Vani FF// The Phoenix (Thread 2 Link in Pg 1) - Page 9

Waiting for the next update. Pls update soon

Amazing update.

Veer’s insecurity & the way he showed his anger to his family members.

And his ways of asking forgiveness from Tapish and Sam 👍🏼 (bro memories)

And fake Maarkaat in real markaat’s place and a new entry of Intelligent & observant Kakot. 😊

The irritating Chandini and her antics. 🤪

Loved the way how the brothers reacted to her antics. A good family.

The bro time while racing and poor Balwant - the finishing line. 🤣

Pawan had his own time laughing at his brothers fall 😆

Loved how Tapish tried to Handle things in his family.

Hopefully Bani tells her feelings strongly and firmly. And it might vanish Veers insecurity

Overall it was amazing chapters. 👏🥳

Waiting for the next eagerly 😊

Chapter 23

Veer rechecked himself in the mirror. For the first time he wore a shirt that isn’t black or grey. He didn’t mind the red. Red was Bani’s favourite colour. It was an odd thing. Bani loved the colour red but she didn’t like red roses as such.

“Okay…suraj aaj kahin aur se aaya tha kya? Veer bhai wearing a red shirt? I presumed that your wardrobe was only filled with black shirts for outings.” Ponky commented laughing.

“Bani sent the shirt. Meri Gharwali ki farmaish hai ki main yeh shirt pehnu. So…”

“Lo. Playboy se Biwi ka baby.” Balwant commented rolling his eyes. “Pura hi badal diya hai us naagin ne.”

“Dad, us naagin ka naam hai. Bani. Bani Singhania.” Veer reminded him.

“Ek baat bata. Aisa kya jaadu kiya hai usne tujhpe ki ekdum se tu shaant ho gaya?” Balwant asked.

“Pyaar ka jaadu, dad. Woh meri sweetheart.” Veer put his hand over his heart. “Cross my heart and hope to die but aaj tak mujhe puri tarah control sirf main kar paya hun par mere dil pe puri tarah meri sweetheart ka control hai.”

Tapish was tapping away on his phone.

“Yeh kuch zyaada hi phone pe busy nahi ho gaya hai? Itna kya business ki baat kar raha hai ki aaj kal pura din phone pe laga hai?” Balwant asked Tapish. He gave an awkward laugh.

“Kuch nahi bas check kar raha hai.”

Sam came from behind and caught up the phone.

“Kise check kar rahe the?” Same teased. Veer put his hand on Sam’s shoulder and leaned in to check the phone. Tapish tried to get his phone.

“Arrey arrey… ek minute Tapish bhai, relax. Business ki baat kar rahe the na? Kya fark padega agar hum bhi dekhle.” Veer teased.

“OOohhhhh….” Daksh and Ponky teased him.

“Shut up.”

“I quote ‘Nahi,aisa kuch nahi hai. Main thodi der pehle hi free hua tha. Tumhe disturb nahi karna chahta tha isiliye subeh call nahi kiya.’. Tapish bhai, kya kar rahe ho. Ruko. Main aur Veer bhai is baat ko handle karte hai.” Sam said.

“Shut up.” Tapish snatched back his phone from their hands. “Nahi, bhaisaab, aap dono ki meherbaani nahi chahiye. Pata chala, shuru hone se pehle hi baat khatam hojaayegi. Ek ko che saal lage is baat ko accept karne ke liye ki woh bohot pyaar karta hai aur durse ko teen mahine lag gaye apni biwi ko samjhane mein ki woh pyaar karta hai. Tum dono ki meherbani hui toh is janam mein baat nahi hogi.”

Sam and Veer looked at each other.

“Bezzaati kar di humari.” Veer commented. Everyone else laughed.

“Tu jaa. Late ho raha hai.” Tapish shooed away his brother. His phone tinged indicating that he got a message.

Sam andVeer looked at each other a grin.

“He seems to be doing well without us too.” Sam teased.

“Yeh bhi humare sanskaari bhai aur woh bhi sanskaari ladki…” Veer added. Sam nudged him.

“Tameez, Veer bhai, tameez. Woh Bhabhi hai.”

“Tum dono apna kaam karo. Mere matters mein taang mat addao. Apna pehle sambhal lo phir mujhe chidana.”

“Tapish bhai toh offend ho gaye.” Veer teased. Tapish pushed him out of the door. He left laughing at his brother. On the shirt was an eagle badge as a decoration.He was wearing a full sleeved red shirt. He paired it with black jeans and boots. He would have preferred a black shirt but then if Bani wanted to check in with a red shirt, then so be it.

He drove by the apartment building to pick her up. He saw her there. She was dressed in black and white. Black jeans with a white t shirt and his jacket. She looked at him. The two sat in the car. Veer felt a little disappointed. He was hoping she’ll give a compliment. He, after all, wore a different coloured shirt in a rare moment.

“I’m quite surprised. I hadn’t expected you to know my shirt size.” Veer pointed out. Hoping she’ll give a compliment.

“I wore your hoodie once. I guessed your shirt size should be almost same.” Sheanswered. Veer sighed.

“Are you still upset? Abh toh maine black se red bhi pehen liya.”

“Actually, cheel bohot accha lag raha hai.”

“I knew it. Main hoon hi itna hot.” Veer ran his fingers through his hair with a grin.

“Main us cheel ki baat kar rahi hoon.” Bani poked at the badge on his shirt. “Yeh cheel kaafi cute hai.”

Veersighed. “Zara apni nazar is cheel ko bhi de do.”

“Haan but is cheel se main thodi si naraz hoon but yeh cute sa cheel… yeh mujhe kuch nahi kehta. Na mujhpe koi bekaar ke ilzaam lagata hai aur na hi mujhpe gussa karta hai.”

“Bani, main apne aape mein nahi tha. Warna main tumhe kabhi aisa kuch nahi kehta. Tumhe pata hai…” Veer tried to tell her.

“Really?Soche samjhe bina keh diya ki mera aur Jay ka affair hai? Bas kuch baatein kya sunli, tumhe yeh laga ki main usse ishq lada rahi hun?”

“Gharwali, abh main hoon na yahan. Mujhe pata hai maine thoda zyaada bol diya. Isiliye main yahan iski bharpayi karna chahta hoon.”

They stopped at the mall. Veer prepared himself for hours of going around the placeas she shopped. As they entered the mall, a few girls stared at Veer and giggled. Bani tried to ignore them. He put arm around her shoulder. She looked at him.

“Kya? Dekha maine. Meri gharwali ko apparently jealousy ho rahi thi ki mujhe dekh rahe hai so, I’m just making it clear. Main sirf tumhara hoon.” He winked at her.

“Just because tum acche lag rahe ho iska yeh matlab nahi hai ki tumhe maafi mil gayi hai.” She set the lock of his hair that came out of place. How does that out of place hair too look so good on him? His grin and that face of his. He could almost get away with anything. Veer smiled at the way she brushed his hair setting it back. He teasingly started falling on her. Bani smiled at his antics.

“Waise, yahan kis baat ki shopping kar rahi ho?” Veer asked her. They entered a shop. Bani looked through the shirts. She found a white shirt. A bit of design in ivory colour. She checked a few more shirts.

“Yahan aao.” She called him. She put it over him and checked. Discarding some and checking a few others.

“Mere liye le rahi ho? I already have a suit.”

“Shshhh…” She silenced him. He sighed and let her judge. She concentrated on checking the clothes.

“Main kuch help karun, ma’am?” One of the sales girls asked.

