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"Diii has not picked up my call since last night," I said to my mom, crossing over to the dining table and sitting down.
"She might be busy," Mom replied while cutting fruits.
"If she were busy, she should have at least dropped me a message. I called her office, and they said she's not there. The security guards mentioned she left in the middle of the night yesterday," I said, my concern growing.
"So, she must be at her house," Mom said in a relaxed tone.
"No, she's not there either. Rishi went to her house this morning to get some signatures, but the maid said she hasn't been home for 2 to 3 days," I replied, and Mom looked shocked.
"But you guys were in the office. How could you not notice she wasn't going home?" she shouted at me.
"Mom, you know how she is. She doesn't listen to us at all. Whatever it is, I'm going to find her," I said, grabbing my car keys.
"Where could she be? Is she okay? Has she even eaten anything?" Mom said, trailing behind me.
"Kamini, don't stress out. You're not going anywhere. She'll be fine. Aayansh, she's a grown woman. She knows how to handle herself," Dad said, patting my shoulder and reassuring Mom.
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A - Aayansh, S - Shivnya
A : Diii, where have you been?
S : I was at home. My phone was off, and I was working on an important file.
A : Diii, really? If you don't want to tell me, it's fine, but please don't lie to me. Rishi went to your house for signatures, and the maid said you haven't been home for 2-3 days.
S : Uhmm... Okay, fine. I was out. Now I'm home. What do you need?
A : Nothing, just worried about you. You were missing since last night, and you didn't come to the party either.
S : I was busy. By the way, has Bhai said anything?
A : You both worry about each other so much. Why don't you just talk?
S : Okay, okay, I'll see you tomorrow at the office.
~~~~
AUTHORโS POVย
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V - Viren, S - Shivnya
V : Shivii.
S : Namaste, Dadaji.
V : How's your health now?
S : Better.
V : Are you coming for lunch tomorrow?
S : Dadaji, please, I really don't want to come.
V : I'm not asking; I'm ordering. Avantika's family is coming, and they shouldn't know you're living alone.
S : But I have an important meeting tomorrow.
V : Postpone it.
S : Okay, I will try. Just let me know the time.
V : 1:00 PM. Be there on time.
The call ended, and she called Rishi into her cabin, instructing him to reschedule all meetings except the one with Abhimanyu so she could go to the Rajvanshi Mansion the next day.
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"Mam, Mr. Rathore is here," Rishi said.
"Okay, let him in," Shivnya replied while arranging documents.
"Good morning, Mr. Rathore," she said, gesturing for him to sit.
"Good morning, Ms. Rajvanshi," he replied, nodding and taking the seat in front of her desk
"How are you?" he asked, his tone full of concern.
"I'm fine, Mr. Rathore. We can discuss this later. Let's focus on the meeting first," she said, giving him a reassuring look.
"I didn't expect we would have a meeting today," he said, looking straight into her eyes.
"Why?" she asked, placing some papers in front of him.
"Because today is lunch at your place," he said in a bored tone.
"Yes, I know about that, but work is important. Let's finish that first," she said, and they both started working diligently.
Focusing on the upcoming project, they delved into detailed discussions, losing track of time until interrupted by Aayansh at 12:30.
"Good afternoon , Mr. Rathore," Aayansh said, approaching them.
"Good afternoon , Mr. Rajvanshi," Abhimanyu replied.
"Diii, I think we should leave for home. We are already late," Aayansh said.
"Yes, we should leave. Thank you, Mr. Rathore. Let's meet at lunch," Shivnya said, checking her wristwatch.
"Let's go together; we all need to go to the same place," Divit said excitedly. Aayansh glared at him, but Abhimanyu and Shivnya nodded in agreement.
All of them left the cabin, with Shivnya instructing Rishi about the work. They all left the office in their respective cars, each having an obsession with their cars.
