Yuvika came out of the flower shop holding a beautiful bouquet of red roses and walked forward, her steps careful and she sat in the car placing the bouquet on the backseat. She drove the car and Avni watched her.

Are you okay?

She asked concerned.

Yuvika hummed.

Yup. Just a bit tired.

She said softly. After sometime, the car rolled to a stop in front of the Malhotra House and the gates were opened.

Yuvika parked the car and got out of the car with a smile on her face, her tiredness fading into thin air and before she could ring the doorbell, the door swung open already and she was greeted by the sight of kavika aunty who was smiling softly at her.

Yuvika meri bachi.

Kavika,s voice trembled with emotion as she reached out, enveloping her into a warm embrace.

Yuvika smiled feeling the motherly affection that radiated off Kavika aunty in warm waves and responded to the hug by wrapping her arms around her rather tightly.

I missed you.

Yuvika whispered tenderly and Kavita pulled away from the hug.

I missed you more.

Kavika aunty,s words were a whisper, laced with sincarity.

Andar aao.

She said softly and Yuvika stepped inside.

Main bhi hoon mumma.

A huffing Avni said from behind and the other 2 laughed.

Yuvika bent down to touch Devraj,s feet. He placed a hand on her head.

Khush raho beta.

He said with a tender smile and Yuvika looked at him.

Woh kya hai?

Devraj asked looking at the bags in Avni,s hand who stood behind

Dora cakes. You love these right?

Yuvika said, her voice soft, a knowing glint dancing in her eyes.

As she entered inside, she walked towards Avni,s room and opened the door to enter inside.

She placed the bag on the bed, her hands aching slightly and entered inside the washroom. She opened the tap and washed her hands, her heart pounding in anticipation and she dried her hands with a towel before stepping out of the washroom.

She walked out, blinking away the exhaustion from her eyes.

She sat on the chair and Kavita smiled, her eyes warm.

Kya hua?

She asked.

Yuvika managed a small smile.

Nothing aunty.

She said with a soft shake of her head.

Tired?

She asked, a knowing glint in her eyes.

Yuvika, still smiling, nodded her head in positive.

A little.

Where's Neil?

Devraj asked, adjusting the glasses.

Yuvika,s heart picked up pace, an unknown emotion swelling with her.

Chahe gulab rahe na rahe lekin uski khusboo humesha rehti hai. Waise hi main rahun ya na rahun per mera pyaar...

Yuvika closed her eyes tightly, pain etched across her face as a wave of dread washed over her.

Avni, noticing the shift in Yuvika,s mood, immediately stood up from the chair and poured water into a glass.

Kya hua Yuvika?

Devraj asked softly, his eyes laced with concern.

Yuvika shook her head sideways and forced her eyes open.

Nothing uncle. It's just a slight headache.

Yuvika said softly, a tender smile playing on her face.

Avni gave Yuvika,s arm a gentle squeeze and passed her the water.

Yuvika took the glass and sipped the water.

Ab main theek hoon.

She said with a soft smile and stood on her feet. Avni looked around, a hint of confusion evident in her eyes

Bhaiya kahin nahin dikh rahe?

Avni asked turning her head to look at her mother.

Kavika sighed heavily.

Kaam tha usse kuch.

Yuvika,s heart Skipped a beat and she looked at Kavita.

Really?

Avni asked, a pout forming on her face

Kavita shook her head, a smile playing on her lips.

Haan.

Avni sighed, her lips curling into a smile.

I'm happy. At least he's not with Suman.

Avni said, her voice tinged with relief.

Suman!!!

Yuvika thought taking a bite of her food.

Who is she?

Yuvika wanted to ask but the question was at the tip of her tongue, frozen. A sudden sense of unease washed over her leaving her gasping and nearly trembling. Yuvika gripped the sides of her chair, her knuckles turning white from the intensity of her grip and then she hissed silently. She breathed out trying to calm herself a little. Her grip loosened around the chair as she composed herself.

She stared at the food in her plate, her appetite had died but she knew that she had to eat otherwise Kavita aunty will be worried.

Taking another bite of her food, she lifted her eyes and felt the uncomfortable silence that had enveloped them all.

She lightly shook her head and looked at everyone before speaking.

Devraj uncle.

Yuvika called out, her voice soft.

Devraj looked at her and blinked his eyes.

