Chapter 39 The Holi Madness Begins
The Malhotra mansion was usually a place of elegance and calm, but today—today was war.
"Useless! Absolutely useless, all of you!"
Sunita Malhotra stormed into the living room, her dupatta flying behind her as she glared at the so-called family members who were supposed to be preparing for Holi.
Instead, what was happening?
NOTHING.
Absolutely nothing.
She turned to her husband, Rajesh Malhotra, who was hiding behind his newspaper.
"Rajesh! Stop pretending you’re reading! The paper is upside down!"
Busted.
Rajesh sheepishly lowered the newspaper. "Uh… good morning?"
"Good morning?" Sunita’s voice rose. "Holi is in three days, and we have done NOTHING!"
At that exact moment, Vihaan, Kabir, and Anika were tiptoeing toward the door, trying to escape.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!"
The trio froze.
"Maa, listen—" Vihaan started, but Sunita cut him off.
"Don’t ‘Maa, listen’ me! Where is the tent decorator? Where are the caterers? Where are the invitation cards? And most importantly—WHERE ARE THE COLORS?!"
Kabir scratched his head. "Uh… well, technically, Holi is incomplete without colors, so we thought we'd get them last—"
"LAST?!" Sunita threw her hands in the air. "My ancestors must be shaking their heads in disappointment! We are the Malhotras! We throw the biggest Holi party in the city! And you all are acting like we’re planning a small picnic!"
Anika gulped. " Badi Maa, don’t worry, we will—"
"I don’t want to hear it! I will do everything myself!"
She marched toward the kitchen, muttering angrily under her breath.
Vihaan, Kabir, and Anika turned to Rajesh and Hitesh.
" Bade Papa, please control your wife," Kabir whispered.
Rajesh shook his head. "I love your mother, but even I am not that brave."
Hitesh sighed. "We need a miracle."
Nandini said "miracle" Yes ooh God please go do something she said dramatically
And then—
Ira walked in.
The Saviour Has Arrived
Dressed in a simple peach kurti, Ira entered and immediately noticed the tense atmosphere.
Aarav, who had just come downstairs, walked over to her. "You came at the right time. Disaster alert."
Ira frowned. "What happened?"
"Sunita Maa is ready to burn the house down over Holi preparations."
Before Ira could respond, a frustrated scream came from the kitchen.
"WHO LEFT THE MILK OUTSIDE THE FRIDGE?!"
Vihaan, Kabir, and Anika jumped in fear.
"Yep," Kabir muttered. "We’re dead."
Ira sighed. Time to handle this.
She walked into the kitchen, where she found Sunita chopping vegetables like a serial killer.
"Maa," Ira said gently.
Sunita huffed. "Beta, I don’t have time! No one is doing anything! Holi is in three days, and we haven’t even—"
"Maa, relax," Ira placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We still have time. We can do this."
Sunita shook her head. "How?! No one is listening to me!"
Ira smiled. "Then let me handle it."
Sunita blinked. "You?"
Ira nodded. "Yes. Tell me everything that needs to be done, and I will make sure it’s finished."
For the first time in hours, Sunita calmed down.
"Okay," she exhaled. "We need caterers, decorations, music, guest lists, Holika Dahan preparations, and—"
Ira squeezed her hand. "Done. I’ll assign everyone tasks. You don’t have to worry."
Sunita’s eyes softened. "You’re really an angel, beta."
Ira smiled. "I just don’t want my family running around like headless chickens."
Sunita laughed. "Alright. You’re in charge now."
And just like that—the disaster turned into a mission.
Back in the living room, Vihaan, Kabir, and Anika were praying for a miracle.
But instead—they got Ira.
She walked in with a sweet smile.
"Alright, everyone! Time to get to work!"
Vihaan narrowed his eyes. "That smile looks fake."
Kabir nodded. "I think we’re doomed."
Anika whispered, "Maybe we can still run—"
"NO ONE IS RUNNING!" Ira clapped her hands. "Alright, here’s the plan:
1. Papa & Chacha Ji – You will personally call all the guests and confirm their arrival.
2. Vihaan & Kabir – You both will handle decorations and setup. I want everything booked and finalized by tonight!
3. Anika – You will coordinate with the caterers and make sure the menu is set.
4. Aarav & I – We’ll handle everything else, including the sweets and gifts."
Silence.
Then—
"Wait, why do I have to work?" Kabir groaned.
"Because you didn’t do anything until now," Ira said sweetly.
Vihaan sighed. "This is karma."
Anika folded her arms. "Ira, how do you manage to take control like this?"
Ira grinned. "Because I married a Malhotra and chaos is my middle name now."
Even Aarav chuckled.
And just like that—the real Holi preparations finally began.
By the time night fell, the house was transformed.
The decorations were stunning. The food was being prepared. The invitations were sent out.
And Sunita Malhotra?
For the first time in days, she was smiling.
She watched the family running around, finishing the last-minute work, and felt proud.
As Ira walked into the living room, Sunita called her over.
"You did this, beta," she said, squeezing Ira’s hand.
Ira smiled. "I just gave everyone a little push."
Sunita shook her head. "No. You held this family together. Thank you."
For Ira—that was the best Holi gift she could ever receive.
And just like that—the Malhotras were ready for Holi.
