Maanvi giggled lightly, her hand lightly clutching her phone close to her ears, while the other one was busy covering her mouth controlling any sort of loud voice. She was lying on her bed resting her head on her favourite teddy’s stomach, talking toAbhirajj over the call.

“And you know, my Aarav baby loved the halwa I made for him. He kept on telling me, but it’s tasty, ” her voice filled with delight.

On the other side, Abhiraj leaned back on his chair, a soft smile tugging his lips as he listened to her rants about her day which is their daily routine. It was not like he was not tired, but there was something magical in her voice. Hearing her laughs and rants was like a soothing balm for him, a medicine that eased his stress which was impossible to explain to anyone.

“So you saved some for me, or he ate it all,” he asked, looking towards his balcony from where the moon was visible.

“Umm no, but don’t worry I’ll cook it again for you.” she smiled and rolled not resting on her stomach.

“And then you have to deliver it too,” Abhiraj said, his voice low and filled with teasing.

“Ok sir, should I include cutlery too? Or do you want to save the environment?” Maanvi asked in a teasy voice.

Abhiraj burst out laughing hearing her statement and shook his head at her childless.

“Oh Maanvi, what’s the need for cutlery when you can feed me with your beautiful hands? Moreover, it will give me a reason to spend more time with you ” he teased her and chuckled.

“Shameless, like I don’t spend time with you right?” she said and giggled.

Just as he was about to respond with something witty, a slow sound of the knob twisting caught his attention and his tone shifted to formal.

“Ok Neeraj, be ready with the file tomorrow, I will be there by 10 pm.” his tone switched instantly, his voice turning all business.

For a second Maanvi was confused by his sudden change in tone, but as soon she heard the voice that came from the other side, she giggled and decided to tease him a little..

“Abhiraj, dinner is ready!” his mom came and ruffled his hair making him smile at her and grin.

“Ok so now boss assistant play it is, my sweet jaanu” Maanvi seized the opportunity and cooed him before breaking into a fit of laughter.

“Why are you grinning? He is a human, let him rest now. Come for dinner.” she said.

“Yes maa, I was about to end the call. You go I will come in 5 minutes.”

His mother narrowed his eyes at her making him gulp.

“You better be there in 2 minutes.” his mother said before turning to leave his room.

“Nope, not before I receive my good night kiss.” Maanvi teased her voice filled with mischief.

“Neeraj, I will meet you tomorrow in the office keep the file ready, we will complete anything left for today in the office. Good night” his voice filled with a known hurry as he tried to suppress the warmth filling his cheeks.

A soft giggle escaped from Maanvi’s mouth and even before she could tease him further, he cut the call, knowing well she was in full mood to tease him more. Not something he minded, it was just his mother’s presence which was making this cute moment turn embarrassing for him, who was now standing near his room with her hand folded over her chest.

He blamed himself, trying to calm himself down and ran towards her side hugging her lightly. His mother’s eyes softened instantly looking at her son and she patted his cheeks.

“Let’s go maa,” he said, his hand holding her slowly moving towards the dining table, not giving Nandani any chance to ask him anything.

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

Everyone in the Rjawat’s mansion was sitting at the breakfast table, having a slight conversation while having the delicious breakfast made by the ladies of the house. The younger ones are busy with their own banters while Abhiraj, his chachu andPapaa are busy with some of their business talk.

“I think Adi too should join you in the office, chachu. It will be very helpful for you as well as him making it easy for him to understand how things work,” Abhiraj suggested.

Siddharth was already helping his father and started visiting the office regularly a year ago after completing his bachelor’s. They knew it was quite early for him to join the office but Siddharth being the ultimate extrovert outside the home, opted for online classes for completion of his master’s and decided to insist on accomplishing his father in the office to learn everything in practice.

“It will be great, and his college doesn’t have any attendance issues so he can at least have some practical knowledge,” Arjun added making everyone nod.

“Yes it’s true, but make sure you don’t load him or force him with anything. First, have some conversation with him and be sure if he truly wants to join or not. Moreover, he should first complete his studies.” Vikrant added, looking at Arjun who nodded understanding his words.

“Don’t worry bhai, I will not load him,” Arjun said and nodded.

The low whispers and conversation at the table came to a stop, Nandani and Meera sat at their respective table and smiled looking at everyone. Their face was covered with excitement.

“What happened mumma, you look so happy,” Adi asked making Meera look at Nandani who smiled and then looked at everyone.

