Suman quietly enters the room, her footsteps soft but noticeable.

Suman: Naina bete…

Naina instantly freezes. Her heart skips. She hurriedly throws her phone onto the bed, as if caught doing something she shouldn’t be doing, and turns around—surprise clearly written on her face.

Suman: Kya kuch hua hai kya?

Her voice carries concern, a mother’s instinct sensing something off.

Naina (trying to look normal, forcing a casual tone):

“Nahi.. nhi toh..”

She walks toward her, masking her nervousness behind a small smile.

“Aap btao? Kuch kaam tha mere se?”

Suman: “Hn vo. Kal Vansh aa rha hai toh tu usse Delhi mein jitni bhi achi jagah hai vaha lekr jaayegi. aakhir first time Delhi aa rha hai”

She says it casually, unaware of the storm forming inside Naina.

Naina’s face drops instantly.

Naina: Hn toh vo kaam di kregi na, m kyu??

Her tone sharp, irritation slipping through.

Just then, Alisha enters the room, having overheard everything.

Naina turns dramatically.

Naina: Lo aa gyi mohtarma! Aapka hi intezaar tha…

Alisha: kya hua hai?

Naina suddenly clutches her chest like something tragic has happened.

Naina: Vahi jo nahi hona chahiye tha !!!

She pulls Alisha into a tight hug, exaggerating every emotion.

Suman shakes her head, half amused, half tired.

Suman: Ye toh pagal hai M jaa rhi hu ab..

She walks out.

The moment the door closes, Alisha pulls away.

Alisha: “Bolegi ab? Kyu apni 3rd class acting se mera time waste kr rhi hai tu?”

Naina gasps dramatically.

Naina: Aapke pati parmeshwar ko aapko kal or 3-4 din Delhi ghumana hai!! Badi Maa ne merko bola but ye toh aapka acha chance hai jijaji k sath… #qualitytime spend krne ka

Alisha’s lips curve into a smile.

Alisha: Hn aane toh do usse, hum bhi bta denge ye dil walo ki Delhi hai!

Naina: Haan kyu nhi.. tourist guide ki duty ache se krna

Alisha: Shut up!

Naina suddenly softens.

Naina: Acha aapse ek baat krni thi!! Khair chhodo aapko bhi kal pta chal hi jaayega… maza aayega

Alisha narrows her eyes, sensing danger.

Alisha: kya krne vali hai ab tu and time waste krna chhod, apne future k baare mein kya socha hai? Schooling complete hui hai uske baad kya?

Naina slowly walks to the bed and sits down, her playful mask slipping.

Naina: Di vo toh decided hai. ek baar apki shadi ho jaye fr. m bhi udd jaaugi yaha se kahi duur… jaha ma apni nayi duniya banaugi.. my world

Alisha walks closer and gently taps her head.

Alisha: Pagal kahi ki! Itni duur jana hai tujhe?

Naina looks away.

Naina: Vo chhodo Ab aap jao or apne Vansh k sapne dekho, muhje akela chhod do, good night byee.

Before Alisha can react, Naina grabs her hand, pulls her out, and shuts the door.

Alisha (from outside): Kal btati hu tujhe toh m!

Inside the room, Naina giggles quietly.

Next Day

Place: Shekhawat House

Nandini: Acha Vansh! Ye Kabir nhi dikha? Kaha hai vo?

Dadi: Jarur gym gya hoga Ya fr boxing practice!

Vansh: Vo actually mere sath Delhi jaa rha hai! And vo iss time Rohan k ghr hai. m usse pick kr lunga vahi se , don’t worry!

A faint smile plays on Vansh’s lips.

Dadi (in her mind): Gadbad hai kuch toh! Ye Kabir kab se aise krne laga! Pkka ye dono kich chupa rahe hain…

Vansh: Acha! Dadi, Mom.. take care m chalta hu..

He touches their feet and leaves.

Driver: Sir ab Rohan Sir k ghr jana hai?

Vansh: Nope, Sidha Airport Chalo and iske baare mein kisi ko nahi btana! Khaskar Dadi ko!

Place: Malhotra House

Alisha knocks twice on Naina’s room door. Silence.

She enters—empty room. Empty washroom.

Alisha: ye kaha gyi Itni jaldi subah uthne valo mein se bhi nhi hai!

Mandir, nahi-nahi khud se nahi jaayegi but hai kaha ye…

Then her eyes fall on a peice of paper attached on the dressing mirror…

She reads.

THE MESSAGE: I know aapko bina btaye jaa rhi hu but muhje yahi sahi laga! Ahana mere sath hai..and hum dono 5 din mein vaapis aa jayege..I promise, please koi excuse bana dena! Ahana ne ghr pr bola hai hum dono uski Manali vali dost ki shadi mein jaa rhe hain..so please ghr mein sab sambhal lena..and all the best for jijaji

Bye take care! Love you thousand times — Naina!!

Alisha exhales sharply.

