~ 🄰🅄🅃🄷🄾🅁 🄿🄾🅅 ~
Heer sat in front of the mirror, slowly running the comb through her soft, tangled hair. Her eyes looked distant, lost in thoughts that refused to leave her alone, when suddenly, a knock echoed through the quiet room.
Startled slightly, she turned her head toward the door. A quick glance at the clock told her it was around breakfast time. She assumed it was one of the servants bringing her meal like always. That’s how it had been for the past two days
She stood up with a sigh, her bare feet brushing the cool floor before slipping into her slippers. As she opened the door, she expected to find a tray—but instead, the servant stood there empty-handed.
“Good morning, ma’am. You’re requested in the dining room for breakfast,” the girl said politely, then turned on her heel and walked away without another word.
Heer blinked, confused.
They called me for breakfast? Why now?
For two whole days, everyone had left her alone—no pressure, no forced interaction. They had respected her space, her silence, her grief. And now suddenly, she was being called to the dining room?
Her brows furrowed slightly as she processed it. A part of her wanted to retreat back into the quiet safety of her room, but another part—one that remembered her mother’s last wish—told her to take this step, however small it felt.
Letting out a slow breath, she pulled the comb through her hair one last time, smoothed down the loose strands, and padded across the room. After locking the door behind her, she wrapped her arms around herself and walked toward the dining room, unsure of what waited for her, but silently determined to face it.
Shaurya and Bhavika were already seated at the dining table, chatting softly with Arhaan when they heard footsteps approaching. Shaurya was the first to notice her.
Heer stood at the threshold of the dining room, looking hesitant, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her kurti. Her eyes scanned the room, uncertain if she was truly meant to be there.
A warm smile touched Shaurya’s lips as he stood slightly. “Good morning, Heer,” he greeted, his voice calm and welcoming, snapping her out of her spiraling thoughts.
“Good morning,” she replied softly, giving a small nod in return.
Bhavika turned toward her with a motherly smile. “Beta, why are you standing there? Come, take a seat,” she said, gesturing to the chair beside her.
Heer hesitated for a second before finally stepping in. She gave a quick glance around the room, as if seeking permission again, then quietly pulled out a chair and sat down, trying her best to hide how out of place she felt.
Just then, Arhaan looked toward the door and said cheerfully, “Good morning, Dadu!”
Their grandfather walked in, flanked by Rakshit and Kanishk, all dressed neatly and chatting amongst themselves. The atmosphere was casual but carried a sense of morning routine and warmth.
“Good morning to everyone,” Dadu greeted with a wide smile, but then paused slightly when his eyes landed on Heer sitting quietly at the table.
Before the silence could stretch too long, Rihaan and Priyansh also entered, adding more energy to the room.
“Arey wah!” Dadu chuckled, making his way to the head of the table. “Aaj Heer bitiya bhi hamare saath breakfast karegi? That’s wonderful. Good morning, Heer.”
Heer gave him a small smile, lowering her gaze politely. “Good morning, sir,” she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
She tried to appear composed, but inside, she was feeling awkward and overwhelmed. Everyone was being kind—gentle, even—but she couldn’t shake off the feeling that she didn’t belong. That this wasn’t her place. Not yet.
But somewhere deep inside, her mother’s words echoed again: “I want you to smile remembering me, not cry.”
And so, she stayed.
“Get up.”
Heer frowned, startled by the sudden command. She turned her head to find Kanishk standing there, arms folded across his chest, looking directly at her.
“Huh?” she blinked, clearly confused by his tone and words.
“I said get up,” he repeated, rolling his eyes. “Can’t you hear properly? That’s my seat.”
Heer instantly began to rise, flustered and embarrassed. “I-I didn’t know, I’m sorry,” she mumbled, avoiding everyone’s gaze.
But before she could move, Shaurya’s voice cut through the awkward silence—low and firm.
“Kanishk.”
The room stilled.
““That is not how you speak to her,” Shaurya said sharply, his tone laced with authority. “First, watch your tone. And second, she’s sitting here, and she’ll remain seated here. There are plenty of other vacant seats—pick one.”
