Entangled Lives

Chapter XLII

MARRIAGE INVITATION

Prachi tossed and turned around in her bed. Trying to find a comfortable enough position that may help her to slip into slumber, but nothing helped as she lay wide awake. Everything was just as she liked it to be, from the low light that spread in the room, the perfect chilly temperature, to being tucked in her favorite blanket.

Even the weather was kind enough to shower drizzles on her windowpane but even that could not lull her to sleep. The fact that irritated her was that she knew what her heart desired and she did not want to bow to it. Again. 

A frustrated groan left her throat as she shot up in her bed. A frown was already etched on her face. She flung off the covers and turned t the side, her feet hanging over the side of the bed as she contemplated the other options she had instead of giving in to her naughty stubborn heart.

It's been three weeks since the supposed wedding of the twins with Aarav and Ranbir. And also the big incidents that had every slate clean and out in the light. Prachi's injuries had healed magnificently. Her body was void of any bandaid except the cast on her wrist which still had two weeks to come off.

Aarav and Piyush had left for London two days prior, but not without promising to stay in contact and return for Pranbir's marriage. Everyone missed them. And after knowing that they were in fact, Shahana's cousins, even Aryan could not help but bond with them over time.

Prachi trotted out of her room, trying to make as less noise as she could. Creaking open Shahana's door, she peeped around the room lit up by the new Lava lamp Shahana had brought recently. The younger girl was fast asleep in the middle of her bed, cocooned under the covers. Prachi's frown deepened. 

Everyone was asleep but her.

She softly padded her way downstairs and into the kitchen, giving in to her heart's second most desired wish. She took out the half-leftover tub of ice cream from the refrigerator she had saved for a night like this. Clutching the cold plastic box between her side and the not-good arm, she reached for a spoon, shuddering as the coldness seeped through her thin Kurti.

She went to her favorite spot in the house, the far backside of the hall, where the large glass window overlooks the open area behind their mansion, and opened the ice cream tub. She slipped down on the love seat- that her father and Purab chucks had so generously turned around so that she could enjoy the view comfortably whenever she wanted- and scooped out a spoonful of ice cream, licking it slowly.

The cold had just started to nip at her skin when she felt some movement behind her. She didn't turn around, instead just held the ice cream in one hand, stretching the arm away from herself as the soft blanket was thrown over her.

"I was just about to finish your share of the ice cream too." She whispered, giggling lightly as the soft fur of the blanket tickled her chin. 

"No, you wouldn't have." Came the reply and she giggled some more.

She held out the tub as her partner in late-night-ice-cream-treat adjusted next to her and then took the tub from her. She looked to her left, trying to make out the sharp features in the dark. Not that she needed light. She had his face engraved forever in her heart and soul.

"I know I am handsome Chikchiki, and I am so yours, but you don't need to stare so much." Prachi could make out the smirk in his tone that made her eyes roll automatically.

"Don't boost your ego," she replied, covering her arms with the blanket and snuggling closer to Ranbir's side.

Ranbir put down the now empty tub and wrapped his arm around Prachi's shoulder, pulling her closer into his warmth. After making sure that they were both fully wrapped in the blanket, with only their faces exposed and legs overlapping each other's, Prachi rested her head on his shoulder as Ranbir carefully held her cast-ed hand over their laps, mindful not to squish it in between them.