Mumbai's evening air rustled through Aaravi's hair as she stepped out of Neptune IAS ACADEMY. She checked her watch, where the time read 8:30 PM. She sighed, looking around for the familiar Red Maruti Suzuki.
" Yeh ladki bhi naa, kaha gul hoti hai pata nahi" she sighed. ( Ugh, this stupid girl, Idk where she disappears off to)
As if summoned by insult, a familiar PHAT-PHAT-PHAT sound echoed. A slightly dented red Maruti Suzuki screeched to a stop half on the road, half on the footpath.
The window rolled down.
"AARAVIIII! Jaldi baith, signal khulne wala hai!" Meera yelled, chewing gum dramatically. ( Aarvi sit fast.. the signal!)
She hopped in, slamming the door.
"SAALI.. Pandra minutes se tumhaara intezaar kar rahi thi?" ( Bitch, I was waiting for you for lit 15 minutes(
Meera gasped. "Excuse me? Main tere liye traffic se lad ke aayi hoon. And btw— woh kuch kaam aagaya beech me. Chal baith abh" ( For you, I literally fought through traffic, and some work came in between. Now sit!)
" Aisa kya kaam yaad aagaya?" Aaravi raised a brow, annoyed. ( Oh what work was that important)
Meera grinned, " Look behind you, my Aaru Darling"
In the back were white stacked parcels that made the car smell heavenly of chilli and garlic. Aaravi reached her hand over and grabbed the parcels, settling them on her lap. She opened one parcel. Inside, the chicken lollipops glistened, crisp, reddish-brown coating crackling faintly as steam rose from the surface. The batter looked blistered and crunchy, clinging to the meat, while traces of oil shimmered under the light.
Aaravi smiled, taking a big bite of drumstick, " Aww, I love you yaar", kissing Meera's cheek.
" Chi!" Meera scowled.
"Pagal hai kya? Tel lag gaya!" ( Eww, Crazy woman. I have oil on me)
"Dosti ka tel," ( Oil of love) Aaravi said solemnly, licking her fingers. "Very nutritious."
" Chalo yaar. Tonight we're actually going to have fun. We're going to get drunk, get dressed up, enjoy our twenties"
" Haan! " Aaravi agreed.
" Woh Bandra West mein naaya bar hai na woh try karte hai" ( Let's try the new bar in Bandra West)
"And today," Meera added, voice dropping theatrically, "we will not stay single forever."
Aaravi gasped. "Big declaration."
"We will mingle," Meera said, rolling the word on her tongue. "Meet handsome men."
"Tall," Aaravi added seriously.
"Rich," Meera nodded.
"Emotionally unavailable," Aaravi said immediately.
"Obviously."
"Green flag in public," Aaravi continued. "Red flag in private."
Meera wheezed. "Are u mad?"
Aaravi leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "Imagine. I walk in. Everyone turns. Slow motion."
"Tu slow motion mein gir jaayegi," Meera said, rolling her eyes. "Last time heels pe chal nahi paayi thi."
"Haan. Proper out. Bahar ki duniya. Lights. Music. Alcohol."
Aaravi slapped her thigh. "FINALLY. I was starting to forget my hot-girl potential."
"Potential?" Meera scoffed. "Tu already disaster hai."
"A hot disaster," Aaravi corrected.
"Drunk drunk," Aaravi added. "Not 'I feel tipsy', but 'why am I emotional about everything"
"We'll dance."
"Without rhythm."
"Without dignity."
"With confidence," Aaravi said proudly. "Confidence is key. We will network!"
"Network?" Meera snorted.
"Haan," Aaravi said confidently. "Romantic networking."
"We will meet handsome men," Meera added, giggling. "Tall. Broad shoulders."
"Emotionally damaged," Aaravi said immediately.
"Commitment-phobic."
" Yes, girl manifest", Meera sighed.
"Maa se darne wale," Aaravi added. "But in a cute way." ( They're scared of their mom)
"And rich," Meera said firmly.
