The sound of thunder cracked through the night sky, and a heavy downpour began. Naitik looked up from his phone, concern etched on his face. "Lagta hai hum log yahan se nahi nikal sakte. Mausam vibhaag ka sandesh aaya hai—bohot tez aandhi aur bijli gir rahi hai. Aaj raat yahan hi rukna padega(Looks like we can't get out of here. A message has come from the weather department - there is a very strong storm and lightning. We will have to stay here tonight.)" 

Esha: Mujhe lagta hai bhagavaan ne janbujhkar aisa kiya hai(I think God has done this on purpose.)

Rajeshwaran immediately stepped forward. "Phir kya dikkat hai, bhai? Yeh ghar chota hai par aapka hi ghar hai. Sab mil baith kar rukenge. Hum vyavastha kar lenge(Then what's the problem, brother? This house is small but it is your home. Everyone will stay together. We will arrange.)" 

Naira shook her head, waving her hands in refusal. "Nahi, nahi Raj uncle. Hum apko takleef nahi dena chahte. Aapka parivaar aur ghar dono chhota hai, aur hum itne log hain(No, no Raj uncle. We don't want to trouble you. Your family and home are both small, and there are so many of us.)" 

Babita, who had just walked in with a fresh tray of snacks, placed it on the table and said firmly, "Takleef ki baat mat kijiye, Naira ji. Yeh bhi aapka ghar hai. Humara Sheetgiri hai—mehmaan ko toh hum sir par baithate hain(Don't talk about problems, Naira. This is also your home. Ours is Shitgiri - the guest sits on our head.)" 

Raj added with a warm smile, "Aur waise bhi, jitna chhota ghar hai, utna hi dil bada hai. Sab adjust kar lenge(And anyway, the smaller the house, the bigger the heart. Everything will adjust.)" 

Naitik glanced at Naira, signaling his agreement. "Naira, raat bhar baarish hai. Yahan rukna hi theek rahega. Dekho, Rajeshwaran aur Babita ji ne kitni himmat se bola hai(Naira, it's raining all night. It would be better to stay here. Look, Rajeshwaran and Babita ji have spoken with so much courage.)" 

After a moment of hesitation, Naira finally relented. "Thik hai, lekin hum kisi ko disturb nahi karenge(Okay, but we will not disturb anyone.)" 

Babita clapped her hands lightly, satisfied. "Disturb karna toh door ki baat hai. Hum sab mil kar maze karenge. Dekhiye, Naitik ji Rajeshwaran ke saath so jayenge. Naira aur Kartik master bedroom mein so jayenge. Hum aur Kairav ko Namrata ke kamre mein adjust kar lenge. Ranbir beta drawing room ke sofay par so jayenge. Prachi aur Namrata ko guest room mil jayega (It will be far from disturbing. We will all have fun together. See, Naitik will sleep with Rajeshwaran. Naira and Kartik will sleep in the master bedroom. We will adjust Kairav ​​and me in Namrata's room. Ranbir son will sleep on the sofa in the drawing room. Prachi and Namrata will get the guest room.)" 

Namrata giggled, "Waise bhi hum dono behne saath mein hamesha maze karte hain(Anyway, we two sisters always have fun together.)"

Babita's face lit up with an idea. "Kachori aur jalebi leke aati hoon. Mazedaar mausam ke liye kuch spicy aur sweet toh banta hai(I will bring kachoris and jalebis. Something spicy and sweet makes for a fun season!)" 

Prachi, who had been quietly listening, stepped forward. "Chachi ji, kachori aur jalebi toh maine dopeher mein banayi thi. Sab bilkul fresh hain(Aunty, I had prepared Kachori and Jalebi in the afternoon. Everything is absolutely fresh.)" 

Namrata chimed in, winking at Ranbir, "Aur meri jiji ke haath ki kachori toh itni mirch wali hoti hai ki khaane wale ke paseene chhoot jayein(And the kachori made by my sister is so spicy that the person eating it starts sweating.)" She turned to Naitik and said, "Par aapke liye, Uncle ji, jiji ne kam mirch waali banayi hai. Dekha? Kitni fikr hai aapki(But for you, uncle ji, sister has prepared the one with less chili. See? How she concerned is for you?)" 

