The distance between us (Impossible Love #1)✔️

chapter 26

ANANYA

The next morning, I woke up later than usual, feeling the exhaustion from the previous day's festivities still lingering in my bones. After a long, relaxing shower, I dressed in a comfortable blue palazzo and a white top, tying my hair into a messy bun. The casual outfit was perfect for a lazy day at home, especially after all the excitement.

As I made my way downstairs, I noticed Bhai sitting on one of the sofas, completely absorbed in his phone. An impish idea struck me-one that I couldn't resist. I crept toward him, careful not to make a sound, and stood directly in front of him. He was so engrossed in whatever he was doing that he didn't even notice my presence. This was my moment.

Taking a deep breath, I suddenly jumped onto his lap, throwing my arms around his neck. "Good morning, Bhai!" I exclaimed, trying my best to suppress the laughter bubbling up inside me.

His reaction was priceless. He nearly jumped out of his skin, his phone almost slipping from his grasp as he stared at me with wide eyes. "Seriously, Ananya, are you insane?" he blurted out, his voice a mix of irritation and disbelief.

I couldn't help but laugh, hugging him tightly. "Nope, just your cute little sister," I teased, feeling him slowly relax as he realized it was just me messing around. After a few moments, he gave in and wrapped his arms around me, returning the hug.

As we sat there, the playful moment passed, and Bhai pulled back slightly, looking down at his phone. "Anyway, I wanted to ask you something," he said, his tone shifting to something more serious. "When should I book the tickets?"

I blinked, confused for a second. "Tickets? I've already booked my ticket to New York," I replied, wondering what he was getting at.

Bhai gave me a look that could only be described as exasperated, like I had just told him something absurd. "No, not your New York ticket. I'm talking about our vacation," he clarified, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Ohhh," I said, the realization dawning on me. How could I have forgotten? Every year, Bhai and I planned a vacation together-a tradition we had started as kids. We made a list of places we wanted to visit and vowed to explore them all as adults. Last year, we had to cancel our trip because of my internship, but this year we were back on track.

"I'll need to check with my professors and see when my exams are," I said, already thinking about how I could fit the trip into my schedule.

"Okay, but let me know soon so I can book the tickets and the hotel. Have you decided where you want to go this year?" Bhai asked, clearly ready to start planning.

Last time, we went to Egypt, a place Bhai had always wanted to see. This time, it was my turn to choose, and I already knew exactly where I wanted to go. A smile spread across my face as I imagined it.

"Finland! We'll go to Finland," I said excitedly, almost bouncing in his lap. "We can stay in one of those igloo hotels and see the Northern Lights!"

Bhai laughed at my enthusiasm, clearly amused by how thrilled I was at the prospect. "Alright, Finland it is," he agreed, shaking his head with a fond smile.

"Now, go have your breakfast before you start planning every detail of the trip," he added, nudging me off his lap.

As I made my way to the dining room for breakfast, the house seemed unusually quiet. The large table was empty except for a few servants bustling around, clearing up dishes. I noticed that Mom and my aunts were sitting outside in the garden, enjoying their morning tea, their laughter and chatter floating through the open windows. After quickly finishing my breakfast, I was about to leave the room when Badi Maa called out to me.