Saundarya came rushing back into the room, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. She carried a carefully wrapped parcel in her hands, holding it out like it contained a treasure.

Saundarya (excited, almost dramatic): “Here! Your wedding gift, Mrs. Dhillon.”

Suchitra’s eyes lit up like a child, and she snatched the parcel eagerly.

Suchitra (bubbling with curiosity): “At last! I’ve been dying to know what you got me.”

She tore at the wrapping paper quickly, giggling under her breath. The rustle of the cover filled the room, and finally, she pulled out the gift.

It was a dress—white, silky, and minimal. Way too minimal.

Suchitra’s smile faltered. She held the dress up, staring at it in disbelief.

Suchitra (hesitant, frowning): “It’s… nice. But… where’s the rest of it?”

Saundarya burst into laughter, falling back onto the bed.

Saundarya (teasing, eyes twinkling): “What do you mean ‘rest’? That is the dress!”

Suchitra (blinking rapidly): “No, I mean… the bottom part, or… something? This much fabric won’t even cover me properly.”

Saundarya (grinning wickedly): “Exactly, Suchii. It’s not supposed to cover. That’s the whole point.”

Suchitra’s jaw dropped as she gawked at the white outfit. It was almost see-through, clinging thin fabric with thin straps.

Suchitra (scandalized): “Wait—who is this for?”

Saundarya (rolling her eyes): “For you, of course! Who else? You’re the newly bride here, not me.”

Suchitra gave a nervous laugh, clutching the dress in both hands as if it might expose her right there.

Suchitra (stammering): “Y-you know I don’t wear these kinds of clothes. How do you even expect me to put this on? Nothing will hide in this, yaar!”

Saundarya (leaning forward, lowering her voice with a devilish smirk): “It’s not meant for hiding anything. This kind of dress… is made to be taken off.”

Suchitra’s eyes widened in shock, her cheeks blazing red.

Suchitra (gasping): “What!!??”

Saundarya (smug, playful): “Yes, madam. And you’re going to wear it in front of Machan.”

Suchitra clutched the dress to her chest as though it were some dangerous weapon. She was blushing so hard, she couldn’t even meet Saundarya’s gaze.

Suchitra (panicking): “No way! Have you lost it, Saundarya? I-I can’t wear this… not in front of him, not in front of anyone!”

Saundarya (laughing, teasing mercilessly): “Relax, pagal ladki. You won’t be wearing it in front of everyone… just in front of your husband. And trust me, he’ll love it.”

Suchitra groaned, hiding her burning face behind the silky fabric.

Saundarya: You have to do this, Show some adaye, seduce your husband.

Suchitra (hesitant, scratching her head): Acha baba… Then tell me, how can I even show my adaa? I don’t know anything about that.

Saundarya (smirking, folding arms): Just watch me. Sit here.

She gently made Suchitra sit on the bed. Suchitra looked at her, nervous yet curious, biting her lower lip. Saundarya clapped her hands together dramatically.

Saundarya (teasing): Okk, now imagine you as machhan and me as Suchitra.

Suchitra (confused, blinking fast): But… I am Suchitra and you’re Saundarya.

Saundarya face-palmed so hard that Suchitra burst into a tiny giggle.

Saundarya (groaning, thinking): Kisko sikhane baith gayi mai!

Saundarya (irritated, raising her voice slightly): Aree yaar! Tu bas imagine kar le na. Kya jaa raha h tera?

Suchitra (making a small pout): Ohhh… okay.

Saundarya (snapping fingers): Good girl. Now—you’re Karan machhan and I’m Suchitra. So look at me very carefully.

She suddenly pushed Suchitra back on the bed. Since Suchitra was already sitting on the bed, she fell straight onto the mattress with a startled gasp. Before she could get up, Saundarya quickly leaned over, trapping her between her arms, her hair falling slightly forward as she hovered on top of her.

Suchitra (wide-eyed, panicking): Saundarya!! Yeh kya kar rahi hai tu? Look… I’m married!

She quickly raised her hand, showing her ring as proof, almost like a shield. Her cheeks had turned pink with embarrassment.

Saundarya (rolling her eyes, groaning dramatically): Uff, Suchii! This is exactly what you have to do with Karan machhan. Just like I did with you right now. Abhi samjhi?

Suchitra froze, staring at her in disbelief. Then slowly nodded like a nervous schoolgirl being scolded by her teacher. Saundarya smiled devilishly and continued.

Saundarya (whispering in mock seriousness): Now listen, the next steps are a little harder… so pay attention.

Suchitra gulped and gave a small nod. Saundarya flipped her own hair to one side in a smooth motion, then leaned closer and gently brushed her fingers across Suchitra’s cheek, tracing down her jaw. Suchitra stiffened immediately, eyes going wide as her breath hitched.

