*The_Last_Pen*

*The_Last_Pen* Meenakshi Amman Temple entrance, Madurai. Periyasamy. Age 60. Every morning at 6 AM, he would sit at the temple entrance. In front of him, a small cloth spread. On it—pens, pencils, erasers, compasses. A pavement shop. But no real business. Periyasamy had one rule. Whenever someone asked for a pen, he would first ask: “Son… is it for an exam?” “Yes, grandfather. I have a maths exam today. I forgot my pen.” Immediately, Periyasamy would pick a good pen and give it. “Here. This is a lucky pen. Go get 100 marks.” “How much, grandfather?” “Money later. First write your exam. Come back and tell me your marks. Then pay.” The children would laugh and run off. They never returned. Periyasamy never asked either. His wife, Thangam, would scold him: “Are you mad? One pen costs ten rupees. If you give them away like this, what will we eat? Who will pay the rent?” Periyasamy would take out an old diary. In it, he had written entries by date: “12.03.2010 – Ramesh – Maths exam – Pen – Pending” “05.06.2011 – Sumathi – Hindi exam – Pen – Pending” “18.09.2013 – Murugan – 10th Public Exam – Pen – Pending” The diary was full of “pending” entries. When counted—around 3,000 pens. Thirty thousand rupees. “Look, Thangam,” he would say, “this isn’t debt. It’s an investment. One day it will return.” Thangam would sigh: “Your ‘investment’ will turn to dust. You’re getting old. Who is going to come back now?” Twenty years passed. Periyasamy was now 80. His eyesight had faded. Hearing was weak. Still, every day he sat at the same temple entrance. Same cloth. Same pens. But now, no business at all. Kids used gel pens, sketch pens, everything online. One morning, a car stopped at the temple entrance. A man stepped out—about 35 years old. Suit and tie. Holding a bouquet. He walked straight to Periyasamy and fell at his feet. “Grandfather… do you recognize me?” Periyasamy strained his eyes. “Son… I’m old. I can’t see properly.” “Grandfather… 18 years ago… 10th public exam. Maths paper. That morning I came crying. My pen had broken. I had no money. You gave me a pen and said, ‘This is a lucky pen. Go score 100 marks.’ You didn’t ask for money.” A faint memory returned to Periyasamy. “Son… you are…” “I’m Murugan, grandfather. I wrote my exam with that pen. Scored 98 marks. I passed. Went to college. Today, I own a software company—‘Penna Technologies.’ My life started with your pen.” Thangam stood at the doorway, listening, tears flowing silently. Murugan took out a cover. “Grandfather… that day I owed you ten rupees. Today, I return it with interest.” Inside was a cheque—for ten lakhs. Periyasamy’s hands trembled. “Son… I don’t need money. You’ve become successful. That’s enough.” “No, grandfather. This isn’t money. It’s your investment—returning with profit. You don’t need this pavement anymore. I’m here for both of you.” The next day, newspapers carried the headline: “A software entrepreneur offers Gurudakshina of ten lakhs to pavement grandfather.” After reading the news, the next day another car arrived. “Grandfather, I’m Sumathi. I took a pen for my Hindi exam. Now I’m a Hindi teacher.” Then Ramesh came. “Grandfather, I’m now an auditor. Your pen wrote my first balance sheet.” Within a week, the temple entrance looked like a wedding house. Doctors, engineers, collectors, police officers—everyone came in line, fell at Periyasamy’s feet, bringing flowers, fruits, envelopes. Thangam took out the old diary. Three thousand entries. Thirty thousand rupees pending. But now, what had come back was three crores. Periyasamy wept and said: “Thangam… I told you. This wasn’t debt. It was seeds. I sowed them. Today, it has grown into a forest.” Today, at the Meenakshi temple entrance, there stands a big shop: “Periyasamy Pen Store.” No rent. Murugan bought it. A board in the shop reads: “Pens are free here for students going to write exams. Just come back and tell your marks. Pay later.” Below it, a small line: “A ten-rupee pen can change a life. Believe it.” And do you know who runs the shop now? Murugan—the software company owner. Twice a week, he removes his suit, sits in the shop, and gives pens to children. “Son… this is a lucky pen. Go get 100 marks.” What you give is not just a pen—it’s hope. One day, that hope will return and bow at your feet. That day, you will realize—you were never poor. You were truly rich. The law of Karma never fails. As you sow so shall you reap!!!Karma kartaa too chal fal ki apaykshaa na rakh!!!

