SHARMA MANSION

Raghav woke up, the morning light streaming through his window. He stretched, a smile touching his lips as he thought about yesterday. The laughter, the splashes of water, Vanshika’s bright, happy face… He shook his head, pushing the thoughts away for now. He had a two-hour workout session to get to. After a grueling workout, he headed back to his room, showered, and got ready for the day. Dressed in a simple t-shirt and jeans, he walked down to the main hall, a pleasant aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.

His father, Rajeev, and his chacha, Sanjeev, were already seated, along with his grandparents, Madhav and Ragini. He wished them all a good morning and settled into an armchair, taking a moment to breathe in the peaceful atmosphere of his home.

Madhav, his grandfather, looked at him over the rim of his spectacles. "So, how was your day yesterday, beta?"

A rush of memories from the amusement park flooded Raghav's mind—the thrill of the rollercoaster, the gentle spray of the log flume, and Vanshika’s infectious laughter. The last part made him smile even more. "It was good, Dadaji. A lot of fun.

Sanjana, came in with a tray of snacks. "It's nice to hear that you all enjoyed it. You needed a break."

Raghav nodded, taking a cup of coffee from his mother, Parvati, who had just entered the room. Just then, the serene atmosphere was shattered by the sound of kids running and laughing as they came down the stairs. The day had officially begun.

Rajeev leaned forward, a smirk playing on his lips. "So, how was your time with your Vanshika?"

Raghav's head shot up. He looked at his father, then at his mother, who was now giving him a knowing smirk. "Well... uhh... it was good," he said, taking a sip of his coffee to hide his rising blush.

Sanjeev chimed in. "Just good? That's it?"

Raghav rubbed his eyes. He knew his mom must have told everyone about his feelings for Vanshika. He cleared his throat.

"Ishana invited us over to her place today, so we're heading there now." He then looked at his siblings. "Alright, you guys heard me, go get ready!"

The kids' faces lit up. "Yay! We're going to Ishana Didi's house!" Sakshi squealed.

"I'll get ready in five minutes, Bhaiya!" Darsh yelled as he and his siblings raced back to their rooms.

Madhav took a sip of his tea, a small smile on his face. "Invited to her house, you say?"

Ragini laughed. "It seems like a lot of progress was made in one day, Madhav."

Parvati and Sanjana exchanged a knowing look. "Rajeev," Parvati said to her husband, "it seems our son has finally found someone."

Sanjeev turned to his brother. "And it seems she's a very good influence on him. He's been smiling a lot more."

Raghav looked at all of them, a deep blush creeping onto his cheeks. "Kya aap log bhi,and it's still not confirm." he said, and with that, he hurried back to his room to get ready, a soft smile on his face.

"Humare liye toh confirm hi hai!!" Sanjeev said laughing.

Once he was out of sight, the elders erupted in laughter. "He's so smitten," Rajeev said, wiping a tear from his eye.

"I'm so happy for him," Parvati said, her voice filled with a mother's love. "He's finally opening up."

"And Vanshika is a good girl. I'm glad he's found someone who makes him so happy," Ragini concluded, a warm smile on her face.

The family's happy chatter continued, their hearts filled with joy for their son.

____________________________________________________________________________________

JOSHI MANSION

Vanshika was in the gym, a determined look on her face as she did push-ups. Akash and Abhimanyu, lying on the floor beside her, were her dutiful counters.

"198... 199... and 200!" they said in unison.

"Enough, Didi! This is too much now," Akash groaned.

Abhimanyu nodded in agreement. "Yeah, how many more are you going to do?"

Vanshika stood up and chuckled at their protest. She then walked over to the treadmill, where Vihaan was running, lost in his music. She gave his head a gentle smack.

"Hey! What's your problem?" Vihaan said, rubbing his head as he pulled off his headphones.

"My problem," Vanshika said, stepping onto the treadmill, "is that you're slacking off. Now, get off there and go do some push-ups. I'll handle this."

She turned to Akash and Abhimanyu. "You two," she said, pointing at them, "are now in charge of counting for him. Make sure he does at least 150, and no cheating!"

