The room was unusually loud for a house ruled by silence.
Mahi and Kriti were sitting on the bed, legs folded, facing each other like two people finally releasing all the thoughts they had collected during the day.
Kriti looked exhausted but talkative.
Mahi looked calm but attentive.
And between them—
a lot of complaining.
Scene 1: Work Gossip Begins
Kriti leaned back dramatically.
"I swear, my office is trying to destroy my personality."
Mahi glanced at her.
"You already said you don't want a personality at work."
Kriti pointed at her.
"That was sarcasm. But they don't understand sarcasm."
Mahi didn't respond immediately.
Then she said softly,
"Maybe they understand work instead."
Kriti gasped.
"Even you are against me now?"
Mahi shook her head slightly.
"I'm not against you. I'm just observing reality."
Kriti frowned.
"That sounded like Uncle."
Mahi blinked once.
"That's not a compliment."
Scene 2: Full Gossip Mode
Kriti suddenly leaned forward.
"Okay fine, listen. Today I tried to 'improve' a report."
Mahi tilted her head slightly.
"You mean you changed it again?"
Kriti smiled proudly.
"Yes. I made it more… expressive."
Mahi paused.
"That's not what reports are for."
Kriti waved her hand.
"Exactly why I'm reforming the system."
Mahi gave a small sigh.
"That system is called your job."
Kriti ignored that completely.
"And you? How is your café life? Still serving 'emotional coffee' to people?"
Mahi blinked slowly.
"It's just coffee."
Kriti smiled mischievously.
"But I heard customers are talking about your 'special writing style' in order slips."
Mahi's fingers paused slightly.
"…That's nothing."
Kriti leaned closer.
"Nothing or secret fame?"
Mahi didn't answer.
That silence was enough.
Scene 3: Ayaan Enters
The door opened suddenly.
Ayaan walked in.
Both of them immediately sat properly.
Too quickly.
Too obviously.
Ayaan looked at them.
He didn't say anything at first.
Just stared at the room.
Too many emotions.
Too much talking.
Not his environment.
Strict Reaction Begins
"You are both talking too much," Ayaan said calmly.
Kriti immediately replied,
"That is a very unfair accusation."
Ayaan didn't even look at her.
"It is not an accusation. It is observation."
Kriti opened her mouth—
then stopped.
Because she knew arguing would only make it worse.
Mahi stayed quiet, watching the situation carefully.
Scene 4: The Pillow Moment
Ayaan walked closer.
"Speak lightly," he said.
Kriti whispered to Mahi,
"He means 'be silent' but in rich people language."
Mahi almost smiled.
Almost.
Then—
Ayaan picked up a pillow from the bed.
Both of them froze.
Kriti blinked.
"…Why are you holding that?"
Ayaan replied calmly,
"To get your attention."
Then he lightly threw it toward them.
Not hard.
Just enough to break their conversation.
The pillow landed between them.
Silence.
Kriti stared at it.
"…This is emotional violence."
Ayaan turned away.
"It is discipline."
Scene 5: Aftermath
Kriti leaned back again.
"Your uncle is weirdly dramatic sometimes."
Mahi adjusted the pillow.
"Not dramatic. Just strict."
Kriti smiled.
"That's the same thing."
Mahi didn't reply.
But there was a small calmness in the room now.
Not fear.
Not tension.
Just settled silence after chaos.
Ayaan stood near the door.
Before leaving, he said,
"Rest early."
Then he walked out.
Ending Scene
Kriti lay back.
"This house is 70% strictness and 30% surprise attacks."
Mahi looked at the ceiling.
"It's manageable."
Kriti turned her head.
"You're too calm. That's suspicious."
Mahi replied softly,
"I just don't make noise."
Outside the room, Ayaan stopped for a moment in the hallway.
He didn't speak.
But for once, his expression wasn't fully strict.
Just slightly softer than before.
Then he walked away.