Three days later.

Around 05:30 in the morning, the bus made a halt at the Nainital bus stand. Alekh, feeling the stiffness in his body, raised his arms in a stretch. Naina and Alekh had started their journey from Ambala at 8 pm the previous night, and after a 9.30-hour ride, they had finally arrived. Alekh gently tapped Naina's shoulder, rousing her from sleep. Suppressing a yawn, she too stretched, the bus conductor's announcement signaling their arrival. Naina and Alekh gathered their bags, stepped off into the brisk morning air.

Eager and excited, Naina's parents stood at the bus stand, waving enthusiastically as Naina and Alekh approached. Naina and Alekh shared excited grins and quickly closed the distance. Warm hugs and affectionate greetings were exchanged, and Naina sensed the joy her parents felt, especially since it was the first time they would have Alekh with them. Since she considered Alekh as a brother 'from another mother,' her parents had embraced him as another son. Witnessing her parents treating Alekh with such love, Naina couldn't help but smile, appreciating the genuine happiness that had returned to their lives after the loss of her older brother, Naveen.

Amid the joyous reunion, Naina's parents urged the youngsters to hurry to the car for the journey home, where they could all share a meal together. Sensing that the time for honesty had come, Naina took a deep breath, feeling the weight of truth in the air. Summoning her courage, she looked at her parents and confessed, "Maa, baba, I want to celebrate Diwali in Delhi... with Rajveer sir."

Curiosity and puzzlement sparked in her parents' eyes, exchanging glances as they wondered about this unexpected twist in their Diwali plans. "With Captain Rajveer? But why, beta?" her father questioned.

"And as far as I remember... Naveen once told us that Captain Rajveer was an orphan... that he didn't have any family. So, why is he in Delhi? You could've brought him along. We wouldn't have minded. We like him a lot," her mother expressed, feeling puzzled.

"Actually, maa, Rajveer sir lost his family in a car accident 17 years ago.." Naina proceeded to share Rajveer's family background with her parents.

"Oh my! That poor man went through so much at such a young age," Naina's father commented, impressed.

"That means Captain Rajveer would be celebrating his first Diwali with his sisters. That's really special... But I don't understand one thing... why do YOU need to go to Delhi to join him?" Her mother, Meera, asked, raising her eyebrow suspiciously.

Alekh turned away from the trio and began snickering, attempting to hide his face. Naina shot a glare at his back, while her parents exchanged a knowing look.

"Alekh dear, do YOU know why your sister wants to go to her mentor, instead of staying with her parents for Diwali?" Meera asked in an affectionate tone.

Alekh turned and vigorously nodded his head, making it clear that his answer was 'yes.'

Naina glared at him even harder before turning to her parents. After a brief hesitation, she decided to share the truth. "I fell in love with Captain Rajveer Singh Shikhawat, and I want to marry him," she confessed, her words carrying a mix of nervousness and determination.

To her surprise, her parents smiled, and her mother nodded approvingly. "Captain Rajveer, huh? We've heard a lot about him from Naveen during their academy days. When the whole world had turned their backs on us, he stepped forward to protect you in that academy. We've seen the bond he shares with you. He is a good man," her father remarked, his gaze filled with understanding.

"How old is the captain?" Meera asked, smirking at her blushing daughter.

"He's 32," Naina mumbled.

"You're 24 this year. By the time you graduate in 6 months, you'll be 25. Hmm. I guess that's a good age to marry. But he's 8 years older than you. Will that be a problem, you think?" Meera inquired.

"No, absolutely not," Naina replied instantly.

Her parents chuckled at her reaction, granting her permission to go to Delhi, understanding the significance of her feelings. Encouraged by their positive response, Naina's heart felt lighter.

[ Author's note::: Her parents knows that complete truth about Naveen's death and that Rajveer shot him. But they had seen Naveen before his death and they considered Rajveer's action a mercy for Naveen. They never thought Rajveer as guilty. Indeed they were thankful for releasing Naveen of those tortures.]

