The Shukla mansion was as lively as ever, but gone were the days of tiny footsteps pattering across the marble floors. Now, the house was filled with the sounds of music blaring from rooms, hurried phone conversations, and the occasional slammed door courtesy of two teenagers navigating their way through life.

Ekansh, now sixteen, had grown tall like his father, inheriting Sidharth serious expressions but with Shehnaaz warmth beneath his tough exterior. He was responsible, intelligent, and fiercely protective of his little sister. Alaia, now thirteen, was full of life opinionated, confident, and always ready with a sharp comeback. But with teenage years came new struggles, new emotions, and new drama.

✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

"MUJHE KISI SE BAAT NAHI KARNI."

A loud bang echoed through the house as Alaia stormed into her room and slammed the door shut.

Shehnaaz sighed, rubbing her temples. "Yeh ladki bhi na..." she muttered.

Ekansh, sitting on the couch scrolling through his phone, smirked. "Phir se mom?"

Sidharth, who was sipping his coffee, glanced up from the newspaper. "Kya hua?"

Shehnaaz shook her head. "School se aate hi gussa kar rahi hai. Bas itna bola ki phone kam use kare toh ek dum chillane lagi, Sidharth main bata rahi hu isko samjha lijiye aap warna main apne tarike se samjhungi to aapko phir bura lagega."

Ekansh chuckled. "Welcome to Alaia's teenage phase."

Sidharth frowned. "Are bacchi hai abhi."

"Main na uska phone ki cheen lungi baat khatam."

Ekansh laughed harder. "Mom, agar aap uska phone le loge na, toh bechari zinda nahi bachegi. Social life ka antim sanskar ho jayega uska."

Sidharth sighed and walked to Alaia's room, knocking gently. "Alaia beta, kya hua?"

"Mujhe kisi se baat nahi karni!" came the muffled reply.

Inside, Alaia sat on her bed, hugging a pillow. School had been a disaster. She had gotten into an argument with her best friend, Arohi over something stupid. Arohi had sided with another girl, making Alaia feel left out. To top it off, her math teacher had scolded her in front of the class for not completing her homework. It was just one of those days where everything felt... wrong.

Sidharth was used to handling business meetings, managing complex projects, and negotiating deals, but nothing prepared him for the emotional tornado that was his teenage daughter.

The door suddenly creaked open, and Ekansh peeked inside. "Main aa sakta hoon ya tu mujhe bhi maar dalegi?"

Alaia glared at him but didn't respond.

He walked in and sat beside her. "Kya hua?"

"Nothing," she muttered.

Ekansh leaned back, stretching. "Haan haan, mujhe pata hai 'nothing' ka matlab kuch toh hai."

Alaia sighed. "Bas... sab bekar lag raha hai."

He smiled. "Welcome to being a teenager. Yeh sab normal hai. Friendship fights, school drama, mood swings… sabka hota hai."

She looked at him. "Aap kabhi upset nahi hote?"

"Hota hoon," he admitted. "Lekin trust me, kal sab theek ho jayega."

Sidharth listened and smiled softly. Hisr kids were growing up, but they always had each other.

He chuckled. "Acha Queen Victoria ab bataogi kya hua hai?"

Alaia hesitated, then finally blurted out, "Aarohi se meri fight ho gayi. Woh hamesha kisi aur ke side leti hai. Jab mujhe support chahiye hota hai, tab usse meri feelings matter hi nahi karti!"

Sidharth nodded, listening intently. "Toh basically, tu chahti hai ki jo tu feel kar rahi hai, usse woh samjhe?"

Alaia nodded aggressively.

Sidharth thought for a moment. "Beta, kabhi kabhi hume apni dosti ko space dena padta hai. Yeh mat soch ki woh achi dost nahi hai. Ho sakta hai uska apna perspective ho jo tu nahi dekh rahi."

Alaia sighed. "Par papa, main bhi galat nahi hoon na?"

