76
The alarm had rung much earlier than usual.
The sky outside their apartment windows was still navy-blue, streaks of grey hinting at dawn.
Vaani stood barefoot in the living room, holding Dhruv's wallet in one hand and his boarding pass in the other.
The kettle clicked in the kitchen, but she barely noticed-it was too early, and her head felt heavy.
Dhruv walked out from the bedroom in a crisp shirt, travel bag slung over his shoulder. His steps were brisk, efficient, as though he was already halfway into the meetings waiting for him in Delhi. His phone was in one hand, eyes flicking between the screen and the hallway ahead.
"Wallet," Vaani said softly, holding it out to him.
He looked up then, the smallest of smiles tugging at his lips as he reached for it. "Thanks."
"And boarding pass." She held that out too, her voice lighter this time.
He chuckled faintly. "You've practically turned into my travel assistant."
Her lips curved. "Someone has to make sure you don't forget half your life behind."
He slipped both into his jacket pocket, finally meeting her eyes. For a moment, the busy air around him softened. "Don't overexert yourself, okay? Be safe. Lock up when you leave for work."
"I'll be fine. Don't worry."
"Good." His tone was brief but sincere.
Vaani hesitated, twisting the edge of her dupatta between her fingers. There was something she wanted to say, but the words tangled in her throat.
"By the way..." she began, then trailed off.
Dhruv was already zipping up his laptop bag. "Yeah?"
She shook her head quickly. "No, nothing."
He glanced at her, brows pulling together slightly. "What is it?"
"It's nothing. Forget it."
"Vaani." His tone was firm, not annoyed, but direct. "If it's something, say it."
She took a breath, then let it out, the courage slipping away. "No... I just thought you'd be here this weekend."
That stopped him briefly. He straightened, looking at her. "Why?"
Her eyes flickered down to the floor. "No, it's... it's nothing. Doesn't matter." She forced a small shrug. "I just thought."
There was a pause-long enough for her heart to thump once, hard.
Finally, he adjusted the strap on his shoulder. "Okay then. If there's anything, text me."
"Yep." Her reply was light, clipped, as if that were the easiest thing in the world.
They both walked down together, the hallway quiet except for their footsteps. Outside, the sky had shifted a little brighter, faint hints of orange climbing in the east. The building guard gave a sleepy nod as they passed.
At the curb, his cab pulled in, headlights cutting through the dim street. The driver got out, placing Dhruv's suitcase in the trunk.
Vaani stood by the curb, arms folded loosely, her hair falling over one shoulder. She was trying to look casual, but inside her chest something pinched.
"I'll miss you," she said, her voice softer than she intended.
Dhruv's lips curved faintly-more polite teasing than tender. "You'll be alright."
Her smile faltered for the briefest second. Just a second. Then she lifted it again, painting it back onto her face. "Anyway, get there safely."
"Yeah, I will."
He closed the trunk, adjusted his jacket, then turned back to her. For a moment, he simply looked at her standing there. She smiled again, smaller this time.
He stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. It wasn't hurried, nor was it too tight, but there was warmth in it-unexpected enough that her heart squeezed. She closed her eyes and let herself sink into it for a second longer, clutching his shoulders gently.
When he pulled back, his hand lingered at her arm. "See you later."
She nodded quickly, not trusting her voice to stay steady. "Yeah."
And then, just like that, he turned, got into the cab, and the car pulled away.
Vaani stood at the curb long after the headlights disappeared. Her hands were still warm from the hug, but her chest felt heavier than it had in days.
She told herself not to be dramatic. He was working. That was all. He wasn't unkind, he wasn't dismissive. But he also wasn't... here.
She sighed, wrapping her arms tighter around herself as the morning chill touched her skin. Slowly, she walked back inside, her footsteps echoing against the empty hallway, her smile finally dropping entirely.
Upstairs, the apartment was still filled with the faint warmth of the kettle she'd left on earlier. She poured herself a cup of tea, sitting down on the sofa with her knees tucked close.
The silence pressed harder than usual. She thought about the way he'd said, "You'll be alright." A simple line, but it stung. Because she didn't want to just "be alright." She wanted him to say I'll miss you too.
She shook her head quickly, chastising herself. Don't overthink. He's just not expressive. That's it.
But as she sipped her tea, her chest ached anyway.
Meanwhile, in the cab, Dhruv leaned his head back against the seat, eyes already flicking to the screen of his phone as emails came in. Yet, in the corner of his mind, an image lingered-Vaani standing at the curb in the dim blue light, her smile faint, her eyes softer than usual.
He didn't dwell on it long. He pushed the thought aside and opened his laptop bag. Work was waiting.
But for the first time, he noticed that her smile hadn't quite reached her eyes.
And that lingered with him far longer than he expected.
~·~
The apartment felt unnaturally quiet once Dhruv left.
Vaani lingered at the window for a while, her arms wrapped around herself, watching the pale sunrise spill across the city. The faint sound of traffic rising below barely reached her, as if the world outside was already rushing but her home had slowed down.
