Chapter 28: Midnight Games and Secret Escapes

A few days later, On a Saturday,

At Vikram's house,

In the living room:

(The clock ticked close to 10 PM. Vikram, Gaurav, and Tanvi sat cross-legged on the carpeted floor around a small table, engaged in a spirited game of teen patti.

A half-empty bowl of peanuts and glasses of whiskey stood as silent witnesses to the game.)

Gaurav: (stretching his arms): Kabir ki aaj cricket practice, bahut tough thi I guess. Dinner karke, bas seedha sone chale gaya.

Vikram: (nodding, dealing the cards): haan.... Thakaa- thakaa hua lag bhi raha tha. bahut quiet sa tha dinner pe.

Tanvi: (smiling proudly): Achha hai na, kam se kam discipline seekh raha hai. bit I feel like we are pushing him a lot

Gaurav: (shaking his head): Nahi, Tanvi... abhi uski umar hai, mehnat karne ki.... Aur waise bhi, Kabir apni limits samajhta hai.... (he smirks) mujhe toh yeh surprising baat lagi.... ki aaj Kiaan aur Kiara bhi jaldi sone chale gaye...

Vikram: (chuckling): Haan.... it's quite shocking.... warna woh dono toh, Saturday ko raat ke 12 baje ke pehle kabhi nahi sotay!!!

Tanvi: woh dono bhi thak gaye honge bhaiya.... Chalo, aap toh patte baato... yeh round toh main jeetungi!!!!

(Vikram scoffed and shuffled the cards before distributing it to each player with practiced precision.)

Vikram: (grinning): Chalo, Tanvi. Let's see if you can finally win a round.

Tanvi: (rolling her eyes): aap dekhte jao, bhaiya!!!

(She picked up her cards with exaggerated care, glancing at them with narrowed eyes as though she were analyzing an international chess match.)

Gaurav: (sneaking a peek at his cards): Arrey wah, Tanvi. Pehle toh basics samajh lo. Don't show off if you don't know what a sequence looks like.

Tanvi: (pretending to ignore him): Chup kariye, Gaurav ji. Dekho, mujhe toh lagta hai main abhi jeet jaaungi.

Vikram: (chuckling): Achha? Pehle bet toh lagao. Bluff karne ke liye bhi thoda risk lena padta hai.

(Tanvi confidently placed a token on the table, her face an exaggerated mask of nonchalance. Vikram raised an eyebrow but said nothing, while Gaurav studied her closely.)

Gaurav: (leaning forward): Mujhe lagta hai tum bas acting kar rahi ho. Ek kaam karo, mujhe apne cards dikha do, main bata deta hoon jeetne laayak hain ki nahi.

Tanvi: (mock glaring): Dream on, Gaurav ji. Aap khud ke cards sambhal lo.

(The round progressed, with Vikram carefully upping the stakes and Tanvi matching every bet, her confidence unwavering. Gaurav, after a moment of hesitation, sighed and placed his cards face down.)

Gaurav: (shrugging): Main fold kar raha hoon. Yeh dono mujhe bluff kar ke nikal denge.

Tanvi: (grinning smugly): Haan, ab samajh aa raha hai tumhe khelna kyun nahi aata.

Vikram: (coolly): Accha, accha. Tanvi, tumhaare cards kaafi strong lag rahe hain, huh? Let's see if they're good enough to beat mine.

(With a theatrical flair, Tanvi laid her cards down: a pair of queens and a jack. She beamed at her display.)

Tanvi: Dekha! Bola tha, main jeetungi.

(Vikram glanced at her cards, unimpressed. Slowly, he revealed his: a straight, ace-high.)

Vikram: (smirking): Nice try, Tanvi. Lekin yeh baazi meri hai.

Tanvi: (groaning): Ugh, yeh toh cheating hai. Bhaiya, aapko kaise hamesha strong cards milte hain?

Gaurav: (laughing): It's called experience, Tanvi. Vikram ka Experience aur tumhaari overconfidence.

(As Vikram pulled the pile of tokens toward him, Tanvi crossed her arms, pouting.)

Vikram: Kya hua, ab confidence kam ho gaya?

Tanvi: (grinning mischievously): Nahi. Abhi agle round mein, aapke bluff ko pakad ke jeetungi.

Vikram: Haan, haan. Good luck with that.

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Then,

(As Vikram leaned back to reshuffle the cards, ready for the next round, a flicker of movement caught his attention from the corner of his eye.