Akash and Abhimanyu's faces lit up with a mischievous grin. This was much better than doing their own push-ups. "150 push-ups, Vihaan Bhaiya! Let's go!" Akash said, already getting into position to count.

Vihaan groaned. "You guys are all against me! Vanshika, why are you doing this to me?"

Vanshika just gave him a mock salute and started the treadmill. "Don't worry, Vihaan. It's for your own good. Now get to it, before your little brothers start a new chant: 'Lazy Vihaan! Lazy Vihaan!'" she teased, a huge smile on her face. Vihaan rolled his eyes but headed to the floor.

"Starting now!" Abhimanyu announced with a grin, "One… two… three…"

Vihaan grunted, "Faster! I don't have all day."

"We'll go as fast as you do pushups, which at this rate will be 'all day'," Akash shot back.

As Vihaan struggled through his reps, Vanshika and the others just laughed, thoroughly enjoying his misery.

Meanwhile, Ishana was engrossed in her phone, scrolling through reels, when she heard footsteps approaching. A smile spread across her face as she looked up to see Raghav, Abhiman, and Navya walking towards her, with their younger siblings scrambling to keep up.

"Ishana!" Navya called out, her face lighting up. "You won't believe what a time we had trying to get everyone ready on time. Raghav here almost forgot his phone."

"It was a busy morning," Raghav said, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. "Good to see you, Ishana."

Abhiman nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we all needed a break after all the fun at the amusement park yesterday. My legs are still sore from all the walking."

Ishana chuckled, "I know, right? Akash was telling me about how you guys went on the roller coaster, like a hundred times."

"It was at least a hundred times," Darsh said, walking up to Ishana and giving her a quick hug. "So, where's Vanshika? We've been looking for her."

"She's in the gym," Ishana replied.

"What?" Navya's eyes widened. "But she knew we were coming! How could she be in the gym?"

Ishana laughed. "Hey, hey, relax. She's at my home gym, not some random one across town. Come on, you know how she is."

"Oh, thank god," Navya said, a wave of relief washing over her. "And what about your siblings and Vihaan? Are they with her?"

"They're all there," Ishana confirmed, "probably trying to convince her to take a break."

"Alright, then, let's go meet them," Navya said, already heading in the direction of the gym. Ishana nodded, and they all followed suit, eager to catch up with Vanshika and the others.

As they entered the gym, they saw Vihaan struggling through his pushups, with Akash and Abhimanyu diligently counting each rep. Vanshika, meanwhile, was peacefully running on the treadmill, lost in her music.

"Hey everyone!" Abhiman called out.

When no one responded, Abhiman frowned and looked at Ishana. "Kal ke cheekhne chillane ki wajah se inke kaan chale gaye hai kya?"

Ishana laughed. "Nahh!!They're on a task given by none other than the OG Vanshika Sharma. And until that task is complete, they won't listen or speak because if they do, they're in for it tomorrow."

Raghav chuckled, but his eyes were drawn to Vanshika. She was breathtaking in her fitted black sports bra and high-waisted shorts that hugged her curves perfectly. The outfit showed off her toned arms and abs, a testament to her hard work. She wore her hair in a high ponytail, with a few stray strands framing her face. He was snapped out of his trance when Abhiman gently nudged him, whispering, "Control, my brother," with a wink. A faint blush crept onto Raghav's face as he quickly averted his gaze.

Ishana walked over to Vanshika and patted her shoulder, getting her attention. Vanshika looked at Ishana, then her eyes fell on the group. A wide smile spread across her face as she stopped the treadmill, stepping off.

"Hey, guys! So glad you all made it!" she said, wiping the sweat from her brow with a towel.

"We wouldn't miss it for the world," Navya replied, hugging Vanshika. "But you knew we were coming! How are you still working out?"

Vanshika laughed. "What can I say? The grind never stops. It's my happy place."

She then turned to Vihaan, Akash, and Abhimanyu. "Alright, you three. You can stop now. The guests have arrived."

Vihaan immediately dropped to the floor, panting. "Finally! I thought my arms were going to fall off."

Akash and Abhimanyu helped him up, laughing. "See? We told you she's a menace," Akash teased.

