Author's P.O.V...

The kalra Mansion is wrapped in a soft golden evening light, its usual grandeur gently adorned with the simplicity and warmth of tradition. Strings of fresh marigold and Jasmine garlands drape over pillars and door frames, filling the air with a faint floral sweetness. A peaceful stillness blankets the space. A havan kund is perfectly arranged with mango leaves, copper kalash, and ghee-soaked wood. A white carpet is spread neatly on the floor with cushions and mats around it for the family to sit.

The fragrance of sandalwood and agarbatti wafts through the air, creating a soothing ambiance. From the grand staircase, Trisha and Avni descend both dressed in elegant, soft-toned suits -simple yet graceful, their dupattas pinned neatly, hair tied in modest braids and buns.

Manik walks in from his room, tugging at the sleeves of his off-white kurta -pajama. Abhimanyu follows shortly after, in a perfectly fitted sunflower -yellow kurta, sleeves rolled up just enough to give a peek at his watch. His expression is composed, almost too composed.

Nisha and Ritu appear in beautiful draped sarees -one in soft pink, the other in pastel green. Shanta in a light beige cotton saree with a golden border, walks in slowly.... Rajeev, Mahesh and saket enter one bye one, all in crisps kurtas -cream, beige and light peach respectively.

The entrance door clicks open, Aarav walks in flashing his signature Charming grin. He's in a blue kurta, holding a small box of sweets.

Aarav cheerfully." Namste, Dadi! Kasi ho aap ab?"

Shanta smiling warmly." Bilkul theek hoon beta, tu aa gaya h na aur bhi theek ho jaungi dekhna."

Aarav touches her feet before glancing around, taking in the serene setup. Abhimanyu stands slightly apart, near a pillar close to the main door, trying his best to look casual -but his eyes flicker to the entrance every few seconds. Subtle, but consistent.

Manik, adjusting his kurta's collar, noticed it first." Bhai...iss tarh door ki tarf mat ghuriye...mahin sharma ke toot na jaaye bichara."

Aarav smirked , joining manik as they casually flanked Abhimanyu." Waise kiska intezaar ho rha hai Abhi?... Pandit ji toh already aa chuke hai."

Abhimanyu turns slowly, catching both of their mischievous smirks. He tries to keep a straight face. " Intezaar? Kiska? Main toh kisi ka intezar nahi kar raha..." He crossed his arms, trying not to glance back at the door again. His posture stiffens ever so slightly. Aarav and Manik burst into low chuckles.

Manik." Par mujhe asa kyu lag rha hai...ki aapki aakhne kisi blue butterfly ke naam ki mala jap rahi?"

Before Abhimanyu could reply, Aarav suddenly glanced towards the entrance, grinning. " Lo aa gayi jiska intezaar tha."

Instantly Abhimanyu turned to look -eyes scanning and at first, he only spotted the Raheja family and Prisha....but not her. His heartbeat stumbled, searching restlessly...until he saw her.

There she was.... walking through the grand doors, as if time itself slowed to watch her, every step of hers like a melody.

She wore a flowy yellow long kurta paired with a matching ghagra, delicate embroidery shimmering every time she moved. Her long black hair flowed softly down her back like a midnight river. Jhumkas swayed gently against her cheeks. Minimal makeup -just a natural, glowing radiance. Her soft smile -soft pure, so alive -made her look like a celestial being.

Ananya looked like she had stepped straight from the heavens -a rare kind of beauty that made you forget the world around you.

Abhimanyu forgot how to breathe... His heart hammered against his ribs -wild, desperate -like it finally remembered what it was beating for. It was pounding in his chest, loud enough to echo in his ears...It felt like, with her arrival, some lost part of him had been returned.

He stood there, simply looking at her -a rare, genuine smile pulling at his lips, unaware of everything and everyone around him.

That's when Trisha, standing nearby , notice and nudged Avni , whispering. " Yeh Bhai Kahan khoye hue hain?"

Manik leaned slightly towards them, pointing subtly towards Ananya, and whispered with a mischievous grin, " shaayad kisi blue butterfly ke khayalon mein."

