So let's begin,
MONDAY - 5:00 AM
SEHGAL HOUSE - FREEZING WINTER MORNING
The entire house slept like it was wrapped inside a warm, sleepy cloud. The winter sun had decided to be lazy, hiding somewhere behind the fog. Every room was silent, dark, still.
Bela and Mahir were curled together under a thick quilt, their breaths soft and steady.
Team Aashvi were little burritos - tiny heads popping from fluffy blankets, refusing to move even an inch.
And then... there was Team Unstoppable's room.
All three were dead to the world.
Akshu, even in her dreams, was fighting with Vanshu - one hand stretched out as if snatching something, mumbling angrily under her breath.
Vanshu was hugging her pillow like it was Will Byers, smiling dreamily - probably imagining herself saving the Stranger Things universe.
And Khushi... she was floating in a dreamland where she had scored a perfect 100 in Maths. She was literally smiling as she solved imaginary sums.
Silence. Peace. Winter magic.
Until...
RIIIINGGGG!!!
RIIIIIIINGGG!!!
RING-RING-RING-RING!!!!
The alarm blasted into the quiet room like a demon doing bhangra on loudspeakers.
Khushi's eyes flew open - not fully, just enough to show disaster.
Khushi (groggy, irritated, eyes still closed):
"Band ho ja... band ho jaaaa yeh alarm kisne lagaya h... Kaun pagal h yeh subah subah..."
But the alarm didn't stop.
It got louder. And more violent.
The clock on the side table began VIBRATING angrily, moving like it was possessed.
Akshu didn't move - she was too busy dreaming of stealing Ferrero Rochers from vanshu.
Vanshu didn't move either - she just hugged Will tighter in her sleep, smiling as if he was her boyfriend.
Khushi sat up slightly, hair messy like a wild pigeon, blinking at the blinding glowing light from the alarm clock through half-open eyes.
Khushi (scandalised):
"Kiska h yeh... kaun h wo pagal... mai murder kar dungi uska...? Abhi toh 100 aaye the Maths mai itni mushkil se... pehli baar."
She rubbed her face, still groggy.
The alarm kept ringing.
The alarm kept vibrating.
Khushi kept getting angrier.
She finally reached out in the dark, snatched it-
...and froze.
It was VANSHU'S ALARM.
Khushi's entire soul combusted.
Her left eye twitched.
Her jaw dropped.
Her brain whispered violently:
"Iska sar fod do, Khushi. Aaj yehi sahi time h."
She inhaled sharply.
Khushi (dangerously soft):
"VANSSSHUUU..."
And in the next second-
THWACK!
She smacked a pillow straight into Vanshu's peaceful, dream-soaked face.
Vanshu jerked awake with a dying-cat sound.
Vanshu (horror-struck):
"KYA HUA?! KYA HUA?!
-Will...? WILL?!
Arre mera Will kaha gaya?!"
She looked around wildly and realised she had just been dreaming.
Beside her, Akshu stirred awake too, still half-sleepy.
Akshu (yawning):
"Kya ho gaya... kyu chilla rahe ho sab...
Main toh abhi sapne mein Vanshu ki chocolate khane hi wali thi..."
Vanshu's eyes became FULL anime rage.
Vanshu:
"KYAAA?! Tum sapne mein bhi meri CHOCOLATES chura rahi thi?!
Gandi ladki! Sharam aati hai sapne mein bhi mujhe chain se jeene nahi dogi?!"
Akshu (coolly flipping imaginary hair):
"Aree tumhe tang karna toh default setting hai mera. Haq hai mera.
Duty, you know?
Main apna haq sapne mein bhi nahi chhodti."
Vanshu (murderous glare):
"Filhaal toh main tumhe nahi chhodungi. Meri chocolate kha gayi sapne mein..."
Akshu (challenge accepted tone):
"Hath laga ke dikhao. Aur ek minute-tum sapne mein mere WILL ko hug kar rahi thi?!
Main tumhe chhodungi nahi... Will mera hai. MERA."
Vanshu (gasping dramatically):
"TUMHARA tha. Past tense, samjhi? Ab mera Will hai. Ownership transfer ho chuki hai."
Akshu (attitude 200%):
"Ji NHI, madam! Main shuru se uski loyal fan hoon. OG supporter.
Tum jao apne Steve ke paas. Will toh mera hi rahega."
Vanshu (leaning forward, scrunching her nose):
"HURRR."
Akshu (matching her energy, scrunching back):
"HURR."
Vanshu (childish warning voice):
"Shuru shuuu..."
Akshu (mimicking with extra drama):
"Furr... FURRR..."
A full-on animal kingdom moment began - two grown adults hurr-ing and furr-ing at each other like angry raccoons.
Khushi watched them, still fuming from her half - broken dream.
Khushi (deadpan, regretting waking up):
"Phir shuru ho gaye yeh dono... Bhagwan, meri kya galti h?"
But the chaos only escalated.
Vanshu grabbed her pillow like a warrior shield.
Akshu grabbed her pillow like a weapon of mass destruction.
Both stood on their beds, hair messy, eyes wild, blankets tangled around their feet.
Vanshu (screaming war cry):
"WILL MERA HAI!!!"
Akshu (counter war cry):
"STEVE TUMHARA HOGA! WILL MERAA HI RAHEGA!!!"
Khushi had ENOUGH.
Khushi (explodes):
"Aree chup dono ke dono!!
Pehle mujhe yeh batao Vanshu-
Tumne 5 BAJE KA ALARM kyu lagaya?!
Yeh alarm tumhe chhod ke sabko JAGA raha h!
Itni mushkil se mujhe 100 mila tha Maths mai...
TUMHARI WAJAH SE mera sapna toot gaya!"
Akshu began LAUGHING immediately at the mention of Khushi's "100 marks in Maths" dream.
Khushi turned to her, eyes blazing, and smacked another pillow-
But Akshu expertly ducked like a pro cricket fielder.
Akshu:
"Aree mujhe kyu maar rahi ho?!
Alarm Vanshu ne lagaya tha-use bolo!"
Vanshu lifted her hands in defense.
Vanshu:
"Aree wo... maine socha tha subah jaldi uth ke padhungi.
Bohot syllabus baaki tha.
Kal raat kambal mai ghus ke kab so gayi thi pata hi nhi chala itni thand thi... Phir padh nahi payi.
Isliye alarm lagaya tha."
Akshu rolled her eyes dramatically.
Akshu:
"Lo bolo! Ek yeh hai... So so ke padhti hai phir bhi sab aata hai isko.
Aise kaise padhai karogi Vanshu tum? Chii, sharam karo!
1st kaise aaogi?!
Idea deti hoon-thande paani ke neeche baith ke padho.
