Naman has a small smile gracing his lips as he witnesses the sweet scene unfolding before him. No matter how much he argues with Ishika, but he's in awe of the amount of love and respect she holds for Anamika. He feels that even if Anamika had a younger sister, she won't have respected her in the same manner as Ishika does. He knocks the door before entering in and it alerts the two ladies. Anamika smiles looking at him and allows him inside.

"Vaise, main ek baat kahun?" He asks, his eyes darting between both the sisters.

"Ab tumhe kya bolna hai? Dekho hum already bahut late ho gaye hai," Ishika says, her tone playful.

"Tumhare liye hi kehna hai, you know. Hum argue karte hai, wo alag matter hai, lekin abhi mujhe kuch aur kehna hai. You two look like real sisters. Aur aap ko pata hai, aisa rishta main pehli baar dekh raha hoon," Naman says, his eyes lighting with genuine praise, leaving the ladies touched.

"Wo toh hum hai hi, aur phir dil ke rishtey zyada strong hote hai na," Ishika winks at him.

"Bilkul thik kaha, Ishu, kuch rishtey turant ban jaate hai aur kuch rishtey waqt lete hai. Waise mujhe yahan ek aur rishta panapta nazar aa raha hai,"Anamika smiles, there's a hint of smile on her lips, as she looks at Naman and Ishika.

"Hey, you're going on the wrong way," Ishika says aloud, getting the meaning behind her sister's words.

"Arey, maine toh kuch kaha hi nahi," Anamika muses playfully.

"Nahi, nahi, mujhe pata hai, aap kya bol rahi ho, aap apne thoughts apne paas rakho, aur jeeju pe dhyan do," Ishika says, her tone teasing.

'"Aur tum kaam pe dhyan do, Mister Naman," Ishika glares at him.

"Maine tum par kabhi dhyan bhi nahi diya, tumse achcha hai ki main tumhari behen pe dhyan dun, kuch seekhne ko milega mujhe," Naman says, his tone laced with playful teasing.

"Of course! Tum na IIT mein admission lelo, tum yahan acting mein kar kya rahe ho? Lectures hi sunne hai toh padhai karo, jao, hamara time waste nahi karo," Ishika retorts, her tone playful as ever.

"Hey, mujhe pata hai kya karna hai? Yahan toh tum lecture de rahi ho," he gazes intently at her, but Ishika doesn't back off.

"Han, toh jaao na, tumhe roka kisne hai? Tum ek toh bina puche andar aa gaye, tumhe manners nahi sikhaaye kisi ne," Ishika lashes out at him.

As Ishika and Naman continue to banter, Anamika is having a hard time to control her laughter. However, she finally intervenes in the middle. She gazes at them, mocking anger.

"Ye kya tareeka hai tum dono ka? Iss samay bhi lad rahe ho? Humein rehearse karna hai, Ishu, Naman, we have less time." Anamika says, her tone loud.

"Itna argument toh bachche bhi nahi karte, jitna tum dono karte ho, seriously? Sab kahenge maine bachchon ko showstopper bana diya hai," Anamika scolds them, as Naman and Ishika stand, their heads low.

Of course, they've been bantering for no reason, just because they enjoy it. They love teasing each other, and Naman usually comes up one or the other idea to argue with Ishika.

"Sorry Di, ab se nahi karungi. Lekin isko bhi keh do ki mujhse uljhe nahi. Aur jo bhi designs hai unko isey pehenna hoga, I won't afford any tantrums," Ishika says, her tone firm.

"Tantrums tum karti ho, main nahi, see, you just threw a tantrum," Naman teases her once again.

"Naman, at least tum responsible behave kar sakte ho, ye kya hai tum dono ka? Abhi jab tak fashion show nahi ho jaata, dono dost ban ke rahoge, come on, hath milaao," Anamika directs them.

Naman and Ishika glance at each other. As the latter glances at her sister, Anamika asks her to befriend Naman. Half-heartedly, Ishika shows a fake smile to Naman and shake hands with him, marking a new friendship. Little did she know, her life is about to change.

*****

After a long day at work, as Ishika and Anamika step out of the boutique, they find Vineet waiting for them. Smiles light up their faces, as they rushed towards the car. Anamika takes her seat beside Vineet while Ishika climbs into the backseat of the car. She sighs deeply as she settles on the seat, and picks up the waterbottle that kept in between the front seats. Taking a few sips of water, she looks at Vineet through the rear view mirror.

"Wow, Jeeju, how did you know I need chilled water?" She asks, her tone innocent.

"Mujhe nahi pata hoga toh kisey pata hoga? Aur vaise bhi tum apni Di ke sath thi, I am sure issne tumse bahut kaam karvaya hoga," He replies, his tone playful.