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They parked their cars, and Divit went straight to the house. Shivnya remained in her car, contemplating how to face her brother and the rest of the family. Before she could dwell on it further, Aayansh approached her car and invited her to come inside. She stepped out, glancing around as if searching for someone-her eyes looking for Abhimanyu. The comfort and sense of security she felt with him were unparalleled. His mere presence provided her with peace. As they made their way to the house, Abhimanyu joined them from behind.
Upon entering the house, Shivnya's eyes met those of the other family members. Some were delighted to see her, while others seemed uninterested. She paid no attention to their reactions and joined everyone in the hall.
In the hall, all the ladies were dressed in kurtis, sarees, or dresses, while Shivnya wore formal attire. Despite some attempts to engage her in conversation, they were unsuccessful.
Excusing herself with a plastered smile, Shivi headed to her favorite spot in the house. The men engaged in discussions about business, politics, and corruption, while the women talked about household chores, fashion accessories, and newlyweds. But, in the garden, Shivnya sat barefoot on a swing, her knees near her chest, head dipped into her legs, her loose ponytail swaying in the air.
"Ms. Rajvanshi," Abhimanyu called out as he approached her sitting on the swing.
"Ms. Rajvanshi," he repeated, and she hummed in response, raising her head to meet his gaze.
"Why are you sitting here? Let's go inside where everyone is," he said, sitting beside her as she made space.
"Don't you find it relaxing, sitting in this fresh air, in this dark, cloudy weather? The clouds look so beautiful, as if calling us to play with them, to drown in them. They remind us that everything can pass with time, but healing and happiness are in our hands. Even in destruction, there's a certain peace," she said, looking at the sky as if asking it to take her in its arms.
"Yes, it's relaxing here in this cloudy weather," Abhimanyu said, gazing deeply into her eyes. Before he could continue, Shivnya interrupted, "Let's go; everyone is calling for lunch."
They both went to the dining room, where Shivnya sat with Aayansh and Sanj. As people started serving food, Shivnya took very little and wasn't eating properly. Ridhimaa noticed and asked, "Kya hua beta, aap kuch kyu nahi kha rahe ho?" Everyone turned to look at Ridhimaa, and then their gazes shifted to Shivnya.
(ย what happened child?? Why aren't you eating anything )
Feeling nervous under the scrutiny, Shivnya opened her mouth to respond, but Kamini spoke first, her voice full of concern, "Hum aapki pasand ka kuch banwa dein?"
( should we prepare something according to your tasteย )
Shivnya glanced around, forcing a smile. "Nahi, nahi, I'll eat this."
( no no I will eat this )
Nandini, bubbling with excitement, said, "Arey, abhi toh Avantika ki pehli rasoi ka khana bhi taste karna hai!"
( Hey, we still have to taste Avantika's first cooking as part of the pehli rasoi! )
"Jao beta, sabko serve karo," Yuvantika ordered, and Avantika began serving everyone.
( go child serve everyone )
"It's very delicious, beta," Viren complimented.
"Yeah, it tastes really awesome," Shaurya added. Everyone savored the kheer that Avantika served, and they started giving her gifts according to the ritual. But when the grandparents were about to give her the gifts, she said in a stern voice, "Mujhe ye sab nahi chahiye."
( I don't want all this )
Everyone was listening carefully, except Shivnya, who was using her phone under the table, her fingers tapping idly.
"Par kyun, beta?" Yuvantika asked.
( but why child?? )
"Mujhe kuch aur chahiye," Avantika replied, looking at Viren and her dadaji, her eyes filled with a mix of hope and nervousness.
( I want something elseย )
"Kya chahiye, beta?" Viren asked gently.
( what you want childย )
"Can we all go on a family vacation? Like how dadaji used to take us kids when we were younger. But this time, the whole family. I'm not saying we will go tomorrow, but next week. I'll take care of all the arrangements; you all just need to come. Please?" she pleaded, her voice trembling slightly.
