[11]

" तेरे साथ साथ ऐसा कोई नूर आया है ,

चांद तेरी रोशनी का हल्कासा एक साया है ,

तेरी नज़रों ने दिल का किया जो हशर असर ये हुआ , अब इन में ही डूब के हो जाऊं पार, यही है दुआ ,

आँखों में तेरी अजबसी अजबसी अदायें हैं हो ,

दिल को बना दे जो पतंग साँसे ये तेरी वो हवायें हैं"

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After breakfast, Rishit stood up, brushing off his hands. "I should leave now."

"Kahaan?" Meera asked, her eyebrows raised.

( Where )

"Office," Rishit replied matter-of-factly.

Meera shook her head, smiling knowingly. "Beta ji, aaj pagphere ke liye apne sasural jana hai aapko."

( Son, today you have to got to your in laws for pagphere, an after marriage ritual )

Rishit’s brows furrowed. "Aaj jana hai?"

( We have to go today )

"Haan, toh kya bachche hone ke baad jaayega?" Meera quipped, a mischievous smile on her face.

( Will you go after your kids will be born )

"Maa!" Rishit responded, a hint of exasperation in his voice.

Meanwhile, Yash, Vidhi, and Vaani were doing their best to suppress their laughter, the corners of their mouths twitching with amusement.

Noticing their reactions, Rishit sighed and turned, heading towards his room without another word. The moment he disappeared, the entire family burst into laughter, filling the room with warmth and joy.

"That was a good one, Maa! Bhai ka chehra dekhne layak tha," Vidhi exclaimed, laughing even harder.

"True," Vaani managed between giggles, sharing a laugh with the others.

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

After some time, Rishit and Vaani were ready to visit the Ahuja mansion. They touched Meera and Yash’s feet, seeking their blessings, and then headed out.

The drive to the Ahuja mansion was quiet. Neither Vaani nor Rishit said much, both lost in their own thoughts. Vaani felt a growing excitement to see her parents again, while Rishit, for reasons he couldn’t quite explain, felt a strange nervousness bubbling inside him.

After an hour, they finally reached the mansion. Vaani rang the doorbell, and within moments, the door opened to reveal Vaidehi, holding an aarti ki thal, her face glowing with happiness. Behind her stood Vidhan, Ved, and Darsh, all grinning widely.

Vaidehi performed the aarti, circling the plate in front of them with a warm smile. Once done, she set the thal aside and embraced Vaani tightly, welcoming her home.

Vaani then moved on, hugging each of her family members one by one, the warmth of their love bringing a bright smile to her face.

When Vaani was done, Rishit stepped forward respectfully and bent down to touch Vaidehi and Darsh’s feet, receiving their blessings.

"Come inside," Vaidehi said, gesturing for them to enter. Everyone stepped inside and settled comfortably on the couches.

Ved settled beside Rishit while Vidhan relaxed on a single couch nearby.

"Rishit jiju," Ved called out, grinning.

Rishit, feeling both awkward and nervous, looked at him. "Haan?"

"Aapse ek sawal puchu?" Ved asked, and Rishit nodded, unsure of what was coming.

( Should I ask you a question )

"Vaani di apko zyada pareshan toh nahi karti?" Ved asked, his eyes glinting with mischief.

( Does Vaani trouble you )

As soon as Rishit heard this, memories of the previous night’s washroom incident and the morning cooking disaster replayed vividly in his mind. But he kept his expression composed. "Nahi," he replied calmly.

( No )

Vidhan, who had been listening in, interrupted, "Kaise faltu sawal puch raha hai, Ved," he said, seemingly saving Rishit from further embarrassment. Rishit breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the distraction. But his relief was short-lived.

( What type of rubbish question you are asking )

"Agar karti bhi hogi toh bhi nahi batayenge. Biwi ka dar," Vidhan teased, laughing. Ved joined in, and they both burst into laughter.

( He will not tell us even if she do, wife's terror )

Rishit, unwilling to let them have the last laugh, finally spoke up. "Tumhe bada pata hai. Koi girlfriend hai kya?"

( You are well aware..do you have a girlfriend )

Vidhan’s laughter died instantly as Rishit’s words sank in, and a slight blush crept onto his face.

Ved, stifling a chuckle, muttered under his breath, "Ab inhe kaun bataye ki inhi ki behen ko girlfriend banaye baithe hain."

( Now who will tell him that his sister is Vidhan's girlfriend )

"Haan, haan, bolo bhai," Ved added, giving Vidhan a teasing look, which earned him a sharp glare from his elder brother.

( Yes bro, tell us )

"Nahi, nahi, aisa kuch nahi hai," Vidhan said hastily, trying his best to keep his composure.

( No no it's not like that )

Before Rishit and Ved could tease him further, Vaidehi called from the dining area, "Lunch is ready, beta."

They headed to the dining table, where they enjoyed a delicious lunch. Vaani spent time chatting and catching up with her parents, while Rishit continued bonding with Ved and Vidhan, joining in on their banter and playful teasing.

