Dons of Punjab: Fluke of Reality✔️

Chapter 11

Prabhneet Kaur

The past few months had been full of surprises and emotions. So much had happened in such a short time that I could barely keep up.

First, Gunu didi, the most graceful and kind-hearted person I knew, gave birth to a beautiful baby. The moment we saw the little one, our hearts melted. It felt like a blessing, a new life bringing even more love into our family.

But that wasn't the only good news. Jashi didi and Roop didi were both expecting! Jashi didi was going to have her third baby, and Roop didi was pregnant with her second child. Our family gatherings were filled with laughter, excitement, and endless conversations about baby names, nursery decorations, and cravings. The bond between my sisters grew even stronger as they supported each other through this journey.

As if that wasn't enough, my oldest brother found the love of his life. He met an amazing woman who was kind, intelligent, and had a heart full of love. Their relationship blossomed, and before we knew it, we were celebrating their wedding. It was a grand affair—dancing, singing, delicious food, and moments that would stay in our hearts forever. Seeing my brother so happy made me emotional. He had finally found someone who understood him and stood by his side.

While all these beautiful things were happening, I was finishing up my course in England. I had been counting the days until I could return home, but something unexpected happened. My course ended a month earlier than planned, giving me time I hadn't expected.

Instead of telling my family, I decided to surprise them. I imagined their shocked faces and the excitement in their voices. I couldn't wait.

After booking an Uber, I sat in the backseat, my heart pounding with excitement. The ride felt longer than it actually was. Every mile closer to home made my anticipation grow. Finally, we reached the grand mansion where my sisters and family were gathered. I paid the driver and stepped out, taking a deep breath.

The house was just as I remembered—beautiful, grand, and guarded. My brother-in-law was a powerful man, and security was always tight around his home. The guards stood alert at the entrance, their sharp eyes scanning everything. But they didn't notice me right away. A small smile crept onto my lips—I had a plan.

Moving carefully, I made my way around the house, keeping to the shadows. The cool night air sent a chill down my spine, but excitement kept me warm. As I got closer to the entrance, I saw Jashan didi standing outside, lost in thought. The moonlight made her look even more elegant, her long hair swaying gently in the breeze.

I couldn't resist.

Moving silently, I snuck up behind her and wrapped my arms around her.

She let out a startled scream, her body tensing before realizing who it was.

"Prabh!" she gasped, turning around in shock. The disbelief in her eyes quickly turned into pure joy. "You're home?"

Before I could respond, she pulled me into a tight hug, her arms warm and familiar. I laughed, holding her just as tightly.

"Yes, didi! I'm home!" I said, my voice full of happiness.

Her scream had already caught the attention of everyone inside. Within seconds, footsteps echoed through the halls, and one by one, my family appeared. My other sisters, my brothers, my parents—everyone was there, their faces filled with surprise and joy.

"PRABH!" Roop didi practically tackled me with a hug. "I can't believe this! Why didn't you tell us?!"

"I wanted to surprise you all!" I giggled, barely able to breathe under all the tight hugs.

"Beta, you're home," my mom said, her voice thick with emotion as she cupped my face. "You have no idea how much we missed you."

"I missed you too, Mama," I whispered, holding her hands.

Laughter and chatter filled the air as everyone surrounded me, asking a million questions at once.

"How was England?"

"Did you make lots of friends?"

"Are you hungry? You must be starving!"

The love and warmth of my family wrapped around me like a blanket. After so long, I was finally home. The walls of this house weren't just bricks and paint—they held memories, love, and a sense of belonging I had missed so much.

Despite my love for England and the wonderful friends I made there, nothing compared to New York. The city's energy, the familiar streets, the food, and most importantly, my family—this was where my heart belonged.

Just as I was soaking in the moment, the door creaked open. A hush fell over the room as everyone turned to see who had arrived.

Aman.

My smile faded slightly, and my heart skipped a beat.

He stood in the doorway, tall and confident, his sharp eyes locked onto mine. The corners of his lips curled into a small smirk, as if he knew exactly what his presence did to me. I swallowed, looking away quickly, hoping he wouldn't say anything.

But, of course, he did.

"Well, well," he said, stepping inside. "Look who finally decided to return."

I forced a smile, trying to keep my voice steady. "Surprised?"

He chuckled, tilting his head. "Not at all. You always had a thing for dramatic entrances."

I rolled my eyes, pretending his words didn't affect me. But my heart was racing. There was something about Aman—his presence, his voice, his eyes—that made me uneasy. Not in fear, but in a way I couldn't explain. A mix of excitement and something forbidden.

I took a deep breath, reminding myself that I was home, surrounded by family. Whatever this tension between us was, I wasn't going to let it ruin my homecoming.

I turned back to my sisters. "So, who's making me some chai? I haven't had a good cup in months."

That was enough to break the moment. The room burst into laughter as my sisters dragged me to the kitchen, already arguing over who made the best tea.

But even as I laughed and chatted, I could still feel Aman's gaze on me. Watching. Waiting. And something told me this was just the beginning.

In an unexpected turn of events, the door creaked open, revealing the tall and mysterious figure of Aman. As our eyes met, my once radiant smile faltered, unable to withstand the intensity of his gaze. His lips curled into a mischievous grin, hinting at the secrets he held within. Despite being in the comfort of my own home, a surge of conflicting emotions flooded my heart, leaving me with an undeniable urge to avoid any interaction with him.

"So, you finally decided to show up?" Aman smirked, leaning against the doorframe. His voice was smooth, laced with something that made my pulse quicken.

I swallowed hard, keeping my face neutral. "It was a surprise. Didn't expect to see you here."

"Didn't you?" His eyebrow quirked slightly, and for a moment, I wondered if he could hear my heart hammering in my chest.

The atmosphere became charged with an unspoken tension as Aman confidently strode into the room. His mere presence sent shivers down my spine, a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Although I found solace within the walls of my sanctuary, the thought of engaging in conversation with him seemed utterly impossible. The forbidden nature of our connection weighed heavily on my conscience, urging me to maintain a safe distance.

Before I could respond, Jashan didi playfully smacked Aman on the arm. "Stop scaring her. Prabh just got home. Don't start your usual antics."

Aman chuckled, the sound deep and rich. "I'm just making sure she remembers me."

"Oh, I remember you," I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes before quickly looking away.

He grinned at my reaction, but thankfully, Jashan didi pulled me into another conversation before I had to deal with him further. Yet, as I laughed and chatted with my family, I couldn't shake the feeling of Aman's eyes lingering on me, watching, waiting.