The police station smelled of sweat, dust, and unfinished arguments.

A place where voices rose, tempers snapped, and truth rarely mattered.

The door burst open.

“Oye! Teri himmat kaise hui meri dost ko andar karne ki?”

Nancy Chauhan stormed inside, eyes blazing with anger. Without thinking twice, she marched up to a man standing near the desk and grabbed his collar.

“Pata bhi hai? Verma family ki eklauti beti hai woh!”

The room fell silent. The man didn’t react immediately.

Instead—

“Miss… calm down.”

 His voice was steady.

 Too steady.

Nancy froze slightly, but her grip didn’t loosen.

 “You’ve got the wrong person.” A pause. “And I’m here to bail Isha out. So… there’s no need to worry.”

Something in his tone made her heart skip. She slowly looked up.

And for a moment—

Everything went quiet.

The man she was holding didn’t look angry.

Didn’t look offended.

If anything…

He looked calm.

Too calm.

His sharp eyes met hers, steady and unreadable, as if he was already in control of the situation… and everyone in it.

Nancy’s grip loosened on its own.

“…I—”

Her voice failed.

She stepped back immediately, letting go of his collar as if she had just realized what she had done.

“I’m… sorry.”

The words came out low, almost reluctant.

But her eyes still stayed on him.

Trying to read him.

Trying to understand why he felt so… dangerous.

Before the silence could stretch further—

“Madam ji! Thoda wait mere liye bhi kar lo!”

The sudden voice broke the moment.

The sudden voice broke the moment.

Aarushi Sharma came running inside, slightly bent, hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath.

“Isha jail mein hai toh hai… kahin bhaag nahi jaayegi.”

She straightened up after a second, brushing her hair back.

“Waise… batana bhool gayi thi—maine uske bhai ko call kar diya tha. Woh sab sambhaal lega. Chinta karne ki zarurat nahi hai.”

Nancy shut her eyes for a brief second, jaw tightening.

Then she leaned slightly toward Aarushi and muttered under her breath—

“Pehle bata deti na…”

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.

Meanwhile—

The man had already turned away, as if the entire scene hadn’t affected him at all.

He adjusted his cuff calmly, then looked toward the officer.

And when he spoke again—

His voice had changed.

Cold. Professional. Final.

“Let’s not waste time.”

Ishaan stepped closer to the desk, his gaze fixed on the officer.

“Charges?”

The officer cleared his throat, suddenly uneasy.

“Public disturbance… assault—”

“Self-defense.”

Ishaan cut him off calmly.

The room went silent again.

“She was surrounded. Multiple witnesses. CCTV footage hoga.”

He tilted his head slightly. “Ya phir… dekhna padega?”

The officer shifted in his place.

“Sir… baat aisi nahi hai—”

“Then don’t make it one.”

His voice didn’t rise.

It didn’t need to.

He placed a file on the table, sliding it forward with precision.

“Paperwork ready hai. Bail process complete karo.”

A brief pause.

No one argued.

No one dared to.

Within minutes—

The cell door opened with a loud metallic sound.

Isha walked out as if she owned the place.

No fear. No regret.

Just that same fire in her eyes.

The moment she stepped out—

Aaru and Nancy rushed toward her and pulled her into a tight hug.

“Tu thik hai na…” Aarushi asked, concern clear in her voice.

Isha smiled casually, as if nothing had happened.

“Mereko kuch ho sakta hai kya?”

Nancy scoffed immediately—

“Haan haan, tereko kya hoga? Jo hota hai na, woh hamare saath hi hota hai.”

Isha clung to her dramatically, pouting like a kid.

“Nancy yaar… sorry na… woh meri galti nahi thi. Nancy…”

Aarushi raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms.

“Kya hua tha is baar? Jo tune hume golgappe khilane ki jagah bhagava diya.”

Isha rolled her eyes slightly.

“Arey kuch kutte mujhe chedna cha rahe the… toh maine unhe thoda sa maar diya.”

Nancy let out a deep sigh, rubbing her temple.

