20

Pranvi came back to her friends. Ishan was serving the starter to Radhika beside him. She watched them quietly for a moment, the soft clinking of cutlery and low murmur of conversation around the table blending with the faint music playing in the background.

Pranvi walked up to them. "Vani, tu is taraf ake bathegi please," she said gently, nodding toward the empty seat beside her.

"Kyu?" Vani asked, tilting her head curiously.

"Vo vha upar pankhe ki jyada hawa aa rhi hai. Headache jyada hone lagta h bas," Pranvi explained, her tone calm and practical.

"Ok," Vani said and moved to the suggested seat, adjusting slightly under the fan breeze that was now hitting her more softly.

Meanwhile, Pranvi's attention drifted toward the food. "Aman, pass me that pasta," she said. Ishan, standing nearby, picked up the plate and moved it toward her. But Pranvi's attention flickered elsewhere for a second, and instead of taking the pasta from him, she grabbed the Manchurian in front of Vani.

"Mujhe yeahh...khana hai ab," she said lightly, looking at Vani with a teasing glint in her eyes. Ishan, slightly confused, put the pasta back in place, letting her have her way. Soon, Pranvi shifted and took the pasta herself. Ishan's brow furrowed just a little, a subtle question in his gaze, but he said nothing.

The initial chatter around them was normal soft laughter, quiet clinking, light exchanges but there was a comfortable rhythm to it, the kind that comes from years of shared memories and familiarity.

Radhika was showing Ishan something on her phone, leaning a little closer so he could see better. And then, as if on cue, she pulled his cheek.

"Please yr, Radhika," he said, smiling, shaking his head but clearly amused.

Pranvi, while biting into her food, coughed lightly. Instinctively, Ishan grabbed a glass and moved it toward her, but she, slightly embarrassed, poured water herself into another glass and sipped it, giving him a small, polite smile.

Once everyone had settled with their plates, Vani tilted her head and said, "You forgot to introduce her to me."

"Ohhh...sorry. She is Radhika. And Radhika, she is Vani," Ishan said. Then he added, "Aur Pranvi ko to tum janti hi ho. Aur Aman ko bhi."

Kya matlab Aman ko pata tha. Zahir hai pata hi hoga bestfriend ko uska, Pranvi muttered softly under her breath.

"Haa. Radhika didi ke sath hamne bhut masti ki h banpan me. Pata hai, hamesha kand ye karti thi aur faste ham the fir bhi inke sath bhut masti karte the. She was the leader of our child group," Aman said, laughing as he leaned back slightly in his chair.

"Are yrr, ab tum chup karo," Radhika said with a mock exasperated tone, though her eyes twinkled with amusement.

"Yeahh...Radhika didi was so naughty child. Ik baar to inne mere papa ke sir pe nariyal fek diya tha," Ishan said, grinning widely.

"Haa, aur nam mera laga diya ki maine feka hai," Aman added, almost bursting into laughter.

Pranvi froze mid-bite. "Whattt...didi..." she said softly, a mixture of shock and disbelief on her face.

Ishan and Aman both looked at her, slightly amused, while Vani glanced curiously at Pranvi, sensing her reaction.

"I...I mean, vo abhi tak name se bula rhe the, ab didi isliye," Pranvi stammered, trying to cover her words.

"Haaa...you know she is 3 years older than us, but she told not to say didi to her. It felt so older for her. So that's why I call her by name," Ishan explained casually, shrugging.

Radhika giggled softly at the memory, brushing back a strand of hair.

"Yeahh...mein bhi," Aman added with a chuckle.

"Ohh, is she your cousin?" Vani asked, curious.

"Nahi. She is Dr. Parthak Malhotra's daughter," Ishan replied.

"Whattt...." Pranvi muttered again under her breath, her eyes widening.

"Vo Senior-most doctor. I our hospital,"

"Haaannn....kyu?" Ishan asked, slightly curious about Pranvi's reaction.

"Na...nahi, kuch ni, aise hi," Pranvi said quickly, relief washing over her. She felt Radhika's warm gaze on her and realized nothing about her personal feelings toward Ishan was visible.

They continued eating, the food giving way to laughter and chatter.

"Wait guys, this treat is from Radhika didi. She is going to Germany. She got hired by the topmost hospital there as a neurologist. And even getting an award for her skills," Ishan announced proudly.

Everyone clapped warmly.

"Thanku," Radhika said, smiling graciously.

