Hey lovelies ✨

Welcome to the first chapter of "Mai Matwaari".

I'm a new writer here, still learning and growing, so you may find a few small mistakes.

If you do, please correct me gently - your support makes my writing even better 💕.

I hope this story touches your heart the way it touched mine while writing it.

Do vote and comment if you feel even a little spark while reading ❤️.

So let's start with this beautiful journey

And one more thing, this chapter is unedited, hope you'll don't mind.

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✨ श्री गणेश वंदना ✨

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय

सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ।

निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव

सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥

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क्या कहूँ, मेरा जो हाल है

रात दिन, तुम्हारा खयाल है

हो.. क्या कहूँ, मेरा जो हाल है

रात दिन, तुम्हारा खयाल है ~~💖

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•Let's Start🤞•

"Daivik! Sun, ek kaam kar, jaake ek baar Anvi ko dekh le, woh jaagi hai ya abhi bhi ghode bechke so rahi hai! Maharani!!"

"[Daivik! Listen, do me a favor-go check on Anvi once, see whether she's awake or still sleeping like she's selling horses! Maharani!!]"

Kavya, Anvi's mother, called out from the kitchen, while making Aalu paratha for both of them.

Daivik came downstairs in his school uniform, had his breakfast in the hall, and then stood near the gate, waiting.

Glancing at his watch, he looked straight towards Kavya and said, "Mummy yaar apki ladli kaha hai? School ke liye late ho rha hai, ager wo 5 min mei nhi aai to mai uske bina hi nikal lunga."

"[Mom, where is your darling daughter? We're getting late for school, and if she doesn't come in five minutes, I'll leave without her.]"

"I'm sure that girl is still sleeping," Kavya called out from inside the kitchen. "Go and check once."

Rolling his eyes impatiently at the clock hanging on the wall, he quickly started walking towards Anvi's room.

"This girl, agar iss waqt sach mein so rahi hogi na, I swear, main iske muh par paani hi daal kar iski Good morning karunga aaj main," Daivik muttered under his breath as he pushed open Anvi's door.

"[If she's actually still sleeping right now, I swear, I'll pour water on her face and give her a good morning myself today.]"

And right in front of him, he saw exactly what his mom had predicted, and Anvi was actually sleeping.

Not the cute, peaceful kind. Oh no.

She was sleeping in the most illegal position known to mankind. One arm twisted somewhere near her head, blanket halfway off, and her mouth wide open like she was auditioning to become a human tunnel.

Honestly, at this point, even a mosquito would have felt personally invited.

Daivik just stood there, staring at the scene like, "See...? Maine kaha tha."

"[I told you so.]"

After that, without giving it a second thought, Daivik did exactly what he had threatened.

He grabbed the jug kept on the bedside table and, whistling casually, poured it straight onto the poor, sleeping Anvi.

Anvi jolted upright.

"Ahh... mummy, jaldi se mere saare kapde pack karo, baadh aa gayi!"

"[Ahh... Mom, quickly pack all my clothes, a flood has arrived.]"

Still yelling, she looked around wildly at her surroundings.

And then she saw him, Daivik standing beside her bed, hands casually tucked into his pockets, smirking at her.

"Paanch... bas paanch minute de raha hoon. Agar paanch minute mein tu school ke liye ready nahi hui na, to". He pointed at her feet and continued, "Yeh do no. ki sawari dikh rahi hai? Isi ke saath jaana school!"

"[Five... I'm giving you just five minutes. If you're not ready for school in five minutes then-]"

Anvi rolled her eyes and glared at Daivik in anger. Without saying a word, before getting off the bed, she threw her blanket over him.

"Oyee... yaar, pure 10 minute lage yeh hairstyle banane mein! Comforter daal kar kharab kyun kar rahi, maate?" Daivik muttered under his breath as he lifted the blanket and walked out of the room.

"[Hey... yaar, it took a whole ten minutes to make this hairstyle! Why are you ruining it by throwing the comforter on me, mother?]"

"Go already! Why are you nagging me so early in the morning?" Anvi said while going towards the bathroom.

When she tried to open the bathroom door, it wouldn't budge. It was locked from the inside.

Anvi called out, "Didi yaar at least hamara tooth brush to bahar rakh diya karo, waise hi aap das ghante lagti ho!! Kholo jaldii!!! ab!!"

"[Didi, at least keep my toothbrush outside, yaar. You already take ten hours anyway!! Open it quickly!!! Now!!]"

