Lavika pouted. "Uff. Toh phir batao na, surprise kya hai?"
Aditya grinned mischievously. "Wahi toh ghar chalo tab pata chalega."
Ishaan exhaled dramatically. "Dramatic family."
Lavika elbowed him. "Meri jaan, ab toh aadat daal lo."
Ishaan just smirked. "Aadat daal li hai, jaan."
A shiver ran down her spine at his tone, but before she could react, Aditya clapped his hands. "Chalo chalo, bahut time waste ho gaya. Ghar chalte hain!"
With that, the three of them headed toward the car, the chaos far from over.
🦢.⋆ᥫ᭡
Lavika slid into the backseat with Ishaan, while Aditya took the driver's seat. 
The moment the engine roared to life, she turned to her brother.
"Bhai, batao na! Kya surprise hai?"
Aditya smirked through the rearview mirror. "Patience, chhoti."
Lavika groaned, throwing her hands up. "Tum dono—matlab Adya bhabs bhi! Hamesha suspense banaye rakhte ho."
Ishaan chuckled beside her. "Shaadi ke baad na, jiju aur meri behen  ek dusre ke habits adopt kar chuke hain."
Aditya smirked. "Aur tu bhi na, meri tarah smartass ban gaya hai."
Lavika rolled her eyes. "Bhai, jaldi chalo. Mujhe Adya bhabs se milna hai."
Aditya simply grinned, speeding up slightly. "Bas thoda aur intezaar, chhoti."
And with that, the journey home continued, the excitement palpable in the air.
🦢.⋆ᥫ᭡
The warmth of home wrapped around Lavika the moment she stepped inside.
The familiar scent of sandalwood incense mixed with the faint aroma of her mother's homemade food. 
It felt like home—the place where love overflowed, where she wasn't just a doctor or a student, but simply their Lavika.
Before she could take another step, she was tackled into a bone-crushing hug.
"Meri bacchiiii!" Sakshi Mehra's voice was thick with emotion.
"Mumma!" Lavika giggled, squeezing her mother tightly. "Mujhe itna miss kiya?"
"Zyada nahi, bas har second tumhari yaad aayi," Sakshi sniffled dramatically, making Lavika laugh.
Harsh Mehra shook his head at his wife's theatrics, stepping forward to pat Lavika's head. "Beti ghar waapis aaye toh ghar roshan ho jata hai."
Lavika melted. "Aap dono bhi na... bas emotional kar dete ho!"
Before she could wipe her eyes, a voice interrupted—"Aur main? Emotional nahi ho sakti kya?"
Lavika turned to see Adya standing there, arms crossed, a fake pout on her face.
"BHABHSS!" Lavika squealed, launching into her arms. "Mujhe aapki itni yaad aayi!"
Adya chuckled, hugging her back. "Mujhe bhi, pagli. Tu wapas aa gayi, ab sab theek lag raha hai."
Ishaan stood silently by the door, observing the heartwarming reunion with a small smile. 
The warmth in their family was foreign to him, yet comforting.