"Generational wealth," Aaravi nodded. "Papa ka business. Khud ka gym membership."
"Fine," Aaravi waved it off. "Phir ek ladka aayega. Green flag vibes. Trauma lightly hinted."
Meera wiped her eyes. "Tu usse dance floor pe hi bolegi 'communication is important'."
"Haan," Aaravi nodded. "Main bolungi, 'So, how do you process emotions?'"
"And woh bhaag jaayega."
They were both laughing now, the car filled with loud, idiotic joy.
"Uske baad," Meera said between laughs, "we'll drink tequilas."
"Yes!"
Aaravi squinted. "But... parking milegi?"
Meera's smile faltered. "Traffic hoga."
"And loud log," Aaravi added. "Joh kaan ke paas chilla ke baat karte hain." ( people who will yell in my ear)
"And drinks paanch hazaar ke," Meera said. ( and drinks of 5000)
"Hangover," Aaravi grimaced. "Aur kal subah coaching." ( And coaching tomorrow)
" Aur phir tu mere upar ulti karogi", Meera groaned. ( and you'll vomit on me)
"Sun," Meera said slowly.
"Haan."
"Woh nayi Netflix series hai na," Meera said. " Akshaye Khaana ki"
"Haan."
"Kurkure hai ghar pe?" Aaravi asked seriously.
"Do packet."
"Cold drink?"
"Chilled."
Aaravi nodded, decisive. "Chod yaar, Ghar jaake wahi dekhte hain."
She tapped the infotainment screen of the car and connected the Bluetooth to her phone.
Before Meera could protest, the opening beats of "Yun Hi Chala Chal Rahi" started blasting through the slightly cracked speakers.
"NO. Nope. Absolutely not," Meera said immediately. "Yeh gaon vibes, road trip nostalgia gaana hai, Aaru. Hum sirf Andheri se Ghatkopar ja rahe hai."
Aaravi ignored her, tapping her fingers on the dashboard, singing hilariously off beat,
Pa Ma Pa Ni Ni Da Pa
MaPa Ma Pa Ni Ni Da Pa
Mahuu..hu..hu..hu..hu.
Yunhi chala chal raahi
Yunhi chala chal raahi
Kitni haseen hai ye duniya
Phul saare jamele dekh phulon ke mele
Badi rangeen hai duniya
Rum tum taana na na
tumtum taana na
Rum tum taana na na tumtum taana na
Rum tum taana na na tumtum
taana na bhaiya
hm.. haaaa..haa..Haa.Ha..
Eventually, Meera joined in both of them, singing loudly, windows open, hair flying.
Ye raasta hai keh raha ab mujhse
Milne ko hai koyi kahin ab tujhse
Ye raasta hai keh raha ab mujhse
Milne ko hai koyi kahin ab tujhse
Ye raasta hai keh raha ab mujhse
Milne ko hai koyi kahin ab tujhse
Ye raasta hai keh raha ab mujhse
Milne ko hai koyi kahin ab tujhse
Dil ko hai kyun ye betaabikis se mulaaqaat honi hai
Jis ka kabse armaan tha shaayad wahi baat honi hai
Yunhi chala chal raahi
Yunhi chala chal raahi
Both of them were vibing, singing, cruising through the streets, without paying a heed to the outside world. Aaravi was making exaggerated hand movements, Meera was shaking her head rhythmically, when suddenly,
She took the left turn a little too sharply.
"Arre—" she muttered, correcting the steering wheel at the last second.
The car jerked. Aaravi bounced in her seat, fried noodles rustling loudly.
"MEERA," she yelled. "Tu gaadi chala rahi hai ya Fast & Furious audition de rahi hai?" ( Are you driving or giving a Fast & Furious audition)
"Shut up," Meera snapped. "Phone vibrate hua—"
"GAADI KE AAGE DEKH," Aaravi said, clutching the dashboard. ( Look in the front)
Meera rolled her eyes and sped up slightly to merge.