With a sigh, she pulled herself away, showered, and changed into comfortable clothes-a light kurta with palazzos. She tied her damp hair up into a bun and made herself some toast, nibbling absentmindedly while scrolling through her phone.
Her eyes flicked to the chat window. Her fingers hovered. Then she typed:
"Did you reach?"
She put the phone aside and tried to focus on opening her laptop. But the waiting tugged at her. She refreshed her emails twice, tapped her pen against the table, and frowned at the document in front of her.
Finally, a buzz.
Dhruv: "Yes. Ready to board. Will message when I land."
She stared at the screen longer than necessary. Her fingers typed slowly:
Vaani: "Great. Have a safe flight."
Three little dots blinked for a second. Then disappeared. No reply.
Vaani pressed her lips together, shut her phone, and forced herself back to her desk. Her sketches sprawled across the table, pencils and markers scattered. She tried shading the corner of a design, but her lines kept slipping. Her thoughts were elsewhere.
She sat back in her chair, staring at the ceiling. Why am I so restless? He's working. He told you he'll be back Tuesday. What's wrong with you?
Just then, her phone rang. The caller ID lit up: Aai.
A soft smile tugged at her lips as she answered. "Hi, Aai."
"Arre, Vaani! Finally. I was just telling your baba ki you don't call us unless we run after you." Sunita's voice carried its usual warmth, teasing but affectionate.
Vaani chuckled faintly. "I do call, Aai. You're exaggerating."
"Haan, haan, okay. Tell me, when will you and Dhruv come for Vihaan's birthday?"
Vaani hesitated, twirling her pen. "Actually... Aai, Dhruv isn't here. He had to go to Delhi this morning. Meeting."
"Delhi?" Sunita repeated, surprise in her voice. "Arre, I see. Work is work. No worries then."
Vaani bit her lip. "Yeah."
A pause hummed between them, before Sunita's tone softened further. "Beta... if you're alone, why don't you come stay with us for a few days? It's been so long since you stayed the night. The house feels empty without your chatter."
The offer tugged at her heart. She hadn't even realized how much she missed being around them. Her loneliness this morning pressed heavier now, but her Aai's words felt like a gentle cushion.
"I don't know, Aai..." she murmured, half-thinking aloud.
"What don't you know? Just come. You can work from here if needed. And you'll get ghar ka khana too. It'll be nice, beta."
Vaani exhaled, smiling faintly. "Okay... sure. I'll come."
"Good girl." She could hear the smile in her mother's voice. "Your baba will be so happy. And Vedant and Vihaan will start their endless leg-pulling again."
"Aaiii," Vaani groaned, laughing despite herself.
"Arre, it's their hobby. Anyway, come soon. Don't overpack."
"Fine, fine. I'll see you in a bit."
They said their goodbyes, and Vaani hung up, staring at her desk for a moment.
Maybe Aai was right. Maybe this would be good.
She got up, pulling out a small duffel bag from the wardrobe.
She folded a few kurtas, tucked in her laptop, charger, and some essentials.
For a second, she glanced at Dhruv's side of the wardrobe-his jackets lined up neatly, his suitcase still missing.
A pang twisted in her chest, but she shook her head.
After locking the apartment door behind her, she carried her bag to the car. The morning had ripened into golden light, the city now fully awake. As she drove towards her parents' house, the heaviness she'd felt earlier lightened a little.
Maybe she needed this break too. A few days of laughter, chaos, and her Aai's cooking.
But even as the radio hummed softly in the background, part of her wished Dhruv had been with her, sitting in the passenger seat, quietly watching the road the way he always did.
~·~
The familiar house came into view as Vaani's car rolled into the driveway. The sight alone made her chest loosen-the off-white walls, the bougainvillea spilling over the gate, the faint laughter carrying even before she honked.
Before she could even press the bell, the door swung open.
"VAANI!"
It was Vedant, grinning ear to ear. He bounded down the steps like an overexcited puppy. "Arre, finally! You remembered you have a maika, haan?"
Vaani rolled her eyes but smiled. "Shut up, Vedant. Help me with my bag."
"Of course, Your Highness." He snatched the bag from her hands, mock bowing.
Behind him, Sunita appeared, her dupatta trailing as she hurried forward. "Arre, meri bacchi! Come, come!" She enveloped Vaani in a warm hug, kissing her head. "You've lost more weight, haven't you? Are you eating properly? Dhruv toh doesn't feed you, I know it!"
"Aaiii," Vaani groaned, laughing, "it's not like that. I eat."
"Liar. Look at these collarbones." Sunita tapped her shoulder dramatically.
"Stop embarrassing her, Aai." Vihaan's voice came from behind as he leaned against the doorframe, smirking. "She's already blushing."
"I'm not!" Vaani protested, swatting at him. "And look at you, college boy, acting all grown up."
"Because I am grown up," Vihaan shot back. "Not like you, still behaving like you're in college."
Sunita clapped her hands. "Arre, bas bas! Let her at least step inside before you start fighting. Come, Vaani."