"Alright, you guys, go take a bath and come back," Ishana said with a laugh. "While you're doing that, they'll go meet Mom and Dad."

Vanshika grabbed her water bottle. "Sounds good. Don't let them eat all the snacks without me!" she called out with a playful wink.

"No promises!" Navya shot back, grinning.

Vihaan groaned as he stretched his arms over his head. "Finally! I'm pretty sure my muscles are now just a pile of goo."

"Crybaby," Akash teased, playfully shoving him. "At least you'll look good for the photos."

Abhimanyu smirked. "Yeah, Vihaan bhaiya, you can't be looking like a sweaty mess in front of the others. We have a reputation to uphold."

Vanshika rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Like they've never seen a sweaty person before." She then looked at the group. "We'll be back in a bit. Make yourselves comfortable!"

With that, she and the others headed off to their rooms to freshen up, leaving the group to chat with Ishana.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Vanshika emerged from her room, dressed in a comfortable pair of black joggers and a simple gray t-shirt. Her hair was still damp from her shower, and she looked refreshed. She headed towards the living room, where she could hear the lively chatter of the group.

As she entered, she saw Anand and Amrita, Ishana, Abhimanyu, and Akash's parents, talking animatedly with their guests.

"You all were so brave yesterday! I don't think I've been on a roller coaster in years," Amrita was saying with a laugh.

"It was so much fun, Aunty! The kids were screaming the whole time," Navya replied, giggling.

"That's just because Darsh bhaiya kept pulling my hair," Sakshi said, pouting playfully.

Anand chuckled. "It sounds like you all had a blast. It's so good to have you all here."

Just then, Amrita glanced at her watch, a look of mild panic on her face. "Oh, goodness, Anand, look at the time! I'm so sorry, my dears, but we have to go. Something urgent came up."

"It's no issue at all, Aunty," Raghav said with a warm smile. "You two go on. We'll be fine here."

"Are you sure?" Anand asked, looking concerned. "We can reschedule if you'd like."

"No, no, please," Ishana interjected. "You guys go. We'll be fine. Vanshika is here now, and we'll enjoy ourselves."

"Alright then," Amrita said, giving Vanshika a quick hug as she approached. "We'll see you all later. Have fun, everyone!"

With a final wave, Anand and Amrita left.

"Right then," Vanshika announced, taking the lead and heading toward the kitchen.

"The adults are gone, and the kitchen is all mine! What's everyone hungry for?"

The younger kids' eyes lit up, and a chorus of requests filled the air.

"Pizza!"

"No, pasta!"

"Maggi, please!"

Vanshika laughed. "Alright, alright, one at a time. I can't be a mind-reader and a chef at the same time." She looked at the older group.

"And you guys? What do you want to eat? Don't be shy, I can whip up anything."

"Whatever you're making for the kids is fine by us," Raghav said, a warm smile on his face.

"Are you sure?" Vanshika pressed gently. "You can tell me if you have a specific craving. I don't mind."

"There's no need, really," Raghav replied, his eyes meeting hers. "We're happy to have whatever you're making. It's more than enough."

Vanshika nodded, a smile gracing her lips. "Alright then, be prepared for some chaos," she said playfully before disappearing into the kitchen. The others exchanged amused glances, already anticipating the delicious food and the lively time ahead.

While Vanshika was busy in the kitchen, the kids were busy playing a game of 'I Spy' in the living room.

"I spy with my little eye, something green!" announced Shaurya.

"Is it the plant?" Sakshi guessed, her eyes scanning the room.

"Nope!"

"The cushion?" Divya chimed in.

"That's it!" Shaurya cheered, earning an eye roll from Akash.

"That was too easy," he grumbled. "My turn. I spy with my little eye, something shiny."

Meanwhile, the older group was lost in a conversation about their trip to the amusement park.

"I'm telling you, I still think Vihaan went down that water slide backward on purpose," Raghav said, laughing.

"He totally did!" Ishana agreed, fanning herself dramatically. "He's lucky he didn't get a concussion from hitting the water like that."

"I have to admit, that was pretty impressive," Navya said, a playful smirk on her face. "But nothing beats the look on Vanshika's face when she realized her ice cream had melted all over her hands."

