Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 73

The dining table was alive with warmth and laughter as everyone settled in for dinner. Meera, true to Sanjana and the ladies' handiwork, looked different tonight in a bright sunflower-printed sweater over a black t-shirt and blue jeans, bracelets stacked on her right wrist and the watch Ayan had gifted her on the left. Her hair was left open, framing her specs perfectly. She sat near Sammy and Vami, entertaining them with small talk as she fed them.

Anushka glanced around and asked, "Meera, Ayan aur Arjun dinner pe nahi aa rahe?"

Meera shook her head, smiling. "Nahi bhabi, Colonel ke saath dinner kar rahe hain. Father-son time, as he calls it."

Athiya chuckled, "Waise baat toh sahi hai."

Ritika turned to Meera, Sammy, and Vami, raising an eyebrow. "Tum log khana khao pehle ya mai khilau aake?"

Before anyone could respond, Rohit piped up, "Ritsy yaar, tum betho, in teeno ko mai dekhta hu."

At this, Virat, Jasprit, and Rahul exchanged knowing chuckles. "Is point pe lagta hai Rohit bhai sab kuch maan lega jo Ritsy bhabi kahegi," Jasprit quipped, grinning.

Rohit, with a mock-serious look, shrugged and said, "Han toh, mai hamesha Ritsy jo bolti hai woh sunta hoon."

Ritika rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "You have no other way, Sharma," she shot back, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm.

Anushka and Sanjana burst into laughter at the exchange. "Waise, You two were just as compliant when we were expecting," Anushka teased Virat and Jasprit, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

The room erupted with laughter at the memory, and Virat and Jasprit both flushed, giving each other a sheepish look.

Athiya smiled, adding, "Also, Ritsy ka toh second time hai na. She's got experience!"

Virat nodded with a mischievous glint. "Twin sister, tumhe bhi pata chalega jab tumhara first time hoga toh tab dekhenge, especially ye ki Rahuliya ka kya haal hota hai."

Rahul and Athiya's cheeks flushed red as they glanced away, trying to hide their smiles. The whole table burst out laughing at their sweet embarrassment, the lighthearted teasing adding another layer of joy to the evening.

Just then, Rishabh and Shubman entered, adding more liveliness to the scene. Ritika waved them over, "Aao tum log, join kar lo dinner pe."

Shubman grinned and walked over to Meera, who was still busy feeding Sammy and Vami. "Are, Meera di hi khila dengi hum sabko."

Rishabh joined in, plopping down beside them. Meera shook her head but chuckled. "Aaja, beth jao mere naal, nautankiyo."

Rishabh grinned mischievously, "Par aap sirf Punjabi kyu bolti ho, Tamil wagera bhi bola karo na."

Rahul laughed, "Bol legi woh, lekin tujhe samajh aayega?"

Rishabh scratched his head with a sheepish grin. "Are haan, ye toh socha hi nahi!"

Then someone suggested, "Chalo, Hardik ko call karke best of luck wish karte hain series ke liye." Meera took out her phone and started a video call.

Hardik's voice boomed through the speaker as he answered, "Hello, bestie!"

Meera cringed, shaking her head with a laugh. "Seriously, where did you even pick that up?"

Everyone burst out laughing as Hardik grinned on the screen. "Hey, Rockstar, you look different today!"

Meera turned her camera toward the ladies and said, "All their doing."

"All the best, Harry," Rahul chimed in.