Trisha and Avni turned to look -and finally spotted her...her smile lighting up the entrance. The two sisters looked at each other, and grinned wide. " Ohhhhhh " Avni sang teasingly.

" Ab samajh aaya.. Bhai ko cupid ka arrow lag gaya hai." Trisha said.

Manik chuckled." Aur woh bhi direct heart mein."

Aarav saunterd towards the still-frozen Abhimanyu and leaned close, saying loud enough for him to hear, " Ahem...Ahem.. thoda kaam ghoor ley...pata chala usko toh aakhon se harassment ke case mein jail bhej degi."

Everyone - Manik, Trisha and Avni chuckled, trying to hold their laughter.... Abhimanyu blinked , snapping back to reality, realizing he had been openly staring without a single care. His ears turned a little red.

" M-Main...toh bas decoration dekh raha tha." he said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Trisha couldn't resist, laughing." Haan haan, hum samajh gaye kaunsi special decoration dekh rahe the aap."

Everyone is chuckling..." Woh bhi exclusive piece jo sirf aapke liye design hua hai sayad." Avni said.

Abhimanyu shook his head, muttering under his breath. " Tum logo ko bakwas ke alawa aur kuch karna nahi aata? Chalo guest ka welcome karna hai." he added hurriedly, trying to change the topic.

Aarav, laughing. " Haan haan beta...pata h kaunse special guest ka welcome karne ke liye mara jaa rha tu"

Embarrassed but smiling slightly, Abhimanyu walked toward the family gathering near the entrance -while behind him, his siblings and friends continued chuckling, their eyes glinting with playful mischief.

Both families introduced and had exchanged greetings with folded hands and polite smiles , filling the room with a soft, affectionate energy.

Shanta's face lit up even more as she slowly walked up to Ananya , her hands lovingly cupping Ananya's cheeks. " Tumhara toh hume sabse zyada intezaar tha beta, tumne humari jaan bachai...uske liye hum tumhara or tumhari dost ka jitna shukriya karein, Kam hai..." her voice came out soft, emotional full of gratitude.

Ananya's voice,tender and pure." Aap theek h naa dadi...yahi hmare liye kaafi hai." The love in her tone was like a soothing melody -enough to make even the hardest heart soften.

Prisha. " Haan dadi aap theek h na toh sab theek hai."

Shanta turned her gaze to Arun and Saanvi, smiling fondly. " Bahut pyari bacchi h aap logon ki, Roop bhi kisi devi se kam nahi... Aur sath hi iski friend bhi."

Arun and Saanvi shared a humble, proud smile. Standing a little to the side, Abhimanyu had been watching the entire scene silently. He wasn't just watching her. It felt like he was seeing her -like the world blurred and only she remained

Ananya's eyes, almost unknowingly drifted towards him. The moment their gazes met, time seemed to hold it's breath. She felt it instantly - the rush in her chest, the sudden bloom of warmth on her cheeks and even along her slender neck. She lowered her gaze hurriedly trying to calm the wild rhythm of her heart.

Just then Manik,  Who had been lounging nearby said. " Dadi pyari toh sirf ananya ji hai...ye dusri wali toh disaster h pura disaster."

Prisha tilting her head sweetly but with deadly aim replied." Tumse toh better hoon.. Mister chaat Stall in Human Form...lagta hai last time Jo chaat masala se Abhishek kiya tha tumhara voh Kam pad gya tha next time kuch or try Krna pdega."

Everyone laughed -a free, bubbling laughter that lifted the entire atmosphere. Trisha clapped her hands and said loudly. " Toh aap hi hain jisne humare Manik bhai ko chaat masale mein roll kar diya tha!"

The whole family burst out laughing at their banter. Manik, still grinning, tried to defend himself, " Saari galti iski thi, main toh-"

Before he could complete it, Shanta cut him off, waving her hand, " chalo chalo bahut ho gaya hasi mjak... Ab sab chalke pooja karte h, pooja ka samay nikla jaa rha..."

