At exactly 5 PM, Vanya walked towards the kitchen.

The kitchen was completely empty because dinner preparations would only begin at 7 PM.

So, for the next two hours, the entire kitchen belonged to her.

She looked around and smiled.

"Perfect."

She placed both hands on her waist and started thinking.

What should she make?

A few seconds later, her eyes suddenly lit up.

A recipe from her previous life came to her mind.

Mysore Bonda and Coconut Chutney.

A smile immediately appeared on her face.

It had been so long since she had made it.

Without wasting another second, she connected her earpods to her phone and played a Kannada song.

🎵 "Hango Hingo Hengo Idde, Honga Gode Nodo Anna Tamma..." 🎵

Soon, she started humming along.

Then humming turned into soft singing.

Completely forgetting that she was inside someone else's mansion.

She began collecting the ingredients.

For the Mysore Bonda, she took:

• Maida

• Curd

• Baking Soda

• Salt

And for the chutney:

• Green Chillies

• Peanuts

• Fresh Coconut

• Coriander Leaves

She arranged everything neatly on the counter.

Then she tied her long hair into a loose bun.

"Let's start."

First, she mixed the maida, curd, salt and baking soda together.

Then she slowly added water and whisked everything.

After a few minutes, a smooth batter was ready.

"Hmm... perfect."

She covered the bowl and kept it aside.

"It needs some rest."

Meanwhile...

Aarav had come downstairs to get a glass of water.

But the moment he reached the kitchen entrance, he stopped.

The sight in front of him looked strangely familiar.

A girl stood in the middle of the kitchen, singing happily while preparing snacks.

Every few seconds, she swayed slightly to the music.

For some reason...

It reminded him of his mother.

She used to hum songs while cooking too.

Without realizing it, he kept standing there.

Watching.

A few moments later, Vanya turned around.

And almost jumped.

"Arre Bhagwan! Aarav, tumne toh mujhe dara hi diya!"

(Oh God! Aarav, you scared me!)

Aarav blinked.

"...Sorry."

He simply stood there, not knowing how to start a conversation.

But our Vanya could literally talk to a stone if it allowed her.

She smiled.

"Kuch chahiye tumhe?"

(Do you need something?)

Aarav shook his head.

"Nahi."

(No.)

She looked confused.

"Toh phir yahan kyun khade ho?"

(Then why are you standing here?)

Aarav thought for a few seconds.

Then replied honestly.

"Pata nahi."

(I don't know.)

Vanya blinked.

Then blinked again.

That was probably the most unexpected answer she had ever heard.

A few seconds later, she smiled.

"Toh mere saath cooking karoge?"

(Then, would you like to join me while I'm cooking?)

Aarav looked at her.

"Agar tumhe koi problem nahi hai toh."

(If you don't mind.)

Vanya's smile widened.

"Mujhe bilkul problem nahi hai."

(I don't mind at all.)

Then she suddenly asked,

"Waise, tumhe cooking ke baare mein kuch pata hai?"

(By the way, do you know anything about cooking?)

Aarav shook his head.

"Nahi."

(No.)

Vanya immediately dragged a stool near the counter.

"Toh aaj ke liye tum bas mujhe company do."

(Then for today, just keep me company.)

"Aur dekhte-dekhte cooking bhi seekh lena."

(And you can learn cooking by watching.)

Aarav nodded and sat on the stool.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke.

Then he finally asked,

"Waise... tum kya bana rahi ho?"

(By the way... what are you making?)

Vanya looked up and smiled.

"Mysore Bonda with Coconut Chutney."

Aarav looked confused.

"Woh kya hota hai?"

(What is that?)

Vanya gasped dramatically.

"Tumhe Mysore Bonda nahi pata?!"

(You don't know Mysore Bonda?!)

Aarav blinked.

"...Kya mujhe pata hona chahiye?"

(...Am I supposed to know it?)

Vanya placed a hand on her chest.

"Aarav."

"I am deeply disappointed in you."

For the first time, the corners of his lips twitched slightly.

A tiny smile.

Vanya immediately pointed at him.

"There!"

"Tum muskuraaye!"

(You smiled!)

Aarav's expression instantly became blank.

"Nahi."

(No.)

"Haan."

(Yes.)

