6:00 AM - Ira's Room
Meera pushed open the door.
The room was a disaster zone.
Books scattered across the floor. Clothes draped over the chair. Pillows everywhere except on the bed.
And Ira, sleeping in the most bizarre position, half-hanging off the mattress.
Meera picked up a fallen pillow, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Pata nahi is ladki ka kya karu main. Kaise ut-patang tarike se soyi hai. Lav kabhi aise nahi tha." (I don't know what to do with this girl. Sleeping in such weird ways. Lav was never like this.)
She placed the pillow on the study table, straightened some books, then moved toward the bed.
"Ira, uth ja ab. Kitni der soyegi?" (Ira, get up now. How long will you sleep?)
No response.
Ira mumbled something incoherent, turned over.
Meera grabbed the blanket. Yanked it off.
Ira tumbled off the bed with a thud, landing on her backside.
"Uiii Maa! Main toh mar gayi!" (Ouch Ma! I'm dead!)
Meera stood with her arms crossed, one eyebrow lifting slowly. "Main dungi tujhe. Pehle toh tune sabko bulaya hai breakfast ke liye. Ab maharani ko uthne ka mann hi nahi hai kya?" (I'll give it to you. First you invited everyone for breakfast. Now the queen doesn't feel like waking up?)
Ira rubbed her eyes, lower lip jutting out. "Kya yaar Mummy, subah-subah utha diya. Abhi toh sirf 6 baje hain. Koi uthta hai kya itni subah?" (What Mummy, you woke me up so early. It's only 6 o'clock. Who wakes up this early?)
Meera's eyes narrowed. "Nahi nahi, hum sab pagal hain. Walkie-talkie sab hain jo subah uthte hain. You're going to be a doctor in a few years. Try to be healthy." (No no, we're all crazy. All lunatics who wake up early.)
Ira stood dramatically, hand landing on her hip. "Aap bhi shuru ho gaye. Doctor aur neend ka kya sambandh hai? Boliye zara?" (You also started. What's the connection between doctor and sleep? Tell me?)
"Ab 10 minute mein fresh hoke neeche aana." (In 10 minutes, freshen up and come downstairs.)
"Arre 10 minute mein kaise hoga? Mujhe taiyar bhi toh hona hai!" Ira's fingers curled together, twisting playfully as she spoke. (How will it happen in 10 minutes? I have to get ready too!)
Meera's eyebrow climbed higher. "Pagal hai kya? Sharma kyun rahi hai jaise ki tujhe koi dekhne aa rahe hain?" (Are you crazy? Why are you blushing like someone's coming to see you?)
Ira's eyes dropped for one quick second, a soft smile pulling at the corner of her mouth. "Haan, aapka hone wala damad..." (Yes, your future son-in-law...)
Meera's head tilted. "Kya bola?" (What did you say?)
"Nothing! Aap nowadays overhear kar rahi ho, Mummy." (You're overhearing nowadays, Mummy.)
Meera shook her head, something between exasperation and fondness crossing her face. "Pagal kahiki." She closed the door behind her. (Crazy girl.)
Ira's grin broke wide the moment the door shut. She spun toward her closet. "Let's get ready quickly. Uff, pehle toh shower lena hoga. Pyar mein kya kya karna padta hai. Chal Ira, let's choose a dress!" (First I'll have to shower. What all you have to do for love. Come on Ira, let's choose a dress!)
She pulled out dress after dress. Rejected them all. The closet was now a warzone.
Finally, her hand closed around a yellow Anarkali.
"FINALLYYYY! Yes! I got it! Ab toh main us Ayush ko dikhati hoon kaise ignore karega mujhe." She gave her reflection a wicked smile in the mirror. (Now I'll show that Ayush how he'll ignore me.)
She looked back at the mess. "Oh God, what do I do now? If Mummy sees, she's definitely going to take my class. I'll have to call Aliya aunty for cleanup. Okay, let's go now."
7:30 AM - Ira's Room (Post-Shower)
Ira came out of the bathroom, yellow Anarkali in place.
Light makeup. One last look in the mirror.
She flipped her hair dramatically, one eye closing in a slow wink at her reflection. "Kya maal lag rahi ho." (What a stunner you're looking.)
Her gaze shifted to the clock.
7:30 AM.
Her mouth fell open. "OMG! Ab toh Mummy nahi chodegi mujhe. Kya karu... woh haan! Main bolungi shower broke. Hehe. How smart I am. Let's go, Ira." (Now Mummy won't leave me. What should I do... oh yes! I'll say the shower broke.)