His gaze shifted toward the hallway leading to the front door.

There, attempting to tiptoe without making a sound, were Kiaan and Kiara.

Both were dressed in party clothes that screamed rebellion-Kiara in a shimmery dress and sneakers, Kiaan in a leather jacket over a casual shirt and ripped jeans.)

(Their footsteps were absurdly slow, their faces full of concentration as they tried to avoid creaky spots on the floorboards.

Vikram raised an eyebrow. A small smirk tugged at his lips.)

Vikram: (holds up a hand to pause the game) Ek minute.... Yeh kya ho raha hai?

(Tanvi and Gaurav glance at him in confusion. And then noticed Kiaan and Kiara.

The twins froze like deer caught in headlights. Kiaan shot a wide-eyed glare at Kiara.)

Vikram: Kiaan. Kiara. Kya chal raha hai?

(Kiara plastered on her most innocent smile, walking into the living room like nothing happened.)

Kiara: Papa, kuch nahi. Bas... fresh air lene ja rahe the.

(Kiaan tried to look casual as he followed, shoving his sneakers into his pocket awkwardly.)

Kiaan: Haan. Bahut garmi ho rahi thi yahaan pe.

Vikram: (lets out a small laugh, not buying it for a second) Fresh air? Is waqt? itne taiyaar hoke, koi fresh air lene jaata hai kya?

Gaurav: (amused, put his drink down) waah bhai.... I might try this technique next time Tanvi mujhse walk pe chalne ko kahe....

Tanvi: (shakes her head, biting back a smile) Kiaan, Kiara. Tum log sach batao. Kahaan ja rahe ho itni raat ko?

Kiara: (sighs dramatically, throwing her hands up) Fine. Party mein jaa rahe hain.

Tanvi: Party??? Aur woh bhi bina bataaye?

Kiara: Bhua, It's just a small gathering.... Hum dono responsible hain. Don't worry.

Gaurav: Responsible??? Beta, tumhe laga yeh sneak-out karna responsible hai??

(Kiara sighed, glancing at her twin for support. Kiaan shrugged.)

Kiara: Dekho, if we told you, you would have said no...... Toh humne socha... better to ask for forgiveness later.

Vikram: (crosses his arms, his expression firm but not angry) wow!!!! Tumhaare sochne ka tareeka mujhe bahut pasand aaya...... (smirks) but abhi jo tum soch rahe ho na, usko pause karo. And waapas room mein jao!!!!

Kiaan: papa.... Please naa!!!!

(Vikram narrowed his eyes.)

Vikram: Fine Kiski party?

Kiaan: (jumps in quickly) Ek friend ki. Sirf thodi der ke liye. Promise.

Gaurav: (leans forward, her tone softer) Kis friend ki party hai? Safe place hai na?

Kiara: (nods earnestly) Haan, phuphaji...... Bilkul safe hai!!!! meri friend, Smriti ki Party hai!!!!

Vikram: I don't care!!!! You are not going anywhere!!!!

Kiara: please papa. Abhir bhi party mein jaa raha hai.

Vikram: Koi bhi saath ho, uss say mujhe koi lena dena nahi hai... but, tum dono, iss time pe, kahi nahi jaa rahe ho.

Kiaan: papa...please. Let us go!!!! Hum dono aise parties mein waise bhi kam jaa paate hain.... please jaane do naa!!

Vikram: (sighs deeply) Aur kab tak waapas aaoge?

(Kiaan and Kiara exchanged a hopeful glance.)

Kiara: (speaks cautiously) ek baje??

Vikram: (firm voice) 11:30!!

Kiara: (whines) Papa!!!! Das toh abhi hi baj gaye.... And most of our friends 12 tak ruk rahe hain, at least.

Vikram: tum dono bhi 12 tak hi ruko phir!!!! (speaks firmly) tum dono abhi toh cab se chale jaao...... but raat mein I'll come to pick you up!!!!

Kiaan: (groans) Papa.... Hum waapas bhi aajayenge!!!! bachhe nahi hain, hum!

Vikram: I will come by 12 to pick you up, Okay? warna no party... upar jaao. Aur so jaao

Kiara: fine theek hai!!!! aap barah baje tak aa jaana!!!! (she scoffs) Kiaan, jaldi se cab book karo!!!!

(Tanvi, grinning now, looked at Vikram.)

