Apulki Chapter 24 - Where We Belong

Recap Chapter 23: Determined to win Neerav back, Isha recreates his straw ring proposal at Bean There Spilled That. Neerav refuses to give her an immediate answer, but a few small moments leave Isha hoping that perhaps all is not lost.

A Fishy Love Story

Yamini was in the middle of a workout when the doorbell rang.

She opened the door and stared.

Then promptly threw her arms around Neerav.

"So good to see you after so long."

"Where's she?" he asked.

Yamini grinned.

"In the kitchen. Learning how to cook your favourite macher jhol."

She lowered her voice.

"And stinking up the whole house in the process."

Neerav blinked. "But she's veg."

"That's what. She's lost it, I tell you."

Neerav pressed a finger to his lips.

Yamini's grin widened.

Without another word, Neerav tiptoed towards the kitchen while she returned to her workout.

The smell hit him before he reached the door. Fish. Onions.

And what could only be described as determination.

Leaning against the doorway, he watched Isha for a moment with an indulgent smile.

A large hanky was tied across her nose and mouth. Armed with a knife and an expression of grim suffering, she was attempting to cut a fish.

The fish appeared to be winning.

Completely unaware of his presence, she muttered something uncomplimentary under her breath and attacked it again.

Neerav smiled.

Then quietly stepped behind her.

His arms slipped around her waist.

Before she could react, his hands closed gently over hers.

Isha jumped.

Turning around, she nearly dropped the knife..

"Neer?"

He continued guiding her hands.

"This is how you do it," he said. "Gently. You're chopping them for a meal, not hacking a piece of wood."

A smile spread slowly across her face.

"You came."

"Nooo." His eyes danced. "This is my ghost."

"Or one of Yammu's daydreams."

They both laughed.

Neerav rested his chin lightly on her shoulder.

"You don't have to do this for me."

Isha glanced down at the fish.

"I love my girl just as she is."

His arms tightened around her.

"Don't ever change. Not even for me."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Isha closed her eyes.

And smiled, her eyes brimming with happy tears.

Romeo, Juliet and Chimboli

A little later, Isha and Neerav were standing on the balcony.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Neerav took the engagement rings from around her neck.

The familiar gold bands caught the late afternoon sunlight.

Without a word, he slipped one onto her finger.

Isha looked down at it.

Then slid the other ring onto his own finger.

"I thought you were never coming back."

Neerav looked at her.

"Even after you proposed to me like that?"

A smile tugged at his lips. "Am I that heartless?"

To her immense annoyance, tears immediately filled her eyes.

"Then why didn't you say yes?"

Neerav stepped closer and put his arms around her.

"Ishu..."

He paused.

"You took me by surprise."

She lowered her gaze.

"When I came to know you'd said yes out of pity and not because you loved me, my ego was hurt Ishu."

He gave a small shrug. "I needed time."

"I do love you."

Her voice trembled.

"Please believe me."

"I do."

Isha looked up at him.

"I don't care if you don't love me anymore. All I know is that I love you."

A tear slipped down her cheek. "Very much."

Neerav brushed it away with his thumb.

"And I want to marry you and be with you forever," said Isha.

For a moment, he simply looked at her.

Then he cupped her face.

"I never stopped loving you."

And kissed her.

Down below, a voice rang out.

"Romeo Juliet kissing!"

Several windows opened.

And a few doors.

Followed by what sounded like an entire colony abandoning its work to investigate.

Without breaking the kiss, Neerav reached out and yanked down the khus mat.

The balcony disappeared from view.

So did the two lovebirds.

The Pan Strikes Back Again

A few weeks later, Isha stood at the threshold of the Banerjee residence.

Dressed as a bride, she looked radiant.

Neerav stood beside her, beaming.

The house was packed.

Relatives filled every available corner while Yamini and Akash hovered nearby, looking far too pleased with themselves.

A platter filled with dark red water was placed before the couple.

Following Mrs. Banerjee's instructions, Isha stepped into it.

Then, placing her right foot forward, entered the house alongside Neerav.

Mrs. Banerjee smiled.

"Come, beta."

She led the newlyweds towards the kitchen.

Naturally, everyone followed.

Isha sniffed the air.

Immediately, a familiar expression crossed her face.

"Don't tell me Yammu burned milk again."

Yamini looked scandalised.

Neerav and Akash sniggered.

"Beta, it's not burned milk. Just overflowing milk," said Mrs. Banerjee.

"It's a ritual," she further explained. "It signifies a married life overflowing with happiness."

"Oh."

That sounded reasonable.

The group entered the kitchen.

A black pan sat on the hob.

Burned milk splattered all around it.

Isha looked at the hob.

Then at the pan.

Then at the hob again.

"Where's the overflowing milk?"

Mrs. Banerjee peered into the pan.

"Oops."

For a second, there was complete silence.

Then Neerav burst out laughing.

Akash doubled over.

Yamini started laughing so hard she had to hold on to the counter for support.

Isha, who had been trying her best to behave like a prim and proper bahu, lasted all of three seconds.

Then she gave up and joined in.

The relatives looked from one face to another in bewilderment.

They were of course, clueless about the little black pan that had once found its way to Chimboli police station and back.

Bean There, Still Spilling That

A few days later, the four friends were sitting outside Bean There Spilled That.

"So where should we go for our honeymoon?" asked Neerav.

"Goa," said Akash.

"Too crowded," said Yamini.

"Madurai."

"Too hot."

"Shimla."

"Too cold."

"Aurangabad."

"Too ancient."

Isha turned to Neerav.

"Are they talking about our honeymoon?"

Neerav followed her gaze.

Akash and Yamini were now arguing over whether Ooty was too hilly.

He got to his feet.

"Let's just go home and sleep."

Then he winked.

Isha grinned.

Taking her hand, he led her towards their bikes.

Behind them, Akash and Yamini continued planning a honeymoon that wasn't even theirs.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Scroll down to the bottom and leave a comment!

Subscribe to my free mini magazine below for your exclusive weekly dose of humour, quotes, stories, little nuggets of trivia and first news of my upcoming books.

Missed a chapter? Click on the links below:

Chapter 1 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-1

Chapter 2 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-2

Chapter 3 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-3

Chapter 4 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-4

Chapter 5 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-5

Chapter 6 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-6

Chapter 7 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-7

Chapter 8 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-8

Chapter 9 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-9

Chapter 10 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-10

Chapter 11 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-11

Chapter 12 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-12

Chapter 13 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-13

Chapter 14 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-14

Chapter 15 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-15

Chapter 16 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-16

Chapter 17 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-17

Chapter 18 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-18

Chapter 19 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-19

Chapter 20 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-20

Chapter 21 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-21

Chapter 22 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-22

Chapter 23 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-23

Want to know more about the Author? Click here – https://www.hansawriter.com/get-to-know-me

Keep smiling friends. Life is beautiful. Cherish each moment. 

© 2026 Hansa Writer. All Rights Reserved.