Chapter 63: Triumphs And Tensions

Cut to,

Later at night,

(The clock struck 9 PM as the quiet living room stirred with the sound of keys jingling.

The main door swung open, and Vikram stepped inside, his broad shoulders carrying the weight of Kiara's racing bag. His expression was a mix of exhaustion and pride.

Kiara followed closely, her helmet tucked under one arm and a smaller bag slung over her shoulder. Her face glowed with the joy of victory, her eyes still gleaming from the adrenaline of the race.

Kiaan trailed behind, his hair slightly disheveled, his tired but contented smile reflecting a quiet sense of accomplishment.)

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..

..

(Tanvi, who had been pacing the living room in anticipation, froze for a second before breaking into an excited grin. She practically bounced toward them, her enthusiasm lighting up the entire room.)

Tanvi: (clapping her hands together) Kiara! Kiaan! Vikram bhaiya! Aap log aa gaye!

(Her voice was a mix of excitement and relief.)

(Kiara beamed as Tanvi reached out, pulling her into a quick hug, ruffling her hair playfully.

But the moment Tanvi's eyes landed on the shiny gold trophy in Kiara's hand, they widened in pure delight.)

Tanvi: (grinning, holding out her hands) Yeh toh mujhe do! Main bhi dekhu champion ki trophy dikhti kaise hai!

Kiara: (laughs, handing it over) Le lo, Tanvi bua... par sambhal ke! Kaafi heavy hai! (shaking her hands dramatically) Mere toh haath dukh gaye!

(Tanvi gasped playfully as she took the trophy, her hands wrapping around it with the reverence of someone handling a priceless treasure.

She traced her fingers over the engraved text, her eyes shimmering with pride.)

Tanvi: (teasing) Wah wah! Kiara!!! The speed queen! Yeh toh bilkul kisi international champion ki trophy jaisi lag rahi hai!

(Kiaan chuckled, plopping down on the couch and stretching his arms.)

Kiaan: (smirking) Bas bua, ab iski tareef mat shuru karna warna madam ka ego aur badh jayega!

Kiara: (rolling her eyes, nudging him) Koi zaroorat nahi meri tareef ki, Kiaan. Trophy khud sab kuch bata rahi hai!

(Vikram chuckled as he set the bags down, shaking his head at their banter.

He took a seat, stretching his tired legs, finally allowing himself a moment of relaxation after the long day)

Tanvi: (teasing) Wah, Kiara! Ab toh tum celebrity ban gayi ho. Is trophy ke liye ek selfie toh banti hai!!!

(Everyone chuckled as Tanvi dramatically posed with the trophy, making exaggerated expressions as if she were the one who had won it.)

Kiara: (laughing) Bua, aap toh sach mein next-level ho!

Tanvi: (grinning) Of course, darling! Ye talent natural hota hai.

(Just as the laughter settled, Tanvi checked her watch and her smile dimmed slightly.

She took a deep breath before speaking.)

Tanvi: (turns serious) Waise, aap sab bilkul time pe aaye ho... Meri bhi flight ka time ho raha hai... I'll make a move.

Kiara: (frowns slightly, her excitement fading) Bua, aap jaa rahi ho? Aise time pe? Kal subah bhi ja sakti thi na?

Tanvi: (sighs) Haan beta... pata hai mujhe. But agar abhi chali gayi toh directly jaake so jaungi. Subah ki flight leti, toh raat bhi kharaab hoti aur subah jaake phir kaam karne ki energy nahi rehti.

Kiara: Woh toh hai...

Vikram: (getting up) Chalo, phir main tumhe airport drop kar deta hoon.

Tanvi: (shaking her head) Bhaiya, aap aaram kariye! Maine cab book kar li hai... paanch minute mein aa rahi hai!

Vikram: (smiles warmly) Chal theek hai... waise, Tannu, I really want to thank you, yaar. Main jaanta hoon tumhaari kitni responsibilities hain Bangalore mein, phir bhi tum yahaan aayi... It means a lot.

(Tanvi's expression softened, her eyes reflecting warmth for her brother.)

Tanvi: (smiling) Arrey, koi nahi bhaiya! Family ke liye itna toh banta hai.

(She paused before adding.)

Tanvi: Accha, maine chole chawal banwaaye hain. Aap log kha lena, okay?

Vikram: (nods) Bilkul khaayenge. (Looking around) Waise, Maa kahaan hain? So gayi kya??

(Tanvi's smile faltered for a split second. She hesitated, then spoke, choosing her words carefully.)

Tanvi: Maa... ghar pe nahi hain.

Vikram: (frowning) Kya? It's almost 9:00 PM!!! Itni raat ko, kahaan gayi?

Tanvi: Mujhe exact nahi pata... but I think woh Reeta aunty ke ghar gayi hongi.

(Vikram's frown deepened. He exchanged a glance with Tanvi, sensing something was off.)

Vikram: Reeta aunty? Itni raat ko?

(Tanvi glanced at Kiara, who was busy scrolling through her phone with Kiaan, showing him pictures from the event.

Lowering her voice, she gestured for Vikram to step aside.)

