19 October,2023

North kolkata

The sky was painted in golden hues as dusk approached casting a burnished glow on the tarmac of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. A sleek charcoal-black private jet had just touched down. Descending the steps of the aircraft with calm precision was Veeransh Raghuvanshi flanked by Neil, Anil and his three younger brothers. The convoy of luxury SUVs was already waiting. The boys exchanged nods and separated heading directly to the Roy Villa. 

As the car neared the Villa's entrance Veeransh took a breath ready to join the family gathering which was not in his list. But it was not going to be simple. 

A sharp bark rang out followed by hurried footsteps. From the entrance a young woman emerged in a motion balancing a large bucket of jasmine and rose flowers. A white pomeranian on a pink leash darted excitedly in front of her weaving in and out of her feet. 

Neither of them saw each other. He was busy in his phone and she was busy balancing the bucket and giving attention to her bay. And others just stood behind waiting to witness the scene unfold. 

Until they collided. Clang. 

The bucket slipped from her grasp with petals soaring into the air like golden confetti. The puppy barked and danced around their feet making her stumble forward and bumped straight into Veeransh. 

"Aiyo, are you blind?" She snapped trying to steady the half empty bucket. Her dupatta slipped slightly revealing a pastel kurti. 

Veeransh removed his sunglasses, his hazel eyes narrowing towards her. "Excuse me?" 

"I said are. you. blind?," she repeated with one hand on her hip still struggling with her over excited pup. 

The five boys stared at the interaction being speechless. 

Veeransh glanced down at his petal filled blazer then back up at her. "Miss look where you were going."

"You stepped into my path Mr.! You need to look where you are going."

"If anyone needs to look where they are going it's you and your zoo."

She let out an exasperated breath. "Zoo? That's Romeo. He's not a zoo." She said pointing towards her puppy.

"Miss you stormed out of nowhere with a bucket of flowers and a rabbit disguised as dog. What did you expect?" 

Romeo barked indignantly as though offended by the insult. 

SHE straightened her back her eyes blazing, "You-"

But before she could finish a voice rang out from the front door. 

"Aadhi? What's going on?" It was Aadhira who collided and it was her elder brother Moksh approaching with concern.  

Aadhira turned. "Dada! He just ruined the flower for the decoration!" 

"You collided with me," Veeransh corrected brushing off another rose petal stuck to his blazer.

Moksh looked from his sister to Veeransh. "Broo!" 

"She is my sister," Moksh said shrugging his neck. "Youngest one. Aadhira Singha Roy."

"Guessed right. Same immaturity like you." Veeransh murmured but it was too late.

"Immature who. Walk like they own the street then blaming it on the other person. Rude." Aadhira said slipping an arm around the puppy and scooping him in her arms.

He stared her for a moment. Hazel eyes deep and unreadable. Aadhira's breath caught. 

Neil coughed behind him. Arav whispered, "This is going to be interesting."

Aadhira turned away abruptly her cheeks warm with a blush she refused to acknowledge. "Let's go Romeo. Some people think they own the earth." She muttered stomping toward the villa carrying Romeo and her half petal filled bucket. Petals continued to fall from her clothes as she walked.

Veeransh stood silently for a moment then went inside with others. 

     " उन्हें देखी तो देखता रह गया

     ऐसी लगी नजाने कुछ

      मोहब्बत हो गई उससे

    जिसके नजर में मैं खो गई "

  ( As I see her , I kept seeing her

    it feels like

  I fell in love with her

  in whose eyes I got lost ) 

Meera ji, Aadhira's mother stepped forward with warmth. "Beta, we were waiting for you all. Come."

Behind her everyone stood with gentle smiles. 

"He is Veeransh," Moksh said guiding him in. "And they are his brothers Arav, Kairav, Ayansh and they are Anil and Neil." He introduced them to his family members. 

"You didn't need to bring gifts," Shweta ji, Aadhira's grandmother said noticing the carefully wrapped packages. 

"It's tradition Dadi sa," Veeransh replied. "And it's my first visit." 

Shweta ji smiled acknowledging. "You're a man of few words but good ones." 

They moved into the drawing room. Snacks were served and conversation easily flowed between the families except Veeransh who remained mostly quiet. 

Somewhere upstairs a door opened and few minutes later footsteps padded down the staircase. 

And she was there.

Aadhira entered the drawing room freshly dressed in an sea-green salwar kameez, her long hair now tied up with a fre tendrils curling around her cheek. Romeo pranced beside her like a furry bodyguard. 

She paused only for a second when she noticed Veeransh already seated then composed herself and walked toward the family with her trademark confidence. 

"So now you're calm, Miss Volcano?" Ashutosh ji, her grandfather said.

Aadhira huffed. "Dadu Romeo ran out again. You know na he doesn't wait."

"Ran out or dragged you into mischief?" Sanvi, her sister-in-law teased. 

She just shrugged of her shoulder and turned towards the guest. "Good evening. I'm sorry about earlier everyone. And Mr. Raghuvanshi I'm sorry."

He stood. "Call me Veeransh. And I believe we're even."

Their eyes locked again. Something passed between them which was less hostile and more curious.

"Hii Beautiful," Anil came forward making Veeransh narrow his eyes toward him. 

"Helloo !?" Then they engaged in a conversation like long lost friends. 

Then as per Shweta ji's order they went to take rest. Aadhira also went to show them their rooms Veeransh followed her behind. 

"Careful this time," He said walking behind her.

She rolled her eyes but the corners of her lips curved upward.

And just like that something had begun.