“Iska nextsize hai?” Bani asked.

“I guess inhe yeh size aa jaayega.” She suggested looking at Veer.

“I’m pretty sure next size aayega.” Bani insisted.

“Try karne mein kya harz hai?” Veer asked her teasing.

Bani rolled her eyes at him.

“Sure.” Bani shrugged her shoulder. The three proceeded towards the changing room. Till then, she checked her list.

“Actually, Bani’s right. I guess next size hi sahi hoga…” Veer said from inside the changing room.

“Maine toh pehle hi kaha tha…” Bani commented.

“Main abhi next size laati hun.” The sales girl left. As she walked away, Bani assumed Veer would come out.

“Veeranshu…” She knocked on the door to pass him another shirt. It opened up and he pulled her inside. He stood there without his shirt. He closed the door. Bani suddenly felt too hot. Was it just her or the temperature suddenly went up? She tried to not get any thoughts she wasn’t supposed to be having. A grin plastered on his face. He closed the distance between them, her against the wall and he crowded her mind and herspace. It felt like a dirty version of the ‘naughty corner’.

No, she wasn’t supposed to entertain his thoughts, she was supposed to make sure Veer made up for his act yesterday. Bani knew better. With that grin and those eyes, he’d get away with kissing her right there.

“K…kya kar rahe h..ho?” The slight stutter didn’t go unnoticed by Veer. Bani mentally scolded herself for stuttering like her. He chuckled.

“Tumhare saath flirt kar raha hoon. Matlab tum mujhse baat nahi karna chahti ho, fair enough, so I assumed tum mujhe dekh hi lo. Chahe toh touch kar lo.” He winked her mischievously.

“Nahi…Maine toh pehle hi kaha tha ki tumhe woh shirt size nahi aayegi. Tumhe hi bohot padi thi uski baat sunne ki.”

“Uski baat sunne ki nahi, tumhare saath chance marne ki padi thi. Of course, I knew it wouldn’t fit me. Try karne ki zaroorat hi nahi thi. Tumne kaha ki nahi aayegi toh nahi aayegi.”

“Veeranshu Singhania, yeh koi jagah hai chance marne ka?” Bani asked him. He grabbed her by her waist and pulled closer to him. She could smell the cologne over his skin. He was quite soft. Bani did assume that he was handsome with his shirt on but he wasn’t any less without his shirt. The thud-thud inside her chest was a little loud. She could almost feel it. It did her no good to just go on and heat up her attraction for a few degrees higher.

“Chance marne ke liye jagah se kya matlab. Romance karna hi hai toh kahin bhi kar sakte hai. Abh na acche se dekhlo ki mujhpe konsi shirt acchi lagti. You can decide now if you want to dress me up or dress me down now.” His wink super suggestive.

“Ji nahi, iski zaroorat nahi hai.”

“Arrey, aise kaise nahi hai. Dekh toh lo theek se. Matlab measurement le lo mera.” Heopened his arms with a mischievous look. Veer took her hand and put it over his shoulder. Was it normal to feel that odd current she felt? Slowly, he pushed hands down his chest. She flushed several shades of red, Veer just grinned.

“Abhi toh main bahar jaa rahi hun.”

Bani pushed him away softly and walked out of the changing room. She heard Veer’s laughter. Right then, the girl came back a size larger shirt.

“Shirt…”She took it over the door to hand it to him but Bani took it and checked first. She passed it to Veer.

“Yeh aajaayegi.” Bani told him. Veer took it and put on the shirt. He wore it and showed it to her. She gave a soft smile when she saw it fit him well. “Ek minute.”

She returned with a white trouser.

“Lagta hai, sweetheart, tum mujhe pura white hi pehnaogi.” Veer teased. He took it and regardless and went to change into the trousers. He changed it and appeared before her.

“Bas.” She nodded.

Bas? Aur kuch nahi dekhna?” He asked teasingly.

“Jab free ho jaaungi toh dekh lungi. Abh chalein?” Bani asked. He chuckled. He gave over the shirt and trousers. Bani got it billed with a blazer. Veer passed her his credit card but she it pushed it back.

“Ho chuka.” Bani said.

“So, waise mujhe bataogi ki hum kis cheez ki shopping kar rahe hai?”

“Christmas. Waise toh Christmas ka theme red of white hai but I’ll settle for white.”

“Alright. Tumhari?”

“Mainetumhare liye apni pasand ki outfit li. Abh tum mere liye select kar sakte ho.”

Veerraised an eyebrow mischievously.

“Tum mazaktoh nahi kar rahi ho?”

“Nahi…”

He offeredher his hand. She took it.

“Alright then, gharwali. Aao.” He took her ahead towards a store. Bani sighed she wasn’t going to end up wearing a saree. To let Veeranshu dress her could go in several ways. He looked through all the dressed. She sighed in relief as he passed from a really revealing dress. She wouldn’t know what to do if he selected that. Sam was organizing the Christmas Party this year so he had told her the dress code. White and black for the boys and red and black for girls.

He then found a dress. He smiled at her. He chose a black corset off shoulder dress. It was pretty dress. Bani walked into the changing room with the dress. It came down to her knees. The frills on it made it look pretty. She hadn’t worn muchof dresses. Chachi never let her buy dresses as such. She used to wear kurtis from her birthday presents or Meera di’s old kurtis. Bani looked at herself in the mirror.

“Veeranshu….” She called out for him when she saw him speaking to someone. He turned around and his eyes froze at the sight. She was looking really beautiful. Almost like an angel. He smiled and walked to her.

“Amazing, sweetheart.” He said. She was bare feet at that moment. Bani changed back into her jeans and shirt.

“Perfect.”He took the dress from her and got it billed.

“We stillhave to buy Christmas gifts for everyone.” Bani reminded him.

“Theekhai. Kya lena hai?” Veer asked. Bani finished her shopping in a few hours. Veer finished his shopping too.

By the next evening, the Singhania Mansion was made ready for Christmas Party. It was decorated perfectly. Bani had to admit that Samrat knew how to throw a holiday party. The living room was decorated to match the snow, red, white and mistletoe themes. A Christmas Tree decorated perfectly. The bar area looked like the perfect Santa Gift centre for those who loved to drink. Bani noticed a certaindrink was prepared. Set up in large jugs.

“Bhabhi!!!” Sam came down. A large grin on his face. “Kaisa laga mera Christmas miracle?”

“Yeh kya banaya hai?” Bani asked.

“Well,this is wine cocktail. Humara Christmas special drink. Hum saare bhai milke har saal koi naya Christmas cocktail drink banate hai with wine. It’s always a hit. Pichle 6 saal pata nahi kya khichdi banayi thi in sabh ne but this year, it is under my supervision, so I’m sure ki drink amazing hogi.”

“Main toh nahi peeti.”

“Toh mat piyo. Aapke liye bhi mocktail hai.”

Bani chuckled. She wasn’t ready yet. She just got her dress. Meera also came early. Vanshika had ordered Meera to show up at the mansion early because she wasn’t going to let Meera look normal at all.

“Aapko pata hai? Aapki Meera di aur humare Tapish bhai pichle teen ghante se kitchen mein hai. Cake bana rahe hai.” Sam said grinning.

“I’m notsure that it is a cake they’re making at this point.” Veer commented as he showed up. An arm casually slung around Sam. The boys laughed.

“Excuseme. Meri behen bohot hi bholi hai. Don’t get ideas.” Bani told them. They laughed.