Sidharth smiled. "Bilkul nahi. Tere emotions valid hain, but dosti mein misunderstandings hoti hain. Agar dosti sach mein strong hai, toh kal ya parso sab normal ho jayega. Agar nahi, toh shayad kisi aur ki zarurat hai tere life mein jo tere emotions ko better samjhe."

Alaia looked down, thinking. "Aapko kaise pata chalta hai yeh sab?"

He chuckled, patting her head. "Beta, tu meri beti hai. Tu bhi mere jitni stubborn hai. Tujhe samajhna zaroori hai warna tujhe kaun handle karega? Teri Mumma ne to hum dono ko ghar se nikal dena hai warna."

Alaia giggled. "Thanks, Papa."

"Anytime, princess. Ab ice cream khayegi?"

She grinned. "Yes!"

"Main bhi." Ekansh said loudly.

While Alaia was dealing with friendship issues, Ekansh had his own set of teenage troubles.

He sat in his room, headphones on, trying to focus on his physics assignment, but his mind was elsewhere. There was a girl. Kiara. She was in his class, funny, smart, and effortlessly cool. And the worst part? He liked her. A lot.

But talking to girls? That was an entirely different challenge.

Shehnaaz walked in, placing a cup of coffee beside him. "Kya chal raha hai?"

Ekansh sighed. "Nothing, bas padh raha hoon."

Shehnaaz gave him a knowing look. "Jitna main tujhe jaanti hoon, utna toh physics bhi nahi jaanti. Bol, kya chal raha hai?"

Ekansh groaned. "Mom, please, aap nahi samjhogi."

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes. "Beta, tujhe paida kiya hai maine. Tere expressions se samajh gayi thi ki baat ladki ki hai."

Ekansh sat up straight, alarmed. "Aapko kaise pata?"

Shehnaaz smirked. "Maa hoon. Aur main bhi kabhi tumhari umar ki thi, okay?"

He sighed. "Woh Kiara hai... meri classmate. Achi lagti hai, par samajh nahi aa raha kaise baat karu."

Shehnaaz smiled. "Bas dosti se shuru kar. Jab tu kisi se baat karta hai bina kisi expectation ke, tab zyada naturally connection banta hai."

"But what if she does not like me?" he asked.

Shehnaaz patted his hand. "Agar nahi bhi karti, toh kya? Teri value kisi aur ki pasand ya na pasand se decide nahi hoti. Lekin agar tu risk lega hi nahi, toh hamesha sochta rahega ki kya hota agar tu try karta?"

Ekansh sighed, nodding. "Aapko kaise pata chalta hai yeh sab?"

Shehnaaz grinned. "Mummy for a reason. Aur tu bhi mera beta hai. Jab tujhe kisi baat ki tension hoti hai, mujhe automatically samajh aa jata hai."

Ekansh smiled. "Thanks, Mom."

"Ab bas yeh karna band kar ki tu overthink kare. Bas ja, usse dosti kar, aur baaki sab flow ke saath chalne de."

Ekansh took a deep breath. "Okay. I will try."

Shehnaaz beamed. "Good boy! Aur haan, agar kabhi heartbreak ho toh chocolate leke mere paas aajana. Dono milkar ice cream khaenge aur uski burai karenge. Kiuki ye baap beti to mujhe pagal kar denge." She rolled her eyes.

Ekansh chuckled. "Pakka, Mom."

Just then, Alaia walked in, crossing her arms. "Ekansh bhai ko ladki pasand hai?"

Ekansh turned red. "TUNE SUNA?!"

Alaia smirked. "Of course! Ab ye news sabko batani padegi!"

He shot up. "Agar kisi ko bataya na toh tujhe tujhse phone hamesha ke liye cheen lunga!"

She gasped. "YOU WOULDN'T DARE!"

Shehnaaz watched his kids bicker and laughed. No matter how much they grew, some things never changed.

That night, Shehnaaz and Sidharth sat on the balcony, watching the stars.

"They're growing up so fast," Shehnaaz murmured.

Sidharth nodded. "Haan, aur kitne drama ke saath."

