She rolled her eyes, but took my hand anyway.
"Let's go meet your family," I said, nudging her lightly.
She gave me a sleepy smile. "Let's go meet your in-laws" 
And just like that, we walked in hand-in-hand, the door already open, with laughter and voices coming from inside.
Adya and Aditya stood in the hallway with their suitcases, both dressed casually and radiating that just-married glow.
"Saale sahiba," Aditya said, spotting me first. "Finally!"
"Aa gaye dono! Bas tum dono ka wait ho raha tha," Adya added, rushing over to hug Lavika.
"Sorry sorry," Lavika mumbled, hugging her. "Yeh villain utha ke laya zabardasti."
"Mujhe blame mat karo," I raised my hands. "Jiju ka phone aaya tha."
"Achha, chalo, ab sab aagaye toh ek coffee toh banti hai before we leave," Aditya said, walking towards the kitchen.
"Coffee toh main bhi le lungi," Lavika yawned.
"Mera hoodie waapis mil skti hai ya england tak pehen ke jaana hai?" I smirked.
"Shut up, Ishaan."
⭑.ᐟ
As Adya and Lavika went off toward the kitchen, I stayed back with Aditya. 
He gave me that familiar, teasing smirk and clapped a hand on my shoulder.
"You look like a man who didn't sleep much," he said.
I chuckled. "Wrong. I slept peacefully. With your sister snoring on my chest."
He pretended to be offended. "Oyee! You better watch your words, saale sahiba."
I laughed harder. "Relax, jiju. Just stating facts."
Before he could respond with another fake threat, aunty appeared from the hallway, her eyes immediately softening the moment she saw us.
"Ishaan beta," she said warmly, walking over and pulling me into a light hug. "You two came just in time."
"Good morning, aunty," I greeted, respectfully. "Sorry for the delay. Someone didn't want to get out of bed."
She chuckled knowingly. "I'm used to it. Waking Lavika is a battle we've fought for years."
And then came uncle — sharp suit, strong voice, same commanding presence Lavika had inherited. 
But the moment he looked at me, he gave a slight nod and a smile.
"Ishaan," he said. "You're welcome."
"Thank you, uncle," I replied with a firm handshake.
He looked over at Aditya and Adya, who had now joined us with mugs of coffee. "Yes, they'll be off in a few hours. Greece, right?"
"Greece it is," Aditya confirmed proudly, sipping his espresso.
Lavika came and leaned against me with her cup, still in my hoodie, hair tied, looking like she hadn't fully woken up yet.
Uncle cleared his throat — not in a stern way, but in that way dads do when they're preparing to say something meaningful.
"You both will be heading back soon as well, right? To England?"
"Yes," I nodded. "In a day or two. We came mainly for Holi, but... spending time here has been refreshing."
He looked at Lavika, who now turned serious for a moment.