“Sweetheart, yeh sharif dikhne wale log hi sabse tezz hote hai. Teen ghanta konsa cake lagatahai?” Veer asked.

“Chup.”

“Tapish bhai humari tarah nahi hai, bhabhi. Mujhe humesha lagta tha ki Main aur Veer bhai bohot tezz the but Tapish bhai ke point upar hai. Kandhe sehlate hue kabh baazi maar lete hai pata nahi chalta. Unki choice kaafi rare hai but jab mil jaaye toh time nahi lagate. Abh aapki behen ko Tapish bhai se koi nahi bacha sakta.” Sam told Bani.

“Kitchen kahaal dekha hai?” Vanshika asked.

The boys laughed.

“Kitchen chodo. Undono ka haal dekha hai?” Daksh pointed out dusting away the maida from his clothes.

“Finally…” Tapish showed up with the cake. Meera followed. An apron around both their necks. Maida on them both. Ponky dashed up towards the cake but Tapish pushed him away and defended the cake.

“Hello? Kahan? Yeh cake sirf party mein kha sakte hai. Abhi nahi.” Tapish issued a warrant.

“Cake bangaya kya?” Balwant and Pawan leaned from the upper floor’s corridor. “Acchi Khushboo aa rahi hai.”

“Dad, better hoga ki aap apne room wapas chale jaaye. Party mein hi cake milega.” Tapish made it clear.

“Yeh tune maida cake me daalne ke liye liya tha ya phir apne upar daalne ke liya?” Balwant asked. The boys laughed.

“Dad, yehsawaal mat pucho.” Veer teased.

“Meera di, yeh kya kiya hai? Baalon mein bhi maida laga hai.” Bani started dusting away the maida from her hair.

“Ar… Woh…” Meera stumbled with words.

“Kuch nahi. Thoda sa issue ho gaya beech mein.” Tapish covered up.

“Issue huatha ya issue banaya tha?” Daksh asked as he smelled the cake. Tapish gave a look to his brother which said ‘Do no touch the cake’. “Kya? Abh smell bhi nahi kar sakta kya party tak?”

“Ek kaam karte hai. Sabh jaake ready ho jaate hai. Tabh tak log bhi aa jaayenge.” Vanshika suggested. “Meera di, Bani, dono mere saath aao.”

In thatmoment Mehek Dehek also showed up.

“Mom nebataya ki Meera di yahin hai toh hum bhi aa gaye.” Mehek said. Ponky winked at Dehek. She smiled.

They just followed the girls up ahead. The boys looked at each other.

“Ek baat batao. Main imagine kar raha tha ki agar ghar pe humari biwi aaye toh yahan entertainment hoga. Like cat fights and all. At least aap sabh ne Mayuri aur Bhabhi ko dekha but yeh teeno ko dekh ke lagta nahi hai koi cat-fight hoga bhi. I mean sabh ek dusre se kuch zyaada hi nahi gul mil gaye?” Sam commented.

“Meera aur Bani ek dusre se ladne walo mein se nahi hai. They’re really close to each other to fight. Meera aisi hai nahi jo logo se ladne nikal jaaye. Yeh Jhansi ki Rani type tum dono ki Naagin hai. Considering dono behne hai, lagta nahi hai ki koi bhi fight hoga unke beech.” Tapish pointed out.

“Aap consider kar rahe hai ki Meera humari Bhabhi bane?” Ponky asked teasingly.

“Meera acchi ladki hai. I guess. Ek dusre ko samajhte hai. Usne bhi bachpan pura apnibeheno ko sambhalne mein nikal diya aur maine tum sabhke chakkar mein. Kaafi hadd tak humari thought process match karti hai.”

“Ghuma phira ke baat mat karo. Seedha point pe aao. Aapne shaadi ka angle dekha hai yanahi. Agar time-pass hai toh pehle hi bata do, hum aapki shaadi ki tayariyan nahi karenge. Because humare Tapish bhai ki shaadi hone waali hai toh hume atleast 3 months advance notice chahiye. Bohot kaam hai. Matlab apne outfits decide karne hai. Saare functions ke liye kaisa decoration chahiye yeh sabh sochna hai, khaane-wane ka plan karna hai, sangeet ka plan karna hai. Aapki bachelor’s party plan karna hai. Bohot kuch hai, bhai.” Sam said.

“Is baat se main agree karta hun. Apne Tapish bhai ki shaadi mein koi kami nahi honi chahiye.” Veer agreed.

“Abhi toh tum Christmas Party ke liye tarah ho. Meri shaadi ki shehnaai baad mein bajana.” Tapish told them.

“Kya, Tapish bhai. Hum important baat kar rahe hai.” Ponky pointed out. “Main toh soch raha tha kia ap paanch saal pehle hi shaadi kar lete.”

“Woh kya hua ki tera jo bada bhai hai woh pahadon mein chala gaya aur phone karne mein use pahad chadne padte the isiliye nahi ki.” Tapish commented dryly. They laughed.

Chapter 24

All the boys went up to their rooms to get ready. His outfit was already set out on the bed. The white shirt, white trousers, black pin striped blazer, a watch and shoes. He smiled at that. He took a bath and dressed up quickly. Checking himself in the mirror, made his hair, wearing his cologne.

Ponky entered the room. He looked at veer and grinned.

“Kya baathai, Veer bhai. Ekdum hot.” Ponky praised. Veer grinned.

“Pata hai. Main waise bhi bohot hot hoon.”

“Haan. Aapka perfume dena.” Ponky took his perfume and put it on. Ponky wore a black and white suit. Black trousers and black blazers with a white and black shirt. The two came out of the room and noticed Sam. He was dressed in a plain white t shirt, black checked trousers and blazer. A small chain from his belt hoop tohis pocket. Daksh in all black assemble. Tapish in his suit.

“Kya baat hai. Aaj saare ke saare ladke zara shareef lag rahe hai.” Balwant patted onVeer’s shoulder. Balwant and Pawan both in black and white suit.

“Tum logo ka cocktail ready lag raha hai.” Pawan commented.

“Glass bharo phir.” Balwant told the boys. “Kis baat ka wait hai. Sabh cheers karte hai.”

Ponky broughtthe drink for them all. In that moment, Bani and Meera’s family arrived.

“Cheers to Singhanias…” Ponky exclaimed. Everyone clinked the glasses.

“Is saal cheers to Samrat. Saala wapas toh aa gaya.” Balwant pointed out.

“Cheer to Samrat.” They clanked their glasses. Samrat grinned.

“Mujhe pata hai. Tum logo ka mere bina chalta hi nahi hai.” He praised himself. Everyone laughed.

“Arrey, bhaisaab.” Chachi started. Mr Sharma was a way different person than Mrs Sharma. He wasn’t a fan of her habit to fall for wealth either. Balwant wished he could permanently get rid of this woman.

“Aaiye, Uncle. Bohot accha laga ki is baar aap bhi aaye.” Tapish respectfully greeted them. Mr Sharma was surprised to see Samrat. He had never met Samrat. “Yeh hai Samrat. Pawan chachu ka dusra beta hai. Kaafi waqt se bahar tha toh isiliye aapse pehle nahi mil paaya. Bas abhi thode waqt pehle Diwali ko wapas aaya tha.” Tapish introduced.

Samrat offered a hand.

“Hello.”

Mr Sharma shook his hand.

“Accha kiya ghar wapas aaye. Bete ghar aa jaaye toh baap ko bohot Khushi hoti hai.” He said. Samrat smiled. “Kahan rehte the itne waqt?”