"You are beauty with brain," Vani said playfully, nudging her lightly.

"It's not like that," Radhika said, laughing softly.

"No...no...it's can you give me some tips?" Vani asked earnestly, looking between Radhika and Ishan.

"Even to both of us," she added, leaning forward a little.

Radhika chuckled, shaking her head slightly.

"Uske liye shakal bhi honi chahiye," Aman teased Vani.

"Shutt...up," Vani said, rolling her eyes but laughing.

Radhika laughed softly, a musical sound that made the table lighter.

"You both are already so pretty, and as much as Ishan told about both of you, you are so skilled in your profession. So I don't think I need to give you any advice," she said sincerely.

Pranvi and Vani smiled, feeling both flattered and shy.

"You're so kind. Thankyou," they said in unison.

"Ab khana khale," Aman said with a grin, and everyone chuckled again.

The dinner continued, and as the initial introductions settled, the conversation naturally drifted to childhood stories, shared memories, and playful gossip.

Radhika began teasing Ishan about the time he had tried to set up a lemonade stand in their colony when he was seven but had ended up giving all the lemonade away for free to everyone just because he liked making people happy. "And then he cried because he didn't make a single paisa," she laughed.

Ishan groaned in mock embarrassment. "Hey, it was charity," he said, pretending to look serious.

Aman joined in, "And then he went around the whole colony, apologizing to everyone for being too kind."

Pranvi and Vani laughed quietly at the little anecdotes, enjoying the warmth and casual fun that seemed to wrap around them like a familiar blanket.

Then Radhika shared a story about Aman accidentally getting locked inside a public bathroom as a child. "He screamed for like half an hour, and nobody came to help because they thought he was playing," she said, laughter lighting up her eyes.

"Yeaah, but Ishan was the one who finally got me out," Aman added with mock seriousness, earning a knowing glance from Ishan.

Pranvi took little bites of her food, occasionally glancing at Ishan as he animatedly gestured while telling another funny memory from their school days. She quietly enjoyed listening, her attention lingering on him without anyone noticing.

Radhika, meanwhile, shared her own stories, making the atmosphere lively. "Once, Ishan tried to do my homework for me because he thought it was too hard for me," she said with a teasing smirk. "But he ended up copying the wrong answers, and I got in trouble!"

Everyone laughed, including Ishan, who put his hand over his face in mock shame. "That's not fair," he mumbled.

Pranvi could not help but smile, feeling the casual warmth of the group, the easy camaraderie that surrounded them. Nothing felt forced or tense just laughter, stories, and the subtle comfort of shared memories.

Even as the dinner wound down, the gossip and stories continued, moving from childhood mischiefs to school pranks and little family anecdotes. Radhika teased Aman about the time he had tried to impress a girl in high school by pretending to know karate, only to fall flat when she asked him to demonstrate.

Vani laughed so hard she almost spilled her drink. Pranvi tried to hold back a smile, but a few snorts escaped anyway, and Radhika gave her a teasing look. "What, you've got stories too?" she asked playfully.

Pranvi shook her head, smiling softly. "Na...main bas sun rahi hoon," she said, her voice quiet, almost hidden under the laughter around her.

By the end of the dinner, the table was littered with empty plates, glasses, and the remnants of a hearty meal. Everyone leaned back, satisfied, laughing softly as they remembered all the little moments that had been shared.

And throughout it all, Pranvi felt a strange calm. She knew her secret crush on Ishan was safe for now. No one suspected a thing, and the bond of friendship around the table remained as warm and uncomplicated as ever.

The laughter gradually softened as the plates were cleared, but the warmth of the stories lingered. The group leaned back in their chairs, eyes glinting with nostalgia. Pranvi and Vani listened intently, feeling like outsiders peeking into a world of childhood camaraderie, a past they had never been part of but could sense through every word and gesture.

"So, do you remember that rainy day when I tried to build a raft to sail on the little pond near our colony?" Radhika asked, looking at Ishan with a mischievous smile. "And Ishan ended up falling into the water first because he insisted on testing it before anyone else!"

Ishan groaned dramatically, pretending to be mortified. "Hey! That raft looked stable, okay? It was that slippery mud! Totally unfair."

Aman chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "And then Radhika tried to save him, but slipped herself and landed face-first into the mud. We all ended up drenched and muddy, but laughed so hard our bellies hurt."