Smiling and still chuckling under their breath, everyone started moving towards the havan kund. Everyone picked a spot for themselves and sat down. Ananya looking for a place, noticed a space beside Prisha and started moving towards it -but before she could reach, Avni with a perfectly innocent yet-mischievous smile, quickly slipped into that spot..

Prisha gave a very obvious knowing smile to Avni, then glanced meaningfully at Ananya and said, " Ananya tu wahan jaa ke beth jaa..." she said tilting her head subtly towards the empty spot beside Abhimanyu.

Prisha bit her lips to hide her grin, exchanging a quick smirk with Avni... meanwhile Manik, Aarav and Trisha caught the little moment, their eyes glinting with mischief as they glanced at each other, sharing silent laughter.

Ananya's eyes darted toward Abhimanyu -who to her utter dismay, was already watching her. His gaze was steady, unreadable yet impossibly soft , as if he had been waiting, her cheeks heating up.

Without a word, without a fuss she slowly walked to the vacant spot next to him and sat down -close, but not touching -heart pounding inside their chest.... The pooja began soon after, changes filling the air with a serene calmness.

____

As the final mantras of the pooja echoed and the havan flames flickered out a serene stillness settled over the gathering. Smiling and exchanging soft laughter, the family rose and made their way toward the dining area.

The long dinning table gleamed under the warm lights, as always the kalras slipped easily into their usual spots. The Rahejas settled opposite them... Ananya found herself seated right in front of Abhimanyu. Neither spoke, nor even overtly looked at the other -but their eyes kept finding fleeting glances , unspoken, charged with a strange, quiet familiarity they didn't fully understand.

Across them, Prisha and Manik locked eyes too, though there was a battle of exaggerated smirks and playful defiance.

" You know " Rajeev began, turning towards Vikram with a fond smile, " kaafi saal pehle meri aur Vikram ki ek ajeeb si mulakat hui thi Jaipur mein."

" Jaipur?" Ritu asked, intrigued, as she passed a bowl of dal across the table.

"Haan"  Rajeev nodded, settling back in his chair. " Main tumhari bhabhi or bacchon ke sath ek dost ki shaadi mein gaya tha. Wahan ek bahut bada banquet hall book hua tha -aur usi hall mein alag alag shaadiyan bhi chal rahi thi."

He chuckled lightly at the memory. " Main phone par busy tha, bilkul dhyaan nahi tha. Tabhi ek bada saa heavy decoration banner mere upar girne wala tha."

There was a little gasp around the table. " Tab Vikram ne mera sar footne se bachaya." He said looking at Vikram meaningfully.

Everyone turned to Vikram with admiration, but he just shook his head modestly..

" Par uss waqt main sirf Vikram se mil tha.. uski family se mil nhi paya. Dono alag alag shaadi attend kar rhe the toh mulakat nhi ho payi." Rajeev added.

" Arey waah, ye toh kismat ka khel hai " Nisha exclaimed warmly.

Rajeev laughed softly, agreeing. " Haan bilkul. tabhi toh dekho... Saalon baad jab Vikram ne humari company mein job ke liye apply Kiya, tab hamari mulakat phir se hui. Aur aaj Vikram humare liye family jaise hain."

As the story sank into the air, a strange stillness passed between Abhimanyu and Ananya. Neither could explain it, but something about the words -jaipur, weddings, childhood tugged at the edge of their memories.

Ananya noticed the serving bowl of kheer placed just a little farther from her reach. She leaned forward at the same moment Abhimanyu, without a word, moved his hands towards it too.

Their fingers brushed -soft, fleeting but enough to send a jolt...both of them froze. Ananya's breath hitched softly, her cheeks heating up. Abhimanyu fingers instinctively stilled under hers warm. Slowly hesitantly, they lifted their eyes and for a moment the world around them blurred. Everything else the clatter of cutlery, the hum voices  faded into a hush. It was just them -eyes locked, a hidden helpless smile blooming at the corners of their lips , hearts thunering against their ribs.

