The sun slowly rose over the Oberoi Mansion, casting a warm golden light on its tall white walls.Inside the mansion, everything was peaceful. In the kitchen, the day had already begun. Plates and cups clinked as the servants prepared breakfast for the family.
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My head was aching.
I don't know why I woke up so early today-I could have slept for a few more hours. Sigh.
My gaze fell upon a steaming hot cup of chai, just the way I like it. Taking a sip, I felt my headache slowly ease.
After freshening up, I went downstairs.
My eyes landed on Jhanvi as she efficiently instructed the servants about breakfast. She always knew how to do the right things at the right time. And people say I'm perfect-if only they paid attention to her instead. But then again, I wouldn't let them.
When Jhanvi's eyes fell on me, she walked over, her gaze lowered.
"Good morning," she said softly.
"Morning," I replied.
The moment the words left my mouth, I wondered-did that sound rude? No, probably not. That's just how I speak.
She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Aapke liye breakfast serve krdu?"
(Should I serve breakfast for you?)
I shook my head slightly. "No, let's wait for everyone to come downstairs first."
With that, I walked into the living room, where I saw my father reading the newspaper.
"Morning, Papa Ji," I greeted.
He looked up with a small smile. "Morning, Shashwat." Then, without another word, he returned to his newspaper.
I unlocked my phone and checked my emails.
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I don't know why everyone isn't downstairs yet. Shashwat woke up early today, and I'm sure he must be hungry. He would never admit it, though-he'd rather sit there quietly, waiting for the others.
Should I serve him breakfast? But what if he thinks it's impolite? He might feel obligated to wait for everyone. No, I shouldn't risk it.
Maybe I should wake everyone up instead. Yes, that seems like a better plan.
But first, I should take tea to Mummy Ji. She likes her morning chai before coming downstairs.
As I carried the tray upstairs, my mind wandered back to Shashwat. He barely spoke much in the mornings, but I could tell when he was tired or restless. It's strange how I've started noticing these little things about him.
As I reached Mummy Ji's room, I knocked gently on the door.
She opened it with a warm smile. "You brought my tea, Jhanvi?"
"Yes, Mummy Ji." I handed her the cup, and she took a small sip, nodding in approval.
"You always take care of everything so well," she said.
I smiled and excused myself, making my way to the next room-Reyansh and Shruti's room.
Standing outside their door, I raised my hand to knock-
THUD!
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Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.
The loud thud from me falling off the bed was bad enough, but the knock on the door made my heart drop. Jhanvi Bhabhi.
I glanced at Shruti, who was now sitting up, clutching her dupatta tightly, panic all over her face. "W-What do we do?" she whispered.
"I-I'll... get the door... y-you fix yourself..." I stammered, my heart pounding.
Shruti quickly turned her back, fixing her dupatta with shaky hands. I stumbled to the door, my palms clammy. Taking a deep breath, I opened it-too fast.
Jhanvi Bhabhi's eyes flicked from my messy hair to my poorly buttoned shirt. I swallowed hard. "H-Hanji?"
Her gaze shifted past me to Shruti, who still had her back turned, adjusting her dupatta nervously. Her ears were visibly red.
"...We... overslept..." Shruti mumbled, her voice barely audible.
Silence. The tension was unbearable.
Jhanvi Bhabhi raised a subtle eyebrow but didn't press. "...Alright. Come down soon. Everyone's waiting."
I nodded too quickly. "Ha..anji..." My voice cracked. Kill me now.
As soon as she left, I shut the door and leaned against it, my heart still hammering. "Oh my god..."
Shruti didn't turn around. "...She knows."
"Y-Yeah... I know..."
"I-I'm sorry... I should've woken up earlier..." she mumbled.
"No!" I blurted, making her flinch. "I-I mean... it's not your fault. I overslept too..."
Awkward silence. My throat tightened. I wanted to say something to make her feel better-but nothing came out.
"...Do you think they'll think less of you because of me?" Shruti's voice cracked, her insecurity seeping through.
My heart dropped. I wanted to say no-of course not-but the words wouldn't come.
Instead, I forced a small smile. "N-No... they won't. I-I promise."
She smiled weakly, but it didn't reach her eyes. "...sorry."
And just like that, the silence returned-thick and heavy with unspoken words.
I wish I could tell her how much she means to me... but I don't know how.
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I fixed my dupatta with trembling hands, my face still burning with embarrassment.
"...I-I should go first," I finally managed to whisper, my voice weak. "I mean... if we go down together, they'll think-"
"No." His voice, though soft, was firm enough to make me stop.
I turned slightly, hesitating. "...W-What?"