"Nahi."

(No.)

"Pakka muskuraaye."

(You definitely smiled.)

Aarav looked away.

Meanwhile, Vanya looked extremely pleased with herself.

Then she explained,

"Mysore Bonda ek South Indian snack hai."

(Mysore Bonda is a South Indian snack.)

"Bahar se crispy aur andar se soft."

(Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.)

"Aur coconut chutney ke saath toh aur bhi tasty lagta hai."

(And it tastes even better with coconut chutney.)

Aarav nodded.

"It sounds good."

Vanya grinned.

"Bas sounds good?"

(Just sounds good?)

"Aaj khane ke baad tumhari opinion change ho jayegi."

(After eating it today, your opinion will definitely change.)

Then she moved on to the chutney.

She placed a small pan on the stove and added peanuts and green chillies.

Soon, a delicious aroma filled the kitchen.

Aarav watched curiously.

"Yeh kya kar rahi ho?"

(What are you doing?)

"Chutney ke liye peanuts aur chillies roast kar rahi hoon."

(I'm roasting peanuts and chillies for the chutney.)

A few minutes later, she turned off the stove.

After the peanuts cooled slightly, she transferred them into the mixer.

Then she added:

• Fresh Coconut

• Coriander Leaves

• Salt

• A little water.

She closed the lid.

A few seconds later-

Whrrrrr.

The mixer stopped.

She opened it.

A smooth, light green chutney greeted her.

Her face brightened.

"Perfect!"

She transferred the chutney into a bowl and kept it aside.

Then she uncovered the batter.

"It should be ready now."

She poured oil into a kadai and waited.

A few minutes later, she started dropping small portions of batter into the hot oil.

Immediately-

Sizzle.

The bondas slowly turned golden brown.

A delicious aroma filled the kitchen.

After frying a few bondas, she placed them on a plate.

Then she picked one up and handed it to Aarav.

"Taste test."

Aarav blinked.

"Abhi?"

(Right now?)

"Obviously."

He took the bonda.

Then dipped it into the chutney.

And took a bite.

Silence.

Then another bite.

And another.

Vanya watched him with sparkling eyes.

"Well?"

Aarav looked at her.

"It's really good."

Her face immediately lit up.

"Really?"

He nodded.

"It's very tasty."

A huge smile appeared on her face.

"I know."

Then she looked at her hands.

Both were covered in batter.

She looked at the bonda.

Then at Aarav.

Then back at the bonda.

A few seconds later-

"Ek kaam karoge?"

(Will you do something for me?)

Aarav looked at her.

"Haan."

(Yes.)

"Please mujhe bhi khila do."

(Please feed me too.)

Aarav blinked.

"What?"

She lifted both hands.

"Dekho."

(Look.)

"Mere haath poore batter se bhare hue hain."

(My hands are completely covered with batter.)

"I also want to taste it."

For a few moments, Aarav simply stared at her.

Then he picked up another bonda.

Dipped it into the chutney.

And awkwardly held it in front of her.

Vanya happily took a bite.

Her eyes widened.

"Wow."

She chewed for a few seconds.

Then nodded seriously.

"Perfect."

A tiny smile appeared on Aarav's face again.

The two of them continued standing there.

One happily making snacks.

The other quietly watching.

Neither of them realized it.

But this simple evening in the kitchen...

Was slowly becoming the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

After making all the bondas, Vanya kept the dishes in the sink.

Then she arranged a few Mysore Bondas and a small bowl of chutney on one plate for Arjun.

After that, she made two more plates-one for herself and one for Aarav.

Turning towards him, she asked,

"Mere saath khaoge ya snacks lekar apne room mein jaoge?"

(Will you eat with me or take the snacks to your room?)

Aarav thought for a few seconds before replying,

"Main tumhare saath chalunga."

(I'll come with you.)

Vanya smiled.

"Okay."

"Pehle hum Ari Bhaiya ko snacks denge, phir mere room mein khayenge."

(First, we'll give Ari Bhaiya his snacks, then we'll eat in my room.)

Aarav nodded.

The two of them walked towards Arjun's room and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

They heard his voice from inside.

Only Vanya entered while Aarav stood near the door.

Arjun looked up from his laptop.

"Oh."