Just then, the bathroom door slowly creaked open.

Steam spilled into the room as a girl stepped out, a towel wrapped loosely around her head.

"Usually you sleep like Kumbhkaran till eleven," Prapti said, tossing her towel onto the bed.

"And the moment I went to the bathroom, suddenly you remembered you had to take a shower?"

She looked at Anvi with a playful, accusing expression.

"Arre yaar... what am I supposed to do? That Himawari just threatened me, if I'm not ready in five minutes, I'll have to go on foot!" Anvi said this hurriedly as she rushed into the bathroom and shut the door behind her.

Prapti just chukkled at her while going downstairs.

Inside the bathroom, Anvi brushed her teeth, she thought to herself, "Mummy, I don't want to go to school today... uss tadka ne kaha tha aaj Chemistry ka class test legi!!!"

"[That tadka said she'll take a Chemistry class test today!!!]"

She muttered this to herself, whining. "But if I don't go, then mummy sara ka sara kaam hamse hi karaengi...iss liye better hai school hi chali jau!!"

"[Then Mom will make me do all the work... so it's better I just go to school.]"

Thinking this, the poor girl somehow managed to get ready for school.

********************************************************

All dressed and standing before the small temple in her home, Anvi had only one wish in her heart to pray for.

"Good morning Laxmi maa... Please aaj ke test mai bacha lo i swear aage se ek mahine phele se padhungi.. please please!!!."

"[Good morning, Laxmi Maa... Please save me in today's test. I swear I'll start studying one month in advance from now on.. please, please!!!]"

"Oyee, Choti Chuhiya!! If you don't come out right now, I swear you'll have to walk to school on your own."

Daivik's voice echoed from outside. Hearing him, Anvi hurried out, almost running, only to find Daivik standing beside his bike, casually flexing his arm with a smug grin on his face.

"Bas yahi aata hai na? Aisa nahi hai ki mujhe padha deta... nahi, upar se kal akele Abhay bhaiya ke saath golgappe khaane bhi chala gaya, tu Himawari! Main na agli baar se Prapti didi ke saath hi jaungi!!"

"[This is all you know, right? It's not like you ever helped me study... no. And on top of that, yesterday you even went to eat golgappas alone with Abhay bhaiya, you Himawari! Next time, I'll go only with Prapti didi!!]"

Anvi rolled her eyes dramatically as she climbed onto Daivik's bike, snapping at him in annoyance.

"Sabse pehle toh na, tu mujhe tu-tu bolna band kar! Aur dusri baat, agar tujhe mujhse hi padhna hai toh tu papa ke paise school mein kyun waste kar rahi hai? Mujhe hi fees dilwa diya kar... mera bhi kuch bhala ho jaayega."

"[First of all, stop calling me 'tu'! And secondly, if you want to study only from me, then why are you wasting dad's money at school? Just give the fees to me instead... at least some good will come out of it for me too.]"

Daivik said, stopping his bike at the red light and glancing at Anvi with a teasing smirk.

Anvi royally ignored him.

After reaching school, the very first thing she did was head straight to the school hall. Standing quietly before the idol of Goddess Saraswati, she joined her palms and began to pray, aur aap log maska bhi bol sakte hai.

"Saraswati Mata aaj bacha lo...mai pakka abse Daivik ki dairy milk nahi khaungi chupke se."

"[Saraswati Mata, please save me today... I promise from now on I won't secretly eat Daivik's Dairy Milk.]"

After completing her prayer, when she turned back to leave, a voice suddenly came from behind the idol.

"EK KAAM HO SAKTA HAI BACCHA!!! AGER TU WO DAIRY MILK LAKE MUJHE DEDE!! TO MAI TUJHE AAJ PASS KARANE KE BAARE MAI SOCH SAKTI HU !!"

"[One thing is possible, child!!! If you bring that Dairy Milk and give it to me, then I can think about making you pass today.]"

Hearing this, Anvi's eyes widened so much that it felt as if they might pop right out of their sockets.

Mummy lagta hai ye to serious ho gyi.

But before Anvi could say anything, she noticed a bracelet peeking out from behind the idol. Instantly, she understood who was hiding there, and controlling her smrik, she said pretending to be completely innocent.

"Saraswati Mata, meri na ek dost hai, Anika naam hai uska. Toh aap please kuch aisa kar dengi ki uske marks bhi mujhe mil jaaye?"