As the Malhotra mansion buzzed with last-minute Holi preparations, Ira watched the family, her heart swelling with warmth. This place—this family—had become hers in a way she never expected.
But now she has to inform them
Clearing her throat, she turned to Aarav, who had just finished a call. “I need to tell everyone something.”
Aarav gave her a glance, sensing the hesitation in her voice. “Now?”
Ira nodded. “It’s important.”
Soon, the family gathered in the living room, exhausted yet satisfied with their work.
Sunita sighed happily. “Everything is set. This will be the best Holi ever.”
Ira smiled softly, then took a deep breath. “Maa… Papa… everyone… I wanted to let you all know that after Holi, I’ll be leaving for my parents’ house for a few days.”
Silence.
The warmth in the room instantly faded as everyone processed her words.
“Leaving?” Vihaan blinked. “But… why?”
Ira hesitated. “It’s been a while since I spent time with them. I thought I should visit.”
Sunita’s smile wavered. “Of course, beta, you should visit your parents…” she trailed off, but the sadness in her voice was evident.
Kabir groaned. “Holi hasn’t even started, and now it already feels ruined.”
Anika pouted. “It won’t be the same without you, Ira Bhabhi."
Ira signed "baby I'm leaving after holi relax"
Aarav stayed quiet, his jaw tightening. He had known about this, but hearing it out loud—seeing his family react—made something uneasy settle inside him.
Ira offered a small smile. “It’s just for a few days.”
Sunita exhaled, forcing a smile. “Fine. But until you leave, we’re going to make sure this Holi is unforgettable!”
Everyone tried to lighten the mood, but the sadness lingered.
And Aarav? He sat there, gripping the armrest of the couch, staring at Ira like he was already losing something he wasn’t ready to let go of.
After the initial sadness of Ira’s announcement, the room felt a little heavy. Sensing the mood drop, Vihaan dramatically clutched his heart.
“No, no, no! This is unacceptable!” he fake cried.
Kabir nodded seriously. “We should protest.”
Anika gasped. “Yes! We should go on a hunger strike until Ira Bhabhi promises not to leave!”
Ira laughed. “A hunger strike? You?” She gave Kabir a teasing look. “I give you ten minutes before you give up and raid the kitchen.”
Kabir gasped in a mock offense. “Excuse me! I am very strong-willed!”
Vihaan snorted. “You broke your last diet because you saw gulab jamun.”
Kabir rolled his eyes. “That was different! Gulab jamun is divine.”
Anika crossed her arms. “Okay then, prove your love for Ira Bhabhi. If you last till morning without snacking, we will believe you truly don’t want her to leave.”
Kabir’s face fell. “Till morning?”
Vihaan smirked. “Yes. No chips, no chocolates, no late-night kitchen sneak attacks.”
Kabir gulped. “Can I at least have water?”
“Nope.”
“WHAT?! That’s inhuman!” Kabir pouted and turned to Ira. “Bhabhi, see how they treat me! Save me!”
Ira laughed, shaking her head. “Fine, fine! No hunger strike. But I’ll bring back your favorite sweets when I return, okay?”
Kabir immediately brightened. “Deal!”
Vihaan groaned. “Wow. That’s all it took?”
Anika sighed. “Men and food. No loyalty.”
The trio continued their dramatic antics while the rest of the family chuckled, the sadness in the air slowly lifting.
But amidst the laughter, Aarav remained silent, his eyes lingering on Ira, a storm of emotions hidden beneath his calm expression.
Amidst the playful arguments between Kabir, Vihaan, and Anika, Aarav remained silent. He leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes fixed on Ira, watching the way she laughed at Kabir’s childish antics.
To everyone else, it was a simple visit—just a few days at her parents’ house.
But to him?
It felt like she was slipping away.
His fingers lightly tapped against the armrest, an almost unnoticeable sign of his brewing frustration.
She had mentioned it before—how she wanted to spend time with her family. He had nodded, acting indifferent. But now that the moment was real? It was different.
Ira turned to him, catching his gaze. “You okay?” she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
He didn’t answer immediately. His jaw tightened before he finally spoke.
“You’ve already decided,” he said, his tone unreadable. “So why ask?”
Ira frowned slightly. “Because I care about what you think.”
Aarav exhaled, looking away. “It doesn’t matter.”
She stared at him, sensing something beneath his cold reply. Something unspoken.
Before she could say anything else, Kabir suddenly threw his arm around Aarav’s shoulder.
“Bhai, don’t look so scary. It’s not like Bhabhi is running away forever,” Kabir teased.
Vihaan smirked. “Unless…” he dragged out the word dramatically. “Bhabhi is actually tired of us and wants freedom.”
Anika gasped. “Oh my god. Ira Bhabhi, blink twice if you’re escaping!”
Ira giggled. “You all are too much.”
Aarav rolled his eyes at their nonsense, but his grip on the armrest tightened slightly.
Escaping?
The thought alone irritated him.
She wasn’t leaving forever. It was only a few days.
So why did it feel like something inside him hated the idea of her being away?
Sunita, noticing Aarav’s silence, smiled knowingly. “Don’t worry, beta. Your wife will come back before you even realize it.”
Aarav didn’t respond. Instead, his gaze remained locked on Ira, as if trying to commit every little detail of her face to memory.
A few days.
He told himself it wouldn’t matter.
But deep down, he knew—he was going to miss her more than he’d ever admit.