The car came to a gentle stop outside the magnificent venue.
For a moment, neither sibling moved.
Through the tinted window, Pragya could see the entrance glowing beneath hundreds of warm fairy lights. The entire building looked almost magical under the evening sky. Elegant floral arrangements lined the pathway, while soft golden lights illuminated the entrance. Guests in beautiful formal attire moved through the doorway, their laughter and conversations blending with the gentle music drifting from inside.
Pragya stared through the window.
"Wow."
Anubhab smiled.
"Impressed?"
"Very."
"I told you it would be beautiful."
"You did."
She looked down at herself once more.
Her silver gown shimmered subtly whenever she moved, catching the light without appearing too flashy. She had spent far too much time deciding what to wear, but looking at herself now, she was glad she had.
Anubhab noticed her checking her reflection again.
"Stop."
She looked at him.
"What?"
"You've checked your dress approximately thirty times."
"I want everything to be perfect."
"You're going to a family anniversary, not accepting an award."
"You don't understand."
"I understand perfectly."
"No, you don't."
Anubhab smiled.
"You look beautiful."
Pragya immediately became quiet.
"Really?"
"Really."
She smiled.
"Thank you."
Anubhab stepped out of the car.
He wore a perfectly tailored blue tuxedo, the deep shade complementing his complexion. His appearance was elegant without being overly formal, and the confidence with which he carried himself made the outfit look effortless.
He walked around the car and opened the door for his sister.
"Come on, Angel."
Pragya placed her hand in his.
She stepped out.
Anubhab offered his arm.
She linked hers with his.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
They began walking toward the entrance.
And then—
Anubhab's eyes found her.
Eleanor.
She was standing near the entrance, speaking to one of the guests.
The moment she noticed Anubhab, her face brightened.
"Anubhab!"
She excused herself and began walking toward them.
Pragya followed her brother's gaze.
Then she looked at Eleanor.
Then Anubhab.
Then Eleanor again.
Her eyes narrowed.
A slow, suspicious smile appeared on her face.
Anubhab immediately noticed.
"No."
Pragya looked innocent.
"What?"
"Whatever you're thinking."
"I'm not thinking anything."
"I know you."
"I was simply looking."
"You're smiling."
"Am I?"
"Yes."
"Maybe I'm happy to see Eleanor."
"Then why are you looking at me like that?"
"Because..."
Pragya paused dramatically.
"Nothing."
Anubhab sighed.
"Please behave."
"I always behave."
"That is the biggest lie you've told today."
Before Pragya could respond, Eleanor reached them.
"I'm so glad you came!"
She immediately hugged Pragya.
Pragya hugged her back warmly.
"Of course we came."
"I was waiting for you."
"You look gorgeous!"
Eleanor stepped back and smiled.
"So do you!"
Then her eyes moved toward Anubhab.
"And you look wonderful."
"Thank you."
Pragya immediately glanced at the two of them.
Eleanor noticed.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Anubhab muttered,
"Don't start."
Eleanor looked confused.
"Start what?"
Pragya smiled sweetly.
"Absolutely nothing."
Eleanor looked at Anubhab again.
Then at herself.
She suddenly laughed.
"Oh!"
Pragya's smile widened.
"You noticed too?"
Eleanor looked down at her blue gown and then at Anubhab's blue tuxedo.
"We're matching."
Anubhab nodded.
"Apparently."
Pragya folded her arms.
"Apparently."
Anubhab looked at her.
"Don't."
"I'm not saying anything."
"You're about to."
"I was simply going to compliment the coordination."
Eleanor laughed.
"It really was completely accidental."
"Of course," Pragya replied.
Anubhab gave her a warning look.
"Pragya."
She turned toward Eleanor.
"Do you know how funny this is?"
Eleanor smiled.
"What?"
"My brother practically owns a wardrobe consisting entirely of black."
Anubhab frowned.
"That's exaggerated."
"It isn't."
"And today he chose blue."
Pragya pointed at Eleanor's gown.
"And you chose blue."
Eleanor laughed.
"I didn't know what he was wearing."
Anubhab added,
"And I didn't know what she was wearing."
Pragya nodded seriously.
"Of course."
"Stop saying it like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you're accusing us of something."
"I am not accusing anyone."
She looked between them.
"I'm merely collecting evidence."
Eleanor burst out laughing.
Anubhab rubbed his forehead.
"Why did I bring you?"
"Because you love me."
"Unfortunately."
Pragya gasped.
"Again?"
Eleanor laughed.
"You two are adorable."
Pragya immediately pointed toward her brother.
"See? She likes us."
Anubhab smiled.
"She likes you."
"Of course she does."