“Nepal aur Uttarakhand.”

“In short pahadon mein.” Ponky chuckled. Mr Sharma chuckled.

“Maine suna tha ki jo ek baar pahado mein chale jaate unhe aise Mumbai jaise sheher itne acche nahi lagte.” He said. Samrat laughed.

“Aisa nahi hai. Of course, uska apna sukoon hai but I don’t mind the busy city either.”

Balwant, for once, was super glad that Mr Sharma had arrived and now she didn’t bug him much.

“Aap enjoy kijiye party.” Balwant said to him. In a few moments, the girls came down. Mehek-Dehek were super giggly and happy. They looked beautiful. Vanshika had made sure their make up wasn’t too much.

“Kya baat hai….” Chachi exclaimed when she saw Meera. “Meera toh pehchaan mein hi nahi aa rahi. Kitni acchi lag rahi hai, hain na, ji?”

“Aunty, Meera di toh pehle se hi bohot khoosurat thi. Abhi toh bas maine Meera di se kaha hai woh jitni khoobsurat hai, utni hi andar se apne aap ko khoobsurat samjhe bhi aur dekho. Magic.” Vanshika grinned.

“Magic toh make up ka hai.” Mehek pointed out.

“Ofcourse, not. Aisa nahi hai.” Vanshika denied.

Veer’s eyes stopped at Bani. He had seen her in the dress but hadn’t expect this to happen. She wore black heels. Almost reaching his height. On the edge of her corset, there were roses pinned on it. And a carnation on her bracelet. She wore the earrings that he got for her. Red lipstick and her eyeliner on point. Her hair left open.

“You’re looking really beautiful.” Veer told her.

“Thanks” She smiled and brushed her hair behind her ear.

“Wow, Bani…” Jay showed up. He looked at Bani. Bani smiled at him.

“Merry Christmas, Jay.” Bani greeted him.

“Yeh new look bhi accha hai.” He chuckled.

“Veeranshu ne dress aur earrings di hai. So, yes.” Bani told him with a smile.

“Aur tumneVeer ke liye choose kiya hoga.” Bani nodded a yes. “Tabhi itna sharif dikh raha hai.”

Bani chuckled. She looked at Veer. She stood next to him.

“Yeh jo cheel hai thoda sa sanki hai par shareef ban sakta hai kabhi kabhi.” She answered. Veer smiled at her.

“Mujhe toh nahi lagta.”

“Tere liye sharafat ki zaroorat nahi hai. Hai hi peeth peeche dasne wala.” Veer commented looking away from them. He tried not to let their friendship make him uncomfortable. He was worried that he’d react the same way that he did earlier. Out of control.

“Naag baba,aap yeh drink piyo.” The boys gathered Jay to keep him away from Bani. Bani did notice that. She rolled her eyes at them.

“May I?” He offered her his hand. She took it. He led her towards the drinks stall. Taking a glass of cocktail for himself and a glass of mocktail for her. She took the mocktail from him with a smile.

“So, MrsSinghania, aaj kya hai aapki Christmas wish?” Veer asked her. The both clinked their glasses and took a sip of the drink. Bani was surprised. It was actually made well.

“Yehactually acha hai.” Bani said about the mocktail. Veer smiled.

“Well,humare cocktails aur bhi acche hote hai but unfortunately, you don’t drink.”

“Agar main piyu aur phir mujhe chad jaaye toh tum mera faayda uthaoge?”

“No. Matlab, haan badtameez hun but itna nahi ki kisi ladki ka nashe mein hone ka faayda uthau.”

“Tch… phirpeene ka matlab hi nahi hai.”

Veerraised an eyebrow at that commented. She laughed at his expression. He looked like a cat who had seen the Christmas tree. She drank her mocktail.

“Veer,yaar, tum logo ke cocktails. I swear….” Vanshika exclaimed. “They’re to die for.”

“Ourpleasure. Enjoy. Considering tumhari aur hum sabki alcohol tolerance same level pe hai, please enjoy more.”

“Cheers.” They clinked their glasses. Everyone was going around and saying the same thing about how much the cocktails were so good. They had never tried anything so good.

“Okay,people. Cake kaatne ke liye saare Singhanias aa jaaye.” Tapish announced. They had piled up the tower of drinks next to the cake. All the boys gathered. Balwant and Pawan joined in. “Yeh Christmas humare liye kuch aur special ho gaya hai kyuki humare saath humara pyaara sa bhai lauta hai jiske lautne ki umeed hum kho chuke the. Jiske call hume mahine mein ek baar aate the, abh usse faceto face baat ho paati hai.”

“Nothing short of a miracle ki yeh wapas aaya hai.” Pawan commented.

“Aursecondly, iss baar humare saath, humare family mein ek aur bohot hi interesting character add hua hai. Mujhe lagta tha ki mujhe sirf mere bhaiyon ko sambhalna hai aur wahi sirf ek se badke ek namoone hai but then hum sabh Bani se mile and, by God, Bani ek alag hi character hai. Mujhe literally lagta tha ki Veer ko takkar dene wala koi nahi hai uske ziddi-pan mein but Veer, phir se tune hum sab ko galat kar diya.” Tapish teased. Everyone laughed. “In the end, mere sar pe ek aur nayi musibathai.”

“Tapishbhai, main kya karun. Main hi itna sanki hoon, abh better half thoda toh hona chahiye na mere level ka.” Veer added which made everyone laugh again.

“Anyway, Bani. Don’t mind. Hum sabh phir bhi tumse bohot pyaar karte hai. It is high time people stop calling you Bani Sharma kyuki abh tum Bani Veeranshu Singhaniaban chuki ho. Aur maine yaha saare Singhanias ko bulaya hai toh kripya karke aap bhi aa jaaye isse pehle ki yeh idiots cake par toot pade.” Tapish said. She joined them.

Everyone clapped as they started to cut the cake.

“Theek se kaatna cake warna Tapish bhai pagal ho jaayenge. He’s got a weird OCD on the way cakes are supposed to be cut. They have to be equal in size.” Veer told all the Singhanias.

“Haan, aur yeh isiliye hua kyuki tum saare pagal ladna shuru kar dete the ki kise bada piece mila hai. Tum teeno toh phir bhi ek durse ke saath ladai kar lete the, bechara Ponky toh sirf ro paata tha.” Pawan reminded them.

“Dad!!!” Ponky complained.

“Awww….Ponky…..” The brothers teased him.

“Chup raho.Bhabhi, dekho na.” Ponky walked next to Bani. Bani laughed.

“Koi nahi.Main bhi cake ke liye bohot roti thi. Meera di mujhe apna hissa de deti thi.” Bani added. “Aur cake ke liye rona is not rona. Woh dil ka dard hota hai. Matlab cake toh cake hota hai.”

Ponky decidedto stand between Bani and Meera. Quickly Tapish changed placed with Meera. Allthe boys laughed.

“Tere tricks mujhse chupi nahi hai.” Tapish commented. “Meera, seriously, yeh abhi wahiemotional chehra banayega taki tum apne hisse ka cake use dedo. So, zaracontrol karna aur pighlna mat.”

Everyonestarted to cut the cake. Bani turned and made Veer eat the cake first. Veer fedher.

“MerryChristmas.” They wished each other with a large smile. Daksh and Ponky both atethe cake themselves first before feeding the family. Veer then made Sam eat thecake. Sam gave it to Veer and then Bani. Veer fed Balwant and Pawan after that.

“MerryChristmas, dad, chachu.” He greeted them.

