Chapter 83 :

As they settled at the dinner table, the atmosphere was warm and lively. Ilana and Arjun were focused on Ananya, asking her questions, getting to know her better.

"So, Ananya," Ilana said with a smile, "tell us more about yourself. Advay never stops talking about you, but we'd love to hear it from you directly."

Ananya blushed slightly, glancing at Advay, who smirked but kept quiet. "Well, I…" she began, before Arjun, true to his nature, jumped in.

"Wait, wait—before you answer that, let me guess!" he said excitedly, leaning forward. "You're obviously smart, confident, and very patient—because let's be honest, dealing with my son probably requires an endless supply of patience."

Ananya burst out laughing while Advay shook his head. "Dad…"

Ilana chuckled. "Ignore him, dear. He just likes hearing himself talk."

Meanwhile, Advay was talking to Aditi, who was still mildly sulking over being left out of his proposal plans.

"So, have you forgiven me yet?" he asked, nudging her playfully.

Aditi huffed dramatically. "No. You proposed in the middle of the biggest match of your life and didn't even give me a hint? I should've been prepared!"

Advay smirked. "You would've screamed it out loud in excitement. That's why I didn't tell you."

Aditi gasped. "Excuse me?! I would not—" She paused, thinking, then sighed. "Okay, fine… maybe. But still!"

As the conversations flowed effortlessly at the dinner table, Ilana watched Ananya with a kind, knowing smile. She had been observing her all evening—the way she spoke, the way she laughed, the way she looked at Advay with pure affection. It was clear that her son had found someone truly special.

As the plates were being cleared, Ilana gently placed her hand over Ananya's.

"Ananya," she said warmly, "we'd love to meet your parents."

Ananya, who had just taken a sip of water, nearly choked. She set her glass down quickly and blinked at Ilana. "Tomorrow?"

Ilana nodded, still smiling. "Yes, if they're free. We want to meet the family of the girl who's going to be part of ours."

Ananya felt a rush of emotions—nervousness, excitement, and something else she couldn't quite place. This was really happening.

She glanced at Advay, who was watching her with a smirk, clearly enjoying her reaction.

"Uh…" Ananya hesitated, trying to process. "I mean, yeah, I can ask them. They'd definitely love to meet you too."

Arjun, who had been listening, suddenly leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Just a heads up, Ananya. When we meet them, I am going to talk. A lot. It's kind of my thing."

Ilana rolled her eyes. "That's an understatement."

Aditi chuckled. "At least now I know where Advay gets his ability to talk for hours about cricket."

Ananya laughed, feeling her nervousness ease. This family was something else—but in the best way possible.

Ilana gave her hand a small squeeze. "No pressure, dear. We just want to meet them, get to know them."

Ananya nodded, a small smile forming. "Okay. I'll call them tonight and let you know."

She felt Advay's fingers brush against hers under the table, a silent reassurance.

Tomorrow was going to be another big day.

As the conversation settled into a warm rhythm, Ilana watched Ananya with a smile, her eyes filled with quiet gratitude. She had seen how much Advay had changed over the years, how he had matured into the man sitting beside them tonight, and she knew that Ananya had played a big role in that.

She reached across the table and gently placed her hand over Ananya's, her voice soft yet sincere. "Thank you, dear."

Ananya blinked, caught off guard. "For what?"

Ilana's smile deepened. "For taking care of my son."

Ananya felt her chest tighten, emotion creeping up on her unexpectedly. She wasn't sure what to say.

Ilana continued, her voice warm. "Advay… he's always been strong, independent, and focused. But in all these years, I've never seen him as happy, as at peace, as he is with you."

Ananya turned slightly to glance at Advay, who sat beside her, smirking but clearly listening. He didn't say anything—he didn't need to.

Ilana squeezed Ananya's hand lightly. "I know my son. He may not say it outright, but I can see it. You've been his anchor, his safe space. Through everything—his cricket, his business, the pressure—he's had you. And for that, I can't thank you enough."

Ananya felt a lump form in her throat. She hadn't expected this, hadn't thought about it like that. She had always just… been there for Advay, without even realizing the depth of it.

