It was the perfect moment. Mom and dad were moving into Venky's flat. All of it was so dreamy, something I always dreamt of.

Venky and my brothers had organised a small welcome party. The house was decorated with glitter strings. Balloons were sticked onto the walls, halogen balloons too touching the ceiling. A big 'welcome home' thermocol plate was supposed to be hanged right infront of the door's wall.

Everything was prepared, the food too. Ishan was ready with his camera, to capture every moment of it. He said he would make a full casade of photos which was so cool.

It was a celebration because dad had hated my brothers all along these years but only now realised how much they matter for me, for mom and for him himself. He couldn't cope up with the villan mask on his face because deep inside, he was soft and loving. He loved my brothers. After all, they were his sons, his own kids.

"You dumbshit, I told you to bring a welcome home sign not new home!" Robbie scolded Rayan who only sheepishly scratched the back of his head and grinned.

"It's fine, they'll understand," I reassured, trying to suppress my laughter.

"Are you laughing at me?" Rayan narrowed his eyes at me. I quickly shook my head with wide eyes. He wasn't convinced because the next thing I knew was being lunged at by Rayan as he started tickling my sides. I fell on the floor laughing and wheezing.

"Rayan, let your sister go," Venky coming from his room. Rayan thankfully stopped and helped me stand up. I glared at him but he wasn't scared because I only got a wink in return with a cheeky smile.

Venky had Lucky in his arms, she was dressed in a gown. She looked very adorable in that dress. Her hairs were tied up in a bun. Venky was good at hair styles, he even did my hairs in a fish tail. Venky was an all rounder I swear!

I walked up to Venky and pulled Lucky in my arms, "aww, you look so cute." I kissed her cheek, she giggled and kissed my cheek back.

"Thawks, you lwok cute too," she hugged my neck.

Venky was smiling fondly at us. A smile which was full of joy. I wiggled my eyebrows at him. He shook his head and patted my head and then looked at my brothers "is everything ready?" He asked.

"Yes.." Ishan muttered. He was working on the settings of his camera.

"Where's the cake?" Venky asked.

Suddenly, Robbie came out of the kitchen with a cake in his hands "here's the cake," he said "-and atleast it has written welcome home on it," he teased Rayan who only rolled his eyes.

"I'll get it," Rayan said when the door bell rang. He opened the door and Ashton came in. Yes, guests were invited too.

"Welcome, Ashton," Venky said and Ash nodded politely. His eyes settled on me. I smiled back at him whilst he was smirking at me. He was surely in a mood.

'stop checking me out!' I made a face and put Lucky down who ran and sat on Ishan's lap.

'you look hot' he mouthed.

I blushed and looked away, still smiling. I was wearing a one piece white dress. It was mid thigh and sleave less. The neck was turtle but the dress complimented my curves wisely. Suddenly, I felt Ashton wrap his arm around my waist and pull me closer to his side. I playfully glared up at him.

He laughed and pecked my lips.

"Ew, no PDA!" Rayan seperated us both. "no kissing in this house." He told us.

Ashton laughed, "sorry, dude. But my girlfriend is looked damn well today."

Rayan glared at him then at me, "I told you that dress is inappropriate."

I stomped,"I thought I looked good in it,"

That caught Venky's attention, "hey, you do look good in it. And Rayan, leave your sister alone," It was literally the second time Venky had to say that.

Rayan rolled his eyes and and joined Robbie who was doing god knows what on the cake.

The door bell rand again and I was sure it would be mom and dad this time. "I'll see," I shouted.

"Sure," I heard Venky say.

I happily opened the door but my smile flattened when I saw poppy. He smirked at me and checked me out. I felt the familiar uncomfortable vibe being around him.

"Who's it Aana?" Robbie shouted from the inside.

I turned back and then looked back at poppy, "its-its poppy" I said and let him in. Why was he here? Was he this close to Venky?

He went in and shook hands with Venky.Venky smiled at him and nodded, "I actually invited him because he'd helped us so much. From taking extra lectures of Aana to the new deals crackling," Venky said and everyone chorused an uninterested 'okays'.

I went back to stand beside Ashton and stood closed to him. He too wrapped his arm around my shoulder and caressed my arm with his thumb making me relax.

From the corner of my eye, I still felt Poppy's eyes on me. I also realised that he was glaring at Ashton but Ash didn't seam to realise it.

I sighed deeply and buried my head into his arm. I felt him massage my scalp. "You good?" He probably noticed my change in mood. I merely hummed.

The bell ranged again but I didn't initiate. I just didn't wanted to come into Poppy's view now. His hazel eyes burnt my skin everytime they laid on me.

This time, Lucky jumped out of Ishan's lap and opened the door. Mom quickly scooped her up in her arms and kissed Luck's rosy cheeks. Lucky giggled and hugged mom's neck.

"WELCOME HOME!"

Everyone almost screamed and dad laughed heavily. Mom's eyes sparkled with joy when she saw all the decoration.

Now, I couldn't help but go and hug my mom. She hugged me back and kissed my head. Next, my dad pulled me in a hug tightly. I giggled as he tickled my sides a little.

"Wow, halogen balloons," mom said "I like it, I like it,"

"You can thank me," Rayan said. "I bought them," I rolled my eyes. He only payed for them, it was me and Ishan who bought them from the store.

"Paying for them and going out and buying them are two different things," Ishan scoffed at Rayan. Rayan only shrugged and smiled sheepishly.

Dad's eyes were shining with pride. It felt good that he wasn't hiding his feelings anymore. He smiled at the flat, his smile reaching his eyes. He was surely overwhelmed. Dad hugged my brothers one by one and chatted around what them.

Then, we cut the cake and sang songs. Venky set the lights in dim mode and put the speaker on. We danced and danced. I was yet again mindful of being no where near poppy.

I stayed with Ashton or one of my brothers all the time. Ishan was occasionally clicking the pictures. The sound the camera made everytime it captures a picture was satisfying.

Suddenly, the door bell ranged again and I thought it was some guests again. But the music stopped and I realised that it was the same police women and the guy who was working on the case of someone clicking mine and then Tony's pictures and editing then in the wrong way.

Did Venky invite these police officers too? But Venky's expressions said something else. His eyes darkened and he looked cautious.

"Um, welcome here, officer," Venky let them in.

"Well, we won't take much time. We just want to inform you that we've found the culprit that tried to make misunderstanding between Aana and Ashton,"

I swear there was pin dropping silence in the room. I was scared to know the true identity. What if it was someone I knew? It was a horrible feeling.

Venky nodded, "who is it?"

"It's someone you know very well.." the officer paused and then looked into someone's eyes at the end of the living room and pointed at someone "it's him, poppy,"

•••

Hey guys, so this is the reveal. Most of you had already predicted it, I know.

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