When the blaring sounds of sharp WHOOOP-WHOOOP cut through the air.
Red and blue lights flooded the rearview mirror.
Silence slammed into the car.
Both of them froze.
"...shit," Meera whispered.
Aaravi turned slowly. "Kaunsa shit."
"Police wala shit."
Aaravi leaned forward, squinting at the mirror. "Are you sure?"
Meera snapped, " Nahi Aaru, Swiggy hai, aur parcel leke aaya hain!"
The siren blared again, longer this time.
Aaravi stared for one full second. Then—
"What did you do."
"I didn't DO anything," Meera said defensively. "Bas thoda sa signal late kiya."
"THODA SA?" Aaravi flailed. "Tu right turn pe left le rahi thi!"
"Tu distract kar rahi thi," Meera snapped. "Tumhaare " Yuhi Chala Chala se" "
The police vehicle pulled closer.
"Okay okay okay," Aaravi said rapidly. "Plan. We need a plan."
"Plan kya hota hai?" Meera squeaked. "License dikha denge."
"NO," Aaravi said, already unbuckling. "We need drama. Sympathy."
Meera glanced at her. "Tu pagal ho gayi hai."
"Trust me," Aaravi said.
Before Meera could stop her, Aaravi grabbed her dupatta and started stuffing it under her kurti.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Meera shrieked.
"Pregnant," Aaravi said breathlessly. "I'm pregnant."
"Police pregnant women ko kuch nahi bolte, aur hum bolenge hospital ja rahe hai, because the baby's coming out now!" Aaravi insisted, shoving more fabric in.
"DETAILS," Aaravi snapped. "Now help me."
The car slowed to a stop.
Meera's eyes darted wildly. Then, possessed by the same stupid instinct, she grabbed her water bottle, twisted it open, and poured half of it onto the seat.
"Aaaaah!" Meera cried dramatically. "Oh god oh god—"
Aaravi's head whipped around. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING."
"Water broke," Meera whispered fiercely. "Commit to the bit."
The police officer stepped out of the vehicle behind them.
His boots and measured footsteps crunched forward,
A shadow fell across the driver's window.
A knuckle rapped sharply on the glass.
Tap. Tap.
Meera rolled it down with trembling fingers.
"Yes?" she said in the sweetest voice she'd ever used in her life.
The officer leaned down slightly.
"Madam," he said calmly. "Do you know why I stopped you?"
Aaravi peeked from the passenger seat, clutching her "pregnant stomach," breathing like she was in a daily soap.
The officer's gaze flicked to her.
"...You," he said flatly.
Aaravi blinked. "Me?"
Recognition dawned slowly in her eyes. The same piercing dark green gaze, the firm build, the tan skin, and the towering frame of " Ice Cream Shirt Guy"
. "Aap! " she gasped, shocked, which almost made the dupatta fall out from under her kurti before she quickly adjusted it, dramatically rubbing her belly.
" Aap... aap police wale ho?" she asked, the colour drained from her face. ( You're a police officer?)
" Nahi vada pav bechne wala hoon!" he retorted deadpan. ( No I'm a vada pav seller)
He straightened, arms crossing. "Aaj kya naya natak hai?" ( What is this drama?)
"Natak?" Aaravi spluttered. "Main maa banne wali hoon!" ( Drama? I'm going to become a mother)
Meera choked. "SOON," she added quickly. "Very soon."
The officer's eyes dropped to Aaravi's very uneven, lumpy stomach.
" AAAAHHHHHHHH MUMMMMYYYY BAACCHAOOO AAAHHH BACHA AA RAHA HAI!" she screamed
"...Achha," he said slowly. "Kitne mahine?" ( How many months?)
" Obviously nau.. aur thoda zya. aap dekh nahi sakte !!" she screamed louder. ( Obviously 9 + a few more! Can you see?
" KYA? TUM PREGNANT? ITNI JALDI?" he exclaimed, finally processing everything. ( What! UR pregnant!?? So FAST!?)
