through thick and thin

Chapter 10

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Long time no see.
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Aaira's pov:-

As I rolled out of bed, my gaze fell upon Aarav, who was sitting on the edge of my bed, looking like the cat who swallowed the canary. I glared at him, trying to appear more menacing than I actually felt.

"Thanks for waking me up, Aaru," I grumbled, when I finally realised that I have to get out of my bed throwing off my covers. "I owe you one."

Aarav chuckled and stood up, stretching his arms. "Anytime, Aaira. Besides, I didn't want to see you face bhaiya's wrath. That's not a pretty sight."

I shuddered at the memory of bhaiya's lectures. He could be pretty intimidating when he wanted to.

After Aarav left to get ready, I quickly followed suit. My stomach was growling with hunger, so I headed straight to the kitchen. Kritika didi was perched on the kitchen counter, while bhaiya was busy cooking up a storm. I hoped against hope that the dish he was preparing wasn't poha - I've never been a fan, but bhaiya always insists I eat it. The kitchen was filled with the sound of music, and I couldn't resist snapping a quick photo of bhaiya and Kritika didi before interrupting their quality time.

"Hello" I sing-sang.

"Hellu, good morning" kriti didi said while bhaiya was looking at me with amusement.

Bhaiya chuckled, "I think someone finally decided to put an end to her limitless punishments and wake up on time, and that too on a holiday!" He teased, "Aaj Suraj konsi disha se nikala tha?"

(Which direction did the sun rise from today?)

I was about to start my drama, but before I could, Aarav intervened, "Me bhaiya, me! Mane jagaya hai usse, aur uska volcano bhi jela hai!"

(It was me, bhaiya! I woke her up, and survived her volcanic eruption too!)

Kritika didi laughed, "Aaru, you have really got some guts to wake that lady up from her sleep!"

Aarav smirked, "Aare didi, this is nothing. I've been waking her up and dealing with her volcano for a very long time. Bhaiya never dares to do so!"

Kritika didi chuckled at Aarav's remark.

Bhaiya smiled, "That's because Aarav has earned a black belt in handling Aaira's morning tantrums."

I playfully rolled my eyes, "Shut up, bhaiya! I don't have tantrums."

Aarav chuckled, "Oh really? Then what do you call those morning explosions?"

Kritika didi intervened, laughing, "Okay, okay, let's not wake up the sleeping volcano again. Aaira, come and have some breakfast."

I grinned, "Finally, something to eat!"

Bhaiya handed me a plate of steaming hot poha, and my face fell.

"Ugh, poha again?" I whined.

Aarav teased, "Hey, someone's not a morning person... or a poha person!"

Author's pov:-

"Chup kar ja tu, maar khayenga" Aaira snapped.

(Shut up, or I'll hit you!)

Aaryan muttered under his breath, "Dekha ho gaya na eruption shuru"

(Look, the eruption has started)

Aarav teased, "See, this is what you call not a morning person. You're literally allergic to mornings."

Aaira shot back, "I'm allergic to you in the mornings, shut up!"

Aarav questioned, "You told me to shut up? Really?"

Aaira countered, "Yes, I did. So what?"

Kritika intervened, laughing, "Shut up, both of you! And have your breakfast quietly."

Aaira was about to retort, but Aaryan beat her to it. "No, Aaira, you will have to eat poha. I don't want any arguments about it."

Aaira rolled her eyes. "Seriously, bhaiya?"

Aaryan glared at her. "Yes, on a very serious note, have your breakfast."

Aaira whispered, "Always walking around like a chalta firta time bomb"

(a mobile time bomb).

Kritika, who overheard her, laughed out loud. "I can hear you, Aayu! Shut up, or you won't like the consequences." Aaryan warned

"Jab dekho tab mujhe bolte rehte hai," Aaira whispered.

Aarav teased, "Kha le na yaar, chup chap kitna bolti hai."

Kritika chimed in, "Aur Aaryan, tum bhi pura din iske piche pade rehte ho."

"Haan, aur nahin to kya puri zindagi daatne ka membership le liya hai? Aise daante rehte ho. 24 years ki ho ke baad bhi punishment dete ho," Aaira grumbled.

Aaryan retorted, "Toh kaam hi aise karti ho tum, ab chup chap khana kha lo."

After that, breakfast became a silent affair, but everyone at the table had noticed Aaira slyly slipping half of her poha into Aarav's dish. However, nobody said a word, letting the mischievous act slide.

After breakfast, everyone dispersed to tackle their respective tasks. Aarav settled in to review case files, while Kritika headed to her house to attend to some pending work. Aaryan was engaged in a business meeting, discussing important deals.

Meanwhile, Aaira trudged towards the garage, resigned to her punishment: washing the vehicle. She had made a conscious decision to behave herself today, her motivation being the prospect of getting her phone back. Determined to avoid any further trouble, she began scrubbing the vehicle with a sense of purpose.

After completing his work, Aarav thought to check in on Aaira, who had been diligently washing the vehicle for almost two hours without any complaint. He headed to the garage and spotted Aaira in the farthest corner, lost in thought as she gazed at an old car. Aarav closed the distance between them, and as he approached, he realized it was their family's vintage car, a treasure trove of happy memories.

This was the car that had been their trusty companion on countless road trips with their parents. Despite its age, the car stood proudly, looking almost new, thanks to meticulous care. Aarav and Aaira were convinced that Aaryan was the one who had lovingly maintained the car, refusing to let anyone else touch it. The car held too many precious memories of their parents.

However, as Aarav drew closer, he noticed that the car's interior was untouched, frozen in time. It was as if the car had been left exactly as it was years ago, a poignant reminder of happier times.

It was as if he never had the courage to open the door and revisit the old memories.

"Where are the keys?" Aaira whispered urgently before she stormed inside the house.

The cloth she had used to clean the cars lay abandoned on the floor, a forgotten relic of her earlier task.

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Sorry for updating late but it might take times for regular updates as my exams are approaching.😭

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