Phir dekhna, neend NAAHI aayegi!"
Vanshu (deadpan murder smile):
"Tum apna muh band karogi ya nahi?
Warnaa main wahi thanda paani lekar tumhare muh mein daal dungi. 🙂
Jab dekho mere sone pe nazar lagati rehti ho!
Khud kal din bhar kambal mai padi thi!
Project ke naam pe edits kar rahi thi... pata hai mujhe!"
Khushi raised her hand like a frustrated teacher.
Khushi:
"AREE BAS!
Tumhe subah uthna hota hai toh apna alarm apne paas rakho na.
Itni door kaun rakhta hai?!"
Vanshu:
"Door nahi rakhungi toh wapas band karke so jaungi na!
Samjho thoda!"
Khushi dramatically flopped back on the bed.
Khushi:
"Par mera socho!
Itna accha sapna toot gaya!
Kehte hain subah ke sapne sach hote hain,
Par tum dono ke wajah se toh wo bhi nahi hone wala lagta h...
Mera 100 wapas la do koi... 😭"
This time Akshu and Vanshu teamed up like Avengers and smacked a pillow on Khushi's face.
Vanshu:
"Beta ji... sapne dekhne se 100 nahi aate Maths mai.
Practice se aate hain.
Wo tumse hoti nahi hai."
Akshu, confidently:
"Maths ki book dekh ke bhaagti hai yeh."
Khushi (soul leaving body):
"Tum dono jo kar rahe ho na...
EMOTIONAL DAMAGE kehte hain use... 🥲"
Akshu (smirking, folding her arms):
"Emotional damage?
Aree madam
Tumhare Maths ka sapna humne tod diya-
Samjho Bhagwan ka aashirwad mila tumhe.
Warna tumhe 100 aate toh duniya hi ulat jaati."
Vanshu (nodding seriously):
"Haan! Will Byers mujhe hug kar raha tha...
Par tum dono ki wajah se mera bhi sapna toot gaya.
Khair, tumhara 100 wala sapna toh waise bhi fiction mai hi possible h."
Khushi gasped like someone insulted her entire lineage.
Khushi:
"Excuse me?!
Maths aur main...
Ekdum... ekdum-"
She struggled to find a word.
Akshu:
"Ek dusre ke dushman ho tum dono.
Tum 85+25 tak calculate nahi kar sakti bina calculator ke."
Khushi (offended):
"Mai kar sakti hoon!
Bas...
Haa...
Kabhi kabhi...
Galti se number idhar udhar ho jaate h..."
Akshu burst out laughing.
Vanshu snorted into the blanket.
Vanshu (teasing):
"Koi baat nahi. Aise bhi itne din se tunhari extra class wali punishment chal rahi h.. Kuch dino mai
Phir tumhaare andar ki Shakuntala Devi khud-ba-khud jag jayegi."
Khushi's soul visibly left her body for a second.
Khushi:
"Don't.
Tum dono MAT yaad dilao mujhe ma'am ki extra class. Last week wo.. Radhika Ma'am.. Wo ma'am kehlane ke layak nhi h.. Saare fasad ki jad wahi h.. Meri sukh, chain shaanti barbaad karne wali wahi h.. Mera bas chale na aur suna ke aau unko bas ma'am ka gussa yaad aa jaata h us din wala warna chodti nhi mai unko.. Unke saamne phir se maths karna padega...
Aur upar se Bela ma'am table ke saamne baith ke dekh rahi thi ki main 'X' aur 'Y' ka kya satyanash kar rahi hoon."
Akshu pulled the blanket over her head dramatically.
Akshu:
"Yaar... mere pair dard kar rahe, haath dard kar rahe,mujhe nhi Jaana school itni thand mai class ke bahar rehna padega kya zulm h yeh.. Kab khatam hogi yeh punishment.. Isse toh accha aur maar leti ma'am ek baar mai hisaab barabar yeh toh roz ka torture h..
Aur upar se tum dono maths ki baat karke mera dimag dard karwa rahe ho.
Aaj school jaana hi nahi h mujhe. Mai declare karti hoon chhutti."
Khushi threw a pillow at her head.
Khushi:
"Chhutti lene ka shauk h?
Chalo phir Bela ma'am ko bolo-
'Ma'am mujhe chhutti chahiye'.
Wo apne stick se tumhari chhutti nikaal dengi."
Akshu froze.
Akshu:
"Nahi... school chalte hain.
Education is very important.
Padhai se bada kuch nahi hota."
Vanshu burst into laughing again.
Vanshu:
"Waise bhi... tumhari punishment toh class ke bahar khade rehna h.
Ek lecture toh shaanti se katega... Ma'am ko face nhi karna hoga."
Akshu (crying internally):
"Haan... meri izzat ki chita jal rahi h waha.
Class ke bahar
Itni thand mai
Log dekhte h mujhe..
Aur aise dekhte h maano aaj se pehle Insaan nhi dekha."
Khushi:
"Na na Insaan dekha h par tumhe class ke bahar dekhna is rare thing na is liye.
Tum sabko bol diya karo na-
'I am the chosen one.'
Bela ma'am ne personally select kiya h mujhe class ke bahar khade rehne ke liye."
Akshu threw a pillow at Khushi this time.
Vanshu (sighing like a tragic heroine):
"Mera phone...
Mera pyaara phone...
Abhi tak ma'am ke paas h.
Usme maine Will ka wallpaper lagaya tha..."
Khushi rolled her eyes.
Khushi:
"Aree chup. Tumhara phone gaya toh kya?
Tumhare liye toh life vs phone = phone jeeta."
Akshu:
"Haan. Phone ke bina Vanshu ekdum...
Gumsum jheel ke kinare baithi dukhi heroine ban jayegi."
Vanshu (challenging):
"Haan toh?
Tum dono ko bhi toh ma'am ne punishment diya h.
Khushi - extra maths.
Akshu - class ke bahar.
Hum teeno ka future dark h iss Monday."
They all sighed together.
For a moment, the room went silent.
Then...
Akshu:
"Yaar... koi Bela ma'am se request karte h?
Ki aaj yeh punishment ka the end cancel kar dein?
Aaj hum bohot ache bache banne wale h promise."
Khushi:
"Tum ma'am ko promise dogi?
Aaj hi live demonstration deke dikhayengi tumhein
Promise todne ka result."
Vanshu:
"Haan.
Aur humare full sleeves kapdo bhi kaam nhi ayenge."
All three gulped imagining it.
Vanshu (wrapping the quilt around her)
"Yaar sahi mai aaj bohot thand h mujhe school Jaane ka ekdum mann nhi kar raha.. Aur nahane ka toh bilkul bhi nhi."
