat bolo. Warna—

Naina: (snaps) Warna kya?! Kya kar loge??? (jabs a finger at his chest, her eyes blazing) bete... sochna bhi mat! Thulla khada hai signal pe hai.... Agar zyada bolne ki koshish ki na, toh seedha lock-up mein jaaoge!!!

(She pointed towards a traffic constable standing a few meters away, watching the commotion with interest.

The boys faltered, glancing nervously at the officer. Their earlier bravado vanished.

The pillion rider immediately got onto his motorcycle and sped off, avoiding the cop's gaze.

Naina dusted off her hands and turned on her heel, her fiery gaze never leaving the boys as she walked back to the car.)

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Inside the car:

(She climbed in, slammed the door, and straightened her hair as if nothing had happened.

The car was silent for a moment. Until Kiaan broke the silence.)

Kiaan: (his voice filled with awe) Mumma, aapne toh ek dum Gully Boy ka attitude dikha diya!!!

Kiara: (grins) ek cheez note kar lo, sab!!! Aaj se mumma ko, gussa nahi dilaana hai!!!!

Kiaan: (bursts out laughing) Mumma, that was epic. I mean, wow!!! aap, unn dono ko, seedha unke aukaat pe hi le aayi.... And your dialogue, 'Apne baap ko mat sikha'— classic!!!

Vikram: (sighs dramatically) Naina, mujhe officially dar lagne laga hai tumse. Agar kabhi meri, tumse koi argument ho gayi na, toh mujhe helmet pehenna padega!!!

Naina: (rolls her eyes at him) kuch bhi...

Vikram: waise.... Naina, you should not have done that!!!!

Naina: Kyun?? (she buckles up) Inn logon ko, tab tak samajh mein nahi aata, jab tak unki language mein jawaab na do!!!

(Vikram shook his head in disbelief and just then his gaze flickered to Naina's hands resting on her lap.

His eyes widened when he noticed the faint streaks of blood on her knuckles, the skin split from the force of her punch.)

Vikram: (concerned) Naina, your hand...

Naina: arrey, Yeh toh kuch bhi nahi hai!!!!

(she flexes her fingers as if to prove her point.)

Vikram: Naina, seriously???

Naina: Bas ek chhota sa cut hai. all I need is some antiseptic and bandage. Aapke dashboard mein first aid kit toh hoga naa?

Vikram: haan. rakha hai.

Naina: theek hai.... I'll take care of this. Aap driving pe focus karo.

Kiaan: (leans forward) do you need help, mumma?

Naina: nahi bacche, I got this.

(Vikram started the engine and drove away, leaving two stunned bikers with a broken side mirror behind.

While Naina, leaned forward, opened the dashboard, and pulled out the first-aid kit.

She calmly tore open an antiseptic wipe and dabbed it against her knuckles, barely flinching as the sting hit.

Then she secured the bandage and tucked the kit back into the dashboard.

Vikram noticed Naina leaning back into her seat and taking deep breaths to calm her down. Vikram placed his free hand on her injured arm while still keeping his gaze on the road.)

(Vikram's thoughts drifted to the first time he had met Aryan at the court room.

He could not forget his words— 'Sherni thi woh... meri Nunu kisi se nahi darti thi'

Today, he understood. He had just seen it!!! The fire, the strength, the sheer determination in Naina's eyes.

THE SHERNI was back. For a moment, he glanced at her, and a flicker of pride mixed with awe crossed his face.

He felt both amazed and reminded of the formidable woman he had fallen in love with.)

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Did you enjoy the the drama? the emotions? Was it exciting!!!!

Naina, the SHERNI, is back!

But now, I want to hear from YOU!

What do yyou think about the new Naina??? Love her? Hate her? Rooting for her? Tell me everything!

Also....

✨ Millennials, Gen Z, and even the rare Gen Alpha—where are you all at? Drop your generation in the comments!

✨ What’s the slang word you use all the time? (Because let’s be real, every generation has its own lingo!)

✨

Oh, and before you go—don’t forget to VOTE and COMMENT if you enjoyed the chapter. Your support keeps this story alive! ❤️🔥

Isirvelouoy thank you so much for the suggestions. 🙏🏼 The page looks much better now.