And then - " Haath wapas le lo aapna " a loud voice interrupted. Snap. Their perfect moment broke. Ananya and Abhimanyu quickly pulled away, looking around, slightly embarrassed... They turned -and there it was pure chaos. At the dining table, Manik and Prisha, both clinging stubbornly to the same bowl of paneer.

Prisha rolled her eyes." Itna possessiveness paneer ke liye? Relax, national treasure thodi hai!"

Manik smirked lazily. " National treasure hi hai ye...tumse bachane ke liye fight kar rha hoon. Tumhare haath lagte hi iss bichare ka fashion bhi disaster ho jaayega."

Prisha fake -gasped. " Oh please! Mere fashion style ke liye kuch bolne se phele khud ke kapdon ka sense dekh liya kro...asa hai jise dekh mannequins bhi resign kar den!"

Manik shot back instantly with a mock -sympathy tone. " Aur tumhara style dekh ke lagta hai ki models ko first -aid ki zarurat padti hogi.. injury due to bad taste."

Prisha snorted. " You know what? Tumhara fashion knowledge dekh ke lagta hai tum birth se hi colour -blind ho!"

" Mujhe colour - blind hona accept hai...at least main tumhare jaise fashion ka murder toh nahi karta hoon." Manik said with a wicked grin.

Prisha. " Aur tumse NASA mil ne toh announce karna padega unko -'Life found, but extremely disappointing!"

Across the table, everyone burst into laughter. Ananya had her hand clamped over her mouth, her eyes watering with silent laughter... Abhimanyu just shook his head slowly, chuckling.

Manik, visibly frustrated was about to say something to Prisha when Rajeev's voice cut through the laughter, " Manik, ye kya bachapana hai? Let Prisha be."

Manik frowned, his brow furrowing. " Arey papa, main kyu isko-"

But before he could finish, Rajeev cut him off sharply. " Prisha is a guest. Show some respect."

Manik's hands dropped from the bowl in frustration and he glared at Prisha. She however, smirked triumphantly, her expression like that of a queen who had just won a war.

Dinner was done. The elders were gathered on one side, sitting together with desserts, their conversations warm and unhurried. Laughter occasionally drifted from their side, but the younger group has broken away, settling into a cozy corner, chatting with each other.

Trisha, ever the observer, turned to Prisha with a bright smile. " You know, main bhi ek fashion communication student hu...mujhe aapka fashion style bahut pasand hai. It's so fresh and bold!"

Prisha gave a sheepish but proud smile. " Thank you! You are also very stylish and beautiful."

Avni was deep in conversation with Ananya, her eyes sparking. " I'm also an  Art student..maine gala mein aapke Soulstrock ki painting dekhi toh bahut khubsurat and Amazing..I want to visit now."

Ananya smiled, her voice gentle." Zaroor.. you are welcome there."

Manik, slouched lazily with a mischievous glint in his eyes, caught sight of something that made his grin wide...he leaned forward dramatically and said. " Waise Ananya, aap aaj bahut pretty lag rahi ho..itna ki kisi ki Nazar hi nahi hat rhi."

The words hung in the air. Abhimanyu immediately shot Manik a slow, murderous glare, instantly realizing who was being hinted at. Ananya's cheeks bloomed a soft crimson.

Everyone was quick to pick up, smirked while looking at each other.

Aarav, pretending to be innocent, suddenly asked. " Waise Ananya, tumhe books pasand hain?"

Before Ananya could answer, Prisha piped up, " Arey bahut? Painting iski soul hai toh books heart."

Aarav smiled. " Acha hai.. Abhimanyu tu, Ananya ko aapni library ka tour Kara na jaake."

Aashi joined in gleefully, clapping lightly. " Haan Bilkul! Ana jaa na dekh kar aa.."

Ananya glances toward Prisha. " Tu bhi chal naa."

Prisha." Main kyun? Mujhe books se bilkul pyar nahi tu hi jaa."

" Chalein?" Abhimanyu asked in a low voice, leaning toward her little.

Ananya nodded shyly, standing up with a soft smile. As the two walked away toward the house library, everyone's face broke into knowin

g smiles exchanging silent high-fives with their eyes.

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