4 . Trip to mumbai

Author's POV

Arjun was checking the kitchen glossary—how many new items they needed to order, how the chefs were working—when the big sliding door of the kitchen opened.

A young man in his twenties walked in, dragging his steps lazily, and without hesitation sat on the large kitchen counter.

Arjun barely looked at him before saying in his usual commanding tone, "Speak."

The young man, Om, lazily pushed his iPad in Arjun's direction. Arjun raised a brow, finally glanced at the screen, and asked, "And, what is this?"

Om finally spoke, "This is the social media report of last year—the one you've been asking for these last two days."

Arjun gave a short nod, gesturing for him to continue. Om took a deep breath before explaining, "It contains everything—our social media accounts, their followers, the number of views and likes, ratings, good responses, bad ones, and even some baseless suggestions."

He scoffed at the last part, but Arjun ignored his tone and started going through the report.

"And here," Om went on, "is how much we spent in the entire year on digital marketing—including hiring a social media manager and influencers for paid promotions."

After going through the all details , Arjun frowned. "Why did we pay such a huge amount to these children's ? "

Om first gaze at screen and then to his elder brother and internally shake his head and corrected him immediately, his eyes still on the iPad. "Bhai (brother), they are not children's . They're an influencers ."

"Still," Arjun muttered, he cant able to understand this much amount for this type of work . "it's a huge amount. And look at them—they just look like school-going kids."

Om gave his brother a strange look and replied dryly, "And these school-going kids have more followers on Instagram than you. People follow them, like them—and their numbers are more than the staff we have in all our hotels."

His words were blunt, like stating a simple fact.

After finishing the report, Arjun gave his order calmly. "Meet Mihir and make a budget till the end of this financial year. This time focus especially on the Mumbai branch—the results there are not convincing. And most importantly, don't hire these kids for promotions."

Om rolled his eyes. "Bhai, they're trending influencers."

"Whatever," Arjun dismissed the topic and turned back to his work.

Om was about to leave when a mischievous thought struck him. He turned back, leaning against the doorframe. "By the way, Bhai... isn't she beautiful?"

Arjun gave him a confused look. Om smirked and clarified, "The smart and pretty girl who is wearing that yellow dress ."

Arjun know where his younger brother wants to take this talk and hr even know that his brother know that ,the girl is meesha but still want to play , so he just simply ignored the tease. "Focus on your work, Omi. Or should I tell Maa about her little boy sneaking out of home at midnight ? " That threat is clearly to told om ' keep your mouth closed ' . But poor Arjun don't know that , the damage is already done .

Hearing a silent threat behind the words Om's face lost all color. Because he know , how much drama last time happened . And if this time his Badi Maa even get worried only little , like a size of ant still his Bade baba will never thought twice before showing him why he called him Hitler . Clearing his throat quickly, he straighten up and stammered, "Too much work to do ! Everyone focus on work !" Without waiting for an answer, he hurried out.

Arjun shook his head at his younger brother's antics.

Outside Mihir's cabin, Om's phone started ringing . He checked the caller ID , and remind the stunt he had pulled but after thinking something a wide grin spread across his face. Quickly slipping into a quiet corridor, he picked up the call.

"Omi," the voice on the other side snapped, "ye tune konsi photo bheji hai? Ye Arjun Misha ke sath kya kar raha hai?"

(Omi, what photo have you sent? What is Arjun doing with Misha?)
here's the come surprise voice of his Badi Maa .

Om's tone turned mischievous. "Yahi toh sochne ki baat hai naa , Badi Maa."

(That's the thing to think about, Badi Maa.)

Sadhana's voice grew sharp. "Baat ko ghuma mat, Omi. Ye bata, ye dono saath mein kaise ? Aur tune unki tasveer kyun khichi ?" " Arjun ko pata chala na toh teri khair nahi ." come another voice of his mother .

(Don't twist the matter, Omi. Tell me, how are these two together, and why did you click their photo? if Arjun get to know then you will be in trouble . )

Om chuckled. "Are Maa, tum na bhaiya pe focus karo. Uss din toh bada mana kar rahe the, ab dekho kaise mil rahe hain, baat kar rahe hain. Shakal dekhi dono ki ? Kaise has rahe the."

(Oh Maa, you should focus on Bhaiya. That day he was strictly refusing, and now look—how he is meeting her, talking with her. Did you see their faces? How they were smiling?)