Alisha (to herself): Ye ladki muhje marwa kr maanegi! Ab kaise btau sabko ki ye maharani toh nikl gyi apni duniya ghumne!

Time skips to evening, Inside Train—

Naina is reading a novel ...and Ahana is using her phone...

Ahana: kitni boring hai tu Bro seriously novel?

Naina: toh tu ja na flirt kr vo dekh opposite seat pr kuch boys hain...

Ahana: hn vo toh krugi hi...but like we are going to Manali trip, isn't it is exciting and kya pta tuhje tera Bunny miljaye! Ye jawani hai deewani ki trah!

Naina closes her novel and the says: Ye life hai or yaha Bunny nhi sirf sardard milega jaise tu de rhi hai muhje!

Ahana: Muhje kya! Life hai Kabir urf Bunny toh kahi bhi mil jayega tuhje

Let's see if you're lucky or not!

Naina: ja na!!

And she agian starts reading her novel!

***

Place: Railway Station - Manali

Naina: Ahii(Ahana) yaar kitni buri hai tu Mera ek toh bag nhi mil raha hai or tu hai ki bss ladko se flirt krti rahakar

Ahana: Kya bro! Ladko se flirt hi kya na, aur tera bag mil jaayega... Ruk main frse check krti hu kahi koi aur toh galti se toh nahi le gya hai

Naina: hn m bhi dekhti hu yaha kisi or k pass toh nhi chala gya Ya fr kisi ne Utha liya ho!

Ahana: hn..m vaha dekhti hoon unn logo k pass toh nhi ..tu dusri tarf dekh, vapis yahi milte hain..

Ahana goes from there...

Naina sees a boy holding the same bag which resembles with her bag!!!

Naina(screaming): oyeeee....oyeee mera bag…

and she runs toward him...

The boy is looking in opposite direction and Naina couldn't see his face..and she snatches the bag from his hands...

The boy turns and looks at her and says: Heyy! my bag.

Naina looks at him straight into his eyes and says: nope chor (thief) kahi k, aise kisi ka bhi bag chori krte ho! Sharam nhi aati tumhe?

The boy(annoyingly): Ohh excuse me!, ye mera bag hai or jakr apna illaj krwayo, kahi se bhi muh uthakr aa jate hain log…

Naina: Shutup and ye mera bag hai...

Ahana comes there and says  to Naina: Arre vo

Naina: tu chup kar yahi hai chor, shakal se bhi chor lgta hai

Naina again looks at that boy and says: tumhe kya Iga hum tumhe dhundh nhi paayege!

The boy(in his mind): Ohh god! Ye kis chudail se milwa diya muhje! I thought Manali mein sundar-sundar ladkiyo se flirt kruga, lekin yahi milayi sabse phle aapne, kaha fass gya main!

Someone calls that boy from behind saying: Kabir... Kabir...

Two boys and two girls came over there ...

One Boy: Yaar Kabir..kya kar kya rha hai tu yaha...

Kabir: kuch nhi yaar! ye Dekh ek problem khtm nhi hoti dusri aa jati hai!

He points toward Naina..

And other boy and girls stared at Naina and Ahana...

Naina and Ahana both gave them a weird look...

Ahana (in her mind): Toh iska naam Kabir hai! Haaye! Ye mil hi gya!

Naina looks at her and whispers: Mann mein laddoo mat fod tu! Teri shakl se saaf dikh rha hai! Pagal kahiki !

Kabir looks at Naina and then snatches the bag forcefully from her hands and Naina gets pulled towards Kabir..both got very closer to each-other and both are looking in each-other's eyes..

Ahana chuckles...and puts her hands on her mouth to stop laughing…

Kabirs friends also smiled and one of them is continuously staring Ahana..

Naina realises this and pushes Kabir back...

Naina(embarrassed): Tumhe sharam toh bilkul nhi aati haina? Bss ladki milni chaiye or kahi bhi shuru ho jao!

Kabir: Oh hello? Tum jaisi so(100) aayi so gyi! Zyada bno mat tum ab aur chor kise bola tumne!

A boy: Kabir ruk m baat krta hu!

Kabir: tu ruk Rohan isko toh main dekhta hu!

Ahana grabs Naina from her shoulders and says while shouting loudly: Naina! Tera bag mil gya hai

Everyone’s attention goes toward them..and people started staring them...

Kabir to other people: Koi concert nhi chal rha hai yaha jao sab apna kaam kro...

Naina(shockingly): Kya? Phle nhi bola gya terese?

Ahana: Ladne mein busy thi aap!

Kabir looks at Naina and Naina also looks at him..but she doesn't says anything.

Naina stands stiff, her hands clenched into fists. The embarrassment burns her cheeks, but she refuses to show it.

Naina: Chal chlte hai yaha se inn paglo k beech rhe toh kahi hum bhi pagal na ho jaye!

Kabir straightens himself, still annoyed, still irritated.