She shook her head lightly, a soft, emotional laugh escaping her lips. "I don't think he ever needed taking care of."

Ilana chuckled. "Oh, trust me, every strong person needs someone. And you're that someone for him."

Ananya felt Advay's fingers brush against hers under the table, a silent reassurance.

Arjun, watching the emotional exchange, suddenly sighed dramatically. "Okay, okay, enough of this serious talk. Now, if anyone's taking care of anyone, I think we should be thanking Ananya for handling Advay's stubbornness."

Aditi burst out laughing. "Finally! Someone said it!"

Advay rolled his eyes. "Wow, what a team effort to take me down."

Ananya laughed, squeezing his hand. "Well, you are a lot to handle."

Arjun smirked. "Exactly. Which is why we're glad you're the one handling him, Ananya."

Ilana smiled, nodding. "Exactly."

As the conversation continued, Aditi smirked and turned to Ananya, mischief glinting in her eyes.

"You know, Ananya," she began, grinning, "every single time Advay went out with you, he came running to me for fashion advice."

Ananya's eyebrows shot up in amusement as she turned to Advay. "Oh, really?"

Advay exhaled, already regretting not stopping Aditi in time. "Aditi. No."

But Aditi was just getting started. "Oh yes. The number of times this man has barged into my room all stressed out, asking, 'Aditi, does this jacket go with this shirt?' 'Are these boots too much?' 'Do I look effortlessly stylish or like I tried too hard?'"

Ananya burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. "Oh my god. You? The man who walks around like he owns the world?"

Advay groaned, rubbing his forehead. "She's exaggerating."

Aditi shook her head dramatically. "I am underplaying it, actually! One time, he rejected two entire outfits because, and I quote, 'Ananya always notices the details.'"

Ananya turned to Advay, grinning. "Aww, that's actually adorable."

He sighed, shaking his head. "It's called putting in basic effort."

Aditi gasped. "Oh no, we are NOT going to let you get away with that excuse. You rearranged your entire closet one time because you thought Ananya might randomly visit!"

Ananya gasped, covering her mouth. "Wait, what?"

Advay closed his eyes briefly, then exhaled. "This conversation is over."

Arjun, who had been listening with a huge grin, chuckled. "Wow, son. All this effort, and you never asked me for fashion advice?"

Ilana, smiling softly, shook her head. "I think it's sweet. Every man should put in that kind of effort for the woman he loves."

Aditi smirked, clearly enjoying her victory. "See? Mom agrees!"

Ananya leaned against Advay, grinning. "Well, for what it's worth, I do notice the details… and I have always thought you dress really well."

Advay finally smirked, recovering some of his pride. "See? Worth it."

Aditi rolled her eyes. "Oh please, don't act cool now. I'm exposing more secrets next time."

Ananya laughed, squeezing Advay's hand under the table. "I definitely want to hear them."

Aditi, still in full storytelling mode, turned to Ananya with another mischievous grin.

"Oh, and you have to hear this one," she said, leaning forward. "When Advay was 12, he got banned from playing in a tournament."

Ananya blinked. "Wait, what? Why? Did he do something?"

Aditi burst out laughing. "Oh no, it wasn't his fault. It was because—get this—he was too good!"

Ananya gasped. "What?!"

Aditi nodded dramatically. "Yep! The officials said they couldn't allow him to play because it would affect the morale of the other players. Can you believe that?"

Ananya turned to Advay, who was calmly sipping his water like this was normal.

"You're joking," Ananya said, still in disbelief.

Advay shrugged. "I mean… I was dominating."

Aditi rolled her eyes. "He was fuming when they told him. You should've seen him."

Ananya, still trying to process, laughed. "That's actually insane. What did you do?"

Advay smirked. "I complained to my coach."

Aditi grinned. "And guess who his coach was at the time?"

Ananya narrowed her eyes. "No way—who?"

Aditi dramatically threw her hands up. "Freaking Sunil Gavaskar!"

Ananya's jaw dropped. "Wait, WHAT?!"