Kanishk’s jaw clenched as he looked at his elder brother, displeasure clear in his eyes. Before he could retort, another voice interrupted from the main entrance.
“What’s wrong with what Kanishk said?” Everyone turned toward the door, where Swayam stood. His face was unreadable as he walked in. “He just asked for his seat. He wasn’t wrong.”
The tension in the room thickened like fog.
Kanishk’s face hardened as he turned toward his father, and for a moment, the air seemed to crackle between them.
“I didn’t ask for you to back me up,” Kanishk said through gritted teeth. “Don’t poke into my matters, Mr. Raichand—you’ve already lost that right.”
Swayam stiffened slightly, taken aback by his son’s cold words.
The entire table fell into a stunned silence.
Heer remained seated, unsure of whether she should leave or stay. Bhavika subtly reached over and gave her hand a gentle squeeze under the table—a silent comfort, telling her she was not alone.
Shaurya didn’t speak further, but he met her eyes and gave her a nod—firm, grounding.
“Kanishk bhai, calm down,” Arhaan said, trying to diffuse the tension, but Kanishk merely scoffed.
“You?” he sneered, casting a side glance at Heer. “Are you going to stand up or just enjoy the morning entertainment? I need to sit.”
His gaze flickered back to Heer, making her shrink slightly under the pressure. She nervously reached for her bottle, already preparing to stand and give him the seat, but a hand raised in front of her stopped her mid-motion.
Rakshit.
He didn’t touch her—his hand hovered just a few inches in the air as a gesture to pause. Heer looked at him, confused and a bit startled.
Rakshit, keeping his calm demeanor, turned toward Kanishk and asked plainly, “Does breakfast taste different from that chair?”
Kanishk frowned. “No, but—”
“Then don’t act like a five-year-old,” Rakshit cut him off with calm firmness. “There are plenty of seats. Sit somewhere else.”
Kanishk’s mouth opened to argue again, but before he could, bhavika's voice rang out, sharper than usual.
“Kanishk! That’s enough. Let us eat in peace.”
The finality in her voice left no room for argument. Grumbling under his breath, Kanishk reluctantly sat down on the chair next to Heer, his jaw clenched and his mood sour.
“Bro, that’s my chair…” Rihaan started, but as soon as four pairs of eyes—Shaurya, Bhavya, Rakshit, and even Kanishk—turned to glare at him, he immediately changed course.
“But it’s fine. I’ll manage,” he added quickly, flashing a grin and sliding into a seat on the other end of the table.
Arhaan and Priyansh bit back their laughter, barely able to stifle their giggles at the absurdity of the situation.
Despite the tense start, the mood at the table began to ease—at least a little. Heer, though still slightly tense, felt the invisible wall around her begin to crack, ever so slightly, as quiet support surrounded her.
“Heer, don’t take them too seriously,” Bhavika said with a playful roll of her eyes. “They’re still stuck in their growing up phase.”
“Mom!” Kanishk whined, looking scandalized.
“What Mom?” Shaurya chimed in with a smirk. “You’re 24, Kanishk, and you’re throwing a tantrum over a chair? Seriously, that’s just petty.”
Bhavika nodded in firm agreement with her elder son, making Kanishk huff and cross his arms like a sulking child.
Trying to shift the mood, Arhaan jumped in, cheerful as ever. “Mom, what’s for breakfast?”
Bhavika's expression brightened. “Chole bhature, poha, sandwich, and idli sambhar.”
At the mention of food, Kanishk, Rihaan, and Priyansh immediately perked up, their faces lighting with identical grins.
“Now that’s what I call a breakfast spread,” Rihaan grinned, rubbing his hands.
Shaurya picked up the serving spoon and started helping himself to poha. “Heer,” he said, glancing at her, “what do you like among these?”
Although he don't speak much but to make Heer comfortable he said in order to start a conversation , also to know her preferences.