She chuckled. "Bachpan mein toh humne sirf unki chhoti chhoti problems solve ki thi. Ab toh bade hone ke saath naye naye challenges aayenge."

"By the way tumhe nahi lagta ki Ekansh ki ye sab karne ki age nahi hai."

Shehnaaz smile softly. "Sidharth yahi age hai jab baccho me curiosity paida hoti hai agar hum usko uski feelings explore nahi karne denge to usko lagega hum usko baandh kar rakh rahe hai phir wo wahi karega wo hum mana karenge. Ye crush wrush hona to common hai is age me."

Sidharth nodded but sighed. "But still he is a kid agar kuch galat kar betha to?"

"Main jaanti hu usko wo aesa kuch nahi karega agar usko ye lagta hai ki hume uspar trust hai to wo kabhi galat kaam nahi karega wahi agar humne usko roka to wo zarur humse chid kar galat kaamo me ja sakta hai. Ye age me parents ko strict hone ke saath saath apne baccho ke saath friendly hona padhta hai tabhi to usne bejhijak mujhse sab kuch share kar diya."

"Hmm but kisi galat sangat me padh gaya to? Hai to baccha hi na hamara."

Shehnaaz chuckled. "I understand aur mujhe na Ekansh par pura pura bharosa hai ki wo aesa kuch nahi karega. Ye Kiara wali baat bhi wo confirm nahi hai ki wo usko pasand karta hai ya nahi just usko lagta hai. Aur baat rahi galat sangat ki to uske saath Kunal hai aur Kunal ko to hum jaante hai itne acche se, by any chance dono me se kisi ek ne bhi koi galat kaam kiya to dusra usko thappad maar kar sidha kar dega. And i trust Ekansh wo hamara bharosa kabhi nahi todega."

"I trust him too, bass baap hu na to thoda you know."

"I understand wese kitna kuch change ho gaya na."

"Par ek baat toh same hai," Sidharth said, squeezing her hand.

"Kya?"

"Chahe jitni bhi problems aaye, hum hamesha saath rahenge. Ek dusre ke saath aur apne bachon ke saath."

Shehnaaz smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Hamesha."

Inside, Ekansh and Alaia were still arguing over who would keep the bigger share of the ice cream in the fridge.

Some things never change.

✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

It was a usual Sunday evening at the Shukla mansion, and the house was buzzing with energy. The kids were playing in the garden while the adults sat on the patio, sipping chai.

Sidharth's eyes narrowed as he watched Kunal and Alaia playing badminton. Normally, he would not care, but what was bothering him was that Alaia never called Kunal 'bhaiya'.

"Kya chal raha hai?" he muttered under his breath.

Shehnaaz, sitting beside him, chuckled. "Ab kya ho gaya?"

"Usko bhaiya kyu nahi bula rahi?" he grumbled.

Just then, Kashish always ready to tease smirked. "Oho, Sidharth, tum bhi na ab wo hone wale pati ko bhaiya thodi bolegi sidha saiyaan bolegi na."

Sidharth eyes widened imagine Kunal as his Damad. "Bakwaas band karo, Kashish!"

Shehnaaz, enjoying her husband irritation, joined in. "Arre, Kashish idea bura nahi hai. Humare bacche itne acche doston jaise hai, toh future me rishta bhi jamega."

Sidharth huffed. "Meri beti ka rishta fix karne ki zaroorat nahi hai! Usse dusri ladkiyan nahi milti kya?" Sidharth snapped, his possessiveness peaking.

Shehnaaz burst into laughter. "Jealous lag rahe ho, Mr. Shukla?"

Rishi grinned. "Bhai, jab Kunal bada ho jayega aur kisi din officially haath maangne aayega, tab kya karega?"

Sidharth glared at them. "Main tab tak yeh ghar shift karwa dunga kisi island pe!"

The adults burst into laughter, but Sidharth eyes stayed on Alaia and Kunal.

Just then, Alaia called out, "Kunal, aap shot maaro na!"

Sidharth jaw clenched. "Aap?! Ye kya ho raha hai?"