10 short stories :-

10 short stories :- 1) She was very excited today, after all the school was re-opening after a long summer break. Now, once again, she could start selling stationery at the traffic signal to feed her family. 2) She, a renowned artist and a strict mother, often scolded her 6-year-old son for he could never draw a line straight. As he breathed slowly into the ventilator, she begged him to make one more crooked line on the ECG. 3) "Everyone goes with the flow… but the one who goes against it becomes someone remarkable.” Before I could explain this to the traffic police, the man issued me a Fine. 4) Their love was different; She was happy every time he kicked her in the stomach. Every time he kicked she loved him more. She waited for the time she would hold her baby for the first time. 5) All my toys are yours...! Read her brother’s death note. 6) They took his father, and only returned a flag. 7) At 25, I became a mother of one; at 27 I became a mother of two; and today, at 55, I have become a mother of three! My son got married today, and brought home his wife! 8) “Born to rich parents, this boy is so lucky,” exclaimed the neighbors! Somewhere in heaven, three unborn sisters cried. 9) “You ruined my career, I was supposed to be an executive director,” she thought to herself. The little angel held her finger tightly and she forgot everything; A mother was born. 10) Once a 5-year-old boy was standing barefoot in the shallow water of the ocean. He was repeating the same sentence to the waves – “Even if you touch my feet a thousand times, I won’t forgive you for taking my parents away.

Mathematician asks: How to write 4 in between a 5?

Mathematician asks: How to write 4 in between a 5? China man replied: Is this a Joke? Japan man exclaimed: Impossible! American man said: The question's wrong!! British man snorted: Rubbish !! Indian man wrote: *F(IV)E.* This is the reason why you find Indians everywhere in the world in finance, business, medicine, engineering & arts.. anything to do with optimising your brain!!!!! British: Can u swim? Indian: No. British: Then a dog is better than u because it can swim. Indian: Can u swim? British: Yes! Indian: Then what's the difference between U & the dog? British shocked, faints!! Indian Rocks!!!!! European-: Why do all you Indians come in different colors? Look at us, we are all white. Indian:- Horses too come in different colors but donkeys are all the same!!!

PANI PURI VENDOR

PANI PURI VENDOR The kind of complex thinking a pani puri vendor does daily is mind-blowing. Take a simple evening at a stall. Six people standing, each on their 5th or 6th puri, some already demanding a second plate. Suddenly a new customer walks in. Most vendors don’t say, “Wait.” They just weave the person seamlessly into the cycle. Now imagine the mental math: Remembering who is at which puri. Keeping track of whose turn is next. Managing fresh plates, second plates, and shared plates; all together. Customizing taste (extra teekha, more meetha, no aloo, jain, swaminarayan). Balancing chutneys, potatoes, and flavored water so nothing runs out mid-cycle. Handling payments; immediate, delayed, or credit. Running logistics: how many plates to sell to survive the day? And this is just the basic complexity. All of it is happening in real time, with no Excel sheet, no CRM, no team, no reminder app. One mistake, and the customer knows instantly. Now compare that with our white-collar world. We call ourselves multitaskers but lean on reminders, tools, meetings, and buffers. A pani puri vendor doesn’t get that luxury. For him or her, complexity is not a skill on the CV; it’s survival. The next time you eat pani puri, notice not just the taste but the brilliance of the brain behind it.