Kitchen Area
Ira came downstairs.
Stopped.
Aarav stood near the kitchen with Meera, his voice dropped low, shoulders angled toward her in that particular way he had.
"Meera, main bhul gaya yaar. Kal hospital mein—" (Meera, I forgot. Yesterday at the hospital—)
Meera's chin lifted. "Aarav, maine list di thi. Clearly likha tha." (Aarav, I gave you a list. It was clearly written.)
"Haan magar woh meeting thi na, toh—" (Yes but there was a meeting, so—)
He leaned a fraction closer, voice dropping further. "Maan bhi jao... Mugambo." A slow, playful wink.
Meera went still. Color crept up her cheeks before she could stop it.
Ira spotted Ekalavya coming from the gym and lifted her hand in a small wave. "Bhai, idhar aao." (Brother, come here.)
He walked over, looked her up and down once. "Itni subah-subah kyun ready ho gayi?" (Why did you get ready so early in the morning?)
"Nothing, nothing bhai, just like that." She waved it off and tugged his arm toward the kitchen. "Arre yeh sab chhodo, dekho na Maa aur Papa dono busy hain apni romance mein." (Leave all that, look Ma and Papa are both busy with their romance.)
Meera caught them staring and stepped back sharply, putting space between herself and Aarav.
Aarav blinked. "Kya kar rahi ho?" (What are you doing?)
A flush worked its way up Meera's neck. "Maine thodi kuch kiya hai!" (I didn't do anything!)
Ira's mouth curved. "Haan Papa, humne dekha hai sab kuch. Hai na, bhaiya?" (Yes Papa, we saw everything. Right, brother?)
The back of Ekalavya's neck went warm. He turned on his heel. "Main fresh hone ja raha hoon." (I'm going to freshen up.)
And left.
Meera rounded on Aarav, voice low and sharp. "Sab aapke wajah se hua hai! It's so embarrassing! Kya soch raha hoga Lav?" (All this happened because of you! What must Lav be thinking?)
Aarav's mouth tipped into something unrepentant. "Kya sochega? Ki uske parents ek-dusre se pyar karte hain. Hai na, Ira?" (What will he think? That his parents love each other. Right, Ira?)
Ira pressed a hand to her cheek, giggling. "Yes yes, Papa. Aap bade romantic ho." (You're very romantic.)
"Tabhi toh tum dono is duniya mein aayi ho. No filter." (That's why you both came into this world.)
Meera's face went scarlet. "What the hell are you saying, Aarav?"
"Jo sach hai wahi kaha hamne toh. Sachai ka zamana hi nahi hai." He spread his hands like a man deeply wronged. (I just said the truth. There's no era of truth anymore.)
"Ab pata chala yeh Ira bhi aapke jaise hi hai. Koi filter nahi hai." (Now I know Ira is also like you. No filter.)
Ira raised both hands, eyes wide. "Main kahan se aa gayi miyaan-biwi ke beech mein?" (How did I come in between husband and wife?)
Meera pulled her toward the kitchen. "Chal ab idhar aa, mujhe help kar. Rima is on leave aur Aliya is busy." (Come here now, help me.)
Aarav pressed a kiss to the top of Ira's head. "My princess is looking like a princess today."
Ira folded her arms. "What do you mean I don't look like this other days?"
"No no, you do—"
Meera stepped between them. "Enough, father-daughter talk! Aarav, just come in a few minutes."
Ira moved to the kitchen. "Maa, what are you preparing?"
Meera's jaw set. "I told you to come fast! Look at the time now. Ek ghanta laga diya! Kya kar rahi thi?" (You took an hour! What were you doing?)
Ira shifted her weight. "Kuch bhi toh nahi..." (Nothing...)
She brightened immediately. "Leave all that, tell me what should I do?"
Meera looked at her for exactly one second. "Main jaanti hoon tum blunder karogi agar maine kuch karne ko kaha. Tum jao, table set karo." (I know you'll make a blunder if I tell you to do something. You go, set the table.)
Ira's foot met the floor with a stomp. "Toh aapne mujhe subah-subah insult karne ke liye bulaya tha?" (So you called me early in the morning just to insult me?)
"Woh drama queen, enough now. They'll arrive soon. Start setting the table quickly."
"Okay." She picked up a potato and began dicing it into large, uneven chunks.
Meera looked over. Her face said everything. "Ira! What are you doing?"
"What? I'm doing as you mentioned."
"I'm not using potato in any dish today!"
