AADHYA'S POV
 
To be honest , I didn't consider it a major issue. It was merely a skeleton ~ A sad, isolated, boring  skeleton positioned in the corner of the science lab.
Therefore, I decided to give it a new look.
A dupatta styled as a saree. A wig borrowed from the theater group. Sunglasses resting on its nose. Even some lipstick, although my hand trembled as I tried not to giggle.
“Check it out, our  Mrs. Bones!” I announced.
Everyone in the group clapped and shouted with enthusiasm while one member decided to take a picture of Mrs. Bones. I can honestly say Mrs. Bones never looked more attractive than she did at that moment.

All things were going well until the teacher entered .
The quiet arrived without warning. His eyes widened dramatically, and the veins on his brow nearly burst. “Who was responsible for this?!”
Instantly, everyone looked in my direction.Bitches.
That's the story of how I found myself waiting outside the dean's office, feeling like a guilty person awaiting their sentence. My foot tapped quickly against the floor. My hands were damp with sweat. My mind sped through every potential justification.
Peon: Sir  wants you to call your guardian .

I gulped  at the word ' guardian'.

Ekansh bhai ? He  would scold.
Saanvi bhabhi ? She will give those  disappointing eyes that stings more than any scolding.
Mom - Dad?  i will be dead.
Then only one person came in my mind . I dialled his number .

After two rings, he picked up.
" Hello" - i heard his deep voice through my phone.
I whispered  dramatically " Manyu "
Abhimanyu :  what did you do , little minx?
Aadhya : I just borrowed a skeleton , manyu
I then heard his stern voice " Aadhya "

I gulped and admitted instantly " I took the skeleton and gave her a tiny makeover  and now dean wants to meet my guardian"

I heard the most melodious voice ~ he chuckled.

Abhimanyu : You are somethingelse, Ms. Aadhya.....Dont worry, I will be there in next 10 minutes.
I smiled and squealed and hang up the call.

When he entered, the entire hallway seemed to turn into an audience on a catwalk.
Girls giggled, boys openly looked on. Even the office man dropped his pen.
For Abhimanyu Bedi never simply entered a place. He changes the atmosphere.
Black tailored suit, calm eyes, watch shining on his veiny arm ~None of this added up to the common college guardian.

He held my hand and smiled at me and then we together entered the dean's office.

Abhimanyu: Good afternoon, I am Aadhya's Guardian.
Dean: Mr.Bedi, nice to meet you.

The dean  was shocked to meet my manyu.

I had to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing - The guy who struck fear into the hearts of business tycoons was now acting like my protector in a stupid skeleton prank.
 Then the dean went on and on about discipline, respect, and "what lies ahead for our young people." Abhimanyu listened courteously, nodding along and sometimes shooting me glances that clearly said: I've got this, but you're in trouble.

When the dean finally took a breath, Abhimanyu leaned in, his voice steady yet sharp. "I promise you, sir. Aadhya might be a bit of a handful, but she is best at studies. I will make sure she understands her limits . Personally."
 The dean actually smiled. "With a guardian like you, I'm confident she'll do better."
 By the end, the dean seemed almost apologetic for the situation.
 As for me? I followed Abhimanyu out, trying to hold back my laughter with my hand over my mouth.

As soon as we got in the car,
 he closed the door behind him and looked at me. “Skeleton, Aadhya? Seriously?”
I nearly doubled over laughing. “But come on - Mrs. Bones looked gorgeous!”
He looked at me with a glare so sharp that  I shut up. “Do you know  you could be suspended?”
 I gasped, putting my hand on my chest. “Suspended for a makeover? That's simply not fair!”
He glared, but I could see the faintest flicker of amusement in his eyes.
The ride turned silent .

I pouted and grabbed his arm and mumbled " Please dont be mad, my pyaree guardian jiii"

He turned to me and asked " Why did you call me ? I mean why didnt you called your family ?"

I gulped and said " I didnt wanted them to worry"

He sighed and kissed my forehead and said" Thats their duty to worry... and mine? Is to handle ..even your silly pranks , minx"

I giggled and snuggled to his arms and mumbled " Manyu , what are we?"

He looked away and mumbled " I dont know ,aadhya.....you are way too young....you got whole your life and me ?.....I am bounded by responsibilities...and you are not supposed to be burdened by my life 's responsibilities....."

I hummed and said " But what if  i said  that only you matters to me ....and i chose to be a doctor because you once told me that you like girls in white coat "
He let out a long breath, mumbling, “You’re gonna be the death of me, my little minx.”

I grinned again, because I couldn't help it. “But admit it, Manyu - you’re proud of me for it, right? Just a little?”

He smiled and nodded this time.

And as the car sped back onto the road, I laughed so loudly, even he couldn’t hide his smirk.

Soon,  we pulled up near the school gate. Kids rushed out, wearing colorful uniforms, laughing, and running toward their parents.

And then, my little babybug  spotted us.

“Daadaaa!! Dhaaa!!”

She jumped into Manyu’s arms, giggling as he picked her up. Her little hands clutched his collar.

Dhwani : Why are you so late, Daadaa?
Abhimanyu : Because your Dha was busy playing with Mrs. Bones

I was stunned. “Manyu!”

Dhwani gasped in a movie-worthy fashion, hand over her mouth. “Dhaaaa! Seriously?!”

I closed my eyes and sank into my chair as they both just laughed.

And like that—mischief or no mischief—we were  together again like a family  driving home in our own laughter bubble.

Just then we heard Dhwani 's words.

Dhwani : Dhaa, today ...i felt like today  my family came to pick me up just like other kids.

I frowned .

She continued " Everyday , i will see both mom - dad coming to pick their kids...but  only Himani maa or daadaa came to pick me ...but today ... both of you came to pick me "

I smiled with teary eyes and  Kissed my babybug's cheeks and mumbled " We are a family , babybug "

She smiled and look at Manyu who was looking at us with something i couldnt figure out.

Abhimanyu : Princess, You- you want a family ? 

Dhwani  nodded.

Abhimanyu took a deep breath and said " Princess, For a family ...we need a mother and i cant trust someone with your life after what happened before"

Dhwani 's lips wobbled and i intervened and said firmly " Dont worry , babybug.....no matter what your Daddaa says ... we are always gonnaa be a family "

Abhimanyu looked at me and then focused on the road.

They dropped to my apartment.
Today, I realised- no matter what mess I created, Abhimanyu Bedi would always, always, always show up for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey sunshines!!!!
I hope you like the chapter.

Please vote and comment .

Likes -12
comments-6
This time , I will only update when target is completed.
I love you allll.....