He Stayed Anyway

~8~

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The car rolled out of the venue, fairy lights fading behind them. Aarav drove with calm ease, Ahaana beside him, and Veer & Tara in the back—already elbowing each other.

Ahaana checked her phone and sighed.
"Maa texted. They reached home. She's resting."

Tara frowned.
"Poor Maa... she looked so tired."

Aarav nodded.
"Haan. Dad literally forced her to leave early."

Veer smirked.
"Forced kya, dragged."

Ahaana burst out laughing.
"Exactly! Dad was losing patience."

Tara giggled.
"Mom is so cute."

Aarav exhaled.
"Engagement was... eventful."

Veer leaned back dramatically.
"Eventful? Bhai, that was a full drama serial. Background music missing bas."
(Only the background music was missing.)

Ahaana turned around slightly.
"What did you notice now?"

Veer raised a brow.
"Rishika. Woh kisi ko bhi dekh ke judge kar sakti hai."
(She can judge anyone with just a look.)

Tara nodded quickly.
"True! She wasn't talking much."

Aarav added gently,
"She was tense. Obviously... sensitive situation for everyone."

Veer's tone dipped.
"Especially for Reeva."

Ahaana caught the micro-emotion immediately.

"Hmm. And you were... very alert about that."

Veer stiffened.
"Main? Alert? Please."

Tara turned her head slowly, dramatically, like an owl.
"YES. You were looking at her like she stole your phone password."

Veer glared.
"I was just... checking. She stepped out suddenly."

Aarav smirked.
"And you followed suddenly."

Veer sat up.
"I DID NOT FOLLOW HER."

Tara poked him.
"Bhai... you practically sprinted."

"Tara. Stop." Veer gritted his teeth.
"warna main tumhare headphones phenk dunga."
(I'll throw your headphones.)

Tara gasped dramatically.
"This is violence."

Ahaana switched topics.
"Ruturaj's family was sweet, na? His grandmother was adorable."

Tara nodded.
"Aryan was cute too. So polite."

Veer shrugged.
"Better than half the annoying uncles there."

Aarav shot him a sideways glance.
"Which uncles exactly?"

Veer coughed.
"Uh... hypothetical uncles."

Ahaana shook her head.
"At least the families weren't awkward with each other."

Tara snorted.
"Awkward toh Rishika aur Reeva ka tha."
(The awkwardness was between Rishika and Reeva.)