“Haan, itna ‘thoda sa’ maara tha ki sab hospital mein pade hain. Kisi ki chaar haddiyan tuti hain, kisi ki paanch.”

Aaru couldn’t help but smirk.

“Jo bhi ho… tune jo kiya, sahi kiya. Aise logon ke saath aisa hi hota hai.”

Nancy shot her a look, then turned back to Isha—

“Unke saath jo hua accha hua, par Isha… yeh bata—tune kaunsi trouble magnet le rakhi hai?”

She narrowed her eyes.

“6–7th baar police station aana pada tujhe.”

And just as the laughter between the three settled—

Ishaan shook his head slightly, a faint trace of disbelief crossing his face.

“Tera kuch nahi ho sakta…”

His gaze shifted between them.

“Aur teri dost bhi aisi hi hai. Pata nahi kisne kise bigaada hai.”

Isha rolled her eyes, completely unfazed.

Before she could reply, Ishaan cleared his throat, his tone turning more formal.

“Isha.”

A brief pause.

“Next weekend—Matlab kal. Ghar aa jaana. Mom bula rahi hain.”

All three of them turned to look at him.

Isha’s expression changed instantly.

“Main nahi aa rahi. Aaru ko akele rehna padega.”

Ishaan’s eyes shifted toward Aarushi.

But Aarushi—

Very conveniently—

Looked the other way, as if she had absolutely nothing to do with this.

Ishaan let out a quiet sigh, rolling his eyes.

“Isse bhi saath le aana. Koi mana nahi kar raha hai.”

A beat.

And just like that—

Isha nodded instantly.

“Theek hai. Aa jaungi.”

Nancy raised an eyebrow, clearly judging the sudden change.

But didn’t say anything.

The three of them turned and started walking away, their chatter slowly fading into the background.

But just before leaving—

Nancy glanced back.

For a second.

Her eyes met his.

And then she walked away.

Ishaan didn’t move.

He just stood there, watching their figures disappear.

But his gaze…

Was fixed.

On someone.

Nancy.

Even he didn’t know why.

...----------------...

The night air had cooled down by the time they reached the golgappa stall.

Street lights flickered softly above them, and the familiar tangy smell of pani puri filled the air again—like nothing chaotic had happened just hours ago.

As if jail, fights, and police stations were just… part of the routine.

Isha grabbed a small biodegradable bowl, already dipping a golgappa into the spicy water.

“Nancy, main aur Aaru toh mere ghar ja rahe hain. Tu kya karegi? Tu bhi chal na hamare saath.”

Nancy stuffed a golgappa into her mouth before replying, her cheeks slightly puffed.

“Betu… mere ghar walon ne bhi mujhe bulaya hai. Par nahi pata kis liye. Keh rahe the ki zaruri hai—aa jana.”

Aarushi paused mid-bite, raising an eyebrow.

“Aisa kya zaruri hai?”

Nancy shrugged casually, though there was a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

“Pata nahi… jaana padega.”

For a moment, the three went quiet—just the crunch of golgappas and the distant noise of traffic filling the space.

Then—

Isha squinted at Nancy.

“Kahin shaadi-vadi fix toh nahi kar di teri?”

Nancy choked.

“KYA?! Pagal hai kya?!”

Aaru burst out laughing.

“Haan haan, bilkul. Kal hi tujhe dulhan bana ke bitha denge.”

Nancy shot her a glare.

“Aaru chup reh! Tujhe toh bas mazaak hi sujhta hai.”

Isha leaned closer, clearly enjoying this.

“Waise soch… tu dulhan banegi toh kaafi achi lagegi. Bas attitude thoda kam karna padega.”

Nancy smacked her arm lightly.

“Mera attitude perfect hai. Problem tum dono ho.”

Aaru grinned.

“Haan, woh toh hai.”

They all laughed.

The tension from earlier—the fight, the police station, everything—slowly melted away into something lighter.

Normal.

But not completely.

Because beneath the laughter—

Something still lingered.

Nancy went quiet for a second, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the bowl.

A flash of a memory crossed her mind.

That calm voice.

That steady gaze.

The way he didn’t react… even when she had grabbed his collar.

