Ishika and Anamika return home after meeting the doctor, with smiles adorning their faces. They plop down on the couch, and Ishika takes a deep breath, trying to relax herself. Radha gets water for them. Sipping the water, Anamika turns toward Ishika, her gaze concerned.

"Ishu, doctor ne jo multi-vitamins diye hai na, please unko time se lena, thik hai? Tujhe bhi apna dhyan rakhna chahiye, " she says.

"Haan, Di. I will take care. Mujhe pata hai aapke upar aur bhi kaam hai, main dhyan rakhungi," Ishika responds, her tone soft yet assuring.

"Good! Ab bas ye fashion show ho jaye, phir tu ghar pe rehna, aur rest karna, " Anamika says.

"Par Di, are you sure, mujhe ramp walk karna chahiye? " Ishika asks, her eyes gleaming with unsurity.

"Kyun nahi karna chahiye? Tune hi toh kaha tha ki tujhe karna hai?" Anamika gazes at her questioningly.

"Par Di, ab kuch dinon mein tummy bloat hona shuru ho jayegi, doctor ne bhi toh yahi kaha hai na??" She replies, her tone doubtful.

"Ishu, tujhe apne aap par bharosa rakhna chahiye. Aur tujhe pata hai na, iss baar sab ethnic dresses hai, kuch pata nahi chalega, aur phir kabhi kabhi it is natural, koi tujhse reason puchne nahi aayega," Anamika explains, her tone unwavering.

However, Anamika is scared too. She doesn't want to do anything that ruins Ishika's future. It's something that they both have decided together and neither of them can backoff. At the same time, she doesn't want her baby bump to be visible. Right now, they can just console each other that everything will go smoothly. Anamika glances at Ishika and cups her face, the warmth of her hands envelope Ishika in a certain warmth.

"Ishu, main hoon na, sab thik hoga, aur kisi ko kuch pata bhi nahi chalega, tu bas apne aap pe dhyan de, aur saari dawaiyan bhi time pe lena," She instructs her and Ishika nods assuringly.

The two sisters retire to their rooms, to freshen up. Vineet is yet to arrive home. Anamika changes into a comfy nightgown and walks into the kitchen. She instructs Radha to cut the vegetables as she intends to make mixed vegetable, for her husband and sister. Also, there's jeera rice, as Ishika likes it. Ishika follows her shortly in the kitchen, asking for some work.

"Bolo na kya karun? Mujhe bhi help karna hai," Ishika says, her tone babyish at the moment.

"Tujhe meri help karni hai na?" Anamika asks, and Ishika nods positively.

"Toh bahar jaake baith, tv dekh. Main banati hoon," Anamika says, pushing her out of the kitchen.

"Arey, mujhe bhi help karne do na, kyun bahar bhej rahi ho?" Ishika asks, mocking sadness.

"No! Bahut exertion hua hai aaj. Vineet tujhe kaam karte hue dekhega toh kahega ki maine hi kaam karvati rehti hoon, mujhe daant nahi khaani usse," Anamika plays along, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"Huh, jeeju toh kitna pyaar karte hai aapse? Aise kaise bol sakti ho aap?" Ishika questions innocently.

"Really? Tujhe kaise pata? Aur vo jhagda bhi mujhse utna hi karta hai," Anamika makes a face.

"Nahi, nahi, aap aise hi bol rahi ho, main jeeju ko bataungi," Ishika says playfully.

"Han bata do, phir main dono ko ghar se nikaal dungi, sona garden mein, machhchar ke sath. Vaise bhi machchar tujhse bahut pyar karte hai," Anamika teases her, causing Ishika to roll her eyes at her sister.

As they stare at each other, they share a laugh. Meanwhile, the doorbell rings, and Ishika rushes to open the door, only to find Vineet standing on the other side, beaming at her. She pulls him inside the house and makes him sit on the couch, at the same time, announcing that he's home. Radha gets a glass of water for Vineet, and Anamika follows by shortly. Vineet gazes at ishika, putting his first question.