Abhiman let out a loud laugh. "Oh my god, I forgot about that! She looked so devastated. It was a masterpiece of a moment."

Vihaan, who had just come out of the gym, walked over to them. "Hey, you guys! What are you all talking about? Don't tell me you're still talking about that water slide."

"We're just reminiscing about the good old days," Ishana said, winking at him.

"You guys are so weird," he said, rolling his eyes as he took a seat beside them. "You know, the next time we go, I'm going to make sure to stay away from the water slides, and you can thank me later."

Just then, Raghav spoke up, his expression thoughtful. "Hey, this is bad. We're all here enjoying ourselves while Vanshika is all alone in the kitchen, doing all the work."

"Don't worry about her," Ishana said dismissively. "She can handle it. She's a pro."

"Still, let's go help her," Abhiman insisted, already getting up. "It's the polite thing to do."

Ishana sighed but nodded in agreement, and they all headed toward the kitchen. As they entered, they found Vanshika humming along to a song, a peaceful expression on her face as she carefully placed pasta into a pot of boiling water.

"Hey, can we help with anything?" Navya asked.

Vanshika looked up, startled, pulling one earbud out. "Oh, hey! You guys didn't have to come in here. Everything is pretty much done, just this pasta is left."

"You prepared all of this in such a short time?" Navya asked, looking around at the organized chaos of prepared dishes.

"Trust me, Navya, she's a master chef," Ishana said proudly. "She makes the most delicious food, and it's always ready in record time."

Vanshika smiled. "Thanks, Ishu. But seriously, you guys go back and have fun. I'll be out in a bit."

"Yeah, let's go," Abhiman said, a mischievous glint in his eye. He then looked at Raghav. "Why don't you stay here with Vanshika? You cook really well, too. You can keep her company."

Raghav's eyes met Abhiman's, and he immediately knew what his friend was up to. He simply smirked in response. Abhiman just winked back.

"Sounds good to me," Raghav said, a confident smile on his face.

Vihaan and the others nodded, understanding the silent signal. With a few last playful jabs and teasing smiles directed at Raghav, they left the kitchen, closing the door behind them and leaving Raghav and Vanshika alone.

Raghav moved to stand beside her, the air in the kitchen suddenly charged with a different energy. "What can I help you with?" he asked, his voice low and calm.

Vanshika smiled without looking at him, her hands busy with a knife and a pile of vegetables. "There's no need, Raghav. Everything's under control. But if you want to keep me company so I don't get bored, that would be great."

As she started to chop a carrot, Raghav stepped closer, his body brushing against hers. He gently took her hand that held the knife, his fingers wrapping around hers. He guided her hand, chopping the vegetable with her.

Vanshika's breath hitched, and she looked up at him, her eyes wide. "Raghav... what are you doing?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

He leaned in, his lips close to her ear, sending shivers down her spine. "You said you wanted company," he murmured, his voice a soft, intimate rumble. "I'm just accompanying you."

Her heart pounded in her chest, the rhythmic motion of his hand over hers a steady, captivating pulse. She could feel his warm breath on her neck, and a delicate shiver ran through her. She was acutely aware of every point of contact—his broad chest against her back, his arm enveloping hers, the way his thumb gently brushed over the back of her hand with each chop.

He moved his head back slightly, and their eyes met. His gaze was intense, a silent question hanging in the air. The smile on his face was gentle, and a silent, comfortable understanding passed between them. He didn't have to say anything; his actions spoke volumes.

"You're a good... multitasker," Vanshika managed to whisper, her voice a little shaky.

Raghav chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that made her insides flutter. "I learn from the best," he replied, his eyes never leaving hers. He kept their hands clasped, working with a perfect, easy rhythm, and for a moment, the world outside the kitchen, the kids, and their friends, simply melted away.

They fell into a comfortable silence, the only sounds being the gentle clinking of the knife against the cutting board and the quiet melody from Vanshika's earbud. Raghav continued to guide her hand, and the simple act felt like the most natural thing in the world. His touch was warm and steady, a silent anchor in her whirlwind of thoughts.

