Abhi: (My sister-in-law held my hand. I didn't know why, and she asked me something... I just looked at her without replying. Then, I quietly started following Ishana and my brother. After a while, we reached the parking lot.)
Mark: "Here you go." (I placed Ishana's hand in Abhi's and then held Khushi's hand.)
Abhi: (After reaching the car, we switched partners. I held Ishana's hand—it was trembling. I opened the car door and helped her sit in the front seat. Of course, she didn't have another choice. She quietly sat down, and I walked around to the driver's side and got in.)
(We were both quiet. Neither of us talked, nor did we look at each other. She just kept staring out the window. I knew the silence was awkward... but I had to do something to lighten the mood. The question was—how?)
Abhi: "It was your fault."
Ishana: (It was awkward for me to talk to him, so I just kept looking out the window. Saying I was enjoying the view would be a lie... I was really just thinking about what might happen at the hotel. Then he suddenly said something. It was true, so I quietly accepted it.)
Ishana: "I know. It was my fault... Sorry."
Abhi: (Damn, what a start, Abhi. You idiot—how can you blame her like that? But she accepted it without any argument. Is she scared? Of course, she is...)
"Umm, I didn't mean it like that."
Ishana: (I didn't look at him.)
Abhi: (I noticed her hands were still trembling—not as much as before, but still. So, I placed my hand gently over hers.)
"Relax."
Ishana: (When he touched my hand, I felt... calmer. I don't know why, but it helped. I looked at him—he was already looking at me. And when he said 'relax,' I actually felt a little better.)
Abhi: (While driving, I noticed a coffee shop and pulled the car over.)
"Wait here... I'll be right back."
Ishana: "Hmm."
Khushi: "Mark, do you even know what you're doing?"
Mark: "Of course I do."
Khushi: "Then why are you forcing them? Let them be. They'll be fine on their own… like we were."
Mark: "Because I know my sister well. And after talking with Abhi, I realized things might not go well if I don't step in."
Khushi: "But you're just making things awkward for them."
Mark: "Was it awkward for us?"
Khushi: "No... but they're not us. And we've been together for three years. Of course, things are different."
Mark: "Yeah, three years... living like strangers in the same room."
Khushi: "Still, we were at least familiar with each other."
Mark: "They're familiar with each other too. When Abhi spoke about her, I realized he understands her. He knows how she feels."
Khushi: "And your sister? She doesn't know him that well. What about that?"
Mark: "She'll get to know him better tonight. You yourself opened up to me only after that night."
Khushi: "Yeah, but it's not the same for them..."
(Suddenly, Mark got a call from the hotel manager. The call was connected via Bluetooth, so Khushi could hear everything.)
Mark: "Yes?"
Manager: "Sir, we've arranged everything as you requested."
Mark: "Okay, wait. Remove everything that someone could sleep on—except the bed. Take out the couch, spare sheets, extra mattresses. Just leave the bed, one pillow, and that's it. Make sure the room is decorated properly. The fridge should be stocked with beer, wine, vodka, and champagne. And don't forget the protection. The TV should be playing something romantic."
Manager: "Understood, sir."
Mark: "Also, place the lingerie I sent in the bathroom. Remove everything else—bathrobes, extra towels—just leave one towel."
Manager: "Got it, sir. Anything else?"
Mark: "No, that's all. Thank you."
Manager: "It's our pleasure to serve you, sir."
(Mark ends the call and looks at Khushi, who is visibly shocked.)
Mark: "What?"
Khushi: (He gave the manager every tiny detail—he's not leaving any way for them to avoid being close...)
"Come on, don't go so harsh on your sister!"
Mark: "She's my sister. I know her better than anyone. And trust me, she won't be awkward about the lingerie. It's Abhi who's going to be affected—I picked it out myself."
Khushi: "You never picked lingerie for me..."
Mark: "I did. Yours is in our room... and it's totally my taste."