Unexpected Destiny ✔️

✿ Bonus ~ 1 ✿

The Shukla mansion was as lively as ever, but gone were the days of tiny footsteps pattering across the marble floors. Now, the house was filled with the sounds of music blaring from rooms, hurried phone conversations, and the occasional slammed door courtesy of two teenagers navigating their way through life.

Ekansh, now sixteen, had grown tall like his father, inheriting Sidharth serious expressions but with Shehnaaz warmth beneath his tough exterior. He was responsible, intelligent, and fiercely protective of his little sister. Alaia, now thirteen, was full of life opinionated, confident, and always ready with a sharp comeback. But with teenage years came new struggles, new emotions, and new drama.

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"MUJHE KISI SE BAAT NAHI KARNI."

A loud bang echoed through the house as Alaia stormed into her room and slammed the door shut.

Shehnaaz sighed, rubbing her temples. "Yeh ladki bhi na..." she muttered.

Ekansh, sitting on the couch scrolling through his phone, smirked. "Phir se mom?"

Sidharth, who was sipping his coffee, glanced up from the newspaper. "Kya hua?"

Shehnaaz shook her head. "School se aate hi gussa kar rahi hai. Bas itna bola ki phone kam use kare toh ek dum chillane lagi, Sidharth main bata rahi hu isko samjha lijiye aap warna main apne tarike se samjhungi to aapko phir bura lagega."

Ekansh chuckled. "Welcome to Alaia's teenage phase."

Sidharth frowned. "Are bacchi hai abhi."

"Main na uska phone ki cheen lungi baat khatam."

Ekansh laughed harder. "Mom, agar aap uska phone le loge na, toh bechari zinda nahi bachegi. Social life ka antim sanskar ho jayega uska."

Sidharth sighed and walked to Alaia's room, knocking gently. "Alaia beta, kya hua?"

"Mujhe kisi se baat nahi karni!" came the muffled reply.

Inside, Alaia sat on her bed, hugging a pillow. School had been a disaster. She had gotten into an argument with her best friend, Arohi over something stupid. Arohi had sided with another girl, making Alaia feel left out. To top it off, her math teacher had scolded her in front of the class for not completing her homework. It was just one of those days where everything felt... wrong.

Sidharth was used to handling business meetings, managing complex projects, and negotiating deals, but nothing prepared him for the emotional tornado that was his teenage daughter.

The door suddenly creaked open, and Ekansh peeked inside. "Main aa sakta hoon ya tu mujhe bhi maar dalegi?"

Alaia glared at him but didn't respond.

He walked in and sat beside her. "Kya hua?"

"Nothing," she muttered.

Ekansh leaned back, stretching. "Haan haan, mujhe pata hai 'nothing' ka matlab kuch toh hai."

Alaia sighed. "Bas... sab bekar lag raha hai."

He smiled. "Welcome to being a teenager. Yeh sab normal hai. Friendship fights, school drama, mood swings… sabka hota hai."

She looked at him. "Aap kabhi upset nahi hote?"

"Hota hoon," he admitted. "Lekin trust me, kal sab theek ho jayega."

Sidharth listened and smiled softly. Hisr kids were growing up, but they always had each other.

He chuckled. "Acha Queen Victoria ab bataogi kya hua hai?"