The day passed quickly, filled with laughter and camaraderie. It was Rishit’s first time spending so much time with Ved and Vidhan, and by the end of the day, he’d developed a great bond with both of them.

After dinner, they said their goodbyes, sharing heartfelt hugs before Rishit and Vaani headed back home.

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

As they reached home, Rishit and Vaani found Vidhi, Kartik, Meera, and Yash in the living room, deep in conversation. Curious, they walked over to join them.

"What happened, Maa?" Rishit asked, noting the serious expressions around him.

"We were discussing about throwing a reception party for those who couldn’t attend the wedding," Meera explained, glancing between them.

"Oh, so when is it, Maa?" Vaani asked with a hint of excitement.

"I'm thinking of the day after tomorrow," Meera replied, and everyone nodded in agreement.

"By the way, who all will be coming, Maa?" Rishit asked, sounding casual, though a hint of apprehension crept into his voice.

"Some relatives and business partners," Meera answered.

"Konse relatives?" Rishit pressed, his expression darkening slightly.

( Which relatives )

Meera looked at him with a sheepish smile. "Dadi bua and a few other relatives."

"Aunty, keh dijiye ki yeh jhoot h" Kartik said dramatically, his hands clasped as though pleading.

( Aunty please tell me that this is a lie )

"Yeah jhoot nhi beta," Meera replied in the same playful tone.

( It's not a joke )

"Bhai, bhabhi, be ready." Kartik added with a teasing smile, causing Rishit to glare sharply at him, while Vaani looked on in confusion.

Kartik then shared a knowing glance with Vidhi, and both exchanged mischievous smiles.

"Ab aayega na maza," Kartik muttered under his breath, his grin widening.

( Now it wil be fun )

"Maa, I'm feeling sleepy. I'm going to bed," Rishit said suddenly, turning to walk towards his room, clearly wanting to avoid further discussion.

"I think I should leave too," Vaani said, still puzzled but following suit. With everyone nodding in acknowledgment, she joined Rishit, and soon the two reached their room.

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

Upon reaching their room, Vaani immediately entered the washroom with her night suit, leaving Rishit outside to wait. After a few moments, the door finally opened, and Rishit caught a glimpse of Vaani stepping out in her nightwear. He moved quickly to enter the washroom, but as he did, he lost his footing on a patch of soapy water, slipping backward.

In a reflex to steady him, Vaani instinctively grabbed his shoulders. However, the swift action only worsened their balance, and both toppled together, landing in the bathtub just beside the door, which was filled with water.

Vaani ended up on top of Rishit, her hands gripping his shoulders tightly, her eyes squeezed shut in surprise. Rishit’s arms had wrapped protectively around her waist, pulling her closer as they both tried to steady themselves.

The proximity was palpable— their faces just inches apart, close enough to feel each other's warm breaths mingling. A soft shiver coursed down Vaani's spine at Rishit’s touch, and her heart fluttered with a mix of nervousness and something unfamiliar yet exciting.

Meanwhile, Rishit was no less flustered; it was the first time in years he’d found himself this close to anyone, and the realization made his heart pound against his chest.

After a few seconds, they slowly opened their eyes, locking gazes. For a brief moment, the world around them faded into the background, and an unspoken tension filled the air.

But Rishit quickly broke the spell, averting his gaze and attempting to stand. Yet, every time he tried, his hands kept slipping against the wet surface, causing Vaani to cling even tighter to his shirt in an effort to stabilize herself.

"Vaani," he said softly, his eyes seeking hers, his voice laced with both embarrassment and helplessness.

Their gazes met once again, and he added, "Try to stand up."

"Hmm," Vaani murmured, nodding, and they both made a concerted effort to regain their footing. After a few attempts and some more slips, they finally managed to stand upright, though a charged silence lingered between them.

Breaking the silence, Rishit cleared his throat and, with an awkward glance, suggested, "I think you should change."

And he quickly exited the washroom, leaving Vaani alone to gather herself. After a few minutes, she emerged from the washroom, feeling the weight of lingering awkwardness. As Vaani exited Rishit entered the washroom. Seeking the opportunity, Vaani slipped into bed to avoid further awkwardness.

After sometime, when Rishit re-entered the room, he noted that Vaani had already tucked herself into bed, seemingly asleep. Not wanting to disturb her or add to the awkwardness, he quietly fetched a pillow and a spare blanket from the cupboard and settled himself on the couch a few feet away.

Rishit lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling as he replayed the event in his mind. The memory of Vaani’s closeness lingered. He tried to shake off the feelings and closed his eyes, hoping sleep would come soon, but it was futile.

As he settled into the couch, he couldn't help but think back to those few seconds in the bathtub. It had been years since anyone had been that close to him.

Across the room, Vaani lay with her back to him, her own thoughts swirling. The fleeting moments in the bathtub had left her heart racing, and even now, she could feel the warmth of his hands on her waist. She had seen something in his eyes during those seconds—a vulnerability and gentleness.

As their minds lingered on the moment they had just shared, the silence and calmness of the room finally lulled them to sleep.

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-Roohi