Advay chuckled. "Yeah… and when I told him, he just started laughing. Like, actual belly laughter."

Aditi nodded, still grinning. "He was laughing so hard, he had to sit down! He told Advay, 'Beta, you should frame that letter and hang it up. Not everyone gets banned for being too good.'"

Ananya was now full-on cackling. "Oh my god, I can't believe this."

Advay smirked. "Let's just say… it was a unique problem to have."

Aditi shook her head. "This guy. Twelve years old, and he was already out here ruining careers."

Ananya, still laughing, turned to Advay, eyes wide. "Hold on—how have you never mentioned that you were trained by Sunil Gavaskar?!"

Advay, completely unfazed, leaned back slightly and shrugged. "You never asked me that."

Ananya gasped, smacking his arm. "Excuse me?! That's not something you wait for someone to ask!"

Aditi burst out laughing. "Oh my god, he does this all the time! He drops the biggest bombshells casually, like it's no big deal!"

Ilana, shaking her head fondly, added, "He's always been like this. Even as a kid, he wouldn't tell us things unless we specifically asked."

Arjun, smirking, leaned in. "I once asked him how his training was going, and he casually said, 'Yeah, it's fine. Gavaskar sir said I have a good technique.'"

Ananya's jaw dropped further. "Oh, you have to be kidding me!"

Advay grinned, clearly enjoying her reaction. "What? It was a normal conversation."

Aditi scoffed. "Yeah, if 'normal' means getting compliments from one of the greatest cricketers of all time and acting like it's just another Tuesday."

Ananya crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at him. "I swear, you're hiding so many stories from me, aren't you?"

Advay smirked. "You never know. Maybe you just haven't asked the right questions yet."

Ananya shook her head, half amused, half exasperated. "Unbelievable."

After dinner, Advay and Ananya stepped out of the Rai Estate, walking toward his car. The night air was cool and quiet, a contrast to the lively conversations at the dinner table.

As Advay opened the car door for her, Ananya turned to him, smiling softly. "Your family is amazing."

Advay smirked. "Told you there was nothing to worry about."

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Okay, fine. You were right."

He chuckled, starting the engine. "I like the sound of that."

As they drove through the empty streets, the city lights flickering outside, Ananya sat back, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on the window.

"You know," she said after a while, "tonight felt… really special."

Advay glanced at her. "Yeah?"

She nodded, looking at him. "Meeting your parents, your sister, hearing all those stories about you—it felt like home."

Advay's smirk softened, his grip on the steering wheel relaxing. "That's because it is."

As they pulled up in front of Ananya's house, Advay put the car in park and turned toward her.

"I was thinking," he said casually, resting his arm on the steering wheel, "I should be the one to invite your parents over tomorrow."

Ananya, who was unbuckling her seatbelt, paused mid-motion and turned to him. "Huh? Why?"

He smirked. "Because when my mom brought it up at dinner, you looked like you were about to pass out."

Ananya gasped, smacking his arm. "I did not!"

Advay chuckled. "You totally did."

She narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms. "Okay, fine. Maybe I panicked a little."

He tilted his head. "A little?"

Ananya groaned. "Ugh, shut up."

Advay grinned but softened his tone. "Seriously though, I think it'll be better if I invite them myself. It'll make things feel more comfortable for everyone."

Ananya looked at him for a moment, then sighed, a small smile playing on her lips. "You really think of everything, don't you?"

He shrugged, smirking. "It's part of my charm."

She rolled her eyes but leaned over, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. "Fine. But if my parents get all emotional, you're handling it."

He chuckled. "Deal."

As Advay and Ananya walked up to the front door, Ananya rang the doorbell.

Within seconds, the door flew open—revealing Rysa.

The moment she saw Advay, her eyes widened, and she let out a dramatic gasp.

"OH. MY. GOD!" she shrieked, pointing straight at him. "THE MAN! THE LEGEND! THE IPL FINAL HERO! THE LAST-BALL SIX MASTER!"

Advay chuckled, shaking his head. "Nice to see you too, Rysa."

