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Kiara rubbed her eyes as the morning sunlight filtered into the room. Stretching her arms, she glanced to the side and found Ayansh still fast asleep, his face buried in the pillow. But Rayansh wasn't there.

Frowning, she looked around the room. "Bhaiyu kahan gaye?" she murmured to herself. She carefully got up, trying not to wake Ayansh, and stepped out.

First, she checked Rayansh's room, expecting him to be there, but it was empty. The bed was neatly made, as if he hadn't even slept there. Her frown deepened. "Subah subah kahan chale gaye?"

Not wanting to overthink, she sighed and decided to go to her own room. "Pehle ready ho leti hoon, phir dekhungi," she thought, heading toward her closet room.

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Kiara stepped into the dining room, adjusting her bracelet as she took in the warm aroma of freshly made parathas.She saw Anant at the stove, flipping a paratha expertly.

"Dada, aap bana rahe ho?" she asked, grinning as she hopped onto the kitchen slab, swinging her legs playfully.

Anant chuckled, setting the paratha on a plate. "Haan, princess. Aaj chef mode mein hoon.socha aaj apne baccho ke liye aapne haatho se unka favourite bnau."

Kiara grinned. "Good thought dada." she quipped, picking up a piece of orange from the fruit bowl. "Waise, Rayansh bhai kahan hain? Nazar nahi aa rahe."

Anant paused for a second before answering casually, "Woh subah hi Shruti ke saath gaya tha. Rayansh ke har birthday pe dono bahar enjoy karne jaate hai."

Kiara's smile faltered for a brief moment. She quickly masked it, but the slight twinge in her heart didn't go unnoticed. Shruti didi again. Why was he always with her?

"Oh," she muttered, lowering her gaze to her hands. She wasn't sure why it bothered her, but it did.

Anant watched Kiara's expression shift ever so slightly at the mention of Rayansh and Shruti. His protective instincts kicked in immediately, and he thought to talk to her , But before he could say anything-

"Good morning, chef dada!"

Ayansh's groggy voice echoed through the kitchen as he walked in, rubbing his eyes. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around Anant from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." Anant chuckled, flipping another paratha.

Ayansh then turned toward Kiara, smirking as he ruffled her hair.
"Aur tu, (squirrel) gilhairi gadbad ghotala, good morning!"

Kiara gasped dramatically, swatting his hand away. "Ugh, Big B! Don't touch my hair!"

Ignoring her, Ayansh hopped onto the slab beside her and lazily reached for a slice of fruit from Kiara's plate.

Kiara made a disgusted face, quickly pulling the plate away. "Eww, Big B! Pahle brush karo jaake, tab touch karna meri plate!"

Anant folded his arms, looking at Ayansh with a strict expression. "Kia bilkul sahi keh rahi hai. Ja, fresh ho kar aa. Dus minute mein yahan dikhna, warna breakfast cancel."

Ayansh groaned, rolling his eyes. "Aree , dada! Ek piece se kya hoga?"

Anant raised an eyebrow. "Nau minute bache hain, Ayansh Rawat."

Realizing there was no way out, Ayansh huffed dramatically and slid off the slab. "Thik hai, ja raha hoon! Par brush karne ke baad tumhare plate se loonga, Kiara!"