"I didn't realize it was already evening."

Vanya smiled and placed the plate on his table.

"Koi baat nahi, Ari Bhaiya."

(It's okay, Ari Bhaiya.)

"Yeh lijiye aapke snacks."

(Here are your snacks.)

Arjun looked at the plate.

Then at her.

"And yours?"

Vanya replied,

"Main aur Aarav mere room mein khayenge."

(Aarav and I will eat in my room.)

Arjun finally noticed Aarav standing near the door.

A small smile appeared on his face.

Then he closed his laptop.

"Main bhi chalta hoon."

(I'll come too.)

Vanya's eyes immediately lit up.

"Really?"

Arjun chuckled.

"Of course."

"You promised me snacks, Sunshine. I can't miss this."

Vanya grinned.

"Then come quickly, Ari Bhaiya."

The three of them walked towards Vanya's room.

As soon as they entered, Vanya placed the tray on the small table near the balcony.

She handed one plate to Aarav and another to Arjun.

Then she took her own plate.

Arjun looked at the golden bondas and the green chutney.

"Yeh snacks kya hai, Sunshine?"

(What snack is this, Sunshine?)

Vanya smiled proudly.

"Mysore Bonda with Coconut Chutney."

Arjun blinked.

"Mysore... what?"

Aarav looked at him.

That had been his exact reaction earlier.

Vanya sighed dramatically.

"Aap logon ko Mysore Bonda nahi pata?"

(You people don't know Mysore Bonda?)

Arjun laughed.

"Ab pata chal gaya."

(Now I know.)

Then he suddenly narrowed his eyes.

"Ek minute."

(One minute.)

He looked at Aarav.

Then at Vanya.

"Tum dono ne pehle hi taste kar liya tha, hai na?"

(You both already tasted it, didn't you?)

Before Aarav could say anything, Vanya nodded happily.

"Haan."

(Yes.)

"Maine cooking ke time hi Aarav ko taste test karwaya tha."

(I made Aarav taste it while I was cooking.)

Arjun placed a hand on his chest dramatically.

"I feel betrayed."

Vanya giggled.

"Aapko bhi taste test mil gaya na."

(You also got a taste test.)

Arjun chuckled.

"Theek hai."

(Fine.)

"Ab sab milkar khayenge."

(Now we'll all eat together.)

Just then-

Knock! Knock!

"Come in."

The door opened and Kabir walked in.

He had spent the last fifteen minutes debating with himself.

Should he talk to Vanya?

Or should he stay away?

In the end...

Curiosity won.

But the moment he entered the room, he froze.

Arjun.

Aarav.

And Vanya.

All three of them were sitting together and eating.

Kabir blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Then finally asked,

"Yahan kya ho raha hai?"

(What's happening here?)

Vanya looked up.

"Oh! Kabir Bhaiya."

"Hum snacks kha rahe hain."

(We are eating snacks.)

Kabir stared at her.

"I can see that."

Then his gaze landed on the plate.

"Yeh kya hai?"

(What is this?)

"Mysore Bonda with Coconut Chutney."

Kabir frowned.

"Mysore... what?"

This time, both Arjun and Aarav looked at him.

Then Arjun burst out laughing.

"Exactly."

"That was our reaction too."

Vanya sighed.

"I seriously live with uncultured people."

Kabir looked offended.

"Excuse me?"

Vanya giggled and stood up.

"Rukiye."

(Wait.)

"I made a lot."

A few moments later, she returned with another plate.

She handed it to him.

"Lo."

(Here.)

Kabir took a bite.

A few seconds later, his eyes widened.

"This is actually really good."

A proud smile appeared on Vanya's face.

"I know."

And just like that...

The four of them spent the rest of the evening eating snacks together.

While everyone was enjoying their snacks, somewhere else in the mansion...

That maid was preparing for the first step of her plan.

She clenched her fists.

"I have to create distance between them before they get close to that girl."

A malicious smile appeared on her face.

Meanwhile, in Vanya's room...

Everyone was still enjoying the Mysore bonda and chutney.

Vanya suddenly looked at Kabir.

"Kabir Bhaiya..."

"Hmm?"

She looked at him hopefully.

"Kya main aapko Bhaiya bula sakti hoon?"
(Can I call you Bhaiya?)