Akshu (crying internally):
"Sahi mai yaar.. Chalo wapas so jaate h ma'am ko kya hi pata chalega.."
Khushi:
"Ha ha so jao.. Ma'am toh tumhe sota hua dekh ke lori sunayengi na aake.. Stick se wo bhi."
Akshu threw a pillow at Khushi this time.
Vanshu (sighing like a tragic heroine):
"Seriously yaar mere se bhi nhi utha jayega Yeh itni thand mai subah school kyu hota h....."
Khushi(also wrapping herself in the quilt): " jaake principal sir ko bolna ki time change krne school ka time.. Uff yaar mujhse bhi nhi utha jaa raha ab toh."
The three of them now sat like three stuffed penguins wrapped in quilts, shivering, sulking, and complaining about life as if they were 70-year-old ladies with joint pain.
Akshu sniffled dramatically.
Akshu:
"Waise ghar mai abhi tak shaanti h Ma'am uthi nhi lagta h.. Yeh chamatkaar kaise ho gaya aaj. Wo toh kabhi late nhi hoti."
Khushi and Vanshu suddenly stopped moving-
because she was right.
Khushi (confused):
"Ha Yaar... sach bol rahi h tu.
Abhi tak toh ma'am ki ya baccho ki chillane ki awaazein aa jaati h."
Vanshu (serious tone, like a detective):
"Lagta h thand ki wajah se...
ma'am ka alarm bhi nahi baja."
The thought shocked them all to their core.
Akshu's expression softened suddenly.
She genuinely thought for a moment - a rare phenomenon.
Then she spoke softly:
Akshu (unexpected sincerity):
"Waise... humne kuch dino mai ma'am ko bohot pareshaan kiya h.
Chalo aaj hum khud hi school ke liye ready ho jaate h...
Aur baccho ko bhi ready kara dete h.
Thak jaati h wo roz...
Ek din toh hum madad kar sakte h. Isi bahane request karne ka mauka mil jayega kya pata khush hoke punishment cancel kar de."
Dead.
Silence.
Khushi and Vanshu stared at her like aliens had possessed her body.
Five seconds passed.
Ten seconds.
Finally Khushi whispered:
Khushi (serious deadpan):
"Vanshu... iska temperature check karo.
Mujhe lag raha h bukhar ho gaya h.
Yeh itni acchi baatein kabse karne lagi?"
Akshu's jaw dropped.
Vanshu nodded and actually leaned forward, placing her palm dramatically on Akshu's forehead.
Vanshu (doctor mode):
"Nahi Yaar, bukhar toh nahi h...
Phir achanak kya ho gaya ise?
Akshu... sar pe chot lagi thi kya kal? Stick ka koi extra strike toh nahi lag gaya tha?"
Akshu glared at them like a betrayed kitten.
Akshu (offended child):
"Kehne ka matlab kya h tumhara?!
Mai bhi acchi baatein kar sakti hoon!
Aur ma'am ki fikar karti hoon main! Air filhaal Yeh punishment cancel karwane ke liye kuch bhi kar sakti hoon meri izzat pyaari h mujhe bohot."
Khushi quickly hugged her like calming a toddler.
Khushi:
"Haan haan jante hain... mazak kar rahe the.
Par idea accha h tumhara... chalein?"
Akshu sniffed but nodded proudly.
Khushi (practical mode):
"Chalo phir... geyser chalu h.
Pehle kaun nahaega?"
Instantly- and truly on instinct -
Akshu and Vanshu pointed at each other.
Together.
Like synchronized swimmers.
Khushi smacked her forehead.
Akshu:
"Jao Vanshu... tumhe padhai karni thi na.. Naha ke padhne baithogi toh neend nhi ayegi.. Tum jao pehle.
Mujhe koi jaldi nahi."
Vanshu:
"Nhi nhi! Tum hi jao.
Mai toh dono ke aane tak padh lungi bohot."
Khushi glared at them as if deciding which one to strangle first.
Khushi:
"Ek kaam karte hain...
Stone, Paper, Scissors.
Final decision. No drama."
Both agreed like warriors entering a battlefield.
The ritual began.
1, 2, 3... SHOOT!
Vanshu threw paper
Akshu threw scissors
Khushi threw stone
VANSHU LOST.
Her soul left her body.
Vanshu (horrified whisper):
"Nahi... nahi please... itni thand mai...
Mujhe mat bhejo nahaaneeeee..."
Akshu smirked like a villain.
Akshu:
"Rules are rules, meri jaan.
Chalo uthho... jao...
Jaldi."
Khushi folded her arms.
Khushi (boss tone):
"Chalo Vanshu.
Himmat rakho.
Come on... you can do it."
Vanshu, still wrapped like a burrito, stared at her for three full seconds...
...and then activated her ultimate superpower.
🎀 PUPPY EYES MODE: ON 🎀
Face soft
Brows tilted
Lips trembling
Voice 100% emotional blackmail
She clutched Khushi's arm dramatically.
Vanshu (pure manipulation, child mode):
"Khushiii... 🥺
Tum toh meri acchi behen ho na... sabse acchi behen ho.. Yeh akshu toh dusht h jab dekho mujhe pareshaan karti h.. Ek tumhe hi meri fikr h..
Itni thand hai... dekhooo kaanp rahi hoon main... 🥺
Ek tum hi mujhe samajhti ho...
Pehle tum chali jao na...
Mujhe sardi lag gayi toh tumhe accha lagega?
Tum... mujhse pyaar nahi karti kya??
Is liye mujhe pehle bhej rahi ho??"
Her voice cracked on purpose at the end, Oscar-worthy acting.
Khushi's soul melted instantly.
Her tough expression broke.
Her eyes softened.
Her heart wavered.
Khushi (defeated whisper):
"Aree yaar... yeh kya kar leti ho tum mujhe... cheating h yeh emotional blackmail kar rahi tum mujhe."
Behind her, Akshu smirked like a villain enjoying the drama.
Akshu (mocking):
"Haan haan Khushi...
Tum toh bas ek baar iski nautanki dekh lo toh... duniya ka saara dharm-yudh haar jaati ho.
Bhaavuk insaan. Abhi maine kaha hota toh maar ke bhaga deti mujhe.. Biased ho tum uske taraf sirf usse hi pyaar karti ho na."
Vanshu:
"Ha toh wo acchi h.. I love her more than you.. Tum toh sapne mai bhi mujhe tang karti rehti ho."
Akshu:
"Ha ha sab samajh rahi hoon mai.. Apna time bhi ayega.. Aur tab mai bhi tumhe dikha dungi khushi kisse zyada pyaar karti h."
Vanhsu:
"Obviously me.. Dekho ek baar kaha toh maan gayi."
