Ranbir stood frozen, her words ringing in his ears like a painful echo. Main is rishte ke liye tayar nahi hoon(I am not ready for this relationship.) The very idea that she might not want this, might not want him, felt like a punch to his chest. His mind raced. Maybe she loved someone else? Maybe her heart wasn't hers to give anymore.

He swallowed hard, his palms sweaty as he mustered the courage to ask, "Prachi... tumhare mann mein koi aur hai kya(Prachi... is there someone else in your heart?)"

Esha: Oh mere bechaare baklu...kya koi jealous hai(Aww my poor baklu...is someone jealous!)" 😏

Her family gasped in unison. Naitik leaned forward, his eyes narrowing in concern. Babita's lips parted in mild shock, while Namrata practically jumped in her seat.

Prachi, who had been battling a flood of emotions, suddenly froze. The room went silent, all eyes on her, waiting for her reply. And then...

She burst out laughing.

It wasn't just a chuckle. It was a hearty, melodious laugh, her hand flying to her mouth as if to stifle it but failing miserably. Her laughter echoed in the room, breaking the tension like sunlight piercing through a dark storm.

Ranbir blinked, confused and slightly offended. "Prachi... tum has kyun rahi ho(Prachi... why are you laughing?)"

Namrata shook her head with a mix of relief and irritation. "Arre Jiji! Aap toh sabko tension mein daal deti ho(Oh, Sister! You put everyone in so much tension!)" 

Prachi finally composed herself, wiping the corners of her eyes. "Maaf kijiye, mujhe hasna nahi chahiye tha, par Ranbir ji ki shakal dekh kar... bas(Forgive me, I shouldn't have laughed, but seeing Ranbir ji's face... just...)" She giggled again.

Ranbir raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest. "Mujhe laga tum serious ho(I thought you were serious)," he said, his tone almost sulky. "Aur tum bas mazaak kar rahi ho(And you were just joking?)"

Prachi shook her head, her smile softening. "Nahi, Ranbir ji, mazaak nahi. Jo maine kaha woh sach hai. Main abhi tayar nahi hoon... lekin iska matlab yeh nahi hai ki mujhe yeh rishta nahi chahiye(No, Ranbir ji, it wasn't a joke. What I said is true. I'm not ready yet... but that doesn't mean I don't want this relationship.)" 

Naitik tilted his head, his concern easing into curiosity. "Phir tumne aisa kyun kaha, Prachi(Then why did you say that, Prachi?)" 

She took a deep breath, her voice sincere but cheerful. "Kyunki mujhe lagta hai ki hum abhi ek doosre ko ache se jaante nahi hain. Shaadi sirf ek rasam nahi hai, yeh ek zindagi bhar ka saath hai. Pehle hum ek doosre ko samajhein, aur phir is faisle ko karein(Because I feel we don't know each other well yet. Marriage isn't just a ritual, it's a lifelong partnership. Let's understand each other first, and then make this decision.)" 

Esha: Oh...shaadi se pehle honeymoon(Ohh...honeymoon before marriage!)😎

Her words made Ranbir soften. "Toh tum keh rahi ho... tum aur main(So you're saying... you and I?)" he asked hesitantly. 

Prachi smiled and nodded. "Haan, magar abhi nahi. Agli baar jab aap log yahan aayenge, tab hum ek parivaarik yatra karenge, aur tab tak hum dono ek doosre ko aur samajh paayenge(Yes, but not yet. Next time when you all come here, we'll go on a family trip, and by then, we'll get to know each other better.)" 

Kartik leaned back with a smirk. "Arey wah, meri choti behan toh badi practical hai! Sahi bola, Prachi. Achha yeh idea family trip ka toh mujhe pasand aaya(Wow, my little sister is so practical! Well said, Prachi. I like this family trip idea.)" 

Naira smiled warmly. "Prachi bilkul sahi keh rahi hai. Pehle ek doosre ke saath waqt bitaana zaroori hai(Prachi is absolutely right. Spending time with each other first is important.)" 