The Reunion Plan (Jo Kabhi Simple Nahi Hota)

________________________________________ Chapter 1: The Reunion Plan (Jo Kabhi Simple Nahi Hota) WhatsApp group ka naam tha: “Legends 2009” Members: 5 Active: Sirf jab nostalgia ya shaadi ka invitation ho. Arjun: “Guys, 10 saal ho gaye. Goa reunion?” Kabir: “Approved. I’m in.” Dev: “Only if spouses allowed. Warna ghar se nikalne nahi milega.” Naina: “Same.” Tanya: “Goa? Main toh pehle se ready hoon.” Aur bas. Plan ban gaya. 5 friends. 5 spouses. 10 log. Aur unhe khud nahi pata tha… ke unka past bhi unke saath Goa aa raha hai. ________________________________________ Chapter 2: Entry in Goa Resort beautiful tha. Beach-facing. Breeze perfect. Vibe Instagram-ready. Sab couples ek ek karke aaye: Arjun & Riya – sorted, mature… at least outside. Kabir & Meera – funny, loud, always entertaining. Dev & Anjali – practical, thode boring… par stable. Naina & Varun – stylish, thode distant. Tanya & Kunal – newly married, still honeymoon phase… kinda. ________________________________________ Sab ek dusre ko hug karte hain. Thodi awkwardness. Thodi excitement. Phir— Moment freeze. Because everyone slowly realized something. ________________________________________ Chapter 3: Past Ka Bomb Arjun ne dekha—Meera. Ex-girlfriend. Kabir ki wife. ________________________________________ Kabir ne dekha—Naina. College crush. Ab Varun ki wife. ________________________________________ Dev ne dekha—Riya. Woh jis se kabhi kuch start hone wala tha… Par hua nahi. ________________________________________ Tanya ne dekha—Arjun. Unka almost-engagement jo kabhi announce nahi hua. ________________________________________ Aur sabse bada twist— Varun aur Anjali… ek dusre ke ex the. ________________________________________ 10 log. Aur har ek kisi na kisi ka “something” tha. ________________________________________ Kabir ne slow clap kiya. “Wah. Goa nahi… Bigg Boss set lag raha hai.” ________________________________________ Chapter 4: The Cover-Up Mode Sabne decide kiya—Act normal. Which is exactly what nobody could do. ________________________________________ Lunch table pe: “तो… kaise mile tum log?” Arjun ne casually pucha. Kabir bola, “Office mein. Totally normal. No past connections.” Meera ne uski taraf dekha. “Bilkul.” Riya pani peete hue almost choke ho gayi. ________________________________________ Varun ne Naina ko whisper kiya, “Tumne bataya nahi?” “Tumne bataya?” she shot back. “Main toh bhool gaya tha!” “Main bhi!” “Convenient.” ________________________________________ Tanya quietly Kunal ko smile de rahi thi. Inside: “Aaj toh sach bahar aayega.” ________________________________________ Chapter 5: First Night – Awkwardness Peak Bonfire night. Drinks. Music. Fake laughter. Real tension. ________________________________________ Kabir (tipsy): “Let’s play a game!” Sab: “No.” Kabir: “Truth or Truth.” Arjun: “That sounds worse.” ________________________________________ First question: “Has anyone dated someone from this group?” Dead silence. Phir sab hansne lage. Fake. Loud. Painfully fake. ________________________________________ Kunal ne casually bola, “College mein toh sabka kuch na kuch hota hi hai, right?” Sabne ek dusre ko dekha. “Yeh sabko kaise pata hai?” ________________________________________ Chapter 6: The First Crack Riya aur Dev balcony mein. “Tumne kabhi bataya nahi,” Dev said softly. Riya sighed. “Kuch tha hi nahi batane layak.” “Par tha.” “Almost tha.” Pause. “Tum jealous ho?” she asked. Dev smiled faintly. “Thoda.” “Good,” she said. “Matlab tum care karte ho.” ________________________________________ Chapter 7: Kabir vs Arjun Poolside. Kabir aur Arjun alone. “Tu aur Meera…” Kabir started. Arjun nodded. “Long back.” “Serious?” “Tab laga tha… haan.” Pause. Kabir sighed. “Ab bhi kuch feel karta hai?” Arjun smiled. “Nahi. Ab bas yaadein hain.” Kabir looked relieved. “Tu lucky hai,” Arjun added. “She’s good.” Kabir smirked. “Mujhe pata hai. Isliye shaadi ki.” ________________________________________ Chapter 8: Girls’ Room Reality Room mein Riya, Meera, Naina, Tanya, Anjali. Full emotional summit. ________________________________________ “Okay, sab sach bolte hain,” Tanya said. “Main aur Arjun almost engaged the.” “WHAT?” everyone shouted. ________________________________________ Naina: “Kabir was my crush.” Meera: “I dated Arjun.” Anjali: “Varun aur main 2 saal relationship mein the.” Riya: “Dev aur main almost…” Pause. Sab hansne lage. ________________________________________ “Yeh kya hai yaar?” Meera laughed. “Hum log ek dusre ke leftovers se shaadi kar li?” ________________________________________ Phir silence. Phir realization. ________________________________________ Chapter 9: Emotional Mess Sabke partners ko kuch na kuch feel ho raha tha. Comparison. Insecurity. Curiosity. ________________________________________ Varun to Anjali: “Tumne kyun nahi bataya?” “Because it didn’t matter,” she said. “Ab matter kar raha hai.” ________________________________________ Kunal to Tanya: “Tumne mujhe kyun hide kiya?” “I didn’t hide… I just… skipped.” “Important parts skip nahi karte.” ________________________________________ Meera to Kabir: “Tum okay ho?” Kabir smiled. “Main funny hoon… okay hona optional hai.” ________________________________________ Chapter 10: The Explosion Next day. Breakfast. Tension peak. ________________________________________ Finally— Dev said, “Can we just talk openly?” Silence. ________________________________________ And then everything came out. All pasts. All truths. All awkward details. ________________________________________ For a moment— It felt like everything would break. ________________________________________ Chapter 11: The Emotional Truth Arjun stood up. “Hum sabka past hai.” Pause. “Par hum sabne consciously apne present choose kiya hai.” ________________________________________ Riya added, “Past ka matlab yeh nahi ki present weak hai.” ________________________________________ Kabir: “Aur agar koi insecure hai… toh baat karo. Joke mat banao.” Everyone looked at him. He rarely said serious things. ________________________________________ Chapter 12: Healing Begins Slowly… Conversations honest hue. Comparisons kam hue. Trust rebuild hua. ________________________________________ Varun held Anjali’s hand. “Main stupid ho raha tha.” She smiled. “Thoda.” ________________________________________ Kunal hugged Tanya. “Next time… no skipping.” “Deal.” ________________________________________ Kabir to Meera: “Tu past mein achhi thi… present mein better hai.” Meera laughed. “Tum dialogues likhte ho kya?” “Ab likhunga.” ________________________________________ Chapter 13: The Fun Returns Beach day. Games. Laughter. Actual laughter this time. ________________________________________ Kabir: “Ab koi kisi ka ex nahi hai… sab kisi ke current hain.” Arjun: “Deep.” Dev: “Confusing.” ________________________________________ They clicked photos. Created new memories. Without baggage. ________________________________________ Chapter 14: The Realization Last night. All sat quietly. ________________________________________ Naina said, “Funny na… hum sochte the past define karta hai.” Riya replied, “Actually, choice define karti hai.” ________________________________________ Kabir added, “Aur Goa sab expose kar deta hai.” ________________________________________ Everyone laughed. ________________________________________ Chapter 15: Goodbye Goa Packing time. No awkwardness now. Just warmth. ________________________________________ Arjun: “Same plan next year?” Kabir: “Only if no new exes added.” ________________________________________ Tanya: “Group rename karte hain.” Dev: “Kya?” Meera: “Survivors.” ________________________________________ Everyone agreed. ________________________________________ Epilogue Life mein past hota hai. Complicated hota hai. Kabhi funny. Kabhi painful. ________________________________________ Par jab right log milte hain— Woh past ko problem nahi… Story bana dete hain. ________________________________________ Aur kabhi kabhi… Goa jaake pata chalta hai— Love perfect nahi hota. Par honest ho toh kaafi hota hai. ________________________________________ The End

“Barish, Band Darwaze aur Badalte Rishte”