Tanvi: waah bhaiya!!!! aapne jo kiya tha, aapke time mein... woh yaad hai naa? (she giggles) Kabhi socha nahi tha ki, aap bhi '11:30 sharp' wale papa banoge!!!!

Vikram: (shoots her a look but smiled faintly) Kuch cheezein waqt ke saath badal jaati hai, Tanvi!!!!

(Kiaan tapped his phone screen a few times, glancing at the notification before sliding it back into his pocket.)

Kiaan: Cab is just 1 minute away!!!! Let's go.

(Kiara grabbed her clutch from the table and adjusted her hair. Just as they started toward the door, Vikram's firm voice stopped them.)

Vikram: Ruko.

(Both turned to face their father, trying their best to look casual but already anticipating a lecture.)

Kiaan: kya hua, papa?

Vikram (crossing his arms): listen.... Party mein jaa rahe ho... enjoy karo.... But remember- No alcohol, no smoking, no drugs. Got it?

(Kiara sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes.)

Kiara: Papa, seriously? I may be a rebel, but I'm not stupid. why will I want to sabotage my chances of taking part in the national championship!!

(Vikram studied her for a moment, his expression softening.

A small smile crept onto his face as pride replaced his earlier sternness.)

Vikram: (nodding): Theek hai, jao. Lekin yaad rahe, raat ke 12 baje tak main wahaan pahunch jaunga, tumhe lene. Tab tak enjoy kar lo.

(Kiaan grinned and gave a thumbs-up, already pulling Kiara toward the door.)

Kiaan: Thanks, Dad! Don't worry, we've got this.

Kiara: (over her shoulder): Bye, Papa!!! Aap relax karo.... And enjoy your game of Teen Patti.

(As the twins walked out, Vikram shut the door and turned around.

He shook his head with a chuckle, muttering under his breath.)

Tanvi: Teen Patti ke saath-saath, parenting bhi khelna padta hai!!!

Gaurav: (laughs) Control karna mushkil hota hoga dono ko, hai naa??? Dono ek dum smart hain.

Vikram: (leans back, shaking his head) Smart? Yeh dono mujhe underestimate karte hain. woh bhool jaate hain, ki main unka baap hoon.

Tanvi: (laughs) woh toh hai!!! baap toh baap hi hoga!!!!

Gaurav: chalo bhaiya... chalte hain. let's have another round. Dekhte hain ki iss baar Tanvi ka kya haal rehta hai!!!!

Vikram: haan... haan sure!!! aap dono chaliye... main fridge se paani lekar aata hoon!!!!

(Gaurav and Tanvi nodded their head and returned to the living room. While Vikram made his way into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water.)

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In the living room:

(Tanvi leaned back on the couch, picking at the bowl of peanuts, while Gaurav scrolled through his phone.

A soft buzz broke the silence. Vikram's phone, left on the coffee table, lit up with a message notification.

Tanvi glanced at the screen casually, not intending to pry, but the name of the sender made her do a double take.

Her eyes widened as she read the little message that popped as a part of the notification. The sender's name was saved as 'Babe')

Babe: 'Just came home from work. Good night, Jaan ❤️ Sweet dreams'

Tanvi: (to herself) Yeh babe kaun hai??? aur woh bhaiya ko 'jaan' bulaa rahi hai!!!!

(Tanvi raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a sly smile. She looked at Gaurav, who was oblivious, still engrossed in his phone.

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Later,

(When Vikram returned, holing a bottle of water, Tanvi couldn't hold back her curiosity any longer.

She crossed her arms and fixed him with a knowing look.)

Tanvi: Bhaiya, ek baat poochun?

Vikram: (takes a sip of water, glances at her curiously) Haan, poocho naa. kya baat hai?

Tanvi: Aap... kisi ko date kar rahe ho kya?

Vikram: (caught off guard, almost chokes on his water) Huh? achanak se yeh sawaal kyun?

Tanvi: (smirking) Bas aise hi. woh kya hai naa...... actually... aapki Babe ka message aaya hai. (gesturing to his phone) Good night wish kar rahi thi. Maine message nahi padha, bas notification dekha tha.

(The water bottle nearly slipped from Vikram's hand. His cheeks flushed a light pink.)

Vikram: (stammering) Oh... woh... umm...

(Gaurav, now intrigued, looked up. Vikram's blush deepened, and he scratched the back of his neck.)

Gaurav: (now curious, puts his phone down) Kya?? what Babe? Vikram bhaiya? Scene kya hai???

