SCOOBY

Scene – After the Vet Visit

Divyansh’s POV

The doctor carefully handed the small puppy to me.

“So the pup is doing fine now,” he said. “But it will need some care for a few days. I’ll prescribe medicines. Someone needs to take him home.”

The moment the little one came into my arms, something inside me softened.

He was still under the effect of the medication. His breathing was calm and slow, his tiny body warm against my chest.

He moved slightly in his sleep.

Instinctively I held him more carefully.

I couldn't explain the feeling in my heart. The attachment I felt for this little guy… it was strange and sudden.

Almost like he had chosen me.

“Are you going to take him with you?”

Her voice came from behind me.

Avni ji.

Shit.

For a moment I had completely forgotten she was standing there.

Which I shouldn't have.

Because honestly…

God I liked her.

Maybe too much for a first meeting.

Call me desperate if you want, but I knew one thing for sure—if she agreed to marry me, it would probably be the best thing that ever happened in my life.

I turned toward her.

“I don't think he has anywhere else to go,” I replied softly.

She stepped a little closer, looking at the puppy.

“Is it fine with you? Won’t your family object?”

There was genuine concern in her voice.

I smiled.

“Nahi… handle kar lunga. Thoda drama hoga ghar pe, but eventually maan jayenge.”

I placed the puppy gently into the small basket the doctor had given us.

Then suddenly the thought hit me.

This meeting was almost over.

If I didn't ask now, I might lose the chance.

I tried to sound casual.

“So… would you like to meet again sometime?”

Inside my chest my heart was practically screaming.

Please say yes.

Please say yes.

She looked at me for a moment.

Then a small smile appeared on her face.

“We can meet again.”

My heartbeat stopped.

“Maybe dinner next time.”

God.

I could literally die for that smile.

I tried to stay calm.

“Of course. I would like that.”

Then I gathered the courage to ask another question.

“Should I drop you somewhere?”

Please say yes.

Please say yes.

But she shook her head gently.

“No need. My driver is on the way.”

My soul left my body.

“Oh… okay.”

Right on cue, a car stopped outside the clinic.

“Oh, he’s here,” she said. “I should go.”

Wait wait wait wait—

“Ek minute,” I said quickly.

She turned back.

“Can I get your number… or any contact info? So we can plan our next meeting.”

My voice had more hope in it than I wanted to admit.

Please don't say no.

She smiled slightly and handed me a card.

“Sure. Here’s my card.”

I took it like it was the most precious thing in the world.

Honestly, I might frame it later.

I quickly handed her mine.

“Here’s mine too. I hope we meet soon, Ms. Avni.”

She looked at the card and then back at me.

“We will, Mr. Divyansh.”

And just like that she left.

Meanwhile my heart was beating at the speed of a Japanese bullet train.

I looked down at the basket.

“Chalo bhai… ghar chalte hain,” I muttered.

Before your medicine wears off.

Avni’s POV

My heart.

God, my heart.

It was beating faster than Usain Bolt right now.

I had never felt like this before.

Not for anyone.

I wanted to stay beside him.

Listen to him talk.

Watch those stupid dimples when he smiled.

Let’s be honest.

I liked him.

But marriage was a serious decision.

I couldn't marry someone just because he had a beautiful smile and dangerous dimples.

But…

maybe he was worth giving a chance.

I closed my eyes for a moment in the car.

Today had been strange.

I met a man who might become my husband.

Saved a puppy together.

And somehow…

fell in love with someone’s dimples.

His face appeared again in my mind.

His eyes deep like the Mariana Trench.

His calm voice.

His slightly messy hair falling on his forehead.

And those stupid dimples.

God.

I heard my phone notification.

I opened it.

It was him.

Chat

Divyansh:

Did you reach home safely? 😊

Avni:

Yes. Just reached.

And you?

Divyansh:

Me too.

Avni:

How is the little one?

Divyansh:

He’s fine. Just woke up from his meds.

Abhi pura room inspect kar raha hai like a tiny detective.

Avni:

Good. Then he’s recovering.