The second she entered, the comforting aroma of masala and frying onions hit her nose. The house buzzed with energy-someone's cricket commentary blared faintly from the living room, the clatter of vessels came from the kitchen, and the faint breeze carried the smell of mogra flowers from outside.
"Where's Baba?" Vaani asked, slipping off her sandals.
"Office call," Sunita replied, waving her hand. "But he'll be free soon. He was so happy when I told him you're coming."
Vedant dragged her bag upstairs with exaggerated groans. "What did you pack in here? Bricks?"
"Shut up, it's hardly anything!" Vaani laughed, following him.
By the time she came down, Sunita had already brought out a plate of hot pakoras. "Eat first. Work later."
"Aai, it's barely noon-"
"Arre, don't argue with me. Sit." Sunita pushed her into a chair.
Vihaan plopped down next to her, stealing a pakora straight off the plate. "So? How's married life? Still torturing Dhruv Jiju?"
Vaani nearly choked on her bite. "What? I'm not torturing him!"
"Yeah right," Vedant called out, strolling back into the room. "That poor guy always looks like he's enduring something."
"Vedant!" Vaani glared, tossing a cushion at him. "He does not."
Sunita chuckled. "Arre, stop pulling her leg. Let her eat in peace." Then, lowering her voice conspiratorially, she added, "But seriously, beta, how is everything?"
The warmth of the pakora in her hand dimmed slightly. Vaani forced a smile. "It's... fine, Aai. He's just very busy these days."
"Busy is okay," Sunita said gently, studying her face. "As long as he remembers you are there too."
Vaani didn't reply, just stuffed another pakora into her mouth.
Vihaan smirked, breaking the moment. "Don't worry, Aai. If Dhruv Jiju troubles her, we'll beat him up."
"Yeah," Vedant added, flexing his arms dramatically. "I've been working out, okay. Dhruv jiju won't stand a chance."
"Stop talking nonsense," Vaani muttered, hiding a smile.
Sunita shook her head at her sons. "You two! Always drama."
The bedroom door then opened, and Ramesh walked out, adjusting his spectacles. "Arre! Look who's here!" His face lit up when he saw Vaani.
"Baba!" She jumped up to hug him.
He patted her head, eyes crinkling. "My princess is here after ages. Why don't you just stay forever, haan? Forget your sasural."
"Baba!" Vaani laughed. "Don't start."
"What start? I'm serious," he said, though his twinkling eyes betrayed the jest.
The chatter rolled on endlessly after that. Vedant narrated some ridiculous story about his college professor, making everyone laugh. Vihaan argued about cricket scores with Baba, while Sunita scolded them for shouting. Vaani sat back for a moment, soaking it all in.
For the first time in days, her chest didn't feel so heavy.
Later, as she helped Sunita in the kitchen, her mother nudged her. "See? This is why I told you to come. Look how relaxed you are now."
Vaani smiled faintly, arranging the bowls. "Yeah... it feels good to be here."
"Good. Stay for as long as you like. Dhruv won't mind."
Her smile faltered slightly, though she kept her tone light. "He probably won't even notice."
Sunita looked at her, but before she could respond, Vedant burst in demanding more chai, and the moment dissolved into laughter again.
By evening, the house was filled with the sound of Vihaan's friends barging in, Ramesh's booming laugh at some TV show, and Sunita's constant instructions to everyone. Vaani sat on the sofa, tucked between her brothers, listening, smiling, occasionally scolding, occasionally laughing.
For a while, she almost forgot the ache in her chest. Almost.
The chatter of the house slowly faded as evening wore on. Vihaan had gone out with friends, Vedant was holed up in his room gaming, Sunita had retreated to the kitchen, and Baba was on his laptop, muttering about work.
Vaani sat at the dining table with her laptop open, spreadsheets glaring at her. She tapped her pen against the notepad, trying to focus. For the past hour, she had been juggling between answering emails and adjusting data points, but her mind wandered every few minutes.
She pushed her hair out of her face and muttered to herself, "Focus, Vaani. You're here for a few days, don't slack off."
Her mother passed by, carrying a tray of cut fruit. "Beta, you're still working? Take a break."
"I will, Aai. Just finishing this one file."
"You always say that," Sunita teased, setting down a bowl of apple slices beside her. "Finish quickly and then rest. Your eyes look tired."
Vaani smiled softly. "Okay, Aai. Thanks."
She ate a slice absentmindedly while finishing her report.
The screen blurred once or twice, her thoughts drifting.
She thought of Dhruv. What was he doing right now?
In some fancy office room, maybe, laptop open, papers spread across a table, that intense look he got when he was buried in work.
With a sigh, she saved her document, shut the laptop, and stretched her arms. "Finally done."
When she went to her old room, a wave of nostalgia hit her.
The walls were still pale lavender, though the posters she had stuck up during her university days were long gone.
The bookshelf in the corner still held dog-eared novels, some stuffed with old notes, and the bed was neatly made with the quilt her mother always insisted on tucking tightly.