Naitik chuckled, "Aapki jiji toh pehle din se mujhe apni beti ki tarah lagti hai(Your sister has felt like my own daughter to me since day one.)" 

Esha: Aap humein rone ke liye hamesha kyun sataate ho(Why do you always torture us to cry?)😰

Ranbir, sitting quietly and trying to avoid Prachi's gaze, suddenly spoke up, "Main kachori chhod deta hoon. Mera thoda pet(I will pass for the kachori. My stomach is a little...)" 

Before he could finish, Prachi appeared beside him, holding a small plate with a knowing smile. "Kachori toh aapko leni padegi, Ranbir ji(You will have to take kachori, Ranbir)," she said, her tone calm yet commanding.

Ranbir looked up at her, slightly flustered. "Nahi, mujhe(No, I—)"

Prachi interrupted, placing the plate in front of him. Her suddh Hindi rolled effortlessly. "Aapne mana kiya toh kya? Maine plate par rakh di hai. Khaaiye aur mujhe apni pratikriya dijiye(If you have rejected so what? I have placed it on the plate. Eat and give me your feedback.)" 

Esha: Hayee! Pehle se hi bahut romantic!(Haye! Already so romantic!)🥰

Namrata couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Ranbir bhaiya, aapne toh galat insaan se takraav le liya. Jiji jo keh deti hain, woh ho kar hi rehta hai(Ranbir bhaiya, you have taken a confrontation with the wrong person. Whatever sister says, always happens!)" 

Prachi arched an eyebrow at her sister. "Chhoti, apne bade ka mazaak nahi udate(Little sister, don't make fun of your elders.)" 

Ranbir, caught in the middle, reluctantly picked up a kachori. "Achha, kha leta hoon(Okay, I will eat.)" 

As he took a hesitant bite, the crispiness and the burst of flavors made his eyes widen. He stammered, "Yeh... yeh toh... bohot acchi hai(This...this...is so...good.)"

Namrata teased, "Dekha, maine kaha tha na? Ab aap ek aur lenge(See, I told you, right? Now you will take another one.)"

Babita chuckled from the kitchen doorway. "Prachi, jalebi bhi la do. Yeh toh ab addict ho gaye hain tumhare haathon ke khane ke(Prachi, bring the jalebi also. Now he has become addicted to the food from your hands.)" 

Prachi didn't say a word, but her slight smile spoke volumes as she went to bring the jalebi. 

Naitik finished his kachori and, to everyone's surprise, licked his fingers—a rare sight that drew laughter from all around the room. He looked up, shaking his head with a nostalgic smile. "Yeh kachori khate hue mujhe meri Nani yaad aa gayi. Unke haathon ka swaad bas yeh kachori mein mila hai, Prachi beti. Bahut dinon baad aisa kuch khaaya hai 

(While eating this kachori, I remembered my grandmother. The taste of her hands is found only in this kachori, Prachi daughter. I have eaten something like this after a long time.)" 

Namrata teased, "Wah, Uncle ji! Aaj toh aapka asli roop samne aa gaya. Nani ji ki yaad ke saath aapne kachori ke chaar chaan laga diye(Wow uncle! Today your true form has been revealed. With the memory of Nani ji, you have made Kachori a pleasure!)" 

Everyone laughed, but Naitik's focus remained on Prachi. "Prachi beti, maine suna tha ki tumhare haathon mein kamaal hai, lekin aaj tasdeek ho gaya. Aur yeh baat meri bahu Naira ne mujhe nahi batayi hoti, toh main maante nahi(Prachi daughter, I had heard that you have magical hands, but today it was confirmed. And if my daughter-in-law Naira had not told me this, I would not have believed it.)" 