Avni:

Did you give him a name?

Divyansh:

Not yet.

You should suggest one.

I smiled slightly.

Avni:

How about Scooby?

Divyansh:

Scooby?

Divyansh:

I like it.

Divyansh:

Okay final decision.

His name is Scooby now.

Avni:

So cute 🥰

After a moment another message came.

Divyansh:

Are you free tomorrow?

Maybe dinner at Moonlight Hotel… if you’re comfortable.

I stared at the screen.

Then typed.

Avni:

Okay.

7 pm?

Divyansh:

Perfect.

Avni:

Good night then.

To you and Scooby.

Divyansh:

Good night, Avni ji.

Author’s POV

Avni placed her phone on the bedside table.

For the first time in a long while she felt strangely calm.

But doubt slowly crept into her mind.

Was it too soon to feel this way?

The age difference.

Her responsibilities.

Her family's expectations.

All of it still existed.

With those thoughts slowly drifting through her mind…

Avni finally fell asleep.

But at the Singh household, things were far from peaceful.

Singh House – Chaos

“DIVYANSH SINGH! COME DOWNSTAIRS IMMEDIATELY!”

Vinayak Singh’s voice echoed through the house.

Divyansh froze.

Scooby looked at him.

“Lagta hai beta interrogation shuru ho gaya,” he whispered.

Downstairs, his father stood with folded arms.

Beside him stood his older brother Vivek, clearly enjoying the situation.

Divyansh walked down slowly.

“Ji… dad?”

Vinayak pointed at the puppy.

“You fool! Did you bring a roadside dog into this house?”

“Yes… but he’s not a roadside dog,” Divyansh said quickly.

“I found him injured near a café. I took him to the vet. Doctor said someone needs to take care of him for a few days.”

Vinayak frowned.

“We are not keeping a dog! You know your sister is scared of them.”

“Dad… di is in Delhi right now.”

“And when she comes for holidays?”

“Tab tak yeh theek ho jayega.”

Vinayak shook his head.

“Nahi. Maine keh diya yeh yahan nahi rahega.”

Divyansh looked at Scooby.

Then back at his father.

“Dad… aap ek bechare injured puppy ko bahar chhod doge?”

Vinayak hesitated.

Divyansh continued dramatically.

“Thodi humanity rakhiye dad. Waise bhi yeh temporary hai. Jab theek ho jayega main khud shelter home chhod aaunga.”

Then he lifted Scooby slightly.

“Dekhiye na… kaise hope se aapko dekh raha hai.”

Scooby blinked innocently.

Vivek immediately covered his mouth to hide his laugh.

Vinayak sighed.

“Thik hai thik hai!”

Divyansh internally celebrated.

“Yeh yahan reh sakta hai,” Vinayak continued.

“Lekin iski saari zimmedari tumhari hogi. Samjhe?”

“Ji dad!”

Vinayak looked at the puppy.

“Waise iska naam kya hai?”

Divyansh smiled proudly.

“Scooby.”

Vinayak frowned.

“Bada ajeeb naam hai… par chalo dikhao zara.”

He took Scooby into his arms.

Even though he tried to hide it…

everyone could see he already liked the puppy.

Vivek leaned toward Divyansh and whispered,

“You are a master manipulator.”

“Kaise dad ko emotional blackmail karke mana liya.”

Then he grinned.

“Congratulations on your new pet.”

Divyansh smirked.

“Thanks bhai.”

Then he picked Scooby up again.

“Chalo Mr. Scooby. Dawai ka time hai.”

Divyansh’s Room

Divyansh placed Scooby gently on the bed.

“Well Mr. Scooby…”

He whispered dramatically.

“Our plan worked.”

“You are now officially part of the Singh family.”

“Welcome to the clan.”

Scooby wagged his tiny tail.

Divyansh lay down beside him and turned off the light.

“Ab so jao.”

“Kal tumhare dad ko tumhari future mama se milne jaana hai.”

Scooby barked softly.

Divyansh smiled in the darkness.

Tomorrow was going to be interesting.

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