Sunaina's Pov

I reached my room and flopped onto the bed, sprawling across it like fungus on a forgotten piece of bread.

Phew, I was already exhausted.

"Alright, let’s get some work done now," I mumbled to myself, forcing my tired body up and reaching for my phone to call my assistant.

""Hello, Sona," I said as soon as the call connected.

"Hi ma’am, good morning! And congratulations on your brother’s wedding!" she greeted cheerfully.

"Good morning, and thank you," I replied with a small smile. "I need you to schedule all my meetings for the day—you’ve got an hour. Also, please send over the reports I missed while I was on holiday.” I instructed, settling at my desk and opening my MacBook. And just like the amazing secretary she is, she got to work immediately.

For the next 4–5 hours, I was completely immersed in work, until I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in, please," I said, still focused on my screen.

"Uhu uhu," someone cleared their throat. I looked up and saw Bhaiya and Bhabhi standing there.

"Hey, lovebirds," I said with a smile, taking off my glasses and setting them aside.

"Are we interrupting you?" Bhaiya asked with a grin..

"Nope, you never could. Now tell me, what made the newlyweds leave their honeymoon suite and come to my humble abode?" I said, standing up.

"Batau tujhe honeymoon suite," Bhaiya said, smacking my head, and Bhabhi—well, she was blushing like a tomato. Aww, too cute..

(Shut up)

"oww jaanwar" I muttered, pouting.

(Oww animal.)

“Don’t do that, Avi," Bhabhi said, laughing softly. "We were thinking of heading out for lunch together. So if you’re free, we’d love it if you would join us."

"Oh, I’m so sorry Bhabhi, I’ve got meetings lined up for the next five or six hours. I couldn’t get much done during all the wedding preparations," I replied with an apologetic smile..

“But Sunu, you really should eat something for lunch," Bhaiya said with concern in his voice.

"Haan toh aap dono jao na, and just get me a takeaway when you’re back. I’m not really hungry right now, anyways." I said casually.

( Yeah so how about you both go and just get me a takeaway when you are back.)

"Alright, we can do that. But I’m sending you a smoothie—have that for now, okay?" Bhabhi said with a soft smile.

"Okay, boss. I will. Now go and enjoy your little date," I replied with a teasing grin.

"Pagal," Bhaiya said, chuckling, and Bhabhi smiled at me, shaking her head.

(Idiot)

"Have your smoothie, Sunu, warna mujhse bura koi nahi hoga," Bhabhi warned.

(Or else, you’ll see the worst of me.)

"I’ll have it, Bhabhi, don’t worry. Now go, you both are getting late," I said, practically dragging them to the door.

"By the way, you look beautiful, Bhabhi," I said, kissing her cheek once they were out of my room.

"Thank you, baby," Bhabhi said, smiling widely.

"Aur main?" Bhaiya asked, pretending to pout.

(And me?)

"Ekdum kachre ki peti," I said, sticking my tongue out at him. Bhabhi burst into laughter at Bhaiya’s exaggerated look of betrayal.

"Don’t be a drama queen now. Aap bhi theek lag rahe ho," I said with a playful eye-roll, giving him a quick side hug. He responded by ruffling my hair like always.

( You also look okay-okay)

"Take care—we’ll be back soon," Bhaiya said, and Bhabhi nodded along with him. I gave them a reassuring smile and nodded back.

And with that, they left. Soon enough, I was back to being completely absorbed in work, sipping the delicious smoothie Bhabhi had lovingly sent my way.

After a few hours, Bhaiya and Bhabhi returned with my favourite pasta, and I happily devoured it while chatting with my best friend, who’s still at her parents' place along with Dev Bhai and Bhabhi. They’re probably returning in a day or two.

I skipped dinner since I’d already had the pasta and went straight to bed after wrapping up my work for the day.

ADHVAIT'S POV

It’s been four days since I last saw her. And today—finally—I’ll get to meet her again. Di and Avinash are leaving for their honeymoon, so the whole family is heading over to their place to see them off.

I’ve got my two little devils with me in my car, while our parents are following in another.

“So Bhaiyaa, Di and Jiju will be gone for a whole month, right?” Pari asked from the back seat.

“Pretty much, yes. Why?” I replied, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.

“I was thinking… Maybe we could convince Mom and Dad to bring Sunu Di home. She’ll be all alone there,” Pari said, a mischievous smile spreading across her face.

Oh, my dear sister—I love you.

