INSEPARABLE HEARTS 2

Chapter 122

Happy Reading

Evening at the Malhotra Residence

The skies turned a dusky purple as evening descended on the Malhotra household. Streetlights flickered on outside, casting long shadows through the open windows. Inside, Angad was sprawled on the living room rug, flipping through a football strategy book, the faint hum of a playlist filling the silence.

A soft knock came from the back door. Not loud. Three quick taps — the secret rhythm.

He grinned.

"Come in, burglar," he called playfully, already getting up.

Keerthi pushed the door open, hoodie drawn over her head, and slipped inside like she had done a hundred times before.

"Hey," she whispered.

"Hey you," he said, pulling her into a hug before she could even take her shoes off. "You're late. I was getting worried my mystery girlfriend stood me up."

She smiled against his chest, then slowly stepped back, her face unusually serious.

"I came to say something."

Angad tilted his head. "Uh-oh. That’s not your I-want-popcorn face."

"Angad, give me time till Nick comes back," she said, fingers nervously twisting the hem of her hoodie. "Please. I know you hate this hiding thing, but just... till Christmas. Then I’ll talk to him."

"You think Nick's gonna punch me?" he teased.

"I think he’ll give you a psychological lecture that lasts three hours."

Angad chuckled, but there was a shadow behind his eyes. Before he could reply, the lights clicked on in the kitchen.

"Keerthi?" came a familiar voice. Sumitra.

Keerthi froze. Angad cursed under his breath.

"Mom, hey — she just—"

Sumitra folded her arms, leaning against the kitchen archway.

"You thought I wouldn’t notice her slipping in and out for the past few weeks?"

Keerthi opened her mouth, but Sumitra raised a hand.

"I’m not angry. But I’d like to hear it from you two, rather than pretending I’m blind."

There was a pause.

Then Angad stepped forward.

"We’re together, Mom. We’ve been for a while. We didn’t tell anyone because... we didn’t want to mess it up."

Keerthi nodded quietly beside him.

Sumitra sighed — not with disappointment, but relief. She walked over and gently cupped Angad’s face.

"Next time, just tell me. And Keerthi — you don’t have to sneak in. You’re always welcome here. You know that."

Keerthi smiled shyly. Her eyes sparkled with both guilt and gratitude.

Sumitra kissed Angad’s forehead and gave them a knowing smile.

"Now don’t stay up too late. And for god’s sake, no more climbing through gates. My rose bushes are suffering."

They both laughed.

---

Meanwhile…

Across town, Dharshi sat in the backseat of her dad’s car, staring out the window as they pulled up in front of a classy restaurant. She was dressed casually but neat, unsure what to expect.

"You’ll love her," her dad said, adjusting his collar. "She’s wonderful."

"I’ll try not to be awkward," Dharshi muttered.

As they walked inside, a tall, elegant woman stood up from one of the corner booths. She had warm eyes, soft curls, and an easy smile.

"There they are!"

Dharshi’s heart nearly stopped.

"Isabella?" she blurted.

"Dharshi!" came a second voice.

She turned. Elena.

"Wait. You’re... my dad’s girlfriend is your mom?!"

Both girls stared at each other, mouths open, as their parents shared a sheepish look.

"Well," Isabella said, gently pulling Dharshi into a hug, "surprise."

The rest of the dinner passed in a surreal blur — awkward smiles, forced laughter, shared memories about school projects, and an occasional nervous sip of water.

Dharshi and Elena sat across from each other, processing it in silence while their parents chatted enthusiastically.

"Does this mean we’re going to be... stepsisters?" Elena whispered.

"God, I hope not. But maybe."

"This is so weird."

"Welcome to my life."

---

Back at the Malhotra House

Keerthi sat in Angad’s room, legs crossed on his bed, scrolling through her phone while he cleaned up the pizza box.

"So... your mom likes me."

"She’s loved you since we were Friends," Angad said. "Only thing that changed is now she knows we make out in my room."

Keerthi threw a pillow at him.

"Stop! That’s so embarrassing."

"Oh, please. You were the one who tackled me last week and said I was your stress ball."

"Emotional support boyfriend. Get it right."

They laughed, then the room fell into a comfortable silence.

Keerthi’s phone buzzed. A message from Dharshi:

"You’ll never believe who my future stepmother is. ELENA’S MOM. Send help."

Keerthi snorted and showed it to Angad.

"Wow. Our friend circle is turning into a soap opera."

"And we’re the main leads."

They leaned back together, arms wrapped around each other. For the first time in a long time, things felt right.

In another room, Sumitra stood by the staircase, smiling faintly as she heard them laugh. Whatever storms had passed, her boys — both of them — were finally finding peace.

And maybe… just maybe… everything broken was beginning to heal.

To be continued.....