Vaani dropped onto the bed with a sigh, staring at the ceiling. She had always loved this room. It felt safe, like time slowed down within its four walls.
But tonight, the comfort was edged with a hollowness.
She picked up her phone, thumb hovering over the screen. For a moment, she debated whether she should text him. He was probably still working, maybe with colleagues, maybe too busy to notice. But her heart wanted reassurance.
Finally, she typed:
"Is everything okay?"
She stared at the message after sending it, biting her lip. Maybe it sounded too needy. Maybe she should've added more words, something casual, like hope your day went well. After almost an hour of overthinking further, her phone buzzed.
Dhruv: Yes. Going to sleep now. What about you?
That was it. Two short sentences.
Her chest tightened a little. She tried to shake off the sting. Of course, he was tired. He was in a different city, working long hours. It wasn't fair to expect long, chatty texts from him.
Still, she typed back quickly:
"I'm good. At my parents' place this weekend. I'm sleeping too. Good night then!"
A moment later, his reply appeared.
Dhruv: Goodnight, Vaani.
She read the message twice, then placed the phone face down beside her pillow. For a few seconds, she stared at the ceiling again, trying not to let the emptiness grow.
"He's busy," she whispered to herself, curling under the quilt. "That's all. He cares... he's just busy."
But even as she shut her eyes, she couldn't shake off the thought that maybe-just maybe-she was starting to miss something she hadn't even had yet.
Her breathing evened out eventually, the hum of the ceiling fan lulling her. Soon, she was asleep, her phone still glowing faintly on the nightstand.
The clock on the desk in Dhruv's hotel room blinked 11:45 PM.
The soft hum of the air conditioner filled the otherwise silent space, but inside his head there was no silence.
His laptop screen glared with spreadsheets, reports, and red-marked errors he had been trying to fix for hours.
A half-drunk cup of black coffee sat forgotten on the table, long gone cold.
Dhruv leaned back in the chair, running a hand over his face. His temples throbbed.
"God, this team," he muttered under his breath, staring at the unfinished presentation one of his junior associates had sent him.
Numbers mismatched, slides half-baked, formatting all over the place.
And the meeting tomorrow wasn't just any meeting-it was with the Delhi investors.
The kind of meeting that could make or break months of work.
He exhaled sharply and clicked into the file, redoing half the slides himself. "Why do I even bother delegating?"
His phone buzzed on the side table. Another message from his team's WhatsApp group-yet another excuse about why someone couldn't fix their part of the deck tonight. His jaw clenched.
Pathetic.
He typed a sharp reply, deleting it, typing again, then finally leaving it unsent. No point snapping at them now-it would only make them slower tomorrow.
His thoughts flickered, briefly, to his father.
Baba had his own plate full with international deals piling up.
Dhruv could technically ask him for help or even just advice, but.
.. he didn't want to add to the burden. He knew how hard his Dad had been working, and the last thing he wanted was to be seen as incapable.
So, as usual, he shouldered it himself.
He returned to the laptop, working through slide after slide, tightening numbers, streamlining the story. By the time he looked up again, the digital clock read 12:37 AM.
His shoulders ached. He reached for his phone out of habit, meaning to check if there were any urgent updates from the client. Instead, his eyes fell on his WhatsApp.
Unread messages stacked up. The family group was buzzing with updates about the most random things. A few old friends had sent him random forwards. His team had flooded him with half a dozen status updates.
And right at the top-Vaani.
His last text still sat there: Goodnight Vaani.
He realized only then that he had ignored everyone else but her. She was the only one he had replied to, short though his message was.
For a moment, he imagined her in their apartment-maybe still awake, maybe curled up with a book, or maybe already fast asleep in their bed, the bedside lamp still glowing faintly. Then he remembered: she was at her parents' place now. He hadn't asked when she left. He hadn't even asked why.
Something twisted faintly in his chest, but he brushed it off. "She understands," he muttered, almost like he was trying to convince himself. "She knows I'm busy."
He tapped the screen off and tossed the phone back on the table.
The room fell into silence again.
He rubbed his eyes, shut the laptop with a decisive click, and stood. His whole body felt heavy. He hadn't eaten properly all day, just random snacks between calls. The cold coffee mocked him from the table.
Dragging himself to the bed, he sat down and pulled off his watch, setting it neatly on the side table. His gaze drifted to the phone again.
The temptation to send another message tugged at him-something simple like you reached your parents' house okay? or hope work went well today. But his fingers hovered uselessly over the screen before he dropped it again.
"Too late now," he muttered, lying back against the pillows.
The sheets smelled faintly of starch and hotel detergent, too crisp, too sterile. Not like home. Not like the faint jasmine scent that lingered on the pillowcases when Vaani washed them.
He shut his eyes, willing sleep to come, but his mind refused to quiet down. Numbers. Slides. Investor questions. And, strangely enough, the memory of Vaani's voice from a few nights ago, excitedly yapping about stealing Aayush's shoes at the wedding.
A corner of his mouth lifted despite himself.
