Just as the laughter of Yug and Raani rang out, a soft, familiar voice floated across the courtyard.
"Sister Gauri…!"
Gauri froze, her eyes widening. She turned toward the entrance, and her face lit up with sheer joy. Charvi stood there in a pastel pink anarkali splashed with Holi hues, her smile radiant. Beside her was Gayatri, graceful and serene, her eyes filled with affection.
"Charvi! Maa!" Gauri exclaimed, her voice trembling with happiness. She rushed forward, pulling her sister into a tight hug before embracing her mother. Tears of joy sparkled in her eyes.
Pulling back, she asked breathlessly, "But… who invited you both? How—?"
Charvi's grin deepened as she glanced slyly toward Vihaan. "Jiju did. He said you'd feel elated if Maa and I were here."
Gauri's head snapped toward Vihaan. For a moment, she simply stared at him, overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness she hadn't expected. Her heart swelled with warmth, and a tiny smile tugged at her lips.
Vihaan's eyes met hers briefly—intense, unreadable—but almost instantly, he looked away, hiding behind his usual guardedness.
Yug, however, leaned in toward Vihaan with a mischievous grin and whispered, "Thanks, Bhaiya… for inviting Charvi."
His voice carried a different kind of awe, though—because Yug's eyes were fixed on Charvi. His playful demeanor melted into something softer, almost enchanted, as he watched her laugh and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
Gauri, still holding her sister's hand, didn't notice the silent storm already brewing in Yug's heart.
The colors, the laughter, and the beating of dhols filled the Kothari courtyard with festive energy. Gauri clung to Charvi's hand, her joy tempered by sisterly concern.
"Charvi," Gauri said softly, brushing a streak of gulaal from her sister's cheek, "don't overexert yourself today… you know your condition."
Charvi smiled reassuringly, resting a gentle hand on Gauri's arm. "I promise, Didi. I'll be careful. Today is about happiness—I won't spoil it."
Gayatri nodded in agreement, her proud eyes glistening at the bond between her daughters.
Before Gauri could say more, the air suddenly filled with excited shrieks and whistles.
"Maira! Teju!" Gauri gasped, recognizing two familiar figures entering with beaming smiles. The twins—though not identical—looked stunning in their colorful lehengas, already dusted with powder.
And right beside them walked their husbands—rockstar Mihir Kashyap, with his casual swagger and a guitar slung across his back, and professor Sahir Kashyap, dignified in spectacles yet equally handsome.
"Surprise!" Maira and Teju chorused, running forward to envelop Gauri in a double hug.
"Maira! Teju!" Gauri's voice broke into delighted laughter as she held them tight. "You both came!"
"Of course," Teju grinned. "Did you think we'd miss Holi with you?"
Mihir gave a teasing bow, "And besides, how could Rockstar Mihir Kashyap refuse when Vihaan himself called?"
Sahir adjusted his glasses with a smile. "More like Vihaan dragged us here. But we're glad he did."
Vihaan stepped forward, shaking hands with Mihir and Sahir, a flicker of genuine warmth crossing his usually stern face. "Good to see you both here. Feels like old times."
The courtyard erupted again with chatter, laughter, and renewed energy, the circle of family and friends widening as the Holi celebration reached new heights.
As the laughter and colors swirled around, Mihir slung an arm over Yug's shoulder with a mischievous grin.
"Arre wah, Yug! You've grown so much—and look at you, all handsome now! Hard to believe you're the same fellow who used to waddle around a few years ago like a cute little golu-molu!"
Gauri blinked in surprise, her brows arching. "Wait… what? Yug was chubby?" She turned to look at him with wide eyes, clearly amused.
Charvi covered her mouth to hide a soft giggle, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Yug's face turned crimson. "Bhai, please!" he muttered, glaring at Mihir in embarrassment. "Why are you telling these old stories?"
Gauri laughed in delight. "This is news to me! I never imagined you like that, Yug."
Yug fumbled, scratching the back of his neck. "Well… people change, okay? Don't ruin my reputation in front of… certain people."
His eyes flickered quickly—just for a heartbeat—towards Charvi before he looked away, pretending to adjust his kurta.
Charvi's cheeks warmed at the subtle glance, her lips pressing together to suppress a smile, while Gauri tilted her head in curiosity, noticing the tension but not quite piecing it together yet.
Mihir, enjoying Yug's misery, laughed harder. "Haan haan, reputation-shaputation! But Gauri, you should've seen him—one Holi, Yug cried because he couldn't fit into his kurta properly!"
The group burst into laughter, and Yug groaned dramatically, muttering, "Why do I even call you my friend…"
Yug clasped his hands dramatically and turned to Gauri, "Sister-in-law, I've always been on your team! Don't betray me now, please."
Gauri raised her brows, pretending to think, then broke into a mischievous smile. "You're right. No one should tease our chubby brother-in-law."
Her playful words sent the entire group into another round of laughter—Charvi giggling behind her dupatta, Mihir doubling over, Sahir shaking his head with amusement, and even Raani joining in.
Yug groaned loudly, covering his face. "Sister-in-law! Not you too!"
Everyone's laughter echoed across the courtyard, blending with the vibrant Holi chaos.
Only Vihaan didn't laugh aloud—he simply stood a little apart, watching quietly. A faint, unguarded smile tugged at his lips as his eyes lingered on Gauri's bright, carefree laughter. For a fleeting moment, her joy seemed to soften something deep inside him.