Ananya's P.O.V....

The morning light filters in through the lace curtains of my room, soft and golden, casting warm patterns over the floor. My window mixes with the earthly aroma of the tulsi in our garden below. There's a kind of stillness in the air, the good kind -like the world has paused just enough for you to notice its beauty.

I sit at the edge of my bed, already dressed, a gentle excitement fluttering inside me. It's maa-papa's anniversary today, and there's something so pure about starting the day at the temple with a wish for their happiness. I chose my sea-green anarkali for the morning -delicate white threadwork along the hem, a light chiffon dupatta resting softly over my shoulders. My long black hair falls straight down my back, slightly damp from my morning wash. I pin the jhumka maa gifted me last Diwali - silver with a tiny emerald stone that matches my dress. Simple, but beautiful.

As I stepped out of my room, the house was already awake. Maa is arranging flowers near the mandir, papa is reading the newspaper as always. I walk straight to maa and papa, my smile is wide and heart full.

" Happy Anniversary maa...papa." I say,  bending to touch their feet.

Papa sets the paper aside, eyes twinkling as he blesses me." khus raho humesha."

Maa holds my face between her hands, smiling like only she can." Anniversary humari hoti, lakin sabse jada khusi tujhko."

I chuckle, leaning into her touch." Hogi hi aap dono ki anniversary hai, jo mere liye sabse khaas hai.... Acha vaise main mandir jaa rahi Prisha ke sath -acchi acchi wishes bhi toh magni h aap dono ke liye."

She nods with a soft smile." humare liye toh humesha hi maangti h... Aaj kuch aapne liye bhi maag lena."

" Aap dono hai na uske liye...main kyu mehnt kru fir." I said.

I dialogue Prisha. It rings once, twice, before his groggy voice comes through. " Good morning my sunshine. tujhe chain nhi milta na mere bina."

" Chup kar! Jaldi taiyaar ho na. Mandir jaa rahe hain. Tu bhool toh nahi gayi na aaj ka din?"

There's a moment of silence. Then a dramatic gasp. " Oh no no no! Happy anniversary to uncle and aunty! I'm coming -I swear I'll be ready in fifteen! Wait for me near the corner of our usual tea stall, okay?"

I laugh softly." I knew you'd forget the date, but at least you remembered the plan."

I end the call and step. A soft breeze carries the scent of wet earth and blooming champa. I wrap the duppata a little tighter around myself and begin walking.

The street is quiet, just the rustle of leaves, the sound of someone sweeping their porch, and the occasional bark of a dog. My heart feels full. I don't know what it is -the morning, the occasion or maybe ..just the thought that said yes to the offer.

Two days since I spoke to Abhimanyu. Two days since that call where everything changed and I signed the contract. And yet...my heart feels calm. As if knows I made the right decision.

I spotted the tea stall ahead. The uncle there greets me with a nod, recognizing me instantly. I move a few steps ahead and sit on the small marble boundary wall near the banyan tree, shaded and peaceful. My thaali rests carefully on my lap -decorated just how maa taught me.

The street is slowly waking up -shop shutters lifting, a light breeze rustling the trees, and a few birds hopping around on the wires above. I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear and glance at my phone. No message from prisha yet.

Just then I hear her voice, unmistakable and a little breathless. "Good morning, meri sanskaari devi!" Prisha grins, walking up to me in a bright yellow suit.

I stand up with a smile. " Finally aa hi gayi... Chal ab late ho rahe hain."

We make our way toward the temple. The white marble glows gently in the morning light, and the scent of agarbatti already lingers in the air.

We slip off our slippers at the doorway, gently touch the first step in respect, and climb up. The thaali rests steady in my hand as we walk in toward the idols of Shree Ram and Mata Sita.

Pandit ji notices us instantly and offers me a familiar smile. " Aaj bhi bhaiya ji aur bhabhi ji ke liye prarthana karni hai na?"

" Haan pandit ji," I nod softly, my heart steady with emotion.

He takes the thaali from me and begins the pooja. Prisha and I fold our hands. I close my eyes." Bhagwan ji...maa-papa ko hmesha khus aur healthy rakhe."

