🎵 Song: Ilahi – Instrumental Version

"Sometimes...

the happiest people don't need to say they're happy.

Their smile tells the whole story."

The evening sun slowly disappeared behind the buildings.

A cool breeze flowed through the Malhotra mansion.

Inside...

The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the dining hall.

For the first time in several days...

The atmosphere was light.

Comfortable.

Happy.

Malhotra Mansion

The entire family gathered around the large dining table.

Meera served everyone's favorite dishes while Vikram closed his laptop and joined them.

Kabir immediately started eating.

"Mumma!"

"This paneer is amazing."

Meera laughed.

"You say that every time."

"Because it always is."

Everyone smiled.

Reyansh quietly sat in his chair.

Unlike his usual self...

He wasn't scrolling through his phone.

Nor was he teasing Kabir.

Instead...

A small smile had been resting on his face ever since he had returned from school.

Kabir noticed it.

He looked at Reyansh.

Then at Meera.

Then back at Reyansh.

"He's smiling again..."

Vikram took a sip of water before speaking.

"Since the summer holidays are about to begin..."

"I've been thinking about something."

Everyone looked at him.

"What?"

Kabir asked excitedly.

Vikram smiled.

"What do you all think about a family trip?"

Kabir almost jumped from his chair.

"YES!"

"I'M READY!"

Meera laughed.

"I knew that would be your answer."

Reyansh looked up.

"A trip?"

Vikram nodded.

"It's been a long time since we've all gone somewhere together."

"And..."

He smiled.

"I spoke to Rajeev today."

Reyansh's eyebrows lifted slightly.

"Uncle?"

"Hmm."

"He said they were also planning a vacation."

Kabir's eyes sparkled.

"Really?"

Vikram nodded.

"So I suggested..."

"Why don't both families go together?"

For two seconds...

The room was silent.

Then...

Kabir literally cheered.

"YAY!"

"That'll be so much fun!"

Reyansh tried his best to stay calm.

"Oh..."

"That's nice."

But inside...

His heart had already started celebrating.

"A family trip..."

"Which means..."

"More time with Ocean."

"No school..."

"No teachers..."

"Just... us."

He quickly took another bite of food to hide the smile threatening to appear.

Unfortunately...

It didn't work.

Meera looked at him curiously.

"You seem happy."

Reyansh looked up innocently.

"I am."

"You usually complain about family trips."

"I've changed."

Kabir almost choked on his juice.

"You?"

"Changed?"

Reyansh casually shrugged.

"People change."

Kabir looked away to hide his laugh.

"Yeah..."

"Because of one particular senior."

Vikram continued,

"Nothing is final yet."

"We'll decide the destination after talking to Rajeev."

"Maybe the mountains."

"Maybe somewhere peaceful."

Kabir immediately spoke.

"I don't care where we go."

"As long as everyone comes."

Meera smiled.

"I'm sure Aarohi and Anaya will enjoy it too."

The moment Aarohi's name was mentioned...

Reyansh unconsciously smiled again.

A genuine...

Soft smile.

Kabir caught it instantly.

He slowly looked toward his brother.

Then silently kicked him under the table.

"Ouch."

Reyansh looked at him.

"What?"

Kabir simply raised one eyebrow.

A very knowing eyebrow.

Reyansh glared.

"What?"

Kabir shook his head dramatically.

"Nothing."

Dinner continued.

The adults discussed hotel bookings...

Travel dates...

Packing lists...

And possible destinations.

But Reyansh heard almost nothing.

Instead...

His imagination had already begun.

He pictured Aarohi laughing during the trip.

Watching sunsets together.

Walking through crowded markets.

Teasing her.

Calling her Ocean.

Seeing her blush.

Without realizing it...

He smiled once again.

Kabir couldn't take it anymore.

He slowly leaned toward his mother and whispered,

"Mumma..."

Meera looked at him.

"Hmm?"

Kabir discreetly pointed toward Reyansh.

"Look at Bhai."

Meera turned slightly.

She immediately noticed.

Reyansh wasn't even paying attention to the conversation.

He was smiling to himself.

Meera smiled knowingly.

She didn't say anything.

Instead...

She quietly continued eating.

A few minutes later...

Dinner ended.

The adults moved to the living room to continue discussing the vacation.

Reyansh stood up to leave.

Just as he reached the staircase...

Kabir quickly followed him.

"Bhai."

"Hmm?"

Kabir folded his arms.

"You're glowing."

Reyansh looked confused.

"What?"

"You've been smiling for the last twenty minutes."

"I have not."

"You have."

"I was just happy about the trip."

Kabir nodded dramatically.

"Of course."

"The trip."

"Definitely not because Aarohi Didi is coming."

Reyansh almost laughed.

"You're imagining things."

"Really?"

Kabir grinned mischievously.

"Then why did you smile every single time someone said her name?"

Reyansh opened his mouth.

Then closed it again.

He had no answer.

Kabir chuckled.

"I saw everything."

"So did Mumma."

Reyansh's eyes widened slightly.

"Mumma?"

Kabir nodded proudly.

"Don't worry."

"We won't tease you."

He smiled.

"Yet."

Reyansh shook his head.

"You've become impossible."

Kabir proudly replied,

"I learned from my brother."

As Kabir walked away...

He quietly smiled to himself.

"He's completely gone."

"Mission Cupid is working perfectly."

Meanwhile...

Across the street...

Aarohi sat on her balcony reading a novel.

Completely unaware...

That a family vacation was about to become another chapter...

In her beautiful story with the boy who called her...

Ocean. 🌊💙