But exhaustion pulled harder. And before long, the weight of the day crushed him into sleep-his laptop still on the desk, his phone buzzing quietly in the background with messages he didn't bother opening.
The only one he'd answered was hers.
~·~
The first light of the morning streamed through the large windows of Vaani's childhood home, brushing across the walls and lighting up the living room with a soft glow.
Vaani was already up, having showered and dressed for the day in a simple yet stylish pair of blue jeans and a crisp white tee.
Her hair was loosely tied back, and a soft hint of peach lip balm made her lips shine faintly.
She walked down the stairs quietly, not wanting to startle anyone, and was immediately greeted by the aroma of breakfast being prepared by her mother. Sunita looked up from the counter with a smile as Vaani entered.
"Good morning, beta! You're up early," she said, adjusting a tray of freshly made parathas.
Vaani smiled warmly. "Morning, Aai. Oh, and happy birthday, Vihaan!" She went over to her younger brother, ruffling his hair as he looked up from the TV.
Vihaan grinned, his eyes lighting up. "Thanks, Tai! You remembered!"
"Of course I remembered," Vaani said, her voice soft and cheerful. She crouched slightly to reach him. "How's my favorite brother feeling on his special day?"
"I thought I was your favorite brother, Tai!" Vedant's voice emerged from the background, mock offended.
Vaani chuckled, "You both are, but let your brother have it today. It's his day."
"Fine." Vedant chuckled.
Vaani turned back to Vihaan, gesturing him to answer.
"Pretty good! But I think the party's going to be way better because you're here to help," Vihaan said, bouncing slightly with excitement.
Vaani chuckled and gave him a quick side hug. "Don't worry, Vihaan. We'll make it the best birthday ever."
Ramesh and Sunita exchanged amused glances as Vaani flitted around, already starting to plan. She grabbed her phone and posted a small story on her social media-a cute picture of Vihaan blowing a balloon and a simple caption: Happy Birthday to my amazing brother! Love you!
As soon as she put her phone down, Vaani moved to unpack the boxes of decorations she had brought with her.
Streamers, balloons, banners, and tiny party favors littered the living room.
She moved with energy and precision, arranging tables, hanging banners, and inflating balloons, occasionally stepping back to evaluate her work.
"Tai, you've gone overboard," Vedant said, trying not to smile too broadly. "It's just a birthday, not a festival!"
Vaani laughed, tying a balloon to a chair. "Nonsense! Birthdays are special, and Vihaan deserves this. Besides, decorating is fun!"
Vihaan ran around her, handing her small items she asked for, clearly delighted with all the colorful chaos she was creating. Vaani's eyes sparkled as she saw the joy on his face, and she almost forgot the weight of missing Dhruv, though a small pang lingered in the background of her mind.
Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, Dhruv sat stiffly in a sleek, glass-walled conference room in Delhi. The morning sunlight bounced off the polished surfaces, but he barely noticed. His laptop was open, spreadsheets, emails, and slides flicking across the screen, each one demanding his attention.
"Sir, if we don't finalize the projections by noon, the investors will push back the deal," one of his team members said nervously.
Dhruv's fingers tapped the desk rhythmically. "I know. I know," he muttered, his tone clipped. "Focus on the numbers. Make sure the forecasts are airtight. I don't want any gaps. We cannot afford mistakes. Not today."
Another message popped up on his phone. It was a WhatsApp notification-five messages waiting, all from Vaani. He glanced at them briefly but couldn't respond yet. The first one read: Good morning! Did you reach office safely?
He quickly started to type until he was interrupted by another colleague speaking. Sighing and groaning in annoyance, he put the phone back down. "Later," he muttered under his breath, returning to the presentation in front of him.
"Sir, what about the additional revenue streams we discussed last week?" another colleague asked.
Dhruv leaned back in his chair, running a hand over his face. "Yes. Include them. But ensure that the projections remain conservative. This isn't the time for overestimation. The board needs data they can trust."
He opened another spreadsheet, comparing numbers across different regions, crunching ratios in his head. Every now and then, his phone buzzed again, but he ignored it, knowing he would only be able to call Vaani once this meeting ended.
Back at her parents' house, Vaani was now wrapping gifts for Vihaan, talking animatedly to him while arranging a small table for cake and party favors.
"Okay, Vihaan, you sit here," she instructed, pointing to a small chair in the corner.
"And these balloons need to be in a cluster here.
Perfect. Now, can you blow up a few more? "
"Tai, you're the boss of decorations," Vedant said, giggling as he struggled with a stubborn balloon.
"I know, I know," Vaani replied, laughing. "But you're my assistant today, okay?"
Sunita watched them both, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "I think Vedant has inherited her energy," she murmured to Ramesh, who was sipping tea nearby.
"Yes, he has," Ramesh agreed, smiling. "Just hope he doesn't exhaust Vaani before the party even starts."
Back in Delhi, Dhruv was now pacing in the conference room. The team had made a calculation error in one of the sheets, and he had to redo the numbers himself. "No, no, no... this won't do," he muttered, scrolling through emails. "We cannot present this to investors like this. Fix it. Fix it now."
He pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned over the desk, trying to correct the problem.
His mind, however, wandered briefly-thinking about Vaani.
He had seen her excited texts this morning.
He could imagine her bustling around her parents' house, relaxing.
He was almost glad. Being at home meant she wouldn't have to do anything alone.
A pang of guilt tugged at him. I should call her, he thought. Just to hear her voice.
But the phone sat silent on the table, screen dark, as another team member approached him with a query. "Sir, do we approve the marketing collateral before presenting to the client?"
Dhruv exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Yes, approve it. But triple-check the numbers again. No mistakes. I don't want surprises during the presentation."
Minutes passed, each stretching painfully. The phone buzzed again, a single WhatsApp notification flashing-Vaani. He glanced at it and sighed.
"Just a little longer," he muttered to himself. "I'll call after this. I just... I need to finish this."
Meanwhile, Vaani had now set up the cake stand, carefully placing party hats and confetti around it. She stepped back and clapped her hands softly. "Perfect," she whispered to herself. "Vihaan is going to love this."
Vihaan looked up at her, eyes wide with excitement. "Tai, this is amazing!"
"I know," Vaani said, laughing, brushing his hair from his forehead. "It's your birthday, little brother. Let's make this day unforgettable."
Hours passed, with Vaani keeping herself busy with the decorations, games, and arrangements. But she couldn't help glancing at her phone every now and then, hoping for a message from Dhruv, a simple How are you? or How's Vedant and Vihaan? Her parents?
And somewhere in a conference room in Delhi, Dhruv finally leaned back in his chair, exhaling as the last spreadsheet was finally correct. The investors' meeting tomorrow was going to be tough, but at least the work on his end was ready.
He looked at his phone, finally. Three unread messages, all from Vaani. He tapped the screen and opened them:
Good morning! Did you reach Delhi safely?
Did you have breakfast?
Hope the meeting's going well. Text me when you can!
A small, almost imperceptible smile crossed his face. He typed quickly: Yes, all fine. Will message later. Don't worry.
He set the phone down, leaned back in his chair, and rubbed his eyes. Exhausted, yes, but there was that small warmth in his chest-her words, even from afar, made the long day a little easier.
And far away, in her parents' house, Vaani's phone buzzed once more.
A small smile tugged at her lips as she read Dhruv's reply.
She put the phone down, feeling a bit better, and returned to her work, arranging balloons and streamers with renewed energy, determined to make Vihaan's birthday as joyful as possible.
Though miles apart, both of them were tethered in thought, each busy with their responsibilities yet silently thinking of the other.
~·~
The living room at Vaani's parents' house had been transformed into a cozy yet elegant party space. Streamers and fairy lights adorned the walls, while a long table was set with snacks, drinks, and a modest cake in the center. The vibe was relaxed yet celebratory-perfect for Vihaan's 22nd birthday.
Vihaan had changed into a crisp shirt and jeans, looking sharp and slightly more grown-up than his teenage years. His friends, a few of his college buddies, were already there, laughing and chatting in corners, some holding drinks, others checking their phones.
Vaani stepped back for a moment to admire her handiwork, her hands on her hips. "Okay, I think everything's ready," she said, smiling.
Sunita, standing beside her with a cup of coffee, nodded. "It looks fantastic, beta. Very grown-up. Vihaan will love it."
Vihaan, who had just walked in from the kitchen, looked around and let out an impressed whistle. "Wow, Tai! This looks amazing!"
"I told you I'd make it special," Vaani said, ruffling his hair. "You're officially a 22-year-old now. No more childish parties, okay?"
"Too late, Tai. I've got a few ideas in mind," he said with a mischievous grin. "And you'll be helping me execute them."
Vaani laughed. "I'm ready for it, little man. But let's not get too wild just yet."
The doorbell rang, and Vaani rushed to open it. A group of Vihaan's friends entered, carrying gifts and bottles of wine. The atmosphere immediately became livelier as the guys started joking, teasing Vihaan, and catching up on college stories.
"Happy birthday, man!" one of his friends shouted, handing him a neatly wrapped gift.
"Thanks, guys!" Vihaan said, grinning ear to ear. "Come on, the snacks are over here, and drinks are on the table."
Vaani poured some drinks for the group, keeping herself busy but occasionally chiming in. "Vihaan, don't hog all the chips!" she teased as he reached for the bowl.
"Tai, don't act like you didn't raid the snacks earlier," he shot back with a smirk.
"Guilty as charged," she admitted with a laugh.
Dhruv's name naturally came up when a couple of Vihaan's friends asked about him. "So, is your brother-in-law here yet?" one of them asked, looking at Vihaan curiously.
Vaani smiled slightly, trying to hide the small pang of missing him. "No, Dhruv's busy with work. He'll call later."
Vihaan shrugged. "It's fine, he's a workaholic. He'll make it up somehow. He's awesome."
As the evening progressed, the friends gathered around the table, chatting about their latest college projects, internships, and trips. Laughter and teasing filled the air, and Vaani found herself relaxing more, enjoying the atmosphere she had helped create.