Prachi, ever graceful, lowered her eyes slightly and folded her hands. "Dhanyavaad, Papaji. Aapko pasand aayi, bas yeh mere liye kaafi hai. Lekin asli rasoi toh maa,Pragya ke paas hoti hai. Woh toh mujhe aashirwad de rahi hain, tabhi mein seekh paayi hoon(Thank you, Papaji. You liked it, that's enough for me. But mother Pragya has the real kitchen. She is blessing me, only then I have been able to learn.)" 

Esha: Usaki maa bhi Pragya thi(Her mom was Pragya too!)😭

Naitik's face softened as he exchanged a glance with Naira, silently appreciating her choice. "Naira, tumne bilkul sahi ladki dhoondhi hai humare Ranbir ke liye(Naira, you have found the perfect girl for our Ranbir.)"

Kartik jumped in with a cheeky grin, "Haan, aur mere liye ek aur choti behen mil gayi, jo mujhse nafrat karegi, kyunki tumne already Prachi ko teri side lena sikhaya hai (Yes, and I got another younger sister who will hate me, because you have already taught Prachi to take your side.)" 

Prachi smiled faintly, her demeanor shy yet composed. "Jeeth ji, mujhe kisi se nafrat karna nahi aata(Brother-in-law, I don't know how to hate anyone.)" 

Naira smirked, crossing her arms. "Bas, sun liya na? Prachi meri team mein hai. Ab aap chup rahiye(That's it, did you hear? Prachi is in my team. Now you keep quiet.)" 

Esha: Aww! Naira! 😢

Amid the laughter, Prachi turned to Ranbir with the tray of jalebis, her voice soft but formal. "Ranbir ji, aapke liye maine yeh jalebi banayi thi. Kripya iska swaad lein(Ranbir, I had made this jalebi for you. Please taste it.)" 

The way she said "Ranbir ji," with such respect, hit him like a lightning bolt. He blinked, fumbling for words as if he'd forgotten how to speak. "M-main? Yeh mere liye? A-apne banayi thi(I-I? This for me? D-Did you make it yourself?)" 

Prachi nodded politely. "Jee. Aap mere hone wale pati hain, toh socha pehli rasoi ka pehla mithai aapke liye ho(Yes. You are my future husband, so I thought the first dessert in the kitchen should be for you.)" 

Ranbir froze, his mind racing. "Pati? Oh my God, she just said 'hone wale pati' like it's nothing! How do I even react (Husband? Oh my God, she just said 'To-Be-Husband' like it's nothing! How do I even react?!)" He awkwardly reached for a jalebi, his fingers brushing the plate edge, and almost dropped it.

Namrata couldn't hold back her laughter. "Bhaiya, aap toh ek jalebi se dar gaye! Arre, jiji ke haathon ki jalebi hai, poisonous nahi(Brother, you are so scared of a jalebi! Hey, it's jalebi from sister's hands, not poisonous!)" 

Ranbir cleared his throat, trying to regain composure. "H-han, main... main bas... jalebi test kar raha tha(Y-yes, I... I was just... testing the jalebi.)" He popped a bite into his mouth, and the sweetness melted on his tongue. "Bahut acchi hai(It is very good)," he mumbled, cheeks reddening as he avoided Prachi's gaze.

Rajeshwaran chuckled. "Prachi beti, tumhare haathon ka jaadu chal gaya lagta hai. Ranbir beta toh speechless ho gaya(Prachi daughter, it seems the magic of your hands has worked. Ranbir son became speechless.)" 

Prachi, still composed, folded her hands again. "Ranbir ji ke liye kuch bhi karna mere liye sammaan ki baat hai(It is an honor for me to do anything for Ranbir.)" 

Ranbir's family burst out laughing, while he hid his face behind his hand, muttering under his breath, "Yeh respect mujhe pagal kar degi(This respect will drive me crazy.)"

To lighten the atmosphere, Naitik clapped his hands. "Achha, ab sabko chai aur kachori ho gayi. Mujhe lagta hai aaj raat ke liye ek kahani sunani chahiye—ek bhutiya kahani(Okay, now everyone has had tea and kachori. I think we should listen to one story tonight—a ghost story!)" 

