I started writing this book thinking it's a nuisance but then gradually I got attached to it.

AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Can't describe my ☺✨happiness

Love Youuuu all *puchiiisssss* 💋💋💋



Enjoy reading📖 💗😭

_____________________________________________________

Continuation from the last chapter...

Avya was unfazed. With a smirk, she marched toward him, plopped down on his lap as if she owned the place, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

His employees gawked. The devil himself, sitting there, letting this woman treat him like a personal armchair?

Avya leaned in, poking a finger against his chest. "Now, listen. We are going on that trip, and you will like it."

Ekansh groaned dramatically, resting his head against her shoulder. "Is it necessary to take all of them?" He emphasized, playing with the strap of her wristwatch.

"Yes!" She nodded enthusiastically. "And trust me, you’ll enjoy it."

"They’re chaos. Literal walking disasters." He pouted. "And I won’t even have Mom and Dad to handle them."

Avya giggled. "They are not toddlers. We won’t have to carry them in our arms." She smirked, her voice turning teasing as she whispered, "Besides, Aarohi will be busy with Vidyut, Samiksha with Abeer, and I… well, I’ll be with my person." She nuzzled into his neck, pressing a soft kiss against his skin.

Ekansh froze. His elder brother instincts kicked in hard.

His brain flooded with thoughts—thoughts he really didn’t need. He straightened up instantly, his protective mode activating.

"It’s so awkward, right?" he said, voice firm. "Aarohi hanging out with Vidyut like that. I mean, it’s not that I don’t trust him, of course I do, but… they’re kids, right?"

Avya chuckled knowingly. "Ekansh, I get why you’re worried, but we have to accept one thing—they are teenagers, and this is normal." She took his hand, intertwining their fingers.

"They’re well-mannered, raised with self-awareness. Whatever they’re feeling—whether it’s love or just fleeting emotions influenced by hormones—it’s their journey. They have the right to experience life without us questioning their choices. And most importantly," she smiled, "we need to trust them, just like our parents trust us."

Ekansh let her words settle in. He wasn’t fully convinced, but he couldn’t argue either.

After a long pause, he sighed. "Fine. But no unnecessary chaos."

Avya grinned. "Oh, absolutely. No chaos at all."

(Meanwhile, at that exact moment, Aarohi and Vidyut were probably plotting their next prank, and Abeer was writing another poetic note for Samiksha.)

"Why do I feel like I’m going to regret this?" Ekansh muttered.

Avya patted his cheek. "Because you will. Now, pack your bags, Mr. Boss Man. We leave for the hills soon."

  At four a.m. on a chilly Saturday morning, the Maheshwari and Rajvansh siblings finally set off for their much-anticipated vacation. The car—an old seven-seater with two seats in the front, three in the middle, and two in the back alongside ample luggage space—hummed steadily as the engine warmed up. The atmosphere inside was a mix of sleepy excitement and playful banter, typical of a group that had shared so many years together.

The group consisted of Avya, Ekansh, Vidyut, Aarohi, Samiksha, and Abeer, along with an unexpected addition—Vaani, Samiksha’s cousin. The three girls—Aarohi, Samiksha, and Vaani—had once spent their childhood playing ‘ghar-ghar’ together, but now, life had brought them on a whole new adventure. 

As everyone began settling into the car, Samiksha had already claimed her spot at the back, alone, with the luggage. She had stretched her legs comfortably, scrolling lazily through her phone. 

But, of course, her friends had other plans. 

Once everyone had taken their seats, they intentionally left Abeer outside. Just as he was about to open the middle-row door, Aarohi quickly locked it and grinned, 

"Jagah nahi hai, piche baitho." 

Abeer groaned in protest but didn’t argue too much. On the inside, he was celebrating. 

Everyone knew why. 

He opened the last-row door, and Samiksha, startled by the sudden movement, immediately sat upright, pulling out her earphones. She had been sitting in the most "un-ladylike" position possible—sprawled out like she owned the space. In India, there was always someone ready to tell girls how they should sit, and Samiksha had been doing exactly the opposite of that. 

But now, with Abeer taking a seat across from her, she straightened up. 

As he positioned himself, their eyes met. 

Abeer flashed her a knowing smile. She smiled back. 

The space in the back wasn’t exactly comfortable for two people—especially with all the luggage stuffed around them. Sitting face-to-face, their legs brushed against each other every now and then. Each time it happened, a strange electricity shot through them, making the air suddenly thick between them. 