After a few more moments, Raghav's hold on her hand loosened, and he gently took the knife from her. "I think that's enough chopping," he said, his voice back to its normal pitch. He placed the knife down and turned to face her fully, his hands resting lightly on her arms.

"So," he began, a playful glint in his eyes. "What's next, Chef?"

Vanshika's mind was still reeling from the intimate moment. "Uh... the sauce," she stammered, gesturing vaguely to the pots on the stove.

He just smiled, a soft, genuine smile that reached his eyes. "Lead the way."

Vanshika's mind was still trying to catch up with the sudden shift in atmosphere. She cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. "Uh, the sauce," she said, her voice a little shaky as she gestured toward the stove. "It's a simple Alfredo. Just need to add the cream and cheese."

Raghav stepped to the stove, his hands still on her arms, not letting go. "Mind if I do the honors?" he asked, his eyes twinkling.

Vanshika just nodded, mesmerized by his proximity. He gently moved her hand away from the stove and took over the spatula. His movements were confident and precise, stirring the sauce with a casual grace.

He looked at her, and his playful smile returned. "You know, for someone who claims to be a pro chef, you're surprisingly quiet."

Vanshika laughed, finally finding her voice. "Well, I'm usually not cooking with a... a professional distraction."

"Oh, is that what I am?" he asked, leaning in closer. "A professional distraction?"

She could feel her face heating up, and she took a step back, feigning a look of exaggerated concentration. "The sauce is getting a bit lumpy," she said, trying to change the subject.

Raghav chuckled and gave the sauce a final stir. "There. Perfect," he said, turning to face her again. "Now, about that distraction..."

His gaze held hers, the playful glint in his eyes softening into something more sincere. "I didn't mean to distract you... not entirely," he confessed, his voice a little lower than before. "I just... wanted an excuse to be here with you."

Vanshika's heart fluttered, and a shy smile touched her lips. "I... I'm glad you did," she admitted quietly.

Raghav's smile widened, a genuine, heartwarming expression that made her feel a little breathless. He reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "You know, for all your tough-girl, gym-rat persona, you're pretty easy to fluster."

"And you," she retorted, her confidence returning, "for all your calm, collected demeanor, you're pretty good at being a professional distraction."

He chuckled, the sound a low, pleasant rumble. "I'll take that as a compliment." He glanced at the stove. "Looks like the pasta is ready. I guess our little cooking lesson is over."

Vanshika nodded, her eyes still locked on his. "I guess so."

They stood there for another moment, the kitchen now filled with a comfortable, charged silence. The sounds of their friends and the kids playing outside seemed to fade into the background, leaving them in their own private bubble.

With a final glance at each other, Vanshika and Raghav broke the spell. Vanshika quickly drained the pasta while Raghav poured the creamy Alfredo sauce over it. They worked together seamlessly, their hands occasionally brushing against one another as they prepared the food. The easy camaraderie between them was palpable.

Soon, they were carrying the large bowls of pasta out to the living room, where the others were still laughing and talking. The delicious aroma filled the air, immediately drawing everyone's attention.

"Finally! I was about to go on a rescue mission," Ishana joked, her eyes widening at the sight of the food.

"I knew you guys could do it!" Abhiman said with a wink, earning a playful eye-roll from Raghav.

As everyone dug in, Vanshika and Raghav sat down, their shoulders brushing against each other. They shared a secret smile, a silent acknowledgment of their time in the kitchen.

The room was soon filled with the sounds of happy chatter and the clinking of forks against bowls. Everyone was raving about the food.

"Vanshika, this is amazing!" Navya exclaimed, her mouth full. "You have to give me the recipe."

"It's all in the secret sauce," Vanshika said, winking at Raghav.

"And the professional distraction," he added with a smirk, earning a playful nudge from Vanshika.

Ishana, ever the observant one, looked between them. "Okay, what's going on with you two? You were in the kitchen for like, an hour."

"Just a little cooking lesson," Raghav said smoothly, his eyes never leaving Vanshika's.

"A very hands-on one, by the looks of it,"

Vihaan chimed in, making everyone laugh.

