~ 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 || 𝟏𝟖+ [ On Hold ]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟖

As Mahi entered the room, she saw Ahaan sitting on the bed, looking as though he had been waiting for her. The moment he noticed her, he got up and asked, "So, is the kheer made properly?"

Mahi replied confidently, "Yes, just like you taught me."

Ahaan, grinning playfully, said, "Are you sure? If it tastes bad, I'm fine, but your reputation… that might be in trouble."

Annoyed, Mahi rolled her eyes. "If you’re done teasing me, let’s go downstairs. Mom’s calling for breakfast," she said, walking out before he could respond.

As he watched her leave, Ahaan thought to himself, "The Ahaan Rathore, who barely even jokes with people, is trying to lighten things up for her. She should be impressed! But no, she chooses to ignore me. Oh well, her loss, not mine!" Shaking his head with a smirk, he followed her downstairs.

In the Dining Hall:

Harsh ji and Ahaan were seated at the dining table, and Aanchal ji had just served the meal. She motioned to Mahi to serve the kheer, and Mahi carefully poured it into bowls for everyone before taking her seat. As they began eating, Mahi anxiously glanced at both Ahaan and Harsh ji, waiting for a reaction.

Ahaan took a spoonful of the kheer, but his face betrayed nothing. Mahi knew he was holding back just to tease her further, so she turned to Harsh ji, hoping for an honest reaction.

Harsh ji tasted the kheer and smiled, saying, "This kheer tastes wonderful."

At his words, relief washed over Mahi’s face, and Aanchal ji smiled warmly at her as well. When Ahaan noticed Mahi's happiness, he couldn’t help but smile himself—a reaction that didn’t go unnoticed by Aanchal ji.

Once everyone finished eating, they returned to their rooms. Mahi was about to confront Ahaan about his reaction at dinner when a knock came at the door. She opened it to find Aanchal ji standing there with a serious expression.

"Mom, if you needed anything, you could have just called me," Mahi said.

In a serious tone, Aanchal ji replied, "I never expected you both would hide something like this from me."

Mahi and Ahaan exchanged worried glances, but Aanchal ji suddenly smiled, her expression softening. "I’m your mother; do you think I wouldn’t notice?"

Relieved, Mahi and Ahaan smiled. Aanchal ji came closer, gently caressing Mahi's head. "Be happy, beta. And keep supporting each other just like this."

Ahaan, a little surprised, asked, "Mom, how did you know?"

Aanchal ji tugged playfully on Ahaan’s ear. "I’m your mother, after all!"

"Ouch! Mom, that hurts," he yelped, dramatically wincing.

Mahi giggled as she watched them. Her heart swelled with emotion, but she held back her tears, masking them with a smile.

Turning to Mahi, Aanchal ji said gently, "If you’d told me you don’t know how to cook, I’d have asked the chef to handle it. From now on, if there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to come to me. Okay?"

Mahi nodded, touched by Aanchal ji's kindness. "Yes, Mom."

Satisfied, Aanchal ji smiled and left the room. Ahaan turned to Mahi with a mischievous grin. "By the way, there was way too much sugar in that kheer," he teased.

After holding back for so long, Mahi finally let out her frustration. "You…!" she yelled and chased him around the room.

Laughing, Ahaan darted around, trying to avoid her, but in classic storybook fashion, Mahi tripped over her saree pleats and landed on top of him on the bed.

[Dramatic Pause]

Mahi found herself lying above Ahaan, their faces just inches apart. They stared into each other's eyes, momentarily lost. Ahaan’s gaze drifted from her eyes to her slightly parted lips, and he began to lean closer…

**

Epilogue

when Aanchal ji asked Mahi to call Ahaan, she went into the kitchen to taste Mahi's kheer. Noticing it was slightly undercooked and too sweet, she adjusted it to save Mahi from any embarrassment.

[ Well if you had already read all the previous chapters then please re-read it ]