To ease the tension, Abeer cleared his throat. Samiksha simply nodded. 

It was awkward. 

And then, a single tear rolled down her cheek. 

Abeer noticed. 

His brows furrowed in concern as he leaned forward slightly. "Are you okay? Why are you crying? Is everything alright?" 

Samiksha looked at him and, seeing his worried expression, laughed softly. 

"Oh, it's nothing," she admitted, rubbing her eyes. "I just didn’t sleep properly last night." 

Abeer leaned back with an amused expression. "Yeah, that’s pretty obvious from your dark circles." 

Samiksha’s smile faltered for a second. 

She had always been conscious of her dark circles. Maybe they made her look less attractive or tired all the time. The moment he pointed it out, her mind spiraled into insecurity. 

She let out an awkward chuckle. "See? That’s the problem. I love staying up at night, but these dark circles make me look horrible." 

Abeer frowned slightly, staring at her face. 

"They look nice," he mumbled. 

"Huh?" Samiksha blinked in confusion. 

He pointed at her face. "I mean, they look beautiful, actually. Your bunny cheeks look more interesting because of them." 

She laughed, shaking her head. "Nice joke, Abeer." 

He didn’t laugh. 

"I’m serious." 

She stopped. Oh. 

Her brain short-circuited for a moment. 

"Seriously, Abeer? People are insecure about their dark circles, and you are out here romanticizing them?" she scoffed. 

"I’m not romanticizing them," he replied casually. "I’m just saying what I feel. It looks really good on you." 

He said it so naturally, so effortlessly, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. 

But for Samiksha? 

For the first time, she felt like maybe, just maybe, she was beautiful in ways she never noticed before. 

(This is how men in love react, girls!) 

Abeer smirked. "By the way, raat ko kyun nahi soyi?" 

She groaned dramatically. "Raat ko agar madam so jaati toh reels kaun dekhta? Instagram bura maan jaata." 

Of course, she wasn’t watching reels. She had been binge-reading on Wattpad, but nobody needed to know that. 

Abeer let out a soft chuckle. "Toh madam, reels toh din mein bhi chal sakti hai. Raat ko toh soona chahiye tha, na." 

The way he said ‘madam’—AAAAAHHHH! 

Samiksha’s heart did a little somersault.

Meanwhile, in the front seat, Ekansh gripped the steering wheel with practiced ease, his focus unwavering—until Avya decided to test his patience. Seated beside him, she wasn’t about to miss a single opportunity to mess with him. 

A slow, teasing smirk played on her lips as she deliberately trailed a finger along his arm, her touch featherlight yet undeniably distracting. His grip on the wheel tightened instantly, knuckles going white. He knew exactly what she was trying to do—push his buttons, rile him up, all for her own amusement. 

And the worst part? 

She knew he wouldn’t dare react in front of everyone. 

Leaning in slightly, her breath warm against his ear, she whispered in a deliberately husky tone, "Ekansh…" 

Her hand slid onto his thigh, palm pressing down ever so lightly. 

Ekansh sucked in a sharp breath. A thousand alarms went off in his head, and for a split second, he lost control. 

Unfortunately, just at that moment, a car from the opposite direction came speeding toward them on the wrong side of the road. His instincts kicked in, and he yanked the steering wheel to the right, hard. 

The car lurched violently. 

Everything jolted—bags tumbled, people gasped, and a chorus of startled yelps filled the vehicle as everyone was thrown sideways. 

Samiksha’s POV  ✨✨✨

Sitting across from Abeer, an unfamiliar yet exhilarating feeling coursed through me, making my entire body hum with excitement. 

Because—oh my god—he complimented me! 

Calm down, Samiksha. Play it cool. Don’t make it obvious that you're blushing from the inside out. 

But he complimented me! He complimented me!! 

I wanted to get up and do a happy dance right then and there. 

As I was busy celebrating this tiny yet monumental victory in my head, I suddenly felt something against my ankle. 

His ankle. 

It brushed against mine—deliberately. 

I looked up, only to find him already watching me, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. 

Damn. 

This was intentional. 

The realization sent tingles through my entire body. A swarm of butterflies erupted in my stomach, and I could feel the heat crawling up my neck. 

Because if it were anyone else? This wouldn’t have affected me. 

But this was him. 

And that made all the difference. 

Before I could process anything further, the car jerked violently. 

In the blink of an eye, everything blurred, and suddenly— 

Abeer fell on top of me. 

Our faces were mere inches apart. 

His hands landed on either side of me, caging me in. 

