"A grandparent is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a       little bit best friend."                             
          

Roohi’s POV

It was Friday evening, and as I placed the last dish in the kitchen cabinet, I turned to Vivaan, who was sketching idly in his notebook at the dining table.

“Vivaan,” I called softly, leaning against the counter. He looked up, his dark eyes curious, the pencil pausing in mid-air. “What do you think about visiting Dadi and Meera this weekend?”

His gaze flickered briefly, as if processing the idea, and then he nodded. “That sounds good. It’s been a while since we visited them.”

I smiled, already picturing Nirmala Dadi’s warm embrace and Meera’s bubbly chatter. “Perfect. Let’s leave tomorrow morning. Dadi would be thrilled to see you.”

“And you,” he added, his lips curving into a small smile.

The next morning, as we neared their home, I felt a pleasant sense of anticipation building. The small house stood like a beacon of warmth, with flower pots lining the entrance and the aroma of something delicious wafting through the open windows.

“Dadi must’ve been cooking all morning,” I said, inhaling deeply.

Vivaan chuckled, parking the car. “She wouldn’t miss a chance to spoil us.”

As soon as we stepped inside, Nirmala Dadi came bustling out of the kitchen, her face lighting up. “Vivaan! Roohi! You’re finally here!” She pulled Vivaan into a tight hug before turning to hug me. “Beta, welcome home.”

“Dadi, we’ve missed you,” I said, hugging her.

“And I’ve missed you both,” she replied, patting my cheek affectionately. “Now sit, sit! Lunch is almost ready. Meera! Come out of your room, your bhaiya and bhabhi are here!”

Meera emerged moments later, her energy filling the room. “Look who’s here!” she exclaimed, rushing to hug Vivaan. Then she turned to me, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “And my favorite bhabhi.”

“Favorite? Do you have more bhabhis I should know about?” I teased, laughing.

“Not yet,” Meera replied cheekily, winking. “But you’re definitely my favorite!”

Lunch was a feast - a spread of dal makhani, my favorite stuffed parathas, and Vivaan’s favorite kheer.

“Dadi, this is amazing,” I said, taking another bite of the paratha.

“Thank you, beta,” she replied with a proud smile. “Vivaan told me you’re a good cook too. One day, you’ll have to teach me your recipes.”

“Only if you teach me yours first,” I countered, earning a delighted laugh from her.

Meera, sitting beside me, leaned in. “Bhabhi, I have to say, you and Bhaiya are the perfect match. He used to be so serious all the time, but now… look at him!”

I glanced at Vivaan, who was quietly savoring his food, his expression content. “What do you mean?” I asked, curious.

“He smiles more,” Meera said simply. “And it’s because of you.”

Vivaan looked up then, his ears turning slightly pink. “Meera, stop embarrassing her.”

“And you,” Meera teased, sticking her tongue out.

Later in the afternoon, Meera and I sat in her room, flipping through some old photo albums. She pointed out a picture of a young Vivaan, holding up a medal proudly.

“That was his first art competition,” Meera said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “He looked so excited that day.”

“He still gets that look when he’s working on something he’s passionate about,” I said softly, tracing my finger over the photo.

“You see it too,” Meera replied with a knowing smile. “You really understand him well bhabhi, don’t you?”

I glanced at her, unsure of how to respond. “I’m trying to,” I admitted.

When evening came, Vivaan and I found ourselves sitting in the garden, the soft glow of fairy lights casting a warm hue.

“Did you have a good time?” he asked, his voice low and steady.

“I did,” I said, meeting his gaze.

He tilted his head slightly, studying me. “You’ve made it feel like home again.”

My heart swelled at his words, and I reached out to touch his hand. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”

We sat there in comfortable silence, the night wrapping around us like a blanket, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I truly belonged.

Roohi’s pov:

The sunlight streaming through the curtains woke me up first. For a few seconds, I blinked at the unfamiliar surroundings until reality sank in . I was back in Vivaan's home. Our home. I turned to look at him, peacefully asleep, his face relaxed and boyish, as though the weight he carried in the day had lifted in sleep.

Careful not to disturb him, I got out of bed and wrapped myself in a shawl. The house was quiet, with only the faint sounds of birds chirping outside. I decided to check in on Dadi before the day began.

Dadi was already in the living room, sitting on her favorite chair and sipping her morning tea. Her sharp eyes caught me instantly. "Roohi beta, good morning! Come, sit with me."

“Good morning, Dadi,” I greeted her with a smile, sitting beside her on the sofa.

"Did you sleep well?" she asked, her voice warm, yet observant.

I nodded. "Yes, Dadi. The house feels so peaceful."

She studied me for a moment, and then, with a playful smirk, asked, "Does Vivaan take care of you properly?"

The question made me laugh softly. "Dadi, he does. He might not say much, but he’s so thoughtful. Few days before, he set up a room for me to work,he helps me daily and does all my things without a single complaint. "

Dadi’s face lit up with pride. "Ah, I’m so happy to hear that. I raised him with these values, you know,to be kind and patient, even if life throws storms at him. Hearing this from you makes me feel I did something right."

I placed my hand on hers. "You raised him beautifully, Dadi. He might not say it, but he loves and respects you so much. It shows in every small thing he does."

Her eyes misted over as she patted my hand. "Thank you, beta. You’re such a good match for him. I can see the peace in his eyes now, the one he lost for years."

Before I could respond, Dadi chuckled, lightening the mood. "Anyway, if he doesn’t take care of you properly, you come straight to me. I’ll scold him for you."

We both laughed at that. Spending this quiet morning with her felt so warm, like finding a piece of home in a new place.

By the time Vivaan walked into the room, sleepy-eyed and yawning, Dadi and I were already planning what to cook for lunch. “Good morning,” he mumbled, running a hand through his messy hair.

“Good morning,” I replied, holding back a smile. He looked so adorably disoriented in the mornings.

Dadi glanced at us and stood up. “I’ll go check on the kitchen.”

As she left, Vivaan sat beside me on the sofa, resting his head on my shoulder. "You’re up early," he said.

“I was talking to Dadi,” I replied, glancing at him. “She asked if you take care of me.”

His head snapped up. “What did you say?”

I smirked. “I told her I’ll let her know if you don’t.”

He rolled his eyes but smiled, his hand reaching out to gently brush a strand of hair away from my face. "And here I thought I was doing a decent job."

“You are,” I said softly. “More than decent.”

His smile widened as he leaned back again, his hand casually slipping into mine. In moments like these, I realized just how easily he made me feel at home , not just in this house, but with him.

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