"Tai, you really outdid yourself with the decorations," one of Vihaan's friends said, raising his glass. "This is way more grown-up than I expected. Nice work."
Vaani smiled and shrugged. "It's all about presentation, right?"
Vihaan's other friends chimed in with playful comments. "Yeah, man, your sister is basically the party planner we didn't know we needed!"
"True that," Vihaan agreed, laughing. "But she makes it look fun too, not just formal."
As they settled with drinks and snacks, Vaani helped cut the cake. "Alright, everyone, gather around!" she called, holding up the knife.
Vihaan laughed and joined her. "Tai, you're stealing my spotlight," he teased.
"Nope, just making sure you don't mess up the cutting," she said with a grin.
They cut the cake together, and Vihaan's friends cheered. Vaani handed out slices, making sure everyone had enough. The casual banter and laughter made the room feel warm and lively, a perfect blend of maturity and fun.
"Here's to Vihaan, the newly minted 22-year-old!" one of his friends toasted, lifting his glass.
"To Vihaan!" everyone echoed, clinking glasses.
"Thanks, guys," Vihaan said, smiling genuinely. "And thanks, Tai, for organizing all this."
Vaani laughed softly. "It's nothing, really. Just wanted your day to feel special."
As the night progressed, some of Vihaan's friends started sharing stories from college-funny pranks, late-night study sessions, and trips that had gone hilariously wrong. Vihaan laughed at every memory, sometimes shaking his head in disbelief.
"You guys are insane," he said, wiping a tear of laughter from his eye. "I can't believe we did all that."
"Tai, do you want to hear the one about the cafeteria incident?" one friend asked, smirking.
Vaani shook her head playfully. "Nope, I'll let the birthday boy live in peace," she said.
Meanwhile, Dhruv's absence was noticeable, but Vaani didn't let it weigh on her too much. She reminded herself that he was busy and trusted him. Still, her mind occasionally drifted to him, and she couldn't help imagining how he would have interacted with everyone if he were there.
"Tai, why are you smiling to yourself?" Vihaan asked, nudging her lightly.
"Oh, nothing," she said quickly, brushing it off. "Just happy that you're having a good time."
The conversation soon shifted to Vihaan's plans for the next year-internships, travel, and personal goals. Vaani listened attentively, occasionally offering advice and encouraging words.
"Tai, you should come with me to the conference in Mumbai next month," Vihaan said jokingly. "You'd make it ten times more fun."
Vaani laughed. "I don't know if I'd fit in with your college crowd there, Vihaan. But I appreciate the offer."
"Come on, you'd be the life of the party," he said, smiling.
As the night wound down, the group settled into more relaxed conversation, sipping drinks and sharing lighthearted banter. Vaani felt a warm satisfaction seeing Vihaan genuinely happy, surrounded by friends and family, celebrating his milestone.
"Tai, thanks again," Vihaan said quietly, pulling her aside for a brief moment. "You really made this birthday amazing."
Vaani smiled, her heart warming. "Anything for you, Vihaan. You deserve it."
Outside, the fairy lights flickered softly, casting a warm glow over the room. The music played in the background, the laughter and chatter mixing with the occasional clink of glasses. It wasn't a chaotic party, but it was lively, fun, and full of the kind of memories that would linger for years.
Vaani found herself glancing at her phone occasionally, half-expecting a message from Dhruv.
But instead, she focused on Vihaan and the friends around him, feeling content in the moment.
She reminded herself that not all parties needed all the family to be present to feel special-sometimes it was the little things, the laughter, and the effort put into making someone else happy that mattered the most.
By the end of the evening, the cake had been eaten, gifts unwrapped, and stories shared. Vihaan leaned back in his chair, exhausted but smiling.
"Best birthday ever," he said quietly to Vaani, who stood beside him.
"You're welcome, little brother," she said softly, smiling back.
And somewhere in the distance, Vaani's mind briefly wandered to Dhruv, imagining him there, quietly observing the celebrations, perhaps teasing her about doing too much. A small smile tugged at her lips, but she pushed the thought aside, letting the joy of the night wash over her.
~·~
The house had quieted down after Vihaan's friends and family had left, leaving only the small group of close family members behind.
Vihaan and Vedant were perched on the sofa, licking frosting off their fingers and trading bites of leftover birthday cake.
The laughter had dwindled into soft murmurs, but the comfort of being together lingered.
"I missed Jiju today," Vihaan said softly, breaking the comfortable silence. His eyes flicked toward the doorway, almost subconsciously expecting Dhruv to appear.
Vaani, standing nearby with a plate of cake in her hands, gave a small sigh. "Yeah... he... he misses it too," she said, forcing a small smile. Her mind, however, couldn't shake the nagging thought: Dhruv hadn't even acknowledged Vihaan's birthday yet.
She pulled out her phone, fingers tapping out a quick message: Hey, it's Vihaan's birthday today.
She paused for a moment, staring at the screen, and then hit send.