His body pressed against mine. 

His breath ghosted over my skin. 

I shut my eyes tight, trying to gather myself, but the sensation of him so close—so incredibly close—made my heartbeat thunder against my ribs. 

When I finally managed to open my eyes, I found his gaze fixed on me. 

Something stirred deep inside me, something unexplainable. 

And then— 

Click. Click. 

Both our heads snapped toward the sound. 

Aarohi. 

With her phone. 

Taking pictures. 

What the—?! 

I could already feel my face burning as the realization dawned upon me. If I looked like a tomato before, I was practically a volcano now. 

Abeer scrambled upright, hastily fixing his posture, looking anywhere but at me. 

Oh my god. The tension. 

Someone kill me now. 

In a moment of sheer panic, words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them— 

"It’s okay, you don’t have to feel that way." 

Abeer turned to me, his expression unreadable. Meanwhile, in the front, Aveer’s irritated voice rang out— 

"Ekansh bhaiya, kaise chala rahe ho?!" 

Ekansh, still looking slightly dazed, made an indignant face before protesting, "It’s not my fault!" 

Ohhh, now it all made sense. 

I turned to Avya with wide eyes as realization hit me. 

"Avya didi! Can’t you control yourself?! Yeh romance na room mein jaake kar lena! Abhi karne ki zaroorat nahi hai! BC meri jaan jaate jaate bachi!!" 

Pheww. That was dramatic. 

Maybe too dramatic? 

The car fell silent. 

All eyes turned to me, as if I had just committed an unspeakable sin. 

What? What did I do? 

But before I could start panicking, I caught sight of Ekansh bhaiya’s reaction. 

He was giving me a thumbs-up. 

"Kuch seekho apni behen se! Sahi bola, Samiksha!" His pointed glare at Avya was enough to spark incoming chaos. 

Hehe. 

Now this was about to get interesting. 

Because, let’s be honest,  kalesh is all I live for.

Aarohi had declared earlier that she wouldn’t sleep during the journey, determined to stay awake and enjoy every moment. Yet, as the miles passed under the pale pre-dawn sky, her resolve crumbled. Before long, she leaned against Vidyut’s shoulder and dozed off, her soft snores mingling with the gentle hum of the road. Vidyut, half-amused and half-protective, continued to drive while occasionally glancing at his sleeping companion. In that quiet moment, as the early light began to break, a tender silence settled between them—a silent understanding that spoke of shared dreams and unspoken promises. Their heads barely brushed against each other as if to remind one another that, sometimes, comfort could be found in the simplest of company.

Meanwhile, Vaani—sitting among the couples—let out an exasperated groan. Her mind churned with self-doubt as she questioned her very existence. Why was she always the third wheel? Originally, she had no intention of coming on this trip at all, but Samiksha and Aarohi had insisted. The three of them had been best friends since the days when they wore diapers; together, they had navigated childhood with inseparable bonds. Vaani, however, had left that old, dreadful school in ninth grade—not just to escape the monotonous lessons, but for reasons too painful to recount, reasons that still haunted her quietly. Now, forced to ride along with three couples who seemed to share an effortless closeness, she couldn’t help but wonder if she had become nothing more than an afterthought in their laughter and memories.

As the car wound its way along the scenic route, the atmosphere was punctuated by occasional bursts of conversation and shared laughter. Aarohi, even in her sleep, looked peaceful, and Vidyut stole quiet smiles at her gentle snores. Yet my thoughts—my thoughts roamed back to that promise of friendship, to the days when we were all inseparable, and to the secret hope that maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t invisible.

I sat quietly, scrolling through messages on my phone, when a soft murmur of conversation from the front caught my attention. Abeer’s eyes had met mine for a split second—a silent, knowing exchange that set my heart fluttering. His smile was gentle, reassuring, as if to say, “I understand,” and in that brief moment, the noisy chaos around me faded into the background. I felt warmth spread through me—a surge of newfound self-worth that told me I was more than the cruel words I’d heard about my flaws. I remembered his quiet words, his subtle compliments that made me believe in my own beauty, flaws and all.

The journey was far from perfect—there were bumps in the road, awkward silences, and the inevitable teasing that comes with a group of close friends on a long trip. Yet, every shared glance, every little smile between Abeer and me, every touch as our legs brushed inadvertently in the cramped back seat, made my heart race in ways I’d never expected. In that confined space, with luggage piled high and laughter echoing around us, I felt seen. And in that moment, I silently vowed to embrace every part of myself—my insecurities, my quirks, the very things that had once made me doubt my worth.