Gathering for a delightful breakfast at a nearby restaurant, Naina took the opportunity to explain to her parents why she wanted to go to Delhi. After hearing her heartfelt explanation, her parents agreed that if she loved Rajveer, she should go and have a face-to-face conversation with him. They bid her farewell, wishing her a safe journey to be with the one she loved.

As Naina boarded the 7:30 am bus to Delhi, Alekh assured her, "Don't worry. I'll take care of them and ensure they have a wonderful Diwali." Naina, with a grateful smile, nodded in agreement.

With a sense of relief and anticipation, Naina embarked on her journey to Delhi, looking forward to celebrating Diwali with Rajveer and beginning a new chapter in her life.

...-...

...-...

...-...

Khushi, Anjali, and Lavanya were making a Rangoli, while Arnav and other men adorned the Shantivan (Raizada mansion) with fairy lights. Arnav, in particular, was busy hanging lights at a pillar near the girls, where they engaged in casual conversations.

In the midst of their tasks, Lavanya curiously asked Khushi, "By the way, Khushi, did you finish your Diwali shopping? What did you get?"

"I did go shopping for Diwali outfits, but Rajveer Bhaiya, Payel Jiji, Nandini, Rishav, and I ended up shopping for our elders instead, before going out for lunch. Rajveer Bhaiya is the one paying for everyone's clothes this year. We all told him not to, but he didn't listen to anyone," Khushi complained.

"So, when will you guys get your outfits? Diwali is in two days," Anjali inquired with a smile.

"Bhaiya is taking us out again today for shopping. Babuji, Buaji, Ams, Chacha Ji, and Chachi Ji have sneaked us money to buy gifts and outfits for Bhaiya on their behalf. Having Bhaiya in our lives makes the elders feel like they've gained a new son. Now our family feels almost complete," Khushi replied happily.

"Almost? Do you have some more long-lost family members?" Arnav asked sarcastically from his stool.

Khushi rolled her eyes. "I said 'almost' because Bhabhi is not in Delhi. She said she will try to convince her parents to let her come, but who knows if they will agree or not? After all, she's now their only child," she shared.

"Bhabhi? Your hot brother is married?" Lavanya asked.

"I'll tell Aman you said that," Arnav warned Lavanya before turning to Khushi. "What did you mean by 'now only child'?"

"She used to have an older brother who was Rajveer Bhaiya's best friend. He passed away a few years ago," Khushi answered.

"Wow, Khushi! Your brother married his best friend's sister? How romantic!" Lavanya commented with a dreamy smile.

"I wish. He's not married... but not for long. If what Riddhi and I planned actually works, then my brother might be getting married in the very near future," Khushi shared excitedly.

"What do you mean, Khushi Ji? And if he's not married, then who are you addressing as 'bhabhi'?" Anjali asked curiously.

"My Bhaiya loves Bhabhi, and she loves him back. BUT for some reasons that Bhabhi seems to understand, he doesn't think she'll agree to marry him, no matter how much she loves him. It actually doesn't make sense to us," Khushi shrugged.

"Does your poor brother know that his siblings are meddling in his business?" Arnav asked, feeling offended on Rajveer's behalf.

"What do you mean by 'meddling'? We're his sisters. We have the right over his life, like Anjali ji has rights over your life," Khushi argued.

Arnav smirked at Khushi's comparison. "Well, you have a point. But still, don't you think your brother deserves a chance to sort out his matters himself? Love is a complicated thing. It's not something others can decide for you."

Khushi huffed, "Arnav ji, sometimes people need a little push, especially when they're being stubborn. And we're just making sure that bhaiya doesn't let go of his happiness because of some silly assumption."

Lavanya chimed in, "I agree with Khushi. Sometimes, a gentle nudge in the right direction is all someone needs. Love should be celebrated, not hidden away."

"Absolutely." Anjali stated, agreeing with the girls.

Arnav shook his head with a small smile, "Fine, have it your way. But remember, love isn't a project. It's an emotion that should be respected and given its own space."

As the conversation continued, they finished decorating for Diwali, a mix of excitement and anticipation filling the air in Shantivan. Little did Khushi know, she had already set the stage for a potentially life-changing turn in her brother's love story.

...-...

...-...

...-...