"But you kept it here so I thought—"
"Badi meherbani aapki. Tum jao, table set karo." Meera took the knife from her hand. (Very kind of you. You go, set the table.)
Ira turned at the doorway. "Maa, why don't you ask Bhai to help? He's really good at it."
Meera's expression softened around the edges. "He'll be exhausted from duties. Let him rest for a day."
Ira nodded and left.
Main Gate
Anaya stood outside the mansion gates.
A guard stepped forward. "Madam, where are you going?"
"Ira called me."
"Wait a minute, I'll call and confirm."
He spoke on the phone, then stepped aside. "Madam, you can go inside."
She nodded and walked in.
Main Entrance
Ekalavya came downstairs.
Hair still damp. Grey linen shirt, black trousers. Effortlessly put together without trying.
Meera's voice came from the kitchen. "Beta, can you call Prashant from the outhouse? I tried calling him but he isn't picking. I would've sent Aliya but she's busy."
He nodded, already scrolling through his phone as he moved toward the entrance.
Anaya was walking in at the same moment.
White cotton kurti set. No makeup. Simple. The kind of simple that didn't need anything else.
His eyes stayed on his phone.
He walked straight into her.
Both stumbled. Her hand flew to her head.
He steadied himself and looked at her. One word left his mouth. "Sorry."
He kept walking.
No pause. No check. Just the word, dropped and left behind.
Anaya stood there. The uneasy feeling settled over her for a moment before she shook it off.
Then she noticed something on the floor near her feet.
His phone.
She picked it up and walked inside.
Living Room
Ira spotted her and crossed the room in three steps, arms wrapping tight. "Thank you, Anaya di! For coming! You don't know how happy I am today!"
Anaya pulled back, taking her in. "You're looking really pretty. For whoever you got ready to impress, I'm sure they will be." A soft laugh escaped her.
Ira's cheeks went pink and she grabbed Anaya's arm, pulling her closer. "Arre, dheere bolo na! Koi sun lega, specially Papa aur Bhai. Meri class lag jayegi!" (Say it softly! Someone will hear, especially Papa and Brother. I'll get scolded!)
Anaya pressed her lips together to hold the laugh. Then she held up the phone. "Aur haan, yeh Dr. Raivansh ka phone." (And yes, this is Dr. Raivansh's phone.)
Ira's eyes narrowed, hands moving to her hips. "Aapke paas kaise aaya bhai ka phone?" (How did you get Brother's phone?)
Anaya explained the collision.
Something in Ira's face cracked. The laugh came out before she could stop it.
Meera's voice cut across the room. "Ira!"
Anaya moved toward the kitchen.
Meera was managing four things at once. Anaya took it in quietly. "Aunty, main kuch help kar doon aapki?" (Aunty, can I help you with something?)
"Arre tum abhi aayi ho, woh bhi guest ho—" (You just came, and you're a guest—)
"Nahi Aunty, main madad kar deti hoon. Aap bhi thak gayi hongi. Boliye, kya karna hai?" (No Aunty, I'll help. You must be tired too. Tell me, what to do?)
A warmth came into Meera's face. "Sirf coffee bana do. Lav prefers black coffee, no sugar. Aur Aarav ke liye half spoon sugar." (Just make coffee. Lav prefers black coffee, no sugar. And half spoon sugar for Aarav.)
Anaya nodded and moved to the coffee machine. She pulled out two cups, hands settling into the task. A quiet murmur to herself: "Yeh bina sugar ke coffee kaun peeta hai..." (Who drinks coffee without sugar...)
A few minutes passed. "Aunty, ho gaya." (Aunty, it's done.)
"Thank you, beta."
"Arre, itni si baat ke liye thank you mat boliye." (Don't say thank you for such a small thing.)
Meera began moving dishes toward the table. Anaya stepped in front of her. "Main aur Ira kar lenge, Aunty. Aap fresh ho jao." (Ira and I will do it, Aunty. You freshen up.)
Meera handed over the dish, gratitude moving across her face, and left.
Anaya called Ira. Together they moved everything to the dining table.
Ira stepped back and looked at it all. "Finally! Sab kuch ho gaya!" (Everything's done!)
Anaya looked around. "Haan." (Yes.)
Ira turned to her, fidgeting with the edge of her dupatta. "Di, how am I looking? I'm feeling nervous."
"You're looking just perfect."
That settled something in Ira's shoulders. "Aaj toh main us Ayush ko dekhti hoon kaise bachega. Jab bhi main Arushi se milne jaati hoon, mujhe ignore hi karta rehta hai!" (Today I'll see how that Ayush escapes. Whenever I go to meet Arushi, he just keeps ignoring me!)