Yuvika raised an eyebrow.

Aap bahot weak lag rahe hain.

Yuvika said, the concern in her voice was unmistakable, etching gentle lines over her face.

Devraj felt his heart swell with warmth, touched by Yuvika,s concern and let out a gentle sigh.

Kavita sighed heavily

Beta kuch khaas nahin bas case ka stress....

Kavita trailed off, her voice carrying a hint of tiredness as she shook her head gently.

Yuvika stood up from her chair and walked towards Kavita. Standing beside her, she hugged her from behind gently, placing her chin on her shoulder.

Kavita gasped softly, surprise flickering across her face but she smiled, her heart swelling with motherly affection.

But ab toh sab theek hai na.

She said, her voice taking a childish tone which everyone admired and she then kissed Kavita,s cheek softly, a gesture of affection that made Kavita,s heart swell.

So no tension.

Yuvika said, her childish tone made everyone chuckle, cutting through the uncomfortable silence that had enveloped them.

Baat woh nahin hai

Kavita said softly, standing up from her chair.

Toh?

She asked tenderly lifting her gaze to meet Kavita,s eyes.

Kavita sighed and held Yuvika,s hand

Yuvika touched Kavita,s shoulder, and giving a gentle squeeze, she asked

Kya baat hai aunty.

Kavita found it difficult to speak but opened her mouth. No words came out, her throat constricting with emotions.

It's because of bhaiya.

Avni said with a gentle sigh and Yuvika tenderly patted Kavita,s shoulder and reached out to hug Kavita.

Everything will be fine aunty.

She said, her voice tender and hopeful.

Devraj sighed softly.

Humein koi umeed nahin hai beta. He's no longer the same.

Devraj spoke, his voice tight with emotion.

Aap aisa kaise keh sakte hain uncle.

Yuvika said gently as she pulled away from the hug and looked at Devraj.

Umeed per hi toh duniya kayam hai. We should never lose hope.

Yuvika said, her voice gentle yet firm.

Avni sighed softly.

Let's hope for the best.

Avni said and everyone nodded feeling a flicker of hope ignite within them.

Location: Tiwari House.

Suman stood in front of the mirror, her eyes looking brighter then they had in years. She was dressed in a red Shalwar kameez, her hair falling around her in waves and she gazed at her reflection, a hint of nervousness flickering across her face and she twirled a lock around her finger.

Main usse achi toh lagungi na?

Suman asked to herself, biting onto her bottom lip.

Flashback.

Sorry sorry I'm late.

Suman said hurrying towards him and she stopped in front of him panting and gasping for breathes and she placed a hand on her chest.

I'm sorry Neil woh....

She trailed off as her eyes lifted to meet his gaze and she swallowed hard finding him looking at her with a hint of admiration an something deeper in his eyes, something that had sent shivers racing down her spine and had her heart pounding wildly against her chest.

Aise kya dekh rahe ho?

She managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.

Neil came out of his thoughts and shook his head sideways.

Nothing.

Batao na.

She urged, her voice taking a childish tone and Neil melted, a smile playing on his face.

You are looking so pretty.

Hain!!!!

Suman let out a dramatic gasp.

Matlab roz achi nahin lagti?

Neil shook his head, his lips curling into a soft smile.

Roz achi lagti ho. Lekin aaj zyada achi lag rahi ho. Shalwar kameez bahot suit kerti hai tumhein.

Neil,s voice was soft, trembling with sincarity that warmed her heart.

Flashback Ends!

His words rang in her ears filling her heart with an instant warmth that made her smile.

She turned around and walked out of the room.

As she climbed down the flight of stairs, she heard her chachi from behind.

Kahan ja rahi hai suman?

Suman helted in her tracks and blinked her eyes before turning her head slightly.

Apne pyaar ke paas.

She said with a bright smile and walked out of the house.

Neil sat over the sand, the ocean breeze weaving through the surrounding, gently caressed his cheeks and he breathed, the ocean breeze providing him a sense of calmness despite the storm ragging within him as he stared up into the endless sky.

Why?

He asked to himself, his eyes hollow.

End Of Chapter!!!

Coming and Next: Yuvika and Neil,s hit and miss.

Here's the chapter. Don't forget to vote and comment. Love you all take care stay home and stay safe ❤️