Given that none of the homes had sufficient bedrooms or floor space for everyone, a decision was made for both the Gupta and Murthy families to celebrate Diwali at the Shikhawat house. Rajveer shared that the Shikhawat residence had a total of seven bedrooms and ample space for everyone to come together and enjoy their Diwali festivities. Initially, the elders hesitated, but when Khushi and Nandini expressed their excitement at the prospect of revisiting their childhood home after many years, the elders eventually agreed. Rajveer had taken the initiative to clean and renovate the house upon his arrival in Delhi, ensuring that the bedrooms were freshly painted to suit his sisters' preferences. Fortunately, the preparations were complete, and they could now look forward to celebrating Diwali in the warmth of their shared home.

The Shikhawat house stood proudly on a piece of land that had been in the Shikhawat family for generations, located on the outskirts of Delhi. Rajveer's grandfather, blessed with two sons, made a significant decision before his passing. He divided all his properties into two sections, bequeathing them to his sons with a specific condition. The stipulation stated that if either brother attempted to seize, coerce, or deceive the other into surrendering their share of the properties, the entire estate would be donated to a charitable organization.

Ram Shikhawat and Raghav Shikhawat were not only brothers but also the best of friends. Born just a year apart, they grew up together and developed an unbreakable bond. Following the division of the properties, Ram received a lucrative job offer in Australia, prompting him to move there with his wife and start their family after selling off their part of the properties. Despite the geographical distance, Ram and his family returned to India every five years to reunite with Raghav, Pretty (Rajveer, Ruhani, and Riddhima's parents), and their extended family. However, these visits came to a halt after the unfortunate demise of Raghav and Pretty.

Raghav Shikhawat was determined to create a spacious home that could accommodate both his family and his brother's whenever Ram visited India. Thus, Raghav undertook the construction of a contemporary style duplex house, spanning an impressive 4310 square feet. The design was carefully planned to provide ample space for shared family moments. Rajveer had later renovated thee exterior of the house throughout the years.

The ground floor boasted a carport, a welcoming sit-out area, a generously sized living room, a dining room capable of seating twelve individuals, a dedicated Pooja room, three bedrooms each equipped with attached bathrooms, a common bathroom, and a well-appointed kitchen. Meanwhile, the first floor featured a centrally located hall room, four bedrooms with attached bathrooms (two on each side of the hall room), a spacious balcony linked to the hall room, a corridor connecting different areas, a staircase leading up to the rooftop, and another staircase within the hall leading down to the living room. The rooftop area was dedicated to a staircase room and, on one side, featured a recently acquired 6-seater double-sided swing that Rajveer had purchased for his siblings to enjoy.

The Gupta and Murthy families had diligently gathered all the necessities for their Diwali celebration. Under Rajveer's watchful eye, the items were efficiently transported to the Shikhawat house the evening before. Early in the morning, the elders of both families, along with Payel, Nandini, and Rishav, made their way to the Shikhawat residence. Khushi, having to go to the Raizada house, assured her family that she would later join them at the Shikhawat house.

Upon arriving at the Shikhawat house, Rajveer guided them through the entire residence, allowing them to choose their preferred rooms. The elders from both families decided to opt for the ground floor bedrooms, expressing a desire to honor the memory of Raghav and Pretty, whose master bedroom was situated on the first floor. They insisted that Rajveer, as their son, should take that room. Though initially hesitant, Rajveer eventually agreed, especially after the insistence of Payel and Nandini. Therefore, the arrangement was made for the three ground floor bedrooms. Shashi and Garima were allocated one bedroom, Shanno and Mr. Murthy were designated to another, and Ams and Buaji would share the third bedroom.

Consequently, it was settled that all the younger members of the family would occupy the first-floor bedrooms. Rajveer and Rishav would share one room, Khushi and Payel would share another, and Nandini would share a room with Navya. When asked why Rishav chose to share a room with Rajveer instead of having a room to himself, he simply expressed a desire to spend more time with his older brother, concealing the fact that they were secretly hoping Naina might occupy the empty room.

Since Navya couldn't visit her village due to limited vacation days, she would be celebrating Diwali with Nandini's extended family at the Shikhawat house.