Ekalavya walked past. His steps slowed. "Kisse bachne ki baat kar rahi hai?" (Who are you talking about escaping?)
Ira's laugh came out too quickly and too bright. "Hehe, nothing Bhai. Nothing."
His arms folded. One eyebrow lifted and stayed there. "Sab samajhti hoon main." (I understand everything.)
"Kya yaar Bhai, budhe logo ki tarah harkate karna band karo." (What man Brother, stop acting like old people.)
His eyes flattened.
Ira's phone buzzed in her hand and she seized it like a lifeline. "Ek minute, Arushi ka call hai. Main aati hoon." (One minute, Arushi's calling. I'll be back.)
She was gone.
The room went quiet.
Neither of them moved toward it or away from it. The silence sat between them like something physical.
His eyes moved to the far wall. A muscle in his jaw shifted once. "Thank you. Including Ira in the performance. And being patient with her."
Anaya's fingers found each other, working quietly at her side. "There's nothing like that. She's really fast at learning the steps. I'm glad she'll perform with me."
He turned slightly, something forming in his expression.
Meera and Aarav walked in.
Meera in a simple cotton saree. Aarav in a white kurta and beige trousers, already moving toward the head chair as Aliya brought him the newspaper.
"Where's Ira and her friends?" Meera's gaze swept the room.
"Idhar hoon!" Ira's voice floated in from the entrance. (I'm here!)
Everyone turned.
Ira stood with Arushi and Ayush beside her.
Meera's face opened up. "Arre, aao beta! Welcome!" (Come, child!)
Arushi dipped her chin. "Thank you for having us, Aunty."
Everyone moved toward the table.
Ira angled herself toward the seat beside Ayush.
Ayush, already stiff, found something fascinating about his plate.
Ekalavya watched.
"Ira, idhar aa. Mere paas baith. I have something for you." (Ira, come here. Sit next to me.)
Ira's foot hit the floor. "But I want to sit here, Bhai!"
"Come here. I said." Flat. Final.
She moved, muttering under her breath as she went. "Sabke sab dushman hain meri pyaar ke..." (Everyone's an enemy of my love...)
His head tilted. "Kya bola?" (What did you say?)
"Kuch nahi." (Nothing.)
"Suna maine." (I heard.)
Her chin lifted, teeth showing in something that wasn't quite a smile. "Toh sunane ke liye hi tha!" (Then it was meant to be heard!)
He opened his mouth.
Aarav's voice came over everyone's. "Enough, everyone. Let's start breakfast now."
Aliya began serving.
Ira's eyes moved around the table and landed on her opportunity. "Maa, me and Anaya di will serve today."
Ekalavya saw exactly where this was going. Before the thought finished, Ira had already pulled Anaya up with her.
Anaya started with Aarav. Coffee and sandwich.
Aarav looked up. "Thank you, beta."
She moved to Meera.
Then Ira drifted toward Arushi, leaning in close as she set down the smoothie. "Yaar, tera bhai mujhe dekh kar aise ajeeb harkate karta hai. Thodi na kha jayungi main!" (Your brother acts weird when he sees me. I'm not going to eat him!)
Arushi hissed through her teeth, "Pagal, dheere bol! Sun lega!" (Crazy, speak softly! He'll hear!)
"Ira, serve Ayush too."
"Haan, I will." Ira moved to Ayush.
Smoothie. One sandwich. Another. A third.
Ekalavya's voice carried clearly across the table. "Yeh kya kar rahi hai? Bechare se puch pehle toh!" (What are you doing? Ask the poor guy first!)
Every head turned.
The tips of Ayush's ears went red.
Ira's smile came out crooked, nervous. "Haan haan..."
Ayush kept his eyes down. "One is enough."
She gathered the extra plates and returned to her seat.
Meera looked around. "Ira, Lav ko serve nahi kiya?" (Ira, you didn't serve Lav?)
"Maa, I'm already sitting. Anaya di, can you please serve him?"
A beat passed. Anaya's hand stilled for a fraction of a second.
She nodded.
She picked up the avocado toast and coffee and set them in front of him without a word. Moved back to her seat.
Ira set a sandwich quietly on Anaya's plate. "Thank you, di."
Aarav set down his coffee cup. "Who made coffee today?"
Meera's head came up. "Kyu, kya hua?" (Why, what happened?)
Anaya's fingers pressed flat against the table. "Uncle, I—I—"
"Today coffee was made by Anaya." Meera filled the gap.
