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"Dhriti....Dhriti, please meri baat toh sun." [Dhriti...Dhriti, please listen to me.]

Dhriti ignored the calls of her best friend, her face set in determined lines as she made her way into Vihaan's flat, her footsteps echoing down the corridor with a sense of urgency.

She was fuming quietly, her thoughts consumed by the recent event that had left her feeling betrayed and upset.

She couldn't believe Shivangi had given away the gajra ka halwa that she had been looking forward to all day, the one thing that had kept her spirits up through a tough day at work.

The sweet aroma of the halwa had lingered in her mind, promising comfort and joy after a long, exhausting day.

Shivangi huffed, trailing behind her friend, her own frustration evident in the hurried clatter of her sandals against the tiles. "Dhriti, tu baat kyun nahi sun rahi?" [Dhriti, why are you not listening?] Her voice was a mix of exasperation and concern, trying to catch up to Dhriti's fast pace, her own heart pounding with a mix of guilt and worry.

Dhriti paused only for a second, just long enough to cast a fiery glance over her shoulder at Shivangi before brushing past a confused Aaradhya, who had just opened the safety door.

Aaradhya stood in the doorway, her brow furrowed in confusion as she watched Dhriti remove her shoes at the door with more force than necessary before marching into the living room.

Dhriti, her frustration radiating off her in waves, plopped down heavily on the sofa beside Vihaan, who remained unfazed, his eyes still skimming the pages of his book, seemingly oblivious to the storm brewing in his living room.

The neurosurgeon was brought back to the present by the soft jingles of payal and bangles. Turning, Aaradhya came face to face with Shivangi, who was a bit out of breath and clearly frazzled.

The scene was almost comical, but Aaradhya's concern for the two friends outweighed any amusement.

"Isse kya hua, Shivu?" Aaradhya questioned, her hands cupping Shivangi's cheeks gently, her voice laced with concern and a hint of amusement at the sight of her usually composed sister-in-law looking so flustered. [What happened to her, Shivu?]

Aaradhya had seen these kinds of spats before and knew they always resolved, but it didn't make witnessing them any easier.

Shivangi sighed, her frustration momentarily giving way to the warmth of Aaradhya's touch. She pushed a strand of hair away from her face, as she tried to balance her thoughts and catch her breath.

"Vahini, mere Mahadev jane, main iss ladki ko samjha samjha ke thak gayi hoon." [Vahini, only my Mahadev knows how tired I am from trying to make this girl understand.] Her voice was tinged with a helplessness that made Aaradhya's heart ache for her.

Aaradhya smiled, her thumb brushing soothing circles on Shivangi's cheeks. "Kya hua? Itna gussa kyun?" [What happened? Why is she so angry?] Aaradhya's voice was calm and patient, the tone of someone who had mediated countless arguments before.

Before Shivangi could respond, Dhriti's voice cut through the air, sharp and filled with irritation. "Itna bhi kya urgent tha gajra ka halwa doosron ko dene mein?" [What was so urgent about giving the gajra ka halwa to others?] Her voice quivered slightly, the hurt seeping through her anger.

Vihaan finally looked up from his book, raising an eyebrow at the scene unfolding before him. "Kisne diya halwa?" [Who gave the halwa?] He asked, his voice calm but curious, sensing the need to step in and help mediate.

"Shivangi ne," Dhriti snapped, her eyes blazing with a mix of hurt and anger. "Woh bhi bina pooche!" [Shivangi did, and without asking!] She folded her arms across her chest, her anger barely contained as she glared at her best friend. The sting of being overlooked was evident in her eyes.

Shivangi threw her hands up in exasperation. "Aree, maine sirf woh logon ko diya tha, Devi close ho chuka tha aur main nahi chahti thi ki woh sab bhooke jaye mere Devi se." [I just gave it to those people because Devi was closed, and I didn't want them to leave hungry from my Devi.]

Her voice was pleading, trying to make Dhriti understand her intentions. Shivangi's altruism often placed her in such predicaments, but she couldn't help her nature.

Dhriti folded her arms across her chest, her anger barely contained. "Aur main? Mujhe bhi toh woh halwa pasand hai. Tumhe pata hai main kitni excited thi uske liye." [And me? I like that halwa too. You know how excited I was for it.]

The disappointment in her voice was palpable, each word soaked in the anticipation that had built up throughout her day.