Vanshika just rolled her eyes, but a blush crept up her cheeks. She took a bite of her pasta, enjoying the moment with her friends, a silent secret shared between her and Raghav.

"Alright, everyone, let's have more fun!" Ishana announced, clapping her hands together. "Let's all go and watch a movie!"

The kids immediately cheered. "Yayy!" they shouted in unison.

"Can we watch a cartoon?" Aditya asked, his eyes wide with excitement.

"No, a superhero movie!" Shaurya countered.

"A scary one!" Divya suggested, her voice full of mischief.

Vanshika smiled at their enthusiasm. "Okay, okay, one at a time. We'll decide on the movie together," she said, trying to calm them down. "First, finish your lunch fast, then we'll move on to the next fun activity. No movie until all the plates are clean!"

"Deal!" the kids all said in unison, and a frenzy of fast eating ensued. The elders watched them, laughing at their antics, and a feeling of warmth filled the room.

After the meal, Vanshika quickly gathered all the empty plates. "Alright, everyone, I'll handle these. Ishana, why don't you take them to the home theater and you all can start picking a movie?" she said, heading toward the kitchen.

"Sounds good!" Ishana replied, clapping her hands together. "Everyone, follow me! The snacks are on me!"

The kids, now full and buzzing with energy, rushed after her, a flurry of excited chatter and stomping feet.

"Hey, no running!" Abhimanyu called out, laughing as he tried to keep up with his younger siblings.

"Don't worry," Raghav said to Vanshika with a warm smile, "I'll make sure they don't tear down the place before you get there."

Vanshika smiled back. "Thanks. I'll be quick." With that, she disappeared into the kitchen while the rest of the group, led by Ishana, made their way to the home theater, a new wave of anticipation already building among them.

Vanshika walked into the home theater, a soft smile on her face as she took in the scene. The kids were a flurry of excited energy, arguing good-naturedly over the movie choices displayed on the massive screen. The elders watched them with fond amusement.

"I say we watch 'The Lion King'!" Sakshi declared, holding up the remote.

"No way, that's for babies!" Aditya shot back. "We're watching 'Spider-Man'!"

"Hey, don't diss 'The Lion King'," Abhimanyu said with a grin. "It's a classic."

"Right? The musical numbers alone are worth it," Ishana added, earning a playful eye-roll from Abhiman.

Suddenly, Shaurya, with a mischievous glint in his eye, piped up. "Guys, guys, let's watch a horror movie! It'll be so much fun!"

Aditya's face immediately fell. "No, please, no horror movies! I'll have nightmares!"

"Oh, come on, Adi," Abhimayu said in unison, "It'll be fun, we promise!"

After a bit more convincing from his siblings, Aditya reluctantly agreed. The group settled on a classic horror film. As the opening credits rolled, Vanshika found an empty spot on the plush couch and sat down, right next to Raghav. He shifted slightly, making a little more room for her.

"Hope you're not easily scared," he whispered, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Me? Never," she replied, her eyes fixed on the screen. "I'm a horror movie connoisseur."

As the movie started, the initial tension in the room was palpable. The film opened with a classic jump scare, and a chorus of gasps erupted from the group.

"Aah!" Ishana shrieked, burying her face in Abhiman's shoulder. He just laughed, patting her head. "It's just a movie, Ishana!"

Navya was equally startled, and without thinking, she hid behind Vihaan. He, in turn, flinched at the sudden movement and looked at her with wide eyes. "Hey! I'm trying to watch the movie here," he protested, but he secretly enjoyed the company.

Meanwhile, Vanshika and Raghav were completely unfazed. They sat there, a calm oasis in a sea of jumpy viewers. They shared a bucket of popcorn, their fingers occasionally brushing as they reached for a handful. At one point, a particularly gruesome scene came on, and Raghav, seeing Vanshika's calm reaction, leaned in closer.

"Are you sure you're not scared?" he whispered, his warm breath tickling her ear.

"I'm more concerned about the sloppy acting," she replied with a straight face, making him chuckle.

Later, the film's heroine was walking alone down a dark hallway, a suspenseful silence hanging in the air. Aditya, unable to take the suspense, squeezed his eyes shut and grabbed onto Shaurya's arm.