Suchitra (stammering, suspicious): S-Saundarya… you have so much knowledge in this field. Are you ok right? Delhi ki hawa toh nahi lag gayi tujhe?

Saundarya (grinning, tilting her head): Mai thi hi aisi. But you? You’re the only one being saint here.

She tapped Suchitra’s forehead teasingly, then smirked and delivered the final blow with a playful wink.

Saundarya (dramatic): Par koi nahi… tere andar ki Savitri ko mai sulaugi… aur Sheela ko jagaugi.

Suchitra’s jaw dropped, eyes as round as plates. She hit Saundarya lightly on her arm in protest. Both of them burst out laughing. Finally, Saundarya pulled away, helping Suchitra sit back up. She fixed Suchitra’s hair lovingly, while Suchitra shook her head in disbelief, cheeks still hot from the teasing.

---

Other side

Parth’s room had turned into a makeshift den. The three boys had sneaked away, leaving the mothers happily gossiping in the living room.

Karan had taken over the couch, lying lazily with one leg stretched out and his phone tilted in front of his face. Parth sat cross-legged on the bed, headphones dangling from his neck, scrolling endlessly through reels. Samksh leaned against the wardrobe, snorting occasionally at memes on his screen.

It was basically the same thing they all did at home—wasting hours scrolling their phones. Only here, it looked like a group project in silence.

Out of nowhere, Samksh dropped his phone onto the bed with a loud thud.

Samksh (hands on hips, imitating a nosy aunty): Enough of this scrolling. Karan, spill it.

Karan didn’t even bother looking up, his thumb still moving on the screen.

Karan (bored tone): What?

Before he could blink, Samksh snatched the phone out of his hand and tossed it onto the bed.

Karan (sitting up instantly, annoyed): Abe! Give it back.

Parth (grinning, sensing drama): Wait wait, this is way more interesting than Reels.

Samksh leaned in, eyes narrowed like an investigator.

Samksh (pressing): So… how far has the matter reached?

Karan (confused, frowning): What matter? Whose matter?

Samksh (rolling his eyes): Oh god, don’t act innocent. Did something happen between you and bhabhi or not?

At that, Karan froze for a second. He stared down at his hands, lips twitching into a shy smile. Then, almost unwillingly, he gave the smallest nod.

Instantly, Samksh pounced onto the couch, landing right beside him, eyes sparkling.

Samksh (excited, shaking his arm): What! Tell me now!

Parth wasn’t going to be left out—he quickly jumped onto the other side of Karan, trapping him in the middle.

Parth (teasing): Come on, we’re your brothers, not strangers. Share some details.

Karan (groaning, embarrassed): You guys are mad. Who even talks about their bedroom stuff like this?

Samksh (mock offended): Oye, we’re not asking for a documentary. Just the basics. So? Kiss? Or beyond?

Karan sat up straighter, pride puffing his chest a little.

Karan (with a proud grin): Kiss.

Both Samksh and Parth froze for a second before jumping to their feet like overexcited cheerleaders.

Samksh (screaming): OH BC!

Parth (clapping): Finally, our bro’s first kiss!

They both broke into a silly happy dance, chanting together:

Samksh & Parth (sing-song voice): Bhai ki first kiss ho gayi… yayayyy!

Karan threw his head back and laughed, covering his face with his hand.

But Samksh wasn’t going to let him go that easy.

Samksh (sitting back down, whispering like a detective): Okay, important question. Was it just a smooch… or French?

Karan blinked.

Karan (confused): What do you mean?

Samksh (demonstrating with ridiculous sound effects): Like this—mwah mwah smooch… or like this—mmmhhhmwahhhh.

Parth cracked up and nearly fell off the bed while Karan stared at Samksh like he’d lost his mind.

Karan (deadpan, shrugging): Whatever normally happens… that happened.

Parth squinted at him suspiciously.

Parth (serious tone): Hold up. Where did you kiss bhabhi exactly?

Karan rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks turning faintly pink.

Karan (casual, but shy): On the cheek.

There was silence for a beat. Then, in perfect sync, both Samksh and Parth slapped their palms to their foreheads.

Samksh (groaning dramatically): Are you serious right now? She’s your wife, not a kindergarten kid. Who kisses their wife on the cheek and calls it a kiss?

Parth (teasing, shaking his head): Dude, this is even not friendship-level affection. And you both are married.

Samksh leaned closer, wagging his finger.

Samksh (mock scolding): Listen, put her to sleep properly tonight. Otherwise, she’ll cry herself to sleep without you. Serial-wali hero type kaam mat karna.

Karan threw a cushion at him, half laughing, half annoyed.

Karan (defensive): Then what do I do, yaar?