Heer looked up, slightly surprised to be addressed so warmly. “Anything would be fine,” she replied softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Shaurya smiled gently. “That won’t do. You’ve got to pick something or these hyenas will eat everything before you even get a plate.”
The boys laughed at Shaurya’s jab, and for the first time, a small but genuine smile flickered on Heer’s lips.
“Still, got anything favorite?” Arhaan asked gently, his voice wrapped in warmth and care.
Heer lowered her gaze at his question. A memory flashed before her eyes—her mother in the kitchen, humming softly while flipping aloo parathas on the tawa. The smell, the comfort, the smile on her mother’s face—it all hit her like a wave. A lump formed in her throat.
That used to be her favorite. But now… without her mother, nothing felt like a favorite anymore.
“No,” she mumbled, barely above a whisper.
Arhaan gave a small nod, sensing the weight behind her single word.
“So, you eat everything?” Priyansh piped up, stacking a grand total of seven idlis on his plate.
Heer looked up briefly—and blinked in surprise. Her eyes widened at the mountain of idlis on his plate, and despite herself, the corner of her lips twitched. Priyansh caught her gaze and chuckled, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. “What? I’m a growing boy,” he said, trying to look innocent.
“Yes,” Heer replied softly, still holding that ghost of a smile. “I eat everything.”
“Wow, seekho tum sab Heer se,” bhavika said with a lighthearted giggle, clearly enjoying the morning chatter.
“Mom, come on,” Rihaan groaned, rolling his eyes. “Who likes karela, tinda, kaddu, that kind of torture food?”
Kanishk and Priyansh immediately nodded in vigorous agreement, making exaggerated disgusted faces. The whole table laughed, including Heer, who for the first time in days felt the dull weight on her chest lift—just a little.
"I “I think she’s lying,” Kanishk said casually, taking a slow sip of his juice, his eyes narrowed in mock suspicion.
Heer frowned, clearly taken aback. “I’m not.”
“Oh, come on,” he scoffed, shaking his head dramatically. “As if anyone believes that. No one is that good to eat every sabzi out there. That’s just not human.”
“But I do,” Heer shot back, narrowing her eyes and glaring at him with mild annoyance.
“Oh really?” Rihaan leaned forward with a mischievous grin. “Then at lunch, you’re eating everything we put on your plate. No excuses.”
Kanishk smirked, joining the mischief. “Yep, that includes karela and lauki. Let’s see how long that ‘I eat everything’ streak lasts.”
Heer lifted a brow and shrugged nonchalantly. “Fine. Challenge accepted.”
Bhavika rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed with her sons’ antics. “No need, Heer. Don’t pay attention to these idiots,” she said, casting a fond but exasperated look at Kanishk and Rihaan.
Arhaan and Shaurya both nodded in agreement, hiding their smiles.
“And the most important thing,” Rakshit chimed in, his voice calm but firm, “is that you don’t have to prove anything to anyone. If someone doesn’t believe you, that’s their problem—not yours.”
Heer gave him a grateful glance, while Bhavika nodded approvingly.
“Come on, guys! It’s not that deep,” Kanishk said, brushing it off with a grin. “She’ll do it, right?”
“And what if she does prove you wrong?” Arhaan raised a brow, his smirk growing. “What will you do then?”
Everyone turned their eyes to Kanishk and Rihaan, waiting curiously for their answer.
“Uhh... anything?” Kanishk replied, glancing at Rihaan for backup.
Rihaan gave an uncertain nod. “Yeah, anything.”
“Dekh lo bhai,” Arhaan leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying the moment. “Baad mein mukar mat jaana.”
“We won’t back out,” both Kanishk and Rihaan said in unison, trying to sound confident.
Bhavika chuckled, shaking her head affectionately at the banter. She then glanced at Shaurya, who was quietly observing the scene, a small but content smile tugging at his lips. It was clear he was relieved to see Heer slowly opening up, even if just a little.
For the first time in days, the atmosphere around the dining table felt light.
WORDS: 2147
Should I provide translation for hindi dialogue too? I was feeling lazy so didn't provide it today if you want tell me I'll provide it in comments.