After getting fresh and being in comfy clothes, everyone gathered for dinner.

Ruhi and Khushi were glaring at Anirudh, every now and then. Everyone was silently enjoying their drama.

Anirudha took a bite to feed Khushi. She turned her face towards Ruhi.

Khushi (complaining): Yuhi.... Papa chi chi chi...

Anirudh (chuckling): No Ruhi, call her Di.

Khushi turned to stare at Anirudh for a few seconds, then turned back to Ruhi.

Khushi (teasing Anirudh): Yuhiii....

Others controlled their laughter. Vidyut couldn't.

Vidyut (smirking at Anirudh): Papa ki chamchi to palat gayi... Hawww!!!! (Dad's girl is on a different tangent... Haww!!!)

Anirudh made a crying face and acted like crying. Khushi saw him with a sad pout.

Khushi (turning to Ruhi): Dii...

Vidyut (rolling his eyes): Dekha dono baap beti kitne drama karte hai aur bolte mujhe hai dramebaaz. So mean (See, how dramatic this father-daughter duo is and they call me dramaqueen. So, mean)

Anirudh (ignoring Vidyut's comment): Ruhi, listen to me.

Ruhi stared at him.

Anirudh: Hitting someone is bad manners.

Ruhi (being stubborn): No! He said first.

Anirudh: But that's not right.

Ruhi (shaking her head): No.

Anirudh (sternly): Ruhi, I said these are bad manners.

That's all! Already, she was hurt that she kissed the one who hurt her, and he was angry.

Tears brimmed in her eyes, before anyone could react. Ruhi ran towards Saurav's room.

Saurav quickly went behind her.

Khushi (sadly): Katti papa.

Anirudh sighed.

Vidyut: Bhai, this is wrong. Why are you scolding her?

Shalini: This is not wrong, Vidu. To grow a plant, water and sunlight are required. Both love and scolding are important for a child. We need to make sure to make her understand that if we are scolding her, it doesn't mean we don't love her.

Everyone silently had their dinner.

With Saurav and Ruhi.

Saurav saw Ruhi, sitting on the bed and crying. He went and sat beside her, taking her on his lap.

Ruhi (sobbing): Am I a bad girl?

Saurav (Rubbing her back): Naa bacha...

A few minutes later, he let her calm down. Once, she was calm.

Saurav: Bhaiya loves you, Ruhi.

Ruhi gave him a blank look.

Saurav: He scolds Vidyut bhaiya too. Still, he loves him.

Ruhi nodded.

Saurav: Same, he loves you. You were not listening to him that's why he got angry. Tomorrow, tell him you are angry. See, how he will say sorry.

Ruhi (pout): Pakka?

Saurav nodded. Saurav lay on the bed, taking Ruhi on him. She wasn't crying but still had hiccups. Saurav was silently rubbing her back.

In a few minutes, she fell asleep.

Next morning...

Everyone was silently having breakfast. The atmosphere seems thick. Anirudh and Ruhi were not talking. Khushi was also angrily glaring at Anirudh.

Harsha: Ruhi, complete your breakfast and pack your bag.

Ruhi nodded.

Vidyut (in serious tone): I want to speak with you all about my career.

Everyone shifted their attention towards Vidyut.

Vidyut: I want to pursue the UPSC Civil Service exam. I am planning to be an IAS officer.

Everyone sat silently listening to his words, they were trying to process. A person who can't be serious for even a few minutes is planning to pursue Civil Service exams.

Harsha (smiling widely): I am proud of my brother. You can do it.

Dadi (proudly patting his back): Go for it. Do, what you wish to. You will be successful.

Vidyut smiled widely and turned towards his brothers.

Saurav (raising his eyebrow): You sure?

Vidyut: Yes bhai... 100%.

Anirudh: Go for it then. Also, let us know if you need any help.

Vidyut: Need any help? You have to pay for it.

Saurav (rolling his eyes): You are unbelievable.

Before Anirudh could reply, his phone beeped with a message. He took his phone to check the client's message when he noticed a notification from Ruhi's school group.

Anirudh: Ruhi's school bus won't be available today for pick and drop. So, it's the parents' responsibility. Received this update last night.

Saurav (smirking): Vidyut, the older, responsible brother and also soon to be an IAS officer. Are you aware of this?

Vidyut (smiling innocently): No! Maybe Bhai is added to the other group as well or there can be chances, the teacher hid this message from me. Also, since yesterday, after returning from Ruhi's school, I haven't touched my phone you see.

Harsha: Why would the teacher hide this message from you?

Vidyut (smiling shyly): The Whole time she was checking me out.

Saurav: Oh ho! By the way, I saw your last seen in the morning. You were online till late.

Vidyut (mumbling to himself): Last seen is hidden, how did he get to know then?

He quickly took his phone and checked if the last seen was hidden or not.

Vidyut (sighing in relief): Bhai kuch bhi mat bolo. Mera last seen off hai. (Last seen is off. Don't just say anything).

Releasing, he just spilt all the beans. He bit his lip, smiling innocently.

Saurav: Hello responsible brother.

The whole family was trying to control their laughter.

Before anyone could tease Vidyut more, Shalini jumped into the argument to save Vidyut.

