Chapter 74: Tea, Toys, and Tension

(The doorbell rang at Vikram's house. Anuradha quickly adjusted her saree, smoothed a hand over her neatly tied bun, and walked towards the door with a welcoming smile.

As she opened it, she was greeted by the warm presence of the Goswami family.)

Anuradha: (folds her hands in a traditional greeting) Namaste!

Purab's father: (mirrors her gesture) Namaste!

Purab's mother: (greets her) Namaste, Anuradha ji! Maaf kijiye, thoda late ho gaye.

(Anuradha shook her head with a warm smile.)

Anuradha: Arrey, koi baat nahi! Yahaan aapko koi formality karne ki zaroorat nahi hai! Issay apna hi ghar samajhiye! Aaiye, aaiye! Please andar aaiye!

(Purab's parents stepped inside, followed by Purab and Bhoomika.

They both smiled and approached Anuradha respectfully.)

Purab: (grins) Namaste, Aunty!

Bhoomika: (gives a polite nod) Namaste Aunty, kaise ho aap?

Anuradha: (smiles warmly) Main bilkul theek hoon, beta! Thank you so much for coming! Bohot acha laga aap sabko dekh kar.

(Both Purab and Bhoomika bent down to touch Anuradha's feet.

She placed her hands on their heads, blessing them warmly.)

..

..

Then,

(She felt two tiny hands touch her feet.

Surprised, she bent down and saw little Prakhar, his chubby fingers pressed against her feet as he tried to copy his parents.

Her lips curled into a warm smile.)

Anuradha: (gaze softens as she watches him) Arrey, hamara chhota sa rajkumar bhi aaya hai!

(She stretched her arms to scoop him up.

But the moment Prakhar realized he was the center of attention, he let out a tiny squeak and darted behind Bhoomika, clutching the edge of her saree.)

Prakhar: Mumma!!!

(Everyone chuckled at his innocence.)

Anuradha: (playfully, to Bhoomika) Yeh hamesha aise hi sharmaata rehta hai kya?

Bhoomika: (smiles) Nahi, Aunty... aisa kuch nahi hai! Waise toh yeh kaafi mastikhor hai... Naine se poochiye.... Prakhar toh Naina ko, do minute akela nahi chodta! Aur ab toh Kiara didi bhi iski favourite ho gayi hain!!! (She explains)  Woh toh bas, aapse pehli baar mil raha hai na, isiliye thoda sharma raha hai.

Anuradha: (feigns disappointment) Oh ho! Toh dosti karne ke liye kya kiya jaaye? Mere paas toh chocolates bhi nahi hain... ab kya karoon? (She pretends to think before exclaiming) Haan! Mere paas ek surprise hai!

(She walked over to the foyer table and picked up a small gift box.

As she turned back, Prakhar curiously stepped forward, his shyness momentarily forgotten.)

Anuradha: Aapko cars pasand hain na? Toh yeh dekho, aapke liye chhota sa gift!

(She extended the box toward him. Prakhar's eyes sparkled with excitement as he looked at his parents for permission.)

Purab: (chuckles) Haan beta, le lo! Dadi itne pyaar se de rahi hain.

(Anuradha bent slightly toward him, speaking in a gentle, coaxing tone)

Anuradha: (smiles) Lekin ek shart hai—pehle aap apna naam batao!

Prakhar: (in his tiny voice) Pwakhar!

Bhoomika: (strokes his hair, laughing softly) Beta, Prakhar bolo, Prakhar.

Prakhar: (pouts) Pwakhar!

(Anuradha chuckled, shaking her head, before handing him the box.

Prakhar immediately began to fumble with the wrapping paper while Bhoomika helped him a little.

As soon as he opened the box, his face lit up with joy—inside were two small, colorful toy cars.)

Prakhar: (exclaims, grinning widly) Mumma! Two-two cars hain! Vroom vroom!

(He immediately started rolling one on the floor, making car noises. Everyone watched, amused by his excitement.)

..

..

At that moment,

(Vikram and Naina entered the foyer, taking in the warm scene with smiles on their faces.

Vikram walked up to Purab's parents and greeted them with folded hands.)

Vikram: Namaste Uncle, Namaste Aunty! Aap log kaise hain?

(He respectfully bent down to touch their feet, and they blessed him fondly.)

Purab's father: Khush raho, beta!

Vikram: (gestures politely) Aaiye, please andar chaliye... living room mein aaram se baithte hain.

..

..

Then,

(As they turned to walk towards the living room, Purab's gaze drifted toward the kitchen, where Kiara was peeking out with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

He smirked and seized the moment to tease her.)

Purab: Arrey Kiara, tum main-gate ki taraf kyun dekh rahi ho? Paarth nahi aaya hai... sirf hum hi hain!

