“Anshi! Jaldi aao, Mumma ne tumhe bulaaya hai!”
Krishnansh’s voice echoed through the Kapoor mansion, cheerful as ever.
“Ab kya hua, Ansh?” Vanshika asked, trying to fit her file into her sling bag.
He leaned against the doorway, mischief dancing in his eyes. “Tumhare liye lunch party rakhi gayi hai, CA Sahiba. Mumma ne personally bola—‘Vanshika ko le aana. Maine uske favourite dishes banayi hain.’”
Her eyes widened. “Mere liye?”
“Of course,” he said, grinning. “CA ban gayi ho tum. Tumhare naam pe toh Malhotra canteen bhi band ho gaya aaj!”
From the living room, Abhinav shouted teasingly, “Krishnansh Bhaiya, di ko le jao warna yeh khushi mein ro degi!”
“Abhi!” Vanshika glared at him, but her lips curved into a reluctant smile.
“Chalo Anshi,” Krishnansh said softly, “Aaj tumhare liye poori Malhotra family wait kar rahi hai.”
By the time they reached the Malhotra mansion, the dining area smelled of home — rajma chawal, paneer butter masala, puri, and kheer.
Mrs. Preeti Malhotra: “Arey meri CA beti aa gayi! Tumhare liye sab tumhare favourite dishes banayi hain!”
She pulled Vanshika into a tight hug. “Tumne apna sapna poora kiya, beta. Humein tumpe garv hai.”
Vanshika (smiling shyly): “Aunty, aap bhi na… main toh bas apna kaam kar rahi thi.”
Preeti: “Kaam kar rahi thi? Itni young age mein CA clear karna koi chhoti baat nahi hoti, Vanshika!”
Mr. Abhay Malhotra (joining in, proud):
“Bilkul sahi kaha Preeti ne. Vanshika beta, tumne dedication ka matlab sikha diya. Ab har maa chahegi uski beti tum jaisi bane.”
Krishnansh (grinning): “Dekha, Papa? Maine kaha tha na—meri Anshi sabse alag hai.”
Abhay (raising an eyebrow teasingly): “Meri Anshi? Beta, yeh ‘meri’ kab se ho gayi?”
Everyone laughed, while Vanshika’s cheeks turned crimson.
Preeti: “Abhay ji, aap bhi na!”
Krishiv (smirking): “Papa, bhai ko tease karne ka mauka mat chhodiye. Bhai toh inkaar karega, par aankhein sab bol deti hain.”
Keerti (mock whisper): “Bhabhi blush kar gayi!”
Vanshika (playfully): “Keerti! Tumhara naam block list mein daal dungi!”
Krishnansh (teasing): “Aise toh tumhare list mein main pehle se hoon.”
"Tumse zyada irritating koi ho hi nahi sakta,” she shot back.
He smirked. “Phir bhi har jagah main hi milta hoon, CA Sahiba.”
Everyone laughed again — and though the teasing went on, Vanshika’s eyes sparkled in that moment. She didn’t even realize that her smile meant more to him than the laughter echoing around the room.
Why does she look so… perfect today? Krishnansh thought. Maybe it’s just happiness. Haan, dosti wali happiness.
He quickly looked away. Bas friendship hai. Kuch aur nahi.
Kusum Dadi (smiling): “Vanshika beta, tumhare aane se ghar roshan lag raha hai. Itne sanskaar aur itna bada dil… har ghar ko tum jaise beti mile.”
For a moment, Vanshika froze. Warmth spread through her, but her heart ached a little. Dadi maa ke muh se yeh words sunke pata nahi kyu dil bhar aaya… shayad kyunki meri Dadi ne kabhi aise nahi kaha.
She smiled faintly, hiding the flicker of sadness behind her eyes.
Krishnansh noticed it instantly. He didn’t know why, but her silent pain always found its way to him. He reached under the table and lightly tapped her hand.
“Lost again, CA Sahiba?” he whispered.
She looked up, startled, and smiled softly. “Bas… kuch nahi.”
“Zyada mat socha karo,” he said, handing her kheer. “Warna Mumma mujhe daantengi.”
Lunch was followed by laughter, teasing, and endless conversations. Just when Vanshika was about to leave, her phone buzzed.
She frowned at the unknown email notification — then her eyes widened.
Subject: “Interview Scheduled – National Finance Corporation (Government Undertaking)”
“Ansh!” she gasped. “Dekho!”
He rushed to her side, peering at her phone screen. “Government company? NFC? Are you serious?!”
She nodded, tears forming in her eyes. “Ansh, I got shortlisted for interview!”
Before she could say anything more, Krishnansh — overcome with excitement — pulled her into a tight hug.
For a second, time froze.
They had hugged before — birthdays, goodbyes, friendly moments — but this one felt different. Her heartbeat raced against his chest; his arms lingered a second longer than they should have.
Vanshika froze, her breath caught in her throat. Why does this feel… different?
Krishnansh felt something stir deep inside — warmth, pride, and something he couldn’t name.
He quickly let go, clearing his throat. “Uh… I mean… congratulations, CA Sahiba!”
Her lips trembled between confusion and a smile. “Thanks, Ansh… I guess?”
He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, forcing a grin. “Bas excitement mein… zyada ho gaya.”
“Hmm,” she said softly, looking at him — and for a fleeting moment, neither of them said anything.
He looked away, mumbling under his breath, “Healthy friendship wala hug tha… bas.”
But his racing heart told a different story.
Preeti (walking in with a smile): “Kya hua bachon? Itna silence kyun?”
Vanshika turned quickly. “Aunty! Mujhe NFC se interview ka mail aaya hai!”
Preeti’s eyes lit up. “Arey wah! Yeh toh double celebration hai! Bhagwan kare sab kuch acha ho beta!”
Abhay added warmly, “Mujhe pata tha tum bahut aage jaogi, Vanshika. Mehnat ka phal milta hi hai.”
Krishnansh looked at her then — his heart swelling with pride.
She deserves the world. And I… I just want to be there when she gets it.
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