"Dhriti, main samajhti hoon tumhara gussa," Aaradhya began gently, her voice calm and soothing like a balm to Dhriti's frayed nerves. "Lekin Shivangi ne sirf madad karne ki koshish ki thi. Woh log bhooke the, aur tu toh janti hai na, ki woh kisi ko bhookha nahi dekh sakti." [Dhriti, I understand your anger, but Shivangi was only trying to help. Those people were hungry, and you know na, that our Shivi can't see anyone hungry.]

Aaradhya's words were filled with understanding and empathy, trying to bridge the gap between the two friends.

Dhriti's shoulders slumped slightly, the anger in her eyes dimming a bit as she listened to Aaradhya's words. She knew Aaradhya was right, but the disappointment still lingered.

"Main jaanti hoon, lekin main bhi to us halwe ke liye din bhar wait kar rahi thi," she muttered, her voice tinged with sadness. [I know, but I was waiting all day for that halwa.] Her stomach growled softly, a reminder of her unfulfilled craving.

"Dhriti, mujhe maaf kar de na," Shivangi said softly, her eyes earnest and apologetic as she sat down beside her best friend, her hand reaching out to hold Dhriti's. [Dhriti, please forgive me.] Shivangi's grip was gentle but firm, a silent promise of making amends.

Dhriti sighed, her anger melting away slowly as she looked into Shivangi's pleading eyes. She couldn't stay mad at her for long; after all, Dhriti has always been weak when it came to Shivangi. One look from Shivangi's lotus-like eyes and Dhriti's resolve melts away.

Dhriti groaned before tackling Shivangi into a hug on the sofa. "Yaar Shivi, tu itni cute kyu hai?! Uff, ab pata chala ki tujhe humesha Radha ji aur Parvati Maa ka role kaise milte the. Tu pakka Mahadev ki ladli ho." [Shivi, why are you so cute?! Now I understand why you always get the roles of Radha and Parvati Maa. You must be Mahadev's favorite.] Dhriti's voice was affectionate, her earlier anger completely evaporated.

Shivangi giggled, returning Dhriti's hug with equal fervor. "Mujhe pata tha tu maan jayegi. Ab chal, halwa nahi, toh kuch aur banate hain jo tujhe pasand ho." [I knew you would forgive me. Now come on, if not halwa, let's make something else you like.] The relief in her voice was evident, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Dhriti pulled back, her eyes brightening slightly at the suggestion. "Kya banayenge?" [What will we make?] Her stomach growled again, this time louder, making both girls giggle.

Aaradhya, who had been watching the exchange with a fond smile, interjected, "Kuch special banate hain. Vihaan, tumhe bhi help karni padegi." [Let's make something special. Vihaan, you have to help too.] She glanced at her husband, a playful challenge in her eyes.

Vihaan chuckled, closing his book and finally giving his full attention to the room. "Theek hai, batao kya banana hai." [Alright, tell me what to make.] His voice was warm and inviting, ready to join in the impromptu cooking session.

Shivangi clapped her hands, her earlier frustration completely forgotten. "Let's make paneer tikka! Dhriti loves it." Her enthusiasm was infectious, bringing a smile to everyone's face.

Dhriti's eyes lit up at the idea. "Haan, paneer tikka! Vihaan bhaiyya aap bhi help karwaoge na?" [Yes, paneer tikka! Vihaan bhaiyya, you'll help too, right?] The excitement in her voice was evident, the prospect of her favorite dish lifting her spirits.

Vihaan smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Of course, Dhriti. Let's get to the kitchen and start." His agreement brought a cheer from the girls.

With that resolution, the family of four made their way into the kitchen, the earlier tension and frustration dissipating entirely as laughter and the promise of cooking together replaced the lingering anger.

The aroma of spices soon filled the air, mingling with the sound of happy chatter and the clinking of utensils, turning what had begun as a tense evening into a heartwarming family memory.

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Virat's living room was an absolute mess. Actually, "mess" would be a kinder word for the chaos that had unfolded in Virushka's Mumbai flat after a group of cricketers had indulged in a feast.

It was expected when you feed cricketers who basically eat like children in adult bodies, with no concern for tidiness.

Cricketers are one thing, but hungry cricketers are another beast entirely. It was like they hadn't eaten for days.

They descended on the gajar ka halwa like a swarm of locusts, each one trying to grab as much as they could, their competitive instincts spilling over into their dining habits.