Title: “Barish, Band Darwaze aur Badalte Rishte” ________________________________________ Chapter 1: Jab Baarish Ne Planning Cancel Kar Di Delhi ka weather waise hi unreliable hota hai, par us din toh usne full drama kar diya. Shaam ko 7 baje tak sab normal tha. Thodi garmi, thoda traffic, thodi life frustration. Aur phir… Cloudburst. Aisi baarish jaise kisi ne upar se bucket nahi—tanker ulta diya ho. Within minutes, roads flooded, autos vanished, network down, aur log jahaan the, wahin phas gaye. ________________________________________ Is kahani ke chaar log: Karan – practical, logical, thoda controlling. Riya – uski wife, emotional, expressive, overthinker. Siddharth (Sid) – charming, funny, commitment-phobic. Megha – uski girlfriend, sorted on the outside, confused on the inside. ________________________________________ Aur yeh chaaron phas gaye ek hi jagah: Karan aur Riya ka 2BHK flat. ________________________________________ “Guys, I don’t think tum log ja paoge,” Riya ne balcony se neeche dekhte hue kaha. Road swimming pool ban chuki thi. Sid ne phone utha ke dekha. “Uber ka fare 1,200 dikha raha hai… aur driver ka message—‘Bhai main boat leke aaun kya?’” Megha sighed. “Great. We’re stuck.” Karan calmly bola, “No problem. Guest room hai. Adjust kar lenge.” Sid smirked. “Haan, adjust toh karna hi padega.” Riya ne aankh dikhaayi. “Zyada comfortable mat ho jaana.” ________________________________________ Chapter 2: Awkward Comfort Dinner jaldi ban gaya. Maggi, omelette, aur leftover paneer. TV pe news chal rahi thi—“City in chaos.” Flat ke andar—“Controlled chaos.” Sid couch pe spread ho gaya. “Yaar, tum log shaadi ke baad bhi itne normal kaise ho?” Karan: “Kya matlab?” Sid: “Matlab… no drama? No daily fights?” Riya hansi. “Tum ek din reh lo, reality show dekhne ko milega.” Megha chup thi. Karan ne notice kiya. “Everything okay?” “Yeah,” Megha smiled. “Just tired.” Sid ne halka sa tease kiya, “Madam ko baarish mein romantic drive chahiye tha, yeh phas gayi Sharma ji ke flat mein.” Megha ne fake smile diya. Riya ne woh smile pakad li. ________________________________________ Chapter 3: Crack in the Perfect Picture Raat thodi gehri hui. Bijli chali gayi. Classic. Candles nikle. Ambience automatically “emotional” mode mein shift. Sab balcony mein baith gaye. Baarish ki awaaz. Thodi thand. Thodi honesty. ________________________________________ “Let’s play a game,” Sid bola. Karan ne suspiciously dekha. “Kaisa game?” “Truth game.” Riya ne bola, “Tumhare games kabhi safe nahi hote.” “Trust me,” Sid grinned. “Mazza aayega.” Megha ne slowly kaha, “Okay.” ________________________________________ Chapter 4: Truth Begins Sid: “Ladies first.” Riya: “No chance.” Megha: “Fine… I’ll go.” Pause. “Do you think your partner understands you?” Silence. Riya ne Karan ko dekha. Megha ne Sid ko. Riya boli, “Most of the time… yes.” Karan nodded. Megha ne answer diya, “Sometimes.” Sid joked, “Progress hai. Pehle ‘rarely’ tha.” Megha ne uski taraf dekha. That wasn’t a joke. ________________________________________ Chapter 5: The Dangerous Question Sid ka turn. He leaned back. “Okay… hypothetical question.” Karan already tense. “Yeh dangerous lag raha hai.” Sid smiled. “Agar tumhe ek din ke liye partner swap karna pade… would you?” Dead silence. Riya: “What nonsense.” Karan: “Grow up, Sid.” Megha quietly: “Answer na.” Sab uski taraf dekhne lage. ________________________________________ Chapter 6: The Shift Karan ne awkward laugh diya. “Obviously no.” Riya ne turant bola, “Same.” Sid shrugged. “Main toh bolunga depends.” Megha looked at him. “Depends?” Sid: “Haan… matlab curiosity bhi toh hoti hai.” Riya uncomfortable ho gayi. Karan ka face stiff. Megha ne softly pucha, “Curiosity about what?” Sid: “What if someone understands you better?” Silence. Heavy. ________________________________________ Chapter 7: What Was Hidden Comes Out Riya suddenly boli, “Sometimes… I feel unheard.” Karan shocked. “What?” “I’m saying it now,” she continued. “Tum practical ho… par kabhi kabhi… cold bhi.” Karan hurt hua. “I’m trying to be stable!” “Stable aur distant alag hota hai,” Riya said. ________________________________________ Megha ne bhi bol diya, “Sid jokes karta hai… but avoids real conversations.” Sid defensive. “Main aisa hi hoon.” “Exactly,” Megha replied. ________________________________________ Suddenly, game real ban gaya. ________________________________________ Chapter 8: The Thought Chaaron chup. Baarish tez. Dim candle light. Sid ne halki awaaz mein bola, “Maybe… hum log galat partners ke saath nahi hain… but incomplete versions ke saath hain.” Riya ne uski taraf dekha. Karan ne bhi. Megha ne aankhen neeche kar li. ________________________________________ “Let’s try something,” Sid ne kaha. Karan irritated. “Ab kya?” “Bas… talk. Without filters. Imagine… you’re with someone else.” ________________________________________ Chapter 9: Emotional Crossroads They split. Living room mein Riya aur Sid. Bedroom mein Karan aur Megha. No touching. No cheating. Just… conversation. But sometimes, conversation hi sabse dangerous hota hai. ________________________________________ Chapter 10: Riya & Sid Riya: “Tum serious kab hote ho?” Sid: “Jab zaroori ho.” “Ab hai?” Pause. “Haan.” Riya ne poocha, “Tum Megha se pyaar karte ho?” Sid: “Haan… par express nahi kar pata.” Riya smiled sadly. “Tum jaante ho na… woh wait kar rahi hai?” Sid nodded. “Tum?” he asked. “Happy ho?” Riya didn’t answer immediately. “Main… adjust ho gayi hoon.” ________________________________________ Chapter 11: Karan & Megha Karan: “I didn’t know Riya felt that way.” Megha softly: “People don’t say everything.” Karan sighed. “Main uske liye itna karta hoon…” “Par kabhi suna?” Megha asked gently. Karan quiet. ________________________________________ “Tum Sid ke saath happy ho?” he asked. Megha smiled faintly. “Main usse pyaar karti hoon… par kabhi kabhi lagta hai main akeli relationship mein hoon.” ________________________________________ Chapter 12: The Almost Decision Raat aur gehri. Sab wapas ek jagah. No jokes now. Just truth. Sid bola, “Maybe hum log ek dusre ko better samajh sakte hain…” Karan interrupted, “Stop. This is going too far.” Riya softly: “Is it?” Everyone looked at her. ________________________________________ Chapter 13: Breaking Point “Main bas feel karna chahti hoon… ki koi mujhe sun raha hai,” Riya said. Karan hurt. “Main nahi sunta?” “Tum solve karte ho. Sunte nahi.” ________________________________________ Megha added, “Aur main feel karna chahti hoon ki koi rukega… bhaagega nahi.” Sid looked down. ________________________________________ The idea of “swap” was no longer funny. It was… tempting. Not physically. Emotionally. ________________________________________ Chapter 14: The Realization Long silence. Then… Karan stood up. “Hum log galat direction mein ja rahe hain.” No one argued. He continued, “Problem partner change karne se solve nahi hoti… problem samajhne se hoti hai.” ________________________________________ Riya looked at him. For the first time… he wasn’t defending. He was listening. ________________________________________ Chapter 15: Choosing Each Other Again Sid ne Megha ki taraf dekha. “Main stupid hoon.” She smiled slightly. “Thoda.” “I’ll try… to stay.” “Bas try nahi,” she said. He nodded. “Okay… I will.” ________________________________________ Karan turned to Riya. “I don’t want to lose you while trying to fix everything.” Riya’s eyes softened. “Then stop fixing… start feeling.” He nodded. ________________________________________ Chapter 16: The Morning After Subah. Baarish ruk chuki thi. Roads still messy. But sky clear. ________________________________________ Sid stretched. “Koi bhi partner swap nahi hua… boring night.” Riya threw a cushion. “Shut up.” Megha laughed. Karan smiled. ________________________________________ Everything wasn’t perfect. But it was… honest. ________________________________________ Epilogue Kabhi kabhi life tumhe kisi flat mein bandh kar deti hai. With people. With emotions. With truths you avoid. Aur phir tumhe choice deti hai: Escape? Ya face? ________________________________________ Unhone face kiya. Ek dusre ko. Khud ko. Aur unhone realize kiya— Perfect partner nahi hota. Effort wala partner hota hai.

