Siya slipped into Raghav's room and turned on her phone. She dialed Anurag.
Anurag (on call): "Hello… hello…"After a pause, frustrated: "If you don't want to talk, why call me…"Before Anurag could finish, Siya hung up.She muttered to herself: "Phew, that was close—he almost had me caught!"
Beside Anurag sat Avyaan, smiling quietly—he was the one who had given Siya Anurag's number.
Meanwhile, at 2 AM, Kabir awoke from hunger pangs. He tossed and turned until he finally retrieved a chips packet from his bag—only to find just two chips.
"Oh God, what do I do? I'm starving... you know I can't stand hunger. Please help… I'll offer you five—no, two motichoor laddoos made by Mom! Please, God, show me a way to calm this hunger…"
At that moment, Raghav appeared behind him with a smile.Kabir (apologetic): "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you, bro."Raghav (ruffling Kabir's hair): "Yeah, but bargaining with God that loudly—even a corpse would wake up! I thought you'd change over the years—still the same hungry ghoul, huh?"Kabir (bashful): "Bro…"Raghav: "But I have a cure."Kabir (hopeful): "Really, bro?"Raghav, putting on a jacket: "Yes—jacket on. Tonight, I'm taking you to Auli's most special late-night food spot."
A gleeful Kabir hugged him: "Tell me where we're going!"
Raghav laughed and said, "You'll find out—hurry or it'll be morning!"
They both bundled up and set off.
After walking a while, they discovered a bustling late-night food stall. Kabir was surprised—2 AM in freezing Auli but still so much activity?
Raghav ordered chili potatoes and Manchurian—Kabir's favorites—while a group of biker-riders nearby enjoyed music and food.
A biker friend warmly welcomed them. As Kabir has long dreamed of riding bikes, he excitedly joined in their conversation. Raghav soon fit right in with the group.
Dawn broke, and the brothers returned to the hotel, where Raghav led them back to their shared room. It was a tight fit, but sufficient for one night.
That evening, preparations began for the college award ceremony. Anurag and Raghav were busy helping out; Siya, bored, stepped out to roam.
Auli's Beauty Strikes
The breathtaking countryside—snow-clad valleys, cascading waterfalls, birdsong—truly felt like heaven on Earth. The sun kissed the snow, transforming it into sparkling jewels. Siya fell in love with Auli in a single day.
Award Ceremony
At the ceremony, Raghav received "Best Student of the Year."Kabir applauded most enthusiastically.Aman ji looked on in pride; Chandrika ji watched him from a distance with a mother's love.Yamuna ji, Raj ji, Janvi, and Adit cheered him on.But Raghav's eyes searched only for Siya. She was lost in her phone and didn't even glance at him.
A pang of cold sadness gripped him. He smiled for his family, stepped down, hugged Aman ji, and was mobbed by Kabir and Adit in joyful leaps.
Raghav joked: "Hey monkeys, stop hugging me so hard— you'll choke me out!"They backed off, shouting his name happily.
Janvi stepped forward and congratulated him.Joy, their cousin, jumped around excitedly—Raghav was his big brother too!
Raghav then received blessings from Chandrika ji, Yamuna ji, and Raj ji—but his gaze kept darting toward Siya, who remained disengaged.
They dined at the hotel. Raghav glanced at Siya again, hoping for a word of congratulations, but she remained distant. He choked down a cold lift in his throat—a suffocating ache when unmet expectations cut deepest.
Only Janvi sensed his pain. She knew he yearned to hear something sincere from Siya, yet Siya remained silent, lost in her own world. Janvi felt the sting of unspoken love too but continued eating as if normal.
A Guilt-Ridden Escape
Raghav stood up without finishing his meal.
Chandrika ji gently chided: "Raghav, where are you going? Don't leave without eating…"Raghav replied softly: "Mom, I don't feel hungry… I need some fresh air. You all enjoy."
Ignoring her pleas, he stepped outside.
Outside, the cold air breathed life back into him. Tears welled in his eyes, and he wiped them away so none could see. He walked to a dried-up lakeside bench and sat, staring at its empty surface.
Why did Siya ignore him like this? He'd dreamt of her, loved her—even in childhood. How hard was it to say "congratulations" just once? Even strangers celebrate others' successes—why not his own future life partner? Was it too much to ask?
He was lost in thought.
Siya's Distracted State
Inside, Siya scrolled through Anurag's social media. He and Avyaan had posted Maldives vacation photos, including group shots with other girls. Jealousy roiled inside her.
She bit into a chili without even tasting it. Kabir teased:"Don't get so lost in your phone that you forget the difference between vegetable and chili!"
Siya snapped back to reality with tears in her eyes. Kabir offered her a glass of water, which she gulped down, then hid her phone in her pocket before Kabir could grab it.
Everyone acted like nothing had happened—but Raj ji noticed. He saw Siya's shifting behavior and thought it was just a normal part of growing up.
Returning to Their Rooms
Later, Raghav returned, and Joy's aunt had prepared an extra room. The arrangement:
Siya, Chandrika ji, and Yamuna ji would share one room.
Raj ji, Aman ji, and Kabir another.
Siya protested again: "I'm sleeping with Mom." She stomped away.
Raj ji scolded: "Behave, Siya! Why can't you adjust for one day? Kabir's doing it—he's your age!"Siya whined: "Grandpa, I'm a girl. Kabir's a boy…"Janvi gently offered: "If you don't mind, we could share the room."Siya glared, then told her grandfather, "I want to sleep with Mom," and stomped off.
Raj ji was angry but Aman ji stepped in: "Children grow—they need space sometimes. It's better than nagging them."
Raj ji, gazing at the sky: "These kids are so possessive about privacy. We're their parents, not enemies—but they live on phones. Where do we fit in their lives?"
Aman ji couldn't reply. He looked at the sleeping Kabir and then at the stars overhead.