Nidhi POV:

Pressing the calling bell, I awaited for Darsh to open the door of his house. Holding a pack of sweets I looked around and observed the calm neighbourhood. 

Row of small houses were built across the colony and Darsh house being the corner and distant from all other houses which made me and Ravali arrive late. 

As per our plan Ravali and I started off from my home and Ravali dropped me at Darsh's place. And we got pretty much confused with the directions showed in google and all houses being the same in the society. 

At last with much more added delay we reached our destination. I asked Ravali to come inside for sometime, but she blatantly rejected my idea and left the place. Well, it is my first time and I am only feeling awkward and she doesn't even know them so she will feel more uncomfortable.

"Welcome," a voice broke my chain of thoughts.

My thoughts came to halt as I saw Darsh standing near the entrance with a huge smile on his face. I expected him to be a bit more informally dressed at least in home but here is wearing a blue and grey checked shirt and cream pants.  

"Hello," I wished him back with a smile. 

"Took you quite some time I guess," he said as he moved aside to let me in. 

"Yeah all the houses look the same and the route was confusing," I replied and entered the house. It was a old house and not that I am comparing but the space is smaller than my house and empty. 

And on top of that I am not seeing anyone in the house, the living space is clean and small with a TV and sofa opposite to each other. 

"Where is everyone?" I asked observing the calm atmosphere in the house.

"Maa is in kitchen cooking and brother is in his room arranging some stuff," he responded. 

I nodded and slowly headed towards the kitchen to greet her first. I stood at the open entrance of the kitchen and observed how many items she has prepared. There are Puri's, some curries Biriyani, normal rice, rasam and now she is immersed in cooking another sweet Payasam, I assume.

"Hello Aunty," I wished her from behind after a moment as she failed to notice our presence, but the sudden intrusion seemed to have startled her a bit much that she flinched back with her eyes widened out as if seeing something scary. 

"I... I am sorry, aunty. Hope you are ok," I immediately rushed towards her alongside Darsh. I held her hands, which were sweaty because of all the work she is doing, tried to soothe and calm her down.

"No no. I am ok. Just... just I am not used to other people in our house, that's why."

It felt awkward. I mean I know, I am the third person here but she knows I will be coming to the place soon and she is preparing all these delicacies for me, I hope and she should have assumed it must be me right? 

 Stop Overthinking, Nidhi, I scolded myself. With a smile I handed over the sweets packet I bought. Thanking me she took them and asked me to settle down while she said she will finish her work and join us. 

I left the kitchen with Darsh and he offered me show his house around in the mean time. The house looked pretty much vacant, without many things occupying the space. One bedroom just had a small bed and a dressing mirror, the open dining space with a 4 seater dining table. 

And just as we were passing the other bedroom the door opened revealing Vihas coming out. 

"Hi Vadina," he greeted me with a huge smile and welcomed me inside. 

"Hi Vihas. How are you doing?" I and Darsh went inside and noticed two separate bed cots indicating both the brothers share the room. It is very clean and well organised, I wonder whether they do it themselves or their mother.

"Good vadina. One Minute," he said and went out while we both sat down on the each beds. 

"Your room right? It is so clean," I commented looking around.

"Thank you. He organises it more than me cause I get less time," Darsh responded with a smile.

"Vadina, for you," Vihas broke the our conversation and offered me a big chocolate bar. A huge smile broke out as I took the chocolate from him. 

"Thank you, Vihas," This little effort made me so much delighted and light hearted too.

"And listen, I am very sorry for that day at cafe. I was pissed off that day and... you only paid my bill too," I sounded guilty and embarrassed which I truly am. 

"It's really ok Vadina. I didn't mind paying the bill and even meddling in your issue then," he said with a chuckle.

"I do it quite often. As I said my studies, my habit of observing every one. So once in a while I get scolded by people. But with you I guess it happened for good only, we became brother and sister in laws."

Saying so he raised his hand and we both did hifi together. We three talked for some more time and then his mother invited us for lunch. 

"Aunty, why bother cooking this much food? It must have been so much troublesome for you," I said to her as we sat down on the table. I and Darsh sat together while Vihas and their mother sat opposite to us.