Eleanor gestured toward the entrance.
"Come inside. Grandpa and Granny are waiting."
Pragya's expression immediately became respectful.
"I've been wanting to meet them."
"They'll love you."
"How do you know?"
"Because they already like you."
"You've already told them about me?"
"Obviously."
Pragya smiled.
"What did you say?"
Eleanor grinned.
"That you're stubborn."
"Eleanor!"
"And outspoken."
"That's rude."
"And you read too much."
"That is not a bad thing."
"I didn't say it was."
Pragya laughed.
"And what did you tell them about Dabhai?"
Eleanor smiled mischievously.
"That he's protective."
Anubhab nodded.
"True."
"And annoying."
"Eleanor."
"And very serious."
Pragya burst out laughing.
"You told them everything!"
"I did."
Anubhab shook his head.
"I regret introducing you two."
The three entered the venue together.
Pragya's eyes immediately wandered around the hall.
It was breathtaking.
The decorations were elegant rather than extravagant.
Photographs of the anniversary couple were displayed along one wall.
There were photographs from their wedding.
Their early years.
Family vacations.
Birthdays.
Graduations.
Photographs of Ethan and Eleanor as children.
Pragya stopped before one of them.
It showed a very young Ethan standing beside his grandfather, looking serious even as a child, while little Eleanor clung to their grandmother.
Pragya smiled.
"That's Ethan?"
Eleanor nodded.
"Yes."
"He looks so serious."
"He was."
"Even as a child?"
"Especially as a child."
Anubhab laughed.
"Some things never change."
Eleanor smiled.
"He was always protective of me."
Pragya looked at the photograph again.
"And your grandparents?"
Eleanor's expression softened.
"They raised us."
Pragya looked at her.
Eleanor continued quietly.
"They're the reason we had a childhood at all."
Pragya's smile became gentler.
"I understand."
Eleanor nodded.
"They mean everything to us."
Anubhab placed a reassuring hand on Eleanor's shoulder.
"I know."
Eleanor finally spotted her grandparents.
"Come."
She took Pragya's hand and led her toward them.
Her grandmother was speaking to a guest when Eleanor approached.
"Granny."
The elderly woman immediately turned.
Her face lit up.
"There you are!"
She hugged Eleanor warmly.
"You disappeared."
"I was waiting for my friends."
Her grandmother looked toward Pragya.
"And who is this?"
Eleanor smiled.
"Granny, this is Pragya."
Pragya immediately greeted her respectfully.
"Namaste."
The grandmother smiled.
"Oh, don't stand so formally."
Before Pragya could respond, she was gently pulled into a hug.
Pragya froze for a second.
Then she smiled and hugged her back.
"Happy anniversary."
"Thank you, dear."
The grandmother held her hands.
"You're beautiful."
Pragya smiled shyly.
"Thank you."
"Eleanor has told me about you."
Pragya glanced at Eleanor.
"Hopefully nothing embarrassing."
Eleanor immediately looked away.
Pragya narrowed her eyes.
"Eleanor."
Her grandmother laughed.
"She said you are studying biotechnology."
"Yes."
"At IIT Madras?"
"Yes."
The grandfather, who had been listening quietly, looked impressed.
"Very good."
Pragya smiled.
"Thank you."
"What semester?"
"First."
"And you're from Bengal?"
"Yes."
The grandmother's expression brightened.
"Oh! Then you must come and visit us sometime."
Pragya smiled.
"I'd love to."
"Not just during celebrations."
"Yes, Granny."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
The grandmother smiled happily.
Then Eleanor turned toward Anubhab.
"And this is Anubhab."
The grandfather looked at him.
"You're the geologist."
Anubhab smiled.
"Yes."
Eleanor laughed.
"Grandpa has been asking about you after your first meet."
"Really?"
"Yes."
The grandfather shook Anubhab's hand.
"Eleanor speaks highly of you."
Anubhab smiled.
"I hope she hasn't exaggerated."
"She hasn't."
Pragya immediately whispered,
"Of course she hasn't."
Anubhab looked at her.
"Angel."
Pragya smiled innocently.
The grandfather laughed.
"You two are very close."
"Very," Anubhab replied.
Pragya nodded.
"He's my best friend."
Anubhab looked at her.
"And she's my biggest headache."
Pragya gasped.
"Dabhai!"
Everyone laughed.
The grandmother smiled.
"I like you both."
The grandmother looked at Pragya again.
"You're staying in Chennai for your studies?"
"Yes."
"Do you miss home?"
Pragya paused.
"A little."
Anubhab looked at her.
She smiled.
"A lot."
The grandmother immediately understood.
"First time away?"
"Yes."
"Then it will take time."