She frowned slightly.

“Strange…”

“Kya hua?” Aaru noticed immediately.

Nancy blinked, snapping out of her thoughts.

“Kuch nahi.”

But Isha wasn’t convinced.

She narrowed her eyes.

“Tu itni chup kyun ho gayi achanak? Tu aur chup? Impossible.”

Nancy rolled her eyes.

“Bas thak gayi hoon. Aaj ka din hi aisa tha.”

Isha hummed, half-believing her.

Then suddenly—

“Waise… bhai kaisa laga?”

Nancy froze.

“Kya?”

Aaru smirked.

“Haan… bhai. Lawyer sahab.”

Nancy looked away instantly, pretending to focus on her food.

“Normal hi toh hai.”

Isha let out a laugh.

“Normal? Tu kisi aur ko dekh ke aisa bolti toh maan leti. Par mere bhai ko ‘normal’? Thoda jhoot believable bol.”

Nancy clicked her tongue.

“Achha theek hai… thoda… intimidating hai.”

Aaru raised her brows.

“Bas?”

Nancy hesitated for a split second.

“…Aur thoda ajeeb.”

“Ajeeb?” Isha tilted her head.

Nancy frowned slightly, trying to explain.

“Matlab… pata nahi. Woh react hi nahi karta properly. Jaise sab control mein ho uske. Thoda… unsettling hai.”

Isha smiled faintly.

“Woh aisa hi hai. Sab pe control chahiye usse.”

Aaru nodded in agreement.

“Aur tujhe dekh ke toh aur bhi control lose nahi karega.”

Nancy shot her a look.

“Kya matlab?”

Aaru smirked.

“Matlab… tu uska collar pakad chuki hai. Ab ya toh tujhe ignore karega… ya yaad rakhega.”

Isha added teasingly—

“Aur mera bhai cheezein bhoolta nahi hai.”

Nancy rolled her eyes again, but this time—

There was a slight uneasiness in her expression.

“Mujhe kya… main kyun sochu uske baare mein?”

But somewhere deep down—

She knew.

She already was.

The Verma house stood tall and elegant, glowing under the evening lights.

Inside—

Comfort met authority.

And chaos was just… waiting to happen.

----------------

“Finally ghar aa hi gaye…”

Isha dropped herself onto the couch like she owned the place, kicking her shoes off carelessly.

Aarushi followed, looking around with a small smile.

“Har baar yahan aake lagta hai… tu sach mein ameer hai.”

“Lagta hai?” Isha scoffed. “Main hoon.”

Nancy wasn’t there.

And for some reason—

That absence felt… noticeable.

Before the moment could stretch—

Footsteps echoed from the hallway.

Ishaan walked in.

Calm as ever.

Composed as ever.

Like nothing in the world could shake him.

But today—

That was about to change.

He glanced at Isha and Aarushi lounging like they paid the bills, then shifted his gaze toward the dining area where his parents sat unusually quiet.

Something felt off.

“Mom, Dad… kya hua? Aap logon ko kuch kehna hai kya?”

His voice was steady—but observant.

His mother glanced at his father, then leaned slightly toward him, whispering—

“Aji, boliye… main nahi bataungi usse. Aap hi batayenge. Theek hai?”

She gave him a look.

The kind that wasn’t really a request.

His father sighed, adjusting his glasses.

“Veer beta… hume tumse kuch baat karni thi.”

Ishaan frowned slightly.

“Haan, wahi toh puch raha hoon. Kya batana hai aapko?”

Meanwhile—

On the couch—

Isha and Aarushi had already grabbed a packet of Kurkure.

Because clearly—

This was about to be interesting.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Both watching like it was live entertainment.

His father hesitated for a second.

Then finally—

“Beta… humne tumhari shaadi ka socha hai…”

Silence.

One second.

Two.

And then—

“Mujhe nahi karni.”

Ishaan’s reply was instant.

Sharp.

Final.

But—

His mother didn’t even let the silence settle.

“Beta, tere papa ne galat kaha.”

She leaned forward slightly.

“Humne socha nahi… pakki kar di hai shaadi.”