Kunal, unaware of the brewing storm, laughed. "Alaia, main itna bhi buddha nahi hoon jo aap bula rahi ho."

Sidharth smirked. "Haan, bhaiya bulao!"

Alaia frowned. "Par papa, woh mere bestfriend jese hai. Main uhne bhaiya kiu bolu? Ekansh bhai bhi to unko naam se bulate hai"

Kashish dramatically placed a hand on her heart. "Oh my God, confirmation mil gaya! Rishta pakka!"

Sidharth shot up from his chair. "Shehnaaz, tumhe bhi yeh mazak lag raha hai?"

Shehnaaz, laughing, patted his arm. "Sidharth, abhi bacche hai. Aap kiu tension le rahe hai?"

Rishi smirked. "Haan, tension toh tab aayegi jab Kunal sach me propose karega."

Sidharth looked horrified. "Aaj ke baad woh Alaia ke saath nahi khelega!"

Later in evening Ekansh and Kunal sat in Ekansh room, discussing their usual teenage dilemmas.

"Bro, tere ghar me kitni comedy chal rahi hai," Kunal said, laughing. "Mere aur Alaia ke naam se tere dad kitna possessive hai!"

Ekansh rolled his eyes. "Bhai, tu jaanta hai na, woh tereko pasand bhi kare tab bhi woh tujhe ghar me ghusne nahi denge."

Kunal smirked. "Arre, tension mat le. Mera focus sirf studies pe hai teri behen par nahi aur na kabhi hoga you know na bro code."

Ekansh sighed. "I know but Mujhe na studies ke alawa ek aur problem hai."

Kunal raised a brow. "Kiara?"

Ekansh nodded. "Mujhe nahi pata ki usse kaise approach karu. Tu toh chill hai, par main awkward ho jata hoon."

Kunal smiled. "Bro, tu bas ek kaam kar casual conversation start kar. Overthink mat kar."

Ekansh groaned. "Sab easy lagta hai jab tu bolta hai. Par jab uske saamne hota hoon toh kuch bol hi nahi pata."

Kunal patted his shoulder. "Dekh, agar woh tereko pasand karti hai, toh natural connection ban jayega. Tu bas apni normal self reh. Aur agar pasand nahi karti, to aur bhi options hai duniya me."

Ekansh chuckled. "Easy for you to say. Tujhe toh koi tension hi nahi hai."

Kunal laughed. "Bro, mere upar tere papa ka danda latak raha hai. Tujhe lagta hai mujhe tension nahi hai?"

Later that night, Sidharth and Rishi sat outside, enjoying a drink while the kids played board games inside.

"Sach bol, Sidharth. Kunal aur Alaia ka idea itna bura bhi nahi hai," Rishi teased.

Sidharth shook his head. "Bhai, jo ho raha hai woh dekh raha hoon. Woh use bhaiya nahi bolti. Tu mujhe yeh bata, kya tune Kashish ko pehli baar milte hi behen bola tha?."

Rishi grinned. "Bilkul nahi!"

Sidharth pointed. "Bas! Toh main abhi se careful ho raha hoon!"

Just then, Shehnaaz and Kashish joined them. Kashish smirked. "Oho, kya strategy ban rahi hai?"

Shehnaaz laughed. "Tum dono apni baccho ki shaadi ka future discuss kar rahe ho kya?"

Rishi grinned. "Main toh sirf yeh keh raha tha ki agar aisa ho, toh kya problem hai?"

Sidharth groaned. "Mujhe bas yeh lagta hai ki mere saath dhokha ho raha hai!"

Kashish teased, "Jab ladkiyan bade hoti hain na, toh fathers ko insecurity hone lagti hai ki unke alawa unki beti kisi aur ko pyaar karegi. Tu bhi possessive daddy ban gaya hai!"

Shehnaaz laughed, squeezing Sidharth hand. "Mr. Shukla, relax. Bacche bade ho rahe hain, par hum hamesha unke saath rahenge. Tension mat lo."