Almost immediately, a sinking feeling settled in her chest. She knew Dhruv was busy, but a part of her had hoped he'd at least notice the message sooner.
Minutes ticked by, the screen stubbornly refusing to show the double blue ticks of a read message.
She scrolled absentmindedly through her phone, trying to distract herself, but her thoughts kept circling back to him.
"Vaani beta, time to get some rest," Sunita said gently from the doorway, ushering everyone along. "You all need an early night."
Vaani gave a small nod. "Yeah... okay, Aai." She lingered a little longer in the living room, glancing at Vihaan and Vedant as they continued nibbling cake, before heading to her room. She locked the door behind her, the weight of a quiet, unacknowledged longing settling on her shoulders.
She sat on the edge of the bed, phone in hand, debating. Finally, she decided to video call Dhruv. Her fingers hovered over the screen, and then she pressed "Call."
No ring-tone ringing. No reply.
She tried again, and again, but Dhruv didn't pick up.
Her chest tightened slightly, frustration and worry mixing into an uneasy knot.
Why isn't he talking to me? she thought, biting her lip.
Maybe she had done something wrong? Maybe she'd overstepped during the wedding?
Her mind raced through the past couple of days, overanalyzing every interaction.
Eventually, fatigue won over her worry. She set the phone aside and lay down, pulling the blanket over herself.
Her mind replayed tiny details-the absent hug, the distracted smiles, the way he'd waved goodbye Friday morning.
She closed her eyes, trying to push the anxiety aside, and drifted into a restless sleep.
Meanwhile, Dhruv's day had stretched impossibly long.
Meetings in Delhi had consumed hours of his life, each minute punctuated by calls, presentations, and a ceaseless barrage of emails.
By the time he reached home, it was nearly midnight, and the apartment felt unbearably quiet.
He dropped his bag with a thud and let out a long, weary sigh.
Showering was a blur of water and soap, a mechanical act to rinse away the exhaustion. He climbed into bed, his body heavy and his mind still buzzing with unfinished tasks. The silence of the room felt oppressive, yet he welcomed it, even if only for a few moments.
Finally, he reached for his phone, plugging it in to charge.
As the screen flickered to life, he noticed the string of notifications waiting for him.
Most of them were from work, but his eyes were drawn immediately to one from Vaani.
A small pang of guilt hit him-he had only replied to her, leaving all others ignored.
He opened her message and read it: Hey, it's Vihaan's birthday today.
His chest tightened, a mix of frustration with himself and regret at missing it.
He tapped through Instagram, scrolling, when he stumbled upon her story from nearly twelve hours ago-Vihaan smiling with his cake, laughing with his friends, and her beaming beside him.
He exhaled sharply, annoyed at himself for being too wrapped up in work to notice.
So this is what she meant by wanting me this weekend, he muttered under his breath. Realization dawned in a rush of guilt and clarity. He hadn't just missed a message; he had missed an important moment for the people he loved.
Without wasting another second, he typed a message to Vihaan: Happy birthday, Vihaan! Sorry for the late wishes. He hit send, and almost immediately, Vihaan replied: It's alright, Jiju. Thank you!
Dhruv smiled faintly, relieved. He quickly asked: How was the party?
Vihaan sent back a string of photos, smiling widely in each one, and replied: It was nice. Tai did a great job.
Dhruv's fingers hovered over the keyboard. They look really nice. You all look happy. He paused, glancing at the photos, and then thought of Vaani-her efforts, her care, and how quietly she had held everything together.
He decided it was time to call her, but first, he needed to make sure she was awake. Is your sister awake? he messaged Vihaan.
Nah, Jiju, she went to sleep, came the reply.
Dhruv sighed, setting the phone down briefly. Okay, I see.
Imma sleep too. Goodnight! Vihaan sent.
Dhruv opened Vaani's chat next, and his heart sank slightly as he scrolled through the messages she had sent him over the day, the ones he had left unread. He saw her small birthday notification, the subtle disappointment in her words, and felt a heavy pang of guilt.
I'm sorry I haven't been online, Vaani. And yes, I wished Vihaan, he typed quickly, trying to convey sincerity and remorse. He hesitated for a moment, staring at the screen before pressing send.
The double tick appeared almost instantly-but there was no read notification. His chest tightened a little. Not read, he noted silently, and his shoulders slumped. He set the phone down, leaning back against the pillows.
For a moment, the room felt colder, emptier, as the weight of his oversight settled in. He had been so consumed by work that he hadn't realized the small, but important, emotional moments he was missing. Vaani had reached out, tried to involve him, and he hadn't even been present.
He exhaled slowly, letting the tension release from his body. The guilt lingered, but the first spark of clarity had emerged-he had to do better, and soon.
Finally, he shut his eyes, phone on the nightstand, and drifted into a restless sleep, the quiet of the room almost deafening after the chaos of the past two days.
The missed birthday, the unread messages, and Vaani's subtle disappointment all weighed on him as he tried to rest-but somewhere in the back of his mind, a single thought repeated: I need to make it right.
I need to not let this happen again.
??