Ira leaned forward. "Didn't you like it, Dad?"
Aarav's mouth curved. "No. Actually, I loved it."
Ekalavya's eyes stayed on his plate. His fork moved. He said nothing.
Aarav turned to him. "Lav, after breakfast, come to my office. I have to discuss something."
A single nod.
9:00 AM - Garden Area
After breakfast the group drifted to the garden. Outdoor furniture, easy conversation, morning light.
Ayush pulled Arushi a few steps away, his voice dropping. "Kya hai?" (What?)
"Why did you bring me here? First I wasn't interested, then you blackmailed me—"
Arushi muttered under her breath, "Because Ira blackmailed me..."
Meera noticed. "Ayush beta, kuch hua hai kya? Everything okay?" (Ayush, did something happen?)
He rubbed the side of his temple. "Nothing, Aunty. Everything is fine. Bas aapki beti mujhe dur rahe, bas..." (Just... your daughter should stay away from me, that's all...)
Arushi's fingers found his arm and pinched. Hard.
"Ow! Kya hai?!" (What?!)
Her voice was barely above a breath. "Agar kuch bakwas bola na uske baare mein, toh daant tod dungi!" (If you say any nonsense about her, I'll break your teeth!)
Ayush sighed to the sky. "Haan haan, theek hai." Then quietly to himself: "Dono dost, dono hi pagal hain..." (Yes yes, fine. Both friends, both are crazy...)
Ira turned toward him, cheerful and entirely unaware. "Arre Ayush, aayiye idhar! Bethiye!" (Hey Ayush, come here! Sit!)
Arushi's elbow connected with Ira's side. "Jyada ho raha hai ab, Ira. Woh bhag jayega, pehle toh aa nahi raha tha. Ab tu pagal ki tarah harkate karegi toh chala jayega!" (This is getting too much now, Ira. He'll run away — he wasn't even coming earlier. Now if you act like a crazy person, he'll leave!)
"Tum sab mere pyaar ki dushman ho!" Ira's lip pushed out. (You're all enemies of my love!)
"Agar koi sun liya na, tumhara pyaar ka nasha utar jayega." (If someone hears, your love intoxication will end.)
Ira's eyes went wide. "Haww! Apni bhabhi se aise baatein karti hai?" (You talk like this to your sister-in-law?)
Arushi just shook her head. "Pagal hai tu." (You're crazy.)
Meera looked over at them. "What are you both whispering about?"
Two voices collided. "Nothing, Maa!" / "Nothing, Aunty!"
Meera smiled and let it go. "You wanted to practice, right? Take Anaya and go to the auditorium. Anaya, idhar auditorium hai, third floor pe." (Anaya, there's an auditorium here, on the third floor.)
Anaya's head came up. "Auditorium hai yahan?" (There's an auditorium here?)
"Haan hai. Aur haan, Ira, don't enter the room next to it. You know Lav doesn't like it." (Yes, there is. And yes, Ira—)
Ira nodded quickly.
Meera's voice softened. "Aur sun, me and your dad are leaving for Delhi this afternoon. Take care. I've informed Lav. Listen to him. We'll be back tomorrow evening."
Ira nodded again, quieter this time.
They all moved toward the third floor.
Auditorium (Third Floor)
The song started.
They moved through the steps.
Ira's eyes kept sliding sideways. Ayush sat to one side, fully absorbed in his phone, not looking up once.
She thought, jaw tightening with every beat she missed. "Yeh Ayush ko toh dekho! Iske liye itni mehnat kari main, aur yeh dekh bhi nahi raha mujhe!" (Look at this Ayush! I did so much effort for him, and he's not even looking at me!)
She walked directly into Anaya mid-step.
"Ow!"
Anaya stopped the music. She looked at Ira. Her expression wasn't angry, just steady. "What's wrong with you, Ira? Today you're messing up all the steps!"
Ira scratched the back of her head, sheepish. "I'm sorry, di. Main thoda diverted ho gayi." (I got a bit diverted.)
"In dance, the first thing is you need to focus. Concentrate. Otherwise you'll miss it. Got it?"
"Got it, di."
Arushi called from the side, dry as dust: "Haan, dhyan zara dance pe de, idhar-udhar na dekh ke." (Yes, pay attention to the dance, not here and there.)
Anaya looked between them. The picture became clear.
She pressed play again from the beginning.
This time Ira caught the steps. Fell into the rhythm. Something in her posture unlocked.
Across the room, Ayush's thumb stopped scrolling.
His head lifted.
