ch 50 Flickers
The whole mansion filled with laughter as Ashiana marched dramatically, puffing her cheeks and making the loudest
"Poooo... chok chok chok!" sounds.
Raj giggled wildlyand his tiny hands clutching ashiana from back as he added his own version, "Chokkk chokkk!"
Kabir leaned forward, and scooped Raj in his arms matching ashiana's steps with exaggerated swagger.
"Bunny engine, reporting for duty!" he announced, making everyone laugh harder.
Prerna rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her grin as she joined in, resting her hand on Kabir's shoulder. "God save me from this family," she said, but her laughter gave her away.
One by one, Meera, Raghav, and Aditya fell in line everyone holding the person in front, making a human train snaking through the mansion hall.
Ashiana turned her head, calling out in a sing-song voice, "Come on, Mr. Aarav Malhotraaa! The train's leaving the station! You'll miss ittt!"
He stood near the dining table, arms folded, watching the chaos with that rare, small smile tugging at his lips.
Ashiana stopped the "train" right in front of him, hands on her waist, ears flopping forward dramatically.
"Train can't move without its most important passenger ...The King himself!" ashiana said, eyes twinkling.
Kabir laughed, shouting, "Board the train, bhai, warna engine bhaag jayegi!"
Raghav chimed in, "And trust me, this engine won't stop at any station!"
Aarav exhaled, shaking his head as if giving in to madness. "You're all impossible," he muttered, but that hint of laughter in his tone gave him away.
then everyone said in sync '' ab jo bhi h aapke h...''
Ashiana grinned wide, grabbing his hand and pulling him into the line. "Welcome aboard, Mr. Malhotraaa!" she said proudly.
And just like that they were all moving through the garden, a long chain of laughter, love, and ridiculous "pooo chok chok chok!" echoes.
Raj squealed, "Fast, Di! Fast!"
And as the evening sun glowed on the fountain and laughter filled every corner, even Aarav couldn't hide his smile anymore his heart full, his world right where it belonged.
later after the chaos everyone on sofa in living hall
Aditya leaned back on the sofa, a soft grin playing on his lips as he watched the chaos in front of him Raj squealing with laughter while Ashiana wiggled her bunny ears dramatically, pretending to hop around him.
The hall echoed with giggles, Meera's amused smile, and Raghav's occasional chuckle as Raj almost toppled over from laughing too much.
Aditya glanced at Aarav, who sat a little apart, one arm draped casually over the couch, his eyes fixed on ashiana and raj quiet, but with that unmistakable warmth softening his sharp features.
Aditya smirked faintly and said, "You know, Aarav... I've seen you win boardroom wars, stare down rivals, and even break bones when needed..." he paused, his tone teasing but gentle, "but I've never seen you smile like this before."
Aarav shot him a sideways look, trying to mask the faint curve tugging at his lips. "You're imagining things," he muttered lowly.
Kabir chuckled, sipping his coffee. "Imagining? Bro, your face literally screams 'I'm whipped.'"
Prerna raised an eyebrow, adding, "Completely, hopelessly gone. Just accept it."
The laughter around the hall swelled, and ashiana, oblivious to their teasing, was busy tickling Raj who was clutching her bunny ears and laughing uncontrollably.
"Okay okay, champ! No more bunny torture!" ashiana said, collapsing beside him in mock defeat.
Raj crawled onto her lap, resting his head against me with a sleepy grin. ashiana smiled softly, adjusting his little hair and humming under her breath.
Aditya leaned closer to Aarav, lowering his tone just enough for only him to hear. "Whatever storm comes next... she's your calm, bhai. Don't ever forget that."
Aarav didn't reply just kept watching her, the faintest trace of emotion flickering in his eyes.
A mix of pride, love, and that rare, unguarded peace he only ever found when his family ...his world ... was right there in front of him.
Aarav's fingers stilled over the keyboard, the faint rhythmic tapping halting as his eyes flickered toward the frame on his desk my photo, sunlight catching the glass just right, painting a soft glow over my smiling face.
he smiles unconsciously the expression that always came when he saw me.
But then, almost absently, his gaze drifted to the monitor on his left the security feed of the office floors.
It was habit, more than anything.
One window blinked to life — the floor where Ashiana worked.
And there she was.
Leaning casually near the coffee machine, a cup in hand laughing that free, unguarded laugh that made the corners of my eyes crinkle.
Next to me stood a male colleague, leaning slightly closer, saying something that made me giggle again.
Aarav's smile faltered not fully gone, but tightening at the edges.
His jaw flexed, the calm composure he carried like armor showing the faintest crack.
He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing ever so slightly, studying the frame.
The man said something again, brushing a stray strand of my hair that had fallen forward.
she laughed, stepping back lightly, but the moment was enough.
Aarav's hand, still resting on the mouse, curled into a fist for just a second.
He exhaled slowly, a quiet, sharp breath the kind that carried a storm just beneath the surface.
Then, without saying a word, he minimized the feed and picked up his phone.
His reflection on the darkened screen stared back at him calm, controlled, but his eyes... they had gone a shade colder.
"Aditya," he said, voice low, clipped. "Get me the reports for the design department."
There was a pause on the other end, then Aditya's knowing voice, "Design department, or a certain someone in it?"
Aarav's jaw tightened, but his reply came smooth, steady. "Both."
He hung up, leaned back in his chair, and glanced once more at the photo frame my smile frozen in time, innocent and soft.
"Seems like," he murmured under his breath, "I'll have to pay a visit downstairs."