Esha: Ohhh! Ohoo! 👻

Naira squealed with excitement. "Haan, haan, Papa ji! Aapki kahaniyan toh mazedaar hoti hain. Mujhe yaad hai ek baar maine sun ke teen din tak batti jala kar soya tha(Yes, yes, dad! Your stories are so funny. I remember once I slept with the light on for three days!)" 

Babita smirked. "Phir toh yeh aur bhi perfect hoga. Mausam bhi toh darane wala hai(Then it will be even more perfect. The weather is also very scary.)"

Naitik turned to Prachi. "Prachi beti, tum sunogi meri kahani(Prachi daughter, will you listen to my story?)"

Prachi nodded, her voice calm yet eager. "Jee Papaji. Main aapke sabhi vachan maanungi (Yes Dad. I will obey all your words.)" 

The storm outside raged on, thunder cracking every so often, but inside the cozy home, a warm, lively atmosphere prevailed. Everyone gathered around, their faces illuminated by the dim light of the single lamp in the living room. The seating arrangement had everyone close, creating an intimate circle. Naitik, ever the playful elder, clapped his hands to grab attention.

"Achha toh, main shuru karta hoon ek kahani. Lekin is kahani ko har koi apne hisaab se aage badhaye. Jo jis jagah baitha hai, usi sequence mein chalenge(Okay so, let me start a story. But everyone should take this story forward in their own way. Whoever is sitting will follow the same sequence)," Naitik announced, smirking slightly as he glanced at Prachi and Ranbir, who were seated awkwardly close on the sofa.

Ranbir was attempting to look casual, but the proximity to Prachi was wreaking havoc on his nerves. She was so graceful, sitting upright with her saree draped perfectly, her braid falling over her shoulder. He could catch the faintest whiff of jasmine, and it was driving him to distraction. Prachi, for her part, was hyper-aware of Ranbir but kept her eyes demurely focused downward, clasping her hands in her lap.

"Papa ji, kahani toh aap hi shuru karenge. Humein sirf sikhayein ki hum aage kya karen(Dad, you will start the story. Just teach us what to do next)," Prachi said softly, her suddh Hindi melodious.

Naitik grinned. "Beti, main shuru karunga, lekin kahani ko mazedaar banane ka zimma tum sabka hai. Dhyan rakho, kahani mein pyaar, adventure aur thoda suspense hona chahiye (Daughter, I will start, but the responsibility of making the story interesting is yours. Keep in mind, the story should have love, adventure and a little suspense.)" He threw a quick glance at Ranbir, his grin widening mischievously.

Kairav, sitting beside Naitik, tugged at his sleeve. "Dada ji, pehle se hi suspense hai! Ranbir Chachu aur Prachi Chachi ke expressions dekh ke toh mujhe lagta hai ki yeh story wahi khatam hogi(Grandpa, there is already suspense! Seeing the expressions of Ranbir uncle and Prachi aunty, I feel that this story will end there!)" 

The room burst into laughter, except for Ranbir, whose ears turned red, and Prachi, who fiddled nervously with her dupatta.

"Chup kar, Kairav(Be quiet,Kairav!)" Kartik said, ruffling his son's hair. "Aur Ranbir, yaar, tum aise hi awkward baithe rahoge ya apni taraf se kahani mein kuch mazaa bhi laoge(And Ranbir, man, will you just sit there awkwardly or will you bring some fun for the story from your side?)"

Ranbir coughed. "Uh, main toh bas... sun raha hoon abhi. Kahani toh Dad shuru karenge, na(Uh, I'm just... listening right now. Dad will start the story, right?)"

"Bilkul(Absolutely)," Naitik said. "Toh shuru hoti hai ek kahani... ek chhoti si gaon ki ladki aur sheher ke ek raees ladke se(So the story begins... between a small village girl and a rich boy from the city...)" He paused dramatically, his eyes twinkling as he looked between Prachi and Ranbir. "Woh ladka apni ek zarurat ke kaaran us gaon mein aata hai, lekin kuch aisa hota hai ki woh wapas nahi jaa pata(The boy comes to that village due to a need, but something happens that makes him unable to go back.)" 