He watched her. The way she moved with Anaya, lost in it. Graceful where she'd been clumsy before. Determined in a way that had nothing to do with him watching or not.
He said nothing. Just watched.
12:00 PM - Auditorium Door
The door opened quietly.
Ekalavya stepped in. His eyes moved across the room. Landed on Ayush first, then on Ira.
Something settled into his expression. He crossed the room and placed a hand firmly on Ayush's shoulder.
Ayush flinched upright. "A-apki behen ko, bhaiya!" (Y-your sister, brother!)
Ekalavya's hand stayed where it was. His voice came out very even. "Kya?" (WHAT?)
A beat.
"Stay away from my sister."
Ayush's mouth pressed shut. Under his breath, barely audible: "Main toh rehta hoon, magar aapki behen nahi..." (I do stay away, but your sister doesn't...)
Ekalavya turned to Ira, voice returning to its usual register. "Mom and Dad are leaving now. I'll drop them at the airport. Take care till then. I'll return in 2 hours."
She nodded.
Ayush turned to Arushi. "We have to leave as well. Dad called us."
Arushi pulled Ira into a hug. "Goodbye! We'll meet soon."
Goodbyes went around the room. They left.
Ira's Room
The house had gone quiet. Only the two of them now.
Ira dropped onto the bed with dramatic finality. "Di, everyone left. Can we take a break? Let's watch a movie, then we'll continue."
Anaya bit the inside of her cheek. "But practice, I have to leave by 4. You remember, right? I have to get the costume and jewelry from Payal ma'am. I have mine, but it won't fit you."
Ira's hands came together, fingers laced. "Please na, di! I feel exhausted from dancing for 3 hours!"
A slow exhale. "Okay, fine."
Ira sprang up. "Chalo, meri room mein chalte hain!" (Come, let's go to my room!)
She unlocked her laptop and passed it over. "You choose a movie. I'll get something for us. Cold drinks and popcorn work, right?"
Anaya nodded.
Ira returned with two Coke bottles and a tub of popcorn.
"Di, what did you choose?"
"Let's watch Vampire Diaries."
Ira's face split open. "Yes!"
5:00 PM - Ira's Room
The screen played on. Neither of them had moved.
Anaya yawned and her eyes drifted to the clock.
Her whole body went still.
"IRA!"
Ira lurched upright, heart somewhere in her throat. "Kya hua, di?!" (What happened?!)
"Look at the time! We were supposed to practice! And I had to leave by 4! I had to visit Payal ma'am! And Kritika and Diya were joining me, they're going to kill me!"
She grabbed her phone.
10 missed calls from Kritika. 8 missed calls from Diya.
Anaya pressed a hand briefly to her forehead. "Aaj hum gaye kam se. Kritika nahi chodegi mujhe!" (I'm dead today at least. Kritika won't spare me!)
"I'm sorry, di!"
Anaya's hand dropped. "Arre, why are you saying sorry? It was my fault too. I kept my phone on silent mode." She bit her lip. "Wait, I'll call Kritika first... no no, then Diya will kill me. Better I do a group call."
She called.
The phone barely rang before Kritika's voice came through at full volume.
"KUTTI! KAMEENI! DHOKA DE DIYA NA?! KYA BOLA THA?! 4 BAJE READY HOKE NIKALNA!" (TRAITOR! CHEATER! YOU BETRAYED US! WHAT DID YOU SAY?! BE READY BY 4!)
Diya piled in behind her. "HAAN HAAN! AUR MADAM PHONE HI NAHI UTHAYA!" (YES YES! AND MADAM DIDN'T EVEN PICK UP THE PHONE!)
"Yaar, suno toh pehle! Main woh Meera aunty ke ghar aayi thi—" (Listen first! I came to Meera aunty's house—)
"TOH DIMAAG KO GHAR CHOD AAYI THI KYA?!" (SO YOU LEFT YOUR BRAIN AT HOME?!)
"Arre nahi! Silent mode pe tha! Aur main aur Ira series dekh rahe the, bhul gayi!" (No! It was on silent mode! And Ira and I were watching a series, I forgot!)
"RAKH APNI SORRY APNE PAAS!" (KEEP YOUR SORRY TO YOURSELF!)
Anaya's voice smoothed out, soft and deliberate. "Theek hai, chal ab. Let's go now. First let's visit Payal ma'am, then we'll have golgappa and gola. What say?" (Okay, come on now.)
A silence from Kritika's end. Then: "Jyada maska mat laga..." (Don't butter me up too much...)
