Neha's POV:

"What are you doing here? Get up and get ready. Danish and Afsha have already started, and you are still here wearing these clothes." Ammi shouted at me. After returning, I took a rest in the living room and started to look into LinkedIn, figuring out the process of hiring, but I guess now I have to postpone my research.

"Ammi I will go and freshen up, but don't ask me to change my clothes. I am tired." It was a very tiring day. This summer heat has made me exhausted, and today's continuous turns to the studio, registration office, and home have drank all my energy.

"You will be freshening up and changing the clothes now; these are not the clothes you were for family invites " Ammi threatened me, screaming danger. It's better if I go and change, so I got up to leave my room.

"Wear something Indian, not these gowns or jeans," Ammi shouted back.

If it were any other day, I would have groomed myself well already, but today I was way too exhausted. May be due to the continuous grind from day one, and the other reason is that I am back at home, calling it to ease myself and act spoilt, but I know my limits. I will make sure to tighten myself and get back to my sophisticated stage of no attachments; it is good for me as well.

Oh no! I don't even have one proper Indian suit, if the top is correct the bottom is not fitting else vice versa, by doing some adjustments if I make a proper top and bottom set, I am not having proper dupatta, the first thing I will be doing tomorrow is going to buy some nice Indian suits, Uff.

Finally after fetching my wardrobe, suitcase (yes because I didn't get time to unpack and arrange the dresses) and each every cloth present in my room I was able to match into a perfect wearable dress, may be it will be too extra for just lunch but what can I do, I have no other option.

Wrapping the dupatta around my head and placing all the other clothes at a side on a single sofa, I rushed downstairs as I heard some voices may be Danish Bhai and Afsha Bhabhi has arrived.

(Her final outfit👆)

Author's POV:

When Neha was arranging her outfit, Afsha and Danish arrived and greeted everyone. Hearing their voices, Ruksana Aunty invited the couple to her home to have the sheer khurma as a welcome serving.

Ruksana Aunty and Afsha share an exceptional bond since the day they met, it was an instant connection. Afsha is the biggest fan of Ruksana Aunty's cooked dishes, and the duo has created a bond over food in these years.

When Aunty got to know about Afsha's pregnancy, she regularly called and checked her whereabouts. Even Afsha expressed her foody desires openly with her.

"Assalamualaikum everyone", Neha descended downstairs and was shocked to see the guests in her house rather than at Anjum aunty's. Adding to it, her mother and Afsha were seriously engrossed in a conversation. She didn't know they shared a good bond.

"Another one added to your list of enragement, right?" Ayesha whispered near Neha.

Giving a smile, "No, no, I am actually shocked. Why would I be jealous? Instead, I am happy that my parents share a beautiful bond with everyone," Neha replied happily, to which Ayesha gave a positive grin and smiled, nudging on Neha's shoulder.

Flashback starts - 4 years back

Four years ago, when she came back from Mumbai and seeing the bond between Ayesha and her father, she was kind of jealous of her.

Being a single child and the recent trust break from her friend and a certain someone made her furious, and that eventually got reflected towards Ayesha. One day, she angrily agitated Ayesha and warned her to stay away from her parents, causing another rift.

Luckily, it was only for a week before Neha's departure for New York. Both of them confronted each other, and Ayesha made Neha realize her mistake.

"Uncle and Aunty love you a lot. I have seen the longing in their eyes for you in these two years. How can they give up on the life they created and look after others? Even when I spend time with them, I can see the shine in their eyes after your return. Just remember it, and never be jealous of these things. I can't ignore the love Ali Uncle and Ruksana Aunty shower on me; they make me feel at home. Similar to the love my dad and mom shower on you. In this sense, I should also be jealous of you, but instead I am happy."

"Look, Neha, there's a fine line in jealousy; staying beyond it can lead to unnecessary self-harm and burnout. Next time, whenever you get jealous, take a pause and think if it is right or  just unnecessary havoc in your head."

This advice from Ayesha has changed the whole perspective of Neha's thinking; it even healed her overthinking nature. She started to understand the things in a broader context, which eventually helped in growing her personality and resuming the friendship between Ayesha and Neha.

Flashback ends

After their conversation, Neha comes near Afsha and greets her; it was the first time they met physically.

"Waalaikumassalam, you look beautiful, and the dress is also lovely," Afsha asked enthusiastically. Due to pregnancy hormones, Afsha has become more vocal out of character.

"Jazakallahu khair, you too are very beautiful, more than what bhai as described," Neha replied, smirking towards Danish while replying to the last sentence, making Danish choke the sheer khurma.

"What happened, Bhai? Did I say anything wrong? You were the one right who said that nothing is as beautiful as my wife while we were shopping for rings in New York." This made both Danish's and Afsha's cheeks and necks turn pink.

"Chalo chalo (come on) it's time for lunch" Anjum aunty called everyone for the lunch diverting the topic.

After having a heartfelt lunch, Neha, Ayesha, and Afsha went to Ayesha's room while others sat in the living room.

"I have heard from Ruksana aunty that you are about to launch a fashion boutique in Hyderabad. How's it going on", Afsha asked Neha while Ayesha went near balcony to attend a call from her office.

"Yes, Bhabhi, I am opening a fashion house in Hyderabad. Yesterday, I finalised a place for the boutique, and the studio setup is just next lane."

"Oh, nice, so when is the inauguration?" Afsha asked excitedly.

"Nowhere near Bhabhi; just the place got finalised, but the official process has not started yet, and don't even ask me about getting the employees. I am still in the starting stage of figuring out how to proceed and fix the salary....................." Neha started to rant about all the struggles she is facing currently regarding her launch.

"Woah Rajdhani express, Get a breath! You have beated Kartik Aryan in ranting," Ayesha, who returned from the call and witnessed Neha's rant, which is neither stopping nor taking a break, stopped her.

Realising she randomly started a long-page essay about her hustling journey with a mere stranger, whom she just met today, Neha got embarrassed and kept her head low, which made Afsha laugh at Neha's embarrassment.

"I am sorry. If you don't mind, I can help you hire employees." Realising her mistake in laughing at Neha, Afsha offered her help.

"But how can you? You go to the office daily, and later you have to come here every day, all the way opposite your house. I can't make you strain because of me," Neha answered worriedly.

"Oh yeah, you are right; I am sorry; I am unable to help you," Afsha replied guiltily.

"Arey, we are living in the internet era. Neha, you can take advice and interview through video calls. If needed, Bhabhi can also join the meeting." Ayesha chirped in after a few minutes, liking the idea. Afsha and Neha exchanged their numbers, and the trio started to have some random talks.

As the day ended, a new hope rose in Neha's face through unexpected support and encouragement given by her family and extended loved ones, and today the list has been updated by the entrance of two new people into her life. Besides all of it, a slight fear is being fabricated about including new people in her life.

"No, no, you have cheated again; your dice was there; you moved it three steps ahead." Ayesha's accusing voice brought her to the scene in front of her, where Ali uncle and Ayesha were playing Ludo, and he had allegedly succeeded in moving the dice and winning the game. "Why would I cheat? Just say you can't see losing the game," Ali uncle retorted back.

Laughing at their banter, she joined them, forgetting all the worries and problems. Sometimes, just enjoying and bringing back the child in you helps you regain the lost energy in your life.

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