“Tujhekhush dekhke sabhi khush ho jaate hai.” Balwant patted Veer’s back. Sam fed Balwantand Pawan too.

“Bas yahihope kar raha hun ki kam se kam do saal tu yahin rahe humare saath.” Pawanadded as he fed Sam the cake.

“I hope kihum jitna close hai, usse zyaada close ho jaaye. Itna ki humare beech koi auraa hi nahi sake.” Veer said to Bani. Everyone ate the cake after that.

“Tapishbhai, cake bohot zyaada accha hai. I swear koi cake isse match nahi kar sakta hai.”Bani told him.

“Thankyou.” Tapish smiled.

“Teenghanto ki mehnat bhi worth hai.”

Tapish sighed.

“Tapish bhai,isse bhi bada cake aapne ek aur adhe ghante mein ban aliya tha phir yeh teen ghantekyu?” Veer asked.

“Kuch nahi…”Tapish gave Meera a look.

“Sorry na?Kitna sorry bolun?” Meera laughed.

“Ek minute…Ek minute… Meera di, aapne phir se bigaad diya tha kya?” Bani asked laughing.

“Tumekaise idea laga?” Tapish asked.

“Merebirthday pe maine kaha tha ki mujhe is baar ghar pe bana cake khana hai. Kuchtoh jhol karke papa aur Meera di ne humari pados waali aunty ko manaya ki wohunki help kare. Us time bhi Meera di ne sab bigaad diya tha. Aunty itnapareshaan ho gayi ki woh chali gayi. Chachi toh pagal ho gayi thi kitchen aursaare samaan ki halat dekh ke.” Bani broke into laughed as she remembered that.

“Main ekminute drink lene jaa rahi hun.” She tried to run away.

“Ekminute. Tumhe aata nahi hai yeh baat pehle nahi bata sakti thi? Main tumhsehelp maangta hi nahi.” Tapish commented. Veer broke into laughter.

“KyaMeera? Dil tod diya tumne mere bhai ka. Ek Tapish bhai hai, very particularabout his food and his cooking aur tumhe seedha uspe hi hamla kar diya?” Heteased her. Bani was still laughing.

“Tapish bhai,I’m so sorry. Aap na mujhe pehle batate ki aap Meera di ke saath cake bana rahethe toh main aapko warn kar deti.” Bani said laughed. She leaned over Veer asshe laughed.

Vanshikawalked over to Bani with the cake and fed her the cake. “Yeh pehla christmas haijab tum aur main dono ek saath celebrate kar rahe hai. I’m so glad ki maintumse mili. Haan, ek point main kaafi naraz bhi hui thi bhagwaan se ki itnatime laga diya but der se hi sahi, tumse mili toh.”

Banihugged her.

“Mujhelagta tha ki Meera di mujhse sabhse zyaada pyaar karti hai but then tumse milneke baad aisa lagta hai tum dono ho jo mujhse sabhse zyaada pyaar karte ho.”Bani said with a smile. “I hope ki tum mere saath humesha raho.”

“Oh hello…Main kya invisible hoon? Ek baat na main clear kar deta hoon. Yeh dono tumsebohot pyaar karte hai, yeh ho sakta hai but agar kisi ne tumse agar sabsezyaada pyaar kiya toh woh main hoon. Mere pyaar ka jo level hai uske aas paasbhi koi nahi hai.” Veer corrected.

“Arrey…”Bani commented.

“Nahi…nahi… gharwali, iss baat pe main bilkul bhi compromise nahi karne wala hoon.You had to admit ki tumse sabhse zyaada pyaar main karta hoon. Chahe toh merebaad in dono ka number ko chalega but sabse aage toh bas main hoon.”

“O, Romeo…she’s talking about the love siblings have for each other.” Vanshika pointedout.

“Kuch bhiho, kaisa bhi pyaar ho, mere pyaar ke saamne it is still less by a light year.”Veer commented. “I can’t bear ki koi yeh kahe ki kisi bhi tarah se kisi ne Baniko mujhse zyaada pyaar kiya hai.”

“Ise koisamjhaae…” Vanshika exclaimed.

“Samjhneki zaroorat tumhe hai, madam. Jo cheezein saamne hoti hai, tumhe woh bhi nahidikhti.” Sam joined in the conversation.

“Bas kuchbhi bologe.” She rolled her eyes. “Tum kabhi toh mujhe pareshaan karna bandkaro.”

“Matlabkamaal hai. Main tumhe ignore karun to tum khud mujhe poke karne aati ho aurjab attention de raha hunt oh bhav kha rahi ho. Dieting kar rahi ho itna bhavkhane ki kya zaroorat hai.”

She gavehim a look, “Aisi bekaar dieting vieting main nahi karti. I eat if I want toeat. I drink if I want to drink”

“Chalo,isi baat pe cheers.” Sam offered her another drink.

“The onlything I like about you is your alcohol taste. Matlab kya problem hai tumhe?Acche se mere dost bane rehte, I swear main tumhe seriously unofficialbartender declare kar deti.” She pointed out.

“Is baatpe toh cheers banta hai. CHalo kuch toh pasand aaya tumhe mere baare mein. It’sa good start.”

Sam tookanother drink and hooted as the music began playing. Bani realized that it wascommon among all of the cheel brothers to just push away their emotional pointsand drink away their worries instead of solving them normally.

Originally posted by: Andetheres

Amazing update.

Veer’s insecurity & the way he showed his anger to his family members.

And his ways of asking forgiveness from Tapish and Sam 👍🏼 (bro memories)

And fake Maarkaat in real markaat’s place and a new entry of Intelligent & observant Kakot. 😊

The irritating Chandini and her antics. 🤪

Loved the way how the brothers reacted to her antics. A good family.

The bro time while racing and poor Balwant - the finishing line. 🤣

Pawan had his own time laughing at his brothers fall 😆

Loved how Tapish tried to Handle things in his family.

Hopefully Bani tells her feelings strongly and firmly. And it might vanish Veers insecurity

Overall it was amazing chapters. 👏🥳

Waiting for the next eagerly 😊

I kind of am slightly obsessed with Cheel family 😆

Thanks. I'm glad you're liking the story as much as I enjoy writing it.❤️

Wow mind-blowing.

Loved Vani shopping scenes and Christmas party.

So so good. Thanks for the update..

Loved it so good

Amazing update 👏

Tapish and Meera = a budding couple

Tapish’s rxn 🤓when Bani told him about Her Meera di’s real baking skills 🤣

Tapish really knows how to give it back to Sam and Veer 😎

The Vani Shopping

Balwant is really annoyed with chachi 😆

Sharif Cheels makeover for the party. 😎😊

It was a wonderful update overall. 👏🥳

Chapter 25: The Love Sangria

“Dance with me?” Veer asked. Bani smiled and gave him her hand. Veer looked at Ponky and signalled him. Veer took her hand and led her to the dance floor. The music started playing.

The two started dancing. They matched each other. Moving with the tune. Almost like they had danced together to the same song before.

Pyar ki yeh kahani suno
Ek ladka tha ek ladki thi
Hoti kya hai jawani suno
Ek ladka tha ek ladki thi

Woh bhi ek daur tha wakt
Hi aur tha jab woh the ajnabi
Dono tanaha se the par
Woh kehte kise bat jo dil me thi

Veer picked her up and she opened her arms. He dropped her, holding her back at the right moment. They moved again. Her arm around his shoulder and his around her waist. Bani herself didn’t know why she could move in such sync with him every time they danced. She wasn’t much of a dancer but, God, she would stare into his eyes and it came on its own.

