“Haan! Ye idea achha hai mummy. Waha bhej do Anu ko. Saari problem sorted.”

(Yes! This is a good idea, mummy. Send Anu there. All problems sorted.)

“Mai bhi toh kal yahi keh raha tha isko. Maani hi nhi.”

(I was telling her the same yesterday. She didn’t listen.)

Her father spoke but her mother glared at him and said.

“Chup rahiye aap! Kuch bhi bolte hai. Beti ka sasural hai. Aise kaise mai-”

(You keep quiet! You said anything. It’s our daughter’s in-law’s home. How can I-)

“Mummy. Sasural nhi hai. Ghar hai Harshu ka bhi.”

(It’s not just in-law’s house. It’s Harshu’s home too.)

Mohit spoke and held Harshali’s hand, making her smile and nod at her mother. Mohit continued and said.

“Aur phir Anu meri bhi toh behen hi hai na.”

(And Anu is my sister too.)

“Beta lekin…ghar mai sabko problem ho skti hai. Usko sambhaal paana aasaan nhi hai. Bhut shararti hai wo.”

(But…everyone might get troubled at home. It’s not easy to handle her. She is very naughty.)

All of them chuckled and Mohit spoke.

“Kisi ki koi problem nhi hogi mummy. Aur aapki tension ease krne ke liye mai mummy se baat krke aapki baat krwa dunga. Waise itni bhi shararti nhi hai Anu. Hum sambhaal lenge. Moreover, meri mummy ko toh aadat hai. Do khurafaati bete paale hai unhone. Shourya wasn’t an easy child either.”

(No one will have a problem. I will talk to mummy and ask her to call you to ease your worry. She is not that naughty. We will manage. Moreover, my mother is experienced. She raised two storms. Shourya wasn’t an easy child either.)

He said with a chuckle, making all of them smile and nod. Before they could discuss it any further, the bell rang again.

Harshali’s mother went to open knowing it was her naughty brat by the style she rang the doorbell. 

As soon as the door was opened and Anokhi spotted her sister, she ran towards her.

“DIDI!”

Harshali laughed and opened her arms for her sister to run straight into them.

“Hello jijs!”

She greeted from within her sister’s embrace. Mohit ruffled her hair in a brotherly manner and greeted her back.

“Congratulations meri chuzzi! I’m so proud of you.”

(Congratulations my chicklet!)

Harshali mumbled, making Anokhi pout.

“Didi! Chuzzi nhi hu mai. Ab toh mai badi ho gyi hu.”

(I am not a chicklet. I have grown up now.)

“Toh ab murgi ho gyi hai kya?”

(So you are a chicken now?)

Everyone laughed, making Anokhi pout more.

“Ye tere liye laaye the hum. Congratulations baby!”

(We got his for you.)

Harshali said and passed her the gift they got her. Anokhi peaked in like a child and gasped, grinning wide at her didi and jiju.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Bhut sundar hai!”

(It’s very pretty!)

She squealed and took both of them in a side hug. It was a new tote bag. Classy, stylish yet minimal.

“Mai yahi lekar jaaungi kaam pr.”

(I will take this to work.)

She hugged the bag to her chest and Harshali caressed her hair.

“That reminds me! Tu hamare saath chal rhi hai.”

(You are coming with us.)

Harshali said and Anokhi frowned. 

“Kaha?”

(Where?)

And they told her the entire conversation that took place before she arrived and the conclusion of it. Anokhi’s eyes sparkled, much like her sister’s but for an entirely different reason.

She looked at her mother to confirm who nodded subtly. Anokhi squealed and started jumping in happiness like a child.

Two days later, Anokhi was dropped off at Harshali’s house by her parents.

“Bachi hai ye abhi bhi bhabhi. Jyada pareshaan kre toh daant dena.”

(She is still a kid Bhabhi. Scold her if she troubles too much.)

Her mother spoke with an awkward chuckle.

“Arre toh kya hua? Mere bache nhi krte kya shaitaani. Ye bhi toh unke jaisi hi hai na. Aap bilkul tension mat lijiye.”

(So, what happened? Do my kids not do naughtiness. She is also like them. You don’t worry at all.)

Her mother cornered Anokhi and instructed her strictly.

“Jyada uchhal khud krne ki zarurat nhi hai. Tameez se rehna. Aur kisi ko pareshaan mat krna yaha. Apna kaam khud krio. Tera ghar nhi hai, samajh aayi?”

(Don’t jump around too much. Be well behaved. Don’t trouble anyone here. Do your work on your own. This is not your home, got it?)

Anokhi nodded seriously. She would behave herself. She promised. 

Anokhi was at the terrace, smiling at the sky. She was both excited and nervous about her first day.

Anokhi turned back when she felt a presence and lowered her eyes in shyness seeing Shourya entering the place.

He had congratulated her with everyone else when she arrived but they hadn’t exchanged any words other than that.

“Excited? Or nervous?”

He asked, standing besides her, leaning against the railing. His back faced the sky as he leaned to face her. That ever charming smile was present on his face.

“Dono.”

(Both.)

She whispered and he chuckled at her cute admission. He never understood how and why did the always loud girl got so silent in front of him.

“Hum neighbours hai waise. Your office and mine and in front of each other.”

(We’re neighbours.)

He said, making her look at him with wide, surprised eyes.

“Sachi?”

(Really?)

He nodded and her eyes sparkled.

“Aapne dekha hai mera office? Matlab maine bhi dekha hai pr uss din kisi se jyada baat nhi kr paayi. Aapko pata hai kya ki waha ka work environment kaisa hai?”

(You have seen my office? I mean I have seen it but I couldn’t talk to a lot of people that day. You know how the work environment is there?)

She asked quickly and he nodded.

“Ek do log hai meri pehchaan ke waha. According to them, the work environment is good. Seniors achhe hai. I don’t think you’ll face any problem. But agar phir bhi kuch lage…toh mai saamne hi rahunga. You can always come to me.”

(There are a few people I know there…..The seniors are good…..If still there is something…I am right in front of you.)

He said seriously and she nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear and lowering her gaze in shyness. 

“Reporting time kya hai tumhara?”

(What is your reporting time?)

“10 AM to 9 PM.”

“Mera bhi! We can travel together.”

(Mine too!)

He said and she nodded. Her heart was beating loudly in her chest and she gulped.

“Go and sleep! Subha fresh uthna.”

(Wake up fresh tomorrow.)

He said and they moved down together. Anokhi wished him a good night and went to her room. She slumped on her bed and giggled. He always had that effect on her.

She had developed a crush on him the first time she saw him during her sister’s wedding. And since then, the feelings have just intensified. 

Anokhi felt her body buzz due to nervousness and adrenaline rush at the same time. They were at the breakfast table and her leg was bouncing like crazy. For the first time in her life, she wasn’t able to have breakfast.

“Anu! Itna mat darr! Sab thik hoga. Relax and take a deep breath!”

(Don’t be so scared! Everything will be fine.)

Harshali said, keeping hand on her bouncing knee. Anokhi nodded and tried to do what her sister said. She somehow finished the food she had put on her plate and sighed as she finished it.

“Nikal raha hu maa. Come on Anokhi!”

(I am leaving maa.)

Shourya said but her mother stopped him.

“Arre ruk do minute! Pehla din hai uska. Aise hi thodi na bhej dungi.”

(Wait for two minutes! It’s her first day. I can’t let her leave like this.)

His mother said, making both of them frown. Anokhi looked at the lunch box in her bag. What else was left?