Hey, Petals!🌸

Welcome to Chapter 1 of Bound by Misunderstanding. 📚

The journey starts here.

Happy reading...💗🤗

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Verma House

Warm laughter echoed through the Verma House, blending perfectly with the aroma of freshly prepared snacks drifting from the kitchen.

Saturday evenings were always reserved for family, and this weekend was no different.

Rajeev Verma sat comfortably on the living room sofa, discussing something with Rohan, whose dramatic expressions made everyone burst into laughter.

Sakshi sat nearby with her laptop resting on her lap. She lazily scrolled through different outfit collections, occasionally humming in response whenever someone said something, as if she was listening. In reality, her attention was completely on the screen.

Beside her, Ahanshi sat with an open book, a highlighter in her hand. She highlighted a few lines before casually joining the conversation whenever Rohan said something worth roasting.

This time, Rohan smirked before looking at his mother. "Mumma, do you know... kal kitchen mein aapki favourite plate kisne todi thi?"

(Translation: "Who broke your favourite plate in the kitchen yesterday?")

Aneeta slowly turned towards Ahanshi and narrowed her eyes. "Anshi, cups kam the jo ab meri plates ke bhi peeche pad gayi?"

(Translation: "Anshi, weren't the cups enough? Now you've started breaking my plates too?")

Ahanshi's eyes snapped towards Rohan. She shot him a warning look. But Rohan simply grinned.

Tera toh game bajana padega.

Ahanshi calmly closed her highlighter, then she innocently turned towards her father. "Papa... You know who failed his Maths test yesterday?"

The smile instantly disappeared from Rohan's face.

"And do you know who quietly threw his test paper into the garden's dustbin... thinking no one would ever find out?"

Slowly... every pair of eyes turned towards Rohan. His confidence, which had been sky-high a moment ago, disappeared instantly.

"Rohan..." Rajeev narrowed his eyes.

Rohan awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. Ahanshi looked at him, gave a victorious wink, picked up her highlighter and went back to reading as if nothing had happened. Under her breath, just loud enough for Rohan to hear, she muttered,

"Anshi se bahas matlab zindagi tahas nahas."

Their banter was interrupted by Aneeta's voice."Anshi, beta... Papa ke liye ek cup chai bana do." Then she added with a sigh "Aur haan... sirf chai banana, please cup ko shaheed mat karna."

(Translation: "Anshi, beta... make a cup of tea for Papa. And yes... just make the tea. Please don't break another cup.")

Ahanshi pouted, puffed her cheeks and muttered under her breath, "As if main jaan-boojh kar cups todti hoon."

(Translation: "It's not like I break cups on purpose.")

She looked at Rajeev with a complaining expression, as if silently asking him,

Papa, look at what Mumma is saying.

Rajeev chuckled at her expression. He gestured towards her, silently asking, "Should I come help you?"

Ahanshi immediately shook her head. "No, no... it's okay."

She dramatically pointed towards him with confidence.

"Jaldi hi aapko milegi the most special... the tastiest tea in the whole world."

A proud smile spread across her face.

"Made specially for my Papa... by the one and only, Ahanshi Verma."

She giggled at her own announcement.

Aneeta, however, simply stared at her with a completely done expression.

Ahanshi noticed her look and immediately raised both her hands in surrender.

"And this time..." she promised innocently, "no cup, no plate... nothing is going to break."

She placed a hand over her heart.

"I promise."

Then, with one final confident flip of her hair, she turned towards the kitchen.

"Wait for your special tea, Papa!"

And off she went.

•==•==•==•==•

A few minutes later...

Ahanshi returned to the living room carrying a steaming cup. "Papa, here's your tea."

Rajeev smiled warmly as he accepted the cup. "Thank you, beta."

As Ahanshi turned to leave, she noticed Aneeta looking at her with an amused expression. "What happened, Mumma?"

Aneeta raised an eyebrow. "Bas ek hi cup chai banayi?"

(Translation: "You made only one cup of tea?")

Ahanshi blinked in confusion. "Haan... aapne hi toh bola tha, Papa ke liye ek cup chai bana do."

(Translation: "Yes... you only asked me to make one cup of tea for Papa.")

Aneeta shook her head dramatically."Kya karoon main iss ladki ka... jitna bolo, sirf utna hi karti hai."

(Translation: "What am I supposed to do with this girl? She only does exactly what she's told.")

Ahanshi frowned. "Wait... what happened?"

"Nothing," Aneeta replied with an exaggerated disappointed look.

Ahanshi pouted for a second before realization suddenly hit her. "Ohhh..." Her eyes widened in realization."Aapko bhi chai peeni thi!"

(Translation: "Ohhh... you wanted tea too!")

Aneeta folded her arms."Finally, your brain decided to work. I thought it took weekends off too."