Sidharth sighed, finally giving in. "Theek hai, par ek baat likh lo jab tak main zinda hoon, Kunal aur Alaia ki shaadi nahi hone wali!"

Kashish, Rishi, and Shehnaaz burst into laughter.

Inside, Alaia and Kunal continued playing, unaware of the storm their innocent friendship had created in Sidharth's mind.

✿✿✿✿✿✿

The Shukla mansion was never quiet. With a big, loving family under one roof, there was always something happening celebrations, teasing, arguments, and heartfelt moments. And with the next generation of Shuklas growing up, things had only gotten more interesting.

It was a rare weekend when every member of the Shukla family had gathered at the mansion. The elders, the cousins, the kids, everyone was present. The living room was bustling with voices, laughter, and the occasional shouting match.

Dadu, sat in his favorite rocking chair, watching the chaos unfold with an amused smile. His sons and daughter in laws sat beside him, laughing at the younger generation's antics.

Vidyut, sat with Nisha, keeping an eye on their twin sons, Luv and Kush,  Neil and Avni, another beloved couple in the family, were trying to keep their energetic daughter, Aditi, from climbing the furniture.

Meanwhile, Rudra was now a famous singer, sat with his wife, Prisha, casually strumming his guitar while observing the madness around him.

Kushal, sat beside Meeti who was currently scolding their naughty Krish, for throwing books everywhere.

And in the middle of all this, Ashnoor, who had recently completed medical school and was now a doctor, was trying to explain hospital politics to anyone who would listen.

"Bas karo sab, mujhe padhne do." Ashnoor sighed dramatically as she watched Krish run past, almost knocking over a lamp.

"Doctor hai na, tu sambhal le!" Rudra teased, making everyone laugh.

"Arey yaar bhabhi." Ashnoor said loudly.

"Huh?!." Shehnaaz, Nisha, Avni, Prisha turn towards her. She look at them and rolled their eyes.

"Are Rudra bhai wali sambhalo apne pati ko pareshan kar rahe hai."

"Behen usne mujhe khudh dukhi kar rakha hai maar tu bindass chhut hai." Prisha said and turn towards Shehnaaz to show her designs. Rudra widened his eyes.

"Abey kesi biwi hai tu."

"Bhai shadi ke baad sabka yahi haal hota hai" Kushal huffed while saying.

"Kya matlab hai tumhara?." Meeti said sternly while rising her eyebrow.

"Baby main to mazak kar raha hu." Kushal smiled nervously.

"Papa Aditi ne flower vase tod diya." Kush said loudly.

"Ye Aditi bhi na." Avni stood up in anger.

"Bade papa Krish Bhaiya ne mujhe dhakka mara tha." This time Aditi shout.

"Jhoot bol rahi hai ye pucho Ekansh se." Krish shout.

"Arey main to tum logo ko janta bhi nahi."

"Maine dekha Ekansh bhaiya ne Luv ko dhakka diya aur Luv Krish bhaiya par jakar gira jo Aditi par jakar gir gaye aur flower vase toot gaya." Alaia shout on top of her lungs.

"Tu chup par warna pitegi."

"Arey usko kiu maar raha hai." Kunal shout while saving Alaia.

"Is ghar ko chidiya ghar ghosit kar dena chahiye." Vidyut sighed and rub his forehead.

"Chup kar tu baccho se hi to raunak hai." Dadu said.

"Dadu i think ghar me extra hi ronak ho gai." Shehnaaz chuckled. Suddenly they hear another screaming voice and moved their head in disbelief.

As the adults enjoyed their time, the teenagers were outside in the garden, playing badminton.

Alaia, Kunal, Aarohi, Luv, and Kush were on one side, while Ekansh, Aditi, and Krish were playing on the other.

Sidharth, enjoying his tea on the patio, kept his eyes glued to one person Kunal.

The way Alaia laughed a little too much at Kunal jokes made Sidharth protective instincts go into overdrive.

As soon as Kunal high fived Alaia after a good shot, Sidharth muttered, "Yeh to hadd ho gayi."