Vani tilted her head, trying to imagine it. "You all must have been... quite a handful as kids," she said softly, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Hands full, yes. But never a dull moment," Radhika replied. Her eyes softened with the memory. "Ishan always insisted on leading the games, even if half the time he had no clue what he was doing."

"I was just very confident in my strategies," Ishan said, grinning at her teasing tone. "Some strategies worked, some... well, some didn't."

Aman laughed. "Like the time you tried to organize that mini Olympics? You made us run a mile in the sun in summer. None of us could walk for a week."

Radhika clapped her hands. "And Ishan cheered for us the entire time, saying, 'Pain is temporary, glory is forever!'" She laughed softly. "I still don't know why we believed him."

Pranvi and Vani exchanged a glance, smiling. They could feel the history between these three memories layered like a tapestry, each one adding to their connection, each story revealing more about the people they had come to know in the present.

"Wait," Ishan said suddenly, leaning forward with a grin. "Remember the time Aman tried to impress the local cricket coach by catching every ball during practice?"

Radhika chuckled. "Yes! And he ended up hitting his own foot with the bat. He limped home crying, and we all had to pretend we were injured too so he wouldn't feel alone."

Aman groaned, shaking his head. "I was brave! The bat just had a mind of its own."

Pranvi and Vani laughed quietly, swept along by the sheer absurdity of the tale. Vani whispered softly, "These stories are amazing. They're so... real, you know? Not just the funny parts, but the way they care for each other even as kids."

"Yeah," Pranvi murmured, feeling a warmth in her chest. Even if she had never been part of this childhood, the bond between them was palpable. It was the kind of friendship that came from years of shared experiences and trust.

Radhika leaned back, her eyes shining with nostalgia. "And do you remember the time I tried to organize a neighborhood talent show?" she asked. "Ishan was supposed to do magic tricks, Aman was juggling, and I... I don't even know, I think I was supposed to be the announcer. Everything went wrong, of course. The rope for the juggling act snapped, the magic trick failed spectacularly, and I ended up tripping over the microphone cord."

Ishan laughed loudly, hands clapping. "But you know what? The entire neighborhood still cheered like it was perfect. That's what made it memorable. Even if nothing worked out, we felt proud of what we did together."

"Exactly," Aman said, grinning. "It wasn't about winning. It was about trying, and failing, and laughing so hard we cried. That's what I remember the most."

Pranvi felt her chest tighten slightly not with jealousy, but with admiration. She could see the essence of their bond, the joy that came from genuine companionship. Nothing about Radhika's presence felt threatening, if anything, it was comforting to see how Ishan could be playful, confident, and so naturally connected with someone he considered a sister.

"And then there was that time," Ishan continued, "when Radhika decided to teach us all how to ride bicycles properly. Aman kept falling, and I... well, I crashed into a bush while trying to show off. You remember, Radhika?"

Radhika laughed softly, nodding. "Yes! And Aman, instead of crying, laughed at himself so much he scared all the neighborhood dogs."

Vani giggled, leaning slightly toward Pranvi. "It's like listening to a storybook. I can picture it all so clearly."

"Yeah," Pranvi whispered, smiling. "And you know, it makes them seem... even closer. It's nice."

The table settled into a softer, quieter rhythm. The food was finished, the laughter mellowing into gentle chuckles. Yet, the nostalgia lingered, wrapping around them like a warm blanket. Radhika sipped her drink thoughtfully.

"You know," she said after a pause, "Ishan and Aman weren't always the perfect duo. We argued a lot. Mostly about silly things. Who got the last piece of chocolate, who won at board games, who ran faster... little things that felt like the world at that age."

Ishan smirked. "And I always lost. Not because I was bad, but because they cheated."

Radhika laughed, shaking her head. "Cheating or not, it made every victory sweeter. We were all stubborn, fiercely protective of each other in our own little ways."

Aman nodded. "And that's the thing... no matter what happened, we always had each other's back. That's probably why Isha trusts Radhika so much even now. She's family to him in the truest sense."

Pranvi felt a deep sense of relief. She exhaled slowly, letting herself enjoy the moment without fear or jealousy. Radhika wasn't a threat, she was a part of Ishan's past, a sisterly figure who added to the tapestry of his life.

As the conversation drifted toward light gossip about the neighborhood kids, local pranks, and funny misunderstandings during school days, Pranvi and Vani listened, laughed quietly, and occasionally asked questions to understand the context better. Their laughter was softer, less boisterous, but genuine.