Kalpana, standing beside, looked at the picture. Misha's face glowed with a smile. Arjun's face held no smile—but neither did it show arrogance, rudeness, or frustration.

Kalpana leaned towards her sister-in-law. "Baat toh sahi keh raha hai ye. Ye dekho, Sadhana."

(He is right. Look at this, Sadhana.)

But Sadhana shook her head firmly. "Apna iski baat ka na bharosa na kare, Jiji. Jaanti hoon main apne laal ko."

(Don't believe his words, Jiji. I know my son well.)

Om scoffed. "Bhalai ka toh zamana hi nahi hai re baba. Ab na main nahi bataunga aapko kuch. Aap hi sab dekh lena."

(This world has no place for goodness, Baba. Now I won't tell you anything. You see for yourself.)

Kalpana quickly softened the tension. "Omi, tu na iski baat mat sun. Tu toh mera achha beta hai na? Bas jab Misha doobara aaye na, mujhe batana. Haan!"

(Omi, don't listen to her. You're my good son, aren't you? Just when Misha comes again, tell me. Okay?)

Om replied just as fast, "Aur aap na bas bhaiyya ya phir kisi ko mat batana ki maine aapko photo bheji hai. Theek hai, Badi Maa?"

(And don't tell Bhaiya or anyone else that I sent you this photo. Okay, Badi Maa?)

He added pointedly, "Aur na apni devrani ko bhi bata dena. Apne ladle bete ke saamne sab ugal degi."

(And don't tell your sister-in-law either. She'll blurt everything out in front of her darling son.)

Kalpana agreed, promising silence. Sadhana, though she knew her son too well, stayed quiet—for her Jiji's sake.

After lunch, Kalpana went to Avantika's room for an important discussion. Sitting on the bed beside her mother-in-law, she wore a stressed expression.

Avantika broke the silence. "Bol, Bidani. Kya baat se jo tanne aise khave jaa rahi se?"

(Speak, Bidani. What is bothering you so much?)

Kalpana hesitated, then said softly, "Maa sa, mai soch rahi thi ki kyu na hum Oswal ji ko khane ke liye bulaaye."

(Maa sa, I was thinking—why don't we invite Oswal ji for dinner?)

Avantika stared at her, understanding instantly why she asked.

"Bindani, tu jaane se na ki tu kya karne ka soche rahi se. Agar Lalla ko pata chala toh . tu toh jaane se shaadi ki baat par kitna bhadak jata hai."

(Bidani, you know what you are planning. If Lalla finds out, you know how angry he gets whenever it's about marriage.)

Kalpana's voice grew sad. "Mai jaanti hu sab, Maa sa. Par aap bhi socho—aise kab tak chalega? Kabhi na kabhi toh use aage badhna padega na."

(I know everything, Maa sa. But think—how long can this go on? Someday he has to move forward, right?)

Avantika sighed. "Mai sab samajhti hu, Bindani. Par har baar kya hota hai, tu jaanti sai."

(I understand, Bindani. But you also know what happens every time.)

Before she could continue, Kalpana show her the picture which is in her phone . After seeing this Avantika also taken back because its shoking for her to that Arjun is with Meesha . From last two years Arjun is intentionally avoided business party's gathering and even family diners because of this and after knowing Oswal had sent her proposel for marriage Arjun meeting her its something which is hard to digest .

After seeing her Mother-in-law silent thinking somehing Kalpana instantly suggest , "Toh Maa sa, kyu na hum ghar mein ek puja karein. Waise bhi naya saal bhi hai. Isi bahane Oswal ji aur unke parivaar ko bula lenge."

(Then Maa sa, why don't we hold a puja at home? Anyway, it's New Year. With that excuse, we can invite Oswal ji and his family.)

Avantika come back to reality after hearing her voice she take a pause and then think after seeing these photos she also feel a slighest of hope and the idea of pooja was not that bad . And no one will question on this. considering it she continue . "Agar tujhe sahi lagta hai toh yah bhi theek hai. Kuch na toh puja hi ho jaayegi."

(If you feel it's right, then fine. At least there will be a puja.)

Kalpana pressed on, her eyes hopeful. "Aur Maa sa, hum soch rahe the ki iss baar Mishra ji ko bulayein. Isi bahane hum Arjun ki kundali bhi unhe dikha denge. Shayad kuch bata paaye."

