Chapter 3
At the Raichand Mansion
The garden was glowing under delicate fairy lights as a few close guests started arriving. The air was filled with the scent of mogra and sandalwood. Laughter echoed softly from the patio where Anika and Meher sat, sipping mocktails.
Anika Raichand / ML sister
“You know, when I was abroad, I missed Delhi winters. And you. And maa ke haath ki kheer.”
Meher Sharma ( FL)
(smiling)
“Tujhe kheer se zyada maine yaad kiya hoga.”
(Pretty sure you missed me more than the dessert.)
Anika Raichand / ML sister
(grinning)
“Obviously! Tu nahi hoti toh main kab ka pagal ho gayi hoti.”
(Without you, I’d have lost my mind ages ago.)
Meher Sharma ( FL)
“Waise... tu serious lag rahi hai aaj. Sab theek hai na?”
Meher Sharma ( FL)
(You seem serious today. Everything okay?)
Anika paused, glancing up at the balcony where her brother still stood like a shadow, silent and unmoving.
Anika Raichand / ML sister
(softly)
“Woh ghar waapas aaya hai… lekin dil se ab bhi door lagta hai.”
Anika Raichand / ML sister
(He’s home… but still feels distant.)
Meher Sharma ( FL)
“Tum dono close nahi ho?”
Anika Raichand / ML sister
(sighs)
“Childhood mein the. Phir kuch badal gaya. Mujhe samajh nahi aata uske andar kya chal raha hota hai.”
Anika Raichand / ML sister
(We were close as kids. Then something changed. I never really understand what’s going on in his mind now.)
Meher Sharma ( FL)
“Uska nature kaisa hai?
Anika Raichand / ML sister
(quietly)
“Control mein rehta hai… lekin aankhon mein kuch aur hi chal raha hota hai. Jaise... sab kuch jaan lena chahta ho.”
Anika Raichand / ML sister
(He’s calm… but his eyes? They’re always calculating, like he wants to know everything.)
Inside the Mansion – Kitchen Area
Meanwhile, Priya Raichand, Aarav’s mother, was giving last-minute instructions to the staff, while chatting with her husband, Rajveer Raichand.
Priya Raichand/ ML mom
“Aarav ka mood kaisa lag raha hai tumhe?”
Priya Raichand/ ML mom
(How does Aarav seem to you?)
Rajveer Raichand/ ML Dad
(smiling gently)
“Thoda thaka hua… aur thoda... khoya hua.”
(A little tired… and a little lost.)
Priya Raichand/ ML mom
“Bas dua hai iss baar uska dil kisi ke liye khule.”
Priya Raichand/ ML mom
I just hope his heart opens up this time.
Rajveer Raichand/ ML Dad
“Uska waqt aayega, Priya. Shayad jaldi.”
Rajveer Raichand/ ML Dad
(His time will come, Priya. Maybe sooner than we think.)
your author
what happen to aarav that he seems to distance with everyone?
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