Pyar ki yeh kahani suno
Ek ladka tha ek ladki thi
Hoti kya hai jawani suno
Ek ladka tha ek ladki thi
Woh bhi ek daur tha wakt hi
Aur tha jab woh the ajnabi

Dono tanaha se the par woh
Kehte kise bat jo dil me thi

Pyar ki yeh kahani suno
Ek ladka tha ek ladki thi
Hoti kya hai jawani suno
Ek ladka tha ek ladki thi

Everyone stopped and just looked at them. Bani and Veer had just eyes for each other. As if no one else existed. She closed her eyes as the senses took over her. His scent, his touch and the sound of his soft breathing when she was close to him. Her back against his chest, she felt the soft vibration of his heartbeat. He twirled her around. She took the fall and he caught her.

Gumsum gumsum rehte the
Dono phir bhi dil me kehte the dono
Koyi sapna ham bhi toh paye

Ek din tute ghum ke woh ghere
Jhilmil jhilmil aaye savere
Mausam badala jagi fijaye
Woh mil gaye woh khil
Gaye aur pyar ho hi gaya
Jo manga tha woh paya
Toh hosh kho hi gaya

He twirled her. Her back against his chest. He lifted her up and she leaned her head back over his shoulder. He took a turn and got her down.

Pyar ki yeh kahani suno
Ek ladka tha ek ladki thi
Hoti kya hai jawani suno
Ek ladka tha ek ladki thi

Bani danced with him. Her eyes staring into his. Both of them oblivious to the world around them. Bani didn’t notice the light jealousy in Jay’s eyes. Veer lifted her up and twirled her around. She pushed her head back and closed her eyes.

Haule haule abb woh diwaane
Gun gun gaye dil ke tarane
Sun sun jhumein sari hawaye
Dhadkan dhadkan hai behaki behaki
Mann mann mann mann chahat
Hai mehaki sapne apne jadu jagaye

Veer twirled her away. Bani held Veer's hand but both of them at an arm's length, going around in a circle.

Inhe dekhoge toh janoge
Kya hai nasha pyar kaa
Yahi sochoge yahi chahoge
Sang rahi yeh sada

Everyone just looked at them. They had such a chemistry. It was intense. Especially when it seemed a two-way thing. The Singhanias had seen Bani and Veer dance before but when it seemed that Bani too worked the same emotion, no one could deny that they burned away their own worries and just melted around each other. Bani moved away, both of them at an arm’s length moving around They just moved like that in a kind of serenity that matched the song but their fire matching the chemistry of the song.

Pyar ki yeh kahani suno
Ek ladka tha ek ladki thi
Hoti kya hai jawani suno
Ek ladka tha ek ladki thi
Woh bhi ek daur tha wakt hi aur tha
Jab woh the ajnabi dono tanaha se the
Par woh kehte kise bat jo dil me thi.

Their tango was just perfect like the way they had a chemistry. The song finished. Bani then realized that they were the only one dancing. Veer was less than bothered about it. She looked at him. His eyes those same intensity that made her weak in the knees and would get away with anything.

“Sirf hume kyu dekh rahe hai?” Bani asked him.

“Kyuki humare chemistry hi itni sizzling hai.” He answered. Bani smiled at everyone and quickly exited the spotlight that was on them, signalling Ponky to take away the spotlight from her. He laughed. Sam stood by the drinks counter. She walked there.

“Zyaada ho gaya? Sabh hume hi kyu dekh rahe the? Kisi aur ko dance nahi karna tha?” Bani asked. Her heart was still thudding against her chest. Sam laughed.

“Bhabhi, aapka chehra bhi laal ho gaya hai. Veer bhai ko wahin chod ke aa gayi.” He teased her. She put her head on the counter to calm down her heartbeat.

“Mera dil abhi zor-zor se dhadak raha hai. Aisa lag raha hai ki thodider aur main use dekhti toh shayad kiss bhi kar leti.” Bani confessed. Sam laughed.

“Bhabhi… Bhabhi… Bhabhi… pati hai aapke. Kiss kar bhi leti toh kya?Sometimes, you’ve got to let go. Dil mein agar garden ban raha hai toh zabardasti winter ko laga rahe ho. Hone do bahar. Who the hell cares?” Sam assured her.

“Dekho, tum sabh na bohot hi confident ho. I don’t understand. Itna confidence kaise aata hai? Veer ko dekha hai? I can’t even think of being like that. Matlab ekdum sapne jaisa hai. Darr lagta hai, yaar.” Bani confessed.

“Pyaar se darr lagta hai ya Veer bhai se?”

“Veer ke pyaar se.”

“Bhabhi, agar aapko bhi Veer bhai se pyaar hai toh bata kyu nahi deti.”

“Pyaar..." Bani muttered the world and chuckled. She looked at Veer who was laughing about something with his dad. "Main jis pyaar ko samajhti hun woh bohot hi alag hai, Sam. Main jis pyaar ko samajhti thi, that is based on what I knew about it as Nageshwari."

"I know it is stupid that I keep going back to that but it has become such a part of me that I can't erase it out. Ateet mere existence ka hi hissa ban gaya hai. I never had any kind of closure. Samajhi nahi ki aakhir kis baat ki saza di gayi thi mujhe? Kyu mujhe Aakesh se milna tha? Kyu yeh kaha Markaat ne ki Veer ke kismat mein meri or badhna likha tha? Kyu Aakesh ko Hriday ko maarne ki saza nahi mili but mujhe use maarne ki saza mili? Kyu aisa tha ki mera Hriday ke liye pyaar aise dhoke ki tarah bana? Kyu mujhe Aakesh aisa apna sa laga? Aakhir kyu mujhe aisa laga ki main Aakesh par bharosa kar sakti hun? So many things."

"It isn't foolish. Perhaps aap samajh hi nahi paa rahi hai. Your past is like too complex to you. So many things you didn't really understand." Sam assured her.

"Maine jo pyaar Hriday se kiya tha, it was different. Nothing about it was so crazy. Main jis pyaar ko samajhti hun usmein koi confusion nahi hota hai, koi darr nahi hota, the kind of love that seems natural like the relationship a tree has with the earth, uss pyaar mein kahin zid nahi hai, bas pyaar hai, us pyaar mein boundaries hoti hai aur us boundary ko cross nahi kiya jaata hai." Bani then looked at Veer, "Par phir ek taraf Veer hai. Uske pyaar ki definition hi alag hai. Uske pyaar mein koi hadd nahi hai, koi bandish nahi hai, koi boundary nahi hai. There are no lines to show the way, bas aasmaan ka behisaab udne jaisa hai. Jis direction mein jaana chaho chale jaao. There is starting or an end. Kuch samajh hi nahi aata mujhe. It is like being on a boat in the wide open oceans with no map to tell which way the shore is. Like he's content with not finding a way out. Uske pyaar mein pyaar ko paane ki zid hai. There is no stop."

"Bhabhi, aapko kis baat ka confusion hai?"

"Sam, I know that woh pyaar mein jo ek dusre ke liye attraction hota hai, woh attraction hai. I care for him. Itna ki use chot lage toh dard mujhe hota hai, uski khushi se mujhe bhi khushi mil jaati hai. If I go around a party, he'd be one of the people I'll look for. There's that trust ki kuch bhi hua toh I can depend on him to help me out. I can dare to be vulnerable for a moment. Pyaar dono taraf equal hota hai na, Sam. I don't if I have the same kind of madness as he does. Nafrat karte karte itna waqt bitaya hai ki abh kuch samajh hi nahi aata mujhe. It was easy to hate him, it was easy to decide that I had to see him as the enemy. Hatred doesn't have to same on both sides. Mujhe pata nahi ki Veer ke liye mere dil mein utna hi pyaar jitna uske dil mein hai." Bani confessed.