"Aditya, it's fine, it's fine," Shaurya said, trying to sound brave, but his own voice was shaking.

Just then, a figure jumped out from behind a door, and a loud scream pierced the silence. "Aaaahhh!" Aditya yelled, almost jumping out of his seat.

In a moment of pure instinct, Vanshika grabbed Raghav's hand, her fingers lacing through his. She didn't even realize she had done it until his thumb started gently stroking the back of her hand. Her heart did a little flutter. She glanced at him, her cheeks flushed, but his gaze was still on the screen, a small smile on his face. He didn't say anything, but his grip on her hand tightened slightly, a silent, comforting gesture.

As the movie reached its climax, filled with more jump scares and loud, suspenseful music, Ishana was practically hiding behind Abhiman, peeking through her fingers. "I'm never watching a horror movie again!" she declared.

Navya, too, was a mess, her face buried in the crook of Vihaan's arm. "Remind me to never let the kids pick the movie again," she mumbled.

Raghav and Vanshika, however, were still enjoying the show, their hands still intertwined. He leaned in closer, his voice low. "You're not even a little bit scared?"

Vanshika just smiled. "No, but you're a pretty good hand-holder. It helps."

Raghav's smile widened. He didn't let go of her hand for the rest of the movie.

When the credits finally rolled, the home theater was filled with a mix of relieved sighs and nervous laughter. The younger kids were huddled together, still a little spooked.

"See? I told you it was fun!" Shaurya said, though he was clinging to Aditya's arm.

"Fun for you, maybe," Aditya retorted, his voice still shaky. "I'm sleeping with the lights on tonight."

Ishana let out a long, exaggerated breath, finally moving away from Abhiman. "I swear, I think I aged ten years. Don't ever let me agree to a horror movie again."

"Noted," Abhiman said, a teasing smile on his face. "Though you were pretty good at playing hide and seek behind my shoulder."

Navya, too, released her hold on Vihaan's arm. "Okay, now I need a comedy to cleanse my palate. Who's with me?"

As the lights came on, Vanshika and Raghav were still sitting close, their hands now gently separated as they stretched.

Vanshika looked at him and said with a playful smirk, "I told you I wasn't scared."

"Oh, I know," Raghav replied, his eyes twinkling. "You just needed a little hand-holding for moral support."

Vanshika rolled her eyes, but a smile touched her lips. "Sure, we'll go with that."

"Alright, everyone," Vanshika announced, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Let's put on 'Welcome' to lighten the mood. Our dear Akash and Adi look like they've seen a ghost." She pointed to the two boys, who were still clinging to each other and gave her a nervous, sheepish smile.

"Please," Aditya begged, "anything but another scary movie."

The others, seeing the two boys' genuine terror, quickly agreed. The home theater was soon filled with the classic, humorous tunes of 'Welcome'. As the movie began, the tense atmosphere was instantly replaced with laughter.

"This is more like it," Ishana said, leaning back and relaxing. "I can handle this kind of chaos."

The kids, now unspooked, were howling with laughter at the slapstick humor. They particularly loved Majnu Bhai and his signature painting style.

"Look at that painting! What is that supposed to be?" Shaurya yelled, pointing at the screen.

"I think it's a horse," Divya guessed, giggling. "Or maybe a donkey?"

Vanshika and Raghav were also enjoying the movie, sharing inside jokes and quiet chuckles. As the scene with the explosive car played out, Raghav leaned over to Vanshika and whispered,

"I think I could've done a better job with that stunt."

Vanshika rolled her eyes, a playful smile on her face. "Sure you could. You'd probably blow up the entire mansion."

As the movie progressed, the laughter in the room became a constant hum. The kids were so engrossed that they were quoting lines from the movie.

"Uday, control!" Aditya and Akash shouted in unison, making everyone burst into laughter.

