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Friendship is precious, and so is love-but what happens when life throws unexpected challenges your way?
Shruti, Siddharth, and Mahika share a deep bond as best friends. While Mahika has loved Siddharth since childhood, fate has other pl...
Mahika sits with the lavender dress, lost in her thoughts. The soft folds of the fabric mirror the swirl of emotions inside her. Just then, her mother enters through the door and immediately spots the dress. Pretending to scold her, she speaks,
"Mahi, tu Sid aur Shruti ko shopping karvane gai thi ya khud ke liye shopping karne?"
Yet, the hint of a smile tugs at the corners of her lips, betraying her playful tone.
Mahika looks up at her mother, a gentle warmth in her eyes, and extends a hand toward her. "Mumma, sit here," she says, patting the space beside her with her other hand.
Her mother settles beside her, and Mahika smiles softly, a mixture of excitement and hesitation in her gaze.
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"Mumma, Shruti chose this dress for me. Usne kaha tha main kharid lun, lekin maine mana kar diya. Abhi jab main ghar aayi toh maine dekha ye packet rakha tha. Khola toh ye dress nikli... aur..." Her voice falters slightly, caught between eagerness and fear of revealing too much.
"Aur? Siddharth ne diya? Un dono ki taraf se?" Her mother's tone is calm, probing gently, the only plausible explanation in her mind.
"Nahi, Ma. Iss par ye note mila. This is from Gautam — my boss," Mahika says slowly, her eyes fixed on her mother, revealing a vulnerability she rarely lets surface.
Pallavi looks at her thoughtfully. "Mahi, ek baat bata, do you like him?" she asks, her voice soft, encouraging, yet full of curiosity.
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Mahika's eyes widen at the question, and heat rushes to her cheeks. "Mumma, ye kya bol rahi ho? Aisa kuch nahi hai," she stammers, though her heart betrays her words.
"Beta, maine dekha hai tujhe, tu badal gayi hai... aur aajkal jab tu Gautam ya unke papa ki baat karti hai, I feel something tender. It's not just a boss or employee thing," Pallavi says, her tone gentle, guiding her daughter with care rather than judgment.
Mahika leans closer into her mother, seeking comfort. "I don't know, Ma. Gautam invited me for dinner tonight... let's see how it goes," she murmurs, then slips into her room, avoiding further questions, yet carrying her mother's understanding in her heart.