"[Saraswati Mata, I have a friend named Anika. So please do something like... let her marks come to me too.]"

The figure standing behind idol widened her eyes in anger and shock at hearing that sentence, and quickly stepping out from behind the idol, she said,

"Kutti, yahi umeed thi tujhse...aage se na dikh mat jana test ke time par mere aas pass."

Saying this, the girl almost started chasing after Anvi from behind.

"[You monster, this is exactly what I expected from you... from now on, don't you dare show your face around me during test time.]"

"Bas kar yaar Anika, ab kya poore school mein 26 January ki parade lagwa ke hi maanegi?" Anvi stopped near the canteen and said to Anika, panting for breath.

"[Stop it, yaar Anika. What now, will you only be satisfied after making me do a full 26th January parade around the entire school?]"

Shaking her head in disbelief, Anika grabbed Anvi's hand and started walking quickly.

"Jaldi chal, nahi toh woh Tadka aaj class mein enter hi nahi hone degi, aur uss Kaaliya naag ko bhi bakwaas karne ka aur ek chance mil jaayega," Anika said while pulling Anvi along.

"[Hurry up, otherwise that Tadka won't even let us enter the class today, and that kaaliya naag will get another chance to talk nonsense.]"

Anvi tried to match her speed.

"Arre... first let go of my hand!" Anvi hissed, trying to pull away.

She glanced around nervously before glaring back at her.

"Can't you see? Everyone is watching! Chhod de yaar... and don't mistake me for Abhay Bhaiya!!!"

Her tone was sharp and irritated, but the slight flush on her cheeks betrayed just how embarrassed she actually was.

Anika instantly snatched her hand back, shooting her a deadly glare.

"Don't you dare take that chimpanzee's name this early in the morning... especially in front of me."

Her words were sharp, but the way her nose crinkled and her eyes burned with irritation made it clear, someone had successfully ruined her mood before breakfast.

And honestly?

That someone wasn't even present.

Meanwhile, Anvi just roll her eyes at her antics.

After sometime in their classroom.

"Sab bacche, apni-apni copy se beech ka page nikal kar andar rakho"

Shalini ma'am announced, her eyes briefly flicking to her phone before lifting back toward the class.

"And yes, submit your Chemistry notebooks on my desk."

"[All students, tear out the middle page from your notebooks and keep the notebook inside.]"

The moment her words settled into the air, the classroom erupted into a soft chaos, pages rustling, notebooks slamming shut, and students exchanging looks that clearly screamed we're doomed.

After a while, Anika slowly started looking around, making sure Shalini ma'am wasn't paying attention.

Then she leaned closer, lowering her voice to a dramatic whisper.

"Oyeee... ffsisi... sunna na. Kaano mein tel daal liya kya?"

"[Heyyy... for God's sake... listen, na. Did you pour oil in your ears or what?]"

She lightly nudged Anvi's arm.

"Anvi ki bacchi, sunaa!!!"

"[Anvi..listen to me!!]"

Her expression was a perfect mix of irritation and desperation, as if Anvi was deliberately ignoring her just to test her patience.

Anvi looked at Anika and raised her brows in question.

Anika pointed at Anvi's Chemistry notebook, gesturing silently.

Before Anvi could understand her Twinkling Watermelon reference, a voice suddenly rose in the classroom.

"Ma'am, Anika is talking to Anvi, and it's disturbing me!"

Both Anika and Anvi turned angrily toward the source of the voice, Shree, a.k.a. Sheshnag.

"You must have heard her by now. Before I humiliate you any further, leave my class properly, on your own," Hearing Ma'am's voice, it felt as if she had grown tired of repeating the sentence over and over.

After a while, the poor girls found themselves standing outside their own classroom as punishment, glaring at each other.

"Kya hai? Mere upar superman wale beam light kyun chhod rahi hai kabse?" Anika asked Anvi, avoiding eye contact.

"[What is it? Why have you been shining that Superman-like beam light on me for so long?]"

"Main pichle teen din se mandir mein iss test ke liye prayer kar rahi thi!!!" Anvi said angrily, almost tugging at one of Anika's braids.

"[I've been praying in the temple for this test for the past three days.]"

"Theek hai, tujhe to waise bhi nahi dena tha na test?" Anika asked, freeing her braids.

"[Fine, it's not like you were going to give the test anyway.]"

