you are my destiny

chapter 53.

~ A Dinner Full of Surprises~

It had been over two months since Ahana's return from the hospital. Her wounds had healed, and slowly, the carefree spark in her eyes had returned. That night, under the soft glow of the park's lamps, she sat beside Abhimaan on a bench, talking, laughing, and simply enjoying the silence between words.

Later, he walked her home. As they reached her gate, the air between them felt heavy with something unspoken. Abhimaan leaned closer, just about to kiss her-

"Hey!" a voice called out, breaking the moment.

Startled, they both turned to see Ahana's mom walking toward them... with none other than Armaan.

Ahana's mom folded her arms dramatically. "Is this your private front yard? I thought we lived in a modest, peaceful house. My gosh-you two are too much. Were you about to fall on each other or what?"

Ahana blinked. "Why are you coming home with him?"

"I went to court with them today," her mom replied, casually. "Final hearing for Jiya's(Armaan's mom) divorce. We thought we'd have dinner together. So I invited them over... but jiya did feel like coming so only armaan came.." She then turned to Abhimaan with a warm smile. "Why don't you join us too?"

Ahana's eyes widened. "What?!"

"Eat!" her mom insisted.

"I'd be grateful," Abhimaan said politely. "Thank you, aunty."

"Good! Then let's head in."

"Yes, aunty," he replied cheerfully.

Ahana looked bewildered. "Wait, what?!"

Abhimaan smirked teasingly. "Can you grab my bag?"

Before she could protest, he walked inside with her mom. Armaan lingered behind, chuckling.

"What are you doing? Hurry up," he said casually and followed them inside.

-

Soon, the dinner table was full-plates clinking, laughter echoing, and the smell of home-cooked food filling the room.

"This looks great," her mom said, setting the final bowl down.

Ahana took a bite. "It's delicious."

"Such a comforting meal," Abhimaan said sincerely.

Then came an unexpected question.

"Young man," her mom said, eyeing Abhimaan seriously, "can you make my daughter happy?"

He choked on his food, caught off guard. Armaan smirked as if he'd been waiting for a moment like this.

"Mom!" Ahana groaned, mortified.

"I'm sorry," Abhimaan coughed.

"No, it's fine," her mom said. "I just wanted to say it once. You know, like in TV dramas-when daughters bring home a boyfriend, someone always asks that."

"That's only when they're getting married!" Ahana protested.

"Well, you could get married," her mom replied matter-of-factly. She turned to Abhimaan. "Don't you think so?"

Blushing, he nodded. "That's right."

Ahana's cheeks turned red.

"You never know what the future holds," her mom added.

"Brother-in-law, pass the water," Armaan said, suddenly, addressing Yash, Ahana's younger brother.

Abhimaan's eyes narrowed. "Why do you call him that?"