Prisha and I had just stepped out of the temple. We slipped our slippers back on , prasaad in our hands...she was saying something about an Instragram reel, but my eyes suddenly caught something at the edge of the temple steps.

An elderly woman -draped in a white saree, her back hunched, hands trembling slightly -sat there like she'd collapsed into that spot. No movement, no support.

But what struck me most was her face -pure pain. Sudden , sharp. Her eyes were sunken , her breathing uneven...almost as if something had pierced her chest.

" Prisha , one second," I said, already hurrying toward her.

" Dadi...are you okay?" I knelt beside her and gently held her hand. She couldn't speak. Just looked at me, pain flooding her eyes but no words coming out.

"Dadi ,are you having trouble breathing? Is it your chest?"

Prisha reached us quickly, her expression turning from confused to concerned in an instant.

" Ananya, this looks serious. Might be a heart issue." she whispered, tension creeping into her voice.

I handed her the prasaad basket and shifted to support the grandma, placing her arm around my shoulder, trying to lift her a little.

"Dadi, we need to take you to the hospital. Please trust us, " I said softly. She tried to move, a feeble attempt.

" Grab a rickshaw -now" I told Prisha.

Without wasting a second,we helped her down the temple steps. Prisha flagged an auto.

The driver looked a bit unsure at first, but once he saw the grandma, he understood.

" Bhaiya, to the nearest hospital. Please jaldi kijiye!"

I held her hand in hand in the auto -cold, trembling fingers wrapped in mine.

Prisha and I stepped out for a breath of air after Dadi had been settled and the doctor had given us a reassuring update.

" She's stable now," the doctor had said. " It was a minor heart attack. You two brought her just in time."

He had looked at us expectantly. " Are you her relatives?"

We shook our hearts. " We found her on the temple stairs, she was in pain."

" I see " he nodded. " If possible, please try contacting her family."

The doctor left with a polite smile, leaving us. " Mujhe toh kuch samajh nahi aa raha," Prisha whispered beside me." What do we even do now?"

" I don't know" u murmured. " But we can't just leave her here alone."

We both made our way to the ward where she had been admitted. She looked better now, eyes slowly blinking open.

I sat gentle beside her. "Dadi..aap thik hai ?"

She gave a weak nod, her hand slowly lifted to rest on mine.

" Dadi..aap kahan rahte ho?" I asked softly." Hum aapko wapas ghar chhod denge."

She looked at me for a moment, then muttered an address. I leaned in to hear it properly.

The moment she said it, something tugged at the back of my mind. I glanced at Prisha,who had clearly caught the same thought.

" Wait..." Prisha squinted." Did she just say.... Malabar Hill , Kalra Mansion?"

" Yeah " I said almost as surprised as her, we both froze.

" No way... like kalra Mansion.... Abhimanyu Kalra? She's from his family"  Prisha's eyes widened. " Oh my God. What do we even -wait, don't you have his number?"

I hesitated, then nodded slowly. " Yeah , I've... I'll call him."

My fingers hovered for a moment before pressing the contact... " Hello?" came his deep voice.

I explained everything -how we found her and brother to the hospital.

Fifteen minutes later, he walked into the corridor like a storm. " Where is she?" he asked coming straight to me.

I pointed toward the room. " She's okay now. The doctor said it was a minor attack. She's resting."

He moved fast, pushing open the door. Prisha and I followed, quietly

" Dadi.." his voice dropped into something tender.

She turned her head. Her smile was tired but there was a lot of seeing him." Abhi beta..."

He sat beside her, eyes searching her face. " Dadi, I told you not to go to the temple alone. Aap kisi ko bhi le ja sakti thi. Driver , Avni ,anyone.."

She looked at him like a child." Maaf kar de, beta man tha aaj thora akela mandir jaane ka toh socha ho aau. "

Before he could speak again, the door creaked open and a small crowd walked in. A group of people maybe family, rushed towards her. some older, some younger. They all spoke at once , concerned and panicked. I stood quietly beside Prisha, not knowing any of them. She leaned toward me. " Must be the whole family.."

Dadi's voice cut through the noise gently. " Main bilkul theek hoon, In dono bacchiyon ne mujhe kuch hone hi nahi diya." She gestured to us.... Suddenly, everyone turned to look.