Anika tilted her head slightly, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes as she tried to bargain.

"Ae Anvi, agar tu mujhe chhodegi na...," she whispered, dragging her words for dramatic effect, "toh main tujhe ek badi mast news dungi."

"[Hey Anvi, if you leave me then...]"

"[Then I'll give you some really great news.]"

The corners of her lips twitched into a teasing smirk, clearly confident that her so-called news was tempting enough to make Anvi surrender.

"Apni shakl jaisi mat dena bol rahi... bol, kya hai?" Anvi finally released her grip.

"[Don't give me that face... say it, what is it?]"

Anika leaned even closer, her voice dropping to an even softer whisper, as if she were about to reveal the biggest secret of the century.

"Kal shaam ko na... Kirti ka message aaya tha," she said, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"[Last evening... Kirti had messaged.]"

"She was saying her dad got transferred again..."

Anika paused deliberately, letting the suspense sink in. "And guess what?"

Hearing this, Anvi froze on the spot, as if the air around her had turned to stone and her very breaths had been paused mid-flight.

"Yahi hua hai, unka transfer dubra... matlab Avighna bhaiya bhi aaenge wapas," Anika finished her sentence, smirking.

"[Here only-her transfer again... I mean, Avighna bhaiya will also be coming back.]"

The moment those words reached her ears, Anvi sucked in a long, unsteady breath.

It felt like her heart had been holding everything in, locking every emotion behind invisible walls... and suddenly, all of it came crashing down.

Her eyes stung.

Tears quietly welled up, blurring her vision, slipping in without permission, silent, heavy, and full of everything she hadn't said out loud.

"Anii... matlab wo..wo wapas aaenge?" Anvi turned to her friend, her voice softly with disbelief as she asked.

"[Anii... I mean, he... he will come back?.]"

To which Anika just nodded.

"Mujhe laga tha tu yeh news sunke muje party degi par tu to emotional hogyi ree!!" Anika said tried to lighten her mood.

"[I thought you'd give me a party after hearing this news, but you got emotional instead.]"

Anvi quickly lowered her gaze, forcing her emotions back where they belonged.

She closed her eyes for a brief moment.

Just one deep breath.

When she finally opened them, there was no trace of tears...only a wide, almost mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"Come on," she said casually, bumping Anika's arm, "today I'll treat you at the canteen... to celebrate Avighna coming back."

********************************************************

As soon as they reached home, Anvi dashed straight toward her room.

Daivik looked at her, confused, and muttered to himself. "Ise kya hua Aaj? Normally to ghar aate hi sabse phele kitchen mai dera dalti hai aaj kaise apne room mai fudkti hui chali gyi?"

"[What happened to her today? Normally, the moment she comes home she camps in the kitchen first-how did she run straight to her room today?]"

Before he could make sense of it, a notification suddenly popped up on his phone. Which reads:

Avighna _Rawal_ sent you a message.

He opened the message and headed to his room to change his clothes.

Meanwhile on the other hand, without even changing her clothes, Anvi grabbed her phone and went straight to Kirti's DMs on Instagram, rapidly firing off messages.

Anvi_Malhotra:

Oyee...kaha marr rahi hai jaldi online aaa.

Tune muje kyu nahi bataya ki tum log wapas aa rahe ho?

When you messaged Ani, kounsi maut aa rahi thi tujhe meko batne mai?

"[Heyy... where have you disappeared to? Come online quickly.

Why didn't you tell me that you guys were coming back?

When you messaged Ani, what death was coming to you that you couldn't tell me too?]"

After ten minutes

Rawal_Kirti:

Ye Jo tu mujhe Marne ki dhamki de rahi haina usi wajh se nahi batya tujhe maine.

Maine uss Anika ko bhi batane manaa kiya tha... suprise dena tha yaar tujhe.

Aur sunn shayd se na abhi bhaiya ne tere bhai ko message kiya hai sabko reunion party mai bulane ke liye so, please wear some good descent clothes for God sake.

Pichli baar ki tarah wo frill bhaalu wali frock pehen kar mere Ghar mai nazar mat aa jana.

"[It's because of the way you keep threatening to kill me that I didn't tell you.

I even told that Anika not to tell you... it was supposed to be a surprise for you, yaar.

And listen, maybe bhaiya has just messaged your brother to invite everyone to a reunion party, so please wear some good, decent clothes for God's sake.

Don't show up at my house like last time wearing that frilly teddy-bear frock.]"

