As the unexpected visitor stepped through the door, the atmosphere in the dining room shifted. The warm glow of the chandelier flickered, casting long shadows on the walls, as the familiar face of Kunal, Atharva’s younger brother, entered, looking slightly disheveled but undeniably eager. “Sorry I’m late!” he exclaimed, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. “Traffic was a nightmare, and I had to deal with a last-minute client.”

Pratiksha's heart raced. Kunal had always been a source of lightheartedness amidst the tension in the Singh household, and his presence brought a brief respite. “You missed the best part! Dadi was just about to share her wisdom on marriage!” Pratiksha teased, earning a chuckle from Kunal and a disapproving glare from Dadi.

“Let’s keep the marriage advice for another time, shall we?” Kunal replied, taking a seat next to Eshank, who remained stoically focused on his plate. “How’s everyone tonight?”

The conversation resumed, but the air was still thick with unspoken words, especially for Pratiksha. As she stole glances at Eshank, who was now engaged in a hushed conversation with Atharva about the family business, she felt a mix of determination and apprehension bubbling inside her. This was her chance to confront him, to address the way he treated her and her family, but a voice in her head urged caution.

Vrushti, noticing Pratiksha’s distraction, leaned in. “You good? You look like you’re about to jump out of your skin,” she whispered, concern etched on her face. Pratiksha nodded, forcing a smile but knowing she could no longer hide her feelings.

As dessert was served—a rich, decadent chocolate cake that made the room smell heavenly—Pratiksha took a deep breath. “Eshank, can we talk after dinner?” she blurted out, her voice carrying an unexpected confidence.

The table fell silent, all eyes darting between her and Eshank, who raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard. “About what?” he asked, his tone guarded.

“About you and how you treat your family,” Pratiksha replied, her heart thumping in her chest. “This isn’t just about Kirti’s marriage; it’s about all of us. We’re family, and we deserve respect.”

Eshank opened his mouth to retort, but Kirti quickly interjected, sensing the brewing storm. “Let’s not do this now, Pratiksha. It’s a celebration evening,” she urged, casting a worried glance at Dadi, who looked ready to explode.

But Pratiksha was resolute. “It’s time we stop pretending everything is fine. Dadi, you’ve always said we should speak our minds. I’m just following your advice.”

Radha Singh’s eyes widened, and she exchanged a glance with Atharva, who looked both amused and concerned. “This is a little… unexpected,” he said, trying to diffuse the situation. “But I think we can all agree that family discussions are essential.”

Before anyone could respond, Kunal piped up. “I think Pratiksha has a point! We all need to voice our feelings more often. What’s the use of a family if we can’t share our thoughts?” His enthusiasm seemed to ignite a flicker of support from the others.

Eshank crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair, his expression a mixture of irritation and contemplation. “Fine. Let’s talk after dinner,” he conceded, his voice low and tense.

As dessert plates were cleared away, a fresh tension settled in. Kirti shot Pratiksha a grateful smile, her eyes glimmering with pride. Meanwhile, Vrushti looked on, intrigued by the unfolding drama, her curiosity piqued.

Once the dishes were cleared, Pratiksha felt the weight of all eyes upon her. The room buzzed with unspoken anticipation as Eshank stood, motioning for Pratiksha to follow him into the adjoining living room.

“Let’s get this over with,” he muttered, leading the way, and Pratiksha followed, her heart pounding in her chest. The living room was dimly lit, the shadows growing longer as the evening deepened.

“Why are you so fixated on how I treat you all?” Eshank began, his voice a mixture of frustration and confusion. “You don’t know what I deal with on a daily basis.”

“Maybe I don’t, but I do know that family is supposed to support each other, not tear each other down,” Pratiksha replied, her voice steady. “You might not see it, but your attitude affects all of us, especially Kirti dii.”

As they stood facing each other, the tension palpable, a firm knock echoed through the house, startling them both. They exchanged glances, and Eshank frowned. “Who could that be?”

“Let’s find out,” Pratiksha suggested, her curiosity piqued as they made their way back to the dining room. As they stepped in, they were met with another surprise—the door swung open to reveal a woman in a dark coat, her face partially obscured by shadows.

"Geetanjali tu?!"exclaimed dadi after looking at the unexpected intruder at this time.

"Haa main .Kaise hai aap sab?!"the lady replied after touching dadi's feet.(Yes me,How are u all?)

"Sab toh theek hai par tum iss samay aayi ho kuch baat hai kya"asked dadi worriedly looking at the clock showing 10:30 (everyone is fine but u came at this time ,is everything okay?)

"Haa baba,sab theek hai bas meri flight late ho gyi thi isliye varna main shaam ko hi aajati"the lady replied shrugging her shoulders.(Yess. Everything is fine , actually my flight got delayed or else I would have been here by evening only).

New entry...! Get ready for some scary ride.

That's its guys .Thank u