As we drove on toward the hill station, with the soft light of early morning filtering through the car windows, I realized that sometimes life was messy and unpredictable—but it was also filled with moments of quiet magic. Even if the world never praised me for who I truly was, I had found solace in a shared smile, in a kind gesture from someone who cared enough to see me. And though I was still haunted by the echoes of old insecurities, I knew that on this journey, among these people, I was not alone.

This is our moment—a journey not just to a hill station, but a journey inward, where every bump in the road reminds us that sometimes, the best company is the one that helps us rediscover our own worth.

(Bore kiya ho toh I'm sorry but I'm a philosophical human being hehe.)

Author's pov😌

They arrived at Selene Resort—a majestic haven nestled near a quaint village—just as the sun began to dip, bathing everything in a warm, honeyed glow. The resort’s architecture was a graceful blend of modern comfort and rustic charm: sprawling manicured gardens, intricate stonework, and twinkling fairy lights that hinted at magic even before nightfall. With luggage set aside in a secure nook, the entire group stepped out into the fresh, cool air, buzzing with anticipation for the adventure ahead.

As they gathered in the open courtyard, laughter and playful banter filled the space. Aarohi and Vidyut’s teasing duo broke the formal silence first. Aarohi nudged Vidyut, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “I still can’t believe when you were eleven you fell from the second floor just because you wanted to save a ball HAHAHAHAHA!” she exclaimed. 

Vidyut pouted, feigning indignation. “Oh, please that was a mistake but see here I am standing in my toes in front of you.”

"Bhagwaan ki achi kripa haii, konse mandir jaate ho? " She asked playfully.

"Dekho mandir toh mein jaata hun but baaat toh tumne sahi boli bhagwaan ki kripa toh haii mujhpe kyuki-" He stopped in the mid of the sentence.

"Kyuki?" She raised her brows.

"Kyuki mujhe tum jo mil gayi." He said blushingly. Making her blush.

Oh my lover boy!!

"Hogaya tumhara! Yeh nibba-nibbi waali harkatien baad mein karna... Let's gooo" Samiksha said as she moved past them.

Their banter drew a chorus of amused chuckles from the others, a moment of lighthearted reprieve that set the tone for the evening.

The village welcomed them like an old friend—its narrow cobbled streets lined with small, colorful houses, the air rich with the scent of earth and blooming flowers. Lanterns flickered gently, casting a golden hue over the bustling marketplace where vendors called out to passing customers. The cool evening breeze carried with it the mingling aromas of roasted peanuts, fresh coriander, and piping hot sweets. It was a world away from the city’s chaotic noise, a place that hummed with simplicity, warmth, and stories whispered through the wind.

Aarohi’s eyes sparkled as she took in the rustic charm. "This place feels straight out of a storybook," she breathed, spinning on her heel to take in everything at once.

Vidyut, hands casually in his pockets, smirked at her excitement but said nothing. His gaze drifted to a small flower stall at the corner, where garlands of gajras (jasmine flower garlands) hung in delicate loops. The vendor, an old woman with kind eyes, noticed his interest and grinned.

"Beta, le lo. Ladkiyan gajra pehenti hain toh aur bhi khoobsurat lagti hain," she teased.

Vidyut didn't need much convincing. He handed over a few notes and took a fragrant, white gajra in his palm, inhaling its fresh, floral scent. Turning back, he walked up to Aarohi, who was still lost in her childlike admiration of the village.

"Yeh tumhare liye," he said, holding out the gajra.

The moment Aarohi saw it, she let out a delighted gasp and jumped like a little girl, her hands clasped together. "Oh my God! You got this for me?" Her voice was so full of happiness that it made Vidyut chuckle.

"Obviously. Tumhari nautanki dekh ke laga tumhe pasand aayega," he teased.

Aarohi grinned, eyes twinkling. "Now make me wear it!" She turned around, gathering her hair to one side, exposing the nape of her neck.

Vidyut swallowed. For someone who always had a witty remark ready, he suddenly found himself lost in the simple intimacy of the moment. Slowly, he stepped forward, his fingers brushing against her silky hair as he carefully placed the gajra around her bun. The scent of jasmine mixed with the natural fragrance of her shampoo, a scent that he found oddly addictive.

As soon as he finished, Aarohi spun around and, without a second thought, planted a soft kiss on his cheek before pulling him into a tight hug. Vidyut stiffened for a split second before relaxing into her embrace, his arms wrapping securely around her waist.