Everyone froze.

“Next month ki 4 ko hai.”

Another pause.

But this time—

Heavier.

“Ab tujhe karni padegi.”

Her voice changed as she spoke.

At first—

Soft.

Almost polite.

Then—

Firm.

And finally—

A command.

“Am I clear?”

Ishaan stared at her.

Actually stared.

For the first time—

Completely caught off guard.

And on the couch—

The Kurkure packet slipped from Isha’s hand.

Aarushi’s mouth fell open.

And both of them shouted at the same time—

“WHAT?! HE’S GETTING MARRIED?!”

The room echoed.

Ishaan closed his eyes for a second, irritation flashing across his face.

“Tum dono mujhse zyada shock ho rahi ho.”

He looked at them sharply.

“Shaadi meri ho rahi hai, tumhari nahi.”

Isha pointed at him dramatically.

“Haan toh problem bhi hamari hi hai!”

Aaru nodded instantly.

“Bilkul! Hume mentally prepare hone ka time toh do!”

His father coughed awkwardly.

“Woh… ladki bahut acchi hai—”

“Mujhe interest nahi hai.” Ishaan cut him off again, his tone colder now.

The room tensed slightly.

But his mother—

Didn’t budge.

“Interest ho ya na ho… shaadi hogi.”

A beat.

Her gaze locked with his.

“Aur time bahut kam hai.”

For the first time in a long time—

Ishaan Verma had no immediate response.

And that alone—

Was enough to shake the room.

On the couch—

Isha slowly leaned toward Aarushi and whispered—

“Yeh toh gaya…”

Aaru nodded seriously.

“Pura gaya.”

Ishaan stood still for a few seconds.

The silence in the room pressed against him.

Then—

He exhaled slowly.

“Theek hai.”

Everyone looked at him.

“Main shaadi ke liye ready hoon.”

The words felt… forced.

But firm enough.

Relief flickered across his father’s face.

His mother, however, didn’t soften.

She looked at him seriously.

“Yaad rakhna, Veer.”

Her voice was calm—but heavy.

“Yeh arranged marriage hai. Tumhe uska dil jeetna padega.”

A pause.

Her eyes sharpened slightly.

“Aur aisa kuch mat karna… jisse hume lage ki tumse shaadi karake humne galti ki hai.”

The weight of her words lingered.

“Is rishte ko nibhane ki koshish karna.”

Ishaan met her gaze.

For once—

No argument.

“Mom, I know. I will try.”

She nodded.

She nodded.

“Theek hai. Main tumhe uska number aur photo bhej dungi. Kuch din mein usse milne chale jaana.”

“Okay.”

And without another word—

He turned and walked upstairs.

----------------

The moment he disappeared—

Silence lasted exactly two seconds.

Then—

“Mummyyyy!”

Isha and Aarushi practically flew toward his mother, clinging to her from both sides.

“Mummy, woh ladki kaun hai?!” Isha asked dramatically.

Her mother smiled slightly, amused.

“Woh bohot acchi ladki hai…”

She adjusted her dupatta.

“Delhi ki hai. Kisi university mein professor hai shayad.”

Aaru’s eyes widened.

She slowly turned to look at Isha.

“Yeh toh thoda kisi se match hua…”

Isha narrowed her eyes, staring back.

“Haan… thoda zyada hi match ho raha hai.”

Mom continued, unaware of the chaos building.

“Veer se do saal chhoti hai. 26 ki hai.”

Both girls froze.

Then—

Very slowly—

They turned to look at each other again.

“Yeh bhi match hua.” Isha whispered.

Aaru nodded seriously.

“Dangerously match ho raha hai.”

“Aur bataiye aunty…” Aaru asked, now fully invested.

Mom smiled.

“Uski income bhi acchi hai. Bohot hardworking ladki hai.”

Dead silence.

Then—

Both girls spoke at the same time—

“Nahi.”

Mom blinked.

“Kya?”

Aaru shook her head firmly.

“Nahi aunty, yeh toh ho hi nahi sakta.”

Isha crossed her arms.

“Hardworking aur income acchi? Impossible.”