Meera looked between them. "Tum log jaante ho ek dusre ko?" ( YOU KNOW EACH OTHER?)
"Unfortunately," he said at the same time Aaravi said, "Sadly."
" YEH.. WHAT .. YEH KAISE HUA?? Kal toh tum.." he exclaimed, shocked. ( What? how did this happen? Yesterday you were?)
Meera smiled slowly, " Arrey kaise hua matlab.. aapko pata nahi basic biology?" she said with mock innocence. ( What do you mean.. don't you know basic biology?)
Meera tilted her head, all fake concern. "Reproduction chapter skip kiya tha shayad." ( Perhaps you skipped the Reproduction chapter)
Akshay pinched the bridge of his nose. "Main yeh pooch raha hoon ki—"
he pointed sharply at Aaravi,
"—Uss din toh yeh bilkul theek thi." ( I'm saying that that day you were fine)
"us din toh main matlab -- jyada pregnant nahi thi," Aaravi said promptly. ( Um.. that day.. I wasn't THAT pregnant yet.
Meera nodded. "Aaj physically." ( Today physically)
"Yeh koi switch hai kya?" he snapped. ( What's this switch)
"Actually," Meera said thoughtfully, "hormones are quite unpredictable"
Aaravi sighed dramatically. "Bas ek raat ki baat thi." ( Just the matter of one night)
Akshay froze.
"...Ek raat?" ( one night??!)
Meera widened her eyes. "Arrey! SCIENCE ki baat ho rahi hai, officer. Aapka dimaag kahan ja raha hai?" ( Umm.. sir where is your mind going)
Aaravi added innocently, "Rapid cell division hota hai." ( rapid cell division)
"BOHOT rapid," Meera agreed.
Akshay's ears went red. "Tum dono milke mujhe pagal bana rahe ho." ( You 2 will drive me crazy)
Aaravi gasped. "Aisa kaise bol sakte ho ek expectant mother se?" ( How can you say that to an expectant mother??)
" Officer.. aap bhi naa. Obviously, Parvati maata khud dharti pe aayi aur unhone vardaan mein bacha diya. She said teasingly. ( Officer actually, goddess Parvati herself came and granted me this boon)
Meera nodded very seriously. "Haan haan. Direct divine delivery. No middleman."
Aaravi sniffed, eyes glossy. "Parvati maata ne bola— 'Ja putri, ek khadoos police, se bachne ke liye tujhe vardaan deti hoon.'" ( she said, " go my love, to save you from a cruel policeman, I'm giving you this boon)
Akshay dragged a hand down his face. His ears were fully red now. "Tum dono... do you share one brain cell?"
"Excuse me?" Aaravi huffed. "Aapke saamne ek expectant mother baithi hai. Thoda toh respect rakhiye." ( Excuse me! There's an expectant mother in front of you. Have some respect!)
"Expectant mother?" he shot back. "Madam, aapko maine chaar din pehle ice cream girate hue dekha tha. Tab Parvati maata chutti pe thi kya?" ( Madam.. 4 days ago you dropped ice cream on me. Where was Parvati maa then.. on vacations?)
She groaned loudly. "AAAH—Meera—"
Meera instantly sprang into action. "Contractions shuru ho gaye?" ( Have the contractions started?)
"Lag raha hai," Aaravi whimpered. "Ya phir gas bhi ho sakta hai." ( Yes.. or it might be gas)
Akshay took a step back on pure instinct. "GAS?"
"Don't judge," Aaravi snapped. "Pregnancy mein hota hai."
Meera leaned out of the window, whispering urgently to Akshay, "Officer, honestly, yeh sab natural process hai. Aap textbook uthaiye."
Then Aaravi screamed again. "AAAHHH—BAS—BABY AANE WALA HAI—"
Then, Meera lurched, sneezing at the pepper packets from their parcel.
A full, violent, head-snapping sneeze.