Pragya nodded.
"My father worries a lot."
"Fathers do."
"And my brother worries even more."
Anubhab protested.
"I don't worry that much."
Pragya looked at him.
"You called me six times on Wednesday."
"Because you didn't answer."
"My phone was charging."
"I didn't know that."
The grandfather laughed.
"You sound exactly like family."
Pragya smiled.
The grandmother gently touched her arm.
"Don't worry, dear. You'll build a second home here."
Something about those words touched Pragya.
She smiled warmly.
"Thank you."
A little later, Eleanor's phone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
"I need to take this."
She stepped away leaving the siblings alone.
The moment she disappeared, Pragya slowly turned toward Anubhab.
He sighed.
"No."
She smiled.
"I haven't said anything."
"You're about to."
"Dabhai."
"No."
"Blue."
"Pragya."
"Your tuxedo."
"I know."
"Her gown."
"I know."
"Same colour."
"I noticed."
Pragya's eyes widened.
"You noticed?"
"Everyone noticed."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes."
"Then why didn't you say anything?"
"Because it isn't important."
Pragya leaned closer.
"Interesting."
"Don't."
"You know what I think?"
"I don't want to know."
"I think fate—"
"Stop."
"—has a sense of humour."
"Pragya."
She laughed.
"I'm joking!"
"You're enjoying this far too much."
"Absolutely."
She looked toward where Eleanor had disappeared.
Then back at him.
"She really does look beautiful."
Anubhab nodded.
"She does."
Pragya froze.
Her eyebrows rose.
"Dabhai."
"What?"
"You admitted it."
"Admitted what?"
"You think she looks beautiful."
"Of course she does."
Pragya stared at him.
Then she smiled.
"Oh."
Anubhab immediately knew he had made another mistake.
"Don't."
"I'm saying nothing."
"You're smiling."
"I'm happy."
"Why?"
"Nothing."
Eleanor returned.
"What are you two talking about?"
Pragya immediately answered,
"Your blue dress."
Eleanor looked at Anubhab.
Then at Pragya.
Then laughed.
"Again?"
Pragya nodded.
"He noticed."
Eleanor laughed.
"It's just a coincidence."
Pragya smiled.
"Of course."
Anubhab looked at both women.
"Can we please discuss literally anything else?"
Eleanor laughed.
"Fine."
Pragya nodded.
"For now."
As the evening progressed, Pragya found herself increasingly comfortable.
She spoke with Eleanor's grandparents.
She listened to stories about Ethan and Eleanor's childhood.
She laughed when Eleanor's grandmother revealed embarrassing childhood anecdotes.
She listened when the grandfather spoke proudly about their sixty-year journey together.
Anubhab joined the conversations occasionally, adding his own comments.
And slowly, something unexpected happened.
The elderly couple began treating Pragya less like a guest and more like someone they had known for years.
Her grandmother asked whether she had eaten.
Her grandfather asked about her studies.
Her grandmother insisted she return before leaving.
Her grandfather told her she must visit them again.
Pragya smiled each time.
For someone who had recently left home, the warmth felt strangely comforting.
At one point, Eleanor leaned toward her.
"I told you."
"Told me what?"
"They'd love you."
Pragya smiled.
"I think I love them already."
Eleanor smiled.
"Then you're officially part of the family tonight."
Pragya laughed.
"Tonight?"
Eleanor nodded.
"We'll discuss permanent membership later."
Anubhab overheard.
"Don't recruit my sister."
Eleanor laughed.
"Too late."
Pragya looked at him.
"I've been adopted."
Anubhab smiled.
"Apparently."
The grandmother, who had overheard the conversation, called out,
"Not adopted, dear."
Everyone turned.
She smiled.
"You're family."
Pragya's smile softened.
For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
So she simply walked over and hugged her.
The grandmother hugged her back.
And Anubhab watched quietly.
His expression softened.
He knew exactly what that moment meant to his sister.
The music inside the hall grew slightly louder.
More guests began arriving.
The celebration was about to begin in earnest.
Eleanor looked toward the entrance.
Then suddenly her expression changed.
"Ethan should be here soon."
Pragya turned.
"Your brother?"
Eleanor nodded.
"Yes."
Anubhab looked toward the entrance as well.
Pragya smiled.
"I'm curious to meet him."
Eleanor laughed.
"Just don't take his seriousness personally."
Pragya raised an eyebrow.
"Why would I?"
"Because he's..."
She paused.
"Ethan."
Pragya laughed.
"That's not an explanation."
Eleanor smiled mysteriously.
"You'll understand."
And somewhere outside the venue, a black car was approaching.
The evening was about to become considerably more interesting.
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