After reading this. Anvi almost jumped off the sofa and landed with a loud thud on the floor.

Aahh... Mummy!!!

I mean, I'm going to meet Avighna after a whole two years! Two. Long. Years.

Two long years of waiting... just for a single glimpse of him.

Just then, Prapti entered the room.

The moment her eyes landed on Anvi, practically bouncing with excitement, Prapti raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Oyee, yeh bandariya ki tarah kyun uchhal rahi hai tu?" she asked, eyeing her from head to toe.

"[Heyy, why are you jumping around like a monkey?]"

Anvi gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "Didi, I need to wear my absolute best outfit, jisse woh mujhe dekhte hi reh jaaye!"

"[So that he can't take his eyes off me the moment he sees me!]"

Her eyes sparkled like she had just won a lifetime lottery.

"I still can't believe he's really back!!!"

Prapti grabbed Anvi's elbow, stopping her mid-bounce, and looked straight into her eyes.

"Okay, be honest with me," she said slowly, suspiciously. "Kounse pagalkhane ke pagal ne tujhe kata hai?"

"[Which lunatic from the madhouse bit you?]"

"Diduuu Pagal ne nahi Avighna ne.." but before she could complete her sentence prapti eye's widened and she almost...almost yelled at her.

"[Diduuu, not a lunatic-Avighna did...]"

"Kyaaa???" Prapti looked at her with horror expressions.

[Whhaatt???]

"Aree... Hamara matlab hai Kirti ka message aya tha woh log dubra yaha shift hogye hai!! Avighna bhi wapas aa gye!!"

"[Aree... I mean, Kirti messaged that they've been transferred back here!! Avighna is also back!!]"

Prapti instantly look surprised.

Saying this, she hurried toward her wardrobe, stumbling over her own feet.

"Didi bataiye main kya pehnu? Jisse mere hone wale wo muje dekhte hi reh jaae!!" Anvi asked in confusion.

"[Didi, tell me what should I wear? Something that will make him staring at me the moment he sees me!!]"

Prapti simply chuckled at her sister's over-the-top drama.

Shaking her head in amusement, she walked toward the wardrobe and slid it open, her eyes scanning through the neatly hung clothes.

After a second, she pulled out a kurti and held it up.

"Yeh pehen le, isse tera Avighna tujhe dekhta hi reh jaegya!!" she said casually.

"[Wear this, and your Avighna won't be able to stop looking at you.]"

"And listen, I'm warning you in advance," Prapti added, pointing a finger at Anvi.

"If you come back with even a single stain on this kurti, to mere pure hafte bhar ke kapde tujhse hi dhulwaungi!"

"[Then I'll get all my clothes washed by you for the entire week.]"

Her tone was strict, but the playful glint in her eyes gave her away. Anvi just roll her eyes but giggle anyway.

After getting ready, Anvi looked at herself in the mirror.

She looked like a walking piece of poetry, wrapped in shades of pink and quiet elegance.

The kurti she wore was a rich magenta, sprinkled with delicate golden motifs that caught the light with reflection of her room's light. It hugged her frame just right, simple yet striking, paired effortlessly with soft, faded blue jeans that added a modern touch to her traditional look.

Her long, dark hair cascaded freely over her shoulders in gentle waves, glossy and smooth. A tiny bindi rested between her brows, completing the softness of her features, while silver jhumkas swayed lightly as she moved.

Stacks of bangles adorned her wrist, chiming softly when she tested, and a sling bag decorated with playful pink tassels rested against her side, adding charm to her already enchanting presence.

Means overall, she didn't just wear the outfit, she carried it with a grace that made the world slow down for a moment, as if even the breeze paused to admire her.

"Haayee!!! Kisi ki nazar na lage tujhe," Prapti said dramatically, circling Anvi and then stopping in front of the mirror. "Kya pataka lag rahi hai bhai!"

"[Haayee!!! May no one cast an evil eye on you.]"

"[You look like such a firecracker, bhai!]"

She grinned wider, clearly enjoying this way too much. "Avighna toh tujhe dekhte hi flat wali slipper ban jaayega...I mean, flat ho jaayega!!"

"[Avighna will turn into a flat slipper the moment he sees you... I mean, he'll go flat!!]"

Prapti pretended to ward off the evil eye, flicking her fingers in the air.

Anvi, meanwhile, could only stand there, cheeks burning bright red.

