The Right Wrong Number✨

♡ Chapter - 28 ♡

They both broke into loud hoots and cheers like I'd already hit another century.

Maa pulled me into a hug and kissed my cheek again.

And then-

Smack. Another kiss. But this one was on the other cheek.

From Mira.

I turned, blinking like someone had just sucker punched me. Mouth open, eyes wide.

She grinned, mischief oozing from every feature. "Makkhi chali jaayegi, muh band karo," she said, casually placing a hand under my chin to close my dropped jaw.

(The fly will go in, shut your mouth,)

And then she winked.

Just like that.

I didn't know what to do with all the laughter rising inside me. Or the sudden rush of something else-something alive and hopeful and a little reckless.

Maybe this was what it felt like... to come back to life.

And I was ready.

To begin.

Again. And again. And again.

The sun was kinder today.

Or maybe... maybe it was just me. My heart. Lighter. Freer. Warmer than it had felt in months-maybe years. The kind of warmth that doesn't come from the weather, but from something inside you slowly thawing. Joy.

Real, soul-deep joy.

I hadn't felt like this in so long, I almost didn't recognize it.

And yet, here I was, standing in the middle of the living room like I'd just won the World Cup, grinning wide and declaring to the world-or well, to my world-"Aaj meri taraf se sab ko ice cream partyyy! Kya janta tayyaar hai?"

(Today an ice cream party to everyone from me! Are the people ready?)

Mumma folded her arms and raised an eyebrow, amused, while Mira did this dramatic clutching-her-invisible-pearls act.

"More than they ever were," said the two most important women in my life-one with a smirk, the other with a giggle.

I strutted towards the fridge, already picturing the tubs of chocolate-chip and mango ripple I'd seen stashed in the freezer just a few days ago.

But the moment I pulled it open, my dreams froze.

Literally.

It was empty.

Just cold air and disappointment staring back at me.

"Shit," I muttered, scratching my neck, suddenly very aware of two sets of eyes on me.

"Kya hua, Mr. Cricketer Rathee?" Mira asked, all mock-suspicion and raised brows.

(What happened, Mr. Crickter Rathee?)

"Uhh..." I gave a sheepish grin. "Laani padegi market se. Saari khatam ho gayi."

(I will have to buy it from the market. All are finished.)

Mumma's voice floated in from behind. "Khatam ho gayi? Thi toh sahi itni saari..."

(Finished? There were so many...)

I winced. Busted. "Kha li maine, Mumma. Roz raat ko ek-ek karke... pata bhi nahi chala kab gayi."

(I ate it, Mumma. Every night, one by one... I didn't even realize when it was gone.)

And then, trying to salvage my crumbling reputation, I added quickly, "Chhodo, let's go buy new ones. Aur jo bacche bahar khel rahe hain na, unko bhi dunga."