"You smell beautiful," he murmured near her ear, making her shiver slightly.

Aarohi giggled, pressing her face against his shoulder. "And you smell like trouble."

He smirked. "You like trouble, though."

She sighed dramatically. "Unfortunately."

Meanwhile, Ekansh and Avya wandered hand in hand, their fingers lazily intertwined as they explored the marketplace. As they passed a stall, the sight of golden, freshly fried jalebis caught Ekansh’s attention.

"Wait here," he said, letting go of her hand and walking toward the vendor.

Avya, knowing exactly what he was up to, grinned and waited patiently. Within moments, he returned with a warm jalebi in his hands, breaking off a piece and holding it up to her lips.

"You know the way to my heart," Avya said, dramatically placing a hand on her chest before taking the bite. Her face lit up as the sugary, syrupy sweetness melted in her mouth. "God, this is heaven."

Ekansh smirked and took a bite himself. "If only you looked at me the way you look at food."

She giggled. "I do when you bring me food."

As she took another bite, she leaned closer and whispered, "Oh, by the way, did I tell you? In my office, the HR head and the marketing manager are totally having an affair."

Ekansh nearly choked on his jalebi. "What? Are you serious?"

She nodded, eyes gleaming with gossip. "Absolutely. The way they ‘casually’ bump into each other near the coffee machine? Suspicious. Also, last Friday, they left together ‘coincidentally.’"

Ekansh shook his head, laughing. "And here I thought you worked hard at your job."

Avya smirked. "I work hard at uncovering the truth."

Ekansh chuckled, feeding her another piece of jalebi. "I swear, one day you’re going to get caught gossiping."

"And that day, you'll be my lawyer," she quipped.

"Deal."

On the quieter side of the market, Vaani was in her element. The sky was breathtaking—a blend of deep purples and fiery oranges, with hints of stardust just beginning to appear. She clicked photo after photo, trying to capture the serenity in its raw form.

Needing something sweet, she walked into a tiny shop and bought herself a chocolate bar. As she unwrapped it, she noticed two little boys standing beside her, their tiny hands clutching a ten-rupee note. They had just enough to buy a single chocolate, but one of the boys glanced longingly at a packet of chips.

Vaani crouched down. "Kya lena hai?" she asked gently.

The smaller boy hesitated before pointing shyly at the chips. Without a second thought, Vaani bought it for him, ruffling his hair.

As she walked out of the shop, she suddenly felt a tug on her kurti. She turned to see the little boy grinning up at her.

"Didi, aap bohot achi ho! Bohot pyaari ho! Aur sundar bhi!" he chirped.

Vaani laughed, touched by his innocent words. "Aww, thank you!"

Then the boy's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Ek aur dila do?" he asked, pointing at another packet of chips.

Vaani burst out laughing. "Naughty ho tum!" But she bought him another one anyway.

As they continued walking, they passed a tall imli ka tree. Samiksha’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the tamarind hanging from its branches.

Samiksha inwardly thought 'mujhe yeh khaani haii, god knows how much I love them but wants to test my patience isliye yeh tree mere saamne laa ke rakh diya because let's be honest it's a tall tree and nobody will climb it just to fulfill my ridiculous need but AAAHHH they taste so majestic but it's okay Samiksha, better luck next time'

Abeer, who had been silently watching her, smirked. Without a word, he walked up to the tree and—before anyone could stop him—began climbing.

Vidyut’s eyes widened. "Pagal ho gaya hai kya?"

From above, Abeer shouted back, "HAAAAAA!" Then, in a much softer voice, he muttered, "Samiksha ke pyaar mein."

Everyone stared at him as if he had lost his mind.

Samiksha, however, only gazed at him with pure admiration. This—this was why she loved him.

Within minutes, Abeer carefully climbed down, holding a fistful of imlis. But he didn’t just hand them over. Instead, he peeled each one, removing the hard shell, and fed them to Samiksha one by one.

Samiksha savored every bite, eyes never leaving his. "Iski koi zarurat nahi thi, You’re ridiculous," she murmured, cheeks warm.

Abeer smiled softly. "And you’re my favorite kind of ridiculous."

She blushed, popping another imli into her mouth.

And as the night deepened, love bloomed quietly between them, wrapped in the magic of the village, the tang of tamarind, and the whispers of a thousand unsaid words.

_______________________________________________________

How was the chapter!???? 💗💗😭

Boring laga ho toh I'm really sorry😔😓

Once again thank you and love you for giving this book a tryyyy