She ducked her head shyly, a flustered smile creeping onto her lips, completely unable to hide her blush.

A little while later, Anvi paced around her room, moving left and right, then glanced at the clock and frowned.

"Yeh Himawari Shinchan dekhne baith gaya kya?" Anvi huffed, adjusting her dupatta.

"Aaya kyun nahi abhi tak mujhe bulaane?"

"[Has this Himawari gone and sat down to watch Shinchan or what?]"

"[Why hasn't he come to call me yet?]"

Prapti shrugged lazily, already flopping onto the bed.

"Jaake khud dekh lena. Mujhe waise bhi kal ka mera bacha hua K-drama khatam karna hai!!"

"[Go check yourself. I have to finish my leftover K-drama from yesterday.]"

Anvi rolled her eyes.

"Har time wo ek jaisi shakle hi chalti rehti hai..." she muttered deadly under her breath.

"[All the time, she keeps making the same faces.]"

Turning on her heel, she stepped out of her room and headed straight toward Daivik's room, irritation written all over her face.

"Oo, Elizabeth ke khoi hui beti!! Itna taiyar hoke kidhar chali?" Kavya called out her daughter from the hall as she was heading toward Daivik's room.

"[Oh, Elizabeth's lost daughter!! Where are you going all dressed up like this?]"

Apke hone wale Damad ke liye. She somehow stopped herself from this and, looking toward her mother and said.

"Mummy wo naa...muje aaj Anika ke saath bahar jaana tha iss liye main Himawari se puchne jaa rahi thi ki usee kuch chahiye yaa nahi." Hearing this, Kavya nodded in agreement.

"[Mom, you see... I was supposed to go out with Anika today, so I was going to ask Himawari if he needs anything or not.]"

Author: Haa haa tune bola aur sabne Maan liya.

Anvi: shush...

Before Kavya could ask Anvi anything else, the sound of Daivik's room door opening caught her attention. Anvi's eyes immediately darted toward the source of the noise, and there he was, Daivik, walking out.

Daivik stepped out in a look that was effortlessly cool and completely his style. He wore a light beige hoodie layered under a tan-brown jacket, the fabric slightly rugged, giving him a laid-back yet put-together vibe. The hoodie's soft folds peeked out from beneath the jacket, adding a touch of casual comfort to his overall appearance.

Paired with classic blue denim jeans that fit him just right, the outfit balanced simplicity with quiet confidence. White sneakers completed the look. With his hands casually tucked into his jacket pockets and his posture relaxed.

Anvi just raised her brows at her brother and asked, "Himawari tu kya itna taiyar hoke meri non-existent future Bhabhi se milne jaa raha hai?"

"[Himawari, are you going all dressed up just to meet my non-existent future sister-in-law?]"

"hurr ree pagal, abhi time hai usme to...!!!" But before he could even finish his sentence,

"[Hurr... you fool, there's still time in it...!!!]"

THWACK!

a chappal (Slipper) came flying straight at his face like a perfectly aimed missile.

Daivik froze, eyes wide, brain buffering, while Anvi stood there trying (and failing) not to burst out laughing.

"Anvi, ek baar bolne se pehle dekh toh liya kar, kise bol rahi hai," Kavya said with a smirk, teasing her son.

"[Anvi, before speaking, at least check once who you're talking to.]"

"Mummy yaar...!! Ek aap aur yeh chipkali and Prapti didi hi ho jise main handsome nahi lagta. Ek baar bahar jaake puch ke dekho, ladkiyan marti hain mere upar," Daivik said, pulling his hands out of his pockets and rolling his eyes dramatically.

"[Mom, yaar...!! It's only you and this lizard and Prapti didi who don't find me handsome. Just go outside and ask-girls are crazy about me.]"

"Yes, yes, my delusional handsome beta ji. And since you're stepping out anyway, there's a garbage polythene lying near the main gate, pick it up and drop it in the dustbin on your way, okay?" Saying this, Kavya casually walked off toward her room, leaving Daivik absolutely humbled.

"Mummy!!! Itne acchse ready hua tha mai, kuda to mat uthwao atleast ." Daivik said whining.

"[Mom!!! I got ready so well, at least don't make me pick up the trash.]"

Saying this, Daivik's eyes landed on Anvi, and he asked her, "Tu mujhse puch rahi thi khudne jo laal bandariya jaise kapde pehne hai uska kya? Tu kounse mere non-existent Jijaji se milne jaa rahi?"