Aaru added instantly—

“Sach mein… Nancy aur hardworking?”

Isha gasped dramatically.

“Bhagwan dharti pe aa jaayenge agar aisa ho gaya toh.”

Both burst out laughing.

Their mother frowned slightly.

“Tum logon ko uska naam kaise pata? Kya tum jaanti ho usse?”

Silence.

Complete.

Utter.

Silence.

Isha and Aarushi froze.

Their brains took a second to process.

Then—

Together—

“KYA?! Uska bhi naam Nancy hai?!”

Their mother nodded casually.

“Haan… Nancy Chauhan.”

It felt like—

A thousand needles pierced at once.

Both of them went completely still.

Eyes wide.

Mouth slightly open.

Processing.

Failing to process.

Aaru swallowed nervously.

“Aunty… photo dikhaaiye na…”

Her voice was hesitant now.

Almost scared.

Mom picked up her phone, unlocking it casually.

“Haan, abhi dikhaati hoon.”

She opened the picture.

Turned the screen toward them.

And then—

“NANCY?!”

Both screamed together.

...----------------------------------------------------------------...

Meanwhile… Ishaan’s Room

The door shut behind him with a soft click.

Silence.

For the first time that evening—

No chaos. No voices.

Just him.

Ishaan loosened his tie slightly, walking toward the window. The city lights flickered below, but his mind wasn’t there.

It was still stuck in the living room.

“Shaadi toh mujhe karni hi padegi…”

The words felt heavy.

Unwanted.

But inevitable.

He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair, trying to steady his thoughts.

Marriage.

Commitment.

A stranger.

None of it fit into his perfectly controlled life.

---

*Ping.*

His phone lit up.

A message from his mother.

“Her details.”

For a moment—

He just stared at the screen.

Debating.

Whether to open it…

Or ignore it a little longer.

Then—

A faint smirk touched his lips.

“Dekh hi leta hoon… pata toh chale kaun banegi meri biwi.”

He tapped the notification.

The screen opened.

A photo loaded.

And—

Everything stilled.

His expression didn’t change instantly.

But his eyes did.

Sharp.

Focused.

Because the girl staring back from the screen—

Wasn’t a stranger.

She was—

Isha’s friend.

Nancy.

“…Nancy.” he murmured under his breath, almost as if confirming it to himself.

A strange pause followed.

Not confusion.

Not disbelief.

Something else.

Something darker.

---

He scrolled down.

Her number.

Her details.

Without wasting time, he dialed someone.

“Mujhe is ladki ki poori information chahiye. Abhi.”

No questions asked from the other side.

The call ended.

Within minutes—

Another notification.

A file.

Ishaan opened it, walking toward his desk, his entire focus locked in.

His eyes scanned every line.

“Nancy Chauhan…”

A small pause.

Then—

A faint, almost dangerous smile appeared.

“…No.”

He leaned back slightly.

“Soon… Nancy Verma. Mrs. Verma.”

His gaze darkened.

“26. Do saal chhoti mujhse."

Flip.

“Physics Professor… Isha ki university mein."

Flip.

More details.

Education.

Work.

Habits.

Everything.

He read it all.

Carefully.

Like he was studying a case.

Not a person.

---

And yet—

Her face lingered in his mind.

That moment in the police station.

The way she had grabbed his collar without hesitation.

The fire in her eyes.

The attitude.

He closed the file slowly.

“Interesting…”

A low murmur escaped his lips.

His fingers tapped lightly against the table.

Controlled.

Measured.

But his thoughts—

Were anything but.

“Nancy…”

A pause.

Then—

A quiet, dangerous certainty settled in his voice.

“Tum meri hone wali ho… lagta hai.”

---

Outside—

The city continued like nothing had changed.

But inside that room—

Something had already begun.

Morning sunlight slipped softly through the curtains.

Peaceful.

Quiet.

A complete contrast to the chaos of the previous day.

Nancy Chauhan walked into her house, dropping her bag lazily on the couch.

“Maa… paani!” she called out, stretching her arms.

“Pehle yahan aao.”

Her mother’s voice came from the living room.