3 ) Title: “Shaadi, Secret & Sharma Parivaar”

________________________________________ 3 ) Title: “Shaadi, Secret & Sharma Parivaar” ________________________________________ In a middle-class Delhi home where the pressure cooker whistled louder than people’s emotions, lived the Sharma family. Rajesh Sharma – father, government employee, part-time philosopher, full-time worrier. Sunita Sharma – mother, CEO of the house, HR department, and emotional backbone. Ayush Sharma – elder son, 26, IT job, believes he is the “sensible one.” Ananya Sharma – younger daughter, 23, MBA student, believes everyone else is the problem. And then there was Rohit. Ayush’s best friend. Frequent visitor. Unintentional chaos creator. And, unfortunately for everyone… Ananya’s secret love. ________________________________________ Chapter 1: The Marriage Mission Begins “Ananya ki shaadi ke baare mein sochna chahiye,” Sunita announced one morning like she was launching a government scheme. Ananya nearly choked on her paratha. “Maa, I’m 23, not a government tender.” Rajesh adjusted his glasses. “Aajkal log jaldi shaadi kar lete hain.” Ayush smirked. “Haan, specially jab ghar mein Wi-Fi slow ho.” Sunita ignored him. “Sharma ji ke ladke ka rishta aaya hai.” Ananya froze. “Kaunsa Sharma ji?” she asked carefully. “Arre wahi, Noida wale. Ladka settled hai. Package achha hai.” Ananya forced a smile. “Maa, mujhe abhi padhai karni hai.” Rajesh nodded. “Shaadi ke baad bhi kar sakti ho.” Ananya looked at Ayush for help. He shrugged. “Main toh shaadi ke favour mein hoon. Shaadi mein food free milta hai.” She kicked him under the table. ________________________________________ Chapter 2: The Secret Nobody Knew Ananya wasn’t against marriage. She was against this marriage. Because she was already in love. With Rohit. Ayush’s best friend. The same Rohit who walked into their house like he paid rent. The same Rohit who called her “chhoti.” Which she hated. “Stop calling me that,” she snapped once. “What should I call you?” he grinned. “Madam Ananya Sharma, MBA aspirant?” “Just Ananya.” “Okay… chhoti Ananya.” She glared. He laughed. And somehow, that stupid laugh stayed with her. ________________________________________ Chapter 3: Parents vs Reality Sunita had already entered “rishta mode.” Phone calls. Relatives. Horoscopes. WhatsApp forwards. “Beta, ladka 6 feet ka hai,” she said proudly. Ananya muttered, “Mujhe ladder thodi chahiye.” Rajesh added, “Package 20 lakh ka hai.” Ayush whispered, “Main adopt ho sakta hoon kya us family mein?” Ananya rolled her eyes. Inside, she was panicking. Because the person she wanted… Was sitting in the living room eating her chips. ________________________________________ Chapter 4: Rohit – The Problem Rohit was clueless. Completely. Utterly. Dangerously clueless. “Bro, aunty is looking for a guy for Ananya,” he told Ayush casually. Ayush nodded. “Haan, pata hai.” “Good yaar. She deserves someone solid.” Ananya, standing nearby, almost dropped the tray. “Solid?” she said. Rohit smiled. “Haan, matlab responsible, mature…” “Like you?” she asked. He laughed. “Main? Main toh khud project hoon.” Ayush added, “Under construction since 1998.” They high-fived. Ananya walked away. Heart slightly broken. ________________________________________ Chapter 5: The Rishta Meeting The big day arrived. The “ladka” was coming. House cleaned. Snacks prepared. Emotions… unstable. “Smile,” Sunita instructed Ananya. “Main joker hoon kya?” she muttered. Ayush whispered, “Thoda toh acting kar le. Netflix nahi hai yeh, live audience hai.” Doorbell rang. Enter: Kunal. Well-dressed. Polite. Perfect on paper. “Namaste,” he said. Ananya smiled politely. Inside: Please go away. Conversation started. “So Ananya, what are your hobbies?” Kunal asked. “Overthinking,” she replied. Awkward silence. Ayush coughed. “She means reading.” Rohit, sitting in the corner, was watching. Something felt… off. He didn’t know why. ________________________________________ Chapter 6: Realization That night, Rohit couldn’t sleep. Something about Ananya’s face. Her silence. Her sarcasm. It didn’t feel normal. He replayed moments. Her irritation. Her looks. Her sudden distance. And then it hit him. “Wait… no way.” Pause. “Oh no.” ________________________________________ Chapter 7: The Confrontation Next day. Rohit cornered Ananya in the kitchen. “Tum mujhe avoid kyun kar rahi ho?” “I’m not.” “You are.” “I’m not.” “You are.” “Tum detective ho