Bhoomika: (giggles, adding fuel to the fire) Kiara ko pata hai, ki Paarth Pilani mein hai!!!! Waise bhi, aapki aur Paarth ki utni baatein nahi hoti hongi, jitni inn dono ki hoti hain!

(Kiara's cheeks flushed a deep red as she folded her arms, glaring at them.)

Kiara: Purab chachu, Bhoomika chachi... lagta hai, kuch zyada hi masti waale mood mein ho, aap dono.

(Everyone laughed, filling the air with warmth and familiarity.

But even as the lighthearted banter flowed, there was an unspoken understanding in the room—the real reason for this gathering was yet to unfold.)

..

..

..

Cut to:

In the Living Room:

(After the initial pleasantries and playful moments with Prakhar, everyone settled down in the living room.

Purab and Bhoomika sat on the larger couch with his parents.

Little Prakhar, in his own world, zoomed his toy cars across the floor, the occasional vroom-vroom sound escaping his lips.

Anuradha sat in her usual armchair, her posture regal and composed.

Naina, feeling a little self-conscious but content, sat beside Vikram.

The atmosphere was warm yet laced with a quiet tension, as everyone knew the real conversation was yet to begin.)

..

..

..

A while later,

(The soft clinking of cups announced Kiaan and Kiara's return as they carried in a tray laden with tea and snacks.)

(The rich aroma of masala chai filled the air, adding a sense of warmth to the room.

They carefully placed the tray on the center table before taking their seats.

Vikram got up, casually rolling up his sleeves. He lifted the teapot with practiced ease and began pouring the steaming tea into delicate porcelain cups.

He offered a cup to Purab's father with a polite smile. )

Vikram: Uncle, lijiye, garma garam chai. Aapko adrak wali pasand hai na?

(Purab's father took the cup with a nod of appreciation.)

Purab's father: Haan beta, bilkul. Thank you. Waise yeh chai kisne banaayi hai? Kiaan aur Kiara ne? Ek baar taste toh karke dekh loon, kahin cheeni ki jagah namak toh nahi mila diya!

Kiara: (laughs). Nahi dada ji... Sugar hi hai!

Kiaan: (gets mischievous) Woh toh Kamla didi ne dekh liya... warna tum toh namak hi daalne waali thi!

(The room echoed with light laughter, the initial awkwardness melting away slightly.

(Vikram continued distributing the tea, handing a cup to Purab and Bhoomika, who took the cup with a gracious nod.

Then to his mother... and then to Naina, who wrapped her fingers around it but doesn't take a sip.

He watched her for a moment, noticing the way she absently stirred her tea, lost in thought.

Then he took his cup and sat down beside her.)

..

..

Meanwhile,

(Kiara placed a plate full of cookies near Prakhar.

The little boy barely acknowledged it, too engrossed in his game.

Smiling, she ruffled his hair before settling back beside Kiaan.)

Kiara: (teasing) Prakhar, agar tumne ek bhi biscuit nahi khaya, toh hum sab milke kha lenge.

(Prakhar finally looked up, frowning in mock horror before grabbing a cookie and taking a big bite, making everyone chuckle.)

..

..

Later,

(Purab, who had been observing the interactions in silence, finally set his cup down.

His posture straightened slightly as he glanced toward his parents and then at Anuradha.

The moment had come.)

Purab: Maa... Papa... aap dono ko, jo important baat karni thi, uske baare mein...?

(The warmth in the room dimmed slightly as the conversation shifted gears.

Anuradha placed her cup down delicately, her sharp gaze meeting Bhoomika's mother's eyes directly.

The moment of pleasantries was over. Now, the real discussion began.)

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Author's Note ✨💛

Hey dear readers! 🤗

What a warm and wholesome start to this gathering, right?

From Prakhar's adorable antics (Pwakhar stole the show! 😆) to Kiara getting teased about Paarth (hmm... kuch toh hai 😉), everything seemed lighthearted and fun.

But let's be real—this meeting wasn't just about chai, cookies, and cute moments. There's something BIG brewing beneath all these smiles. 😶☕

The final moment?

That shift in mood?

Oh yes, it's time for the real talk. What's this "important" discussion Purab's parents want to have? 🤔

Will it bring unexpected twists?

Will Naina's presence stir up old wounds or open new doors?

And most importantly...

will this family gathering end on a sweet note or leave behind a storm? 🌩️

Brace yourselves, because the next chapter is going to change things. 😏🔥

Until then, drop your guesses and thoughts in the comments! 💬👇

Who do you think will speak up first? What do you think this conversation is REALLY about? 🤭

Stay tuned, stay excited, and see you in the next update! 💕✨