Kabir: Oye! pagal kise bola and you should say sorry to me ek toh mera timewaste kiya or chor bhi bola aur tum na chipkali ho bilkul chipkali ki tarah ho tum toh!

Naina’s eyes flash with anger. Without a second thought, she steps closer—too close.

Naina: Naina! Naina naam hai mera Chipkali nhi , Aayi samhj tumhe Idiot kahike!

Her voice is firm, sharp, and unapologetic.

For a second, there’s silence.

Then—

Rohan and the others burst out laughing.

Kabir turns to glare at them, completely done.

Ahana quickly grabs Naina’s arm, sensing this could lead to another argument.

Without another word, Ahana pulls Naina away from there.

They disappear into the crowd.

Kabir stands there, breathing hard, irritation written all over his face.

He runs a hand through his hair.

Kabir (muttering to himself): Pagal chhipakali kahi ki! Pta nahi kaha se aati hai aise ladkiya Kabir calm down enjoy krne aaya hai bss vahi kr, bhul jaa ki koi chipkali se tune ladayi ki!!

He forces himself to look away.

Rohan walks up beside him.

Rohan: Chal chhod usse hum hotel chalte hain, mood sahi kar ab

Kabir exhales slowly.

Kabir: Hn..chlo

They all start walking.

Rohan smirks, clearly enjoying the moment.

Rohan (singing sweetly): “Ye jawani hai deewani….”

Kabir instantly shoots him a deadly look.

Kabir (angrily): Rohan I swear m tera muh tod dunga and meri boxing ki practice bhi teri ye shkal bigad kar puri ho jayegi

Rohan laughs louder.

Rohan: Vaise Ye jawani hai deewani ki tarah Naina ko Kabir se Manali mein pyaar hua tha! Kya lagta hai tujhe ?”

Kabir clenches his jaw.

Kabir: Bhaad mein jaa tu or vo chipkali!

Rohan laughs again as they walk away.

The mountains waiting, the story unknowingly just beginning.

****

Place: Malhotra House

The house is unusually quiet.

Alisha walks into the main hall, where everyone is seated—waiting.

Waiting for Vansh.

She takes a deep breath.

Alisha: Mamma kuch btana hai aapko Naina k baare mein!

Suman looks up instantly.

Suman: Haan Naina hai kaha, subah se dikhi nhi hai!

Alisha swallows.

Alisha: Dadu,Papa,Mamma, Naina ghar par nhi hai!

The room stills.

Kapil (Alisha’s Dad): Kaha hai vo?

Dadu: Haan bol beta!

Alisha answers carefully.

Alisha: Vo Ahana k sath uski friend ki shadi mein gayi hai Manali 4-5 din mein aayegi vo!

Suman stands up immediately, worry flooding her face.

Suman: Par bina bataye aise kaise chli gyi vo, ye aaj kal k baache bhi bss har vakt apni marzi karte hain

Kapil sighs.

Kapil: Hn magar hme batakar jana chaiye tha usse! But koi na Mr.Mehra ki beti k sath hai toh dono safe hi honge !

Dadu raises his hand gently.

Dadu: koi nhi, abhi bachi hai jaise life jeeni hai usse jeene do ! Aur uska bhi haq hai ye sab krne ka, iske baad toh zimmedario ka bhoj pad jaayega, sirf yahi teenage hi hai uske paas or thode din mein usse apne career k liye bhi sochna hai!

He looks at Alisha: Aur Alisha bete usse phone karke bolo ki time time pr phone krti rhe hme..

Alisha: Hnn..dadaji..

Suman nods slowly, still uneasy.

Suman: hn..vo

Suddenly— Doorbell rings.

A maid moves toward the door, but Suman stops her.

Suman: Main dekhlungi Jhumri tum jao…

She smooths her saree.

Suman: Lgta hai Vansh aa gya hai…

Alisha blushes slightly but quickly controls herself.

Suman: Main Aarti ki thali lekr aayi

Alisha: But Mom aarti kyu krni hai…guest h vo ..bss..

Dadu: Jaldi jao… Vo kabtak wait krega..,

Suman walks toward the door and opens it— But instead of Vansh, a courier boy stands there.

Suman pauses.

Suman: Lo ye toh koi aur hi nikla…

Courier Boy: Mam..Miss.Naina Malhotra k naam ek parcel hai…

Suman takes the parcel.

Alisha walks closer, amused.

Alisha laughs softly as Suman makes a cute, annoyed face and walks away.

Alisha:Haan maa aap jao main door close krdugi.

As Alisha moves to close the door— Someone suddenly appears in front of it.

Both freeze.

For a few seconds, the world fades.

Eyes meet.

Silence speaks.

Suman notices the door is still open.

Suman (calling out): Alisha jaldi aao..

Alisha blinks, coming back to reality.

She looks at the person in front of her.

Alisha: Ji..kon?

The man opens his mouth to speak.

Man: Umm…

This chapter ends here.

*****

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