"No, Vidhi babhi. All I did was smear a little bit of flour at the tip of her nose. But Payal grabbed a handful and threw at me! Can you see how dirty my pink salwar suit is?" Aarti defended herself in between shrieking and running after Payal.
"So when are you and Aarti babhi going for your honeymoon?" Prateek asked Yash as Vidhi babhi placed the chappati on his plate. Everyone was seated at the dinner table except for Aarti and Vidhi who were serving the food.
Yash glared at his younger brother. He did not think his honeymoon plans or lack of is a topic of discussion over dinner. He glanced at Aarti who was lost in her own thoughts. Does she want to go for a honeymoon? They never talked about this. Actually they have not talked about anything except Aprita, he realised.
"Yes, Yash. It would be a good idea for you and Aarti to spend some time together away from the family. It will allow the two of you to get to know each other better," Suraj advised his son.
"Bauji, I am busy with the Oceanic Theme Park project now. I will think about it after the project is more stable. Anyway, Prateek, how is the drawings coming along for the Stage 2 phase? We are commencing Phase 2 soon and you have yet to submit the drawings," Yash changed the topic of the conversation and he knew Prateek's "favourite" topic.
"I am still working on them," Prateek replied and turned his attention to Payal who was seated beside him silently hoping that Pankaj bhaiyya does not begin to lecture him. It is unfortunate that he works in the family business where work affairs are constantly discussed at home. There is no work life balance in this family!
Suraj thought of pushing Yash to think about the honeymoon but decided against it. He knows how much this project means to Pankaj and Yash would want to be there to support his brother to ensure the smooth-running of this project. The honeymoon would have to wait and he hoped his daughter-in-law does not mind.
The rest of the dinner's conversation centred around the events of the day and Payal's anecdote on the new friends she made at the lunch gathering. Aarti hoped that dinner would end soon so that she can explain herself to Vidhi babhi. Vidhi babhi was obviously upset with her - she had answered Aarti's questions since with just a word - either yes or no.
After dinner, Yash excused himself and went to his room to start working on the budget while the other family members went to the living room to watch the news. Aarti and Vidhi were tasked to clear the table.
"Vidhi babhi, I am really sorry if I hut your feelings. I really did not mean it that way. It is just.." Aarti apologized while washing the dishes.
"Forget it Aarti, it does not matter."
"No it matters. I do not want you to think.."
"Aarti, it really does not matter. I rather not talk about it." Vidhi gave her a faint smile and started to move away from the sink since they are done with the dishes.
"Vidhi babhi, I am really sorry. Sometimes I talk without thinking. My mom has always warned me about this," Aarti choked.
Vidhi could hear dejection in Aarti's voice. She recalled her own apprehensiveness and vulnerability when she first entered the Scindia's mansion ten years ago when she was just twenty years old. Fortunately, Pankaj was always there to guide her and helped her settle in. Prateek and Yash were in their teens then and were getting into all sorts of troubles and always needed her rescuing. They were her pillar of support as much as she was theirs.
"Prateek seriously! The only reason your brothers have to work so hard is because they have to cover for you," Vidhi babhi chided her favourite brother-in-law.
"Vidhi babhi, please do not listen to Pankaj bhaiyya! I cannot believe how popular I am that everyone wants to discuss me! Aarti babhi, be prepared that Yash's bhaiyya pillow talk will only revolve around Prateek and the things he never do! You can ask Vidhi babhi."
Both Aarti and Vidhi burst out laughing. Vidhi thinks Prateek was still fifteen sometimes. He just never took things seriously and somehow is still the baby of the family after Payal.
"You na. I am going to get Payal to bed. Now is her bedtime," Vidhi bade Aarti and Prateek good night. Aarti still wanted to clarify herself to Vidhi babhi but that would have to wait. She was just glad that Vidhi babhi was no longer ignoring her.
"So have you asked Yash bhaiyya where he is taking you for the honeymoon?" Prateek asked Aarti as soon as Vidhi stepped out of the kitchen.
Aarti shook her head and shrugged.
"You need to remind him of this cause, if not, he will only care about the oceanic project! Anyway, what did Yash bhaiyya tell you about Aprita didi? " Prateek ventured. He was very curious about what Yash could have told Aarti babhi since Yash has always be tight lipped about his feelings for Aprita.
"Well, the thing is..."Aarti hesistated. Does Prateek know about Yash's feelings for Aprita? Should she ask Prateek to tell her about Aprita?
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