"Hello Ashu beta, aa rahe ho na Kittu ke birthday pe?" Kaashi asked warmly.
"Mumma, aapki beti ka birthday miss kar diya toh mujhe ghar mein ghusne nahi degi woh," Akash replied, laughing heartily.
"Aree, in my presence, who would dare trouble my son? Aa jao beta, it's been so long since we saw you. We all miss you dearly, especially the kids."
"Of course, Mumma. I'll be there soon, well before our Princess's birthday. But don't tell her or Ayu; it's a surprise. You know Ayu—he just can't keep secrets from her!"
Kaashi and Akash chatted for a few more minutes about mundane things before hanging up to continue their day.
"I am home, gharwalo! Khana do mujhe!" Kritika declared dramatically, her voice echoing through the house as she entered.
It was Saturday, and Kaashi had returned early from school. She was meticulously preparing her special Dhokla—a family favorite—for the evening snack when she heard Kritika's grand entrance.
"Aur kuch order, Maharani Sahiba? Ya Dhokle se kaam chal jayega aaj ke liye?" Kaashi replied in an equally theatrical tone.
"Mumma, reallyyyyy? You are making Dhokla? Mere muh mein toh abhi se paani aa raha hai!" Kritika replied excitedly.
"Just wait a few minutes; it's almost ready. By the way, where is Piku? Woh tumhare saath nahi aayi college se?"
"She was working on her group assignment. We are in different groups this time. She said she'd be a bit late."
"How late?"
"By 7:00, she said."
"I made this Dhokla especially for her; she was craving it a few days ago. That girl is always buried in her books—kuch seekhle usse," Kaashi remarked pointedly.
"Kya yaar Mumma! I don't need to study as much as her. I'll be fine, don't lecture me now," Kritika snapped irritably. She always loathed being reminded of her studies. She turned to head to her room when she was stopped cold by Nayan's voice, which was unusually stern.
"Kritika."
"Mar gayi..." Kritika muttered under her breath, biting her tongue. She turned around with a forced, overly sweet smile. "Daaadaaa! Aap kab aaye? Maine toh dekha hi nahi!"
Nayan fought back a smile. He struggled to play the "elder" card since that role usually belonged to his Bhaiya, but in Akash's absence, he tried his best to maintain discipline.
"What did you just say to Badi Maa?" he asked, maintaining a firm tone.
Realizing she couldn't charm her way out of this one, Kritika walked over to Kaashi, gave her a side-hug, and kissed her cheek.
"Sorry Mumma, I didn't mean to be rude. Please gussa mat hona," she said contritely, holding her ears in a gesture of apology.
"Oh? So now you understand your mistake?" Kaashi asked with mock severity.
"Aree Mumma, aap toh meri pyaari Mumma ho na? Maaf nahi karogi apni bacchi ko?"
Kaashi simply shook her head, smiling. "Fine, go freshen up and come for snacks."
"Badi Maa, you are way too lenient with her. Isiliye bigadti ja rahi hai yeh," Nayan remarked.
Kritika pouted, looking genuinely hurt. "Sorry na, Dada. Aage se nahi karungi, sacchi," she said, giving him a most innocent look that she knew he couldn't resist. Her eyes began to shimmer as if she might cry at any moment.
"Ohffo, you and your waterworks. Come here, dramebaaz," Nayan said softly, his resolve melting.
Kritika ran to him and hugged him tight. "I don't like it when you scold me, Ayu Dada."
Nayan pulled back slightly and kissed her forehead. "And do you think I enjoy scolding you, Princess? But your behavior earned it."
Kritika pouted and rolled her eyes playfully. "Aap na, zyada Ashu Bhaiya banne ki koshish mat karo."
"Oh? Sorry, Madam. My mistake. Perhaps I should just call Ashu Bhai directly and let him handle it?" Nayan teased, pulling out his phone with a smirk.
Kritika's eyes widened in terror. "Aap apni choti behen ko aag mein phenk doge kya, Dada? Really sorry!"
Nayan chuckled and playfully yanked her ear.
"Owwch, Dada! Kaan nahi khicho, please!" Kritika squealed.
"What was your mistake today?" Nayan asked, giving her ear a slight, mischievous twist.
"Aah, Dada! I won't ever be rude to anyone again! Sorry, sorry!"
"That's better," Nayan said, giving her ear one final playful tug before letting go.
Kritika rubbed her reddened ear and slumped onto the couch, pouting. Nayan sat beside her and pulled her into a side-hug. She tried to squirm away, but he held her firm.