"[You were asking me? What about you, wearing clothes like a red monkey? Are you going to meet my non-existent Jijaji?]"

Abhi tujhe koun batae Himawari woh tere hone wale jijaji hi hai!! Thinking this, Anvi told him that Kirti had messaged her, and that was all it took for Daivik to understand that Anvi had received the invitation too.

********************************************************

*At RAWAL RESIDENCE*

A little while later, when Daivik and Anvi stood in front of a Rawal Residence, Daivik stepped forward and rang the doorbell. Almost immediately, a boy around their age opened the gate.

"You guys can't go any further inside this gate without the password," the boy standing at the main door said to Daivik and Anvi, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

Daivik just roll his eyes at the figure standing infront of them.

"Cheen tapak dum dum!!"

Hearing this, Anvi nearly burst out laughing but somehow managed to hold it in, while Daivik just slammed his eyes shut in pure, dramatic frustration, like the world had officially gone bonkers.

"Haah!! Matlab tu hamari hi toli ka bander hai, aaja andar... hello Anviii!!" The boy stepped aside from the gate and said to them in a playful, teasing way.

"[Haah!! So that means you're the monkey from our own gang, come inside... hello Anviii.]"

"Hii!! Abhay Bhaiya!!" Anvi said while entering.

"Sometimes I feel like you're actually like he's chuhiya's real brother... I swear, it feels like i were forcefully dragged in here," Daivik said to Abhay, taunting him in an irritated tone.

"Ignored him, Anvi, chal, mai tujhe aunty se milwata hu," Abhay said, dragging Anvi along with him into the kitchen.

"[Anvi, come, I'll introduce you to aunty.]"

"Koi sunta kyu nhi hai meri!!" Daivik asked himself.

"[Why does nobody ever listen to me?]"

When Abhay and Anvi reached the kitchen, the warm aroma of freshly prepared snacks greeted them. Sonal was bustling around, carefully arranging plates of samosas, pakoras, and a few bowls of crispy namkeen on the counter. Steam rose gently from a plate of piping hot aloo tikki, and a tray of colorful sandwiches lay neatly stacked, each cut into perfect triangles.

The kitchen itself was cozy and bright, sunlight streaming in through the window, glinting off the polished countertops. A small vase of fresh flowers added a cheerful touch near the sink, and the faint sound of a kettle whistling on the stove completed the homely vibe.

Sonal looked up and smiled warmly as Abhay and Anvi entered. "Ahh... Anvi, kaisi hai beta tu? Bohot time baad dekha tujhe. Kirti abhi kisi kaam se bahar gyi hai, baaki sab log bhi aa rahe honge. Tab tak, tum log yeh sab khaao,"

"[Ahh... Anvi, how are you, beta? I've seen you after such a long time. Kirti has gone out for some work right now, and the rest of the people will be coming too. Till then, you all eat this.]"

Sonal said warmly, gesturing toward the neatly arranged snacks on the counter.

Seeing all that food, Anvi suddenly remembered that in the Avighna-darshan mission, she had completely skipped lunch. And just like that,

swish!

her mouth started watering on its own, as if her stomach had woken up from hibernation and was screaming, "Feed me first, crush later!"

While Sonal turned towards Abhay, "And Abhay, listen, I ordered some stuff from the market; you go and get it. Avighna is probably still out," she added

"Aunty... main pehle kya aa gaya, aapne toh mujhe Ramu Kaka hi bana diya!!"

"[Aunty... I came first, and you've already turned me into Ramu Kaka!!]"

Abhay whined dramatically, but still headed outside, grabbing Daivik by the collar on his way and dragging him along with him.

"Oyee!! Mujhe kaha ghasit raha hai apne saath!!" while saying this, his voice slowly faded away.

"[Heyy!! Where are you dragging me off to!!]"

"Beta sab khaa kar hi upper jana.." Sonal said to Anvi and go towards the dinning area.

Anvi just nodded her head.

********************************************************

"waise aunty!! Yash bhaiya dikhai nahi de rahe? Bahar gye hai kya wo?" Anvi asked casually.

"[By the way, aunty!! Is Yash bhaiya not home? Have he gone outside?]"

"I sent him and Avi outside to bring some sweets," Sonal replied, placing the plate of pakodas on the table.

