Evening had settled softly over the city. The clock ticked close to 7 PM, and yet Janvi wasn't home.

On her usual days, she'd be back by 5, but tonight was different - she was at Ashwath's place.

She had already texted Rishi:

"I'm at Ashwath's, don't worry."

At Ashwath's house, the atmosphere was lazy and fun. They were sprawled on the living room couch, surrounded by snacks and laughter, almost like two sacks of potatoes thrown together.

"Bhai, par usko fire karne ki kya zarurat thi?" Janvi asked, chewing on a pizza slice.

(Brother, but what was the need to fire him?)

"Bohot zarurat thi, Tulip. Now if you ask me that question again, I might kill you," he said, pouring cold drink into a wine glass.

Janvi rolled her eyes while Ashwath passed her the glass.

"Ignore everything, and tell me some tea!" he grinned.

"You're a man," she said with mock seriousness.

"So what? Our constitution gives us equal rights - now tell me," he teased, making her burst into laughter.

"You know Rishi's bua?" she asked curiously.

"No... wait, is she the same bua who's a lizard ?" he asked, squinting.

"I think so... Rishi did warn me about her being orthodox, but I'm not sure yet," she said.

"Did she taunt you?"

"Not yet."

"Then nothing to worry about. But I know you have a sharp tongue-so 'control'," he warned playfully.

She smiled and nodded.

"By the way, tell me about you, haan! Where did you go this time?" she asked, crossing her legs on the couch.

"Kanishka wanted to spend some time with me, so I took her to the Northeast. She said she wanted to explore," he said casually.

"Daaamn bhai, so dreamy!" she said dramatically, making him chuckle.

"Did you two... do something?" she asked mischievously.

He looked at her with a smirk. "No."

"Why?!"

"Oh, stop it. We'll do it once we get married," he said, taking a sip from his glass.

"Ahaaan! When?" she pressed.

"When I impress her parents. Waise aunty toh chill hai, par uncle thode se khadus hai," he said.

(Her mom's chill, but her dad's a bit grumpy.)

"Tere hone wale sasur hai woh!" she teased.

(He's your would-be father-in-law!)

"Ha ha, I know. You know, seeing him feels like Kani is the female version of him," he said.

"How?"

"Both are angry birds," he laughed.

Janvi grinned and suddenly yelled, "Bhabhiii!" looking at the door. (Sister-in-law!)

Ashwath's eyes widened as he glanced toward the entrance. Then he sighed, realizing she was teasing.

"Kutti!" he said, throwing a pillow at her. (You little brat!)

"Tu kutta!" she shot back. (You're the dog!)

They both ended up laughing hard, sinking deeper into the couch.

Just then, Janvi's phone rang loudly - cutting through their laughter.

The name flashed on the screen: "Mr. Sweetheart."

She smiled and picked it up. Rishi's tired voice came from the other end.

"Dove, are you done?" he asked softly.

"Why, are you coming to pick me?" she asked.

"Actually yeah... my meeting finally ended. I'm on my way, jaan." (My love.)

"Okay, drive safely," she said and hung up.

"Is he coming?" Ashwath asked.

Janvi nodded. "Hmm, unki meeting khatam ho gayi finally." (His meeting finally ended.)

A few minutes later, the sound of a car horn echoed outside Awasthi Mansion. Janvi smiled, grabbed her bag, and walked out.

Rishi stood there - one hand in his pocket, a faint smile playing on his tired face.

Without a word, she walked to him, and he hugged her tightly - burying his face in the crook of her neck.

"Thak gaye?" she asked gently, running her fingers through his hair. (Tired?)

"Hmm," he hummed, his voice sending shivers down her spine.

"Main drive karti hu, aap aaj mere passenger prince baniye," she whispered, kissing his cheek. (I'll drive today - you just be my passenger prince.)

He smiled faintly. "Zarurat nahi-" (No need-)

"Chup chap baithiye," she said, opening the door and pushing him inside. (Just sit quietly.)

