The Tale of Coincidences

Chapter7

Once the Kapoors left, the Malhotra men got together to help Shipra clean up. Throughout the process, there was a wide smile on Prakash's face and his sons couldn't help but notice their dad being so happy. He was usually a jolly person but the happiness they saw on his face today was different. It was similar to the joy kids feel when they get something they had wanted for a long time or find something they had lost and was very dear. 

"Prem uncle and his family mean a lot to Papa don't they?" Nakul said with a smile. "Yes, they surely do" Aarav added as they both were looking at their dad scrolling through the photos they took in the evening. This reverie broke as Shipra called out to both of them. 

"Beta get in touch with Avantika or Kriti once and discuss your plans for tomorrow and then let me know your final plan" Shipra told her sons. "Okay Maa!" Nakul responded as they headed towards Aarav's room to chill. 

"Bhai can u call them and ask about tomorrow?" Nakul asked teasingly. "Yeah sure as if I have their number," Aarav said in an irritated and disappointed tone. "Maybe you do!" Nakul added dramatically. "Dude seriously stop now. How on earth am I supposed to have any of their numbers? Are you forgetting Kriti is your friend and not mine?" Aarav said.

"Ya I know Kiki is my friend but Avi Di is your 'Khwabon ki rani' na. So you will have her number." Nakul answered as he enjoyed the confused look on his brother's face.

"What is the matter with you Nakul? What are you blabbering? I just got to know her name and you're telling me I have her number? Seriously grow up!" Aarav added as he was totally confused.

"See the thing is I am not as useless as you are so maybe Avi Di's number is already saved in your phone as 'Chote's friends sister'.." Nakul added, feeling proud of himself. 

"What?!" Aarav added in disbelief as he opened his contact list to check if his brother was saying the truth.

"How did this come here?" Aarav asked totally shocked. "Remember we took your phone to do a prank call in the morning? Maybe the person we called was..." Nakul explained and was cut off by Aarav. "Noo! This is so crazy!" Aarav exclaimed as looked at Nakul in shock still not being able to digest what had happened.

"Huh! See aint I the best brother in the world!" Nakul said raising his collar. "We'll see about that later." Aarav replied teasingly.

"Heyy common!" Nakul whined. "Okay okay come here Mr. Best brother. You deserve a hug today" Aarav laughed as he hugged his brother. Nakul hurriedly broke the hug saying," Bhai chalo text her quickly!".

"Calm down beta calm down. We have no train to catch. Let's think and then text. I don't want to start off in the wrong foot." Aarav calmed an excited Nakul. "Yaa alright! Tell me how it goes." Nakul said as he went to his room to change. Aarav nodded in response and sat on his bed with the phone in his hand thinking of what to text her.

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Meanwhile, the Kapoor family were having a great time at their family dinner. There were jokes exchanged, anecdotes shared and some family gossips as well. After having a pretty good meal and filling their tummies to the brim, the Kapoors were waiting for their car to arrive while Kriti was narrating the whole 'failed' prank call incident. That is when it occurred to Avi that she forgot to ask Kiki about the unknown no. from which she had called in the morning. 

Once Kiki was done with the story telling Avi asked, "Kiki I forgot to ask you, whose number did you call me from in the morning because I thought I had everyone's number?". As if on cue Avi received a text from an unknown number which she recognised to be the same number from which she got the call in the morning. "Ya look the same number! Kiska hai yeh?". Kiki peeked into the phone and quickly said," Oh acha this, this is Aarav bhaiya's number. But wait! why is he texting you?" Kiki asked with confused expressions which soon changed into a sly teasing smile. She playfully bumped her shoulder to Avi's as she teased her playfully. "Shut up Kiki!" Avi retorted. Curious to know why Aarav had texted her she opened the text to see.

Unknown number : Hi!

She saved the no. as Aarav and replied to his text. On the other side Aarav was breaking his head thinking about all the possible negative things that could happen like 'She's going to block me' or 'She'll think I am a creep' etc etc. Suddenly his phone ringed with a notification.

Aarav : Hi!

Avantika : Hi Aarav!

Aarav was confused as this wasn't what he expected.

Aarav : Wait.. You already have my number?!

Avantika : Haha no no.. I asked Kiki whose number she had called in the morning so she told me this number was yours when I received your message.

Aarav : Ohh okay okay. I got confused.😅

Avantika : Haha sorry for the confusion.😅

Aarav : No no it's alright.

Avantika: So.. did you want any help or anything or did you just text randomly?

After reading this message Aarav facepalmed and mentally scolded himself. He then gathered his composure and texted her back.

Aarav: Ya ya I just wanted to know what's the plan for tomorrow. So that we can accordingly be ready.

Avantika: Ya sure I'll just talk to Kiki and let you guys know.

Aarav: Sure thankyou!

Avantika: No problem at all! See you tomorrow!

Aarav: Yess see you tomorrow!

After the conversation when Avi lifted her head from the phone she found Kiki peeking into the phone, trying to get a good look from behind without Avi realising.
"Kiki what is this behaviour! There is nothing so amazing to see. They want to know tomorrow's plan that's it!" Avi told Kiki amused at her antics. Kiki replied with an 'Oh'. "Haan so let 'them' know!" Kiki said in a teasing tone, stressing on the them.
"You are going to tell them understood!" Avi replied. "But why Avi you only tell 'them' naa!" Kiki continued teasing.

"Common you girls stop fighting and come, the car has come." Meera called them. 

"Kiki you are telling them and that's final! If you don't then..." Avi took a pause to think of a good blackmail. "you are driving tomorrow!". "No no please no. Okay okay I will tell. But please I dont want to drive please please!" Kiki quickly replied. "That's like my  good little sister!" Avi said patting Kiki's head.

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