🎵 Song: Yeh Ghar Bahut Haseen Hai (Instrumental)

"Some friendships don't fade with time... they simply wait for the next reunion."

The aroma of freshly made tea drifted through the Sharma house as the family finally settled after unpacking most of their belongings.

Rajeev Sharma looked around the living room with satisfaction before checking the time on his watch.

Nandini walked over with two cups of tea.

"You've been looking at the gate every five minutes."

Rajeev smiled sheepishly.

"I've waited almost fifteen years to meet him again. Let me be excited."

Nandini laughed.

"I know."

Anaya, who was sitting cross-legged on the sofa eating chips, looked up curiously.

"Papa... who's coming?"

Rajeev's face lit up instantly.

"My best friend."

"The same one you've been talking about since yesterday?" Anaya asked.

"The one who used to steal your lunch?"

Rajeev burst into laughter.

"Not steal."

Nandini raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Really?"

"He borrowed it."

"For four years?" Nandini teased.

Rajeev rubbed the back of his neck.

"...Maybe stole."

Everyone laughed.

Aarohi quietly smiled while arranging a few books on the coffee table.

She had never seen her father this excited.

It reminded her of a child waiting to meet his best friend after summer vacations.

Just then—

Ding Dong!

The doorbell rang.

Rajeev was on his feet before anyone else.

"I'll open it!"

Anaya whispered dramatically,

"Papa is running."

"He really is," Aarohi giggled softly.

Rajeev opened the door.

Standing outside was a tall man in his late forties, dressed in a crisp white shirt and navy-blue trousers.

The moment their eyes met...

Silence.

A second later—

"You old man!"

"You still have hair!"

The two men laughed loudly before pulling each other into a tight hug.

Both families could only smile as Rajeev and Vikram Malhotra hugged each other like brothers who had finally found one another after years apart.

"You haven't changed at all," Rajeev said.

"And you've become even more emotional," Vikram replied with a grin.

"Of course I have. You disappeared into the business world."

"You disappeared into government transfers."

They laughed again.

Vikram stepped inside.

"So... where's my bhabhi?"

Nandini smiled warmly.

"I'm right here."

Vikram folded his hands respectfully.

"Namaste, Bhabhi."

"Namaste."

Then his eyes shifted toward the two girls standing beside her.

For a moment...

He simply looked at them.

"So these are my nieces."

Rajeev proudly nodded.

"This is Aarohi."

"And this little tornado is Anaya."

"I heard that!" Anaya protested.

Vikram chuckled.

"Good. That means your hearing is perfect."

Everyone laughed.

Just then another graceful woman entered through the open door carrying a neatly wrapped gift basket.

She wore a simple pastel saree and had the warmest smile Aarohi had ever seen.

"Sorry, these two started talking outside again."

Vikram sighed dramatically.

"They're impossible."

"This is my wife," Vikram introduced.

"Meera Malhotra."

Nandini welcomed her with a smile.

Meera folded her hands politely.

"Namaste."

As soon as her eyes landed on Aarohi...

She stopped.

The shy girl immediately lowered her gaze respectfully.

"Namaste, Aunty."

There was something about Aarohi.

Her simplicity.

Her soft smile.

Her polite way of speaking.

No expensive clothes.

No loud makeup.

Just a simple pastel blue kurti, neatly tied hair, and kind blue eyes.

Meera's heart melted almost instantly.

"Such a sweet child..."

Without thinking, she gently cupped Aarohi's face.

"You're even more beautiful than Rajeev bhaiya described."

Aarohi's cheeks turned pink.

"T-Thank you, Aunty."

Meera smiled affectionately.

"So shy..."

Nandini laughed softly.

"She's been like this since childhood."

Meera couldn't stop looking at her.

For some reason...

She already felt as though she had known Aarohi for years.

If she had ever wished for a daughter...

She imagined she would have been just like this.

Everyone settled in the living room.

Tea was served.

Old stories began flowing one after another.

Rajeev pointed towards Vikram.

"This man once failed an entire chemistry practical because he forgot to bring the record file."

Vikram immediately defended himself.

"I forgot because someone hid it!"

Rajeev innocently looked away.

"I wonder who did that."

"You!"

More laughter echoed through the house.

Aarohi loved watching them.

It was rare to see adults laughing so freely.

After a while, Aarohi looked around curiously.

"Aunty..."

Meera looked at her.

"Yes, beta?"

"You mentioned yesterday that you have two sons..."

"Where are they?"

Before Meera could answer, Vikram smiled knowingly.

"The elder one?"

He sighed.

"Out with his friends."

"Again?" Meera frowned.

"He said he'd be back before dinner."

Rajeev laughed.

"So that's Reyansh."

Vikram nodded helplessly.

"That boy never sits at home."

Meera shook her head.

"Sometimes I wonder whether he actually lives here."

Aarohi listened quietly.

So...

The boy she had seen from the balcony last evening...

His name was Reyansh.

She didn't know why...

But hearing his name made her curious.

Just then hurried footsteps echoed from upstairs.

A cheerful boy around eleven years old ran down the staircase.

"Mumma!"

He stopped the moment he noticed unfamiliar faces.

His eyes widened.

"Oh..."

Meera smiled.

"Kabir."

"Come here."

The boy obediently walked over.

"This is Kabir Malhotra, our younger son."

Kabir folded his hands politely.

"Namaste."

Everyone greeted him warmly.

Before anyone could continue—

Anaya suddenly stood up.

"You like cricket?"

Kabir blinked.

"...Yes."

"I like cricket too."

"You play?"

"Every Sunday."

Kabir's eyes sparkled.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

Within seconds...

The two children had forgotten everyone else.

"What games do you play?"

"Football."

"Video games?"

"All of them."

"You have a PlayStation?"

"You?"

"I have one too!"

Rajeev looked at Vikram and laughed.

"They've become friends faster than we did."

Vikram nodded.

"I think our children inherited our talent."

Kabir grinned at Anaya.

"Want to see my room?"

Anaya immediately nodded.

"Yes!"

Both children ran upstairs together, already arguing about which football team was better.

Their laughter echoed throughout the house.

Watching them disappear, Meera smiled fondly.

"It looks like Kabir finally found someone who can match his energy."

Nandini chuckled.

"And Anaya has found her partner in crime."

Aarohi watched them with a smile.

For the first time since moving to this city...

Everything felt a little less unfamiliar.

She still hadn't met Reyansh Malhotra.

But somehow...

She already felt that the family next door was becoming a part of her own.

Little did she know...

The most unforgettable chapter of her life hadn't even walked through the front door yet.

End of Chapter 2 🤍