"Aunty, jab tak baaki log nahi aate, mai Kirti ke room chali jau?" Anvi asked Sonal, after sitting on the sofa for a while, bored out of her mind.

"[Aunty, until the rest of the people arrive, shall I go to Kirti's room?]"

"Alright, beta, you go ahead and sit comfortably in Kirti's room... when all the other kids arrive, I'll call you downstairs," Sonal said to Anvi, giving her a warm smile.

Meanwhile, a little while later, Anvi found herself standing on the stairs, completely lost in thought about which direction to go, looking like a confused little statue trying to navigate the mysterious jungle of staircases.

Just then, she heard the sound of the main door opening.

Anvi looked towards the door, but it was still closed.

"yaar yeh log itne time se yaha nahi the to kahi sprits wagera to hamare Avighna ke kiraedar to nahi ban gye??" She was lost in her thoughts

"Uff... Aunty ne Kirti ke room mai jaane ko to bol diya par jau kaise? Uper se pata nahi yeh Anika kaha marr gayi aaj!!", Saying this, Anvi had been pacing around the first floor for the past five minutes.

"[Uff... Aunty told me to go to Kirti's room, but how should I go? On top of that, I don't know where Anika has disappeared today.]"

when, passing by a room, she heard the sound of running water. The tap water sound made her think, Shayad yehi room hoga.

Thinking this, she stepped into the room and sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for Kirti to come out of the bathroom.

"Abhi ye thodi der mein bahar aaegi, aur mujhe dekh kar surprise ho jaayegi. Kyuki ham to 1 ghante baad ane wale the, Usse Avighna ka room kaunsa hai, ye bhi pooch lungi", she muttered to herself.

"[She'll come out in a little while, and she'll be surprised to see me. Because we were supposed to come an hour later, I'll also ask which room is Avighna's.]"

Thinking this, she began to observe the room.

For a moment, seeing how clean it was, a doubt crossed her mind, "Kamal hai, Kiri! Kab se itni sudhar gayi? Apna room itna saaf rakha hai ki bas... saaf-saaf dekh ke mujhe toh ghutan hone lagi!"

"[Amazing, Kiri! Since when did you become so well-behaved? You've kept your room so clean that just looking at all this cleanliness is making me feel suffocated.]"

She thought to herself, trying not to laugh at how absurdly spotless the room was.

But then her eyes caught a photo frame, three boys frozen in the most ridiculous, over-the-top laughing pose, she had seen this picture somewhere!! Wait....Daivik ke room mai yahi same picture uske bed side table par thi.

Anvi stared at it, and her jaw almost hit the floor. Wait... this isn't Kirti's room at all... I've sneakily wandered straight into Avighna's lair!

Her brain scrambled to process it: the spotless room, the silly photo, the faint scent of cologne... every "clue" suddenly made perfect, hilarious sense.

"Ahh... matlab hum...hum Avighna ke room mai hai iss waqt, apne future room mai?" Uff... delulu me.

"[Ahh... so am i... am i in Avighna's room right now, in our future room?]"

Isse pehle woh aake mujhe chor samjhe... bhaag, Anviiii!!!

Thinking this, she hurriedly got up from the bed, and as soon as she reached the door of the room, a voice came from inside the bathroom.

"Mummy, apne meri towel kaha rakh di? Mujhe mil nahi rahi."

"[Mom, where did you keep my towel? I can't find it.]"

The voice came from the other side of the bathroom, and the moment Anvi heard it, her soul almost left her body.

"Avighna!!!"

She whispered his name like a prayer, her voice trembling with awe and a rush of overwhelming emotion, her heartbeat thundering wildly in her chest.

She was so lost in that voice that she completely forgot to leave the room. Just then, she heard the bathroom door creak open, and Anvi turned around only to see him....his eyes!!

There, across the room, the same pair of black hazel eyes were watching her, still as intense and confusing as before. Anvi's heart fluttered in her chest, her thoughts tangled between the his gaze and the mysterious pull she couldn't quite explain...who looking at her with complete confusion.

But before she could say anything, the figure standing in front of her looked at her, confused, and asked-

"Aap koun?"

"[Who are you?]"

(EMOTIONAL DAMAGE!!!)

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Word count: 6k 😅 flow flow mai pata hi nahi chala...

There's the first chapter.

By the way, was there any particular scene that you all liked? Or found relatable?

What do you think about Anvi?

Hope you enjoyed it.

Don't forget to like and comment.

Makes my day.

_____