Kaksha Dasvi.

SURPRISE!

It was mid August. A few days after Independence Day, but that event in history was insignificant compared to the occasion that graced them presently.

In the dining hall they gathered. Shivani was excitedly trying not to burn herself while lighting candles. Her son Ayush groggily rubbed his eyes to keep himself awake and asked," Do we really need to do this in the middle of the night?"

"Well, it's not like we'd be sleeping at this time anyway", winked his husband Ishan.

Ayush blushed fiercely at the Double-Entendre  and looked away.

The family's neighbors Katelyn and Ishika had come over to help decorate the flat for the occasion. Their artistic abilities has morphed the apartment into a gorgeous splash of colour.

Snoring in an armchair was the grandmother, Granamika.

Sara, the younger sister, dragged Siddhant from his study.

"But it's not 11:59 yet. I wasn't done with my desertion on the *insert super technical sciences things here*", he groaned.

"Yes, well it's very important that everyone is here for the special moment", replied the uncle, Razaq. "You should know better at this age young man. Am I right?", he said spanking Ishan's ass.

"Umm sure", said Ishan and inched closer to his husband.

"Oh my god! You guys! Where is Ramesh?!", suddenly exclaimed Shivani.

Her query was interrupted by the jingle on keys at the main door.

In came Ramesh with his/her arm around the shoulder of a girl who was equally thin with hair just as long if not longer.

"Gasp", gasped Ishan.

Ayush narrowed his eyes, "What's she doing here?!"

Ramesh looked around surprised.

"What's going on you guys? I just brought a date home. Is there anything wrong with that?", she whispered harshly.

A sudden realization seemed to dawn on her.

"Oh no. It's tonight, isn't it?", she asked. Her voice quivering.

"Yes. Yes it is. But before I reprimand you for that, I have to ask why you went out with Ishan's ex-wife!", replies Shivani.

"Yes. This is most unbecoming of you. I can't believe you would betray this family in this way.", added Razaq.

Ramesh immediately wriggled free from Navelin and looked at her accusatorially.

"Wait... Ishan has an ex-wife?", queried Sara. She was the youngest but that didn't mean they could keep such secrets from her. "Granamika did you know about this?", she cried.

Granamika who has awoken due to the tense atmosphere nodded her head.

"Yes. Yes I knew.", she replied.

"This family keeps many secrets. My, if you knew that your father was the K-Popstar that many girls pined after, well you simply wouldn't believe me. I find keeping secrets is the simplest way to live.", she said, her words heavy with wisdom.

Sara gasped, unsure of how to take Granamika's sudden revelation.

There was a sobbing noise and they all turned to see that Ayush was crying.

Siddhant rushed to his side to comfort him and Ishan tried to kiss him but Ayush pulled himself away.

"I can't believe she's here. After she found us together those years ago she promised to stay away! We love each other. But here she is, back trying to steal the love of my life, like I stole you from her!", he cried.

"Ugh! Stop it! Stop talking like I'm not here!", yelled Navelin all of a sudden. "Obviously I didn't know Ramesh was involved with this family. S/he was just so romantic and witty and sexy and full of jokes that I felt the need to go home with him/her. If I knew that I'd return to see you", she spat at Ishan," I'd never have fallen for him/her!"

"You-you've fallen for me?", asked Ramesh gently shocked.

But Navelin ran out of the apartment without saying another word and Ramesh just stood there dumbfounded, too shocked to chase after her.

The neighbors started to shift uncomfortably. "Maybe we should leave too. This seems like a personal problem. We wouldn't want to get involved", said Katelyn kindly.

"Oh, nothing of that kind. You're already a part of this family," said Granamika.

"No. I don't think you understand. We really wouldn't want to be involved" said Ishika a little more firmly.

"No! No! You can't leave yet! What about Irum?", cried Shivani, fixated on her wifey/husband.

"Look there is nothing more we can do. Maybe we'll wish her in the morning.", said Katelyn, inching towards the door slowly.

"And maybe we'll move out and never return to this city. Who can tell about such things.", said Ishika as they fled.

"I don't understand how you people can keep such secrets! I know I'm busy at my coffee shop most of the time, but you people treat me like I'm not a part of this family.", shouted Sara.

"Look here Sara. We're all busy. Irum with her chocolate industry, Heavens. Ishan and Siddhant with their research. Shivani pretends to be busy by drawing all day. Hell, Ayush is flying around the globe most days and Shriyedita's touring for his/her comedy show most of the time. Don't act like you're the only one." emphasized Razaq. He had modestly left out the fact that he was busy with his fashion line and his career as an actor not to mention keeping up his reputation and a good uncle and international playboy. He felt like he had made enough of a effort tonight.

Sara shot him a glance and wished she had a cup of coffee right then.

Ayush on the other hand was shaking like a leaf. "I think we need to renew the restraining order, I'm called your dad.", said Ayush and headed away to call Saurabhi. Ishan followed him, anxious to make up and get some later in the night.

Siddhant took the opportunity to return to his study. He just remembered that he had to write a personal letter to RD Sharma.

Ramesh has taken out his/her phone and was writing a bunch of jokes to calm her nerves because she hadn't had someone fall for her since her ex Roshan.

"This is so horrible. This whole thing. What am I going to do about Irum now?", whispered Shivani to herself.

"What're you gonna do about me?", asked Irum from behind her.

*Everyone does a double take. Someone is slapped in the distance. The cake falls from someone's hands. Everyone gasps.*

Join us tomorrow at 12:50 AM to find out what happens at the KakshaDasvi (yes this is totally a legit surname) household.