kya?” He sighed. “Just tell me.” She looked at him. Long pause. “Because I like you, idiot.” Silence. Complete silence. Rohit blinked. “Like… like?” “Like-like.” He leaned against the wall. “Yeh kab hua?” “Jab tum stupid jokes marte the aur mujhe hasna nahi hota tha… but main hasti thi.” He smiled slightly. Then stopped. “Ananya…” “I know,” she said quickly. “You don’t feel the same. It’s fine.” She turned to leave. He held her wrist gently. “Who said that?” ________________________________________ Chapter 8: Complications Rohit sat with Ayush later. “Bro… I need to tell you something.” Ayush looked up. “Tu pregnant hai kya?” “Serious ho ja.” Pause. “I think… I like Ananya.” Silence. Ayush stared. Then laughed. Then stopped laughing. “You’re serious?” Rohit nodded. Ayush leaned back. “Wow.” “Angry?” “Confused.” Pause. “Protective.” Rohit nodded. “Fair.” Ayush sighed. “Tu achha ladka hai… but she’s my sister.” “And she’s also her own person,” Rohit said softly. That hit. ________________________________________ Chapter 9: Parents’ Pressure Meanwhile, Sunita had decided. “Kunal achha ladka hai,” she told Rajesh. “Haan,” he agreed. “Shaadi fix kar dete hain.” Ananya overheard. Heart racing. She walked in. “Mujhe yeh shaadi nahi karni.” Silence. “Kyun?” Rajesh asked. “I just… don’t want to.” “Reason?” Sunita pressed. Ananya hesitated. “I like someone else.” Explosion. “KAUN?” both parents said together. ________________________________________ Chapter 10: The Truth Comes Out Everyone gathered. Living room turned courtroom. Ananya stood there. Rohit walked in. Bad timing. Very bad timing. Sunita pointed. “Kaun hai woh?” Ananya took a breath. “Hai.” And pointed at Rohit. Dead silence. Ayush closed his eyes. “Yeh hona hi tha.” Rajesh blinked. “Yeh? Yeh ladka?” Rohit raised a hand awkwardly. “Namaste, Uncle.” Sunita sat down. “Mujhe paani do.” ________________________________________ Chapter 11: Emotional Explosion “Tum dono pagal ho gaye ho?” Rajesh said. “Uncle, please—” Rohit started. “Tum chup raho!” Ananya stepped in. “Papa, please listen—” “Main sab sun raha hoon!” Sunita added, “Woh tumhare bhai ka dost hai!” Ananya replied, “Aur ek achha insaan bhi.” Silence. Ayush finally spoke. “Let them talk.” Everyone looked at him. “They’re not kids,” he said. “Aur Rohit ko main jaanta hoon.” Rajesh sighed. “Par society?” Ananya said softly, “Mujhe society se shaadi nahi karni.” That landed. ________________________________________ Chapter 12: The Turning Point That night was quiet. No shouting. No decisions. Just thinking. Rajesh sat alone. Rohit approached him. “Uncle… I know this is sudden.” Rajesh didn’t look at him. “Tum serious ho?” “Yes.” “Timepass nahi?” “No.” Pause. “I respect Ananya,” Rohit said. “Aur aap logon ko bhi.” Rajesh finally looked at him. “Prove it.” ________________________________________ Chapter 13: Slow Acceptance Days passed. Tension reduced. Awkwardness stayed. But something softened. Rohit started helping more. Coming less casually. More respectfully. Ananya stayed patient. No drama. No pressure. Ayush observed everything. Like a silent referee. Sunita slowly melted first. “Mujhe chai bana ke do,” she told Rohit one day. He smiled. “Ji, Aunty.” Progress. ________________________________________ Chapter 14: The Final Decision One evening, Rajesh called everyone. Serious tone. “Main soch raha tha…” Pause. “Agar ladka achha ho… toh rishta kahin se bhi ho sakta hai.” Ananya’s eyes widened. Rohit sat straight. Rajesh continued, “Aur tum dono… immature ho… par dishonest nahi ho.” Ayush whispered, “Compliment hai yeh.” Sunita added, “Shaadi abhi nahi hogi. Pehle career.” Ananya nodded instantly. “Done.” Rohit nodded too. “Done.” Rajesh sighed. “Theek hai.” Silence. Then— Sunita said, “Par shaadi mein paneer main decide karungi.” Everyone laughed. ________________________________________ Chapter 15: Back to Chaos Life returned to normal. Almost. Rohit still came home. But knocked first. Ayush still teased him. “Jiju bolun?” he smirked. “Maar khaega,” Rohit replied. Ananya smiled more. Sunita planned future menus. Rajesh pretended to be strict. But smiled when no one saw. ________________________________________ Epilogue Love didn’t come with violins. It came with: Awkward silences. Family arguments. Overcooked parathas. And people learning… slowly. Because in Indian families— Love isn’t just between two people. It’s negotiated. Debated. Tested. And eventually… Accepted.