Naman visits the Dobriyal House but Ishika tells him that Vineet and Anamika aren’t home. He stays for a while and they have their coffee together. They fall into a banter but Naman’s words leave Ishika thoughtful. He leaves the house after assuring her that he will be on time the next day.

Ishika closes the door and is thinking about Naman. His words leave her astonished. Yep, they do share a bond – a bond of banters and teasing. They never talk nicely to each other, and always get into a banter or argument. Amidst this, he mentions that their bond will flourish once they spend time together. So, is there anything between them? Well, there’s no friendship either. So will it flourish? Ishika sighs and falls asleep with such thoughts.

*****
Vineet and Anamika are driving to Rainbow restaurant which is their go-to favourite place. They’re done with their shopping and are now headed for lunch. They drive in silence and as they reach the restaurant, Vineet asks Anamika to secure a table while he parks the car. She agrees and hurries to find a corner table. She also checks on Ishika who’s alone and finds a message from the girl that she’s fine.

In the meantime, Vineet joins her and takes his seat opposite her. She looks content and it is enough reason to be happy for him. He places the order of starters and a soft drink. He finds that Anamika is thoughtful. He clears his throat to gain her attention. She smiles at him.

“Kya hua? Kahan kho gayi? Ishika must be fine.” Vineet says.

“Wo thik hain. Mujhe mila uska message.” Anamika smiles.

“I am telling you, she’s getting naughty. Mujhse toh thik se baat hi nahi karti. Mujhe toh weird se stickers bhejti rehti hain. Huh!” He makes a face.

“Jo jaisa hai usko waise hi stickers bhejenge na.” Anamika says teasingly and he looks at her open-mouthed.

“Huh! What do you mean? Main weird hoon?” He rolls her eyes at his wife.

“Aur kya? Weird hi ho tum. Bina wajah Ishu se jhagadte rehte ho!” she makes a face.

“Huh! Wo ladti hai mujhse! Jaane kya maza aata hai usko!” he makes a face.

“Toh pyaar bhi toh karti hai na humse. Ab tumhe sata ke usey maza aata hai toh main kya karun?” Anamika shrugs her shoulders.

“Han tum kuch mat karo. Bas usko sheh de ke bigaado.” He makes a face.

“Wo toh main karungi hi. Aakhir wo mujhe meri zindagi ka sabse khubsurat tohfa dene wali hai.” Anamika says emotionally.

“Ye bhi sach hai, Ana. She’s doing it so selflessly. Aur dekho aaj hum yahan hai, wo chahti toh wo aa sakti thi.” Vineet says.

“Wo samajhdar hain, Vineet. Usey pata hai ki usey kya karna chahiye aur kya nahi! Isliye I am happy.” Anamika says softly.

“Han, Anu, baat toh tum thik keh rahi ho. We’re really lucky.” He says, thinking about the boon they’ve got for life.

Soonish their order is served and they relish their food along with light chitchats. Life seems beautiful to them. Anamika insists Vineet get some french fries and garlic bread packed for Ishika. He readily obliges and soonish, they head home.

*****
On the way home, Vineet is smiling as a thought strikes his mind which doesn’t goes unnoticed by Anamika.

“Kya hua? Kyun muskura rahe ho?” She asks.

“Future ke baare mein soch raha tha main, Anu. Sab kuch acha ho jayega na kuch mahinon baad!! We will hold it in our arms – hamara bacha!” He says emotionally.

“Han, mujhe ye sab bilkul sapne sa lagta hai. Lekin phir Ishika mujhe reality mein le aati hain. Hamara sapna sach mein sach hone wala hai.” Anamika chuckles.

Vineet holds Anamika’s hand in his and entangles his fingers in hers. That’s their way to believe that their sweet dreams will come true soon. Soonish, they reach home and find Ishika sleeping on the couch. Anamika sighs deeply.

“Ye ladki bhi na! Isey kaha tha thik se rest karna lekin nai, madam yahin so gayi.” She murmurs.

“Koi baat nahi, mujhe lagta hai tv dekhte dekhte so gayi hogi. Main usey room mein le jaata hoon.” Vineet says.

He carefully scoops Ishika in his arms, making sure that her sleep isn’t disturbed. He lays her on the bed carefully while Anamika covers her with a duvet and kisses her head. It’s almost 3 PM, so they also move into their room to rest for a while.

*****
An hour later, Ishika wakes up and finds herself in her room. She was astonished but she realised that Anamika and Vineet must have arrived and the latter must have brought her here. She moves into the washroom and freshens up. She moves out of the room and finds Vineet sitting on the couch. Anamika seems to brew the coffee in the kitchen.

“Good evening, jeej! Aap log kab aaye?” She asks Vineet and takes her seat beside him.

“Kuch derr pehle. Tum so rahi thi toh tumhe jagaya nahi.” He smiles.

“So sweet! Waise aap mere liye kuch laaye?” Ishika chuckles.

“Tumko kya chahiye? Tumne mujhe nahi kaha isliye apni behen se hi pucho.” He makes a face as he loves to tease her.

“Dekho, aap ko kaha ya Di ko! Baat toh ek hi hain. You must remember, jeeju.” She chuckles.

“Han han, thik hain. Tum bolo, kya chahiye?” Vineet asks softly.

“Ye kya ho raha hain? Ishu, are you okay?” Anamika asks.

“Yes, Di. I am fine. Aap baitho!” Ishika says softly and pulls her close.

Anamika sits beside her and gives a mug to Vineet and the other to Ishika. Anamika looks at Ishika and tells her about the things that she purchased and the two ladies discuss their work. Meanwhile, Ishika jumps out of her seat.

“Arey han! I forgot. Naman aaya tha aapse milne.” Ishika chuckles while looking at Vineet.

“Aur tumne usey bhaga diya?” He teases her softly.

“Arey nai! Itni bhi buri nahi hoon main. Maine usey coffee bhi pilayi.” Ishika chuckles.

“Oh, that’s so nice. Toh kya kaha usne?” He asks teasingly.

“Kuch nahi. Wo bas aise hi aaya tha. Maine usey kaha hai ki wo kal time se boutique pe aa jaye.” Ishika informs them.

“Tum chinta mat karo, he will be on time.” Vineet assures the ladies.

“Han han, usko keh dena time se aaye, nahi toh main usko nikaal dungi.” Ishika makes a face.

“Arey, kyun uske peeche padi rehti ho?” Vineet asks her.

“Maza aata hai usko satane mein. Lekin aapka dost badi ajeeb baatein karta hain.” Ishika makes a face.

“Lekin tum dono mujhe satana mat. Samjhe! Aaram se kaam karna!” Anamika warns her sister.

“Arey, main kisi ko nahi satati. Aapka dost hi mujhe satata hai. Aur aaj keh raha tha ki rishtey apne aap flourish ho jaate hain. Weird!” Ishika says.

“Thik hi toh kehta hain wo. Rishtey toh apne aap ban jaate hai. Jaise hamara rishta bana hai.” Anamika says.

Vineet agrees with his wife and Ishika is still thinking about the same. Ishika’s next words leave the couple astonished.

To Be Continued.

What did Ishika say?

Stay tuned.