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? 1 ?

"Wo to aisa hi hai baby. Kya kar sakte hain," Preeti said with a resigned sigh, patting Nandini's hand reassuringly.

As they continued chatting, Preeti’s thoughts drifted to her own silent resolve. "Yaha mai Nandu ko apni bahu banane ke sapne dekh rahi hun ek saal se aur ye dono hain ki inki ladai hi khatm nahi hoti. Khair, mai bhi haar nahi manungi. Bahu to meri Nandu baby hi banegi. Varna mai bhi apne bete ki maa nahi," she thought determinedly, a sly smile playing on her lips as she watched the two from a distance.

[Here I have been dreaming of making Nandu my daughter-in-law for a year, and these two won't stop fighting. Anyway, I won't give up. My daughter-in-law will be my Nandu baby. Otherwise, I am not my son's mother.]

Meanwhile, Vedant paced in his room, fuming. "How can Maa be so blind to her antics? Every single time, she takes Nandini's side.” he muttered under his breath. He could still hear their laughter echoing through the house, grating on his nerves.

Vedant grabbed his coat and mobile from the table, ready to leave.

"Maa, I am leaving for the hospital," he informed Preeti.

"Abhi toh aaya hai," Preeti replied, a hint of concern in her voice.

"Mai iski manhus shakal jyada der tak nahi dekh sakta," Vedant muttered, frustration evident as he headed towards the door.

“Oyee manhus kisko kaha? Aap manhus , aapka baap…” Nandini began, but stopped abruptly when she noticed Preeti narrowing her eyes.

"I mean, aap manhus" Nandini quickly corrected herself.

**

Akshat entered his home, a sprawling two-story house adorned with elegant furnishings and warm, inviting decor. The living room, with its plush sofas and family portraits on the walls, opened up to a spacious dining area where a large wooden table took centre stage, surrounded by cushioned chairs.

Just then, he heard voices coming from the dining area. As he walked in, he saw his younger brother Vihaan Singhania with his newly wedded wife Anika Singhania and his best friend Krishiv Malhotra. Vihaan and Anika had married just a week ago, and Akshat hadn’t had the chance to properly talk to her yet. He approached quietly, catching Krishiv mid-sentence.

“So, hello Anika, I am the most handsome best friend of your khadoos jeth ji. You can consider me as your brother,” Krishiv said with a cheeky grin. Anika smiled politely, still adjusting to the new family dynamics.

“What is happening here?” Akshat asked, his authoritative voice breaking through the playful banter.

“Bhai, dekho isse… he isn't letting me eat the food made by my wife,” Vihaan complained, his tone a mix of frustration and amusement. Anika’s blush deepened.

“Arre, pehle mai taste karunga na! I am her self-proclaimed brother,” Krishiv said, holding the bowl defensively, a playful glint in his eyes.

“Ye itni si hi curry bachi hui hai… Aap kuch aur kha lo na,” Vihaan said, trying to snatch the bowl from Krishiv’s hand, his determination evident.

“Arre tu kuch aur kha le… I want to eat this,” Krishiv insisted, pulling the bowl back, his expression mock-serious.

Anika looked between the two, puzzled and a bit overwhelmed by the sudden tug-of-war over her dish.

“Akshat, samjha le apne bhai ko,” Krishiv appealed, his voice exaggeratedly dramatic.

“Bhai, samjha lo apne dost ko,” Vihaan countered, equally dramatic.