Diya added her own half-hearted: "Haan, jyada..." (Yes, too much...)
"Please yaar! Galti ho gayi!" (Please! A mistake happened!)
Two sighs arrived in unison. "Last time hai yeh." (This is the last time.)
Anaya's shoulders dropped an inch. "Okay, meri maa! Come directly to Payal ma'am's house. I took you guys there before, remember?" (Okay, my mothers!)
"Yes. Bye, see you later."
The call ended.
Ira straightened. "Di, I'll join as well! Let me ask Bhai to drop us. We'll reach fast."
"No need, we'll book a cab—"
"But di, we'll be late! Please, cutie pie?" Her eyes went wide and soft and completely deliberate.
A long pause. "Okay fine."
Ira grinned. "You go down, di. I'll call Bhai and come."
Ekalavya's Room
A knock.
"Come in."
Ira pushed the door open. He was at his desk, eyes on the laptop screen, and he didn't look up.
"Bhai, what are you doing?"
"I have an upcoming surgery. Looking at the patient's past medical history. Why?"
"Nothing, Bhai. Just that—"
"Say it clearly. I have work."
"Bhai, can you please drop us to Anaya di's ma'am's house?"
His fingers paused on the keyboard.
He turned slightly, not all the way. "I don't have time, Ira. I'm busy. Call Prashant. He'll accompany you guys."
"Please, Bhai! I want you to come!"
"No. I can't join." Nothing in his voice shifted. Nothing at all.
Ira stood there for a moment. Then she turned and pulled the door shut with both hands, the thud of it filling the hallway.
He stayed very still at the desk.
"It's better for both of us if we stay away from each other. As far as possible." The words fell into the empty room.
Living Room
Ira came downstairs with the particular heaviness of someone who lost an argument they shouldn't have bothered starting.
She sat on the couch.
Anaya looked at her face. "Kya hua, Ira?" (What happened?)
"Bhai is busy. He can't join us."
Something moved through Anaya's expression, gone before it fully formed.
"Okay. Should I book a cab now?"
"No need, di. I called Prashant uncle. He'll drop us."
Anaya nodded.
They moved outside. Prashant was already waiting. Both took the backseat and the car moved away from the mansion.
6:00 PM - Payal Ma'am's House
Late. Visibly.
They stepped out and moved toward the house. Two pairs of sandals sat outside the door already.
Anaya rang the bell.
A middle-aged woman opened the door. Her eyes went warm the moment she saw Anaya dip down to touch her feet.
"Namaste, ma'am. How are you?"
"I'm fine, bacha. Tum bol, kaisi hai? Chal, andar aa pehle." (You tell me, how are you? Come inside first.)
Her gaze moved to Ira. "Yeh kaun hai?" (Who is this?)
"Arre, I told you once, right? She's Ira, Meera aunty's daughter."
"Oh haan! Come in, beta." Payal stepped back.
Inside, Kritika's eyes found Anaya immediately. The look said everything that words would've taken longer to deliver.
Anaya mouthed "Sorry!" back at her, hands coming up slightly.
Payal was already moving. "So the costume is for Ira?"
"Haan, ma'am. You see, mine won't fit her."
"Okay, come with me."
Costume Selection
Twenty minutes of searching. Then Ira's hands found a set and her whole face changed.
White ghagra. Red dupatta. Red blouse.
"This one!"
Payal's mouth curved. "Perfect."
"Thank you, ma'am!"
"Koi na, beta. Now select the jewelry you want." (No problem, child.)
Kritika lifted a pearl jewelry set and held it toward Ira. "Ira, yeh dekho! This will go perfectly with your costume!" (Ira, look at this!)
"Haan haan, yeh perfect hai!" (Yes yes, this is perfect!)
Diya clapped her hands together. "Chalo, ab sab ho gaya hai toh bahar chalte hain." (Come on, now everything's done, let's go outside.)
Living Room
Payal looked around the room at all of them. "Toh exams kaisa gaya sabka?" (So how did everyone's exams go?)
Kritika dropped her head back. "Bohot bura, ma'am. Pharmacology ne toh maar hi di." (Very bad, ma'am. Pharmacology killed us.)
Diya nodded. "Haan, magar pathology achha gaya." (Yes, but pathology went well.)
Anaya checked the clock. 7:00 PM.
"Okay, ma'am, we have to leave now. I have to drop Ira at the mansion, then go to my flat."
Payal's face shifted. "But kuch khaya bhi nahi tum logo ne! Main kuch banakar laati hoon—" (But you haven't eaten anything! Let me make something—)
Kritika was already on her feet. "Next time pakka, ma'am!" (Next time for sure!)
