Third person's pov!

Kriti toddled over to her father, arms outstretched, after supper while everyone else lounged in the living room.

"Dada!" She yelled out, with too much enthusiasm in her voice.

Her uncontrollable giggle was accompanied by Abhay's swooping and spinning her around. Vaiga watched with a soft smile, her eyes full of love.

"Dada loves you so much, Kriti," Abhay whispered before gently setting her down.

Vaiga sat on the couch, cradling a sleeping Vidyut against her shoulder. His tiny chest rose and fell in peaceful rhythm, his chubby fingers curled into her dupatta.The tranquil moment was enhanced by the gentle illumination of the living room lighting, which cast a pleasant tone.

As soon as Abhay glanced around, he locked his eyes on the duo. His lips curled into a smile as he approached Vaiga. He sat down next to her, arm casually draped across the back of the couch, and didn't say a word.

He leaned in and gently kissed Vidyut on the head. His lips lingered for an instant as if to solidify his affection for the young one. Vaiga shifted ever-so-slightly to meet his gaze, her expression softened with affection,

Yet, Abhay had more in store. Before he pulled back completely, he kissed Vaiga on the cheek, a brief but intentional gesture. Her face flushed with surprise, and she went into a stunned freeze.

"Dev ji!" She whispered, her tone both shy and scolding.

He only grinned, the boyish charm in his expression making her heart flutter. He seemed utterly oblivious to the audience they had, completely lost in the moment with his wife and children.

"Abhi" The warm ambiance was broken by Anjana's voice, which had an air of playful warning mixed with humor.

Abhay blinked, coming back to reality. When he realized that everyone were staring at them, his eyes raced around the room, checking if Drishti and Siddhu saw. It appeared like Siddhu was about to start one of his big teases, and most of them were grinning.

Abhay was confused by Drishti's silence, though. The usually animated Drishti, who loved to tease him, was noticeably silent this time. She sat there, expressionless, with no smirk or playful remark to be seen.

Abhay looked down at Siddhu, who also had seen her odd behavior, and frowned.

"D? Is everything fine with you?" Siddhu asked, leaning over to give her a small shake.

It was as if someone had yanked Drishti out of her reverie.

Hurriedly, she uttered the word "yes," while forcing a grin onto her face.

"Then what?" Evidently not convinced, Siddhu asked. "Then tell me, where is your dialogue?"

"Which dialogue?" Drishti asked, truly perplexed. She had no idea what had happened.

"Kya kya dialogue maara aapne , Abhi bhai!" With a dramatic motion Siddhu threw his hands in the air and said. "This was your moment! You were expected to say this and roast him."

With only a little smile, Drishti remained silent. Concern replaced Siddhu's playful tone.

"Did you and Shravan bhai get into a fight? Is that the reason you are upset?" He asked, his voice betraying his concern.

Sitting close by, Shravan protested by raising his hands.

"Please, don't drag me into this. Whatever you two need to talk about, go clear it up right now, " he urged playfully, but his eyes lingered on Drishti and his demeanor betrayed a trace of anxiety.

"I am fine. Everyone is being too dramatic." With a chuckle that didn't reach her eyes, Drishti waved their concern off.

Siddhu obviously wasn't buying it as he kept looking at her.

"I think you two should have a talk." Without waiting for any of them to object, Shravan shoved Siddhu towards the patio and signaled for Drishti to go after. "Go. I mean you two. The garden. Right this second."

Despite her apprehension, Drishti complied and was led outside. Coolness greeted the night as gentle moonlight illuminated the garden. A gentle rustle of leaves in the wind carried a calming melody into the space.

Allowing herself to be reassured by the fresh air, Drishti strode ahead a few steps and sat on the stone bench. As she stared up at the sky, she remained silent, fiddling with the fringe of her scarf. As he stood somewhat behind, Siddhu fiddled with his phone, seemingly lost in thought. His attention would occasionally wander to her, and he would arch his eyebrows in concentration as he observed her still form.

Finally, he couldn't hold back any longer.

"D," he whispered as he sat down next to her.

"What?" Startled, Drishti glanced up, but her customary smile swiftly spread across her face.

"Come on. Spill. What's going on in that overthinking head of yours?" Siddhu tilted his head, not buying her act for a second.

"It's nothing, Siddhu. You are making a big deal out of nothing." She hesitated, her fingers nervously twisting together.

"Drishti, I have known you more than a decade now. You are not fine, and I am not letting this go. Talk to me." Siddhu crossed his arms, leaning back against the stone bench.

"It's stupid, really. Forget it." The sincerity in his tone broke down her defenses, and Drishti sighed, her gaze dropping to her lap.

"D." With a softer tone, he pressed.

Words came out quickly as she inhaled deeply.

"You know what? There are moments when I feel like you no longer need me as much. You are close to Shraddha. It is as if...as if there is no longer any room for me in your life, unlike before." Her voice faltered, and she fought back tears in a flash.

Siddhu's expression softened, and he extended his hand to hold hers.

"Drishti, you have got this all wrong. Shraddha is my sister, and yes, we have gotten closer since she came into my life. But you? You have always been my best friend. That hasn't changed, and it never will."

"It doesn't feel like that sometimes. You spend so much time with her, and I am happy for you both. But I can't help but feel...left out." With a hint of uncertainty in her gaze, Drishti raised her eyes to meet his.

A little tightening of Siddhu's hold on her hands accompanied his head shake.

"Listen up, Drishti. Shraddha is my family, indeed. My twin sister. But I can't be without you. At all times, no matter how good or bad things got, you were there for me. Without you, I fear I wouldn't be able to even breathe."

"Now you are being too dramatic." Her lips quivered as she exhaled a trembling laugh.

"I am being very serious, D," he said with an assertive tone. "You and Shraddha hold different places in my life, and you are both equally important. But you? You are the one who knows me better than anyone else. You are my safe place, my constant."

"You mean that?" Drishti's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she whispered.

"Every word," Siddhu proclaimed, his voice emotional. "Listen, Drishti, you are more than simply my best buddy. You are my family. And that will remain so forever."

Her arms encircled him firmly as she leaned forward.

"I am sorry for being foolish," she whispered into his shoulder. He embraced her with equal ferocity.

"You were not being foolish, D. You were being you. Plus, I wouldn't trade that for the world."

A/N

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Love,

SF❤️