Character information and Story background.

Balwant Singhania is a retired army man. He has a son named Veeranshu who owns a famous restaurant in Mumbai. Balwant's wife died many years ago and there is no one else in his immediate family.

His friend from his days in the army is Ranvijay Taneja. His wife was also in the army and died in the battle field. He has two twin daughters- Rani and Bani. Rani is bold and extrovert. She is also older by two minutes and is the wild child of the family. Bani is the sweet, innocent type. She is also sarcastic yet polite.

Bani

Rani

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One day, Balwant and Ranvijay are sitting in Balwant's backyard and thinking about their old days. Then a conversation about their children popped up.

Ba: Kya kehta hai Ranvijay? Itne saalo ki dosti ko rishtedari me badal dein? Mera beta or teri beti?

R: Neki aur puchh-puchh?..mai kl hi Rani se baat krta hoon..

Ba: Rani se?

R: Haan, badi vo hai dono me..waise toh ek barabar hi hai...do minute ka hi toh fark hai..

They talk for a while and decide to send their children on a date.

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Rani entered the room, her wild curly hair sticking in every direction. It was clear from her clothes and messy hair that she had been partying all night.

B: Rani! Kahan thi..mai kitna dr gayi thi..

R: Uff Bani..chup kr!!...meri sir dukh raha hai ek toh..

B: Ab jis type ki harqaten hai, aisa hi hoga na..

She got up and prepared a lemonade for her sister. After drinking it, Rani felt better. She went into the shower and came out wearing a green crop top and white shorts.

R: Sorry yaarrr Bani...tu toh janti hai na...jiss hisab ka bomb us Hitler ne kl foda tha...mujhe vo news digest krne ke liye ek do vodka ke shots toh chahiye hi they..

B: Teri halat dekhr lg raha hai vo ek do shots nahi, ek do bottle thi...aur dhang se baat kr...vo papa hai humare..

R: Haan haan..whatever..pr aisa kon krta hai?? Mera rishta pakka kr aye!

B: Parents do that??? I am so shocked!

R: Shut up yrr!!

B: Arey Ranu, koi rishta pakka nahi kiya hai...sirf milne hi toh bolla hai...aur tune text kiya usse ??

R: Haan..

B: Kya reply aya?

R: Ek minute..

She snatched Bani's phone and went through the texts.

R: Kl ek date ka bol raha hai..

B: Tune usse mera number de diya??!!

R: Haan..

B: Kyun?

R: Kyunki meri jagah tu jayegi..

B: What..nahi!

R: Maan jaa na...bs thodi der timepass krke ana aur mana kr dena usse...papa se mai bol dungi ki gayi thi wahan aur pasand nahi aya..

Bani refused and went away.

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The next day, Bani got a text in which Veeranshu had written all the details of the date venue. Bani went to tell this to Rani but she couldn't find her. Rani also did not pick up her calls. Her phone was switched off.

B: Ye Ranu pagal hai bilkul...ab dad ko pata chala toh iski shamat aa jayega...kya karu???

Reluctantly, but to save her sister, Bani curled all her straight hair and wore a dress from Rani's closet.

She went to the venue Veer asked her to come to.

B: Ye kahan reh gaya???

'Excuse me??'

Bani turned and saw a god-like man.

B: (In mind: wow!! ) Yes?

V: Rani? Right?

B: Na-h-haan..haan..hi? You must be Veeranshu?

V: Yes, but you can me Veer..

He smiled showing his perfect teeth. Bani was smitten by his charming smile. She smiled back and her dimples showed.

V: (In mind: she is so cute, pr Jai ne bataya tha Taneja ki badi beti ke baare me, she is the life of every party and very outgoing.) So, let's sit?

They reach their table and Veer pulls out a seat for her. Bani again smiles for him gratefully. The waiter comes and they order.

V: Drinks?

B: Um? This mocktail sounds nice.

V: Waise yahan ke cocktails bhi bohot acche hai..

B: Vo I don't drink..

V: Oh? (confused) Accha, Rani kuch batao apne baare me.. I know this must feel a little awkward...our parents arranging all this...trust me it is awkward for me too...

B: Yeah...(Bani's hand shivered lightly, she was awkward as well as nervous because she was pretending to be her sister)

V: We don't have to date you know. We can consider this as a friendly date, okay?

Bani smiled feeling grateful. She and Veer spent a great time. She found out Veer was really into books and shared similar interests.

B: Wow! I never met anyone who read so many same books as me. Most people just watch the movies and say that they have read it.

V: Yeah! Ikr! Movies are good but books are amazing. There is so much more depth in them.

B: Agreed! They call my emotions differently. I cried so much readying 'Tuesdays' with Morrie'

V: I have read that too Rani!!!

Every time Veer took Rani's name, all of Bani's excitement would get washed away. Her smile would fall and the spark in her eyes would dim. Veer noticed this but was confused regarding her reaction.

They had a great time save a few moments where Bani's morality protested against this. Later, Veer dropped her home.

V: I had a great time! Thanks.

B: Likewise.

V: Let us meet up again though..I would really like that. No pressure though..

B: I would like that too..

V: Cool? What would you want?

B: Surprise me?

V: Don't mind if I do..

B: Good night..

V: Good night..Rani..

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Bani entered the room she shared with her sister. She was lost in the memories of the date and was thinking about Veeranshu. She didn't notice that Rani was back and was sprawled on the bed until she sat on her.

R: Ouch! You Fatso!!..

B: Wha-? Oh hello to you too..sister..

R: You are a sweetheart Bani, I knew you would go in place of me so that Napolean doesn't kill me..

B: Is that the reason you majored in history? So you could memorise names of history villains and pick nick names for our father..

R: Uff! Enough about Dictator Kim..you tell me how was the date? Is that guy hot?

B: Very! (blushes)

R: Uhem !

B: What? There is nothing wrong with appreciating a good face. He is nice..

R: Good for him. I will reject him. Stalin abhi Delhi gaya hai for some reunion with his fellow Dictators. Jb aa jayega tb mai isse reject kr dungi..(yawns) ..Chal thanks anyways..I will go to sleep now..

She kissed Bani on the cheek and went to sleep. Bani removed her make-up and changed her outfit. Many thoughts were running through her head. Juggling between her liking for Veer and her conscious complaining about the situation, she slept.

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To Be Continued

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Next:- Vani date. Rani rejects Veer.

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