"From Rivals to Forever: A Journey of Love"

Chapter 8

Aditi's Perspective

"Aye haye, yeh wala meetha nahi tha," I complained to my mom as she popped a sweet pea into my mouth while I was engrossed in my physics textbook. She was sitting next to me, peeling peas with an air of contentment.

"Arre, kabhi kuch na meetha kha ke bhi dekho," she said jokingly, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Kya baat hai, aap Dairy Milk ka ad audition nahi de rahi ho?" I teased, chuckling.

"Kyun, meri acting achi nahi hai kya? Abhi dekhiyo, tere papa mere liye ice cream laani bhool jayenge, toh main naaraaz hone ki acting karungi. Phir woh mujhe jalebi khilane le jaayenge," she said, smiling brightly.

I shook my head, unable to suppress a smile. "They are so in love," I mumbled to myself.

Just then, Anaya burst into the room, jumping with excitement. "DIDI! DIDI! Jungle mein jaaoge?" she asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.

"If I don't clear this test, toh sanyaas hi lena padega na, behen," I replied, keeping my face serious as I glanced at my notes.

"Arre, bolo na Didi," she pleaded, tugging at my arm.

"Haan behen, jaungi," I said, giving in.

"Sher pakad ke laoge?" she asked with wide-eyed curiosity, as if it were the first time she was asking this.

"Ji haan," I answered, barely hiding a grin.

"Daroge toh nahi?" she asked, placing her hands on her hips in a mock serious pose.

"Bhoooooooo!" she shouted, trying to scare me.

I acted as if I'd seen the most terrifying thing in my life. Haa... lemme guess, a gift from Kabir. Not gonna happen. Even if he gets me something, I won't take it. Huh, what does he think of himself? Such a tease.

"Acha, Anaya, get me my water bottle," I said, not looking up from my textbook.

"Me toh nahi laungi!" she replied defiantly.

"Tic tic 10... tic tic 9..." I began counting dramatically, as if the world were about to end.

With a sigh and a quick glance at my serious expression, she sprinted towards my room and brought back the water bottle. Just as she handed it to me, Dad walked in and placed a cup of ice cream on the table.

"What is this?" my mom asked in surprise, her eyes widening.

"Gift from Kabir," Dad replied casually.

I choked on my water, coughing as I tried to process what he just said. "W-who Kabir?" my mom asked, patting my back to help me stop coughing.

"Arre, Kabir, iska dushman. Ese hi is ladki ne bechare ko badnaam kar rakha tha! Kitna pyara ladka hai. Maine use kaha tha ke ice cream mat la, fir kehta hai, 'Ek cup ice cream Aditi ke liye bhi le jao meri taraf se,'" my dad said, his tone light as if he didn't realize the bomb he'd just dropped.