Radhika recounted the time they had accidentally set off a fire alarm while trying to make a giant cake for a school fundraiser. "We panicked so much," she said, laughing at the memory. "Aman tried to carry the cake outside, Ishan slipped on the frosting, and I... I ended up with a face full of chocolate."

Ishan groaned, holding his head dramatically. "Best. Disaster. Ever."

Aman laughed, slapping the table. "And we never got in trouble. Somehow the principal found it hilarious too. Those were good times."

Pranvi couldn't help but feel a quiet admiration for the bond that had formed decades ago, a bond she could only watch as a newcomer. The night, filled with warmth, nostalgia, and laughter, was a gentle reminder of the beauty of friendship.

As the evening wound down completely, the group leaned back, smiling softly, the remnants of a hearty dinner scattered around them. The stories, the laughter, and the shared memories had created a bubble of comfort. Pranvi felt at peace, her secret crush safely tucked away, while she savored the genuine joy around her.

She realized then that not every gathering needed drama or complications. Sometimes, the simplest joys, shared stories, laughter, and understanding-

were more than enough.

And as she sipped the last bit of her drink, Pranvi silently promised herself that she would cherish moments like these, letting the warmth of the night stay with her long after it ended.

The laughter from Radhika's teasing of Aman and Ishan still lingered in the air as plates were cleared. But soon, the conversation naturally drifted back to their childhood antics. Radhika leaned back in her chair, eyes sparkling mischievously.

"Do you guys remember the time we tried to sneak fireworks into the school festival?" she asked, looking at Ishan and Aman. "We thought we were so clever."

Ishan groaned dramatically. "Oh no... not that story again!"

Aman chuckled, shaking his head. "We were supposed to just light a few sparklers. How was I supposed to know Ishan would bring an entire box of crackers into the auditorium?"

Pranvi and Vani exchanged amused glances. "Wow... they were serious little troublemakers," Vani whispered, leaning closer to Pranvi.

Radhika laughed. "Yes! And then we tried to hide them under the stage before the headmaster came. And guess what happened?"

Ishan threw his hands up, exasperated. "I tripped over the stage curtain and sent the whole box flying. Sparks everywhere! Everyone screamed and... we got detention for two weeks!"

"Detention?" Aman snorted. "We should've gotten expelled!" He laughed, remembering the incident.

Radhika nodded, grinning. "And the funniest part, Aman tried to blame me for it. 'It's her idea!' he shouted. But I was standing right there laughing, and the teachers knew better."

Pranvi stifled a giggle, shaking her head. "They really were unstoppable," she murmured.

Ishan leaned forward, pretending to scowl at Radhika. "And don't forget the time she painted my school shoes bright yellow when I was asleep! I wore them the next day and everyone stared at me."

"Hey! That was payback for the cricket ball incident!" Radhika shot back, laughing.

"Oh yes, the cricket ball incident..." Aman said, smirking. "I still remember Radhika climbing onto the roof with a cricket ball and dropping it straight onto Ishan's head. Poor kid didn't even see it coming."

Pranvi winced playfully. "Ouch... that must've hurt!"

"It did! I had a bump for three days," Ishan said, rubbing his forehead in mock pain. "And Aman? He just laughed the whole time instead of helping me."

Aman shrugged innocently. "What? I was laughing because it was hilarious!"

Vani covered her mouth, trying not to laugh too loudly. "These stories are epic. You guys were real troublemakers."

Radhika smirked, nudging Ishan. "We were unstoppable. And somehow, we always managed to drag Aman along."

Ishan shook his head, smiling. "Yeah... he wasn't exactly a mastermind, but he was loyal. Always had our back... even if it meant getting caught in trouble too."

The group erupted into laughter again, and Pranvi felt a warm glow watching them. The energy around the table was infectious, filled with the kind of camaraderie that only years of shared mischief could create.

Then Radhika's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Oh! You guys remember the painting prank?" she said, leaning in conspiratorially.

"The painting prank?" Aman asked cautiously.

Ishan groaned, already knowing what was coming. "No... not again."

Radhika laughed. "Yes! We decided to paint the principal's office door bright pink while he was away for a meeting. It took us all afternoon. Aman was terrified he'd get caught, but Ishan... well, he was the mastermind."

"I was a visionary," Ishan said proudly, holding his head high. "The perfect camouflage strategy paintbrush in one hand, the curtain pulled with the other. Genius!"

