know you're mine🍀

17| The Echo Behind the Wall.

The day had passed in a blur of shopping bags, laughter, and stolen glances. Now, back at home, Shagun walked alongside Aahir through the corridor, her steps light but her heart full. 

Aahir, as usual, couldn’t contain his excitement. "Bhabhi, I’m so excited for tomorrow!" he said, his eyes sparkling like a little boy before a school picnic.

Shagun smiled at him fondly. "I know, I know," she replied playfully, "but don’t forget to rest, okay? We have a late-night flight."

Aahir laughed, eyes crinkling. In a playful gesture, he looped his arm through hers. Shagun reached up, pinched his cheeks gently, and they both giggled — a carefree, easy sound that belonged to bonds built not by blood, but by belonging.

She often wondered how she got so lucky with Shubh’s family.

Every day with Shubh’s family felt like home — warm, genuine, comforting. There was no coldness, no judgment, no unfamiliarity. Just love. A love that wrapped itself around her like a soft blanket, making her feel like she truly belonged. Sometimes she wondered if she had even been born into the wrong house because this family, these people, they felt more hers than anything ever had.

And Shubh’s siblings... she never saw them as just that. They weren’t just Shubh’s younger brothers and sisters. They were her kids. Her people. And for them, she would always be there.

But just as they turned the corner, their laughter came to an abrupt halt.

Shreya stood in the corridor, phone in hand. She was talking to someone, her voice low and sweet, until she spotted them. The call was disconnected instantly, and that sugary smile returned.

"Oh hey, guys! I was looking for Shubh. Do you know where his office room is?"

Aahir's face changed immediately. His usual playfulness disappeared, replaced by irritation he didn’t bother to hide.

"Bhai hasn’t come yet," he replied bluntly.

Shreya made an exaggerated ‘O’ with her lips, as if pretending to be surprised.

Shagun, maintaining her composure, stepped in. "If it’s urgent, you can tell me. I’ll let him know."

Shagun wore a polite smile — the kind you offer to guests you didn’t invite but are forced to entertain.

Shreya tilted her head slightly and let out a small, dismissive laugh. "Sorry, what was your name again? I forgot. Please don’t mind."

Shagun didn’t flinch but her smile sharpened. "Shagun... Shagun Shubh Singh Suryavanshi," she said, her voice calm, her smile deceptively sweet.

"And of course, I don’t mind yaar," she added with just the right amount of sarcasm.

Shreya laughed awkwardly. "Oh yeah... Shagun. Now I remember."

Shagun wasn’t finished. She tilted her head slightly and said with a smirk, "No. It’s Mrs. Shubh Singh Suryavanshi. For you."

Shreya blinked, confused. "Hmm?"

Shagun’s smirk only deepened.
"Actually, I really love it when people call me that. Even my husband calls me... Mrs. Shubh Singh Suryavanshi," she said, letting out a small giggle as she glanced at Aahir.

Aahir burst into laughter beside her, and Shreya’s face turned stiff. "I should go. I have something important to do," she muttered before turning on her heels and walking away.

As soon as she disappeared, Aahir clutched his stomach, laughing.
"Bhabhi! That was savage! Like… wow!"

Shagun smiled, shaking her head.