"Nope, Nah, Nahi, Nakko, ille," she grinned, knowing exactly what was coming next.
"Badi maa strictly said—it's a family lunch. You have to come downstairs. That's an order my little bitter cutie putie big brother."
"Are yaar," he groaned dramatically, leaning back into his chair and letting his head fall back. "Thoda toh samjha karo genius logo ka routine easy nahi hota beta. Kash koi pause button hota."
[Please understand, routine of genius people is not easy beta. I wish there was a pause button.]
"Genius log bhi khana khate hai," Aditi retorted, already turning on her heels. "I'm not arguing. Just come."
[Genius people have food too.]
With a reluctant sigh, he closed the laptop mid-hack. "Fine."
Five minutes later, Ehsaan descended the stairs, now in a fresh tee and sweatpants, still running his fingers through his hair as he walked into the dining hall. The scent of butter, spices, and fresh cooked food filled the air.
Around the sprawling dining table, the entire Agnihotri family was seated, chatting and serving food. Laughter and overlapping voices filled the space with warmth.
"Aa gaye sahabzaade," came his mother Anjali Agnihotri's teasing voice, her eyes twinkling as she spotted him.
[The king has arrived]
Ehsaan grinned and walked to her side, draping his long arms around her shoulders. "Kya maa… aap bhi na. Janwaro ke beech khana khilate ho."
[What mom… you too. You feed me among the animals.]
She lightly smacked his bicep with the edge of her serving spoon. "Aise nahi bolte!"
[Don't say like that!]
From the other end of the table, a sharp voice cut in. "Ab hum log janwar ho gaye," Alka Chaturvedi, his buaaji, scoffed, clearly unimpressed.
[Now we have become animals]
As usual, Alka was dressed in a crisp saree, lips pursed and eyes disapproving. Ever since her husband, Jaivardhan Chaturvedi, passed away, she'd moved into the Agnihotri house and found fault in almost everything.
Sudha Agnihotri, his dadi, interjected before the tension could rise. "Enough! Focus on your food."
Anjali smiled and began serving her husband, Nisarg Agnihotri, with care, while Reena Agnihotri, his chachi, served her husband, Nishant Agnihotri. A sense of routine and comfort wrapped the room like a soft comfy blanket.
Anjali smiled and began serving her husband, Nisarg Agnihotri, with care, while Reena Agnihotri—his chachi—served her husband, Nishant Agnihotri. A sense of routine and comfort wrapped the room like a soft comfy blanket.
Ahaan Agnihotri, Ehsaan's elder brother, sat silently at the far side of the table, his expression distant, lost in his own world. His plate sat untouched in front of him.
Ehsaan made his way over and plopped onto the chair beside him. He gave Ahaan a friendly pat on the back. "Or, upcoming dulhe raja, kya haal hai?"
[Ohh, upcoming groom, how are you?]
Reena let out a cheerful laugh from the other end. "Upcoming nahi, soon-to-be."
"YAYAYAYAYAYA," Ehsaan smirked.
Aditi and Aarav, Reena and Nishant's children, sat grinning as they watched their dramatic cousin in full form. Aarav, the foodie, was halfway through his third roti, already laughing at Ehsaan's one-liners.
At the far side, Harsh Chaturvedi sat beside his wife Priya, his hand protectively on her five-month cute baby bump. She smiled politely at the family's banter.
As plates clinked and laughter grew louder, the room felt like a living, breathing living being. Full of fun, sarcasm, traditions, and old wounds—this was home.
And in the middle of it all sat Ehsaan—charming, chaotic, rebellious, and yet loved by all. Even if he'd rather be behind a screen, cracking codes and chasing shadows.