Babita, who had been watching quietly, gave a curt nod, though her expression was less warm. "Thik hai. Agar tum dono ko yeh theek lagta hai, toh hum bas yeh chaahte hain ki tum dono khush raho(Fine. If this feels right to you both, then we just want you both to be happy.)" 

Ranbir smiled for the first time since the conversation began, a glimmer of hope returning to his eyes. "Toh iska matlab hai... abhi ke liye, no shaadi, bas ek parivaarik journey(So that means... for now, no wedding, just a family journey?)" 

Prachi giggled, looking at him with shy eyes. "Haan, Ranbir ji. Abhi ke liye sirf ek yatra(Yes, Ranbir ji. For now, just a journey.)" 

Everyone laughed, the tension finally dissipating. Namrata leaned toward Prachi and whispered mischievously, "Par Jiji, aapne Ranbir bhaiya ki shakal dekhi thi? Kaise tension mein the(But Jiji, did you see Ranbir bhaiya's face? How tense he was!)" 

Prachi blushed, glancing at him. Ranbir caught her looking and grinned.

The afternoon air was heavy with the bittersweet scent of goodbye as everyone gathered at the threshold of the house. The suitcases were loaded into the car, but the weight of parting was heavier than any luggage.

Naitik stood with Kartik, Naira, and little Kairav, each of them exchanging warm hugs with Rajeshwaran and Babita. Kartik tousled Namrata's hair playfully, trying to lighten the mood.

"Kab milenge phir(When will we meet again?)" Naitik asked, his voice betraying the sadness he felt. 

Namrata chimed in cheerfully, though her own eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Agle do hafton mein hum Delhi aa jaayenge, Pakka(In two weeks, we will come to Delhi, for sure!)

Naira held Prachi's hands warmly. "Prachi, tumhe pata hai ki hum tumhare kitne kareeb aa gaye hain. Choti behan ban gayi ho tum meri. Bas, ek call karo, aur hum aa jayenge(Prachi, you know how close we've become to you. You've become like a little sister to me. Just call us, and we'll be there.)" 

Prachi nodded, smiling shyly but with tears brimming in her eyes. "Aap sab ka yahan aana mere liye ashirwad jaisa tha. Jaldi aaiye phir se(Your coming here was like a blessing for me. Please come back soon.)" 

Kartik winked at her. "Aur tumhe humse Delhi aana hi padega, Prachi. Choti behan ke bina toh humara ghar adhura lagega(And you'll have to come to Delhi, Prachi. Without our little sister, our house will feel incomplete!)"

Kairav, oblivious to the gravity of the moment, tugged at Prachi's dupatta. "Chachi, main aapko miss karunga. Aap mere saath kheloge jab main next time aaoonga, na(Chachi, I'll miss you. You'll play with me next time I come, right?)" 

Esha: Of course Kairu! 😘

Prachi knelt down to his level and gently pinched his cheek. "Zaroor, Kairav. Aur agle baar main tumhare liye kuch khaas le kar aaungi(Of course, Kairav. And next time, I'll bring something special for you.)" 

Namrata clapped her hands. "Sabko miss karenge, lekin abhi chalo, warna train miss ho jayegi(We'll miss everyone, but let's go now, or else you'll miss the train.)" 

As they moved towards the car, Prachi turned to Ranbir, holding a small brass tumbler filled with water. "Ranbir ji, yeh jaal pee lijiye. Yahan ki thandi mein safar karte samay yeh aapke liye achha rahega(Ranbir ji, please drink this water. It'll be good for you while traveling in this cold.)" 

Ranbir accepted the tumbler, their fingers brushing ever so briefly. Her gaze was steady, but there was an unmistakable sadness in her tone. He drank silently, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Dhanyavaad, Prachi ji(Thank you, Prachi ji)," he said softly, handing the tumbler back. 

