Amardeep dramatically rolled up his sleeves with a confident grin and said, "I'll show you right now. Just watch—today I will cook a meal so delicious that you'll be licking your fingers clean!"
As everyone finished eating cake at the birthday party, Priya continued to converse with the other guests.
John stood nearby, close to Dev and Riya. Looking toward John, Riya asked, "Did you happen to like her?"
Without offering a verbal response, John merely smiled and looked between the two of them.
Riya pressed further, "Priya has two children. If you are interested, I can speak with her on your behalf. Rather than just smiling, give me a straight yes or no."
Removing the smile from his face, John replied, "I need some time to think about this."
"Fine, take as much time as you want."
Dev then chimed in, "So, how is your business going?"
John answered, "It is going well."
Dev continued, "I really want you to get married soon. You are getting older. To be honest, this is no longer the age for you to get married; it is the age for our children."
Riya chimed in with a smirk, "Right? At our age, we're just meant to be in a relationship, while the actual age for finding partners belongs to our kids."
Riya persisted, "If you keep thinking like this, you will never be able to get married. I am going to talk to her for you."
With that, Riya walked over to Priya. John did not stop her and said nothing at all.
Watching her leave, Dev asked, "Will you even be able to handle two children?"
John made a face and retorted, "Did the two of you invite me to this birthday party just to humiliate me?"
"Oh come on, you took it the wrong way! I was only saying it for your own good. Riya was looking out for you too."
Growing slightly serious, John looked at Dev and said, "It is not about well-being, Dev. The issue is that the two of you treat everything like a joke or a pressure tactic. This is my life and my time. When it feels right, I will make the decision myself. Why are you both always in such a rush to comment on my single life?"
With a slight smile, Dev replied, "Oh man, we are just playing our part as friends. Time is slipping away, so we naturally worry."
John gave a dry chuckle, "That is not worry, those sound more like taunts. Anyway, let it drop."
Meanwhile, Riya had walked straight up to stand beside Priya and John's gaze locked onto them—wondering inwardly why people could never resist meddling uninvited in someone else's life without a second thought.
Riya smiled faintly, placed a hand on Priya's shoulder, and gently led her slightly to the side.
Looking at her with surprise, Priya asked, "Oh Riya, what happened? Is everything alright?"
Riya glanced around to ensure no one could overhear them, then came straight to the point and spoke in a low voice, "Priya, I want to ask you a direct and personal question, and I hope you will not mind. Tell me honestly, are you thinking about moving forward in life to remarry or enter a new relationship, or not? You understand what I mean... I mean, how difficult the solitary journey ahead becomes."
Priya's face turned serious for a moment. She folded her arms and cast a glance toward John, who was standing at a distance watching them.
"Did that guy send you?" Priya asked Riya.
Riya responded, "He is a quite decent guy. I am not telling you to marry him just because of his money; he is both good and wealthy. Finding a guy like that is quite difficult. You understand, right?"
Priya let out a soft sigh and said, "Riya, reaching this stage in life, starting everything over is not that easy. As simple as you guys make it out to be, it is not..."
Riya continued, "I already told him that you have two children and your husband is no longer around. I told him everything, but it is not an issue. Where else could you find such a good guy?"
Hearing this, Priya remained silent for a few moments.
Priya asked, "Is there really no issue with my children?"
Riya stated, "Yes, absolutely no issue. I will give him your number. First, be in a relationship with him and see whether, apart from his money, he has a good heart or not. If you do not like him, you can always break up later, understood?"
Priya replied, "Alright, fine."
Shortly after, both of them returned to their other friends and resumed laughing and joking.
Back at home, Amardeep began cutting onions and potatoes with absolute confidence. His posture and style of working were reminiscent of a professional chef cooking on a television show. Twinkle stood nearby with her arms crossed, staring right at him, and teased, "Yeah, yeah, I see what a great chef you are. If the food burns or has too much salt, I am going to make you wash all the dishes yourself."
Laughing without stopping, Amardeep replied, "Don't you worry, little sister. The dal-chawal and sabzi I make today will have you licking your fingers clean. Just quietly help me set the plates."
A short while later, a wonderful aroma spread throughout the house from the kitchen. Amardeep served the hot food onto two plates and brought them to the dining table. The brother and sister sat down just as they usually did every evening. The meal turned out exceptionally delicious—on the very first bite, a happy smile appeared on Twinkle's face. While eating, she praised, "Seriously, man, you did wonders today. I yield to the magic in your hands!"
Amardeep smiled happily and said, "See? I told you beforehand."
Laughing and chatting, the two finished their dinner, just like any normal, happy household. They remained completely unaware of the new twists and turns their lives were about to take in the near future.