Kabir blinked.

"Tum mujhe do baar 'Kabir Bhaiya' bol chuki ho."
(You've already called me 'Kabir Bhaiya' twice.)

Vanya shook her head.

"Woh count nahi karta."
(That doesn't count.)

Kabir looked confused.

"Kaise count nahi karta?"
(How does that not count?)

"Bas nahi karta."
(It just doesn't.)

A few seconds later, he chuckled.

"Theek hai, bula sakti ho."
(Okay, you can.)

A bright smile appeared on her face.

Then, dragging every word to annoy him, she said,

"Okaaayyy... Kaaabiiir Bhaaaiiiyyaa."

Kabir frowned.

"Tumne itna kheench ke kyun bola?"
(Why did you drag my name like that?)

Vanya grinned.

"Aise hi."
(Just because.)

Arjun laughed.

"Sunshine jaan-bujhkar tumhe chidhha rahi hai."
(Sunshine is deliberately annoying you.)

"I know!"

Kabir replied dramatically.

Then suddenly, he thought of something.

He pointed towards Aarav.

"Uska kya?"
(What about him?)

Everyone looked at Aarav.

Aarav looked back at them in confusion.

Vanya put a finger on her chin and started thinking seriously.

Then she looked at him.

"Tumhari birthday kab hai?"

(When is your birthday?)

Aarav blinked.

"Kyun?"
(Why?)

"Bas batao."
(Just tell me.)

He still looked suspicious.

"Tumhe meri birthday kyun jaanni hai?"
(Why do you want to know my birthday?)

Vanya sighed dramatically.

"Ayyo Bhole Nath! Bata do na, Aarav."
(Ayyo Bhole Nath! Just tell me, Aarav.)

Everyone laughed.

Aarav finally gave up.

"21 March."

The moment he said that, Vanya's eyes widened.

Then she suddenly jumped from her seat.

"Yeh mera bada bhai nahi ban sakta!"
(He can't be my big brother!)

The entire room fell silent.

Aarav's face immediately fell.

For some reason...

He had actually wanted her to call him Bhaiya.

He didn't know why.

But the thought of having a little sister felt... nice.

He looked at her.

"Maine kya kiya?"
(What did I do?)

Kabir, on the other hand, looked highly entertained.

He smirked.

"Kahin tumhe ispar crush toh nahi hai?"
(Do you have a crush on him?)

Vanya's eyes widened.

Then she scrunched up her face.

"Chii! Bilkul nahi!"
(Eww! Absolutely not!)

Everyone burst into laughter.

Kabir laughed the hardest.

"Phir yeh tumhara bhai kyun nahi ban sakta?"
(Then why can't he be your brother?)

Vanya crossed her arms.

"Sabse pehli baat, maine bada bhai bola tha, bhai nahi."
(First of all, I said big brother, not brother.)

Everyone blinked.

Then she continued,

"Aur doosri baat..."
(And secondly...)

"Meri birthday 31 March ko hai."
(My birthday is on 31st March.)

Silence.

A few seconds later, a huge grin appeared on her face.

"Matlab hum dono toh literally twins hue!"
(That means we're literally twins!)

The room became quiet.

Aarav blinked.

"Kya?"
(What?)

"Twins!"

She repeated proudly.

Aarav frowned.

"Lekin main tumse dus din bada hoon."
(But I'm ten days older than you.)

Because he had genuinely wanted to hear "Bhaiya" from her.

Vanya waved her hand dismissively.

"Nahi, woh count nahi karta."
(No, that doesn't count.)

Aarav looked offended.

"Karta hai."
(It does.)

"Nahi karta."
(It doesn't.)

"Bilkul karta hai."
(It absolutely does.)

She shook her head firmly.

"Nahi. Aaj se tum mere twiny ho."
(No. From today onwards, you're my twiny.)

The room burst into laughter once again.

Kabir nearly fell off the sofa.

Arjun was laughing openly.

Aarav, however, simply stared at her.

Then...

A tiny smile appeared on his face.

"Theek hai."
(Okay.)

Everyone looked at him.

"Tum maan gaye?!"
(You agreed?!)

Kabir asked in disbelief.

Aarav shrugged.