Everyone burst into laughter.

"Mumma," Ahanshi complained dramatically, "You should've told me earlier! I thought I only had to make one for Papa."

She turned towards the kitchen."Okay... five minutes. I'll go make another cup right away." After taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped and turned around.

The entire family looked at her. "What happened?"

Ahanshi pointed at everyone one by one. "If anyone else wants tea, tell me now. "

Rajeev chuckled, shaking his head at his daughter's expression.

Aneeta laughed."Forget it. It took you this long to make one cup. Who knows when the second one will be ready?"

Before anyone could stop her, Ahanshi simply smiled."Okay, I'm going to my room."

She picked up her book.

With that, she quietly walked upstairs while the rest of the family continued chatting in the living room.

***********

Meanwhile...

It was a little past eight in the evening.

A sleek black Mercedes cruised smoothly along the highway. Behind the steering wheel sat Rudraksh Malhotra, one hand resting on the wheel while the other held his phone against his ear. "Yes, Dadi. I'm on my way home."

From the other side came Sukhmani Malhotra's firm voice. "Okay, I'm waiting. Be home before it's 9 pm." She paused before adding, "And bring Kunal with you too, I need to discuss something important with both of you."

Rudraksh's eyes shifted towards the passenger seat, where Kunal was casually scrolling through his phone. Feeling Rudraksh staring at him, Kunal looked up and silently asked, "What?"

Rudraksh gestured for him to wait until the call ended."Yes, Dadi. Kunal is with me. We'll both be home in thirty-five minutes."

"Good." The call disconnected.

Kunal looked at Rudraksh before smirking. "Looking at your face... aaj phir shaadi wala episode telecast hone wala hai." He laughed.

(Translation: "Looks like today's going to be another marriage lecture.")

Rudraksh sighed. "Seriously, why does Dadi start talking about marriage every other week?"

Kunal laughed even harder."Then just get married."

Rudraksh shot him a look.

"What's the problem?" Kunal continued. "Teri biwi aayegi... tera yeh sada hua face bhi thoda insaano jaisa lagne lagega."

(Translation: "Once your wife comes along... maybe that grumpy face of yours will finally start looking human.")

Rudraksh muttered."Having fun, aren't you?"

Kunal raised both his hands dramatically. "Okay, okay... I'll talk to Dadi." He grinned. "Now let's go..."

He looked out of the windshield. The Mercedes disappeared into the night, heading towards Malhotra Mansion.

********

Malhotra Mansion

In the dining area, Sukhmani Malhotra sat patiently beside Shikha, both waiting for Rudraksh and Kunal.

A few moments later, the sound of the gates opening echoed through the mansion, followed by the familiar honk of a car outside.

"They're here!" Shikha smiled excitedly.

Soon, Rudraksh and Kunal entered the mansion. Dadi's face instantly brightened. Shikha hurried towards them and hugged both of them warmly."Hello, brothers!" She grinned."Perfect timing." She leaned in conspiratorially, "Thoda sa bhi aur late ho jaate toh..."

(Translation: "If you had been even a little later...")

She immediately stopped after hearing someone clear their throat behind her.

Dadi folded her arms, "I'm here only. Think before you say anything."

The trio burst into laughter.

Rudraksh and Kunal bent down together to touch her feet. Kunal smiled innocently, "How are you my Darling? Maine suna aaj hamari pyaari Dadi bahut gusse mein hain."

(Translation: "I heard our dear Dadi is in quite a mood today.")

Dadi gave him a pointed look, "Jiske pote bina shaadi kiye tees saal ke hone waale hon... woh gussa na kare toh kya mithai baante?"

(Translation: "If her grandsons are about to turn thirty without getting married... should she be angry, or should she hand out sweets instead?")

Kunal immediately looked at Rudraksh. Rudraksh silently begged him with his eyes to save him. Kunal turned towards Dadi, "Dadi, woh..."

Before he could complete his sentence, Dadi interrupted, "This time, I'm not listening to anyone."

Then she looked directly at Kunal, "Kunal, puttar... I called you here for me." She pointed towards Rudraksh, "And you came here to defend him again."

Kunal helplessly looked at Rudraksh. Rudraksh simply sighed.

Dadi softened her expression, "Now you both go and come back after freshening up. Then we will talk?"

The two friends exchanged defeated looks before silently heading towards their respective rooms.

Both praying that somehow... this shaadi wala mess would end soon.

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CHATAR PATAR TIME 💬🎀

Thank you so much for reading Chapter One!

I truly hope you enjoyed it.🤗

This is just the beginning, and there's a lot more waiting ahead.😙

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See you in the next chapter!🧐

Lub zu all!!!😻💌

~ ɪᴛɪɪɪ