"Now why are you hugging me? Khushi milgayi mera kaan laal krke. Koi mujhse pyaar hi nahi karta," she complained mournfully, though she instinctively leaned her head against his chest for comfort.
"Kittu, you know how much I love you. We all do. But I'm not sorry for scolding you—you deserved that much."
"I know," Kritika muttered quietly.
"It's okay. I know you didn't do it on purpose. Now go get changed, and wake Riyan up on your way. He's napping."
Evening Snack Time
The family gathered in the living room, plates of warm Dhokla in hand, as the news hummed quietly on the TV.
"Mumma, aapki baat hui kya Bhaiya se? I asked him to come for my birthday, but he said he has an important meeting," Kritika asked, her disappointment evident.
"No beta, he told me the same thing," Kaashi lied convincingly, keeping her face neutral.
"But Ashu Bhai never misses Kittu's birthday. It must be something really important this time," Nayan added, completely unaware of the plan.
"Koi baat nahi Kittu Di, main hoon na! As long as your younger brother is here, you won't even remember Bhaiya," Riyan proclaimed dramatically.
Kritika gave him a wicked grin. "Riyan ke bacche, I'm warning you now—if you create a scene on my birthday, I won't spare you. Yaad rakhna."
"Mumma, look! Your daughter is threatening me!" Riyan wailed like a baby.
"Kittu, don't trouble him. He's your little brother," Kaashi chided. Riyan immediately began making teasing faces at Kritika while Kaashi wasn't looking.
"Mumma, I didn't even do anything! Look at him, he's teasing me on purpose!"
Riyan instantly wiped the smirk off his face, adopting a look of pure innocence. "I'm not doing anything, Mumma."
"Alright, enough. Finish your snacks and go study. I never see either of you with a book," Kaashi scolded.
"Exactly," Nayan chimed in. "I want good marks from everyone. Kittu, especially you. Your exams start a week after your birthday, so start preparing now."
"Dada, my birthday is still a week away! I'll study, don't worry. Anyway, I learn things quickly," Kritika replied confidently.
"Ayu beta, give Piku a call," Kaashi suggested. "She said she'd be late, but it's already 6:00."
Just as Nayan reached for his phone, Paakhi walked through the door.
"Naam liya aur shaitaan haazir," Nayan chuckled.
"You might be the shaitaan, not me! Right, Badi Maa?" Paakhi said affectionately, tucking herself beside Kaashi.
"You'll live a long life, beta. We were just talking about you. And heaven help anyone who says a word against my girl," Kaashi said, eyeing Nayan and Kritika playfully. "Here, take a bite."
Kaashi fed Paakhi a piece of Dhokla.
"It's delicious, Badi Maa! You have magic in your hands," Paakhi said warmly.
The living room was filled with the comforting aroma of tea and the sound of lighthearted bickering, the kind that only happens in a home full of love. Paakhi reached for another piece of Dhokla, narrowly dodging Riyan's hand, while Nayan continued to tease Kritika about her "exam-time amnesia." Kaashi watched them all with a quiet, satisfied smile, her heart full even as she kept Akash's secret tucked away.
"Okay, okay, enough enjoying the 'magic' in my hands," Kaashi said, standing up to gather the empty plates. "If I don't see books open in ten minutes, there will be no special dessert tonight."
"Dessert? Wait, what dessert?" Riyan asked, his eyes widening.
"That's for people who finish their chapters," Nayan replied, standing up and stretching before giving Kritika's hair a final, messy ruffle. "Which means Kittu better start running to her room now."
"Hato Dada! My hair!" Kritika groaned, though she was already giggling as she raced Riyan to the stairs. "First one to the desk gets the biggest piece of whatever Mumma is hiding!"
Author's Note
Hey everyone! Hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into the chaotic yet sweet bond of the Dhairya household! ❤️
I personally loved writing the dynamic between Nayan and Kritika; there's nothing quite like an older brother who scolds you one second and hugs you the next, right?
I'd love to hear from you:
What was your favorite moment from this chapter? Are you Team "Nayan should be strict" or Team "Kittuu is too cute to be scolded"?
How do you think Kritika will react when she finally sees Ashu Bhaiya?
Scene Requests: Is there a specific interaction or a flashback you'd like to see in the upcoming birthday episodes? Drop your suggestions in the comments!
Don't forget to like and Comment if you liked the chapter! It keeps me motivated to write more. See you in the next one! ✨
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