"AACHOO—!"
Her elbow flew sideways, straight into Aaaravi's stomach, and into her ribs where the dupatta slid—betraying her completely.
It unravelled dramatically and landed in Aaravi's lap in a sad, crumpled heap.
Akshay's gaze dropped from Aaravi's very flat stomach to the ridiculous pile of fabric to her frozen face. Meera's eyes widened in slow horror.
She tried desperately to shove the dupatta back inside with both hands. "It—uh—baby reposition..," she said weakly.
"Madam," he said quietly, "aapka baby cotton nikla." ( Your baby became cotton)
Meera slapped a hand over her mouth.
"SHIT."
Aaravi panicked. "LANGUAGE! Bacha sun lega!" ( Language! The child will hear)
Akshay stepped back, arms uncrossing slowly like he was preparing himself mentally.
"Tum dono," he said, voice eerily calm, "mujhe seedha seedha batao—"
He pointed at Aaravi,
"—yeh natak kyu?" ( Tell me straight. Why all this drama?)
Meera buried her face in her hands. "Bas. Ho gaya. Bhagwan uthaa lo." ( Ugh, god please take me)
"Gaadi side mein lagao," he said. "Aur drama bandh karo." ( Pull over the vehicle)
Meera obeyed instantly, indicator clicking on like a guilty conscience.
Akshay took one step back and pulled out his notepad.
"License."
Meera handed it over hesitantly.
"RC."
"Tum dono ko idea hai," he said, writing slowly, "ki jhooth bolke medical emergency fake karna offence hai?" (Do you have any idea that lying about a medical emergency is an offence?)
Aaravi swallowed. "Minor offence?"
He looked up. "Major Migraine!"
The pen scratched loudly in the quiet.
Aaravi leaned toward Meera and whispered, "Abbey, Bol na kuch." ( Say something)
Meera whispered back, "Tu hi bol. Tera idea tha, Gadhi kai ki. ( You say something, it was your idea, donkey!)
"Tu Gadhi! Sab kuch plan ke hisaab chal raha tha. Tujhe hi cheekhna tha. Saari planning kharab kar di!" Aaravi snapped back (You're a donkey! Everything was going smoothly and you had to sneeze! Ruined everything!)
He tore the challan neatly and handed it to Meera.
"Ms Shergill, fine pay kar dena," he said. "Online." "Aur aap—"
Meera stiffened.
"—aaj drive nahi karogi. Gaadi ghar le jao, seedha."
"Yes, sir," she said immediately.
He stepped back, giving them space.
Then, as he turned away, he paused.
Looked back at Aaravi once.
"Madam."
She looked up, bracing herself.
"Next time," he said evenly, " tum dono, natak karne se pehle... script thodi believable rakhna.
( Before acting, keep the script believable)
"Aur jaake Bollywood ki audition dedo. Idhar mat ghumo!" ( And go give an audition for Bollywood). he barked.
And then he walked back to his vehicle, siren clicking off as the night swallowed him whole.
Inside the car, there was silence.
Then—
Meera burst out laughing, praying to all the gods. "BHAI SAHAB. BACH GAYE HUM!"
The lights in Veer and Shriya's bedroom were on. On the bed, Shriya sat, glasses perched on her nose, grading test papers. Her long black hair cascaded down her back as she bit down on the back of her pen. Eyebrows scrunched in thought. When the knock came from outside the door,
" Shriya ji.. kya main andar aa sakta hoon?" Veer asked hesitantly from outside.
She got off the bed and opened the door for him, pulling her pallu over her head. She nodded shyly, " ji aayiye, pooch kyu rahe hai"
He gave her a warm smile and made his way to the front of his wardrobe,
He paused in front of the wardrobe, hand hovering over the handle like it might shock him if he touched it.
"Main... bas files rakhni thi," he said, unnecessarily explaining himself. His voice dropped on the last word.