"Uff! Kya gajar ka halwa hai yaar, uss ladki ne kya halwa banaya hai. Mere toh man tript ho gaya," Hardik exclaimed, savoring every bite and not letting a single morsel drop from his spoon, clearly in food heaven. [Wow! What an amazing carrot halwa, man! That girl has made such a delicious halwa. I'm completely satisfied.]

KL Rahul, sitting cross-legged on the floor with a plate precariously balanced on his knee, chimed in, "Tujhe toh bhook mein sab cheez hi swarg lagti hai," he replied, grinning widely and enjoying the banter. [When you're hungry, everything seems heavenly to you.]

Hardik's lips twisted into a playful scowl as he turned to face his best friend. "Tujhe kya, tu apni plate dekh, halwe ka namo nishan nahi choda tuney!" he shot back, shaking his head in mock disapproval. [What about you? Look at your plate, you didn't leave a trace of the halwa!]

"Siraj bhai, ek dhaka marna meri taraf se iss Pandya ko," KL said, glaring at Hardik with mock seriousness and nudging Siraj to join in the fun. [Siraj, please give this Pandya a shove from my side.]

Siraj chuckled heartily and made a playful move towards Hardik, who swiftly dodged and raised his hands in surrender, laughing all the while.

In doing so, Hardik accidentally hit Ishan's arm, who was busy inhaling the gajar ka halwa as if it was his last meal on Earth. Ishan's spoon clattered onto his plate, and he looked up, feigning annoyance with a dramatic flair.

"Arre yaar! Mere halwe ke peeche kyun pade ho?" Ishan complained, his exaggerated expression causing everyone to burst into laughter. [Why are you after my halwa?]

Ever since they had come back from the restaurant, and Ishan had gotten his hands on the halwa, he had been devouring it like there was no tomorrow.

This was probably his third serving of the halwa, and he looked nowhere near stopping, even taking some from the other players' plates as well.

For Ishan, the halwa tasted just like how his mother made it. The warmth and sweetness reminded him of home, and he savored every bite with an almost childlike glee that was heartwarming to watch.

It had been quite some time since he had gone home. It had been quite some time since he had tasted the food prepared by his mother's loving hands. He just wanted to kiss the hands of the girl who made this halwa, so perfectly like his mother's.

"Control Ishu, teri plate se koi nahi le raha halwa, bale hi tu sabki plate se le raha hai," Rohit said, shaking his head and trying to hide his amusement at the scene. [Control yourself, Ishu. No one is taking halwa from your plate, even if you are taking it from everyone else's.]

Ishan grinned sheepishly, his cheeks puffed out with the latest mouthful of the delicious dessert, clearly enjoying himself.

"Ae Ro, mere Ishu baby ko nazar mat lago," Ritika said, coming to Ishan's defense with a teasing smile and a protective tone. [Don't jinx my Ishu baby, Ro.]

Rohit chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender and shrugging playfully. "Arre baba, main toh bas bol raha tha." [Hey, I was just saying.]

"Sabka bhabhio ka ladla, Ishu Kishu," Shreyas teased Ishan, his mouth full of the dessert as he joined in the playful banter. [The baby of all bhabhis, Ishu Kishu.]

"Bhabhis..." Ishan whined, turning to his bhabhis for support against this teasing, his face a picture of mock distress.

Trisha, Shreyas' girlfriend, quickly came to Ishan's defense, playfully swatting Shreyas on the shoulder. "Shrey, mere baby Ishu ko tang mat karo!" she scolded, her tone light but firm. [Shrey, don't tease my baby Ishu!]

Trisha pulled Ishan close, hugging him to her side protectively. "Shrey, you're just jealous because Ishu's getting all the love," she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Ishan, enjoying the attention immensely, nodded vigorously. "Exactly! See, Trisha bhabhi understands."

"Trisha bhabhi ke chamche, koi baat nahi bete, teri shadi hone de. Fir dekh meri bhabhi ko teri kitni shikayat lagata hai," Shreyas countered, laughing as he envisioned future complaints. [Trisha's fan, just wait until you get married. Then you'll see how much we complain to your wife about you.]

Ishan laughed along, but a slight blush crept up his cheeks, giving away his embarrassment. "Arre Shrey bhai, abhi se kyun darra rahe ho?" he asked, still laughing. [Hey Shrey, why are you scaring me already?]

Shubman noticed the hint of blush on his best friend's face and leaned in closer, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ishu, tu bhabhi ke naam pe blush kar raha hai!" he exclaimed, delighted at Ishan's reaction. [Ishu, you're blushing just at the mention of bhabhi!]