Tanvi: bhaiya ka, kuch toh chal raha hai.... and we don't even know about it!!!! (she teases Vikram) Bhaiya.... Please sach bataa do naa....

Vikram: Haan.... I'm seeing someone.

(The room went quiet for a moment, a beat of disbelief settling in after Vikram's admission. And then, like a firecracker, Tanvi squealed in delight.)

Vikram: Oh my God, Bhaiya! I'm so happy for you! (rushing forward to hug him tightly) Aapne toh literal bomb phod diya!

Gaurav: (grinning) bhaiya, yeh toh unexpected tha.... aapne toh surprise hi kar diya!!!!

Tanvi: (excitedly) I need details, bhaiya!!! Kaun hai woh? Kya karti hai? kab milwa rahe ho humein?

Vikram: (face lights up) tumhe milna hai, uss say?

Tanvi: Obviously, bhaiya!!! I am very excited!!!!

(his grin widened, practically bouncing with energy)

Vikram: (grin widens) Toh chalo!!! Ready ho jao!!! Abhi chalte hain!!! I will not tell you anything about her.... Tum khud hi pooch lena.

Tanvi: (pausing, looking genuinely confused) Abhi? Bhaiya, abhi das baj rahe hain! Itni raat ko jaana theek nahi lagta. (playfully teasing) Aur waise bhi, aapki 'Babe' toh so gayi hongi!

Vikram: (waving her off) Arrey, koi nahi.... uthaa denge, usko!!! In fact, She'll be happy to see you both.

Gaurav: (shaking his head) aap dono hi aao!!! Itni raat ko, mera jaana theek nahi hai. aapki girlfriend ko thoda awkward lagega!!!

Vikram: zyada mat sochiye, Gaurav ji. Jab aap uss say miloge na, toh lagega hi nahi, ki aap pehli baar mil rahe ho!!!! Ek apnaapan sa lagega.

Tanvi: Bhaiya, are you sure? Abhi jaana hai?? kyunki unke ghar pahunchte- pahunchte aur late ho jaayega!!!

Vikram: arrey, chalo yaar!!!! Ab yahaan hi time waste karte rahoge kya? Aap dono gaadi mein jaake baitho. Main maa ko bataake aata hoon ki we're going out for a drive.

(Without waiting for a response, he dashed upstairs, leaving Tanvi and Gaurav exchanging amused glances.)

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Outside the house:

(As Tanvi and Gaurav stepped out of the house and walked toward the car, she noticed his expression shift.

His usually light-hearted demeanor was replaced by a quiet sadness. She touched his arm gently.)

Tanvi: Gaurav ji, aap khush nahi ho kya? Bhaiya ke liye?

Gaurav: (hesitating) Nahi, main bahut khush hoon. Sach mein.

Tanvi: (gently) Toh phir ye udaasi kaisi?

(Gaurav sighed, his voice heavy.)

Gaurav: Bas... Naina Bhabhi ki yaad aa gayi. Woh toh akeli hi pad gayi, Tanvi. Mujhe nahi lagta woh kabhi move on kar paayengi.

Tanvi: (her heart sank) aapko aisa kyun lagta hai?

Gaurav: (quietly) pata nahi... bas lagta hai!!! (feels sad) yahaan Vikram bhaiya ko koi mil gaya.... Woh toh apne life mein busy ho jaayenge... aur wahaan bhabhi bilkul akeli padh jaayengi... woh bhi toh yeh khushi deserve karti hain.

Tanvi: (squeezes his arm) I feel bad for her too.... Lekin shaayad unka bhi waqt aayega... maybe one day, she'll find someone too, Gaurav ji!!! Bhagwaan ke ghar der hai... andher nahi!!! hum bas unke liye prathna karenge!!!!

(Gaurav nodded, though his expression remained clouded. Tanvi stole a glance at him as they sat inside the car, her heart both hopeful for her brother and heavy for the woman who had once been part of their family.)

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Author’s Note

Hey, lovely readers!

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter—I had so much fun writing it! From the teen patti banter to the twins’ sneaky escape attempt and, of course, the big reveal about Vikram, this chapter had a little bit of everything.

But let’s talk about Gaurav for a second. His reaction at the end was truly genuine!!! He truly cares and worries for Naina.

How do you think, Gaurav and Tanvi will react, when they find out who his 'Babe' is!!!

Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your theories! And as always, if you liked the chapter, don’t forget to vote ⭐️ and hit follow so you don’t miss the next update.