Everyone moved towards the car, but Ranbir lingered for a moment, his steps hesitant. Prachi stood rooted to her spot, her heart hammering in her chest. Kya woh mujhe miss bhi karenge? Ya bas chale jayenge, bina mud kar dekhe(Will he even miss me? Or will he just leave without looking back?)

Her eyes stung with tears she didn't want to shed. She clasped her hands tightly, whispering to herself, "Aap nahi mudenge, Ranbir ji... Shayad aapke dil mein koi jagah nahi hai mere liye(You won't turn back, Ranbir ji... Maybe there's no place for me in your heart.)" 

The car started. Kartik waved enthusiastically from the window. Naitik and the others exchanged final goodbyes.

And then it happened.

Just as the car pulled away, Ranbir turned. His eyes searched for her, desperate and filled with a vulnerability he couldn't hide. When he found her standing there, her dupatta blowing in the morning breeze, tears rolled down his cheeks.

Prachi gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. He... he was crying too.

Esha: Aapako bataya author ji heartless nahi hain(Told you Author ji is not heartless)😛

She wanted to run to him, to say something, anything, but her legs wouldn't move. All she could do was stare back, her heart breaking and mending at the same time.

Ranbir lifted his hand slightly in a silent farewell. His lips moved as though he wanted to say something, but the car moved too fast, and he was gone.

Prachi wiped her tears hurriedly and turned back towards the house, retreating before anyone could see her crying. 

Namrata, peeking from the doorway, called after her. "Jiji! Sab theek hai(Sister! Is everything okay?)"

Prachi nodded, her voice trembling. "Haan, sab theek hai, Choti. Chalo andar(Yes, everything is fine, Choti. Let's go inside.)" 

But in her heart, she knew that nothing was the same anymore. Something had shifted between her and Ranbir, something unspoken yet powerful. And as she walked inside, she whispered to herself, "Agle milan tak, Ranbir ji(Until our next meeting, Ranbir ji...)"

Namrata closed the door behind her softly, making sure no one was around. Prachi was sitting on the bed, brushing her long, damp hair, her face still wistful from the morning's events. Namrata climbed onto the bed, resting her chin on Prachi's shoulder.

"Jiji(Sister)," she began playfully, her eyes twinkling with curiosity, "ek sawaal puchhun(can I ask you a question?)

Prachi looked at her younger sister with a knowing smile. "Kya baat hai, Choti? Tumhari aankhon mein kuch shaitani si lag rahi hai(What is it,little sister? There's a mischievous glint in your eyes.)

Namrata grinned. "Sach sach batao, kya aapko Ranbir jiju pasand hain(Tell me honestly, do you like Ranbir brother-in-law?)"

Prachi blushed deeply, her hand pausing mid-stroke through her hair. "Chup kar, Choti! Aise sawaal kaise puchh sakti ho tum(Be quiet, Choti! How can you ask such questions?)" 

Namrata giggled, lying back on the bed dramatically. "Mujhe pata tha! Aapko Ranbir jiju pasand hain, hai na(I knew it! You like Ranbir brother-in-law, don't you?)"

Prachi sighed, trying to maintain her composure. "Main bas unka sammaan karti hoon. Woh ache hain, par... pasand ka matlab yeh nahi hota jo tum soch rahi ho(I just respect him. He's a good man, but... liking doesn't mean what you're thinking.)"

Namrata wasn't convinced. "Jiji, aap itni sharma rahi hain, iska matlab kuch toh gadbad hai(Sister, you're blushing so much; it definitely means something!)" 

Prachi stood up, straightening her dupatta to escape the teasing. "Tumhare sawaalon ka koi ant hai? Mujhe puja ke liye jaana hai(Is there no end to your questions? I need to go to the prayer room.)"