"Bhaiya, spill the beans... you chose this color after knowing Khushi, didn't you?" Payel inquired, a playful smile gracing her face.

Rajveer chuckled, looking somewhat sheepish. "How did you figure it out?"

"Seven out of the three bedrooms have been painted in different shades of yellow. And this room not only has yellow walls but also red and magenta décor, perfectly capturing the essence of our Sanka Devi." Payel replied, prompting laughter from Rishav and Nandini who were assisting her in setting up the room.

Rajveer nonchalantly shrugged. "Well, I have 17 years of pampering to catch up on in such a short span of time," he declared, playfully pulling Nandini and Rishav closer to him and tousling their hair. Both siblings protested in a lighthearted manner, accompanied by cheerful giggles.

Rajveer inquired of Nandini, "Did you like your room, Riddhu?"

Nandini responded with curiosity, "Yes, Bhaiya. How did you know that my favorite colors were white and pink?" She ran her fingers through her hair, adjusting it.

"My little spy told me," Rajveer announced, wrapping his arm around Rishav, who grinned at Nandini.

"I loved my room. Thank you, Bhaiya," Nandini expressed her gratitude sincerely.

"Don't thank me, kiddo. It was necessary, as it was your nursery before the renovation. I didn't think you would want to sleep in a crib... even though you might've fit in it. Why are you so tiny?" Rajveer teased.

"Bhaiya! I'm not tiny. YOU stole all the height from us siblings, that's why you're tall while Khushi di and I are short," Nandini pouted, folding her arms across her chest.

Payel and Rishav burst into laughter at their playful banter as Rajveer got busy pacifying his little sister.

. . . . - - - - . . . .

Nandini was getting ready for a busy day, planning to pick up Navya, Khushi, and go shopping for Diwali outfits. Despite the excitement, she couldn't shake off the nervousness about not hearing from Naina yet. While they had given Naina the addresses of the Gupta and Murthy houses, they hadn't shared the Shikhawat house's address due to a last-minute decision. Hoping Naina would contact either Khushi or her, Nandini prepared for the day.

She dressed in a cotton halter neck backless kurti paired with her favorite jeans and pom-pom gladiator boho-style sandals. Just as she was about to leave her room, her phone rang from an unknown number. Curious, she answered, "Hello?"

"Hello, Riddhima? Ah... I mean, Nandini?" the voice on the other end greeted.

"Yes, who is this?" Nandini asked, surprised that a stranger knew her real name.

"Nandini, it's Naina here," came the introduction.

"Oh! Hi, bhabhi!" Nandini greeted with a wide smile.

"I'm on my way to Delhi. My bus will reach XYZ bus stand around 4 pm. Can you give me the address again? I forgot my diary at the academy," Naina requested.

"That's okay, bhabhi. I'll come to pick you up. YAY! I'm so excited!" Nandini exclaimed, bouncing on her toes.

Naina chuckled. "Shush, you silly girl! Otherwise, that master strategist in your house will start suspecting that something is going on behind his back," she playfully warned.

"Okay okay. I'll be careful. You have a safe journey too, bhabhi. Can't wait to meet you," Nandini expressed her excitement.

"Same here. Bye for now. See you in a few hours," Naina replied before hanging up with a smile on her face.

During the bus journey, Naina's bus made a stop at an eatery for lunch. Utilizing this break, she borrowed the eatery's landline to contact Nandini since she didn't have her cell phone. After having a quick meal and using the washroom, she grabbed a bottle of water before boarding the bus again. As the journey resumed, Naina rested her head against the window, gazing outside. The stitches on her back were causing significant pain after sitting for hours since the previous night. She knew she had to ensure Rajveer didn't catch her wincing. If he became suspicious and started asking questions, he might find out about her injury and the actions of the Super Six behind his back. Protecting Rajveer meant keeping him in the dark about the conspiracies against him for the moment.

...-...

...-...

...-...

All the youngsters from the Gupta and Murthy households were at the shopping mall, struggling to pick their Diwali outfits. They had started their shopping spree at 12, and now, at 2 pm, none of them had made a decision. Rajveer and Rishav exchanged helpless looks as the girls engaged in debates over colors, prices, and textures. Finally, after much deliberation, the girls settled on the color 'green' for their outfits. They decided to choose the boys' outfits first before selecting their own.