Akshu:
"Ab blackmail karogi toh Insaan kya karega.. Par dekh lena mujhe hi pyaar karti h."
Khushi shot both of them a glare. Whispering under her breath. "Yeh dono ek din mujhe sandwich banake hi dum lenge, kaha fas gayi..."
But Vanshu, sensing success, leaned even closer, dramatizing her shivers.
Vanshu (softer, emotionally manipulative):
"Bas... thoda sa garam paani mere liye nikal dena last mai...
Main tumhara Maths ka homework bhi kr dungi aur Ma'am ko bhi nhi bataungi...
Tum meri jaan ho... meri warmth ho... meri heater ho..."
Akshu:
"Khushi bilkul mat aana iski baaton mai fasa rahi h tumhe dekh lo.. Abhi kuch der pehle tumhe practice karne ka gyan de rahi thi ab apni baari aayi toh tumhara homework karne pe aa gayi.. Ma'am ne handwriting pehchaan li na tumhe hi maarengi soch lo."
Khushi pressed her lips together, torn between logic and emotion.
Finally- emotion wins as always.
Khushi (giving in, annoyed but soft):
"Thik hai! Thik hai!
Mai ja rahi hoon...
Tum nahi ja rahi.
Khush??"
Vanshu instantly lit up like a 100-watt bulb.
Vanshu (victory smile):
"VERY."
Akshu fell back irritated.
Akshu:
"Kaha tha na...
Iski asli power nautanki hi hai.
Aisi siyappa queen kahi nahi milegi."
Khushi glared at both.
One by one, like three warriors returning from a battlefield, the trio somehow managed to take their showers.
Then, painfully, almost shivering due to cold they buttoned their crisp formal shirts, tucked them into their pants, straightened their ties, and finally slipped into their blazers.
They looked like responsible, disciplined students.
...Which they absolutely were not.
By the time they packed their bags and came downstairs, it was already 6:30 AM.
The Sehgal house was still silent - proof that Bela and Mahir were still sleeping, probably wrapped in their cozy winter quilts.
The real mission began now.
Mission Impossible: Wake Up Team Aashvi
Khushi stretched her arms like a leader preparing troops for war.
Khushi:
"Dekho...
Tiffin ka bhi dekhna hoga,
Breakfast ka bhi...
Baccho ko bhi uthana h...
Aur ready bhi karna h."
The responsibility hit like a truck.
Vanshu, now suddenly in "practical elder sister mode," said:
Vanshu:
"Ek kaam karte hain -
Hum dono baccho ko uthate h,
Aur ready karte h...
Tum tiffin dekh lo, Khushi."
Akshu froze.
Like a statue.
Slowly turned.
Eyes wide.
Akshu (horrified):
"Bilkul. Nahi.
Mujhe us Aashi ko handle nahi karna.
Ek dum bhi nahi.
Use Ma'am ya Khushi hi control kar sakte hai.
Vanu aur Kiku ko thik h, sambhal lungi...
Par Aashi?
NAHIN."
Khushi crossed her arms.
Khushi:
"Madam phir tum kitchen jao.
Kyuki agar main baccho ko ready karne ja rahi hoon,
Toh tiffin kaun banayega?"
Akshu imagined herself in the kitchen...
Her soul left her body.
Akshu (instantly changes sides):
"Wo... kuch bhi ho...
Ek din canteen se manage kar lenge.
Baccho ko bhi de denge.
Par main kitchen nahi jaa rahi."
Khushi raised a brow.
Khushi:
"Ma'am ko pata chala na?
Gussa ho jayengi.
Unhe manana ka plan h ya aur gussa karne ka ..
Aur tumhare paas do hi options hain -
Kitchen ya Bacche.
Choose wisely."
Akshu stared at her.
Stared at the kitchen.
Stared at the kids' room door.
Then stared at Vanshu, who was already smirking like a devil.
And finally-
Akshu (dramatic sigh):
"Thik hai.
Main... baccho ke paas jaungi.
Par agar Aashi ne mujhe pehle 5 minute mai irritate kar diya na,
Toh tum dono hi handle karoge."
Khushi and Vanshu gave her a thumbs up.
Khushi:
"Good luck.
Aur haan-
Bachche uth gaye toh fatfat neeche lana."
Akshu muttered something that definitely wasn't a prayer and marched toward the kids' room like a soldier heading toward a battlefield.
Meanwhile, Khushi and Vanshu exchanged a victorious high-five.
Akshu and vanshu enter the battlefield a.k.a. the kids' room.
The door creaked open slowly, as if both were entering a haunted mansion instead of a children's room.
Inside... chaos slept peacefully.
Aashi was diagonally sprawled across the entire bed like she owned NASA.
Vanu was rolled tightly like a burrito, only her hair visible.
Kiku slept hugging her teddy so hard even the teddy looked suffocated.
Akshu and Vanshu froze.
Akshu (whispering to herself):
"Hey Bhagwan... in teenon ko jagana kisi yudh ladne se kam nahi..."
Vanshu (whisper):
"Pehle tum try karlo... phir saath mai karenge."
Akshu (eyes widening):
"Nahi pehle tum jao. Mere bas ki baat nahi."
Vanshu:
"Nahi, pehle tum."
They stared at each other...
A silent understanding passed between them-
STONE. PAPER. SCISSOR. ROUND 2.
Three seconds later...
Akshu LOST.
Vanshu (victory smug smile):
"YESSS. REVENGE taken.
Chalo, jao. Battlefield tumhara."
Groaning.. She walked to Aashi first... BIG MISTAKE.
Akshu gently shook Aashi's arm.
Akshu (softly):
"Aashi... baby... utho... school jaana hai..."
Aashi didn't move.
She just made a tiny annoyed noise:
Aashi:
"mmmmmmmmmhh... nahi..."
Akshu tried again.
Stage 2 shake.
Akshu:
"Aashi... please utho... late ho jayega..."
Aashi suddenly flipped around dramatically -
Aashi (half-asleep shout):
"MUMMMMAAAA!
Akshu didi mujhe sone nahi de rahi!"
Akshu panicked.
Akshu:
"Arre chup! Ma'am uth jayengi!!"
But Aashi was now in tantrum mode.
She pulled the blanket over her face.
Aashi:
"Naiii jaaungi school.
Mujhe sarr dard ho raha.
Pet bhi dard.
Pair bhi dard.
Sab dard." (fake coughing)
Akshu stared blankly.
Akshu:
"Aashi... drama band karo.
Chalo utho warna-"
Aashi peeped one eye out.
Aashi:
"Warna kya?
mumma ko bulaogi?"
Akshu froze.
Akshu (mumbling):
"Haan... wo toh main bhi nahi chahti..."