Calm.

Too calm.

Nancy frowned slightly.

“Ab kya ho gaya…” she muttered under her breath, walking in.

Her parents were already seated.

Waiting.

That alone—

Felt suspicious.

Nancy slowed down.

“Kya hua? Itna serious kyun baithe ho dono?”

Her mother gestured for her to sit.

“Nancy beta… woh hum tumari baat kar rahe the…”

Nancy dropped onto the sofa, crossing her legs casually.

“Kis liye baat kar rahe the?”

A brief silence passed between her parents.

Then—

Her mother spoke.

Softly.

“Beta… tumhari shaadi teh ho gayi. Next month ki 4 ko hai.”

Silence.

Complete.

Absolute.

Nancy blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Processing.

Failing to process.

“…Meri? Aur shaadi?”

She let out a short laugh.

“Seriously?”

Her father nodded, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

“Haan. Aur ladke ka ghar-baar sab kuch accha hai. Ladka bhi accha hai.”

Nancy stared at them.

Still waiting for someone to laugh.

To say it was a joke.

No one did.

Her smile slowly disappeared.

“Aap log serious ho…”

Her mother quickly added—

“Tension mat lo. Uski job stable hai. Lawyer hai.”

Nancy’s expression froze.

“…kya?”

Something clicked.

Something familiar.

Uncomfortable.

“Tere phone pe photo send kar di hai. Number bhi. Khud baat kar lena. Naam hai… Ishaan Verma.”

And that was it.

Nancy’s brain—

CRASHED.

“OH MY GOD!!!”

She jumped to her feet instantly.

“Mummy! Koi aur nahi mila tha kya?!”

Her voice echoed through the house.

Her parents looked confused.

But Nancy—

Was already pacing.

Heart racing.

Mind replaying one single moment—

A police station.

A collar in her grip.

And those calm, dangerous eyes.

“Nahi… nahi nahi nahi… yeh nahi ho sakta…”

She grabbed her phone with trembling hands.

Opened the message.

And there it was.

The same face.

The same man.

“Yeh wahi hai…”

She whispered.

Half shocked.

Half horrified.

“Yeh toh wahi hai!”

Her mother frowned.

“Kaun?”

Nancy looked up at her.

Still processing.

“Maa… main kal police station gayi thi na…”

A pause.

“Usi ka collar pakad liya tha maine.”

Dead silence.

Her father blinked.

Once.

Slowly.

“Kya…?”

Nancy nodded, still in disbelief.

“Haan! Aur woh hi… mera hone wala pati hai?!”

And somewhere—

Between shock, embarrassment, and pure chaos—

One thing became very, very clear.

This marriage—

Was not going to be normal.

...----------------...

The clock struck around 3 PM.

The sun had softened, but the heat still lingered in the air.

Nancy stood outside a small café, arms crossed, tapping her foot impatiently.

“Itni urgent baat hai… aur khud late hain dono.”

Before she could complain more—

“NANCYYY!”

Two voices echoed together.

Nancy turned—

And there they were.

Isha and Aarushi.

As they settled down on the chairs, the noise of the café fading into the background, an awkward silence lingered for a second.

Then—

Nancy spoke first.

“Guys, kal toh tum mazaak kar rahe the meri shaadi karva denge… Aaj pakka ho gaya… shaadi hai meri next month ki 4 ko.”

She exhaled, still not fully believing it.

Isha leaned back, equally stunned but trying to act normal.

“Yaar, hume bhi aaj subah hi pata chala… mera bhai tere se shaadi karega.”

Aaru’s face lit up instantly.

“Yaar tu toh bhabhi ban gayi… bestie se!”

Nancy stared at both of them in disbelief.

“Mujhe kya pata tha tum jaise namuno ki itni pohonch hai ki mere parents ko tumhara bhai hi mil gaya…”

Isha scoffed dramatically.

“Hume kya pata tha kisi ko mera bhai bhi accha lag sakta hai.”

Nancy narrowed her eyes.

“Accha lagta hai? Maine kab bola mujhe accha lagta hai?”

Aaru smirked.