"Achha," Shriya murmured, stepping back to give him space, though there was plenty of it already. She folded her arms loosely, then unfolded them, then picked up the stack of papers again as if to ground herself.
Veer opened the wardrobe, slid a thin folder onto a shelf, then stood there for a second too long, staring at his neatly stacked shirts like they held answers. He cleared his throat.
"Kaam zyada tha?" he asked, nodding toward the papers.
She adjusted her glasses. "Haan... unit test tha. Bacche samajh rahe hain, par likhte waqt ghabra jaate hain." She smiled faintly, fond, almost protective. "Main bhi waise hi thi."
He turned at that. "Aap bhi?"
She nodded, eyes dropping. "Bolna aata tha. Dikhana mushkil lagta tha."
Something softened in his expression. He leaned back against the cupboard, careful to keep distance. "Aap achhi teacher hongi," he said simply.
Shriya blinked, startled, like she hadn't expected the compliment to land so directly. "Thank you," she said after a beat, pushing her glasses up again though they hadn't slipped. "Aap... dinner kar liya?"
"Haan," he replied, then hesitated. "Matlab—maa ne bola tha aap kaam kar rahi ho toh disturb na karun."
She smiled, small and shy. "Disturb nahi hua."
"Woh," he began, then stopped. Tried again. "Agar aapko ice cream khaani hai ho toh... main fridge se nikaalta hoon. It's really good."
She considered this, then nodded. "Toh... saath mein khaayenge."
His ears went pink. "Ji."
He moved toward the door with her following behind, then paused. "Shriya ji?"
"Haan?"
"Pallu... achha lag raha hai, lekin aapko zaroorat nahi hai peheneki" he said, and escaped before she could respond.
Shriya stood there for a moment, heart thudding softly, then reached up—almost unconsciously—and adjusted the pallu again, even though it was already perfect. He approached her softly, lifting it off her head and tucking a strand behind her ear.
" Mujhe pata hai bua ji aapke saath ke se behave karti hai. Aage usne kuch bola na toh seedha jawab dene mein hesitate mat karo.. OR tell me okay?" he asked softly. Then he gently framed his hands around her face and chin.
Realising what he had done, he slowly removed his hands back, "Sorry.. woh.." he muttered sheepishly.
" Koi baat nahi," she said shyly.
The kitchen light hummed faintly as Veer flicked it on. Somewhere, the refrigerator made a low, contented sound, like it was pleased to be useful.
Shriya hovered near the doorway, fingers clasped together, watching him open the fridge.
He bent slightly, peering inside, moving things carefully—lifting a bowl, nudging aside a milk packet, checking the freezer shelf twice as if ice cream had legs and might've walked off.
"Haan," he said finally, relief threading his voice. "Yahin hai."
He pulled out two cups—one vanilla, one chocolate—and placed them on the counter, lining them up neatly.
"Aap kaunsa logi?" he asked.
. "Vanilla."
He smiled. "Mujhe pata tha."
That made her blink. "Kaise?"
He shrugged, suddenly shy. "Bas... laga."
He handed her a spoon first. Then himself. Small things, done in order, like he was following a rulebook only he could see.
She took a careful bite, eyes closing for half a second.
"Achhi hai," she said.
He watched her without meaning to. The way her shoulders loosened. The way the crease between her brows disappeared.
Kaam ka stress kam ho gaya?" Veer asked, scooping a careful spoon of chocolate ice cream.
"Thoda," Shriya admitted. She sighed, pushing her glasses up her nose. "Bachche bhi na... pure ke pure shaitaan hote ja rahe hai. Ajeeb ajeeb answers likhte hai.."
Veer smiled faintly. "Itna bura?"
He looked up, interest piqued. "Kya likh diya?"
She leaned back slightly, warming to the topic now.
"Ek question tha," she said, adopting her teacher voice unconsciously.
"Rashmi has 56 chocolates. Aaj usko 9 aur milte hai. Ab Rashmi ke paas kya hai?"
Veer frowned, doing the math automatically. "Painsath?"