"Ahem, yeah... I think you're right," I said, trying to control my inner monkey who was ready to do gymnastics on trees out of pure joy.

Not the right time,  Adhvait.

"Yes I know. But what will I get in return?" she asked with a devilish smile.

Of course she's a devil in disguise—but I guess I’ll have to fulfill her demands because this is a damn good idea.

"What do you mean?" I asked, feigning a neutral expression.

"Oh come on Bhaiya, aisa toh Naina Di aapse patne se rahi. Just imagine, that one month could do wonders," she said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

(Oh come on, Bhaiya, there's no way Naina Di will fall for you like this.)

"You little piece of shit. Bataun teko abhi," I said, half turning towards her.

(Don't let me come and get you.)

"She’s right, bro. Sunu Di is a tough nut to crack, and for you, this is almost impossible," Eshu added—probably the first sentence she’d spoken during this entire conversation.

"What the hell! Tum log meri behene ho. Instead of boosting my morale, you're completely killing it!" I complained. They just high-fived and burst into laughter.

(What the hell! You guys are my sisters.)

"Fine. Tell me—what do you want?" I said, finally giving in.

"Tomorrow is the weekend, so—a full shopping day with lunch and dinner at our favourite restaurant, with food of our choice. And you’ll accompany us the entire time—for paying and helping us choose," Pari said smugly, and Eshu nodded in agreement.

THIS SPAWNED SPECIES OF DEVILS-

GOD, WHY??? WHY AM I THE ONE SUFFERING???

"This is cruel. Can I bargain?" I asked pleadingly.

"No chance. No bargain, no exchange. Offer valid for 1 minute only. The next one is even more cruel," Eshu said.

"Fine, I agree. I guess we’re going on a brother-sister date tomorrow," I cheered. Of course I love my sisters, but they take full advantage of my inability to say no.

"Okay then, Sunu Di ko ghar lane ka kaam humare upar chod do," Pari said, and they both high-fived.

(Okay then, Just leave it to us to bring Sunu Di home.)

"Thank you, your highness, for your generous help," I said sarcastically, and they just dismissed me with a hand gesture that said ‘yeah, whatever.’

Ijjat nahi hai meri yaha. Bhagwan thodi si laaj rakhloge toh kya ho jaegaa.

(I have no respect here. God, would it hurt to save a little of my dignity?)

Shaking my head at my thoughts, I continued driving and soon we were in front of their home. Chachu and Chachi's car was already parked. I parked my car beside theirs, and the three of us went inside together.

Eshu rang the bell.

Please be her. Please—I want her to open the door. Plea—

YES! YES! FUCK YESSS! IT’S HER!

I snapped out of my thoughts when Eshu and Pari nudged me. Clearing my throat, I said, "Hi."

"Hi, come in, please," she said, stepping aside. And that’s when I noticed her outfit. Damn, she looked so pretty. I could literally watch her all day without blinking.

"Bhai, stop staring like a creep and get in," Eshu said.

FUCK YOU, IDIOT!

STOP EMBARRASSING YOURSELF.

Clearing my throat for the second time in two minutes, I nodded and went inside with my sisters, while Di trailed a few steps ahead.

"Finally, you guys are here," Di said, giving me a side hug.

"Kaise ho?" I asked, returning her hug. She smiled in response.

(How are you?)

Meanwhile, my sisters almost literally jumped on her like koalas, hugging her tightly.

"We missed you so much, Di," Pari said, pouting.

"I missed you too, my babies," Di said, hugging them back.

"Okay, I think we should have dinner now, or else they’ll be late for their flight," Chachi said, and we all headed to the dining room.

The room was filled with the aroma of delicious food. As we proceeded, I signaled to my cousins and friends with my eyes, silently asking them to somehow make her sit beside me. They seemed to understand—my sisters nodded, and my bastard friends smirked. Thankfully, none of this was noticed by the parents or her, who was walking ahead with her best friend—who is also like a sister to me and, by the way, aware of my feelings, since she’s Devesh’s cousin too.

Everyone settled down, and the only seat left for her was beside me. She stepped aside to take a call, looking around, her eyes finally landing on me—and the seat beside me grew as wide as saucers. No, I wasn’t staring at her directly; I was sneaking glances from the corner of my eyes. A second later, she sat beside me, and immediately her enchanting fragrance engulfed me, forcing me to take deep breaths and savor it—it worked like a drug on me.

"Wait," I told her when I saw her scooping some curry that had peanuts in it—I had already tasted it.

She looked at me in confusion.

