Chapter 4: From Surprises to Smiles

(Naina met his gaze steadily, her cheeks flushed but her eyes resolute. She nodded, her hands still resting on his chest.

That was all the confirmation he needed. Vikram's lips met hers again, this time with a deeper intensity, their shared emotions pouring into the kiss.

He tilted her head gently, his lips trailing to the side of her neck, leaving soft, heated kisses along her skin.

Naina closed her eyes, her fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt, completely lost in the moment.

So immersed were they in each other that they failed to notice the sound of keys jingling outside or the faint creak of the door unlocking.

With a loud bang, the main door swung open, startling them both.

Kiaan and Kiara bursted into the apartment, their faces glowing with excitement.)

Kiaan and Kiara: (cheerfully) Hi Mumma!!!!

(The moment the door burst open, Naina and Vikram sprang apart like guilty teenagers caught red-handed, a flustered silence enveloping them.

Vikram quickly turned his back to the kids, and buttoned up his shirt.

He ran a hand through his hair in embarrassment, while Naina quickly adjusted her hair, her face a mix of shock and embarrassment.)

(Kiaan and Kiara froze at the sight. They were in utter shock.

Kiara's smile faltered as she looked between her mother and the man standing awkwardly by her side.)

Kiara: Uh... sorry... hum shayad galat time pe aa gaye!!!

(Kiaan scratched the back of his head, his expression a mix of confusion and apology.)

Kiaan: (clears his throat) Mumma, we are very sorry.... we should've called before coming. Aaj hum free thay... meri coaching class cancel ho gayi, aur Kiara ne aaj bunk maar li... papa aur dadi bhi dono ghar pe nahi thay, so we thought of surprising you by coming here.

Kiara: (nods her head, still feeling awkward) Sorry, Mumma. We didn't realize you had company!!!

(Naina quickly composed herself, her voice calm but warm.)

Naina: It's okay beta.... aao. Andar aajao.

(Kiaan and Kiara exchanged a quick glance before shaking their heads.

Kiaan: Nahi mumma, rehne dijiye.... We'll make a move. (he pulls out his phone) Main cab book kar leta hoon. Hum dono nikalte hain.

Naina: (frowns) Kiaan, Kiara.... tum dono, itni door se yahaan tak aaye ho.... Stay back. Naa? Kya zaroorat hai abhi jaane ki?

(Kiara stepped forward, a gentle smile on her face.)

Kiara: It's okay, Mumma. Aap, apne friend ke saath time spend karo. Hamaari wajah se, he might feel a little uncomfortable.

Kiaan: haan mumma.... Hum chalte hain. phir kabhi saath mein time spend kar lenge.

(Before Naina could respond, Vikram turned toward them, his expression soft but firm.)

Vikram: Kissi ko kahin jaane ki zaroorat nahi hai.

(Kiaan and Kiara froze, their eyes widening in unison. They stared at him for a long moment, then blurted out together—)

Kiaan and Kiara: Papa??

(Vikram gave them a small smile, his eyes filled with a mix of nervousness and affection.

Vikram: Haan... main.

Kiaan: (furrows his brows, stepping back slightly) what is this going on?

(Vikram sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He glanced briefly at Naina before addressing his son.)

Vikram: so... tumhaari Mumma aur main... (He pauses, then smiles softly) We've been dating each other for quite some time now.

Kiaan: (blinks, processing the revelation) Dating? aap dono...?

(Kiara, standing beside him, gasped softly as realization dawned on her. She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes playfully at Vikram.)

Kiara: Ohh! So, Aaj kal, aap jo zyada busy rehne lage thay kaam mein.... Was this the reason?

(Vikram gave a sheepish glance toward Naina, his ears turning slightly red.)

Vikram: Haan, beta!!!!

(Kiaan and Kiara walked into the apartment and quietly sat down on the sofa, still processing everything. Vikram and Naina stood in front of them, waiting for them to say something.)