"Hey, tum hamesha mujhe kyun beech mein laate ho, Vineet? Aur tum zyada Ishika ko sheh mat do! Tumhe pata bhi hai, aaj kitni argument ki issne Naman ke sath," Anamika retorts.

"Dii! Usne shuru kia tha, you know! Fir bhi aap mujhe dant rahi ho? Dekhaa jijuu, your wife is mad at me for no reason," Ishika replies, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Aur jo tu bina reason ke Naman se argue kar rahi thi, uska kya? Dekh rahi hun, itne mahine ho gaye, lekin tum dono har baar jhagadte ho, kyun bhai? Dosti karlo," Anamika says, there's a hint of amusement in her tone.

"Dostii aur usse? Kyun?? Whyy? Wo ladta hai, usne shuru kia tha! Har baar kuch na kuch comment karta hai, aur aap chahti ho main dosti karu? No ways! Aaj bhi kitne comment kar raha thaa!! Isse achcha Jeeju, aap hi showstopper banjate, vo sunaate rehta hai, huh," Ishika makes a face.

Vineet is clearly enjoying the banter between his wife and her sister. Ishika notices him smiling, and she is amused.

"Jeeju, aap has rahe ho? Aap apne dost ko samjhao, jab dekho mujhse argue karta rehta hai," She makes a face.

"Na baba, main nahi padta tum dono ke beech, mujhe couch pe nahi sona. Main kuch bola toh tumhari Di mujhe couch pe shift kar degi," He says, his tone laced with mock fear.

Ishika giggles, and in the meantime, she notices that they are not on the way to their home. She peeps out of the window, and is amused.

"Hum kahan jaa rahe hai?" Ishika asks.

"Dinner karne," he replies briefly.

"Maine Radha ko..." Anamika begins to say something but Vineet shushes her.

"Maine Radha se keh diya tha ki wo apne liye khana bana kar khale aur ye bhi bata diya tha ki hum teenon bahar khana khayenge," Vineet says smilingly.

He further informs that he had some meetings lined up for some new projects, and he has signed two films. He also tells them that he got home early, and therefore, he made the plan to pick them up from the boutique and then go for dinner. Anamika and Ishika are happily surprised.

"Aww, you're so sweet, Vineet. I am really tired, ye plan bana ke tumne bahut achcha kia," Anamika chuckles, she's really impressed by her husband's plans.

"Dekhaa, jiju itne sweet hai, aur ek wo hai, Naman, bilkul bhi sweetly baat nahi karta hai, bahut ajeeb hai ye," Ishika makes a face.

"Aur jo tu uski baatein kar rahi hai? Wo kya hai, Ishu? Mujhe toh aisa lagta hai tujhe wo pasand hai," Anamika jokes.

"Nooo.." Ishika screams, causing Anamika and Vineet to giggle.

In the meantime, they reach their favourite eatery, actually, it's Ishika's first time being here. As Vineet parks the car, Ishika and Anamika enter the restaurant and secure a corner table. Vineet joins them shortly after making an order for some drinks. They decide and place the order in no time. Anamika gives lease to Ishika letting her eat some noodles. She doesn't want to risk her health, but at the same time, she can't kill her cravings. As the three of them wait for their order, Vineet fixes his gaze at Ishika.

"Vaise Ishu, tumhari Di thik keh rahi hai, tum Naman se ladti rehti ho, par baat bhi usi ki karti ho, that's amusing," He says, his lips curving into a small smile.

"Arey, kuch bhi sochte ho aap log! Mujhe usse dosti bhi nahi karni aur aap log soch rahe ho wo mujhe pasand hai, nooo! Aisa kabhi nahi ho sakta," Ishika declares.

"We'll see that, baby," Anamika responds calmly.

"Haan, aap baby pe hi dhyan do, uss bandar, Naman pe dhyan dene ki zarurat nahi hai aapko!" Ishika makes a face.

"Bandar? Mind your language, Ishu," Anamika glares at her.

"Vo bandar hi hai, laal munh ka bandar," Ishika comments.

Anamika and Vineet giggle, while Ishika joins them, as they laughingly devour their meal. After having ice-cream, they return home and they walk into their respective rooms. However, Anamika did remind Ishika to take her medicines.

*****

Once in the confines of her room, Ishika lies on the bed, her thoughts pondering over the day's events. However, her thoughts comes revolving around Naman. She might argue with him, yet, she has made a bond with him. If not for him, she hadn't accepted Anamika's love whole-heartedly, neither, she'd have decided to be a surrogate mother to them. Yet, arguing with him gives her peace at the moment. However, she is thoughtful about her conversation with her sister and brother-in-law.

To Be Continued.