She stared at him.
He paused. "Nahi?"
She shook her head slowly. "Ek bachche ne likha—"
She took a dramatic breath.
"Diabetes."
For a solid two seconds, Veer didn't react.
Then—
"—KYA?"
The word escaped him, loud and incredulous.
He burst out laughing, nearly choking on his ice cream. "Di—diabetes?!" he repeated, half wheezing. "Usne maths nahi, medical diagnosis kar diya?"
Shriya nodded solemnly. "Aur neeche likha tha—'too many chocolates are unhealthy.'"
Veer put his spoon down, still laughing. "Yeh bachcha bohot aage jaayega. Doctor banne ke full chances."
"Main usko zero kaise doon?" she said helplessly. "Logic galat hai... par intention bilkul sahi." I think he will go very far"
He wiped the corner of his eye. "Technically galat, practically responsible."
She smiled despite herself. "Bas isi liye thoda stress kam ho gaya. Gussa bhi nahi aata aise answers pe." ( How can I get angry with these answers?)
He looked at her then—really looked—at the fond exasperation in her eyes, the softness under the complaint.
"Achhi teacher ho aap," he said quietly. ( You're a good teacher)
She blinked. "Aapko kaise pata?"
He shrugged, shy again. "Jo galti pe bhi hansa de... woh achhi hoti hai." ( Those who laugh with mistakes are good)
Her lips curved into a small, pleased smile.
Then he cleared his throat.
Veer hesitated, then said, very casually,
"Waise... ek baar school mein maine poora assembly barbaad kar diya tha."
Shriya looked up. "Poora assembly?"
"Haan. National anthem type damage."
She blinked. "...Kaise?"
He sighed, already regretting opening his mouth.
"Class sixth tha. Assembly ground. Full silence. Principal stage pe. Mic echo kar raha tha."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Mujhe washroom jaana tha. Badly." ( I had to use the bathroom badly)
"I told myself — Veer, discipline. Country first. Bladder second."
He paused. "Bladder did not agree."
She let out a small laugh. He winced.
"Anthem shuru hota hai. Jana gana mana—"
He straightened instinctively, like muscle memory kicked in.
"And exactly at 'jaya he'... meri belt ka buckle toot gaya." ( my belt buckle snapped)
Shriya covered her mouth. "No—"
"Yes."
He nodded gravely. "Gravity did the rest." ( and gravity did the rest)
Her shoulders shook.
"I panicked. Tried to hold my pants. Forgot about the bladder situation."
Beat.
"Combination attack."
She snorted, bursting out in laughter, head thrown back.
Then froze, horrified.
"I'm—sorry—" she said quickly.
He stared at her as if he'd just seen a solar eclipse.
"...Aap hasi?" he asked softly. Admiring the softness of her face. He had never seen her so unrestrained like this. The corner of his mouth lifted, slow and helpless, eyes lingering on her face a second too long — like he was afraid if he blinked, the moment would disappear.
She tried to regain control. Failed.
"I'm sorry, par—phir kya hua?"
"My house teacher was standing behind me."
He mimicked her shrill voice perfectly:
"VEER MALHOTRA, DESH KE SAAMNE AISE AMASHA KAR RAHE HO?!"
"I got escorted out during the anthem. Pants half-held. School peon walking next to me like I was a criminal."
He paused.
"Next day, nickname ban gaya."
"...Kya?" she asked, still laughing.
" Pant Fatu Malhotra."
She laughed so hard she had to sit down.
For a full ten seconds, Veer just watched her and felt as if like he'd accidentally unlocked a secret level.
Something loosened in him, too. He laughed with her then, shoulders shaking, the sound echoing warmly off the kitchen walls.
When it finally settled, she wiped the corner of her eyes. "Thank you," she said softly.
"For what?"
"Mujhe... kaafi din baad itna hansi aayi." ( For making me laugh)
He looked down, suddenly bashful. "Acha laga. Phir toh.. "mujhe aur koshish karni chahiye, to
see you smile " ( Then, I have to work harder)
She was the one who asked this time.