In the midst of the chaos, Raghav turned to look at Vanshika. She had been laughing so hard her shoulders were shaking. But now, she was quiet. Her head was tilted to the side, resting gently on his shoulder, and her soft, even breaths told him she had fallen asleep. Her face, illuminated by the soft glow of the screen, looked peaceful, a stark contrast to her usual energetic self. A gentle smile spread across Raghav's face. He carefully, so as not to wake her, draped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. He could feel the warmth of her body and the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest. It was a simple, quiet moment, but it felt more intimate than anything they had shared so far. He didn't want to move, content to just sit there, holding her close, and watching the movie.

Raghav just sat there, a soft, content smile on his face. The movie's hilarious chaos unfolded on the screen, but his attention was solely on the sleeping girl beside him. The weight of her head on his shoulder was a sweet, heavy presence. He gently shifted his arm, a silent, protective gesture as he held her close. He could feel the warmth radiating from her, and the subtle scent of her shampoo, a fresh, clean scent, filled his senses.

He found himself just watching her, taking in the serene expression on her face, so different from the fiery, determined look she wore in the gym. He couldn't help but think about how he had first seen her—a powerful, confident woman—and how, in this moment, she was so peaceful and vulnerable.

The rest of the group was engrossed in the film's uproarious plot, their laughter and commentary a steady background noise. They were completely oblivious to the quiet, intimate moment unfolding between Raghav and Vanshika. He was careful not to move, not wanting to disturb her peaceful sleep. It was a simple moment, yet it felt monumental.

The movie ended with a final, chaotic flourish of laughter, and the kids were still giggling and quoting the funniest lines.

"That was the best movie ever!" Shaurya exclaimed, wiping a tear of laughter from his eye.

"Shhh," Raghav said softly, his voice low but firm. "Quiet, everyone. Vanshika is sleeping."

Everyone's chatter died down, and they all looked at the couch. Vanshika was nestled soundly against Raghav, her head still on his shoulder, his arm still wrapped protectively around her. A collective "Awwwww" rippled through the room.

"Look at them," Ishana whispered, a mischievous smile on her face. "Our professional distraction has turned into a comfortable pillow."

Abhiman snickered. "And here I thought they were just cooking. Looks like something else was on the menu."

Vihaan, ever the pragmatist, chimed in, "Well, at least he’s a good pillow. She looks comfortable."

Raghav, a light blush dusting his cheeks, just shook his head at them, but he couldn't hide the soft smile on his face. He gently tried to move, but Vanshika just stirred, burrowing herself deeper into his shoulder.

"Okay, Romeo," Ishana said, her voice a teasing whisper. "Why don't you take our sleeping beauty to her room?"

Raghav nodded, carefully and gently scooping Vanshika into his arms. She was so light, and she shifted slightly, her head resting against his chest. He made his way out of the home theater, a gentle, content expression on his face. The others watched him go, exchanging knowing glances and quiet chuckles, already planning the teasing that would come later.

Raghav gently carried Vanshika to her room, the rhythmic creak of the floorboards the only sound besides the quiet hum of the house. He pushed her door open with his foot and carefully laid her down on the bed. He was about to pull his hand away, but her grip on his fingers tightened.

"Vanshika," he whispered, "I have to go."

Instead of letting go, she simply shifted, and her grip on his hand became even firmer. She mumbled something softly, her voice muffled against the pillow. Raghav leaned closer to hear what she was saying, and his heart skipped a beat at her words.

Raghav's heart was thumping in his chest, a mixture of surprise and profound tenderness washing over him. He stood frozen for a moment, her mysterious words replaying in his mind. He looked down at her peaceful, sleeping face, her hand still holding his with a soft, trusting grip.

He knew he should leave, but something rooted him to the spot. He gently used his free hand to brush a stray strand of hair from her forehead. Her skin was soft and warm beneath his fingertips. He leaned down and placed a soft, feather-light kiss on her forehead, a silent promise to protect the vulnerability she had just shown him. He then carefully, slowly, managed to free his hand without waking her. He pulled the covers over her and took one last lingering look before quietly slipping out of the room, a new, gentle secret shared between them, and a question echoing in his mind.

____________________________________________________________________________________

So here is the chapter. I hope you guys will like it.

So what do you guys think that what made Raghav's heart skip a beat.

What did Vanshika said??

Stay tuned for it 😉

Do vote and comments. Also follow me on Instagram for updates.