In the evening,
Raj and Aarav had returned home, and as soon as they arrived, Grandma asked them to pack their things quickly.
Radha Ji informed them that everyone was preparing for the trip to Shimla and was busy packing. Both of them looked very happy, and Raj couldn't take his eyes off them.
"Alright, I'll make the arrangements for everyone to leave tomorrow morning," Aarav said, but Radha Ji stopped him and asked,
"Then when will you pack your things?"
"Oh come on, now he has a wife; why should he worry about it? She will handle everything.
You on the other hand, come to the kitchen quickly. We need to prepare snacks for everyone," Grandma said.
Radha Ji agreed, leaving Aarav silent, knowing well that Piya wouldn't pack his things.
Nonetheless, he called Ronit and asked him to book flight tickets for everyone.
When Radha Ji saw Raj standing quietly, she questioned,
"What's the matter, Raj? Why are you standing like that? Aren't you going to pack your things? You're coming with us, right?"
Before Raj could respond, Aarav answered,
"Yes, Mom, he'll definitely come."
Raj added,
"Yes, badi maa, I was just thinking about what to pack."
"See? That's why I keep telling you to get married. Then your wife will take care of these things for you. But no, you never listen to me," Grandma scolded him.
"Oh dadima, not this marriage talk again. Just leave it, please. Anyway, I have all of you to take care of me, right?"
"Yes, yes, we're here for you. Just wait; let me check in the kitchen for a while, and then I'll come to help you pack," Radha Ji told Raj and went to the kitchen.
Raj went to his room, and Aarav, after finishing his call with Ronit, headed to his room as well.
There, he found Piya already packing, with three large bags lying nearby.
Aarav was shocked.
" are hum log sirf kuch dino ke liye jaa rahe hai, zindgi bhar ke liye nahi !! Itna sara saaman kyun le rahi ho?? "
(We're only going for a few days, not forever. Why are you packing so much stuff?)
"I know," Piya replied without even looking at him.
"If you're done, could you move aside? I need to pack my things too."
Piya casually replied, " mene aapko nahi roka "
(I didn't stop you.)
"Then please move away from the wardrobe so I can grab my clothes."
Without saying a word, Piya moved aside and sat on the bed, continuing her work.
When Aarav opened the wardrobe, he was stunned.
" aree...mere sare kapde yahan par the, kahan chale gaye??? "
(Hey… my clothes were here. Where did they go?)
He looked suspiciously at Piya.
" sach sach batao, tumne hi churaye hai na??? "
(Tell me the truth; did you steal them)
Piya gave him a sharp look. " me bhala aapke kapde kyun churane lagi?? Me uska kya karungi??? Bolne se pehle socho to sahi !! "
(Why would I steal your clothes? What would I even do with them? Think before you speak!)
"Then where are all my clothes?"
"In the blue bag. I've packed them along with your essentials."
Aarav was even more shocked now.
"Why did you pack my things? How did you even know what I'd need?"
"I've been living with you for quite a while now. I figured you'd get home late from the office, so I packed your stuff. Check if I missed anything." Then she added,
"You check everything; I'm going downstairs to help Maa in the kitchen." She started to leave.
"Wait…" Aarav stopped her.
She turned back, looking at him, and Aarav softly said,
"Thank you…"
Hearing this, Piya smiled and replied, "No problem," before heading downstairs.
Aarav checked his belongings, then sat on the bed with his laptop to finish his office work, as he wouldn't be going to the office for a few days.
Meanwhile, Piya joined Radha Ji in the kitchen. When Radha Ji saw her, she asked,
"Why are you here? Are all your preparations for tomorrow done?"
"Yes, Maa. Everything's done. I came to help you."
Radha Ji smiled and said, "Good that you came. Take care of everything here. I'll check on Raj; I'm sure he hasn't packed anything yet."
"Alright, Maa, go ahead. I'll manage here."
Radha Ji then went to Raj's room.
Raj was still sitting on the bed, scrolling through his phone.
"Hmm, pata hi tha mujhe!! Aese hi bethe hoge tum "
(I knew it! You'd still be sitting like this,)
Radha Ji said as she entered, and Raj quickly put his phone aside.
"Come on, leave your phone and help me now."
Raj and Radha Ji began packing. However, Radha Ji noticed that Raj seemed downhearted.
She made him sit beside her and lovingly asked,
"You know you can't hide anything from me. Now, tell me what's wrong. Why are you so upset, beta?"
"What? Nothing's wrong, badi maa. You must be mistaken."
"Hmm… Are you going to hide things from your mother now?"
Hearing this, Raj's eyes welled up and he rested his head on Radha Ji's lap.
"I don't know, badi maa. I'm feeling really troubled today. It feels like I'm all alone. It's just a bit of work stress,"
he said, hiding the truth about Neha, as he didn't want to talk about her.
Radha Ji talked to him for a while, and Raj fell asleep on her lap. Just then, Sakshi entered the room.
"Mom… Mom… where are you? I've been looking for you. My pink dress—"
She stopped when she saw Raj sleeping. Radha Ji gestured for her to keep quiet, gently laid Raj down, and came out with Sakshi.
"What happened? Why are you yelling?"
"Mom, my new pink dress is missing. And what's wrong with Raj Bhai?"
"Nothing, we were just packing. Your dress is in your wardrobe; check properly."
Radha Ji and Sakshi then went back to their rooms.
Later, when Piya returned to her room, she found Aarav asleep on the bed with his laptop still open.
Smiling to herself, she thought,
" sote hue kitne innocent lag rahe hai, lekin jab jaag jate hai to....khadooss kahike !! "
(He looks so innocent while sleeping, like a baby. But when he's awake… such a grump!) She chuckled to herself.
Just then, Aarav shifted slightly in his sleep and Piya quickly covered her mouth, afraid she'd been caught.
Realizing he was still asleep, she carefully took the laptop, closed it and placed it aside. She adjusted Aarav's position, covered him with a blanket, and went to sleep on the sofa.
The next morning, everyone was ready to leave for Shimla.
To be continued in the next chapter... ❤️❤️❤️