Everyone erupted into laughter again, and Ishan, now even redder in the face, tried to cover it up with a big bite of halwa. "Nahi re, bas garmi lag rahi hai," he mumbled through a mouthful of the sweet treat. [No, it's just hot in here.]

Anushka shook her head and chuckled, her eyes warm with affection. "Kyu ched raha hai usse, Shubi. Aur waise bhi, apne Ishu ki shadi keliye dulhan toh hum sab hi decide karenge," she said, her tone teasing but affectionate. [Why are you teasing him, Shubi? Anyway, we all will decide who Ishu marries.]

Ishan looked horrified at the prospect, his eyes wide with mock terror. "Bas bas, aap log milke mere zindagi ka the end mat karo," he protested, still munching on his halwa, his voice full of exaggerated dread. [Enough, don't you all end my life together.]

Anushka patted his head fondly, her smile gentle and reassuring. "Arre, itna tension mat le, Ishu. Teri shaadi grand event hogi, pura Mumbai dekhega," she said, trying to soothe his fake worries. [Hey, don't take so much tension, Ishu. Your wedding will be a grand event, the whole of Mumbai will see.]

"Mumbai hi kyu, puri duniya dekhiye meri Ishu ki shadi," Athiya added with a playful grin, earning a round of cheers and laughter from the group. [Not just Mumbai, the whole world will watch Ishu's wedding.]

Ishan, now thoroughly embarrassed but still in high spirits, tried to deflect the attention from himself. "Ab yaar, shadi ki baatein band karo aur halwa khatam karo. Waise yeh halwa kisne banaya tha?" he asked, looking around curiously. [Stop talking about weddings and finish the halwa. By the way, who made this halwa?]

"Devi restaurant ki owner ne diya tha, because jab hum gaye the, tab restaurant band tha," Virat explained, leaning back on the couch and stretching his arms. [The owner of Devi restaurant gave it to us because the restaurant was closed when we went.]

Devisha's eyes sparkled with curiosity and appreciation. "She really saved our evening with this amazing halwa."

"Exactly! Uss ladki ka halwa ke saath saath heart bhi kamaal ka tha. Itni pyaari se muskurahat ke saath halwa diya usne," Siraj added, his face lighting up as he remembered the kind gesture. [Exactly! That girl's heart was as amazing as the halwa. She gave it with such a sweet smile.]

Rishabh, who had been relatively quiet until now, piped up eagerly, "Yaar, mujhe toh milna tha uss ladki se. Next time, jab Devi restaurant jayenge, usse milne ka plan banate hain," he suggested, his excitement palpable. [Guys, I wanted to meet that girl. Next time we go to Devi restaurant, let's plan to meet her.]

Shubman nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful. "Haan, sahi bola Rishabh. Us ladki ko thank you kehna toh banta hai," he said, his tone serious. [Yes, well said Rishabh. We definitely need to thank that girl.]

Rohit nodded enthusiastically, his face lighting up with a bright smile. "Haan, haan, pakka! Waise tum logon ko nahi lagta ki hume uss ladki ko woh dena chahiye?" he asked, his eyes twinkling mischievously. [Yes, yes, definitely! By the way, don't you guys think we should give the girl 'that'?]

"Gift," both Virat and Ritika answered in unison before the team members could turn and look at them for the answer to Rohit's 'woh.'

Heads rolled in agreement as the last of the plates were placed on the coffee table. The satisfied sighs and contented smiles on the faces of the cricketers spoke volumes about the delightful treat they had just devoured.

"Kyu na hum usse ek signed jersey send kare?" Surya bhau suggested, leaning forward with a gleam in his eyes, clearly excited about the idea. [Why don't we send her a signed jersey?]

Bumrah clicked his tongue in disagreement, shaking his head slightly. "Nahi bhau, uss ladki ne hume recognize bhi nahi kiya. I don't think woh nahi chahegi," he said, his tone reflective. [No, bhau, that girl didn't even recognize us. I don't think she'll want it.]

"Sahi hai, Bumrah bhai. Humne bhi unka naam tak nahi puchha," Siraj added, scratching his head thoughtfully as he reflected on their earlier encounter. [You're right, Bumrah bhai. We didn't even ask her name.]

"Lekin usne humein itna pyaar se halwa diya," Shami interjected, his expression turning contemplative and appreciative. [But she gave us the halwa so lovingly.]