"Hamari taraf se toh haan hai. Hum toh jayenge," Viren said, smiling warmly.
( from my side it is a yes, I will goย )
"Hum log bhi," Divit, Kunal, Janvi, Tanmay, Yuvraj, and Sanj said in unison, their excitement was palpable.
( we alsoย )
One by one, everyone agreed. Now, only Shivnya was left.
"Diii," Aayansh elbowed her, sitting next to her with Sanj on her left.
"What?" she replied, still looking at her phone.
"Aap apna toh bataiye," he urged.
( what's you say??? )
"Kis baare mein?" she asked in a monotonous tone, her eyes never leaving the screen.
( on what?? )
"Diii, thodi der yahan dhyan denge?" Aayansh said, glancing at her phone.
( dii for sometime can you focus here )
"Ab bataoge?" She looked up and saw everyone watching her, their expressions expectant.
( say now )
"Diii, hum sab picnic jaa rahe hain. Aap bhi chaliye na," Divit said, sitting on Aayansh's left.
( diii we all are going on a picnic please join us )
"Dr. Uncle, aapke paas mental hospital ka number hai?" she asked Raghuveer, an eyebrow raised.
( Dr. Uncle do you have mental hospital contact no.?? )
"Haan, par kyun?" Raghuveer asked, puzzled.
( yes , but why?ย )
"Isko wahan bhejna hai," she said, pointing to Divit, a slight smirk on her face.
( I think we have to send him over thereย )
"Have you lost your mind? Tumhe pata hai ki abhi humara new project par kaam chal raha hai, and you want to have a picnic? No one is going anywhere. Do your work in the office," she said strictly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
( have you lost your mind ? We just got a new project and the work is going on that and you want to have a picnic?ย )
"Shivnya, yeh mera idea tha," Avantika said meekly, her eyes downcast.
( shivnya this was my ideaย )
"Oh... I didn't know. Aap sabhi log jaiye, mujhe kuch kaam hai. Main nahi aaungi," she said, realizing her mistake, her voice softening slightly.
( oh I didn't know about that, you all please go, but I can't come )
"Sanj, tu dii se keh na. Tere kehne se aa jayengi," Divit whispered to Sanj.
( sanj , you say something, if you will insist dii will surely come )
"Diii, please chaliye na," Sanj said, clutching the hem of Shivnya's coat.
( diii please come naย )
"Haan, diii, Sanj sahi keh rahi hai. Aap log toh gaye hue ho, par main aur Sanj toh kabhi nahi gaye. Aur gaye bhi toh bahut chhote the tab. Diii, please chalo na. It's just one week. Hum log usse zyada time nahi rukenge wahan. Aap hamari bholi si shakal dekho na. Please, diii. Aur hum saara kaam kar lenge. Aapko bilkul pareshan nahi karenge. Diii, please," Divit said in one breath, making a puppy face.
( Yes, diii, Sanj is right. You guys have been there, but Sanj and I have never gone. And even if we did, we were very young at the time. Diii, please come. It's just for one week. We won't stay there for longer than that. Just look at our innocent faces, diii. Please. And we will do all the work. We won't trouble you at all. Diii, please.)
"Or kuch?" Shivnya asked, crossing her arms.
( Anything else??? )
"Aap convince hui ki main aur bolun?" Divit said, making everyone laugh. A smile appeared on Shivnya's face.
( are you convinced or should I speak more )
"Okay, but this week it's not possible. Only next week. If you all don't have any problem with that, then I'm in," she said, looking at Avantika.
"Chalega. Thank you, diii," Sanj said happily.
( it will work, Thank you diii )
"Kuch bhi tere liye, bachhe," Shivnya said to Sanj.
( anything for you kidoo )
"Dekha maa, dii kitni partial hai Sanj ki taraf. Wo hum..." Divit started.
( see maa, dii is partial toward sanj, she..)
"Chup ho jaa tu," Nandini said, cutting him off.