Shalini: Enough now! Vidyut, make sure to check the group twice a day. So, she doesn't miss anything. For today, while going to college, drop her off at school and pick her up when returning home.

Vidyut: Okay Dadi!

Harsha: Dadi, I was thinking, Ajeet chacha and his family and Ankita Masi could meet Ruhi. They are our close family. They have the right to know about this.

Shalini: We can invite them this weekend.

Anirudh: What if they won't accept?

Shalini: That's okay! Everyone has their own thoughts and views. Our responsibility is to let them know. We can't force anyone.

Saurav: Also, we need to support Ruhi. No matter what.

Shalini: Okay! It's final, we will invite them this Sunday.

Harsha (controlling her smile): Ani, like we never forced you for Ruhi, but we were firm on our decision. Similarly, now, too, we have to be firm on our decision.

Shalini and Saurav successfully suppressed their smile, remembering how they convinced Anirudh. Vidyut couldn't. Muffled giggles left his lips as he looked down.

Anirudh (looking at Vidyut): Ruhi, don't be like Vidyut bhaiya. Be away from him.

Before Vidyut can reply.

Ruhi (shocked): Why?

Anirudh (teasingly looking at Vidyut): He is spoiling you, right?

Vidyut (with sad face): Am I spoiling you, Ruhi?

Ruhi (angrily looking at Anirudh): No! He loves me and he gives me kissy, not to that mouse.

Vidyut burst out laughing, and so did others.

Completing her breakfast.

Ruhi: Bhabhi, I will pack my bag.

Ruhi ran towards the room to pack her bag. Everyone was still laughing.

Khushi (glaring Anirudh): Chi papa chi chi chi...

Harsha (picking Khushi in her arms): Chi Ani chi...

She went behind Ruhi, giggling, with Khushi.

Vidyut (walking towards his room): Chi bhaiya chi...

As he completed his words, he ran inside his room to save himself, in case Anirudh was planning to scold him.

Saurav (laughing): Chi chi chi!!!

He, too, went into his room to get ready.

Anirudh (whining): Dadi!!!

Shalini (laughing at his drama): You are no less than Vidyut.

Anirudh rolls his eyes.

After Shalini calmed down.

Shalini: Ani, Ruhi is angry. You have to pacify her.

Anirudh nodded and took his laptop. He sat to complete the urgent work till then, Saurav was getting ready.

After a few minutes, Ruhi came out of the room, jumping, her bag bouncing on her back.

She saw that Anirudh was busy with his laptop and Shalini was using her phone.

Ruhi walked towards Anirudh and stood in front of him, folding her arms angrily.

Anirudh sensed her presence but still didn't give her attention. To see what she is going to do.

Ruhi poked her finger on his arm.

Anirudh finally, saw her.

Ruhi (angry pout): Main aapse bahut gussa hoon. (I am very angry with you)

Anirudh raised his eyebrow.

Ruhi (narrowing her eyes): Manao mujhe. (Pacify me)

His lips curled up in a small smile, listening to her demand. Before, he could reply, his phone rang.

Anirudh saw the caller's name on the screen.

Anirudh (taking his phone): It's an important call. Ruhi, give me a minute.

He went into his room to attend the call.

Ruhi (whining): Dadi, this is not fair.

Shalini (pulling her in a hug): Arey! Aane de main uske kaan khichti hoon. (Let him come. I will twist his ear)

Ruhi (looking at Shalini): No no! He will be in pain.

Shalini (pecking her forehead): Acha!! I will scold him then, okay?

Ruhi (smiling): Yes! But a little bit.

Shalini: As you say...

Her heart felt content. How, Ruhi started to create her own place in everyone's heart. It took months but now she is also a part of this family.

Vidyut came out after getting ready with his bag.

Vidyut: Ruhi ready?

Ruhi nodded, breaking the hug.

Vidyut: Dadi, we need to leave early. I have to drop her school and then college.

Shalini: Okay go!

Bidding Shalini bye. Ruhi and Vidyut left.

Some minutes later, Anirudh, Saurav and Harsha came with Khushi after getting ready.

Anirudh (looking around): Ruhi?

Shalini: Vidyut and Ruhi left early as Vidyut has to drop her off at school.

Anirudh nodded with a sigh.

Shalini: Ani, she is angry and expecting you to pacify her.

Anirudh: Ji Dadi!

Shalini: Do it in the evening only.

Saurav: Bhai, why don't you go and pick her? She loves ice cream.

Listening to the word ice-cream. Khushi squealed in excitement.

Khushi (giggling): Bibi Ieeeee-eeemmmmm.

Anirudh: Okay! I will text Vidyut, that I am going to pick her up from school and will bring ice cream for everyone.

He took Khushi in his arms.

Anirudh (flicking her nose): Okay?

Khushi nodded.

Anirudh kissed her cheeks a few times. Making her chuckle.

Once, he stopped. Khushi leans towards him, licking his cheek in excitement, as his beard hurts her, she pushes his face away with her hands.

Harsha, Saurav and Shalini chuckled.

Bidding Harsha, Khushi and Shalini bye. Anirudh and Saurav left.

To be continued...