"Mujhe koi problem nahi hai."
(I don't have any problem with it.)

Vanya immediately grinned.

"Dekha! Mere twiny ko bhi koi problem nahi hai."
(See! My twiny doesn't have any problem either.)

Kabir placed a hand on his chest dramatically.

"Mujhe is ghar mein koi seriously hi nahi leta."
(Nobody takes me seriously in this house.)

The room once again filled with laughter.

And for the first time in a long while...

Aarav liked the sound of someone calling him-

Twiny.

After a while, Kabir suddenly clapped his hands.

"Chalo, hall mein chalte hain. Carrom khelte hain."
(Come on, let's go to the hall. We'll play carrom.)

Vanya immediately jumped up.

"Sach?!"
(Really?!)

Everyone laughed at her excitement.

"Haan, sach."
(Yes, really.)

Within a few minutes, everyone made their way to the hall.

And settled herself on one of the sofas while a servant brought the carrom board and placed it on the center table.

After arranging everything, Vanya and Aarav sat facing each other.

Arjun and Kabir sat opposite them.

As Kabir arranged the coins, Vanya suddenly spoke.

"Ek minute!"
(One minute!)

Everyone looked at her.

"Hum teams bana kar khelte hain."
(Let's play in teams.)

Everyone nodded.

"Haan, tab zyada maza aayega."
(Yeah, it'll be more fun.)

Arjun immediately looked at Aarav.

"Uth wahan se."
(Get up from there.)

Aarav blinked.

"Kyun?"
(Why?)

Arjun grinned.

"Kyuki main apni Sunshine ke saath partner banna chahta hoon."
(Because I want to be partners with my Sunshine.)

Before Aarav could reply-

"Nahi!"

Two voices echoed at the same time.

Everyone blinked.

One voice belonged to Aarav.

The other...

To Kabir.

A few seconds of silence passed.

Then Kabir pointed at himself.

"Main uske saath partner banunga."
(I'll be her partner.)

Aarav folded his arms.

"Nahi. Main apni jagah nahi badal raha."
(No. I'm not changing my place.)

Kabir frowned.

"Kyun?"
(Why?)

Aarav looked at Vanya and then calmly replied,

"Twins ka bond sabse special hota hai."
(The bond between twins is the most special.)

The room fell silent.

Then Vanya's eyes widened.

A huge smile spread across her face.

"Twiny..."

She looked genuinely touched.

Arjun looked betrayed.

"Abhi paanch minute pehle hi twins bane ho!"
(You became twins just five minutes ago!)

Kabir nodded.

"Exactly!"

Aarav simply shrugged.

"Phir bhi."
(Still.)

Arjun dramatically placed a hand on his heart.

"Sunshine, dekho na. Tumhara Ari Bhaiya kitna dukhi hai."
(Sunshine, look at your Ari Bhaiya. He's so sad.)

Vanya giggled.

Kabir wasn't ready to give up either.

"Main bhi dukhi hoon."
(I'm also sad.)

"You already have a partner."

Arjun pointed at him.

"You!"

"Phir bhi."
(Still.)

The two brothers looked ready to argue.

Vanya sighed.

"Bas!"
(Enough!)

Immediately, everyone became quiet.

She pointed at the carrom board.

"Koi bhi apni jagah nahi badlega."
(No one is changing their place.)

Then she looked at Arjun and Kabir.

"Aap dono ek team."
(You two are one team.)

Then she looked at herself and Aarav.

"Main aur mera twiny ek team."
(Me and my twiny are one team.)

Aarav tried-and failed-to hide the small smile appearing on his face.

Kabir looked offended.

"Dekha? Humein reject kar diya."
(See? We got rejected.)

Arjun sighed dramatically.

"Dil toot gaya mera."
(My heart is broken.)

Vanya burst into laughter.

A few moments later, the game finally began.

And surprisingly...

Aarav and Vanya made a good team.

Whenever it was Vanya's turn, Aarav would quietly point at an easy coin.

Whenever it was Aarav's turn, Vanya would cheer for him.

"Come on, Twiny! You can do it!"

Even when he missed a shot, she still clapped.

"Good try!"

Arjun looked at Kabir.

"I think she's his personal cheerleader."

Kabir nodded.

"I think so too."