( you keep quiet )
The family was excited about their upcoming picnic, discussing plans and activities. Shivnya seemed lost in thought in the garden, as if she had visited that house only to be there for some time. Meanwhile, one person was staring at her, mesmerized. Seeing how that person was a stranger to him a few days ago, but now she was his. Only his. Now she was his life.
"So, the destination is final. It's MANALI!" Avantika announced excitedly.
"YIPEEEEEE!" All the youngsters hooted as they were having their discussion in a room.
"But there is one condition which all of you have to follow," Avantika said, and everyone nodded.
"No one will work there."
"Bhabhi, kya mast joke karti ho aap," Divit said, laughing.
( sister in law what a funny joke )
"Kyu, kya hua?" Avantika asked innocently.
( why?? What happenedย )
"Aap apne pati aur dii ko janti nahi ho," Sanj said, all of them sitting on the floor having their gossip session. It wasn't that there were no beds in the room, but the fun of sitting on the floor was different.
( you don't know your husband and our sisterย )
"Matlab?" Avantika asked innocently.
( means?? )
"Yeh dono ek din bhi bina kaam ke nahi reh sakte," Aayansh said.
( both of them can't live without doing work even a day )
"Aree, tumhare bhaiya ko toh main dekh lungi. Main bhi dekhti hoon wahan jaa kar yeh kaise kaam karte hain," Avantika said confidently, unaware of her husband's antics.
( I can handle your brother, I will also see how the hell he would be able to work thereย )
"Or diii ka kya karna hai?" Divit asked.
( and what about diii ??? )
"Uske liye Sanj hai na," Yuvraj said.
( for her we have sanj )
"Nahi, dii hamesha mere wajah se saare kaam ke liye haan kar deti hain. Main unhe aur nahi bolungi," Sanj said softly.
( no it's not fair , dii always says yes because of me, I can't force her more )
"Dumbo, please na. Last time," Divit pleaded.
"Shut up, Divi. Nahi toh bhai aur dii dono se daant khilaungi," Sanj said, irritated.
( shut up divi Or else I will make you scolded by diii and bhai both )
"Tum aur kuch kar bhi nahi sakti ho choti chuhiya," Janvi said, but everyone ignored her. However, Sanj's mind was stuck on her words.
( you can't do anything else also you little ratย )
"Par Shivnya diii aap ki saari baat manti hai aur kisi aur ki kyu nahi?" Tanmay asked.
( but why shivnya dii obey you so much )
"Kyuki dii sabse zyada mujhse pyaar karti hain," Sanj said confidently.
(ย because dii loves me the mostย )
"Aisa kuch nahi. Yeh choti hai na, toh bas. Waise dii sabse zyada mujhse pyaar karti hain," Divit said with a smirk.
( it's nothing like that, just that she is the younger one ,and dii loves me the mostย )
"Or sabse kamzor bhi," Janvi spat venomously.
( and the weaker one also )
"Aap Ki didi ke samne toh zabaan chalti nahi aur bhooliye mat, jis company mein aap kaam kar rahi ho, woh meri dii ke dost ki hai. Ek minute mein hatwa dunga," Divit said angrily.
( You don't speak well in front of our sister and don't forget, the company you are working in is owned by my sister's friend. It won't take even a minute to fire you from there )
"Aree, Shivnya se hi puch lete hain," Avantika said to lighten the mood.
( why don't we ask shivnya itselfย )
"Haan," Aayansh agreed.
(ย yesย )
"Waise, kahan hai woh?" Yuvraj asked.
( but where is she??ย )
"Apne favorite spot par," Sanj said, and all of them went to the garden, seeing her dii busy on the phone.
( on her favorite spotย )
"Diiii," Sanj called out as she went near her to sit.
"Haan, bolo," Shivnya asked in a soft tone.
( yes sayย )
"App sabse zyada kis se pyaar karti ho?" Divit asked excitedly.
