Kaise yeh yaarian

Part 31

SPACE MUSIC ACADEMY – COURTYARD – LATE AFTERNOON

The golden hue of sunset bathes the courtyard. Fab5 is scattered—Manik reclined on a bench, eyes closed. Alia scrolls her phone. Dhruv lazily strums his guitar. Cabir quietly laughs at a meme.

Mukti leans against a pillar. Her usual guarded expression is softened — not cheerful, but... less haunted.

Then: ABHIMANYU enters, juggling two oranges with casual flair.

ABHIMANYU

(grinning)

When life gives you oranges... you juggle them to annoy someone specific.

He lets one fall — deliberately — right at Mukti's feet.

MUKTI

(deadpan)

Try that again, and I'll juggle you off the roof.

ABHIMANYU

(touched)

She remembers me.

Mukti hides a smirk. Fab5 notices.

CABIR

(whispering)

She didn't curse him. That's progress.

ALIA

(low, thoughtful)

He makes her... lighter.

No one responds, but the truth hangs in the air — maybe he's the light Mukti doesn't know she needs.

NANDINI'S HOUSE – EVENING

Doorbell rings.

Nandini opens the door to Abhimanyu, holding a mithai box and an awkwardly bright grin.

ABHIMANYU

Reporting for dinner duty, ma'am. And I come bearing sugar-based peace offerings.

NANDINI

(sceptical smile)

You brought sweets?

ABHIMANYU

Your Chachi doesn't know me yet. I figured sugar might help her not throw me out.

NANDINI

(flatly)

Try not to bring the clown energy inside.

She leads him in. Chachi peeks from the kitchen.

CHACHI

So, you're the 'funny guy' she keeps mentioning.

ABHIMANYU

(offering sweets)

Guilty. And this is my bribe in case I ruin dinner with bad jokes.

CHACHI

(playful)

If the jokes flop, I'll serve karela.

ABHIMANYU

(acting horrified)

That's emotional blackmail!

Laughter. The air is easy. Warm. Nandini, watching quietly, feels the comfort of two different parts of her life blending.

DINNER – LATER

Simple food. Laughter. Chachi and Abhi banter like old friends.

CHACHI