Kiara: mumma, papa.... why didn't you inform us earlier? Humse toh kuch kehna chahiye tha!

(Vikram gave them a soft smile, glancing at Naina before answering.)

Vikram: Hum khud bhi sure nahi the, beta. we didn't want to give you any false hopes, bacche!!!

Naina: (in a teasing tone) haan.... hum, pehle dekhna chahate thay ki, hum ek doosre ko tolerate kar bhi paate hain ya nahi.

Vikram: but jo bhi ho.... we are very sorry for keeping you out of this... for lying to you.

Kiara: it's okay, papa!!! We are kind is used to it.

Kiaan: haan... it's not like, it's the first time you've lied to us!!! the only difference is that, pehle aap dono jhooth bolte thay, kyunki you wanted to avoid each other.... And now you lied kyunki you wanted to spend time with each other!!!!

Kiara: (teases them) so... are you able to tolerate each other now???

(Vikram looked at Naina, a warm smile spreading across his face. He reached for her hand, entwining his fingers with hers.)

Vikram: (his voice steady and full of emotion) haan... in fact, we love each other... and we cannot live without each other!!!

(A grin spread across both Kiaan and Kiara's faces, their initial shock melting into joy.

Without a word, they both got up from their seats and enveloped their parents in a tight hug.)

Kiaan: (pulls back slightly, smirking) Toh phir, aap dono, phir se shaadi kab kar rahe ho?? haan??? Mumma, aap ghar waapas kab aa rahe ho??

Naina: (laughs softly, shaking her head) beta.... Abhi toh hum boyfriend-girlfriend relationship pe kaam kar rahe hain. Let's see how it goes.

Kiara: (giggles, nudging Naina playfully) wow!!!! Main kabhi imagine bhi nahi kar sakti thi mummy aur papa, kabhi 'boyfriend-girlfriend' ki tarah rahenge!!!

Vikram: (rubs the back of his neck, smiling nervously) Honestly, mujhe bhi nahi laga tha ki, kabhi apne bacchon ke saath, yeh conversation karna padega!!!

Kiaan: (shakes his head) haan... I mean, it's... weird. (forms a small smile) But I guess I'm happy for you both!!!

Vikram: (smiles, resting a hand on Kiaan's shoulder) I know it's a lot to take in... but Naina and I.... we want to make this work— for all of us.

(Kiaan and Kiara smile seeing their parents get- together.)

Kiara: Mumma, Papa... thank you for trying to give us the family that we had longed for.... I know ki yeh aapke liye aasan nahi hua hoga, mumma.... But you still tried!!!!

Naina: (smiles) ab please, mujhe zyaada emotional mat karo.... (smiles) waise... I'm going to make coffee.... Tum dono bhi piyoge?

Kiaan: nahi mumma.... Hum dono ghar ke liye, nikalte hain. Humein aap dono ke beech nahi aana chahiye tha. bahut guilty feel ho raha hai.

(Vikram immediately stepped forward, his tone firm yet gentle.)

Vikram: Bacche kabhi maa-baap ke beech nahi aate, Kiaan. Tum dono hamesha hamare ek part ho. Aur yeh baat kabhi mat bhoolna.

(Kiara's face softened as she glanced at Kiaan.

Then she turned back to Vikram with a hopeful expression.)

Kiara: Agar aap aisa keh rahe ho, toh kya hum ek kaam kar sakte hain? Can we do something together? Like a family? A movie evening maybe?

Naina: (confused) movie evening???

Kiara: Bahut saalon se meri iccha thi ki, hum chaaron saath mein kuch toh karein.... Like saath mein movie dekhein.... You know, Like a movie night.... But abhi toh almost evening hone waali hai... toh move evening?? (hopefully) Can we?

Vikram: (a small smile spread across his face) Theek hai, movie evening karte hain. (quickly pulls out his phone) Main tumhaari dadi ko bol deta hoon ki meri meeting thodi der aur chalegi... aur waise bhi tumhaari coaching shaam 6 baje tak hoti hai naa??

