...The art of falling in love...( Abhira❤️Armaan)

21.

The morning sun streamed into the grand hall, illuminating the three dining tables. Men occupied one, women another, and the children the last, a tradition steeped in the family's history.

The clatter of silverware and murmured conversations filled the air, a symphony of breakfast sounds. But two notes were conspicuously absent: Abhira and Armaan.

Abhinav, noticing his daughter’s missing presence, turned to Akshara with a concerned frown. "Humari rajkumari nazar nhi aa rahi h, or vo Armaan b nhi aaya breakfast k liye
(Our princess isn't to be seen, nor has Armaan come for breakfast)."

Rohit, seemingly in the know, chimed in, "Ji uncle Armaan room me hi uski tbyt thik nhi h
(Yes, Uncle, Armaan is in his room, he's not feeling well)."

Akshara’s brow furrowed. "Acha Armaan ki b tbyt krb h
(Oh, Armaan is also unwell)?"

Chachu, ever observant, couldn't resist a probe. "Or kiski tbyt krb h bhabhi sa? (And who else is unwell, sister-in-law?)"

Akshara sighed, "Devar sa, Abhira ko fever h
(Brother-in-law, Abhira has a fever)."

Abhinav’s concern deepened. "Kya, or hume kisine btaya nhi?
(What? And no one told me?)"

AARRC (presumably a group identity), exchanged curious glances, their minds buzzing with unspoken questions. What were the odds of Abhira and Armaan being sick at the same time? Kiara, too, shared their suspicion, as did Chachu, a silent observer.

Abhinav wasted no time. He headed towards Abhira's room and gently knocked. "Abhira?"

A weak voice responded, "Papa ap (Papa, is that you)?"

He entered to find Abhira lying listlessly in bed. "Kesi h humari princess, fever h or hume btaya b nhi
(How is our princess? You have a fever and didn't tell me)?"

Abhira attempted a dismissive wave. "Papa m thik hu, ye mummy b na, halka sa temp hai m thik hu
(Papa, I'm fine. It's just Mummy being dramatic, it's just a slight temperature)."

Just then, Chachu entered the room, his eyebrows raised in contemplation. “Lekin temp hua kese idr tum bimar ho or udr Armaan bimar hai
(But how did you get a temperature? You’re sick here, and Armaan is sick there).”

Abhira’s eyes widened, a flicker of worry crossing her face. "Kya? Kya hua h usko?
(What? What happened to him?)"

The group in the room exchanged shocked glances, noticing her sudden concern for Armaan. Kiara, quick on her feet, jumped in to diffuse the situation. "Relax Abhira, usko b thoda sa fever h bs
(Relax Abhira, he has a little fever too, that's all)."

Abhinav patted Abhira's hand. "Tum Aram kro, thodi derme doctor aaegi tum ko or Armaan ko dekhe
(You rest, the doctor will be here soon to check on you and Armaan)."

"Ji papa," Abhira replied obediently.

After they left, Kiara turned to Abhira, a mixture of amusement and exasperation on her face. "Kya the ye, kyu itni fikar hori h uski tumhe, abhi sabko shak ho jata, kya kar rhi ho tum abhira, or ek bat toh btao ye tum dono ko ek sath hi fever kese hua, kahi tum dono kuch chipa to nhi rahe ho
(What was that? Why are you so worried about him? You almost made everyone suspicious. What are you doing, Abhira? And tell me, how did you both get a fever at the same time? Are you hiding something)?"

Abhira, cornered, confessed the truth, recounting the awkward incident from the previous night. "He accidentally came into the room while I am changing my dress."

Kiara gasped. "What?" Then she narrowed her eyes, “Btw ye fever ka kya scene h, don't tell me you both are avoiding each other (What about this fever thing? Don't tell me you're both avoiding each other)?"

Abhira sheepishly replied, "Hmm."

“Oh god, Abhira, he saw you naked!” Kiara exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Abhira, horrified, clarified in a hushed scream, "Noo, but!"

Kiara threw her head back and burst out laughing. "Hey Bhagwan, tum dono pagal ho (Oh God, you two are crazy)!" With that, she left the room, still chuckling, leaving Abhira to grapple with the aftermath of a shared misfortune. The "fever" was a convenient excuse, but the truth was far more embarrassing, and far more complicated. The events of the previous night had created an invisible wall between them, a wall that threatened to unravel their fragile friendship and expose emotions better left unsaid. The question now was, how would they navigate this new, awkward reality?

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