Parth (exasperated): What do you mean what? Kiss her properly, man!

Karan leaned back, covering his face with both hands.

Karan (soft, honestly nervous): But how? Every time she’s in front of me… my heartbeat goes crazy.

Both his friends quieted down, watching him with a mix of amusement and affection.

Samksh (grinning, nudging his shoulder): Bro, that’s not a problem. That’s a sign. She’s the one. Even your heart processor is running in A1.

Karan peeked through his fingers, smiling shyly.

Karan (hesitant): So… what should I do now?

Parth (grinning, mischievous): Okay, Samksh, why don’t you teach him how to kiss a girl properly?

Samksh raised his brows, a spark of mischief lighting up in his eyes.

Samksh (confidently): Fine. But… one small problem.

He glanced around, realizing he had no one to demonstrate with. Then, without hesitation, he grabbed Parth’s hand, twirled him around like a ballroom partner, and leaned him back dramatically in his arm.

Karan’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. His jaw literally dropped to the floor.

Parth (panicking): Aye! What the hell are you doing?

Samksh (smirking): Shut up. Let me teach.

He turned to Karan, still holding Parth in a dip.

Samksh (seriously, as if giving a lecture): See, bro. This is what you have to do—just like I’m doing with this Laila of mine.

Karan, wide-eyed, nodded slowly like a student taking notes.

Samksh (continuing, demonstrating with his free hand): Then you hold her cheek like this, gently… and lean down towards her lips… and claim it.

Karan (thoughtful, impressed): Oh. That’s it? That’s easy.

Samksh (grinning proudly): Told you.

Parth (gritting his teeth): Okay, enough now. Leave me!

Samksh let go without warning, and Parth fell straight onto the floor with a thud. He glared up at him furiously.

Parth (angry): You idiot!

But Karan suddenly jumped up, determination flashing in his eyes.

Karan (serious): Wait… I’ll try.

Before either of them could react, he grabbed Parth by the arm, pulled him close, spun him around, and dipped him just like Samksh had. With exaggerated concentration, he cupped Parth’s cheek and leaned in, as if about to go for it.

Samksh (disappointed, shaking his head): No, no, no. It’s not working. There’s no emotion in your eyes. Let me show you again.

Parth (snapping, flailing): Are you both crazy? Do I look like your Laila or what?

Samksh (shrugging casually): Why not?

Parth (exasperated): I have a Fiance, bro!

Samksh (rolling his eyes): So what? Let me teach him properly, otherwise tomorrow you’ll be a dad but this guy will never give us the chram sukh of becoming a chachu.

Parth blinked at him, baffled, but eventually just sighed in surrender.

So, once again, Samksh grabbed him, and leaned dangerously close—this time almost going all the way.

But just then—

The door swung wide open.

The three boys froze.

Standing at the doorway were Gurleen, Anjali, Parth’s Fiance Anvi… and Samksh’s mother, Deepti.

They all gasped. Anvi’s face crumpled in horror, and tears welled in her eyes instantly.

Anvi (voice trembling): P-Parth?

Parth’s blood drained from his face. He stumbled out of Samksh’s arms and ran straight to her.

Parth (desperate, holding her hands): Baby! No, no, no—it’s not what you think!

Anvi pulled her hands back, crying harder.

Anvi (hurt, sobbing): I thought you were upset about this morning, that’s why you didn’t pick up my calls… but this? I didn’t know it was because of… because of him!

Parth shook his head frantically, cupping her face.

Parth (pleading): No, baby, please. I swear, it’s not like that. It was just… stupid practice!

Meanwhile, Deepti had one hand on her chest, dramatically sighing.

Deepti (sorrowful, muttering): So that’s why you were rejecting girls, haan? Don’t worry, puttar… next time I’ll keep boys’ photos also along with girls’.

Samksh nearly choked on air.

Samksh (panicking, hands raised): Maa! No, it’s not like that!

On the couch, Karan was biting his lip, trying so hard not to burst out laughing.

Gurleen turned to him with suspicion, raising a brow.

Gurleen (calm but sharp): Karan puttar… do you like watching BL dramas? You didn't tell me about this new hobby of yours.

Karan’s eyes widened, and he immediately shook his head so hard his hair fell onto his forehead.

Karan (quickly): N-no, Mumma! Absolutely not!

It took another Thirty minutes of chaotic explanations, stammering, and denials before the four women finally calmed down.

Anvi, still sniffling, clutched Parth’s shirt tightly.

Anvi (softly, looking up at him): Promise me… it’s only me?

Parth wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss to her hair.

Parth (firm, tender): Yes, baby. It’s only you. Always you.

Karan, meanwhile, leaned back against the couch, chuckling under his breath. What a great day.