Aashi snuggled back into the blanket.
Akshu mentally slapped herself.
Akshu gave up on Aashi and turned to Vanu.
Vanu was rolled in her blanket so tight she looked like she needed a rescue team.
Akshu:
"Vanuu... utho..."
No response.
She shook the burrito.
Still no response.
She shook harder.
Vanu (muffled from inside the blanket):
"Naiii... main nahi uthungi...
Mujhe thand lag rahi...
Yeh kambal hi meri duniya hai..."
Akshu:
"...?"
Akshu:
"Arre par school jaana hai!"
Vanu (still wrapped, eyes not even open):
"Nhi jaana h mujhe sona h.. Soneeee do naaa."
Akshu wanted to scream.
Akshu:
"Aree par late ho jayega utho"
Vanu (calmly):
"Mujhe sona h.. Good night."
Akshu smacked her forehead.
Now she approached Kiku - the easiest one.
Supposedly.
Akshu bent down.
Akshu:
"Kikuuu... meri princess... utho..."
No movement.
Akshu smiled softly and shook her.
Still no reaction.
A little harder...
Nothing.
Akshu leaned closer suspiciously...
Kiku fluttered her eyelids...
Then IMMEDIATELY shut them again and froze like a statue.
Akshu narrowed her eyes.
Akshu:
"Kiku... tum jaag rahi ho."
Kiku didn't move.
Akshu poked her cheek.
Still nothing.
Akshu pulled the teddy slightly-
Suddenly Kiku SNATCHED it back and hugged it tight again.
But still pretended to be "asleep."
Akshu was done.
Akshu:
"KIKU.
UTHO."
Kiku instantly opened one eye-
Kiku:
"...five minute..."
Akshu:
"NO!"
Kiku (pout):
"Aap Aashi ko uthao pehle..."
Akshu internally:
"...I tried. I failed. Tum uth jao Pehle tum good girl ho na."
Kiku (wisely):
"Nhi banna good girl.. Pehle aashi."
Vanshu chuckled seeing this failed struggle.
Akshu stood in the center of the room.
Hands on hips.
Staring at three stubborn sleepy creatures.
Akshu:
"Bas. Itna ho gaya.
Ab agar tum teen nahi uthi na-
MAI-"
Before she could complete...
Aashi, Vanu, and Kiku ALL chorused sleepily:
"MUMMA KO BULA DOGI???"
Akshu froze.
Silence.
Then...
Akshu (defeated whisper):
"...nahi yaar...
Main kisi ko nahi bula rahi..."
Vanshu took a long heroic sigh...
And stepped forward like a warrior entering Kurukshetra.
Vanshu (rolling her sleeves dramatically):
"Chalo... ab asli talent dikhti hoon.
Baccho ko uthana mere left hand ka kaam hai."
Akshu (sarcastic):
"Haan haan... dekhte hain.
Mahaan Vanshika ka jaadu."
Akshu watched like a judge on a reality show.
Vanshu cracked her knuckles and went straight to Aashi - the strongest villain of the three.
She bent down...
And instead of shaking her...
She kissed Aashi's forehead softly.
And whispered,
Vanshu (gentle, loving):
"Aashi baby... utho... dekho subah ho gayi...
Aaj hum log saath-saath ready honge... hmm?"
Aashi's eyelashes fluttered.
She didn't wake up...
But her face softened.
So Vanshu played her next card-
Her ultimate motherly tone.
Vanshu (softly):
"Aashi... Mumma ko na bohot proud karna h aaj... unko happy karne ka plan banaya h humne..
Agar tum late uthi... toh humara plan fail ho jayega aur Mumma dukhi ho jayengi..."
That was it.
Aashi's eyes POPPED open instantly.
Aashi (alert, sitting straight):
"Nahi!! Mumma sad nahi honi chahiye!"
Akshu's jaw DROPPED.
Akshu:
"...yeh kaun sa magic tha?!"
Vanshu (flipping hair like a goddess):
"Pyaar ka magic.
Seekh lo thoda."
Now she turned to the second burrito - Vanu.
She knelt beside her and whispered in her ear:
Vanshu (sweetly):
"Vanu... agar tum jaldi uthogi na,
Toh main tumhe tumhari favorite Nutella toast banake dungi."
The burrito UNROLLED like a carpet.
Vanu (half awake):
"Sachhi??"
Vanshu (nodding):
"Haan bilkul."
Vanu instantly sat up, blanket still wrapped around her shoulders like a shawl.
Akshu stared at Vanshu in horror.
Akshu:
"Yeh kya chal raha h... main toh do minute pagal hone wali thi inko uthate uthate..."
Vanshu smirked, chin raised.
Vanshu:
"Class.
Experience.
Talent bolte h isko."
Now the last one - Kiku.
She went gently, sat beside her, and rubbed her back lovingly.
Vanshu (melting voice):
"Kiku... princess... utho...
Hum sab neeche breakfast banayenge mumma ko surprise dene ke liye...
Chalo? Please? Aap help nhi karoge humari?"
Kiku's eyes opened IMMEDIATELY.
Kiku (excited whisper):
"Surprise???
Mumma ke liye??"
Vanshu nodded.
Three seconds later-
Kiku jumped up, teddy still in hand.
Kiku:
"Chalo chalo chalo!!"
Aashi sat ready.
Vanu sat ready.
Kiku sat ready.
The room that earlier looked like a battlefield
Now looked like Vanshu's victory stage.
Akshu stood there, absolutely stunned.
Akshu (mouth open):
"Yeh kaise kiya?!"
Aashi, Vanu, and Kiku collectively hugged her.
Kids (in chorus):
"VANSHU DIDI IS THE BEST!"
Akshu threw her hands up dramatically.
Akshu:
"Bas... finished.
Meri izzat hi nhi h.
Tumhara naam Vanshika nahi
VANSHU MAATA rakh dena chahiye."
Vanshu smirked like a queen whose kingdom has finally recognised her.
SEHGAL HOUSE - KITCHEN
While Vanshu single-handedly conquered the kids' room, Khushi had stepped into a place far, FAR more dangerous...
The Kitchen.
A battlefield where even the bravest warriors tremble.
Khushi tied her hair tight like she was going to war, rolled up her sleeves, and glared at the gas stove.
Khushi (determined):
"Bas... simple breakfast.
Toast aur cornflakes-
Easy."
She opened the bread packet.
Half the slices fell out.
Khushi (jumping back):
"Arre yaar.. Girna zaroori h tera shaanti nhi rakh sakta."
She picked them up, dusted them dramatically, and placed them on the counter like laying bodies on a battlefield.
Now the toaster.
She shoved two slices inside.
Pressed the lever.
It didn't go down.
Khushi tried again.
