"Nishtha, beta, don't cry na. I'm sure kal school mein tum aur Akash baat karke sub kuch sort out kar lo gein" Akshara said as she rubbed circles across her sister-in-law's back in attempts to soothe the heartbroken girl.
"Par Bhabhi, hum baat to tab karenge na jab woh meri taraf dekhe ga. Jab bhi uske paas jaati hoon class mein ya lunch mein, usse koi bahana yaad aa jaata hai aur phir woh chalejata hai."
"Be patient Nishi. Be patient."
Just then Abhi walked into their shared bedroom and was shocked to see his lil sister in the arms of his wife distraught. "Nishtha, tum roh kyun rahi ho, kya hua bacha?" He said kneeling before his sister.
"Bhaiya, woh kuch nahi, main bus Kal Ho Na Ho dekh kar emotional ho gayi thi, par ab mein theek hoon" Nishtha said wiping her tears. "Aap abhi aya ho, aap rest kije na. Mein Bhabhi se bhad mein baat kar loon gi. Bye Bhabhi" and with that Nishtha ran out of the room.
"Akshu, yeh kya tha? Why was she crying?" Abhi asked as he took Nishtha's abandoned seat at the edge of their bed.
"Abhi woh-"
"Jhoot mat bolo mujhse. Main jaanta ho ki koi baat hui hai aur woh koi film se related nahi hain" He cut her off.
Akshara sighed and gave up. "She and Akash are in a fight"
"Akash kaun hai?"
"Uska friend hai."
"Sirf friend?" He said crossing his arms.
"Abhi..." She warned "It's none of your business to aisa judgemental chera mat banao"
"Par agar koi ladka meri behen ka dil dukhai toh main judge na karo usko"
"Abhi interfere mat karo. Nishtha se iss bare mein koi baat mat karna"
"Thik hai, par mein tumse toh baat kar sakta hoon?"
"Haan"
"Tumhe pata mujhe kya lagta hai?"
"Kya lagta hai Abhi?"
"Mujhe lagta hai ki ladkiyon ko ladko se duri banai rakhni chahiye"
"Haan tumhe toh asa hi lage ga, ek ladki ke bhai jo ho. Par tumhe pata hai na, ki ek din Nishtha ki shadi hogi aur woh apne pati ke saath ragi."
"Nahi. Asa koi ladka hi nahi hai jise main apni behan confidence ke saath de sakta hoon toh Nishtha ko pura zindagi humare saath hi rahegi. Waise bhi, iss ghar mein uske paas sab kuch hai to usse jaane ki kya zaroorat hai."
"Haan, tum sahi toh bol rahe ho." Akshara mused.
"Hain na?" Abhi grinned.
"Iss logic se to mujhe bhi apne bhaiyon ke saath hona chahiye."
"Wait what?" the grin fell from Abhi's face faster than a cheetah.
"You know what, main abhi Vansh aur Kairav bhaiya ko call karti hoon so woh aaj raat mujhe pick-up karle. Great idea Abhi!" Akshara picked her up her phone and
"Akshu, rukho" Abhi tried to make a quick grab for her arm but Akshara flew by him and ran into the corrider. "You better be joking Akshu"
"Change karlo jaldi se! Ma dinner tayar kar rahi hai!" She hollered back.
While Akshara and Maa were setting the dining table, the entire Birla family was lounging in their living room when Neil made his boisterous entry. "Bhabhi, do(2) aur plate set karna woh Vansh aur Kairav bhi aa rahe hai."
Abhi choked on his water and Akshara rushed to his aid.
"Bhai, aap thik toh ho na"
"Vansh aur Kairav kyun aa rahe hai?" Everyone was stunned by Abhi's reaction as his voice was a little to loud and croaky to hide his agitation.
"Vansh was saying ki usse kuch zaroori baat karni thi"
"Kya hua Abhi, tum mera bhaiyon ke aane se khush ni hoon kya?" Akshara asked with a mischievous grin. Abhi glared back at her.
"Asa kuch nahi hai Akshu"
"Acha chalo, Akshara mujhe kitchen mein kuch help chahiye" Maa called.
"Ji Maa" Before Akshara could get off the couch, Abhi pulled her close into him. "Akshara, did you actually ask your brothers to take you to the Goenka villa?" He muttered into her ear as he held he wrist. Akshara found his expression so funny as he angrily asked with a plastered smile cause he didn't want anyone to suspect anything.
"Woh toh Vansh aur Kairav bhaiya ke aane pe hi paata chalega tumhe" she winked and rushed into the kitchen.
(Her brothers came over to invite the Birla's to a function)
