The first light of morning streamed gently through the curtains, spilling across the room. Mahi was still half-asleep, buried in her pillow, when a familiar, energetic voice cut through the quiet.
“Mahi! Open the door!”
Her eyes shot open. A moment of shock, and then she scrambled out of bed to see who it was.
Standing there, arms wide and striking a dramatic pose, was her brother.
“Surprise! The handsome brother is back!”
Without thinking, Mahi threw herself into his embrace.
“Bhai! Wow… I didn’t expect this!”
This was Aryan, her elder brother, the one who ran the family business with a steady hand. Mature and responsible, yet fierce when it came to his family. To Mahi, he was more than a brother—he was a protector, a guide, someone she could always rely on.
From the hallway, their parents appeared, smiling. Arvind chuckled, “Finally, our busy businessman decided to come home.”
Alka’s voice was filled with concern. “Was the travel okay? Did you eat anything?”
“Yes, Mom. Everything was fine,” Aryan replied warmly.
One by one, he hugged them both, and suddenly the house felt alive. Mahi’s heart swelled with happiness; having Aryan home made the family feel complete. She couldn’t stop talking to him, and the morning passed in easy conversation.
Then the doorbell rang.
“Maybe it’s Vani,” Mahi said casually.
Vani entered with a bright smile.
“Good morning, Aaru.”
“Good morning, Vani,” Mahi replied.
“Where are Uncle and Aunt?” Vani asked, looking around.
“Mom’s in the study, Dad went to the office,” Mahi answered.
Vani, remembering last night’s dinner, asked eagerly, “So… how was dinner?”
Mahi shot her a warning glance.
“Later,” she said.
Vani’s attention naturally shifted to Aryan, who was lounging on the sofa, scrolling through his phone. He glanced up briefly, meeting her gaze. Vani quickly regained her composure and said softly, “Hello.”
Aryan offered a small smile in return.
“Sit… want something?” Mahi asked, gesturing to the sofa.
“Just water, thanks,” Vani replied quietly.
Mahi called out playfully, “Kousalya didi, can you get some water for Vani?”
The house helper appeared promptly, smiling, and said, “Yes, Chhoti Malkin,” before heading to get the water.
Once settled, Mahi and Vani sat together on the sofa across from Aryan. Mahi started showing her new paintings, but Vani’s eyes kept drifting to Aryan, while he scrolled silently, occasionally lifting his gaze to observe her.
A familiar voice called from the study.
“Mahi…”
“Yes, Mom?”
“Come here, beta.”
Mahi got up and walked toward the study, leaving Vani alone. She drifted toward the terrace, and with the door closing behind her, the space suddenly felt private, like their own little world.
Aryan stood before her, warm and familiar, his eyes locking onto hers with that same quiet intensity she always missed. He stepped closer, and their gazes stayed connected.
“How did you know I was here?” he asked.
Vani smiled, eyes sparkling.
“Whether anyone tells me or not… my heart just knows.”
Without a word, Aryan pulled her into his arms. She wrapped herself around him, breathing in the familiar scent she had missed so much.
“I miss you… You never come when you say you will. Three months have passed, and now you’re here. Don’t you miss me? Don’t you remember me?” Her voice trembled slightly.
Aryan lifted her chin gently, looking into her eyes. His lips curved into a soft smile, but his eyes held unwavering certainty.
“I could never forget you. Forgetting you isn’t even possible.”
Her heart raced. Happiness and longing mixed in her gaze. She stayed silent for a moment, then asked softly, “How long has it been… us?”
He glanced at his watch.
“Three years, fourteen days, and… six hours.”
Her eyes widened. “You… actually counted?”
He squeezed her hand and whispered, “Of course.”
Emotion welled up in her, but she masked it with her playful side.
“You’re… so cute. I didn’t expect this,” she said.
Aryan raised an eyebrow, teasing.
“And you… can fall this hard? That, I also didn’t expect.”
“I didn’t—” she began, but he caught her hand mid-sentence.
“Stop lying. I can see it, Vani. You’re happy with me,” he said, his voice a gentle mix of command and care.
For a few moments, they simply lost themselves in each other’s eyes. The terrace was silent, and the world around them seemed to fade away.
Vani’s voice broke the quiet. “But… when will we tell Mahi?”
Aryan brushed a strand of hair from her face, his gaze serious yet tender.
“Let’s wait for the right time.”
She held onto his shirt, nervous.
“Until then… will you go away again?”
He drew her closer, his palms gently touching her cheeks.
“I’m not going anywhere. Not without you.”
Her voice trembled. “Someone else… might’ve found you by now, right?”
“Not me, motu. I want no one else. Today, tomorrow, always… I’m yours, and only yours.”
He held her hand, standing close. Her cheeks flushed pink. For a few silent moments, they just looked at each other, lost in the unspoken love, longing, and connection between them.
The terrace held their silence, but the emotions they shared were louder than words.
“Aryan is finally home… Who else is smiling? 😄 Comment below!”“
Write a comment ...