"Gaane sunenge?" she asked, starting the car. (Shall we listen to music?)

"Zarur, mohotarma," he smiled. (Of course, madam.)

She connected her phone's Bluetooth and played a soft romantic track - the kind that melted both their hearts.

Soon, she began humming, and he joined her.

🎶 Hum tere pyaar mein saara aalam kho baithe hai... 🎶

(We've lost the whole world in your love...)

Their voices blended with the soft glow of streetlights until they reached Mehta Mansion.

Parking the car, both got out.

Before Janvi could step ahead, Rishi caught her wrist and pulled her close.

She looked at him, surprised.

He brushed a strand of hair away, tucking it gently behind her ear, his eyes soft but intense.

"Thank you," he whispered.

She smiled and tiptoed, pecking his lips.

His ears turned red, and he chuckled shyly.

They walked in together - only to find everyone laughing in the living room.

When they followed everyone's gaze, they saw Somya, covered in flour from head to toe.

"Areeehhh Somya di, kitne mast dikh rahi ho!" Ananya said, snapping a photo.

(Oh my, Somya di, you're looking amazing!)

Janvi bit her cheek to suppress her laughter.

"Bas karo sab!" Buaji's loud voice broke the laughter. (Enough, all of you!)

"Par bua-" (But Aunt-)

"Ek shabd nahi!" she warned sharply. (Not one more word!)

Then she turned toward the door and smirked.

"Lo ji, aa gayi hamare ghar ki bahu." (Look who's here, our daughter-in-law finally arrived.)

Janvi frowned in confusion.

"Yeh koi samay hai ghar wapas aane ka? Koi maan nahi hai tumhe?" she scolded.

(Is this any time to return home? Have you no respect?)

"Woh buaji, main apne dost ke ghar gayi thi-" (Aunty, I went to my friend's place-)

"Hayee Ram! Beech mein bol rahi ho!" Buaji exclaimed dramatically. (Oh Lord! You're interrupting me!)

Everyone rolled their eyes.

"Buaji-" Janvi tried again.

"Koi izzat karni nahi aati kya tumhe bado ki?!" she snapped. (Don't you know how to respect elders?!)

Janvi lowered her gaze. The room fell silent, tension thick in the air.

"Buaji, bhabhi ki kya galti hai isme?" Ananya spoke up. (Aunty, what's bhabhi's fault in this?)

"Ab tujhe bhi bolna aa gaya?!" Buaji glared. (Oh, now you've started talking too?!)

Rishi had had enough. "Buaji, main thak gaya hu... aur Dove bhi." (Aunty, I'm tired... and so is Dove.)

He took Janvi's hand and led her upstairs to their room.

The door clicked shut - and before he could say anything - Janvi burst out laughing.

"Haa ha haaa!" Her laughter echoed in the room.

"Dove..." he said, shaking his head with a small smile.

She clutched her stomach, laughing harder. "Aapne woh serial dekha hai jismein woh hoti hai... haan Gopi Bahu? Literally uski saas bani thi Buaji!"

(Have you seen that TV serial with Gopi Bahu? Buaji literally turned into her mother-in-law!)

Rishi chuckled. "Pagal ho tum." (You're crazy.)

"Aur aur apne Somya ko dekha tha? Aisa lag raha tha jaise din bhar aate ki chakki mein kaam kar rahi thi!" she laughed again.

(And did you see Somya? She looked like she'd been working in a flour mill all day!)

Rishi just shook his head, smiling, as her laughter filled the room.

________________________________

✨ Author’s Note ✨

Hey pretty people! 💖

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I’m dropping this update at night because tomorrow’s gonna be hella hectic 🫠

Don’t forget to like and comment your thoughts — I just know you adored the Passenger Prince treatment Rishi got, and of course, Janvi’s iconic “Gopi Bahu’s saas” joke had you rolling 💅

See y’all on Saturday!

Have a lovely day… or should I say, a lovely night? 🌙✨