Anushka, who had been quietly observing the discussion, spoke up with a warm smile, her eyes filled with kindness. "How about a handwritten thank you note? Sometimes a heartfelt appreciation means more than anything material," she suggested, her tone gentle and thoughtful.

Rohit nodded in agreement, his smile widening as he considered the idea. "Bilkul sahi kaha, Sharma twin. Ek simple sa thank you note will convey our gratitude perfectly," he said, his voice full of conviction. [Absolutely right, Sharma twin. A simple thank you note will convey our gratitude perfectly.]

"Note ke saath, how about hum usse next match mein invite kare?" Jadeja smirked, joining the conversation for the first time with a mischievous glint in his eye. [With the note, how about we invite her to the next match?]

"Next match mein invite? Usse toh shock lag jayega!" Virat exclaimed, his eyes widening at the thought. [Invite her to the next match? She'll be shocked!]

"Aur kya pata woh aur halwa le aaye," Rishabh said with a sheepish smile, his eyes twinkling with hope. [And who knows, she might bring more halwa.]

Everyone chuckled at Rishabh's hopeful comment, but the idea of inviting the girl to their next match seemed to catch on quickly. The group started throwing around ideas for how to make it happen, their excitement growing with each suggestion.

"Chalo, decided. We'll write her a thank you note and invite her to the next match," Virat said, sealing the decision with finality, his tone firm and resolute.

"Main likh deta hoon, mera handwriting sabse accha hai," KL Rahul offered, puffing out his chest with pride and flashing a confident smile. [I'll write it, my handwriting is the best.]

"Apne muh miya mitthu," Hardik teased, earning a playful slap on the back of his head from KL, who laughed along. [Self-praise, huh?]

"VIP box ki tickets send kar dete hain. I will talk to Mishra ji about it," Devisha suggested, already planning how to make it a memorable experience for the girl. [Let's send VIP box tickets. I will talk to Mishra ji about it.]

"Yeh badiya," Rivabha agreed, nodding enthusiastically. "Usne humare liye itna kuch kiya, humein bhi kuch special karna chahiye." [That's great. She did so much for us, we should do something special for her too.]

"Itna kar rahe ho woh ladki keliye. Itni special hai woh?" Ishan questioned, his tone curious and a little amazed. [You're doing so much for that girl. Is she really that special?]

"Ishan, yeh ladki ne hum sab ke dil jeet liya. Aur tumne bhi bola ki halwa maa ke hatho se bana hua jaisa tha," Rohit explained, his voice softening as he remembered how everyone had enjoyed the halwa so much. "We should show our appreciation properly." [Ishan, this girl has won all our hearts. And you also said the halwa was just like how your mother made it.]

"Rohit bhai, aap sahi keh rahe ho," Ishan admitted, his tone sincere as he considered the idea. [Rohit bhai, you are right.]

"Chalo phir, KL, likho note. Rohit bhai, tum tickets arrange karlo. Aur Anushka bhabhi, aap signature organize karlijiye," Surya said, organizing the plan with a gleam in his eye, excitement building up. [Alright then, KL, write the note. Rohit bhai, you arrange the tickets. And Anushka bhabhi, you organize the signatures.]

KL nodded eagerly and grabbed a piece of paper and a pen, his mind already working on the words he wanted to write. Rohit pulled out his phone to call Mishra ji, and Anushka started gathering the team for their signatures on a pristine jersey.

Everyone buzzed with excitement, each person contributing to the plan with enthusiasm and genuine appreciation for the girl who had made their evening memorable with her delicious halwa.

The room filled with a sense of camaraderie and joy as they worked together, their laughter and chatter creating a warm and lively atmosphere. They couldn't wait to surprise the girl and show her just how much her simple act of kindness had meant to them.

And so, the cricketers, united by a delicious halwa and the joy of a shared moment, planned their heartfelt gesture, looking forward to the day they would make the girl's evening just as special as she had made theirs.

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dost log aise hi baat karte hai kya? Mere dost toh hai nahi, toh mujhe nahi pata. Apne dost bolte nahi hai.

Anyways, worldcup jeetne ki khushi mein, apki choti behen ka chota sa chapter swikar kare.

Let me know the parts that you enjoyed and the parts that you would want for me to approve. Please vote and let me know. Comment what you like.

Other than that...paltan, have a good day. Maze karo, aur 6-7 mahine tak worldcup ki khushi mano.

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