Sam smiled at her and offered her a white rose. Then he gave her a yellow rose, a pink rose and finally a red rose.

"I'm not fond of roses as such." Bani commented with a chuckle.

"Arrey aapko guldasta nahi de raha. What I'm trying to say is that, don't take the same route that he took. Veer bhai ko match karne ki koshish mat karo, bhabhi. You can spend another 10,000 years but still not match it. Kyuki he'll still be 10,000 years ahead of you. It is insane to imagine that in a span of a few weeks, you'll reach the same level as him. Veer bhai pagal hai. There is no limit to him. Sabh use chaand kehte hai but he's not the moon. He's the sky where both sun and moon stay. There is no exact way to measure the sky. Log andaaze se kehte hai ki aasmaan itna hota hai but no one knows in actuality. It is his characteristic feature to be crazy, mad and sanki. Aap Veer bhai ki tarah banne ki koshish karoge toh khud ko bhul jaaoge." He told her.

"But agar pyaar karna hai then I have to be on the same page as him. How do I carry a relationship where two people are on so different pages?"

"Bhabhi, take your time. Dheere dheere. I took 6 years to finally admit it to myself that I love V. It can't happen in a span of just a few weeks. Bhabhi, patang aur panchi mein yahi farak hota hai. Patang apne aap mein direction nahi kar sakta hai. It depends on the wind, the thread and a person flying it. Steer it slowly. Going from hate to love is a slow process."

"Pehle aapne ek different side dekha Veer bhai which you can't hate or ignore. Then you cleared misunderstandings jo aapko Veer bhai ke baare mein thi, phir dosti ki, phir care ki, bharosa kiya... let it slowly steer there. People didn't know how to make airplanes, they let birds teach them what flying means. Birds ke bhi chote bacche paida hote hi udna nahi jaante hai bhabhi. They watch the birds fly and let the insticts teach them how to fly. Ponky ud nahi paata tha. He could open his wings but never really was able to fly. Koi bhi flying class use help nahi kar paati thi. Slowly, Veer bhai taught him how to fly. He took a while but he learnt in the end. Aapko nahi pata how you want to reach there, let Veer bhai take you there."

There was silence between them. Bani ate a small piece of cake while letting Sam's words sink into her heart.

“Mere saath dance karogi?” Jay asked Bani. Bani nodded and gave her hand. Everyone was dancing. He stared at her.

“Jay…”

“Bani, tum chahe toh is sach ko ignore kar lo butbaat toh yahi thi jo main samajhta tha ki tum aur main ek hone waale hai.”

Bani looked away. It made her feel guilty. Made herfeel the same guilt that she felt when she first felt a flash for Aakesh. Theguilt that made her want to run away and cry.

“Jay, tum mujhe guilty feel kara rahe ho but tumbhi nahi dekhte ki tumne kya kiya hai.”

“Maine galati ki thi, Bani. I don’t deny that butshould that mean that I had never loved you? No.”

“Jay, this is a party to enjoy. Please don’t getwith all this.”

Veer watched Bani and Jay dance together. Bani was speaking to him. The two seemed to have a deep conversation. He remembered how Jay reminded her that the two were a pair but Veer was between them.

Bani and Jay danced together. They weren’t the kind of fire that Bani and Veer were but it still made Veer feel jealous. He looked away and tried to concentrate on his drink. Tapish patted on his shoulder.

“Wahi feel ho raha hai?” He asked him.

“Main toh bol raha hun. Bhul jaa us, Adi-Naagin ko.” Balwant added.

"Dad, aap chup rahiye thodi der.” Tapish told his dad, “Veer, kyu yeh sabh soch raha hai. Bani teri hai. Tujhe bhi pata hai ki uske aur beech kya hai. Sabhko dikhta hai.”

“Tapish bhai, phir kyu baar baar yeh baat aa jaati hai ki Bani aur Jay ek durse ke jode hai? Where do I even fit in this equation. Bani meri hai phir bhi aisa lagta hai ki kahin na kahin Bani feels that she also was supposed to be with Jay but ended up with me. Kabhi kabhi aisa lagta hai ki Bani ne mujhe bas accept kiya hai. Like she presumes it is just fate and she has to accept it.”

“Yeh sabh, tu soch raha hai.”

Veer looked at the pair again. Bani was smiling about something he said. Veer was always a confident person. No one could shake his confidence but watching Bani with Jay, dancing like that, he felt insecure.There wasn’t a reasoning that could answer and wipe away his worry. Like a burning question in his mind that what if it was true that Bani and Jay were supposed to be a couple and he was the third one instead of being the one for Bani. Would the guilt of not choosing Jay pour distance between them? Would sheleave with the guilt that she chose him instead of Jay?

Bani didn’t know what to do. She had to tell Veer. It was a good time totell her what she felt. It was Christmas, they were having a party. All the boys were standing together and drinking. Mehek and Dehek flirting with Daksh and Ponky. Vanshika and Sam were laughing about something. Meera and Tapish were having some conversation. She walked over to Veer.

Veer looked at her.

“Tumse nazar hi nahi hat rahi hai…” He teased her.

“Accha hai.” Bani sat up on the bar stool next to Veer. She rested her elbow on the counted and looked at him while resting her chin on her hand. “Tum mujhe dekho, main tumhe dekhti hun.”

Veer chuckled. He sipped his drink. He brushed the hair that had come over her face. She ate the strawberry that was on his glass. Ponky and Daksh clapped their hands to catch attention towards the bar area.

“Okay, love birds, yeh hai humara magic potion.” Ponky put a tank of drink before them. “Challenge hai. The greatest game of stare. Ek cheez saare aashiqo mein common hota hai, to just do nothing but look at the one you love. Kehte hai pyaar mein sab kuch us person ke comparison mein kam beautiful lagta hai. Though, here's our love challenge. Ek taraf hai humara magic potion aur dusri taraf hai pyaar. Either your love gives up or the drink gives up. Jab tak aankhein ek dusre par tiki hai, tabh tak drink glass mein dalti rahegi. The moment aankhen band hui, you're out. To challenge do taraf hai. Each couple against other couple and then the couple against each other.”

“In the end only one person wins. They win a ticket to get anything they want. Since humari pyaari bhabhi Bani aur Meera don't prefer alcoholic drink, we have non-alcoholic one too. Curtesy of Veer bhai and Tapish bhai who presume we should trick them with drinking alcohol.” Daksh pointed.Most couples showed up at the bar counter. “Sabh decide kar lo if they prefer alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink.”

“Kya, yaar, ismein kya maza hai agar drinknon-alcoholic hai. Nasha badhata hai sharab ka jo sharabon mein mile.” Vanshika said. Everyone chuckled.

“Main nahi peeti.” Meera said. Vanshika sighed.

“Okay…”

“How about tum aur main alcoholic try karte hai.” Sam offered with a wink.

“Tumhare saath kyu? Main kisi aur ke bhi toh pi sakti hun.”

“Somewhere mujhe aisa lagta hai ki tumhe darr hai ki tumhara sach bahar aa jaayega that you actually are in love with Sam.” Daksh teased her.

