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Preeti pouted. "Tum dono na sara maza kharab kar dete ho . Mai kitne acche Mother India wale form mein thi."

[You both always ruin all the fun. I was in such a great "Mother India" mood]

Vedant's father, Vikram Mathur, entered the room and shook his head. "Preeti, ek jawan bacche ki maa ban gayi ho tum. Ab toh ye sab bachpana band karo."

[Preeti, you've become the mother of a young child. Now stop all this childishness.]

Preeti rolled her eyes dramatically. "Hey Bhagwan! Pata nahi kaise boring logon ke beech fas gayi mai." She headed to the kitchen while Akshat and Vedant chuckled.

[Oh God! I don't know how I got stuck among such boring people.]

Vikram sighed. "Beta, kisi din tumhare Nana se puchna padega ki kahin unhone apni beti ko bachpan mein sar ke bal gira toh nahi diya tha." This comment made the boys laugh, and Preeti's voice rang out from the kitchen.

[Beta, someday I will have to ask your grandfather if he ever dropped his daughter on her head as a child]

"Sun liya maine!" she shouted.

[I heard that.]

"Sun ne ke liye hi kaha tha," Vikram shouted back, amused.

Preeti soon returned with a tray of pakodas and chai, and Vedant and Akshat helped her serve. The family settled into the warmth of the familiar setting, enjoying their time together.

After a while, Vikram stood up, glancing at his watch. "Alright, I got a call from my PA. Meri flight ka time ho raha hai. See you all after a few days."

"Where are you going?" Akshat asked.

"Business trip," Vikram replied, and Akshat nodded in understanding.

As Vikram prepared to leave, Preeti couldn't resist a bit of theatrics. "Tussi jaa rahe ho? Tussi na jao," she said, mimicking a famous dialogue.

Vikram shook his head with a smile. "Grow up, Preeti."

Preeti muttered under her breath, "Huh! Dono baap bete ek jaise hain. Khadoos!"

Vikram headed towards the door, calling out, "Bye, Preeti."

"Bye... I love you," she shouted after him, and Vikram smiled to himself, a soft expression crossing his face as he walked outside. She followed him to the door, watching as he left.

Akshat's phone rang abruptly, cutting through the quiet of the room.

"Krishav is calling," Vedant announced, handing him the phone. Akshat answered the call swiftly.

"Toh mai kya karun?" he asked, listening intently to the voice on the other end.

[What should I do then?]

"Aata hun," Akshat replied decisively, and ended the call."What happened now?" Vedant inquired.

[Ok coming.]

"He's at home and calling me over. Alright, I should leave now," Akshat said, gathering his things.

Vedant nodded and walked with him, seeing him off. Just then, he collided with a girl who was holding an ice cream, which fell to the floor.

"Not again! Miss Nandini Ahuja, how many times have I told you to bring your eyes along when you walk?" Vedant exclaimed, glaring at the woman standing there. She glared back at him, wearing a simple kurti, her hair messy from the summer breeze.

"And how many times have I told you, Mr., to wear your glasses when you leave the house? Meri puri ice cream gira di," Nandini shot back, frustration evident in her voice.