Meeti, who was watching nearby, smirked. "Oho, jiju jealous ho rahe ho?"

"Main jealous nahi ho raha, bas careful ho raha hoon," Sidharth argued.

Vidyut chuckled. "Tu to abhi se possessive ho raha hai. Soch, agar sach me rishta ho gaya toh?"

Sidharth glared. "Main aesa kabhi nahi hone dunga."

Shehnaaz burst into laughter. "Sidharth, aap to pure DDLJ wale Amrish puri ban gaye."

Kashish smirked. "Aur agar sach me ek din Kunal propose karne aa gaya toh?"

Sidharth dramatically placed a hand on his heart. "Us din tera beta hospital me admit hoga."

Ashnoor laughed. "Mere paas ek private room hai, bhaiya, tension mat lo."

✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

Ekansh was sitting quietly in a corner, scrolling through his phone with a conflicted expression.

Shehnaaz, ever the observant mother, sat beside him. "Kya chal raha hai, beta?"

Ekansh sighed. "Mom, mujhe samajh nahi aa raha, Kiara se kaise baat karu. Kabhi kabhi lagta hai woh interested hai, kabhi lagta hai woh sirf polite hai."

Shehnaaz smiled. "Beta, tu overthink kar raha hai. Bas usse dosti se shuru kar. Koi pressure nahi."

Ekansh groaned. "Par agar maine kuch bola aur usne mana kar diya toh?"

Shehnaaz chuckled. "Toh koi aur milegi. Tu Sidharth Shukla ka beta hai, itni jaldi give up mat kar."

Ekansh smirked. "Papa ko yeh bolna mat, warna lecture shuru ho jayega."

Shehnaaz laughed. "Beta, ek aur baat yaad rakh. Pyar ya friendship force nahi hoti, wo naturally develop hoti hai. Jo bhi hoga, tu apni value kam mat samajhna."

Ekansh nodded, feeling a little better. "Thanks, Mom, aap best ho."

Shehnaaz ruffled his hair. "Ab jaa, Kunal ke saath tu bhi khelega ya bas tension lega?"

Later that evening, as dinner was served, the entire family gathered around the massive dining table.

Sidharth sat next to Alaia, keeping a close eye on Kunal. Meeti, never missing a chance to tease, said loudly, "Kunal beta, tumhari favourite dish kaun si hai?"

Kunal smiled. "Aloo paratha."

Meeti smirked looking at Sidharth. "Arey wah, Alaia bhi aloo paratha pasand karti hai!"

Sidharth nearly choked on his food. "Meeti, bas kar!"

Shehnaaz and Rishi were dying of laughter, while the rest of the family enjoyed the ongoing drama.

Neil added fuel to the fire. "Sach bolo, Kunal. Agar future me chance mile, toh kya tu Alaia se shaadi karega?"

Before Kunal could answer, Sidharth loudly said, "NAHI!"

Everyone burst into laughter, and Avni said, "Jealous father alert!"

Alaia rolled her eyes. "Papa, aap overreact kyun kar rahe ho?"

Sidharth folded his arms. "Tu mujhe bata, tujhe Kunal bhaiya lagta hai ya nahi?"

Alaia looked at Kunal, smirked, then looked at her father, enjoying his irritation. "Nahi!"

Sidharth groaned. "Yeh bachpan se meri punishment chal rahi hai!"

Kashish high fived Shehnaaz. "Humara kaam yaha ho gaya!"

Rudhra smirked. "Ab hume sirf wait karna hai jab Kunal kisi din officially aake bole uncle, mujhe Alaia pasand hai."

And with that, the Shukla mansion once again erupted into laughter, proving that no matter how much time passed, family drama, teasing, and love would always keep them together.

_________________________________

That is it for today.

Hope you all like it... irenicchic this one is for you specially.

There will be 3 bonus chapters. The first one is done. I will give you 2nd bonus chapter after you guyz complete 150 votes on this chapter.

Thanks for reading...