Viraj's head shot up as he heard that voice and he saw Lakshmi hugging Kabir from behind him.

"You? What are you doing here?" Kabir asked, pulling her before him.

Viraj's eyes lit up and a huge smile formed on his lips seeing her.

The boys cleared their throat trying to earn the new girls attention

"Kabir. Why don't you introduce us to your friend" Daksh said smiling at Lakshmi

"You guys were talking about her?" Kabir asked with a frown realising that his sister is also a botany student.

Viraj glared at the boys, realising that they have been drooling over his girl.

"What about me?" Lakshmi asked

"Nothing. Just that there is a new admission in the college" Kabir said quickly not wanting his friends to get bashed by his sister

"I am Akash" Akash extended his hand towards Lakshmi. Viraj quickly held Akash's hand.

"Guys. Meet Lakshmi Deshmukh. Kabir's little sister" Viraj said through gritted teeth

Their eyes widened in horror.

"Sister?"

"Yes"

They looked away awkward, not able to look at Kabir after drooling over his sister in front of him.

"Bhaiyya. How was the surprise?" Lakshmi asked

"Why wasn't I informed about your arrival? And what is this project that you had to come to Mumbai for?" Kabir asked

"That's why we call it a surprise, Kabeeeeeer. If you had been informed before, would that remain a surprise?" Lakshmi asked

Viraj was still staring at her and Lakshmi raised an eyebrow seeing him looking at her without blinking.

"Leave it. I am going to Viraj's house. You go back to your hostel" Kabir said

"What hostel? I don't have a hostel room" Lakshmi said and all the boys looked up at her in surprise.

"Where are you planning to stay then? How did papa send you here without arranging accommodation for you" Kabir asked in exasperation.

"I arranged an accommodation for myself, Kabeeeer" Lakshmi said

"Where?"

"At Viraj's house" Lakshmi said with a shrug

"What? Viraj, you didn't tell me" Kabir asked a gaping Viraj.

"How will he tell, when he doesn't know himself" Lakshmi asked

"You got in touch with Sukanya aunty?" Kabir asked in confusion

"Who is Sukanya?" Lakshmi asked

"For heaven's sake Lakshmi, how did you arrange your stay at Viraj's house? Who did you talk to?" Kabir asked

"I didn't ask anyone. I thought I will stay there" Lakshmi said and all the boys gaped at her.

"Without asking them?" Kabir asked

"Why not? He stayed at our house for two weeks without paying any rent. He is supposed to return the favour" Lakshmi said coolly.

Viraj laughed.

He has so missed Lakshmi and her antics.

"You are laughing? Don't think she is joking. If she says she wants to stay there, she will stay there even if your whole family says no" Kabir told Viraj with a frown

"We are not going to say No Kabir. She is right. It's time for me to repay the favour" Viraj said

"I knew you were smart. I still don't understand why you befriended my brother" Lakshmi said

"Fine. Don't tell me I didn't warn you" Kabir said

"Come on, come on. Let's go" Lakshmi pulled at Kabir's arms.

As Kabir stood up, Lakshmi jumped on his back making him stumble.

"What the hell Lakshmi"

"I am tired bhaiyya. Give me a piggyback ride. Pretty please" she said with puppy eyes.

Kabir shook his head and walked ahead and Viraj walked behind them with a silly grin on his face.

He quickly typed a message to his mother.

'Bringing a surprise home'

Ishaan who was waiting for them at the car looked in surprise seeing a frowning Kabir carrying a girl piggyback.

"Ishaan. Meet Kabir's sister" Viraj said

"Lakshmi?" Ishaan asked excitedly making Lakshmi narrow her eyes at him.

Viraj kicked him and glared at him.

****

"Try this. I made it" Sukanya said and she served another dish onto Lakshmi's plate

"Your mother is treating her like a new bride" Kabir murmured to Viraj who looked away awkwardly.

His mother is definitely going to trap him with her behaviour.

"Sukanya aunty. I am sorry for the inconvenience. I will look into a hostel room for her. Please bear with her for a few days" Kabir said apologetically making Lakshmi scowl at him.

"Silly. What is the need for a hostel when she can stay here. She is right. Viraj stayed at your home for two weeks. It's time we repay the favour" Sukanya said and Kabir gaped at her

"Ho kya raha hai yahan. Mein Paagal ho raha hai ya baki sab?" Kabir asked to no one in particular.

(What the hell is happening here? Am I going mad or are you all going mad?)

"He is just jealous that you didn't ask him to leave the hostel and stay here Sukanya aunty. Don't mind him. He had always been jealous of me" Lakshmi said earning a glare from Kabir.

"Poor girl. Why are you troubling her, Kabir. Bacchi ko khane tho do" Tejas reprimanded Kabir

(Let the child eat peacefully)

"What is wrong with your family, Viraj? I thought they were going to kick her out. And they are pampering her. As if she needs to be any more spoiled" Kabir said

"They have always wanted a daughter Kabir. They are going to spoil her rotten" Viraj said with a grin

"Anymore rotten, no one would be able stay anywhere near her" Kabir mumbled

***

Viraj felt someone shaking him and he opened his eyes and saw Lakshmi looking at him.

He smiled at Lakshmi and closed his eyes again.

"Viraj. Wake up" Lakshmi whispered

"I will wake up and then you will disappear. I am not waking up" Viraj murmured

Lakshmi hit him hard on his shoulder and Viraj came awake with a start.

His eyes widened seeing Lakshmi glaring at him.

"You are real?"

"No. A ghost. Come outside before he wakes up" Lakshmi said pointing at her brother sleeping next to Viraj.

Viraj followed her in a daze to the terrace.

She sat on the swing set and patted the seat next to her asking him to sit.

"Do you remember asking my brother, why he wants to marry me off to someone who doesn't want me for me?" Lakshmi asked

"Yes" Viraj nodded

"That's when I decided that I will get married to only you" Lakshmi said coolly