Rysa grabbed Ananya's arm, shaking her excitedly. "Didi, do you even understand what this guy did?! I was losing my mind at home! When he moved away on the last ball, I was screaming! And when he hit that six—" she clutched her chest dramatically, "I legit fainted for a second!"

Ananya raised an eyebrow. "You fainted?"

Rysa nodded furiously. "Okay, maybe not fainted-fainted, but I fell off the sofa! Mom and Dad were literally yelling! And when he proposed right after?!" She turned to Advay, hands on her hips. "Bro, were you trying to give me a heart attack?!"

Advay smirked. "Well, I had to make sure it was a night no one would forget."

Rysa groaned. "Ugh! I think I love you more than my sister does."

Ananya sighed, already done with this conversation. "Rysa, please."

Rysa smirked, stepping aside to let them in. "Come on, Mr. Last-Ball Six. Mom and Dad have been waiting for you."

Advay stepped inside, following Ananya as they entered the warm and familiar space of her home.

Chunky and Bhavana Panday were already in the living room, waiting for them. The moment they saw Advay, Bhavana smiled warmly, while Chunky stood up, extending a hand.

"Welcome back, Advay," Chunky said, shaking his hand firmly. "Quite an eventful week for you, huh?"

Advay smiled, nodding. "Yeah, you could say that."

Bhavana, always gentle and kind, stepped forward, holding his hand briefly. "We saw everything. Congratulations, dear. We're so happy for you both."

Advay gave her a respectful nod. "Thank you. And thank you for having me over."

Ananya, watching from the side, felt a quiet warmth spread through her chest. Her parents had always liked Advay, but now, it was even more special—because he wasn't just her boyfriend anymore. He was family.

After the greetings, Advay, Ananya, Chunky, Bhavana, and Rysa all settled onto the couch in the living room. The atmosphere was warm and familiar, but the excitement from the past few days still lingered in the air.

Chunky leaned forward, grinning as he looked at Advay. "Alright, tell me honestly—when you stepped away from the crease on that last ball, were you actually calm, or was your heart about to explode?"

Advay chuckled, leaning back against the couch. "A little bit of both, honestly. I knew exactly what I wanted to do, but yeah… there was a lot running through my mind at that moment."

Bhavana shook her head, smiling. "I think my heart actually did explode watching that. We were all at home, holding our breath."

Rysa dramatically flopped back onto the couch. "I fell off the sofa! And when he actually hit the six, I screamed so loud, I think our neighbors thought something was wrong!"

Ananya rolled her eyes. "You do that for every match, Rysa."

Rysa ignored her completely. "Dad was yelling, Mom was crying—"

"I was not crying," Bhavana cut in, laughing.

Chunky smirked. "Oh no, no, you were definitely teary-eyed. I saw you wiping your face after the six."

Bhavana playfully swatted his arm. "Oh, stop it."

Chunky turned back to Advay, shaking his head in admiration. "I mean, we've seen a lot of last-over thrillers, but that was something else. The same exact situation as last year, the same team, the same six runs needed… and you did that."

Rysa nodded aggressively. "It was literally a cinematic moment. Like, I can already see the Bollywood movie trailer—'One man. One team. One last ball.'"

Advay chuckled. "I didn't plan for it to be that dramatic, but yeah… it worked out pretty well."

Chunky smirked. "Not just that. You took everything that night—the trophy and my daughter."

Ananya groaned, covering her face. "Oh god, Dad, please."

Rysa gasped in fake shock. "Advay! You stole our sister! How dare you!"

Advay, playing along, smirked. "I mean… I did hit a six to win her, so it was fair play."

Rysa collapsed into the cushions, dramatically clutching her chest. "UGH. He's even smooth about it!"

Chunky laughed. "He's good, I'll give him that."

Bhavana, smiling warmly, looked at Advay. "Honestly, we're really happy for both of you."

Advay nodded, his expression more sincere now. "That means a lot. And I wanted to invite you both over to my place tomorrow. I think it's important that our families meet properly."

Bhavana and Chunky exchanged a glance before smiling.

Chunky nodded. "We'd love that."