Reyansh swallowed hard, his hands still fidgeting with his buttons. "...If we go separately, it'll look worse. Like... like we're hiding something." His voice cracked a little, and I could see the nervousness in his eyes.
My stomach twisted painfully. He's right. But that didn't make it any easier. I could already feel the weight of their stares - their silent assumptions. My throat burned. "...Okay," I finally whispered, barely able to find my voice.
The silence stretched on as we both awkwardly finished fixing ourselves. My hands wouldn't stop shaking, and my mind wouldn't stop spiraling. What if they think I stayed here on purpose?
"Shruti..." Reyansh's voice broke my thoughts. I looked up, meeting his anxious gaze. "...It's okay. They won't think anything... I-I'm sure."
I tried to smile but failed miserably. "...I hope so." My voice cracked. I hated how small I sounded - how vulnerable I felt.
After another moment of tense silence, Reyansh finally stepped toward the door. "...Chalein?" His voice was barely above a whisper.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded, my legs feeling like lead as I followed him.
Before I could completely spiral again, I felt his hand brush lightly against mine. My breath hitched. I didn't look at him, but the warmth of his touch steadied me - just a little. He's here. He's with me.
Taking a shaky breath, I gripped my dupatta tighter and walked beside him. But no matter how close he was, I couldn't shake the horrible feeling like I had done something wrong. Like I wasn't worthy of him.
And worst of all... I was scared he'd start believing that too.
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I stretched my arm, expecting to pull Naina closer - but my hand hit cold sheets. Huh? My eyes snapped open. Her side of the bed was empty.
"Naina?" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. No answer. I sat up, frowning. Where did she go so early?
Then a horrifying thought hit me - Did she leave me already?!
"No way," I muttered, scrambling out of bed. My heart was hammering. I didn't even bother to wear a shirt. "MERI NAINA!" I practically screamed, bolting out of the room like a maniac.
I raced downstairs, still half-asleep and very much shirtless.
Dead silence.
I finally skidded to a halt in the living room - only to find everyone sitting there. Shashwat Bhaiya, Jhanvi Bhabhi, Reyansh Bhaiya , Shruti Bhabhi , my parents - all staring at me.
My father raised a brow. "...Are you dying or something?"
I blinked, breathless. "...Where's Naina?"
My mother looked utterly amused. "She's in the kitchen, Vihaan," my father finally said.
My brain malfunctioned. "...Oh."
My mother, eyeing my bare chest. "Nice... look, by the way."
I finally realized - I was shirtless, messy-haired, and barefoot. "Hawww kaise tad rahe hai muje''.
(Hawww look how they are staring at me)
I said loudly. "Besharam kahi ke."
(Shameless people)
Mortified, I spun around, cushion still plastered to my chest. "ASHLEEL LOG!" I yelled dramatically before bolting back upstairs.
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Breakfast was pure chaos - all thanks to Vihaan. Poor guy sat there, face buried in his hands, while the rest of us tried not to burst into laughter. His dramatic, shirtless entry was still fresh in everyone's mind.
I couldn't hold it anymore. "Vihaan! Tum literally cushion ko chest pe chipkaye khade the jaise daily soap ki heroine!"
("Vihaan! You were literally clutching a cushion to your chest like a daily soap heroine!")
His head shot up, horrified. "Main kya karta?! Sab ke samne shirtless khada tha! Meri izzat loot gayi!"
("What was I supposed to do?! I was shirtless in front of everyone! My dignity is gone!")
Shashwat Bhaiya . "Cushion clutch karne wala scene kaafi iconic tha."
("The cushion-clutching scene was quite iconic.")
Reyansh Bhaiya chuckled. "Haan... woh... alag hi level ka romance tha."
("Yeah... that was a different level of romance.")
Vihaan groaned. "Dimag kaha kaam krta hai mera meri Naina ke bina?!"
("My brain doesn't work without her!")
I laughed harder. "Aww, meri wajah se shirt pehenna bhool gaye?"
("Aww, you forgot to wear a shirt because of me?")
Vihaan scoffed. "...Kya karu, meri biwi hai hi itni pyaari."
("...What can I do? My wife is just too adorable.")
My mother bit back a giggle. "Vihaan, agli baar cushion se matching shirt pehen lena."
("Vihaan, next time wear a matching shirt with your cushion.")
Vihaan groaned. "Yaar mom aap to ese mt bolo!"
("Not you too mummy")
After breakfast, everyone scattered to get ready for the office. Vihaan, however, still sat there sulking. I grabbed his hand, laughing. "Chalo, cushion boy, ready hone chalo."
("Come on, cushion boy, let's get ready.")
As we were about to leave, I couldn't help myself. "Bye, cushion boy!"
I teased.
"NAINA!!" Vihaan shrieked without turning back.
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