“Abhi bol degi… thoda time de.”

Nancy picked up a tissue and threw it at her.

“Chup reh tu!”

Then suddenly—

Her expression shifted slightly.

“Yaar… sab kuch toh sahi hai… but kal jo kaand kiya tha uske baad ab shakal kaise dikhaungi uske saamne…”

Aaru instantly leaned forward.

“Accha jo kal tune collar pakad ke dhamki di thi use?”

Isha slapped her own forehead dramatically.

“Wow behen… tere toh lag gaye.”

Nancy groaned, hiding her face in her hands.

“Tum log samajh nahi rahe… woh banda normal nahi hai. Usne react hi nahi kiya! Aur ab… main usse shaadi karungi?”

Isha crossed her arms, thinking.

“Haan… yeh toh hai. Bhai thoda alag hai.”

Aaru nodded seriously.

“Thoda?”

Then both looked at each other—

And burst out laughing.

Nancy glared at them.

“Meri life barbaad ho rahi hai aur tum dono ko comedy show lag raha hai.”

Isha leaned forward, grabbing her hand.

“Arre relax… itna bhi bura nahi hai. Bas thoda… control freak hai.”

Aaru added—

“Aur thoda scary.”

Nancy blinked.

“THODA?!”

A waiter came and placed their order.

But none of them were really focused on the food now.

Because this—

Was way more interesting.

Aaru suddenly smirked.

“Waise ek baat bata… jab tu usse milegi na… kya bolegi? ‘Hi, main woh hoon jinhone kal aapka collar pakda tha?’”

Isha burst out laughing again.

“Ya phir—sorry ji, galti se haath lag gaya tha.”

Nancy grabbed the spoon and pointed at them threateningly.

“Kasam se… ek aur word bola na… yahin maar dungi dono ko.”

Aaru raised her hands in surrender.

“Theek hai bhabhi ji… gussa mat ho.”

Nancy froze.

Slowly turned.

“Kya bola?”

Isha grinned wickedly.

“Bhabhi.”

Aaru joined in—

“Bhabhi ji.”

Nancy closed her eyes.

“Main tum dono se dosti tod rahi hoon.”

“Nahi tod sakti. Rishta ho gaya hai ab.” Isha said proudly.

For a moment—

All three went quiet.

Not awkward.

Just… thinking.

Because beneath all the jokes—

This was real.

Too real.

Nancy sighed softly.

“Sach bolu… thoda darr lag raha hai.”

Isha looked at her, this time serious.

“Kyun?”

Nancy hesitated.

“Pata nahi… woh samajh nahi aata. Matlab… woh control mein rehta hai. Aur main… main waisi nahi hoon.”

Aaru softened a little.

“Tu adjust kar legi.”

Isha nodded.

“Aur nahi kiya toh… bhai ko adjust karna padega.”

Nancy looked at her.

“Sach?”

Isha smirked.

“Obviously. Tu meri best friend hai… usse zyada importance hai teri.”

Aaru added—

“Aur agar usne tujhe pareshan kiya na… toh pehle main maarungi usse.”

Nancy couldn’t help but smile a little.

“Tum dono pagal ho.”

“Haan. Par tere hi hain.” Isha said softly.

And just then—

Nancy’s phone rang.

All three looked down.

The name on the screen—

Ishaan Verma.

Silence.

Instant.

Heavy.

Aaru slowly whispered—

“Pick kar… bhabhi ji.”

Nancy shot her a deadly glare—

Then took a deep breath and answered.

“Hello…”

On the other side—

His voice.

Calm.

Direct.

“Kal ke baad milna hai. Kuch baat karni hai.”

No hello.

No hesitation.

Just… authority.

Nancy’s grip on the phone tightened slightly.

“…Theek hai.”

The call ended.

She lowered the phone slowly.

Isha leaned forward immediately.

“Kya bola usne?”

Nancy sighed.

“Parso milna hai…”

Aaru smirked.

“Official meeting.”

Isha added dramatically—

“Shaadi ka trailer shuru.”

Nancy shook her head.

But her heart—

Was already beating a little faster.