"You are coming for the first time and this is my way of welcoming you to our home and family," she responded with a smile and loaded many contents on my plate and offered me. 

I accepted the food plater and noticed all three pair of eyes on me awaiting for share my review. Though I insisted them to start eating they still waited for me to begin first and with some hesitancy I started eating first.

The food was delicious to say the least. Everything is perfect to precision and the last dessert has reminded me of granny. Somewhere I guess they kind of have similar cooking style I feel and that is why I liked it more.

"The food is amazing aunty. The best food I had lately," I confessed truthfully the nth after finishing my lunch. All of us finished our food and continued to converse among ourselves. Mostly aunty just listened to all and spoke only when she was addressed directly.

"It's ok dear. I am really happy that you liked it," 

"But... I have to confess, I don't know how to cook. Just some basics only," I confessed with a awkward smile looking at Darsh.

"No worries Vadina, Anna will cook for you. He is a great cook," Vihas replied with a huge grin and patted his arm. 

"That is new info for me too," How much I don't know about this man!.

"Not so great like my maa but can fill empty stomach for sure," replied Darsh.

"When did you learn cooking?" I asked out of curiousity, like when did he got time to do other chores while becoming a doctor.

"Long time back, like started basic cooking when I was 16 or 17,"

"Then you must have helped your mother a lot I guess from young age. What say aunty?" I asked with a chuckle.

But everyone's expression turned grim all of a sudden and all the lively atmosphere disappeared within a span of breathe. 

I gazed at Darsh who became a bit uneasy and dozed off the question with a hint of nervousness in his tone while his mother's eyes instantly turned watery with a thin layer of tears which seems like she is controlling hard. Vihas appeared uncomfortable too but retained his composure quick enough and changed the topic.

I also continued chatting with Vihas and acted normal but something is disturbing me from inside after this small episode that has happened. Especially after all the conversation I had with Ravali, the seed of doubt that she has unintentionally planted inside me is taking an unusual shape inside me. 

Maybe not creating a havoc yet but I hope in near future too it will not be a  big of issue. 

Slowly even I and Vihas got bored of the talking, I decided to call it a day and leave the place. Darsh wanted to drop me till home but I reminded him how I came here without the knowledge of my family and therefore asked me to drop at another place where Ravali will pick me up. 

"Hope you enjoyed our company dear. Please do come again soon if possible," requested aunty as I was leaving home. She went away for a few moments to her room and after which she appeared out as normal as she did sometime before. 

"Sure aunty. Will visit you and Vihas soon again," I affirmed both of them and got into the car with Darsh and soon we set off to the place I told him.

"Liked my house?" Darsh asked breaking the silence between us.

"I didn't come to like your house,  I came to like your people and to be liked by them," I replied with a stern tone, looking ahead on the road and not him.

"My Maa and brother loved you. They were so so happy that you are becoming a part of family, Nidhi."

I could sense urgency laced in his tone as he wanted me to believe his words. I let a small smile and looked at him to find him already staring at me.

"Eyes on road Darsh, or else shall I drive so you can stare at me?" 

He reluctantly turned ahead and continued driving. I guess he didn't like me ignoring his words but he must know how this feels when your words are ignored.

"Darsh, I have something to say and I request you to not take it wrongly or direct to heart. 

I liked you, I liked your family too. I had a great time with you all just now, but Darsh is this all enough? 

I don't know some normal things about you. Not even your house address till yesterday, about your likes, dislikes and that you cook, your other hobbies. I know even you don't know many things about me. 

And just sometime before all of you became silent at my question. I feel like you are hiding something from me or you don't want to share your personals with me yet and that is messing up with me and creating much confusion in me."

I took a pause and looked at him as he didn't for once interject in between and just kept driving. His face remained stoic and fully focused on the road as he drove. 

"So I want us to get to know each other better. That is my intention."

I waited for his response but he didn't  utter a word the remaining time. Time to time I kept looking at him to earn some response from him but nothing. 

Soon enough we reached the mall where Ravali would come in sometime. I thought he will drop me outside but then he drove to the cellar of the mall for parking.

"You are parking?" 

"Yeah. I will give you company till your friend arrives and we can spend some time together," he said with a smile.

And that's a good improvement for now.

Hello Everyone.

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