Still nothing.
Khushi (offended):
"Toaster...
Aaj ke din hi attitude dikhana tha?"
She pushed harder.
It still didn't go.
Khushi lost patience.
Khushi (slamming it):
"CHAL NA!!"
C L I C K !!!
The toaster switched on...
And SPARKED.
Khushi jumped three feet in the air.
Khushi:
"OH BHAIII- kuch toh phoota!"
Luckily, nothing exploded.
She patted her chest dramatically.
Khushi:
"Khushi... tu zinda h... tu safe h... breathe..."
The toaster now started smoking lightly.
Khushi:
"Acha acha chal raha h... yeh smoke toh aesthetic h... Pinterest jaisa."
She confidently turned to pack the tiffins.
The kids' tiffins were open-
Colorful boxes staring at her.
Khushi inhaled deeply.
Khushi:
"Ma'am ko lagta h na mai perfect nhi hoon...
Aaj dikha deti hoon..."
She took a pan, put it on the gas...
...and realized one small thing.
Khushi (blank):
"Gas ka button kaha h...?"
She turned all the knobs randomly.
FWWOOOOSHH
A giant flame shot up like her soul leaving her body.
Khushi (screaming internally):
"Bas bas bas!! Bhagwaan ji control!!"
She instantly lowered it.
Khushi (recovering):
"Okay. Gas zinda h."
She put oil...
Which poured like a waterfall because the lid was loose.
Khushi:
"Abe oyeeeee-!
Itna tel kaun dalta h!"
The pan sizzled violently.
The oil spat.
Khushi jumped back again.
Khushi:
"Meri jaan le lega yeh stove..."
Now sabzi cutting.
She took a tomato.
Tried slicing it.
The knife slipped.
The tomato flew.
Hit the wall.
Slid down slowly like a sad character in a movie.
Khushi:
"...yeh kya tamatar ka climax tha?"
She tried again.
Another tomato shot across the counter and landed straight in the dustbin.
Khushi:
"PERFECT SHOT!
IPL ka contract dedo mujhe."
After 5 minutes of wrestling, she somehow got two tomatoes chopped... kinda.
Then she added them to the pan-
Which by now had OIL TSUNAMI going on.
SSSSHHHHAAAA!!!
Khushi clutched her heart.
Khushi:
"Aaj main pakka mar jaungi kitchen mai..."
Still... she kept going.
She stirred the sabzi.
Then the spoon slipped and the oil splashed on the platform.
Khushi (dead inside):
"Ma'am mujhe maar sakti hai...
Par yeh oil mujhe jala dega...
Kya kya karna pad raha h..."
Suddenly-
POP!
POPPOPPOP!!
Three burnt black slices shot out like missiles.
Khushi:
"Nahiii!!!!"
She caught one slice mid-air dramatically.
Looked at it.
It was charcoal.
Khushi:
"Same colour as my future..."
She grabbed the tiffins and sighed.
Khushi:
"Bread... sabzi... aur kya banau?
Aloo?
Par aloo kaha h...?"
She opened random cabinets.
One cabinet had steel plates.
Another had spices.
Another had...
...Vanu ka hidden chocolate stash.
Khushi gasped.
Khushi:
"OHHO!!!
She took one chocolate.
Then returned it.
Then took it again.
Then put it back.
Then took two.
Khushi (guilty):
"Aaj kitchen ki mehnat ke liye bonus milna hi chahiye."
She shoved the chocolates in her pocket and continued.
After 20 minutes of chaos...
Shouting...
Jumping like a cat...
Nearly burning down the kitchen...
She finally created:
Over-oily tomato sabzi
Half-burnt toast
Banana
One biscuit packet (for safety)
Khushi (proud):
"Breakfast-
COMPLETE!"
She wiped sweat dramatically.
Khushi:
"Agar ma'am ko pata chal gaya ki maine kitchen ko juicer mixer jaisa bana diya...
Toh mujhe bhi toaster ki tarah pop-out kar dengi."
The kitchen looked like Tsunami met Earthquake met Apocalypse.
Khushi proudly smiled.
Khushi:
"Breakfast ready! Haan... aur shayad ma'am ke haath se murder bhi..."
Team Aashi's Room:
While Khushi was fighting a solo war inside the kitchen,
Akshu & Vanshu were handling something MUCH more dangerous...
Team Aashvi.
Three tiny tornados.
Three mini drama queens.
Three chaos machines in ponytails.
Akshu opened the kids' cupboard.
BIG MISTAKE.
Clothes exploded out like Holi had erupted inside.
Akshu (horrified): "Yeh kya... WWF ring hai kya is cupboard ke andar?!"
Vanshu nodded seriously, lifting a sock with two fingers like it was toxic waste.
Vanshu: "Mujhe toh lagta h in teeno ne raat ko wrestling match kiya h kapdo ka."
Just then - Aashi walked in, rubbing her eyes.
Aashi (still half asleep, cranky): "Didi... mujhe yeh dress nahi pehenni... mujhe Elsa wali chahiye."
Akshu: "Aashi, school Jaana h koi fancy dress competition mai nhi.. Elsa ka costume nahi pehente school mein."
Aashi (angry pout): "Elsa meri favourite hai!!!
School ko koi farak nahi padta???"
Akshu: "HAAN, school ko farak nahi padta! Elsa ko ghar mai hi rakho aaj!"
Aashi dramatically threw herself on the bed.
Aashi: "NAAAAAAHIIIIIIIII!!!"
Vanshu: "Aree yaar shuru ho gayi iski nautanki..."
Behind her, Kiku already began crying.
Kiku: "Mujhe bhi princess banna haiaaa!"
Vanshu: "Kiku beta pehle uniform pehno, phir tumhe ponytail bana dungi. Princess waali."
Kiku stopped crying immediately.
Kiku (sniffing): "Promise?"
Vanshu: "Ha baba promise!"
Vanu, the smallest one, just stood staring...
...wearing one sock
...and a T-shirt...
UPSIDE DOWN.
Akshu turned slowly.
Akshu: "Vanu... beta... yeh T-shirt tumne ulta kaise pehen liya??"
Vanu: "Dekhne mai cute lag raha tha..."
Akshu: "CUTE??
Upar neeche sab ulti duniya bani h tumhari!"
Three kids.
Three hairstyles needed.
Zero talent.
Two idiotic elders.
Begin.
Aashi's Hair
Akshu tried combing Aashi's hair.
Aashi: "OWWWW! DIDI LAG RAHI HAI!"
Akshu: "Aree abhi toh maine theek se kiya bhi nhi aise kaise lag rahi h nautanki.. Aur seedha baitho warna zor se baal kheech dungi."
Aashi gasped in betrayal.
