Confusion flickered across both Ishir and Samidha’s faces as the room buzzed with introductions. Samidha leaned over toward Iyla and muttered, “Ye tera bhai jhoot bol raha hai. Doctor ki padhai ke naam pe golgappe bechta hai yahi!”

("Your brother is lying. He uses ‘doctor studies’ as an excuse but actually sells pani puri right here!")Iyla, caught mid-sip, choked on her water and started coughing. Sweta Dixit quickly came over, rubbing her back in concern. “Kya hua, Iyla?”

("What happened, Iyla?")Between coughs, Iyla waved a hand and said, “Kuch nahi, mummy.”

("Nothing, Mom.")She pinched Samidha’s waist and hissed, “Abe pagal hai kya? Kuch bhi!”

("Are you mad? You’ll say anything!")Sweta, now distracted by her son returning, hurried to Ishir and pulled him into a hug. “Mera baccha! Khana nahi dete the kya wahaan?”

("My child! Didn’t they feed you wherever you were?")Ishir just chuckled, while his father teased from the side, “Apka beta nahi, mera beta bhi hai. Jara hume bhi milne dijiye!”

("He’s not just your son, he’s mine too. Let me greet him too!")Ishir smiled, respectfully touched his father’s feet, and gave him a warm hug. Then, cheerfully, he made his rounds to Ehan’s parents with greetings and hugs.However, Ishir’s eyes kept darting, narrowing at Samidha. Sensing the confusion, Ehan jumped in, “Ishir, yeh Samidha hai. Meri student, aur Iyla ki best friend hai.”

("This is Samidha. My student, and Iyla’s best friend.")Ishir gave a slight, polite nod of acknowledgment as they all settled onto the couches.Not one to let the silence last, Samidha blurted out, “Waise, kitna kamate hain aap?”

("By the way, how much do you earn?")Everyone coughed, confused by the abruptness, while Ishir sat gaping at her. She turned to Sweta, “Aunty, yeh aap ka beta jhoot bol raha hai. Koi doctor-voctor nahi, golgappe bech raha tha roadside pe!”

("Aunty, your son’s lying! He’s no doctor, he was selling pani puri on the roadside!")Ishir’s jaw dropped. “What! Pagal wagal ho kya? Kitni baar bataya, woh uncle chale gaye the kaam se. Main bas wahaan khada tha! Maa, yeh ladki pagal hai!”

("What! Are you crazy? How many times do I have to say, the uncle left for some work, I was just standing there! Mom, this girl is crazy!")Iyla jumped in, “Shut up, bhai! Aap meri dost ko aise nahi bol sakte!”

("Shut up, brother! You can’t talk to my friend like that!")Samidha, unfazed, muttered, “Wahin na, ulta chor kotwal ko daante.”

("Yeah, right, blaming me for nothing!")Sweta finally interrupted, “Beta, koi galatfehmi hui hogi.”

("Dear, it must be a misunderstanding.")With a deep sigh, Ishir finally explained the full incident, clearing up the confusion before everyone headed toward the dining table. Laughter and chatter returned as food eased away the discomfort.After finishing dinner, Samidha began collecting her things. “Aunty, ab main ja rahi hoon.”

("Aunty, I’m leaving now.")Sweta frowned, worry evident on her face, “Lekin tum akele itni raat ko kaise jaogi? Ishir, ja, chhod aa bachi ko.”

("But how will you go alone so late? Ishir, go drop her home.")Ishir protested, “Main kyu jaun?”

("Why should I go?")Samidha shot back, “Haan aunty, main akele ja sakti hoon.”

("Yes aunty, I can go alone.")Sweta shook her head, firm, “Nahi beta. Ishir, tu ja raha hai ya nahi?”

("No, dear. Ishir, are you going or not?")Muttering under his breath, Ishir finally conceded, “Ab kahin driver na bana de…”

("Hope she doesn’t make me her driver now…")Samidha, catching his muttering, raised an eyebrow, “Kuch kaha aapne?”

("Did you say something?")“Main? Nahi toh, kuch suna apna?” Ishir replied, nonchalant.

("Me? No, did you hear something?")Samidha retorted with an annoyed look, “Suna tabhi toh bol rahi hoon. Jyada dialoguebaazi mat kijiye, meri hi burai kar rahe honge!”