One of the women walked toward me with gentle grace. She is wearing a simple yet beautiful saari. Her features were soft, framed by a neatly tied bun. There was warmth in her eyes. Her eyes narrowed slightly, like trying to remember. Then they widened. " Tum toh beta wahi ho na? SoulStrock wali ... Gala mein award mila tha jise?"

I have a small nod. " Ananya Raheja."

She smiled. " Haan wahi." She looked at Prisha " Aur tum?"

" I'm Prisha. Prisha Sharma. Ananya's best friend."

The woman suddenly folded her hands with deep gratitude. " Thank you, beta. Maa ki jaan bachane ke liye."

I immediately held her hands gently. " Please,aap hath mat jodiye. Humne sirf wahi Kiya ho koi bhi karta."

Prisha added a half-smile, seriously aunty , no need to thank us."

The woman's eyes turned soft. " Bahut pyari ho tum dono."

Just then a voice came from behind. " Wait....kya kaha beta tumne? Raheja?"

I turned around to see a tall, dignified man enter - likely in his mid-50s -with a curious yet surprise expression on his face.

" You know Vikram Raheja?" he asked, stepping closer.

I glanced at Prisha, then smiled and gave a polite nod. " Yes.... he's my chachu."

I wasn't surprised. I already knew chachu worked under the kalras. The man's eyes lit up with recognition. " Ohh! Toh tum ho Vikram ki.. niece?"

I nodded again, this time a bit more warmly. " Yes." .

He chuckled, pleased. " That's good."

Still unsure of who he was, I asked gently. " Aap?"

" Main Rajeev kalra. Aur yeh meri wife Nisha Kalra. " he gestured toward the lady beside him.

I straightened up instantly. " Oh -pleasure to meet you."

" Tumhare chachu toh mere kaafi purane employee hai...kaafi saalon se sath kaam kar rahe hai.." he added with genuine warmth.

Nisha aunty joined in now,her voice soft and full of kindness. " Toh beta tum toh fir humari family jaisi hi Hui. Raheja bhaisaab family se kam nahi hain hmare liye."

" Thank you, " I said softly with a smile.

I caught movement from the corner of my eye -Abhimanyu. He stood quietly, watching us all with a surprised expression, his gaze flicking between me and his parents.

I turned back with a smile." Ab hume chalna chaiye."

Nisha aunty gave a kind smile. " Acha laga tumse milke beta... Khus rho humesha."

Rajeev uncle added." Maa ki jaan bachane ki phir se thank you beta."

I gave them both a respectful nod, and Prisha followed my lead. Together , we stepped out of the room. Just as I was about to step out, Prisha behind me, I heard a soft voice call my name from behind.

I turned. He was standing there -Abhimanyu. His presence still managed to make the air shift around me. He looked calm, but his eyes held something quieter... something I couldn't quite name.

Prisha paused for a second, then leaned closer and whispered." Tu aa aaram se... main auto pakadti hoon." giving me a knowing look before slipping away.

He walked up to me slowly, the silence between us stretching but never uncomfortable. When he stopped in front of me, there was something raw and sincere in his voice.

" Thank you. For what you did for Dadi. It meant a lot to her. And to me."

I met his gaze. He wasn't just being polite -he meant it." No need..voh humari bhi toh Dadi jaisi hain." I said gently.

His eyes lingered on me a moment longer and then I saw it -a flicker of something warm, almost.. proud.

Then he chuckled under his breath. " Why didn't I think of this earlier, Raheja? You're Vikram's  niece."

I couldn't help it -I smiled, tilting my head. " Maybe aap utne bhi smart nahi ho jitna sab log samjhte hain" I said, teasing, my voice light.

He raised his eyebrow in surprise, clearing not expecting that, and then shook his head with a small laugh -low and real. " Once again...thank you. Very much." he said softly, his tone is warmer now.

And for a second, I didn't know what to say. So I just nodded.

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Author's P.O.V....

The family gently leads Shanta dadi into her room. The warmth of the Kalra Mansion wraps around her like a comforting shawl. Nisha and Ritu help her to the bed, fluffing the pillows. Shanta sits, tired but smiling softly at all the fuss.

" Bas , bas ab sab mujhe Rani bana. Ke hi maanenge kya?"  Shanta said softly with gratitude.