"And I... I had to keep watch!" Aman added, trying to look heroic, though everyone laughed at him.

Pranvi and Vani exchanged another glance. "They really were partners in crime," Pranvi whispered.

"And the look on the principal's face when he returned..." Radhika continued, chuckling. "He literally froze. Pink. Everywhere. His tie, the floor, the files on the desk. Ishan tried to act innocent, but he was laughing behind the door. Aman... well, he fainted a little."

"I didn't faint!" Aman protested, laughing at the memory.

"Yes, you did! And it was glorious!" Radhika said, clapping her hands.

Ishan leaned back, smiling, shaking his head. "We should've filmed it. It would have gone viral."

Vani nudged Pranvi. "I can't imagine them as kids like this. It's hilarious."

Pranvi nodded, sipping her drink. "Yeah... they're just as chaotic now, in different ways, but this... this is something else."

Radhika continued, recounting more pranks, the time they replaced sugar with salt during a teacher's tea break, the day they tied Aman's shoelaces together just before the school assembly, and the "fake cricket match" where everyone pretended to play but were actually sneaking snacks from the canteen.

Pranvi and Vani laughed along silently, enjoying the stories without being part of the chaos. The warmth of their laughter was genuine, but they observed from the sidelines, letting the older friends relive memories that seemed like another world entirely.

Even when the topic shifted to school festivals, summer camps, and midnight escapades in their neighborhood, the tone stayed light and jovial. No jealousy, no rivalry, just playful camaraderie and shared histories.

Radhika, laughing softly, added, "Honestly, Ishan here was always the ringleader. But Aman... he had the best poker face when things went wrong."

Ishan laughed. "Poker face? More like panic face! But yeah... he never snitched. Loyalty counts."

Pranvi felt her chest tighten just slightly, but she let it go. After all, this was just friendship. And Radhika being like a sister to Ishan, nothing could shake that simple comfort.

Vani whispered, "I love this. The way they remember everything. It feels... cozy."

Pranvi nodded, smiling faintly. "Yeah. It's like watching history unfold, one prank at a time."

As the night wore on, the conversation slowly wound down. Laughter faded into content smiles. Plates were cleared, glasses refilled, and the warm glow from the restaurant lights reflected off everyone's faces.

Pranvi noticed how easily Radhika and Ishan interacted, effortless, sibling-like, protective yet teasing. It was clear why nothing about Radhika troubled her, she was simply family in all but blood.

Vani leaned back in her chair, stretching slightly. "I didn't know I could laugh this much tonight," she said softly.

"Me neither," Pranvi agreed. She felt lighter, almost as if she had witnessed a rare glimpse of unfiltered joy, something pure and uncomplicated.

Aman leaned back, smirking at the two girls. "And don't think you guys are off the hook. Next time, you're going to tell me your childhood pranks too. I want to hear the chaos you caused."

Pranvi and Vani both laughed quietly. "We'll see," Pranvi said, smiling faintly.

As the night drew to a close, they all stood up, gathering their belongings. The memories, the laughter, the stories they lingered in the air like a soft echo. It was one of those evenings that felt like it would stay with them forever, stitched into the fabric of their friendship with warmth, chaos, and endless laughter.

Even as they stepped outside, the cool night air wrapping around them, the echoes of childhood pranks and shared memories followed, reminding them that some bonds, once formed, only grew stronger with time.

Radhika laughed softly, shaking her head as she looked at Ishan and Aman. "You know, it's funny... back in childhood, you two were completely different from now."

Ishan raised an eyebrow, a faint grin forming. "Different... how?"

"Oh, Ishan, you were always so loud and mischievous, running around, pulling pranks on everyone," Radhika said, teasing lightly. "And Aman... you were much calmer, a bit shy, always observing before joining in."

Aman flushed slightly but smiled. "Hey... I wasn't that shy," he said softly, shrugging.

Ishan chuckled, his voice carrying that familiar confidence. "Yes, but admit it I was always the troublemaker," he added, smirking.

Vani and Pranvi exchanged quiet smiles, watching the dynamic. Even as adults, some childhood traits remained - Aman, more reserved; Ishan, naturally extroverted but now tempered with maturity.

Radhika chuckled again. "It's fun to see how far you've both come... but some things, thankfully, never change."

Hope you liked the chapter.

Don't forget to tell me your favorite part!

Happy reading..❤️