Drenched Heart's || COMPLETED✔️||

Ties That Bind

As noon passed, it was time for Anjali's family to meet Aryan's mother to finalize the wedding date.

Everything was perfectly arranged, and Aryan's mom was more excited than him to meet her future samdhis.

The doorbell rang, announcing their arrival. "Mai-Mai dekhti hu!" Mrs. Taneja said, rushing to the door.

"Namaste, samdhi ji!" she greeted warmly. Aryan's ears perked up at the sound, and he quickly glanced toward the door, searching for a particular someone. Just then, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Kya hua, jija ji?" Arushi teased with a grin, while Aahan smirked knowingly.

"Hmm-kya...kya hoga mujhe?" Aryan cleared his throat, feigning innocence.

"Acha? Mujhe laga tum Anjali ko dhund rahe ho," she said, still grinning.

"Nahi—" Aryan started, but Aahan cut him off.

"Haye Ram! Bhai ko bhabhi ko dekhna hi nahi hai! Hawww!" Aahan gasped, clutching his chest dramatically.

"Abe, maine yeh kab kaha—" Aryan tried again, only to be interrupted by Arushi.

"Hawww, jija ji! Abhi se man nahi dekhne ka? Shaadi ke baad toh phir hawww!" Arushi widened her eyes theatrically, covering her mouth for effect.

"Abe tum log—" Aryan began again but was cut off by a voice behind him.

"Haan, kyun hi karega man?" He turned and saw Anjali standing there with a mock sad face.

"Jaan, aisa toh nahi—" he started to explain, but Aahan jumped in.

"Koi baat nahi bhabhi, mujhe toh lagta hai bhai ab aapse pyaar hi nahi karte," Aahan said, shaking his head with an exaggerated sigh.

"Abe, abe—" Aryan began again, but Arushi interrupted, laughing.

"Koi baat nahi, Anjali! Main tujhse shaadi karungi!" Arushi said, pretending to swoon as she reached out to hug Anjali.

"Aye, aye! Durrr!" Aryan quickly pulled Anjali into a protective hug, shooing Arushi away.

Anjali laughed, looking up at him. As Aryan gazed down at her, he murmured, "Main bohot pyaar karta hoon tumse, ye log bas mujhe bolne hi nahi dete—" He was silenced by a gentle finger on his lips.

Anjali looked at him with a warm smile. "Pata hai... Kitne pyaare lag rahe ho, aur mujhe pata hai tum mujhse kitna pyaar karte ho. Ye log sirf maze le rahe the."

He pouted slightly. "Tum bhi maze le rahi thi."

"Aur ye perfect!" Aahan said, snapping a photo of Aryan's pouty face.

"Ab yeh sabko dikhunga, Rathee bhai ko bhi!" Aahan grinned mischievously.

Arushi chimed in, "Mard sirf apni pasandida aurat ke samne hi bacha banta hai," flashing a grin as she watched Aryan inching closer to Aahan.

"Aahan bhai hai na tu mera  woh photo delete kar de, hmm?" Aryan said, taking slow steps towards Aahan.

"Hahaha! Bilkul nahi!" Aahan laughed, dashing around the room as Aryan chased him, with Anjali and Arushi laughing as they watched.

Meanwhile, Anjali's parents and Aryan's mother were with pandit ji, deciding on the wedding date. Suddenly, Aahan burst into the room, Aryan hot on his heels.

"Maa, uncle, aunty! Aapko kuch dikhana tha!" Aahan said, hiding behind the sofa as Aryan stationed himself on the other side.

Mrs. Taneja took the phone, glanced at the photo, and burst out laughing. She passed it to Mrs. Verma, who also started laughing, while Mr. Verma chuckled, looking at Aryan with a soft smile. He stood up and placed a hand on Aryan's shoulder, pulling him into a side hug.

"Beta, papa hai na... koi nahi hasega," he said warmly.

Aryan looked at him, his eyes misting up at the word "papa." Mr. Verma pulled him into a tight hug as Mrs. Taneja's eyes welled up too. Aahan's eyes were already glistening, and as Mr. Verma glanced his way, he signaled him to join the hug. Aahan quickly rushed in, and the three shared an emotional embrace.

Mrs. Taneja looked at the picture hanging on the wall, a tear escaping from her eyes. A soft hand wiped the tear, and as she looked up, she saw Anjali. Smiling softly, Anjali embraced her. Mrs. Verma, already overwhelmed, felt Arushi hug her from behind, resting her face on her mother like aunt's shoulder.