"It has peanuts in it," I explained, and she gave me a grateful smile that was enough to make me go insane.

"Thank you," she said as she exchanged the bowl of shahi paneer I had passed to her and took the curry bowl from me.

After dinner, it was dessert time. Everyone settled in the living room, savoring bowls of ice cream and talking about random things. That’s when my sister decided to put her plan into action.

"Mumma," Pari called out to Chachi, who turned her attention toward her, encouraging her to continue.

"I was wondering—Sunu  Di will be staying here for a month, right, Di?" Pari asked, confirming with her , who nodded, looking a bit confused.

"So why don’t we take her with us? She can stay with us for a month," Pari said, giving her famous puppy eyes.

"There’s no need, Pari. I’ll be fine, don’t worry," she tried to reassure Pari.

"But Di, just imagine—it’ll be fun, and we’ll have a lot of fun," Pari said, giving her even puppier eyes. Sunu failed to say anything and turned toward her brother, signaling him to speak.

Avinash turned to me with a smirk for a second, clearly indicating that the bastard understood I was aware of this plan.

"Sunu, I think you should go, bachha," he said.

"But Bhaiya, I’ll be fine alone. I’ve lived alone in the US for years," she replied.

"I know, bachha, but Mom will be back, and I don’t want you to face her alone. I’ll feel relieved knowing you’re staying away from that lady," he said, but she was still reluctant.

"Haan beta, why don’t you join us? It’ll be fun," Chachi said.

"Even I want to spend some time with you, Sunu beta. It’s been so long. Before you went to the hostel, we used to be each other’s favourites," Chachu said.

"I can always come to meet you guys, but staying there." She was still hesitant.

"Sunu, I think you should go. Even I won’t be able to accompany you here," Ashi said. She was going back with Devesh and Bhabhi, as Nishika Bhabhi was told to take maximum rest. She’ll stay there till Bhabhi’s delivery.

"Uh—" she tried.

"Don’t deny, please." I secretly whispered beside her.She was sitting next to me.

"Fine," she said reluctantly, though glancing at me for a second.

My happiness knew no bounds—she’d be in front of my eyes for a whole month. My sisters turned toward me and grinned, showing all their 32 teeth. I gave them a secret thumbs-up.

"But I’ll come tomorrow, as I have to pack my stuff," she said, and the others agreed with her. Although I was a bit—just a tiny bit—sad, I agreed she did have a lot to pack.

"Okay, Adi will pick you up because it’ll be difficult for you to manage with luggage," Di said.

I love you, Di, so much.

She was about to decline, but I said, "Okay, I’ll do it. Just be ready around 2 pm." She nodded in response.

"I guess we should leave now for the airport," Devesh said, getting up along with Bhabhi and Ashi.

"Yeah, let’s go together. We’ve got flights at the same time," Avinash said.

"We should leave too, but bachha, you guys stay here tonight with Sunu and I’ll send your clothes in the morning with the driver, okay?" Chachi said.

Haayee chachi, tussi chaaaa gyeee.

( Damn chachi, you slayed.)

The only annoying thing was that every single person—except Chacha, Chachi, and Sunaina—was smirking at me.

MAT KARO KAMINOO

(Stop it assholes)

MAI BLUSH KR JAUNGAA

( I might start blushing.)

DO. NOT. FUCKING. BE. SO. OBVIOUS.

"Also, I have a proposal to make to you and your parents. Your mom and I have been thinking a lot about it lately. If possible, can you connect your parents on a Zoom call right now?" Chachu said, leaving us all confused.

"Sure, Dad. Just give me a minute—I’ll check if they’re available," Avinash replied and called, probably, his father’s secretary. Apparently, they were free, so he connected them to a Zoom call on the laptop, and we all gathered in front of the screen.

"What’s happening? Why is everyone gathered together?" his mom asked, confused.

"Apparently, your son is going on a honeymoon, so it was a send-off dinner," Avinash said sarcastically.

"Oh," she said, slightly embarrassed by her unawareness of what was going on in their children’s lives.

"Anyway, Dad wanted to talk to you about something important," Avinash said, turning the screen towards Chachu.

After the greetings, Chachu said, "Mr. and Mrs. Vashisht, we have a proposal to make. I know it’s sudden and probably not the right time to talk about this, but we just can’t keep it to ourselves anymore." Avinash’s parents gestured for him to continue.

"I would like to formally ask for your daughter Sunaina’s hand for our Adhvaith," he said, more like dropped the bomb I didn't know was coming.