"I just sort of feel like I'm on drugs when I'm with you. Not that I do drugs. Unless you do drugs, in which case, I do them all the time."

—Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

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~ A D V I K ~

I wasn’t trying to listen.

I really wasn’t.

But when your name comes up… walking away isn’t exactly an option.

So I didn’t.

I stood at a distance,far enough to not intrude, close enough to not miss it.

“I’m happy with Advik.”

Her voice.

Soft.

Steady.

Certain.

Something in my chest… shifted.

I didn’t react. Didn’t move.

I just stood there, letting the words settle.

Happy.

With me.

That shouldn’t mean anything.

It’s just a sentence. A polite answer.

Something people say.

But it didn’t sound polite.

Didn’t sound rehearsed.

Didn’t sound forced.

It sounded real.

My jaw tightened.

Why?

Because I don’t know what to do with that.

I’ve handled expectations before.

Responsibilities. Obligations. Things that had to be carried.

But this?

This wasn’t something I was given.

This was someone… choosing to feel something.

About me.

And that, That’s dangerous.

For a second, I almost walked up to her.

Almost ask

Did you mean that?

Yeah. Bad idea.

Very bad idea.

So instead, I step back. Then another.

She’s talking to her mother.

And I shouldn’t be listening anyway.

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The night settles in slowly.

Relatives linger. Conversations stretch. Laughter echoes through the mansion.

And with that comes the usual

pretending.

I sit with the elders, discussing business deals I’m only half interested in. Nodding at the right moments. Saying the right things.

Routine.

Until I’m suddenly pulled out of it.

“Bas, Jiju. Aapka quota khatam,” Riya declares, dragging me away before I can protest.

(Enough brother, this is enough for today)

Next thing I know, I’m on the terrace.

Fairy lights hang along the walls, casting a warm glow. A makeshift tent is set up in one corner, mattresses spread across the floor.

Of course. The cousins.

“Come on, ladies and gentlemen,bhaiya aur bhabhi,” Adesh announces dramatically.

Adheera claps her hands, grinning. “Since we’re all here after ages… time for something interesting.”

Mayank, my cousin arrives , hand full of snack packets. Chips, Popcorns, Namkeen and Cold drinks.

Adheera, herself arrives holding a big icecream box.

Grinning and pulling hairs of Adesh like she always does.

And for a moment I could not help but smile at myself.

My baby sister, don't grow up too fast...

Dhruv and Raj are already throwing around ideas.

“Truth or dare?”

“Spin the bottle?”

“Never have I ever”

“Dude, we don’t have drinks,” Riya cuts in, visibly disappointed.

Raj sighs. Adesh joins him.

“We can always sneak some in,” Mayank nudges me with a grin. “Advik bhai… aap toh kar sakte ho kuch bhi.”

(Brother Advik, you can do anything)

Ah. So now I’m useful.

I tap my chin, pretending to think.

The responsible part of me says no.

Obviously.

The other part—the one they all like more, the cool Advik Oberoi part who is fun, is considering it.

My gaze shifts.

To her.

Aarohi sits across from me, beside Prachi. Purple cotton kurti, hair tied in a low bun.

Simple.

And yet…

Still distracting.

“What do you think, wife?” I ask casually.

The reaction is instant.

“Bhai… are you seriously waiting for bhabhi’s permission?” Mayank stares at me like I’ve betrayed the brotherhood.

(Brother, are you seriously Waiting for her permission..?)

“Joru ka ghulam,” Prachi mutters.

(Wife's slave)

“Bhai’s gone,” Adesh adds. “Finished.”

“Biwipaglu,” Adheera says, shaking her head.

(Mad for his wife)

Laughter breaks out.

I roll my eyes. “It’s not like that.”

But I don’t look at them. I look at her.

She’s laughing too,but her cheeks are slightly pink.

Interesting.

“So?” I tilt my head. “What do you think… wife?”

She blinks, pointing at herself. “Main…?”

(Me..?)

“Bhabhi, bol bhi do,” Mayank insists.

“Aapki permission ke bina yeh insaan saans tak na le.”

(Just say it Sister, this man won't even breath without your permission)

“Main thodi inko pitne wali hoon…” she starts, then trails off, throwing me a glare.

(It's not like I am not going to beat him up)

“Oh?” I raise a brow. “Are you forgetting last Thursday?”

I was clearly referring to our pillow fight.

Her eyes widen.

“Wait,what?” Adheera leans forward instantly. “Explain.”

“Voh kuch nahi hai!” Aarohi rushes out. “Yeh jhooth bol rahe hain!”

(It's nothing. He is lieing)

“Jhooth?” I press my hand to my chest dramatically. “Itne sitam karne ke baad… mera shoulder almost dislocate karne ke bad ....?”

(Lie..? Me..? After so much cruelty, after almost dislocating my shoulder)

“WHAT did we miss?” Raj chokes on popcorn.

"Yeh konsa chapter hai bhai..?" Adesh asks.

(Which chapter was it)

“That’s private,” I cut in.

“Oh-ho. Private?” Prachi grins. “R-rated hai kya?”

(Ahh private..? Is it R-RATED...?)

“Shut up,” Aarohi and I say at the same time.

That only makes it worse.

“Thik hai,” she mutters finally, giving up. “Karlo jo karna hai.”

(Fine. Do whatever you want)

Victory.

“Bas, enough,” Riya claps once. “Game decide karo before I get diabetes from this romance.”

(Guys enouy. Let's decide the game before I get diabetic seeing their romance)

“There is no ROMANCE!” Aarohi snaps, face now fully red.

“Yes,” I nod seriously. “Only violence.”

“Aarohi–Advik,” Mayank announces, “a tale of bloodshed and pillow fights.”

Everyone laughs, but Aarohi glares me down like she wants to punch me in the face and kick me in the balls.

Mission riling up MY WIFE.

Successful.

Ohh I love teasing her and making her mad.

I love when she looks at me that way.

I love when she is red, because of me.

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We settle on UNO.

Safe. Controlled. No chaos.

Unfortunately.

No Alcohol, we settle on that for now. But me and the boys, we can always sneak in some . Now or later. :)

Just be aware of the elders. Even though I know that the males are having their private party in the outhouse.

The ladies, most probably in their gossip and skincare session where they discuss Kanjivaram silk and increase in price of gold.

Cards are distributed. Seven each.

Adheera rolls up imaginary sleeves like she’s about to go to war.

Raj tries peeking at Prachi’s cards and gets smacked immediately.

Violence.

Expected.

I glance at Aarohi’s cards—but she’s sitting right in front of me.

Unfair.

The game starts smoothly.

Too smoothly.

Which should’ve been my first warning.

The two rounds go nicely.

Then,

Adheera drops a red block on Raj.

Riya throws a +2 at Aarohi.

Aarohi passes it to Mayank, another +2.

Four cards.

Mayank looks at his hand. Thinks. Then smiles.

Yeah. That’s never a good sign.

Shit. I realised something.

He drops a +4.

On me.

I stare at the card.

Eight cards?

No.

Absolutely not.

Without a word, I place a reverse. My smirk widens. As I whistle lowly. So happy with my move.

His smile disappears.

The group bursts out laughing as realization hits him.

“Bhai!” he groans.

I lean back slightly, satisfied.

“Rules,” I say simply.

Mumbling under his breath, he picks up all eight cards.

“Cheaters,” he mutters.

I smirk.

Acro

ss from me, Aarohi is trying and failing not to smile.

And for a moment,

just a moment,

that word echoes again in my head.

Happy.

With me.

Dangerous.

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