Prachi, distracted by the story, absentmindedly shifted, her hand brushing against Ranbir's thigh. For a moment, everything froze. Ranbir's breath hitched, and he stiffened. Prachi, realizing what had happened, jerked her hand back in horror.

"Oh, maaf kijiye, Ranbir ji(Oh, forgive me, Ranbir)," she whispered, her face flaming. She pressed her palms together nervously, avoiding his gaze.

Ranbir, trying to act nonchalant but failing miserably, muttered, "K-koi baat nahi, woh... kahani sunte hain(N-No problem, that... let's listen to the story.)" His voice cracked slightly, which made Kartik snort in amusement.

Namrata, sitting nearby, raised an eyebrow and smirked knowingly. "Lagta hai kahani mein zyada mazaa tabhi aayega jab real life inspiration ho(It seems that the story will be more fun only when there is real life inspiration.)"

"Namrata, bas karo(Namrata, stop it!)" Prachi hissed, her face buried in her dupatta.

In her flustered state, Prachi leaned forward a little too quickly, causing her shoulder to brush against Ranbir's. Overwhelmed by the proximity and feeling a deep wave of affection for the boy she had only just started to know, she instinctively rested her head briefly against his shoulder in a moment of pure vulnerability.

Ranbir, who was entirely unprepared, sat frozen as if turned to stone. His heart raced at lightning speed. "Kya ho raha hai?! Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha ki main iss moment ko kaise handle karun(What is happening?! I don't know how to handle this moment!)" He could feel her warmth through the thin fabric of his shirt.

Realizing what she had done, Prachi pulled back abruptly, her hands flying to her face. "Maaf kijiye, Ranbir ji. Main toh bas... bas... kahani mein doob gayi thi(Sorry, Ranbir. I was so engrossed in the story.)" 

Ranbir, recovering slightly, gave her a small, sheepish smile. "K-koi baat nahi, Prachi ji. Main... main samajhta hoon(N-No problem, Prachi. I...I understand.)" He reached for the glass of water nearby, gulping it down in an effort to compose himself.

The tension was palpable, but Naitik, noticing the budding awkwardness, decided to redirect attention. "Toh, kahani wapas shuru karte hain. Gaon ki ladki aur sheher ka ladka ek jungle mein ghoom rahe hain(So, let's start the story back. Village girl and city boy are roaming in a forest...)"

Namrata, sensing her jiji's distress, leaned over and whispered, "Jiji, aap itni tension mat lijiye. Aap jo kar rahi hain, woh sabke liye obvious hai—Ranbir jiju ke liye toh definitely (Sister, don't take so much tension. What you are doing is obvious to everyone – definitely for Ranbir brother-in-law.)

Prachi shot her a glare, her cheeks flaming. Meanwhile, Ranbir couldn't keep his eyes off her, his heart swelling at her genuine care and the soft way she called him "Ranbir ji."

The storm raged outside, echoing the growing tension in the room. Naitik had set the foundation, and one by one, everyone added their piece to the tragic love story. The tale had woven a delicate thread of heartbreak, and now, as everyone turned toward Ranbir for the climax, he hesitated.

He glanced at Prachi, whose hands were folded tightly in her lap. Her calm demeanor was betrayed by the slight tremble of her fingers. She caught his gaze for a moment before quickly looking away. Ranbir took a deep breath, knowing that the weight of the story now rested on his shoulders.

"Ladka jungle ke us kinaare pe pahuchta hai jahaan usne ladki ke hone ka ek nishan dhoondha tha(The boy reaches the edge of the forest where he had found a trace of the girl's presence)," Ranbir began, his voice soft but filled with emotion.

The room fell silent, everyone drawn into his words. Ranbir's modern accent contrasted with the story's traditional tone, but his sincerity carried it forward.