Opting for the color bottle green, the girls selected a silky, sherwani-style kurta for Rajveer and a cotton chikankari kurta for Rishav. The boys were then sent to the trial room to try on their chosen outfits.

Meanwhile, Navya chose a light lime green anarkali dress with golden borders and green and pink threadwork. Payel went for a bottle green saree with a peachy-pink blouse. Nandini opted for a lime green lehenga choli set with magenta pink and bottle green work. However, Khushi was still indecisive about her outfit. Rajveer and Rishav returned from the trial room just as Nandini started enthusiastically showing Rajveer her chosen outfit.

Rajveer, giving her a hesitant look, inquired, "Isn't the blouse a little too risky? I mean, the back only has one hook."

Nandini chuckled, assuring him, "Don't worry, bhaiya, I'll secure it with safety pins from underneath."

"If you're sure," he replied with a smile. Turning to the rest of the group, he asked, "Did the rest of you choose any outfits yet?"

Payel and Navya confirmed that they had found their outfits. However, Khushi, with a sulky look, told her brother, "Bhaiya, I can't decide."

Rajveer smiled affectionately at her and offered, "Maybe I can help?"

"YES!" Khushi eagerly agreed.

Rajveer sat beside Khushi, carefully examining the sarees and lehengas on display. Suddenly, his eyes landed on a burnt orange saree with a red blouse. A smile formed on his face as he showed the saree to Khushi, asking, "How about this one? It's your favorite color, right?"

Khushi gazed at the saree he had chosen before sneakily glancing at Nandini. Having been informed of Naina's impending arrival, Khushi thought that this saree would make a perfect gift for Naina, especially since it was selected by Rajveer himself.

"We're all getting green outfits, Bhaiya. But since you liked this saree, I'll take it as well and wear it on some other occasion," Khushi informed him with a loving smile.

Rajveer, feeling flustered as he had momentarily forgotten their chosen color, said, "You don't have to take it."

"Don't be silly," Khushi responded, decisively grabbing the saree and instructing the seller to pack it.

Suddenly, a man in a black suit approached their group, calling out, "Khushi ma'am?"

Both Khushi and Rajveer turned around, wearing confused expressions. "Yes?"

"Ma'am, this is for you," the man said, handing her a shopping bag before swiftly leaving.

Khushi stared after the man in bewilderment. "Who was that?" she asked aloud.

"He had AR Designs' logo on his suit's pocket," Rajveer informed her.

"AR Design... that's Arnavji's company," Khushi mused as she opened the shopping bag and began pulling out its contents. To her surprise, she found a stunning bottle green lehenga choli set with a light pink dupatta, adorned with intricate golden thread and sequin work. "Wow... it's beautiful," she breathed out.

Rajveer smirked. "It seems someone wants you to wear an outfit of his choice," he commented with a teasing smile.

"N-No, B-Bhaiya! Nothing l-like that... I mean..." Khushi stammered, flustered by his guess. Her face turned crimson as the rest of their group gathered around her, giving her teasing looks.

"Hoooo!" Nandini, Navya, and Rishav chorused with teasing smiles, while Payel gave her a look of surprise.

"When did this start? And how did I not know about it?" Payel asked sternly, barely concealing her smirk.

"What started? Nothing started!" Khushi squeaked before running out of there.

The rest of the group burst into laughter at this. "I better go after her," Rajveer said before following Khushi.

Nandini glanced at her phone and realized it was almost 3 pm. Knowing she had to head out to pick up Naina from the bus stand, she turned to Payel and said, "Payel di, I just remembered I have to meet someone about notes. I'm going now. I'll meet you guys at home."

"Which notes? I might have them," Navya offered.

"Uh... you don't know about them," Nandini told her with a fake smile before making a hasty exit, preventing any further questions.

"Why wouldn't I know about notes?" Navya asked aloud in confusion.

"I think Nandini caught the Sanka devi virus," Payel stated with a shrug, causing Rishav to start snickering.