(And Maa sa, we were thinking of inviting Mishra ji this time. With this excuse, we can also show Arjun's horoscope to him. Maybe he can say something.)

Avantika saw the desperate hope in her daughter-in-law's eyes. She nodded gently. "Jaisa thare ko sahi laage. Baki sab Thakur ji ki marzi."

(As you feel right. The rest is Lord Krishna's will.)

Avantika join her hands in gesture of praying for lord Krishna and silently asking him for her family's happiness and requesting him to may any kind of trouble not to happen . Kalpana left the room, heart lightened, and began preparing for the puja with only one prayer—for her son's happiness.

That evening, at Thakur Haveli, the family sat together for dinner. Laughter and chatter filled the air until Kalpana quitely looked at her Mother-in-law and tell her though the eyes to start the topic . Understanding the talk of her Avantika cleared her throat, catching everyone's attention.

"Hum soch rahe se ki naya saal hai, toh kyu na ghar ma ek puja karaye."

(We were thinking—it's New Year, so why don't we organize a puja at home?)

Chandraprakash frowned. "Achanak se kahe?"

(Why suddenly?)

"Ab bhagwan ka maan lene mein aur unki seva karne mein ka sochna na."

(When it comes to showing devotion to God, what's there to think?) Avantika replied firmly.

Kalpana quickly supported, "Hum bhi wahi soch rahe the, Baba sa."

(We were also thinking the same, Baba sa.)

Seeing the hope in their eyes, Chandraprakash relented. "Aap logano jo sahi laage kare. Aur kuch laage toh Omi se keh dayo." Because he know they are behind something and saying 'no' to he's daughter-in-law is the last thing anyone willing to do .

(Do as you all think is right. And if anything else, tell Omi.)

Om groaned. "Main kyu? Har baar main hi kyu?"

(Why me? Why always me?)

"Kyuki tum kuch jyada kaam toh karte nahi ho."

(Because you hardly do any work.) Mihir teased.

"Aur tu chota hai."

(And you're the youngest.) Vikram added.

Om threw up his hands. "Ye konsa logic hai ki main chota hu? Badi Maa!"

(What kind of logic is this that I'm the youngest? Badi Maa!)

Kalpana smiled indulgently. "Koi nahi, mera bachha. Kaam Mihir kar lega."

(It's okay, my child. Mihir will do the work.)

Om's face lit up instantly. Mihir, however, winced. "Aise kyu?"

(Why me?)

Om grinned cheekily. "Kyuki aap second chote ho."

(Because you're the second youngest.)

"Ye toh Vikram bhai bole the. Unhe bolo na kaam kare."

(This was said by Vikram bhai. Ask him to do the work.)

The whole family laughed at their banter. Kalpana finally said, "Agar kisi ko bulana ho toh abhi se bata do."

(If there's anyone you'd like to invite, tell me now.)

Everyone nodded quietly while Om and Mihir continued teasing each other.

Meanwhile, in the city, Megha had finished her dinner at a nearby hotel. On her way back to her hostel, she ran into a familiar vendor near his shop.

"Tar zhal ka mg jeven?" (So Megha, have you had dinner?) he asked kindly.

Megha nodded with a sigh. "Ata tr ass vatatay Kaka ki fakt batata khaun ayushya kadhav lagtay ki kaay."

(Nowadays it feels, Kaka, that just eating potatoes is making life unbearable.)

The vendor chuckled—he was used to her complaints about hostel food, always full of potatoes.

He went back to his shop, while Megha reached her room and called her mother. After three rings, her mother picked up. They chatted endlessly, hopping from one random topic to another.

They weren't gossiping. Just... talking.

After a while, her mother spoke in a worried tone: "Aik na tu ekda tai kade houn ye na."

(Listen, you should go to your sister's place once.)

Megha straightened instantly. "What happened?"

Her mother tried to brush it off but admitted she was worried about her elder daughter. She wanted Megha to meet her sister once before coming home for vacation.

Megha resisted at first. She hated visiting her sister's in-laws. But hearing her mother's tense voice, she finally gave in.

"I'll go in the next two days," Megha said. "But I won't stay there. I'll just meet her and come back to the hostel."

Her mother agreed happily.

After the call ended, Megha leaned back on her bed, sighing deeply. She mentally prepared herself for the trip to Mumbai.

She didn't know it yet... but she was going to meet someone.

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