Silent Dreams, Steady Strength EP 2

[9:20 AM Kitchen, Pathak House]

Steam billowed. Voices overlapped. And the fridge door had been opened and closed so many times, it was threatening to file a protest.

Veena Pathak Sharma (FL's Aunt)

*shouting across the room like a general on a battlefield* चार्वी! लड्डू वाला डब्बा कहाँ है? दादाजी को मोटीचूर चाहिए, काजू नहीं! ये कोई protein bar नहीं है! (Charvi! Where’s the laddoo box? Dadaji wants motichoor, not kaju! This isn’t some fancy protein snack!)

Charvi Pathak (FL)

*without looking up, locating it with Jedi senses* Second shelf. Silver foil. Labeled. Probably blessed by three gods by now.

Daksha Pathak (FL's Mom)

दीदी, ये हम सब से ज़्यादा तैयार है। (Didi, she’s more prepared than all of us.)

Veena Pathak Sharma (FL's Aunt)

दक्षा, तुम्हारी बेटी है — बाहर से शांत, अंदर से तूफ़ान। (Daksha, she’s your daughter — calm outside, storm inside.)

[Main Door Opens]

Navin Sharma(FL's Uncle- Veena's husband

*said loudly while entering* शुभ प्रभात! फूल ले आया हूँ — गुलाब, गेंदा और थोड़ा कन्फ्यूजन भी। (Good morning! Brought flowers — roses, marigolds, and a bit of confusion!)

Aakash Gupta (FL's BIL- Nisha's husband)

*carrying folding chairs like he’s a backup dancer* Also brought these. And myself, as decoration.

Veena Pathak Sharma (FL's Aunt)

Balcony corner. And take your shoes off like a civilized man, not a cricket player.

Nisha Pathak Gupta (FL's Cousin)

*entering dramatically behind them* And here comes your cousin for emotionally damage control and colour coordination.

Nisha Pathak Gupta (FL's Cousin)

मां ने अगर दो बार में ही माफ़ कर दिया तो समझना कि किस्मत अच्छी है। (If Maa lets you off in just two rounds, consider it a lucky day.)

Nisha Pathak Gupta (FL's Cousin)

*Hugged Charvi quickly and adjusted her own dupatta with practiced ease.*

Charvi Pathak (FL)

You're late.

Nisha Pathak Gupta (FL's Cousin)

But I brought emotional support... And earrings.

Nisha Pathak Gupta (FL's Cousin)

You look like you’re breathing calm, but your eyes are staging a protest.

Charvi Pathak (FL)

They always betray me first.

•

At Mandir Corner

Charvi Pathak (FL)

*lit the incense, whispering more prayers than usual.*

Daksha Pathak (FL's Mom)

*adjusted the diya beside her*

Daksha Pathak (FL's Mom)

साँस ले बेटा, शादी है... SWOT analysis नहीं। (Breathe, dear. It’s a wedding, not a corporate strategy session.)

Charvi Pathak (FL)

But maa...

Daksha Pathak (FL's Mom)

*cut her off* इम्प्रेस करने की ज़रूरत नहीं है। (You don’t need to impress anyone.)

Charvi Pathak (FL)

*look at her mother*

Daksha Pathak (FL's Mom)

*Softly said* Don’t worry about perfection. You’re not the background decor. You’re the reason the light is lit.

Charvi Pathak (FL)

Tell that to bua. She just ironed the tulsi leaves.*said seriously*

Daksha Pathak (FL's Mom)

*looking at Charvi with a serious face*

Both staring at each other with a straight face and then brust into laughter.

•

At Balcony

The air smelled like tension, turmeric, and three types of mithai. Aakash reclined like he was on holiday. Nisha stood beside Charvi with a smirk that spelled trouble.

Aakash Gupta (FL's BIL- Nisha's husband)

Five chairs. Three trays. And a bride-to-be adjusting the air with her overthinking. *walking past with a tray*

Nisha Pathak Gupta (FL's Cousin)

You're doing the 'I'm calm' thing with your eyebrows again.

Charvi Pathak (FL)

I'm not nervous.

Nisha Pathak Gupta (FL's Cousin)

*sarcastically* Sure. And the fan isn't shaking like maa's voice when someone shifts the tablecloth.

Charvi Pathak (FL)

*eyes rolled, then smiling* If this goes well, remind me to survive the actual wedding.

After sometime Nisha goes in. Charvi stood at the railing, scanning the road quietly.

Her father walked in behind her, holding a fresh glass of water and something for more grounding.

Aashish Pathak (FL's Dad)

Take a breath, dear.

Charvi Pathak (FL)

*look at the source of the voice*

Aashish Pathak (FL's Dad)

*come near her and pat her head* He's seen you... Now he'll start understanding you,too.

Charvi Pathak (FL)

Just making sure the wind chimes don't give the wrong vibe.

Aashish Pathak (FL's Dad)

*smiling* They've been charmed by you, like the rest of us

Aashish Pathak (FL's Dad)

Let's go inside.

Charvi Pathak (FL)

*said whole nodding head* Hmm.

•