𝖉𝖎𝖘𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖉 [ON HOLD]

𝔱𝔴𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔶 𝔰𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔫

"Chulbul Bhabhi!" Rudra shouted. "How much more time will it take you?!" He whined, before pouting. "I'm starving!"

"Rudra," Shivaay sighed, "Gauri's managing everything all alone." He shook his head in exasperation, "Have some patience."

"And decorum," Omkara added, glaring at his younger brother.

Rudra huffed out his lower lip into a pout.

"Abhi aayi," Gauri calls out, hurrying towards the dining table with a large bowl filled with something which made Annika's mouth water.

"Is that mirchi ke pakore?" Annika's eyes widened as Rudra stared at the bowl, mouth agape.

"Uhh," Shivaay glanced at Omkara, wide-eyed.

"Yes!" Gauri beamed. "It's my favourite!"

"You do know that your Bade Bhaiya cannot handle spice, don't you?" Omkara snickered, looking at Shivaay who glared at him.

"Can too," the oldest argued. "Just because I don't bathe my noodles in Tabasco like you doesn't mean I can't handle spice, Omkara Singh Oberoi."

"Omkaraji," Gauri frowned, chiding her husband. "Stop annoying my Bade Bhaiya."

"Bhabhi," Rudra pouted. "I'm supposed to be on a diet."

"Just turn today into a cheat day, Rudy Bhaiya," Gauri laughed. "I've prepared your 'normal food'," she air quoted the words, rolling her eyes, "for later. Lekin aab," she grinned.

"Fine," Rudra exhaled a dramatic sigh. "I'll have the mirchi ke pakore but only," he stressed, winking at Gauri, "because I love you so so much, Chulbul Bhabhi!"

"Duffer," Omkara slapped the back of Rudra's head, "Makkhan lagana baandh kar."

"I was stating facts," Rudra glared pointedly at Omkara. "Not buttering up my Bhabhi."

As Shivaay took one pakora onto his plate, his nose scrunched at the oily which dripped onto the ceramic surface.

Omkara snorted, pressing a fist to his lips as his cousin threw a glare his way.

Rudra piled a few onto his plate, rubbing his hands together as he eyed his plate in anticipation. "Chulbul Bhabhi, take a seat," he said eagerly.

"I will," Gauri chuckled, before her eyes snagged onto Annika, who was staring blankly at the bowl of pakoras in her hands. "Bhoujai," Gauri smiled, offering the bowl to the older woman. "I'm so sorry, I completely forgot to offer you some."

Annika did not respond, staying utterly silent as she tightened her fist on the table, near her plate.

Shivaay's heart tightened, as he noticed the far away look in his wife's eyes.

"Bhabhi?" Omkara cleared his throat.

Shivaay's smile faltered, as he glanced at Annika, placing a hand on his wife's tightened fist, shaking her lightly, "Annika?"

Annika startled, blinking, "Yes?"

"Bhabhi, is everything alright?" Rudra asked hesitantly.

Annika looked at Rudra, blinking slowly. "Yes," she said, nodding her head. "Yes," she repeated, forcing a smile onto her face. "What were you saying, Rudra?"

Shivaay's eyebrows furrowed—— she looked like she'd been struggling to speak a single word at all.

"I wasn't," Rudra replied, slowly. "Chulbul Bhabhi was asking if you wanted mirchi ke pakore."