He smiled at them both and greeted them back "Good evening kids." He sat on the chair near the study table and asked Shriya "You are Shriya right, Varun's sister."

They nodded and Mr. Pratap said "Oh, you look pretty and congratulations dear for your engagement".

Shriya blushed and thanked him with a smile and Mr. Pratap asked "So how is your little sister and family doing ?" to which she replied with a beautiful smile "Fine uncle. She is in her middle school and as for family yeah they are all doing great".

Mr. Pratap was relieved when he saw her smile. He changed the topic and said with a mischievous smile " I heard the game you are practicing for, is a bet match or a challenge with the other group. So I guess you didn't stop your fights yet?"

Shriya felt embarra.s.sed for this and if Varun was alive she wanted to scold him right on his face.

She asked timidly "Bhai told you about my fights uncle. didn't he ?"

Mr. Prathap saw her and he could see that she was embarra.s.sed and his daughter's giggle didn't help him at all so he said "No dear, it's Ris.h.i.+ who told us. Actually he used to lecture this girl here tobe a bit bold like you."

Sony smiled while her father explained to Shriya with patience "My daughter was so introverted and she never went out on her own. He used to follow her always.

Then Ris.h.i.+ told her about you and your amazing punching skills and all."

And Sony chimed in with enthusiasm when she remembered something important "But Varun bhai told us that you were all naughty and acts like a street fighter. I never thought that it would be you".

Mr. Pratap confronted her daughter "That was because you were jealous of her dear."

Shriya smiled and she said after a long pause to Sony "Now I think that I heard him say about his friend's sister. He said she is calm like still water and quite sensitive and he scolded me for being so hot headed always. That must be you".

Sony looked at her friend with a smile and Shriya said "Well, I was jealous of you too. He always asked me to act like a proper lady not like a gangster."

Shriya smiled like a kid and there was not a single ounce of sadness in her eyes even with the mention of her brother continuously.

She continued "I even beat him up for saying that to me and for complimenting you so much that he shut his mouth and never said anything afraid I might do the same once again."

Sony giggled "Even I was envious of you, the way he spoke about you and pride in his eyes I wanted Ris.h.i.+ and Varun bhai to feel that for me too but never had the guts to do something like that."

Mr. Pratap smiled and said as if he got an important point from their chatter "So you guys were envious of each other even before you guys met. Typical girls"

Mr. Pratap couldn't hold back his curiosity anymore and asked Shriya with a bit of hesitation "You seem a bit casual when you are speaking about Varun, Not that I am complaining about it and truly happy but...?"

Shriya smiled and said "I realised something recently uncle. That even though bhai was not here with me now, he made sure I am happy. He gave so many good people."

"A lovely friend like Sony and your family who treats me with love. An amazing bhai, Naveen".

Mr. Pratap looked at her and Sony clarified her father's doubt "Don't you remember Naveen from Dehradun who used to stay near grandpa's place?"

After a moment of thought he remembered and nodded his head "Ahh, that boy".

Shriya laughed and Sony said "Not a boy anymore. He is now Shriya's bodyguard and also driver".

Shriya said "Actually he is studying in our college now, he is in arts department".

Mr. Pratap looked confused and asked "Isn't that man already working ? I heard from dad that he got a job, police department or something like that".

Shriya said "Well he was in department but got into an accident later and he left the job. Now he is working for Abhi".