("I heard, that’s why I’m saying it. Don’t give too many dialogues, must be bad-mouthing me!")Ishir replied coolly, “Mujhe aur bhi kaam hai, itna time nahi hai mere paas.”

("I’ve got more important things to do, I don’t have this much time.")Samidha shot back, “Haan, aap toh Bill Gates ho na? Abhi apki meeting nahi hai, local Bill Gates!”

("Oh, you’re Bill Gates, aren’t you? Don’t you have a meeting now, local Bill Gates?")Seeing their bickering, Sweta joined in with a laugh, “Kyu, bachi se lad rahe ho?”

("Why are you fighting with the girl?")Ehan couldn’t resist, “Haan bhai, kya kar rahe ho? Itna bewakoof hoga, laga nahi tha!”

("Yeah, bro, what are you doing? Didn’t think you’d be so foolish!")Iyla, offended, replied to Ehan, “Aap kehna kya chahte hain, mera bhai bewakoof hai, sir?”

("What are you implying, sir, that my brother is a fool?")Ehan shrugged, a tease in his voice, “Bhai ho nahi, behen bhi!”

("If not brother, then sister too!")Iyla turned up her nose and retorted, “Excuse me!” Then toward Ehan’s mother, she smiled, “Aunty, samjha dijiye, professor hain isliye kuch nahi bol rahi.”

("Aunty, please tell him. He’s a professor, so I’m not arguing.")Ehan’s mother shot him a warning glare while Sweta addressed Ishir again, “Ishir, leke ja, late ho jayega.”

("Ishir, take her home, it’s getting late.")Ishir grumbled and finally nodded, and together he and Samidha stepped outside, settling awkwardly in the car as the night carried them into yet another round of reluctant, inevitable connection.

Samvidha reached her home, already frustrated from the encounter with that handsome idiot. Slamming the door behind her, she tossed her bag on the couch when her phone buzzed—My Balance Sheet flashing on the screen. She picked up, and her mother’s warm voice filled the room.“Samvidha beta? Kaisi hai meri jaan?” Bhawna Rakesh Jindal asked lovingly.

("Samvidha dear? How are you, my love?")“Main theek hoon, mama,” Samvidha replied half-heartedly.

("I’m fine, mama.")Her father snatched the phone from her mother, his commanding voice booming through. “Samvidha! Tumhe Ballia aana padega abhi. Kal subah ki train pakad lena.”

("Samvidha! You have to come to Ballia right now. Catch tomorrow morning’s train.")Samidha sat up straight, confused. “Papa, kya matter hai? Achanak itni jaldi?”

("Papa, what’s the matter? So suddenly?")Rakesh Jindal’s tone left no room for argument. “Tumhara rishta fix ho gaya hai. Ab time aa gaya hai shaadi ka. Tum 22 saal ki ho gayi ho!”

("Your marriage has been fixed. It’s time now. You’re 22 years old!")Irritated, Samidha shot back, “Papa, yahi toh bol rahi hoon! Main abhi 22 hi toh hoon! Studies complete kar loon pehle—”

("Papa, that’s what I’m saying! I’m only 22! Let me at least complete my studies—")“Studies-studies bahut ho gaya! Main kuch sunna nahi chahta. Kal subah ghar aa jaana. No arguments!”

("Enough with studies! I don’t want to hear anything. Come home tomorrow morning. No arguments!")With no option left, Samidha hung up, slamming her phone down. “Shaadi? 22 mein? Yeh kya tamasha hai!” she muttered, already dragging her suitcase out to start packing in frustration.

Meanwhile, across town, Ishir was preparing for a medical camp in Azamgarh district.

Charts, medicines, and schedules lay scattered across his desk, but his mind kept drifting to that girl.“Doctor nahi, pani puri wala,” he chuckled to himself, remembering her cheeky grin.

Her antics were irritating, yet... intriguing. Something about her restless energy stuck with him.He shook his head, trying to focus. But deep down, a strange restlessness stirred. Kuch toh hone wala hai, he felt.

Something big was coming into his life, and somehow, he knew it had already begun.

.........................................…..............

That's it for today .

Hope you liked it 💞💞

Love yaa💞❤️

Bye sweethearts.