“Good morning, Dadu,” Eklavya greeted his grandfather, Mahindra Malhotra, who sat regally on the living room couch with the morning newspaper in hand.
“Good morning, Lavya,” Mahindra replied with a fond smile.
“Baba, your tea,” said Vaani, the elder daughter-in-law of the Malhotra household, as she placed a steaming cup beside her father-in-law.
“Hmm, thank you, beta,” Mahindra said, taking the cup and nodding in gratitude.
“So… how’s work going, hmm?” he asked, eyes flicking over the rim of his glasses toward Eklavya, who had settled across from him.
“All good, Dadu. We cracked a major deal yesterday,” Eklavya replied with a modest smile.
“Very good. Keep it up, beta. I want to see you reach even greater heights,” Mahindra said, pride warming his voice.
“With your blessings, I’m sure I will,” Eklavya responded.
Eklavya Malhotra — 30 years old, a business tycoon who had the world at his feet. Everything he ever wanted was handed to him: the latest sneakers, the top position in class, the best opportunities. But being the eldest came with a crown of responsibilities—heavy, yet expected to be worn without a slouch. And Eklavya, ever the dutiful son, bore it all with grace.
“Good morning, everyone!” came a chirpy voice as Esha descended the stairs, her heels clicking with precision.
Eklavya glanced at his wife. She wore a black one-piece dress paired with matching accessories and sleek heels. Always poised. Always polished.
“Good morning, Esh. Come, have breakfast,” Shubhangi, his chachi, offered warmly.
“Hmm, sure,” Esha replied, making her way to the dining table.
“Lavya, Baba, breakfast is ready. Come eat,” Shubhangi added, addressing the two men in the living room.
“No, thanks, Chachi. I have a brunch meeting with a partner, so I’ll skip,” Eklavya said, rising to leave.
“Umm, baby? Can you drop me at the studio on the way?” Esha asked, adjusting her earring.
Eklavya paused and nodded. “Hmm, okay. Finish quickly.”
As others trickled into the dining area, one chair remained notably empty — Yug’s.
“Where’s Yug?” Mahindra asked, sipping his tea.
“Still sleeping, Dadu,” answered Agnidev.
“As expected,” Mahindra huffed.
But moments later, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed. Everyone turned to see Yug walking down the stairs — no greetings, no breakfast, no eye contact. He headed straight out.
In seconds, he was revving his bike and zooming off, not even sparing a backward glance.
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Vivaan lounged in the backseat of a luxury car, zoning out as Mumbai’s chaos blurred past the tinted windows. The sudden buzz of his phone snapped him out of his daze. Yug calling.
“Haan, bol,” Vivaan answered.
“Tu college aa raha hai na?” Yug’s voice came from the other end.
“Obviously, bhai. Ghar mein rehne waale thodi hain hum,” Vivaan replied, rolling his eyes.
“Okay then, see you,” Yug said and cut the call.
Soon enough, Vivaan was standing in front of St. Teresa’s College—the crown jewel of Mumbai’s academia.
He checked the time. Yug had said twenty minutes. It had been well over an hour. Typical.
Just as he turned toward the college gates, a sharp honk caught his attention.
“Bees minute bolke do ghante laga diye, bhai,” Vivaan scolded, walking toward Yug.
“Arey traffic, yaar! Plus I stopped at Starbucks. And then, the paps swarmed me like bees,” Yug replied with a shrug, holding a coffee cup.
“Wah bhai, apne liye coffee le aaya. Aur main yahan bhookh se marr raha hu. Pet ke andar das bees chuhe daud rahe hain,” Vivaan huffed dramatically.
“Arey meri jaan, main tere bina kuch kha sakta hu kya? Tu meri coffee ke neeche se bacha hua sip le le. Chal?” Yug teased, smirking.
“Abey saale! Tu dekh lena, I’m never helping you again,” Vivaan stormed ahead.
“Arre arre! Don’t be mad. Here,” Yug said, handing him a fresh cup of coffee. “Tere bina main kuch kha hi nahi sakta, yeh toh tu jaanta hi hai.”
“Don’t expect a thank you. I deserve this after tolerating you daily,” Vivaan replied, though a smile tugged at his lips.
Together, they walked into the college. Their easy banter was interrupted by a burst of sunshine energy.
“Wassup boys?” Purvi greeted, eyes twinkling as always.
“All good. You?” Vivaan replied.
“Ekdam jhakkas,” she grinned.
“Kya update hai college ka?” Yug asked, curiosity piqued.
“Hmm… two things,” Purvi said, holding up two fingers.
“Batao,” Vivaan leaned in.
“You know Aryan Kashyap, right?”
“Oh yes. That arrogant idiot,” Yug scoffed.
“Says the king of arrogance himself,” Purvi rolled her eyes as Vivaan chuckled.
“Okay, fine. Arrogant, but not an idiot,” Yug defended, pouting slightly.
“Anyway, his sister — Suhana Kashyap — just joined our college.”
“Hmmm, okay. And the second?” Vivaan asked.
“The HOD of Literature changed.”
"Achha? Who is it now?” Yug asked, intrigued.
“Professor Agastya Suri,” Purvi announced.
Both boys exchanged a look. “Interesting,” they said in unison.
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A/N: Yooohooo! And we're off with the first chapter. Tell me how you liked the vibe, the flow, and especia
lly our chaotic trio. See you in the next chapter — until then, stay dramatic, stay hydrated!
Signing off,
Liliac
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