Anamika is mighty pleased after the success of her fashion show. Sitting in their favorite restaurant, as she reflects on the past days of her life, her face lights up with a smile. She glances at the three other people beside her, and her heart fills with gratitude. As she processes her thoughts, uttering words of appreciation, she is reminded of Naman’s earnestness. He is grateful to her for choosing him as the showstopper for her fashion show. Everything has turned out beautifully, and she can’t help but thank the people who were involved in the success of her show. She is lost in thought until Ishika nudges her, her soft voice bringing her out of her trance.

“Di, kya soch rahi ho? Ab toh fashion show bhi ho gaya, ab kya baaki hai sochne ke liye?” Ishika asks, her curiosity piqued.

“Kuch nahi, Ishu, I’m so glad ki sab kuch thik se ho gaya hai,” Anamika smiles, her demeanor joyful.

“Are you sure? Sab thik hai toh itna kya soch rahi ho? Kuch order bhi nahi karti ho, mujhe bhook lagi hai,” Ishika chuckles, her tone babyish.

Anamika smiles at her act while Naman takes the chance to tease Ishika. “Tum chhoti bachchi ki tarah kyun behave karti ho?” he asks, his tone playful.

“Tumhe kya dikkat hai? Tum apna order karo,” Ishika replies, annoyed at the moment.

“Arey, main toh kar raha hoon, par tum kyun bachchon jaise behave kar rahi ho? Kaun kahega tum ek fashion designer ho? Harkatein toh bachchon wali karti ho,” he says, teasing her more.

Ishika glares at him, clearly annoyed. “Toh usse tumhe kya? Vo meri behen hai aur main apni behen se kaise bhi baat karun, tumhe kya problem hai? Main Di se aise hi baat karti hoon, kisi ko achcha lage ya bura lage, ye unki problem hai, main toh aise hi bolungi,” she responds, her tone blunt.

“Arey, tum toh bura maan gai, Ishika, main mazaak kar raha tha,” Naman says, realizing she didn’t like his joke.

“Par main mazaak nahi kar rahi hoon, Naman. It’s my style, okay! Di aur jeeju ke saamne mujhe raw hi rehna hai, aur main aisi hi hoon, so, please don’t judge me. Yahan vaise bhi kisi ka dhyan hum par nahi hai, toh main jaise chahun baat kar sakti hoon,” Ishika retorts.

“Achcha baba, sorry, aaj se main kuch nahi kahunga, I mean, I won’t judge people directly,” he says, his tone genuine.

Yep, Naman has the habit of judging people after just one meeting. However, after meeting Ishika, his mindset has changed. He has learned that people can have different opinions and certain behaviors for specific people, and you can’t question them. Therefore, he’s here now, admitting the same.

On one side, Ishika and Naman continue to argue, while on the other, Anamika and Vineet shake their heads, clearly amused by the banter between the other two.

They only hope that these two stop bantering and take a step closer to each other, for they are well aware of the closeness they’ve shared over the past few days.

*****

Anamika, Vineet, and Ishika return home after their dinner with Naman. Ishika walks into her room to freshen up and change, and so do the other two. It’s been a long day, and all of them are tired. Fifteen minutes later, Anamika knocks on the door of Ishika’s room, and the girl allows her to enter. Anamika enters the room and finds Ishika emerging from the washroom. They share a smile, and Anamika asks her if she has taken her medicines. Ishika responds positively. She walks toward her and makes Anamika sit on the bed. She quickly pecks her cheek, leaving her sister stunned.

“Didu, please itni chinta mat karo, main thik hoon. Aur ab jaise aapne kaha hai, main ghar par hi rahungi, toh I will take care,” Ishika says, her tone soft as she looks at Anamika.

“Main jaanti hoon, Ishu, aur mujhe tujh par poora bharosa hai. Lekin tu meri zimmedaari hai, tu ye sab mere liye hi toh kar rahi hai na, toh mujhe bhi toh tera dhyan rakhna hoga, main aise hi tujhe nahi chhod sakti na,” Anamika says, her tone soft, and her eyes filled with concern.

“Didu, please, haan, ye main aapke aur jiju ke liye kar rahi hoon. Lekin kuch hadd tak apne aap ke liye bhi kar rahi hoon, Di. Aapne jo family mujhe di hai, uske liye hi toh kar rahi hoon, please aap bahut zyada mat socho,” Ishika says, her tone thick with emotion.

“Achcha, iska matlab ab tujhe….” Anamika begins to speak but pauses as she is reminded of her previous query.

“Haan, mujhe koi guilt nahi hai, Didu. Aur isme kaisa guilt? Main toh bas wahi kar rahi hoon, jo mere dil ne kaha hai. Isliye ab aap itni chinta mat karo. Aur haan, kal doctor’s appointment hai, humein chalna hoga,” Ishika reminds her, and Anamika bites her tongue.

“Tujhe yaad tha? Main toh bhool hi gai thi, Ishu. Thank god, tujhe yaad hai, nai toh skip ho jaati,” Anamika says, her tone filled with gratitude.

“It’s okay, Di, bas kal subah 11 baje ki appointment hai, aap uske baad hi office jaana,” Ishika says, and Anamika agrees.

After a brief talk, Anamika leaves the room, and the two sisters bask in the warmth of their beds.

*****
Naman is lying on his bed, his mind wandering back to Ishika. The fashion show was a smooth ride, and they’ve grown closer. He smiles as he recalls the banter they had today in the restaurant. He smiles to himself again. She’s a child at heart and says everything in a way that’s raw and perfect.

Amidst all the perfect things, his mind circles back to one thing, Ishika has been taking some medicines, a significant amount. He’s a bit curious about it. However, he decides to ask Ishika about it whenever they meet next. Little does he know there’s a secret he hasn’t anticipated so far.

To Be Continued.