"Okay, beta. Be careful on the way."
7:10 PM - Outside Payal Ma'am's House
"How are we going now?"
Diya crossed her arms and looked at Anaya. "You promised to compensate us with golgappa and gola! Chalo, mujhe khani hai!" (Come, I want to eat!)
Kritika and Ira spoke at the same time: "Haan, mujhe bhi!" (Yes, me too!)
Anaya laughed. "Chalo phir. Diya, tu abhi cab cancel kar de. Pehle kha lete hain, phir book kar lenge." (Come then. Diya, cancel the cab now. First we'll eat, then we'll book.)
A golgappa stall sat across the road.
Kritika was already moving toward it. "Bhaiya, golgappa lagana! Char plate! Aur tikha dalna!" (Brother, make golgappa! Four plates! And make it spicy!)
She turned to Ira. "Tum kha paogi na?" (You'll be able to eat it, right?)
Ira nodded. Confident.
By the second golgappa, her eyes were streaming.
Kritika's attention was elsewhere. "Bhaiya, aur mirchi dalo na!" (Brother, add more chili!)
Ira reached for water without a word, tears working silently down her face.
Anaya noticed. "Arre Kriti, bas kar ab! Ira kha nahi payegi!" (Kriti, stop now! Ira won't be able to eat!)
Kritika looked over, taking in the state of Ira's face. "Arre, you should've told me early!"
"Koi na, I'm fine..." Barely convincing. (It's okay...)
"No, you're not. Come, let's have gola. You'll feel better."
She paid and they shifted to the gola stall.
"Bhaiya, char gola dena. Do kala khatta, ek kachhi keri... aur tumhare liye, Ira?" (Brother, give four golas. Two black sour, one raw mango... and for you, Ira?)
"Orange wala le lo." (Take the orange one.)
Kritika took her first bite and closed her eyes. "Yaar, kitne dino baad kha rahi hoon!" (Man, I'm eating this after so many days!)
Ira bit into hers. Something in her face shifted, surprised and delighted. "Bohot achha hai! Main pehli baar kha rahi hoon!" (Very good! I'm eating this for the first time!)
Diya's eyes went wide. "Kya?! Tumne isse pehle kabhi nahi khaya?!" (What?! You've never eaten this before?!)
Ira shook her head.
Kritika pointed her gola at her knowingly. "Arre, samajh kar na. Agar ghar mein doctors hi doctors honge, toh yehi halat hogi!" (Understand. If the house has only doctors, this will be the situation!)
Laughter broke out across all four of them.
On the Road
Anaya looked at her watch. "Chalo, it's already 8. We have to go."
"How are we going now?"
"You and Kriti go. I'll drop Ira and leave for my flat. It's late, you guys don't have to accompany me."
Kritika's face shifted. "Okay fine. But message us when you reach home."
Anaya nodded. She pulled them both in, one arm around each. "Bye! See you guys on Wednesday, then?"
They nodded.
The cab came. Diya and Kritika got in and left.
8:15 PM - Raivansh Mansion
They stepped out of the cab.
Ira pulled Anaya in tight, both arms holding on. "Thank you for today, di!"
Anaya's arms came around her. "No need to thank me."
Somewhere above them, on the second floor, Ekalavya stood at the window.
He saw them.
Anaya stepped back. Something prickled at the back of her neck. She looked up.
The curtain shifted. Fell still.
She stood with it for a moment. "Maybe I'm overthinking..."
Ira's voice pulled her back. "How will you go now?"
"I'll book another cab."
"No! It's not safe. It's almost 9 PM now."
"But—"
"No buts. I'll tell Prashant uncle to drop you."
Anaya turned it over. Safer. Sensible. She nodded.
Prashant came around.
Ira held on one more time, face pressed briefly into Anaya's shoulder. "Good night! Message me once you reach!"
"I will."
Anaya paused at the car door. "Tomorrow come to my flat. My exams are over. Two months' holiday. We can practice!"
"Okay, di. Bye!"
"Bye! Good night!"
She got in. The door closed.
Ira stood in the driveway until the taillights disappeared completely into the dark. Then she turned and walked inside.
9:00 PM - Ekalavya's Room
He stood at the window.
The driveway was empty now. Just the dark and the gate and the place where the car had been.
His jaw set.
"It's better this way."
"For both of us."
"The farther she stays..."
A long pause. His hand pressed flat against the glass.
"...the safer she'll be."
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