Kiaan: haan.

Vikram: main unse keh dunga ki woh Sharma aunty ke saath unke ghar chali jaaye, after the Satsang.... (smiling) I think; we can pull this off.

Kiara: (face lights up with excitement) Really? Yay! Aap TV pe koi achhi movie dhoondho. Main pizza order kar deti hoon!

Naina: (raises her eyebrows in surprise) Pizza? Abhi toh lunch kiya hoga tumne?!

Kiara: (makes a pleading face, her tone almost childlike) Please naa, Mumma? Movie aur pizza ka combo toh perfect hota hai!!!

(Before Naina could protest, Vikram smiled and intervened.)

Vikram: Naina, let them order anything thet want. Bacchon ki saalon se, dabi hui iccha hai yeh. Let them enjoy. (He hands his phone to Kiara.) Lo, order kar lo.

Kiara: (shakes her head, grinning) Papa, not required. Main order kar loongi apne phone se. previous order saved hota hai naa.... toh it gets easy to order.

Vikram: (nods his head) Theek hai. Mujhe total bata dena, main UPI kar doonga.

Kiara: (shrugs casually) Zaroorat nahi, Papa. I have money.

Vikram: (narrows his eyes, crossing his arms) Oye.... Main tumhaara baap hoon, theek hai? Don't show off your money to me!!!! I know that you have already started earning money.... But tum choti ho, choti banke raho!!!!!

Kiara: (chuckles) okay my dear papa!!!! I'll tell you the total. Ab khush?

Vikram: (smirks) haan, theek hai!!!! aur ek baad yaad rakhna.... Even you, Kiaan!!! Jab tak mere haath- pair chal rahe hain.... Tum dono jitna marzi kama lo, lekin payment toh main hi karunga!!!!

(Naina laughed, watching their banter. Her heart swelled at the sight of her family coming together in such a beautiful, lighthearted way.

As Kiaan and Kiara huddled together, animatedly debating over pizza toppings and sides, Vikram and Naina settled onto the couch.

Vikram picked up the remote and began scrolling through the OTT platform, his other hand resting lightly on the couch near Naina.)

Vikram: (glances at Naina, a hint of guilt in his eyes) I'm sorry, Naina. Tumne kuch aur plan kiya tha aaj ke liye... aur yeh sab ho gaya.

Naina: (turns to him with a gentle smile, her eyes filled with warmth) Kya sorry?? Vikram ji, yeh moment bhi utna hi special hai. Family ke saath hone ka ehsaas hi alag hota hai.... Aapke saath movie dekhna, aur bacchon ke saath time spend karna... I wouldn't trade this for anything.

Vikram: (his gaze lingering on her, admiration evident) and I wouldn't trade your smile for anything!!!! Tumhaare liye kuch bhi kar sakta hoon, bas yeh smile banaye rakhna.

Naina: (blushing slightly, but chuckling) Bas... bas, zyada filmy mat bano. Bacche abhi bhi yahaan hain.

Kiaan: (from the couch, pretending to gag) Ugh, Mumma, Papa, get a room!

Kiara: (laughing, throwing a cushion at Kiaan) Shut up, Kiaan. Let them be cute for once!

(The room filled with laughter again, the kind of laughter that comes from hearts that feel light and full.

Vikram and Naina shared one last look, the unspoken promise of new beginnings shining between them.

It was a moment they would all cherish—a family finally finding its way back together.)

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Author’s Note:

Just when things were getting intense, boom—interrupted! But at least a sweet family moment made up for it! ❤️

What about you? When was the last time you watched a movie with your family? Was it a cozy night at home or a fun trip to the theater? Drop the movie name in the comments—I’d love to know!

If you enjoyed this chapter (or if the interruption made you scream in frustration 😆), don’t forget to hit that ⭐ vote button! Your support keeps me going and helps bring more exciting chapters your way. See you in the next update! ❤️