Esha: Excuses🙄

Namrata grabbed her hand, pulling her back. Her tone softened. "Jiji, main mazaak nahi kar rahi. Mujhe lagta hai ki Ranbir bhaiya aapke liye perfect hain. Woh aapka kitna khayal rakhte hain... aur unki aankhon mein aapke liye jo izzat hai, woh kabhi dekhi hai aapne(Sister, I'm not joking. I feel Ranbir bhaiya is perfect for you. He cares for you so much... and have you ever seen the respect he has for you in his eyes?)"

Prachi hesitated, her face reflecting the storm of emotions within her. "Pata nahi, Choti. Shayad yeh sab sapna hai. Mujhe darr lagta hai ki yeh sach bhi hoga ya nahi(I don't know, Choti. Maybe it's just a dream. I'm afraid if this will even come true.)"

Namrata squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Sapne tabhi sach hote hain jab aap unpe yakeen karte ho. Mujhe yakin hai ki Ranbir jiju aapke sapna poora karenge(Dreams only come true when you believe in them. I believe Ranbir brother-in-law will fulfill your dream.)"

Prachi smiled faintly, her heart fluttering with hope.

The car was cruising down the highway, the landscape a blur of greens and browns outside. Kairav was sitting between Kartik and Ranbir, happily munching on a box of sweets that Babita had packed for the journey.

"Ranbir chachu((Ranbir uncle)," Kairav began, his voice muffled by a mouthful of barfi, "Aapko Prachi chachi pasand hain na(You like Prachi aunty, don't you?)"

Ranbir nearly choked on the water he was sipping. "Kya(What?)" he asked, his voice rising in surprise. 

Kartik burst out laughing. "Kairav, tu toh seedha point pe aa gaya(Kairav, you got straight to the point!)"

Kairav ignored his father and leaned closer to Ranbir. "Sach boliye, chachu. Prachi chachi aapko pasand hain ya nahi(Tell the truth, uncle. Do you like Prachi aunty or not?)"

Ranbir stammered, clearly flustered. "Kairav, aise sawaal nahi puchte bade logon se(Kairav, you don't ask such questions to adults.)" 

But Kairav was relentless. "Mujhe bataiye na! Kya Prachi chachi aapki Natasha, Renu aur Tanya wali girlfriends se better hain(Tell me! Is Prachi aunty better than your girlfriends Natasha, Renu, and Tanya?)"

Kartik smirked, jumping in. "Haan, Ranbir. Yeh toh main bhi jaanna chahunga. Prachi se pehle kitni Natasha, Renu aur Tanya tumhari life mein aayi hain(Yes, Ranbir. Even I'd like to know. How many Natasha, Renu, and Tanyas were there in your life before Prachi?)" 

Esha: Shocking News! 😱

Ranbir glared at Kartik. "Kartik, tum chup raho. Aur Kairav, woh sab bas dost thi, samjha(Kartik, you be quiet. And Kairav, they were just friends, understand?)" 

Kairav wasn't convinced. "Mujhe lagta hai ki Prachi chachi best hain. Woh na, aapke liye ekdum perfect hain! Aap dono ek saath bohot ache lagenge(I think Prachi aunty is the best. She's perfect for you! You both will look great together.)"

Ranbir chuckled nervously, looking out of the window to hide his smile. "Kya tumhe kuch aur baatein karni hain, ya bas mujhe tang karoge(Do you want to talk about something else, or are you just going to tease me?)" 

Kairav grinned mischievously. "Aapko toh sab pasand karte hain, par mujhe lagta hai Prachi chachi aapko sabse zyada pasand karti hain(Everyone likes you, but I think Prachi aunty likes you the most!)"

Kartik added fuel to the fire. "Aur mujhe lagta hai, Ranbir, tumhe bhi Prachi sabse zyada pasand hai(And I think, Ranbir, you like Prachi the most too.)" 

Ranbir sighed, shaking his head but unable to stop the small smile tugging at his lips. Somewhere in his heart, he knew they weren't entirely wrong.

Esha: Awww! 🥰