Soon, everyone was laughing and teasing each other.

At that moment, two people entered the hall.

Rudra and Veeransh.

They had come downstairs for evening coffee.

But the scene before them made them stop.

Vanya was laughing.

Kabir was arguing.

Arjun was pretending to be offended.

And Aarav...

Aarav was smiling.

A genuine smile.

The two brothers looked at each other.

They didn't know what they were feeling.

Surprise.

Confusion.

Or...

A little jealousy.

Because somehow...

In just two days...

Their brothers had become comfortable around Vanya.

Even Aarav.

The same Aarav who usually stayed quiet and avoided everyone.

Rudra and Veeransh silently watched the scene.

Neither of them noticed it.

But for the first time...

They wished they were sitting at that carrom board too.

The time fled and no one realized it.

Soon, the game came to an end.

And the winners were...

Our adorable twins.

"Yayyy! We won!"

Vanya jumped happily.

Aarav looked at her excited face and a small smile appeared on his lips.

Arjun placed a hand on his chest dramatically.

"Cheating! This is cheating!"

Kabir nodded.

"Haan! Hum dono ke against alliance bana liya."
(Yes! They formed an alliance against us.)

Vanya giggled.

"Humne kuch nahi kiya."
(We didn't do anything.)

Aarav nodded seriously.

"We simply played better."

The room fell silent.

Then both Arjun and Kabir looked at him in shock.

"Did he just boast?"

Kabir whispered.

"I think he did."

Arjun whispered back.

Aarav looked away.

"I didn't."

Everyone laughed.

Just then, a servant entered.

"Dinner is ready, Young Masters."

Everyone nodded and got up.

"I'll just wash my hands and come."

Vanya said and walked towards the kitchen.

As soon as she entered the kitchen, she noticed someone standing there.

It was the head maid.

The woman looked around carefully to make sure nobody was nearby.

Then she smiled warmly.

"Hi, beta."
(Hello, child.)

Vanya smiled back.

"Hi, Aunty."

The woman nodded.

"My name is Kalpana. I'm the head maid of this mansion."

"Oh!"

Vanya smiled politely.

Then Kalpana suddenly asked,

"Tum Mahadev ki bhakt ho kya?"
(Are you a devotee of Mahadev?)

Vanya blinked.

"Aapko kaise pata?"
(How do you know?)

Kalpana smiled.

"Maine suna hai tum har doosre sentence mein unka naam leti ho."
(I heard that you take His name in every other sentence.)

Vanya laughed softly.

"Ji, main hoon."
(Yes, I am.)

The woman nodded knowingly.

"Toh tum roz pooja karti hogi?"
(Then you must pray every day?)

A sad smile appeared on Vanya's face.

"Nahi... main apni murti aur pooja ka samaan nahi laa paayi."
(No... I couldn't bring my idol and prayer items.)

In her previous life...

She never started her day without praying.

She missed it.

A lot.

Kalpana's eyes gleamed for a second.

Then she smiled.

"Is ghar mein ek mandir hai."
(There is a temple in this house.)

Vanya's eyes widened.

"Sach?"
(Really?)

The woman nodded.

"Haan."
(Yes.)

"Bas... koi wahan jaata nahi."
(It's just that... nobody goes there anymore.)

Vanya looked confused.

"Kyun?"
(Why?)

Kalpana quickly shook her head.

"Kuch nahi."
(Nothing.)

Then she smiled.

"Lekin agar tum chaho toh Vikram Sir se pooch sakti ho."
(But if you want, you can ask Vikram Sir.)

A huge smile appeared on Vanya's face.

"Sach mein?!"
(Really?!)

"Haan."
(Yes.)

"Thank you, Aunty!"

She said happily.

Then, after thanking her once again, she walked towards the dining room.

Kalpana watched her leave.

And then...

A small smile appeared on her face.

Not a kind smile.

A calculating one.

She looked towards the direction of the temple.

"Bas..."
(Just...)

"Ab dekhte hain kya hota hai."
(Now let's see what happens.)

Because after Sanvi's death...

No one in the family had entered that temple.

No one even spoke about it.

And tonight...

Without even realizing it...

Vanya was going to bring up the one topic that still hurt the Rathore family the most.

To be continued...