Aashi: "Mumma aisa kabhi nahi karti!"
Akshu (muttering): "Ha toh mumma ka sunti bhi ho na.. Yaha toh nautanki nhi khatam ho rahi tumhari... ab chup baitho ekdum aur soch samajh ke bolo."
She tried again.
The comb got stuck.
Aashi screamed like someone broke her soul.
Akshu: "Hey Kanha kaunsi ghadi mai wo wahiyaad idea tha mujhe kha fas gayi is shaitaan ke peeche... Yeh vanshu ka alarm na baja hota toh shaanti se so rahe hote abhi."
Kiku's Hair
Vanshu sat behind Kiku trying to part her hair.
Straight line?
Impossible.
Every time Vanshu made a line, Kiku moved and it looked like a zig-zag road map.
Vanshu (frustrated): "Kiku STOP MOVING yaar! Tumhara scalp earthquake jaisa kyu hil raha h??!"
Kiku: "Mujhe gudgudi hoti h!"
Vanshu: "Gudgudi nahi, mujhe pareshaani ho rahi h!"
Finally, after 10 attempts, she made a ponytail.
It immediately fell apart.
Hairband flew across the room like a UFO.
Akshu: "Yeh hairband tha ya rocket??!"
Vanu's Hair
Vanu quietly sat like a saint carrying peace in her heart.
Too peaceful.
Suspiciously peaceful.
Vanshu: "Vanu... tum kya kar rahi thi?"
Vanu (softly): "Main khud hairstyle bana rahi thi..."
Akshu: "Dikhaoo zara??"
Vanu turned around.
Her hair was tied in a knot.
Like literally...
A KNOT.
THE TYPE THAT CANNOT BE OPENED WITHOUT SCISSORS.
Akshu: "Ye kya banaya tumne?!
Paratha roll?"
Vanshu: "Arre kaise khola jaye ye mess??!"
They tried pulling the knot.
It tightened.
Vanu screamed.
Vanshu: "Aaaa bas bas bas- sorry sorry! Uff yeh kya kar diya tumne!"
Akshu: "Mujhe toh lag raha h ma'am se help leni padegi warna ye knot aaj humari jaan le lega!"
IN BELA-MAHIR'S ROOM -
It was a peaceful affair as they were sleeping peacefully,
It was 7:30AM.
The Sehgal House was supposed to run like a military camp by now.
But today?
Utter silence.
Too much silence.
Until-
THAAAD!!
A loud crash echoed from the living room.
Followed by:
Akshu: "AREY MERI SAARI MEHNAT PANI MAI CHALI GAYI- VANSHU PAKAD USKO!!"
Vanshu: "KIKUUU SHOES PEHNOOOO!!!"
Aashi (crying dramatically): "MUJHE ELSAAA CHAHIYE!!!"
Khushi (from the kitchen): "KOI ISSE PAKDE- PARATHA JAL RAHA HAI!!!"
Another THUD.
A scream.
A cartoon-level cry.
And then-
Team Aashvi in chorus: "MUMMAAAAAAAA!!!"
Bela's eyes snapped open.
She sat up straight-
like a soldier hearing an explosion.
Bela (horrified whisper): "...yeh awaaz...?
Subah ke 7:30 baj rahe...
OH NO."
She looked at the clock.
7:30 AM.
Her soul left her body for a moment.
Bela: "Mahir ji!! Uthiye!!
Hum LATE ho gaye!!"
Mahir, half asleep, mumbled: "Mmm... Sunday hai na aaj...?"
Bela (glare powerful enough to kill): "MONDAY hai!! MONDAY!!
Aur bacche...
BACCHO KO READY KISNE KIYA?!"
Mahir sat up instantly like someone electrocuted him.
Mahir: "OH!
OH HO!
Chalo- chalo- chalo-
Nahi toh school bus miss ho jayegi!!"
Both scrambled out of bed.
Bela tied her hair in a hasty bun, grabbed her shawl, and dragged Mahir out of the room.
Mahir (still confused): "Par... aisa kyun lag raha h jaise koi wrestling match chal raha ho...?"
Bela: "WRESTLING nahi...
MUJHE lag raha h ghar toot raha hai."
---
THE LIVING ROOM -
Bela and Mahir stepped out-
And froze.
If silence had a face, it had run away by now.
The scene:
Aashi crying because her ponytail was slightly crooked.
Vanu running in circles wearing ONE shoe.
Kiku trying to tie her shoelace only to tie both laces together and fall.
Khushi stumbling out of kitchen with a burnt paratha stuck to the spatula.
Vanshu chasing Kiku with a hairband.
Akshu on the sofa with her head in her hands, whispering: "Mai kyun... kyun uthi subah...?"
And then-
All six pair of eyes turned to Bela.
Stillness.
A pin could drop and be heard.
Bela looked at everything...
Then slowly turned to Mahir.
Her voice calm.
Too calm.
Bela: "Yeh sab...
kisne bola tha...
itna...
'organised' kaam karne ke liye?"
Khushi gulped.
Vanu hid behind the sofa.
Kiku stopped running.
Aashi froze mid-cry.
Akshu and Vanshu whispered together: "We are dead."
Mahir stood beside Bela like a supportive husband-
But even he softly whispered: "Haan... aaj toh tum log nahi bachoge..."
Bela took one step forward.
The trio took two steps back and straightened like soldiers.
She crossed her arms.
Bela: "Meri ek subah miss kya hui...
Ghar ko circus bana diya tum teeno ne."
Akshu, Vanshu, and Khushi: "Ma'am... wo- actually-"
Before they could finish-
Team Aashvi suddenly RAN to her.
Aashi: "Mummmaaaa!! Akshu didi ne mere baal kheech diye!!"
Kiku: "Mumma vanshu didi ne mera hairband gira diyaaa!!"
Vanu: "Mumma mujhe shoes nahi mil raheeee!!!"
All three latched onto Bela like koalas.
Bela sighed, but her gaze-
it flickered to the trio.
A tiny... very tiny softness appeared.
Just for a second.
Then she straightened again.
Bela: "Thik h.
Sab ek line me khade ho jao.
Ab main handle karungi."
The trio exhaled like prisoners being spared a death sentence.
Mahir chuckled softly: "Dekha?
Sherni aa gayi.
Ab ho jayega sab theek."
Bela glared at him too.
He immediately stood straight.
Bela (deep breath): "LINE.
MAI.
KHADE.
HO JAO."
Aashi, Vanu, and Kiku IMMEDIATELY stood straight like little soldiers.
The trio... also tried to stand in a line.
Bela raised one eyebrow.
Bela: "Tum teeno nahi.
Team Aashvi."
The trio instantly stepped back like someone pressed a recoil button.