Just then, a worried, slightly dramatic voice echoes from the hallway.

"Dadiii.." Manik came back from his work. He bursts into the room, breathless, hair a little messy from rushing. Without a second delay, he kneels beside her and wraps his arms around her in a tight hug. " Dadi aap thik ho na? Kya zarurat thi akele jaane ki... Main nhi hota hoon toh aapse aapna khyal bhi nhi rakha jata hai?"

Shanta placed her hand on his cheek." Main bilkul theek hoon... Kya karu Teri dadi ko aadat jo pad gyi h teri."

"  Haan haan mere bina iss ghar mein koi aapna khyal rakhta hi nhi hai... Main hoon hi itna care karne wala."  Main with his dramatic tone as ever.

Everyone bursts into light chuckles" Bas ho gaya Tera drama? Chal, ab Dadi ko rest karne de."  Abhimanyu sternly, stepping in.

Rajeev." Bilkul sab log maa ko aaram karne do ab." turns to his father " papa aapko or maa ko agar kisi cheez ki zarurat toh please kisi ko bula lena... Khud kuch mat karna."

" Haan theek hai..tum log jao. Main hoon aapni dharam patni ji ke sath." Mahesh said affectionately..

Shanta softly, holding Mahesh's hand." Par beta... woh pooja?"

Nisha cutting in gently." Pooja ki tayyari hum sab kar lene maa...aap bilkul chinta mat kijiye."

Ritu." Haa mummy ji, sab dekh lenge hum log..aap best rest Karo."

" Acha theek hai...par beta, voh ladki ? Voh vikram ki rishtedaar... Kya naam tha uska ? Usse aur uski family ko bhi Pooja mein bula lo. Bahut pyaari bachhi hai, pura raasta mera hath pakad ke baithi rahi...ek second lead liye bhi nhi chhoda.. aur uski dost ko bhi bula lena ...humne theek se uska shukriya bhi nahi kiya."

Manik confused." ladki ? Kaunsi ladki?"

Avni. " Arey bhaiya, wahi Soulstrock wali! Jinki team ko award mila the art event mein!"

Trisha." Haan bhai, wahi ladki aur unki dost ne hi toh time pe dadi ko hospital le jaake unki jaan bachai."

Manik smirked, eyes narrowing at Abhimanyu who was trying to hide his smile. " Oh hoooo.... Voh blue butterfly?"

Abhimanyu looked at him with a death glare. Manik chuckles nervously, raising his hands..

" Haan maa, hums unhe zaroor bulaenge." Nisha with a warm smile.

Rajeev." Main Vikram ko keh dunga ki poori family ke sath aaye. Aap aaram kro bus."

The family slowly exits the room,one by one after checking everything.

The dining table is bustling with the comforting clatter of plates, the aroma of home -cooked food wafting through the air. Everyone is seated and eating together -Ananya , her parents, her brother and bhabhi , chachi and the ever snoozing chiku under the table.

Saanvi is concerned but calm. " Shukr hai tum dono time pe pauch gayi thi.... warna kuch bhi ho sakta tha."

" Haan , shukr hai voh aunty ji bilkul theek hai." Meera nodded quickly.

Just then, Rachit wipes his mouth, smirking like he's about to drop a classic big-brother one liner." Vaise Ana, lagta nhi h tujhe dekh kar ke tune un dadi maa ko utha liya hoga...chiku se thoda hi toh weight jada h na tere ander."

Everyone bursts into a light chuckle. Ananya gives Rachit a sharp death glare mid-bite. " Vaise utha ke toh hum aapko bhi chhat se fek sakte hai... Dikhaye karke? "

Even Dr. Arun , usually composed, let's out a soft laugh. The family shares a moment of genuine laughter. Just then , Vikram walks in settling into the chair beside Meera.

" I have news? Kal kalra family ne sabko shaanti Pooja ke liye bulaya hai. Chahte hain ache se ananya ko shukriya kehna." He looks at her, proud. " Aur haan, Prisha ki bhi bol dena."

Ananya nodded with a smile. " Haan chach, bol dungi...par prisha vha ho or shanti rahe ye thoda muskil hai." Everyone let's out a laugh again....

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