Vikram: (softly) Kya hua, Tannu?

Tanvi: (whispers) Bhaiya... aaj subah colony ki aunties aayi thi. Mujhe nahi pata unhone Maa se kya baat ki, but since then, she has been very quiet. Obviously, woh gusse mein hain ki ab sabko Kiara ke racing ke baare mein pata chal gaya... and Reeta aunty is her stress buster. Woh aur mummy ek category ki hi toh hain... dono ka favourite pass time apni-apni bahuon ki bitching karna.

(Vikram's jaw clenched slightly, but he exhaled, keeping his emotions in check.)

Tanvi: (pleads) Please handle the situation, bhaiya. Kiara ko protect kar lena. She doesn't deserve this negativity.

(Vikram placed a reassuring hand on Tanvi's shoulder, his voice calm yet firm.)

Vikram: Don't worry, Tanvi. Main handle kar loonga.

(Tanvi sighed in relief, giving him a small, appreciative smile.

As she turned to gather her bag, Vikram's gaze shifted toward Kiara, who was now animatedly debating with Kiaan over their Chennai adventure.

She was happy at the moment, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing.

Vikram knew he had a delicate situation to handle, but one thing was certain—he would stand by his daughter, no matter what.)

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Later,

At Naina's apartment:

(Naina unlocked the door and stepped inside, exhaustion settling into her bones.

She kicked off her shoes near the door and tied her hair up into a messy bun.

She then placed her bag beside the couch, rolling her shoulders to ease the stiffness from the long flight.

With a deep breath, she walked to her bedroom, quickly changing into a comfortable cotton kurta and pajama.)

..

..

..

Then,

(She entered the kitchen, washed her hands, and then opened the cabinets to reach for the besan, ghee, and sugar.

Her hands moved on instinct as she prepared the halwa, the warm, nutty aroma of roasting gram flour filling the kitchen, wrapping her in a blanket of nostalgia.)

(Once the halwa was done, she carefully placed a small bowl in front of the tiny brass murti of Lord Ganesh that sat in the corner of the kitchen.

Folding her hands, she closed her eyes and muttered a small prayer.)

Naina: Thank you, Bhagwan ji, Kiara ki mehnat, aaj rang laayi. Bas, uska confidence banaaye rakhiye.... ussay, Kabhi kisi ki buri nazar na lage...

(A small, tired smile appeared on her lips as she looked at the offering.)

Then,

(She let out a sigh of relief and turned to make herself some tea.

As she set the kettle on the stove and waited for the water to boil, she leaned against the counter, scrolling through her phone absentmindedly.

The hum of the kettle was the only sound in the apartment, a rare moment of solitude she hadn't had in a while.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed with a notification from the MyGate security app.

She glanced at the screen, her eyes widening in shock. The name on the notification made her heart skip a beat.

Notification: Anuradha Sabharwal has requested for an entry.

(Naina froze, staring at the screen in disbelief. Her brows knit together in confusion and shock.

Her fingers tightened around the phone as her heartbeat quickened.

Her gaze darted to the stove, and she immediately switched off the flame, placing the pot aside.)

(Her mind raced with a million questions.)

How did she find me?

What does she want now?

Why is she here?

(And then, realization hit her!)

Naina: (muttering under her breath) Vikram ji bhi naa! Do din nahi ruk sakte thay kya? Thoda settle toh ho jaati main! Phir aaram se shaadi ki baat kar lete!

(Her pulse quickened.

She wasn't ready for this.

Not now.

Not when she had barely had a moment to process everything that had happened in the past few days.)

(She took a deep breath, composing herself.)

Naina: Decline bhi toh nahi kar sakti! It will not look good!

(She stared at the screen, unsure of what to do.

After a moment's hesitation, she exhaled deeply, tapped the Accept button, and placed her phone down on the counter.

She rubbed her temples, trying to suppress the headache forming at the back of her skull.)

And then... the wait began!!!!

(She sat down on the sofa in the living room.

Her gaze darted between the door and the clock. Minutes felt like hours as the tension built up.)

.

.

.

Then,

A moment later, t

(The doorbell rang, breaking her chain of thoughts.

Naina swallowed hard, setting her phone on the counter before making her way to the door.

Her hand trembled slightly as she reached for the lock on the main door.

And then, with one final steadying breath, she unlocked it and pulled it open.)

(And there she was—Anuradha Sabharwal, standing tall, her expression unreadable.

Naina forced a small, polite smile, masking the nervous storm brewing inside her.)

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Author’s Note ✨

Hey lovely readers! ❤️

What a ride this chapter has been—full of victories, emotions, and an unexpected visitor at the end! 🏆🎭

Just when things seem to be settling, BOOM 💥—drama knocks on Naina’s door (literally!).

What do you think Anuradha wants? And how will Vikram handle the storm brewing at home? 🤔

I absolutely LOVE reading your thoughts, so don’t forget to vote ⭐, comment 💬, and follow 📌 if you’re enjoying the story!

Your support keeps me going and makes this journey even more exciting!

Drop your predictions below! ⬇️ Who’s ready for some fireworks? 🎇🔥