Aashi was sniffing dramatically, her hair half-open, hairband hanging like a defeated flag.
Bela gently held her chin.
Bela: "Chup. Drama baad mai."
Aashi instantly became mute mode.
Bela's hands moved with lightning speed:
Comb in one hand
Hairband and clips on another
Hair unravelled, smoothened, redone
Hairband tied in a perfect knot
Flyaways tucked neatly behind ears
Total time: 22 seconds.
Aashi blinked.
Aashi: "Mumma... magician?"
Bela: "Haan."
She moved on without looking back.
Meanwhile the trio:
Akshu (jaw dropped): "22 seconds...itne Mai toh mai clips hi dhundhte reh jaati."
Vanshu: "Kya superpower h yaar..."
Khushi (whispering): "Durga Maa ka roop h yeh... confirmed."
Vanu was clinging to Mahir's leg like a scared rabbit.
Bela tapped her shoulder.
Vanu (tiny voice): "Mumma... meri ek eye open nahi ho rahi thand se..."
Bela: "Kholo."
She opened it.
Bela: "Achha. Chalo idhar."
Vanu walked like a guilty criminal to the chair.
Her hair was a total disaster - one ponytail up, one ponytail sideways, looking like she fought three tornadoes.
Bela didn't react.
She simply grabbed:
Two rubber bands
Clips
Comb
And in 18 seconds, she created:
✔ A perfect center partition
✔ Two neat ponytails
✔ Matching clips
✔ A light kiss on her head
Vanu beamed.
Vanu: "Mumma aap best ho."
Bela: "Maloom h."
The trio watched in shock.
Akshu: "18 seconds.
Isne toh pehle wale ka bhi record tod diya."
Vanshu: "Mere ponytails toh kabhi barabar height par aate hi nahi..."
Khushi: "Kyunki humne aaj tak height ke baare mai sirf maths mai padha h. Real life mai kabhi apply nhi kiya."
Akshu smacked her arm.
Kiku was the only one calm - but her hair was in a nest bun even birds wouldn't recognize.
Kiku held her teddy.
Kiku (tiny shy smile): "Mumma... pretty banaogi?"
Bela's expression softened instantly.
Bela: "Haan, bilkul."
She gently sat beside her, untangled the messy bun with care (and superhuman patience), smoothed the hair, and made a clean high ponytail with a rubberband.
She even adjusted Kiku's collar, wiped her sleepy eyes, and kissed her forehead.
Time taken: 25 seconds.
Kiku: "Mummaaa... pretty pretty!"
Bela smiled - a rare, real smile.
The trio watched like stunned audience members at India's Got Talent.
Akshu (whispering): "Yehi reason hai ki hum fail hote h baccho ke saamne."
Vanshu: "Haan. Aur humne socha tha hum handle kar lenge. LOL."
Khushi: "Hum teen milke bhi is ek woman ki barabari nahi kar sakte. I accept defeat."
Bela stood up, dusted her hands like she just conquered a battlefield, and turned to the trio-
Her eyebrow raised.
Bela: "Aur tum teeno...
Yeh sab dekh ke...
Kuch seekha?"
The trio (in perfect sync): "Haan ma'am..."
Bela: "Kya seekha?"
Trio (sheepish): "Ki...
Hum...
Kabhi bhi...
Aapke jaisa nahi kar sakte."
Bela gave a small smirk.
Bela: "Good.
At least tum log sach toh bolte ho."
Mahir was laughing silently in the background.
The kids were finally ready.
The trio exhaled in relief.
Then-
Bela (dusting her hands): "Chalo... ab breakfast banati hoon."
Khushi froze.
Like... statue mode activated.
Face drained. Eyes wide. Hands cold.
Her brain screamed:
"AB TU GAYI BETA!!"
Because she knew...
Kitchen =
Oil on floor,
Burnt toast,
Masala explosion,
Silicone spatula melted on the gas,
And a tiffin box that looked like it had been through World War 3.
Khushi immediately stepped in front of Bela like a human shield.
Khushi (fake smile, too wide): "M-ma'am! Aap kyun jaa rahi h?? Aap aaram kariye... na...?
Mai... mai bana deti hoon breakfast...!"
Bela narrowed her eyes.
Bela: "Tum?
Breakfast?"
Khushi internally: OH GOD WHY DID I SAY THAT??!
Before she could back out, Akshu and Vanshu panicked too and rushed beside her.
Akshu (nervous laugh): "Haan ma'am... aap please baithiye! Hum kar denge! Already sab ho gaya h actually!"
Vanshu (nodding like a malfunctioning robot): "Haan haan sab ready h! Bus... last touch baaki h..."
Bela folded her arms.
Bela (calm... too calm): "Kya banaya tum logon ne?"
Khushi swallowed.
Khushi: "W-wo... surprise..."
Bela: "Hm. Surprise dekh leti hoon."
Khushi: "N-NO!"
Bela's eyes sharpened instantly.
Bela: "Khushi."
One word.
ONE.
And Khushi stepped aside like someone pressed a remote button.
THE KITCHEN -
Bela entered.
Stopped.
Looked around slowly - left... right... center...
And the BOMB BLAST was revealed in full glory:
✔ Atta spread like someone tried recreating Kashmir snow
✔ Gas stove on... with NO pan
✔ A half-burnt paratha shaped like Sri Lanka
✔ A bowl of milk that had boiled, overflowed...
✔ Two spoons lying on the floor
✔ And tiffin boxes lying open as if calling for help
Silence.
Dead silence.
The kind that kills.
Bela didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Didn't breathe.
The trio at the door stared like this:
Akshu: 😨
Vanshu: 😰
Khushi: 😭 (already planning her will)
Then Khushi TRIED to run away.
Like literally turned to SPRINT-
But Bela said:
"KHUSHI!"
And she froze mid-step like someone pressed pause.
Bela slowly turned her head and looked at Khushi.
Slow. Deadly.
Like a villain reveal shot in a thriller movie.
Bela (soft... too soft... which is ALWAYS dangerous): "Yeh... kya h?"
Khushi's voice cracked.
Khushi: "M-Ma'am... wo... experiment tha..."
Bela: "Kis subject ka?
Science?
Geography?
Ya... CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION?"
Akshu and Vanshu immediately backed away from Khushi like:
"Hum toh isse jaante bhi nahi."
Vanshu (whisper whisper): "Yeh gayi kaam se."
Akshu: "Mai toh Bhagwan se baat kar rahi hoon already."
Meanwhile Khushi tried one last attempt:
Khushi (tiny voice): "M-mujhe chhod dijiye please..."
Bela inhaled deeply...
___________________________________________
And the trio held their breath.
...to be continued with Bela's reaction,
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