"Wahan usse ek purana chhota sa ghar milta hai(There he finds an ancient small house)," he continued, his eyes distant as if seeing the scene himself. "Ghar ka darwaza aadha khula hota hai, aur andar ek diya jal raha hota hai(The door of the house is half open, and a lamp is burning inside.)" 

Naitik leaned forward, curious to see where Ranbir would take the tale. Prachi, sitting a little straighter, watched him through lowered lashes, her lips pressed tightly together.

"Ladka darwaza dhakka deke andar jaata hai(The boy pushes the door and goes inside)," Ranbir said, his voice lowering as he leaned forward slightly. "Aur wahan ek kursi pe ladki ki laash milti hai(And there the girl's dead body is found on a chair.)" 

Esha: Kya! Ranbir kya aap Priyadarshan hain! Tragedy kyon(What! Ranbir are you Priyadarshan! Why tragedy)☠

Gasps filled the room. Kairav whimpered, burying his face in Naira's side. Babita's hand flew to her chest, and Namrata clasped Prachi's arm in shock.

Ranbir hesitated for a moment, his throat tightening as he continued. "Ladka dekhta hai ki ladki apne haath mein ek chhoti si chitthi pakde hui hai. Us chitthi mein sirf itna likha hota hai, 'Mujhe maaf karna, lekin main apne jazbaat aur tumhari duniya ke bojh ke saath jee nahi paayi (The boy sees that the girl is holding a small letter in her hand. In the letter only this is written, 'I am sorry, but I could not live with my emotions and the burden of your world.')"

The silence in the room was deafening. Ranbir swallowed hard before delivering the final blow. "Aur us ladki ki saans wahin khatam hoti hai, lekin us ladke ki kahaani ab tak zinda hai... kyunki woh har din us jungle ke kinaare uska intezaar karta hai. Aaj tak(And that girl's life ends there, but that boy's story is still alive... because he waits for her every day at the edge of the jungle. Till today.)"

His voice broke slightly on the last word, and the silence in the room became unbearable.

Babita wiped a tear from her cheek, muttering, "Yeh toh bilkul dil tod dene wali kahani ban gayi(This turned out to be an absolutely heartbreaking story.)"

Namrata shook her head, unable to form words. "Kya ladka kabhi... jungle se nikal paya(Did the boy ever get out of the forest?)" she whispered, breaking the silence.

Ranbir shook his head slightly. "Nahi(No)," he said simply, his gaze dropping to his lap. "Woh ladki ke bina zindagi ko zindagi nahi samajhta tha(He did not consider life without that girl to be life.)

Prachi's breath hitched, and she quickly lowered her gaze to hide the tears threatening to fall. Something about Ranbir's words struck a chord deep within her—a reminder of her own fears, of a love she was too afraid to let in.

Unconsciously, her hand brushed against Ranbir's as she adjusted her saree. He froze, startled, before turning to look at her. Prachi, too, stiffened, realizing what she had done.

"Maaf kijiye(Forgive me)," she said softly, pulling her hand back and tucking it into her lap. 

Ranbir's lips twitched into a faint smile, his heart swelling at her gentle nature. "Aapko maafi maangne ki zarurat nahi(You don't need to apologize)," he said, his voice almost a whisper. 

Prachi nodded but didn't dare look up. Her heart was pounding, not from fear, but from something else entirely—something unfamiliar, but undeniably real.

Naitik cleared his throat, bringing everyone's attention back to the room. "Yeh kahani bas ek kahani thi(This story was just a story)," he said, his voice steadier than before. "Lekin iska sabak yaad rehna chahiye—pyaar ek samarpan hai, lekin usse jeene ke liye himmat bhi chahiye(But its lesson should be remembered – love is a dedication, but it also requires courage to live with it.)"

As the family murmured amongst themselves, Prachi stole another glance at Ranbir. For the first time, she saw more than just a wealthy, modern man. She saw someone who understood pain, loss, and vulnerability—someone who might be worth opening her heart to, if only she could find the courage.