“We would be. Maanvi’s parents have invited us for dinner tonight. It’s been a week since I met my bestie” Nandani pouted making everyone chuckle at her cuteness.

“Dinner? is something special? ” Vikrant asked gaining her attention.

“Yes, it’s their anniversary today. So they have planned a small family dinner” Nandani reasoned making everyone smile.

While here, Abhiraj was dancing internally with the thought that he would be visiting Maanvi’s place for dinner. He somehow controlled his excitement and tried to keep his face neutral but that small smile was not ready to leave his lips.

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

“Happy anniversary my lifeline” Maanvi hugged her parents and kissed their cheeks wishing them another incredible year of togetherness.

“Thank you my bacche” Rajat chuckled and kissed her forehead ruffling her hair while Sarita gave her a warm kiss on her cheeks making her giggle.

“Appy annivalsaly dadu dadi” Aarav wished them for the nth time making them chuckle and pick him up, making him sit in their lap and kiss her cheeks.

“Thank you my baby boy” Sarita ruffled his hair making him giggle.

“He has wished you for the nth time now.” Varun came and stood behind Maanvi pulling her hair lightly.

Maanvi grinned and hit his hand lightly, pouting at him, before moving towards Rajat and hugging him.

“Maa gave him a chocolate when he wished for them for the first time, so he thinks that he will earn a chocolate every time he wishes for them.” Vidhi shook her head smiling at her little boy’s mischief, and placed the tea tray on the table making everyone giggle at the little one of the house.

“Bua” Aarav said gaining everyone’s attention.

“Yes my baby” Maanvi looked at him and kissed his cheeks.

“Appy annivalsaly” he said making everyone giggle at his mischief, while Maanvi pulled him into her lap and tickled, making him laugh out loud.

“You naughty boy, how more chocolate do you need” she kissed his cheeks and pulled into a hug.

“I need this many choco” he said showing all his fingers as Maanvi giggled and kissed his cheeks.

“Okay baby, I will bring many chocolates for you” Maanvi smiled kissing his cheeks.

Aarav jumped in excitement and clapped loudly making everyone adore the little Sharma of the house. He jumped from Maanvi’s lap and ran towards his room giggling and laughing singing Happy Anniversary on a loop. Everyone looked at his excited state and giggled admiring his newfound toddler phase.

“He is becoming daughty day by day, and cheery on top his bua is leaving no chance in spoiling him” Varun huffed at his over-excited toddler son and took a sip of tea.

“It’s my right to spoil him.” Maanvi showed him her tongue and sat beside him pulling his hair.

“Hs bua is equally naughty,” Varun said and pulled Maanvi’s hair making her hiss and slap his hand away.

“Don’t pull my hair” Maanvi grinned

“You started it” Varun reverted back

“No, you started it” Maanvi resorted.

And like that another sibling banter started in Sharma’s mansion, making everyone look at those 2 grown-up adults fighting over a silly thing. The mansion was again filled with fits of laughter and the warmth of siblings’ love reflecting through their fight making the house feel more like home.

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

The dinner at Maanvi’s place was quite like everyone expected, filled with warmth, laughter and friendship. Their family shared a good bond since Nandani and Sarita began to visit each other frequently. The conversation was in flow, filled with business talks, college memories, Sarita and Rajat’s love story and anniversary celebration. And not to forget, the cute little munchkin of the house, Mr Aarav Sharma, who was running here and there wishing everyone either a happy birthday or anniversary to collect as many chocolates as he could.

But during the whole evening, Abhiraj; ’s eyes didn’t leave those brown pairs, secretly stealing glances at her. She seemed happy, laughing at Aarav’s naughtiness, involved in his sibling’s banter, chatting with his mother and laughing at his chacu’s jokes. His eyes were sparkling with love for her, the way she managed to compose herself whenever she glanced at him and the way her eyes were occasionally stopping at him was making his heart flutter with more love.

As soon as the dinner was over, they all decided to settle in the living area and have some fun before heading forward for the deserts. Everyone was busy in their talks and banter, but two pairs of eyes were busy admiring each other unknown to the strome they had to face in a few minutes.

“Attention everyone, I have something to announce.” Nandnani’s voice echoed through the hall gaining everyone’s attention.

Abhiraj frowned sensing a different expression on his mother’s face. It was difficult for him to guess what his mother was planning, hence he decided to interfere.

“Maa, is everything alright?” he asked trying to gain her attention, but her mother being the slay girl of her era completely; ignored her son’s question before continuing.

“I have fixed Abhiraj’s engagement with a girl” she announced.