“Psshhh…puh-lease. Aisa kuch nahi hai.” Vanshika flipped her hair. Bani chuckled. Vanshika always maintained her farce that she wasn't in love with Sam.

“Toh kya problem hai? Konsa fark pad jaayega?” Sam asked.

“Of course…”

Bani and Veer sat together before each other, facing each other. Daksh and Ponky being the ones to replenish the drink.

“Chalo dekhte hai kon yeh jeetne waala hai. So, let's see who wears the love crown.” Daksh clapped his hands.

“Sawal hi nahiki main haar jaau.” Veer pointed out.

“Main bhi jeetne waalon mein se hun, Mr Veeranshu Singhania.” Bani challenged. Veer laughed.

“Mere pyaar ke aage toh tum bhi haar jaaogi, Bani. Mere pyaar ka koi competition hi nahi hai.” Veer’s confidence made Bani smile shyly. “Is duniya mein kuch nahi hai jo mere pyaar ko hara de.”

Daksh poured the drink in one large glass and put two straws. Bani took one and Veer took the other. Bani almost moaned at how nice it tasted. The boys did one thing really well, that was making mocktails. Somehow, they could whip up the best drinks. Bani locked her eyes with Veer.

Music playing in the background.

Bani knew her weakness was never being able to look away from his eyes. There was no-way she’d be able to lose this. Veer just looked at her. The world melting away for him. He had every single feature of her face memorized in his heart. Her brown eyes. She was the most beautiful thing that his eyes had ever seen. Veer always assumed that sunrise was beautiful but Bani was much more beautiful.

Veer made her weaker but at the time, she wished she could be as confident as him. She always masked her worry if she would be able to carry her title well with her fake confidence. Standing next to Veer, she always felt like she could actually stand up to her title. If he was her weakness then why did he make her so confident? Bani knew it had gone past simply attraction. His habits that once annoyed her now were something that she didn’t mind. She liked the way he pulled her closer to him, she like how he would possessively call him gharwali, she liked the way he loved her, she liked how he was so confident about himself, she liked how he never gave up, she liked how he would usually only wear only black but then wear red or white when she asks him to, she likes how he makes it look like she has so much control on him. Overall, she just loved everything about him.

The two just stared at each other. The cutest smile on his face. She could swear it made her weak in the knees and raise up her heartbeat. She could almost feel the vibrations of her own heartbeat. Bani didn’t know why her heart so badly ran towards him.

His eyes poured out his love. It overwhelmed her sometimes. How could someone love that deeply and not feel scared? Bani could lose herself over all the beauty of the way his love. Bani didn’t know about what was written in her stars but Veer was her moon. How could any of the stars match against the reign of the moon? Even if all the stars came together and played a trick against the moon, it is still the reigning king of the night sky.

“Ek baat batao, Mrs Singhania. Wouldn’t it be easy if you simply give up. Mujhse toh jeetne se rahi nahi tum.” Veer teased her.

"Acha aur tumhare ego ko badhne du? Kya pata phir kehte rahoge ki tumhare level par koi hai hi nahi. Main bhi dekhun ki aise konse level par ho ki koi wahan tak aa hi nahi sakta."

"Impossible hai, Bani. Aasmaan ka ek hi raja hai. Veeranshu Singhania."

“Oh please. Itna bhi mat udo.”

“Cheel hun, sweetheart, of course udunga.”

“Shut up.”

Bani knew that Veer wasn’t going to lose.

“Okay… okay…abhi toh bas Bhabhi aur Veer bhai competition mein hai. Baaki sabh give up kar chuke hai.” Daksh announced.

“Veer bhai, izzat ka sawaal hai. Haarna mat.” Ponky cheered Veer.

“Veer bhai haar jaayenge? Yeh toh kisi bhi sapne mein bhi impossible hai.” Daksh pointed out. Bani already felt her stomach full with the drink. She knew he wasn't going to give up. She had to distract him. Bani stood up, holding the glass so she neither breaking the eye contact nor stopping from drinking the drink. He raised an eyebrow. She closed the distance between them. She felt his heartbeat go crazy. She chuckled at that. She too close to him,almost like she was about to kiss him. Like a reflex, Veer grabbed her. He had no sense of the game in that moment. He only felt how close she was to his own lips. He closed his eyes and he stopped drinking.

Bani broke into laughter.

“Kya Veer bhai!!!” Ponky and Daksh exclaimed together.

“Yeh cheating hai…” Veer exclaimed. Bani laughed at how crazy his heartbeat was in that moment. He shook his head.

“Kya? Kisi ne yeh nahi kaha ki I’m not allowed to stand close to you.”

“Mrs Singhania, aapne na galat aadmi se panga liya hai.”

“Tum bas admit nahi karna chahte ki tum haar gaye.”

“Point yeh hai, Veer bhai kia ap haar gaye. Izzat duba di hum sabh ki.” Ponky shook his head disapprovingly.

Bani could still feel Veer’s erratic heartbeat. After a while, everyone was looking drunk. Bani sat in the balcony and stared at the moon.

“Akele baithi ho?” Veer asked her. He sat next to her. He was eating some chips.

"Everyone seems too drunk." Bani pointed out. Veer shook his head. Bani chuckled. He was also tipsy a bit. She moved to let him sit next to her. She felt the cold of December creeping up on her. She rubbed her arm. Veer took out his blazer and gave it to her. She took it. It wasn't enough to drive away the cold. The part of her that was a snake couldn't handle cold well. They get lethargic. Veer felt that and opened his arm signalling her to snuggle up to him. She smiled and snuggled up to him. Cheels aren't bothered much by the cold. The part of them which is an eagle is used to cold climates of the upper sky and the snow mountains. He was warm.

"How are you so warm even in December?" She asked. Veer opened his wings and wrapped it around her like a blanket. She snuggled over him. It was the first time that she noted his wings. The brown feathers like a Golden eagle, a few dark blue feathers and the golden shades on the top wings. They were extremely soft.

"We have a in built blanket." He winked at her. She chuckled. She stared up at the sky. "Aise kya dekh rahi ho aasmaan ko?"

"I don't know. It is just calming."

"My mom and chachi used to take us for star gazing at night. It was a lovely time. After all the mess, Tapish took the duty to take us for star gazing. That was the only time every since Teer bhai went out of control that he'd be let out of his room. Tapish bhai used to take the responsibility of Teer bhai. My mom was an artist and I used always ask her to paint the night sky for me. One of her painting of Nyx was one of my favourite paintings. I always wished I could paint and draw like her. She was just so good at it. I never got her talent but Teer bhai did. I used to miss her a lot everytime I went for star gazing after her death. So, Teer bhai used paint for me. Every star gazing session, he'd draw me something related to the night sky. Sometimes constellations, sometimes mythologies related to night sky, sometimes the moon and starts."

Bani smiled.

"Although I used to like the night sky but I had always been someone who like sunrises more. Something about it was always enchanting to me."

========

Yeh lo. Meri taraf se. New Year pe gift.

Happy New Year all you guys maze karo. Party karo par safe bhi raho.

Acha chalo iss baar new year pe acche se comment bhi karna.

Thank you so much. Happy new year to u too.

Hope Bani tells her feelings to veer. Loved the part .

Conversation between Bani and Sam s good. So good. Waiting for next update.

This is really well written!!!

I esp. like the fact that you've been able to pick up the characters from the show and enhance them. Especially when it comes to bani's feelings.. those are a mess in the show!!!

Kudos!! You're really talented!!