"So, how was the meeting with the doctor?" He asks, his tone gentle.

"Was good. Doctor ne kuch dawaiyan badli hai, aur baaki sab thik hai, jeeju," Ishika responds, her tone soft.

"Haan, ab regular care ki zaroorat hai, aur Ishika ne vaada kiya hai ki wo apna khayal khud rakhegi," Anamika says, her tone soft and assuring.

"Good, aur Ana, tum bhi apna khayal rakho, vaise tumhara fashion show ka kaam kaisa chal raha hai?" He asks, his tone gentle.

"Going good, I think we are sorted, Vineet. Bas next week toh fashion show hai hi, tum aaoge naa?" Anamika asks, her gaze questioning.

"Of course aayenge, Di, aap bhi kaisa sawal karti ho?? Jiju ko aana compulsory hai, hai na?" Ishika chimes in the conversation before Vineet could respond.

"Ab toh aana hi padega, Ishu ne bol diya," Vineet plays along, causing Ishika to giggle, while Anamika adores them as the two engage in a conversation.

Meanwhile, Anamika asks Vineet to freshen up and Ishika lays the dining table for the three of them. The dinner is lively with conversations, banters and everything that makes their day wholesome. Soon after, Anamika, Vineet and Ishika retire to their respective rooms, calling it a night.

*****
Anamika enters the room only to find Vineet shuffling the channels to update himself on the news. She slides into the bed, and cuddles with him. He knows that something is bothering her, as she's now lying on the bed, with her head on his chest. He smears her hair softly.

"Ana, kya hua? Kya soch rahi ho?" He asks, but she doesn't reply.

"Bolo na, kya hua? Ishu ne kuch kaha kya? Sab thik hai na?" He asks again, and this time, she sits on the bed and looks at him.

He sits up on the bed, reaching out to hold her hands, knowing she has something to say. He's all set to hear her out, she can't let her stress out.

"Vinuu, sab thik se toh ho jayega na?" She asks, and he knows she's indicating at Ishika's pregnancy.

"Anuu, tumne hi kal kaha tha na ki sab thik se ho jayega. Ishu bhi thik rahegi aur hum bhi, trust me. Ab toh vo hamari family ka hissa hai, hum sab thik karenge, hamare liye bhi aur uske liye bhi," Vineet smiles softly.

"Vo toh hum karenge hi, lekin Vineet, mujhe darr lagta hai kabhi kabhi," Anamika says, her tone worried.

"Nahi, Ana, darne ki koi baat nahi hai. Sab achcha hi hoga, trust me," Vineet says, his tone gentle, and his hands smearing her back.

Vineet kisses on top of her head, trying to calm her. Enveloped in his warmth, Anamika soon falls asleep. He makes her sleep on the bed, and cuddles her, not wanting to disturb her sleep. He embraces her lightly in his arms and falls asleep.

A long day has come to an end.

*****
Naman reaches his home after a tiring shooting schedule. It has been a long day. Since he lives alone, he quickly warms his food and settles down to eat. He turns on the television, but seems to be lost. As he reflects on his day, his mind wanders back to the moment that he shared with Ishika. He smiles at the nickname she's given to him. Well, today, he's drawn toward the young girl. He can't help but think of Ishika.

He remembers how Anamika is always taking care of her, keeping an eye on her, it seems like there's more to the story that he's been told. However, he needs to know this pretty girl more, for, she's interesting and he enjoys his banters with her. A chuckle escapes his lips, remembering the banters they have.

Well, now, they're friends, as per him. He's okay, if she wants to call him Bandar, at least, she is innocent and says all that comes to her mind, of course, she speaks her heart out. A smile graces Naman's lips, as he thinks of her. He unlocks his phone, and opens the gallery, there's a picture, both of Anamika and Ishika, where the latter is laughing.

Naman zooms the picture only to gaze at Ishika, and a thought crosses his mind. His eyes blink with an idea, and a smile graces his lips. He's upto something, and it's evident in his eyes. Well, he needs to wait for the other day.

To Be Continued.