"Aapka din kaisa gaya?" she said, almost tentatively.
He blinked. "Mera?"
She nodded. "Haan."
"God Yaar! Kaam thoda hectic tha," he said. "Client meeting lambi ho gayi. Papa ko lagta hai main numbers zyada question karta hoon. Par mujhe lagta hai—"
( It was so hectic! The client meeting was long! My Assistant Neha spilled hot coffee on my shirt. Papa thinks I question numbers too much. The printer wasn't working.)
He paused realizing he had been rambling breathlessly.
"I'm sorry," he said quickly. "Zyada bol diya." ( I said too much)
She shook her head resting her chin on her palm. "Nahi. Accha laga sunke." ( No, it was nice)
He looked at her, surprised.
"Sach?"
They stood to clear the table together. Their hands brushed when they reached for the cups at the same time.
Both froze.
She pulled back first. "Sorry."
"Main—main bhi," he said.
The air felt different after that. Thicker. Charged, but gentle.
She hesitated, then said quietly, "Veer ji... ek idea hai. Aapka din bahot kharab tha, so I have a solution for that" ( Veer.. you're day was bad)
His heart skipped. "Ji?"
"Bedroom mein chalte hai? I know something that will make you feel better."
He nearly dropped the spoon.
"Oh—haan—haan, bilkul," he said too fast, then slowed himself. "Matlab—jo aap chaaho." ( I mean yes.. whatever you want)
Back in the bedroom, she went to her side of the cupboard and pulled out a small glass bottle of hair oil.
"Aaj aap thak gaye ho," she said. "Agar aapko theek lage toh..." ( If you feel it's fine)
She gestured to the bed.
"Main... thoda sa massage kar doon?" ( Can I give you a massage?)
He stared. "Aapko... koi problem toh nahi?" ( You.. dont have a problem, right?)
She shook her head. "Bas pooch rahi hoon... aap comfortable ho?" ( Just asking if you are comfortable)
He sat down carefully, like he was afraid the moment might break.
She warmed the oil between her palms, rubbing them together, eyes lowered, breaths steadying.
"Thanda lagega," she warned softly. ( It will feel cold)
"Thik hai," he said.
Her fingers sank gently into his hair.
She paused immediately. "Theek hai na?"
"Haan," he said quickly. "Bohot."
Her touch grew more confident then.
" Shriya ji.. wow that feels so good", he groaned
" You are a magician. Sach me aapke haath kamal karte hai"
After a while, she asked quietly, "Zyada ho gaya toh bata dijiyega." ( Tell me if it's too much)
He smiled, eyes closed. "Abhi... bilkul sahi hai." ( It's just right)
Silence settled over their bedroom.
His breathing changed first. Slower. Deeper.
Shriya noticed his head had grown heavier in her lap, and she glanced down instinctively.
"...Veer ji?" she whispered.
His brows were relaxed now, lashes resting against his cheeks. One hand lay open on the bed, fingers loose, no tension left in them at all.
She continued, gentler than before. Smaller circles. Careful, like she might wake something fragile.
She giggled, " yeh bhi naa, ekdum bache jaise karte hai" she muttered fondly brushing his hair back.
Her heart did something strange in her chest.
She had never seen him like this. Not guarded, not shy, weary, or polite..
A gentle smile touched her lips — soft, unguarded.
She observed the gentle lines on his forehead. The tension he had stored in his jaw muscles. Before, she could regret it and before her brain could catch up with her mind, she gently pressed her lips to his forehead in a fleeting kiss.
" Goodnight, Veer ji," she muttered softly
She whispered, barely louder than a thought,
"Mujhe... kaafi din baad itni shanti mehsoos ho rahi hai."
Veer shifted slightly, unconsciously leaning closer, his forehead brushing her stomach.
She stilled, then relaxed, leaning her head back into the headboard.
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