( whom you love mostย )
"Huh?" Shivnya looked confused.
"Matalab, merese yaa Sanj se?" Divit clarified, sitting in front of her while the others stood behind, amused by their antics.
( means me Or sanjย )
"Yeh kaisa sawaal hai? Tum teeno mere liye ek samaan ho," Shivnya said, glancing at Aayansh, remembering how he made her realize the bond cousins could share.
( what kind of question is thisย you three are equal for me )
"Dii, jhoot mat bolo, batao na," Divit insisted, both of them focusing intently on her while the others laughed at Shivnya's predicament.
( diii don't lieย , tell us naย )
"Ruko," Shivnya said as her phone rang. She picked up the call and had a brief conversation. Her expression changed, becoming more serious.
( waitย )
"Mujhe office jana padega, urgent kaam hai. Aayansh, tum mere saath chalo," she said, standing up and heading to the main hall.
( I have to go to the office it's urgent, Aayansh come with me )
"Ji dii," Aayansh followed her without hesitation.
( Yes diiiย )
"Diii, par," Divit said, looking dejected.
( diii but )
"Diviii, tumhare paas poora agla hafta hai in sabke liye. Abhi mujhe jaana hoga. Dhyan rakhna apna aur kuch bhi ho toh mujhe call karna," she said, caressing his head and kissing Sanj's forehead before nodding to the others.
( divi you have a while weak to do all this , for now I have to go , take care of yourself if you need anything call me )
"Beta, kahan jaa rahe ho? Shaam ho gayi hai, sabke saath aao baitho," Kamini said as she saw them heading to the main gate.
( where are you going ??ย It's evening time come sit with us )
"Nahi, chachi, mujhe kuch kaam hai, mujhe jaana hoga," Shivnya said firmly but respectfully, and left.
( no aunt, I have some work I have to go)
"Parr beta..." Kamini's voice trailed off, her concern evident.
( but child...)
"Maa, please, kaam hai. Bye," Aayansh said, giving her a quick hug.
( maa we have work please bye )
Despite the urgency of the issue at work, Shivnya ensured tasks were completed efficiently. Her mind, however, was already on the upcoming vacation. She made time to meet with Advait, cherishing every moment they spent together. The anticipation of the trip filled her with a rare joy, knowing it would bring happiness to her beloved family.
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"Diiii, aapne packing kar li na?" Sanj asked, sitting in front of her sister's home office desk. It was 10 o'clock in the night .
( dii are you done with packing?? )
"Nahi, Sanj, tumhe pata hai na, mujhe samajh nahi aata ki kaun se kapde picnic ke liye suitable honge. Itna toh hum business deal karte waqt bhi confuse nahi hote," Shivnya said with a huff, working on her laptop.
( noo, sanj, you know na , I can't understand what type of clothes would look good on me, I don't even confuse in business deals also )
"Aree, diii, hum hain na uske liye. Chaliye, hum madad karte hain packing karne mein," Sanj said while fiddling with her phone.
( dii, I am here , tension not , I will help you in packing )
"Ek kaam karo, tum jao start karo, main join karti hoon," Shivnya said, and Sanj went near her room.
( do one thing you goo and start I will joinย )
"Diiiii!"
"Diiiiii!" She shouted, only to find Shivnya standing there.
"Haan, bolo, kya hua?" Shivnya asked, looking into her eyes.
( yes, say, what happened? )
"Yeh room band kyu hai? Aur yeh room kiska hai?" Sanj asked, crossing her arms.
( why is this room closed?? Whose room is this )
"Sanj, apna kaam karo," Shivnya said and went back to her home office.
( sanj do your work )
Sanj packed Shivnya's new clothes, knowing her sister didn't wear revealing outfits. After that, Shivnya packed her toiletries and essentials. They both went to sleep in their separate rooms, with Sanj staying over.
โง๏ฝฅ๏พ: โง๏ฝฅ๏พ:
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