Chapter 9
After two days ✨
Two days later Ashvik completed all the assignments of Ansh as instructed and right now he was looking like a walking Zombie with dark patches of sleepless nights under his eyes and exhaustion written clearly on his face , In these two days The Friendship between the group and Ashvik grew stronger and now the whole group was just simply overprotective about Ashvik, which honestly pisses Ansh and bullies off cause no one dared to approach Ashvik infront of the group because of their fierce instinct of protection and Ansh’s group don’t dare to bully him upfront as they were the good ones infront of people.
Ansh was pretty much busy lately for upcoming program while two of his friends were getting annoyed without their supposingly “Punching Bag ” but they couldn’t do anything,could they ? So they were looking for a chance like hungry predators looking for their prey anxiously.
Ashvik ‘s POV ✨
Finally! Aghhhhh I completed all the assignments given by bhaiya and I cannot be more happy about it, seriously it was so long and by now I look like a walking menace but still , I completed the task and that’s what matters most, right ! And now I have to focus on the Dance performance happening and I am soo nervous about it , but yeah more happy than nervous , I might have to complete all the work but I can’t be more happy due to absence of punishments and bullying, which I still don’t know how the hell stopped, maybe because I was with the trios group? But do I care nope ! Because I am more than happy with current situation to dwell onto reason because it’s better to enjoy the present without thinking about absence of it in future, can you Trust me When I say I feel like I have a best friend and a group of friends too and they all are just so good in everything and they feel like a family to me in just two days I can’t believe it how can they accept someone as useless as me as their own part, they all are just fussing for me by saying how tired I look , I really have to laugh on that thing because I have been in worse situation for example, the time when I couldn’t complete my work on time because I had a fever of 102° and there was this rude teacher who thought I am lying and when I tried to reason he was being mean and called Armaan bhai and he being himself blamed me as some pathetic liar and made me sit on knees on rice for straight two hours when I was literally burning without even checking if I am okay or not , because of that I couldn’t go to school for two days and it was so bad but yeah I survived and that’s most important thing, now guess who my bestie is ? yupp it’s Amaira and she is fucking amazing in everything, If someone had told me that I would have such fabulous friends A week ago I would have laughed into their face but now I do and I still can’t believe how the hell I became so lucky .
You know Amaira she is just so sweet and Awesome we are mostly together all the time as we have our Music and dance classes together early in the morning and she is practicing
for piano too for performance and as usual Shanaya was making a fuss about giving her position so the teacher made them Compete prior, and let me tell you Amaira just ate the performance up without leaving any crumbs behind , and she was just so nonchalant about the whole thing while I was fussing the whole time . And when she finally won the match she just shrugged and said “I told you I am good ” and I was like, girl seriously you said” I am pretty good ” not a goddess which you are pretty much. And now tomorrow I have my dance performance for which Amaira and I will go to practice together as our performances are back to back before the whole Program starts .
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Amaira: Hey Vik ! Good morning bro.
Ashvik: hey Ira !
Amaira: Ashvik I am again asking you for the nth time that why do you look so tired every morning, bro do you not sleep at home?
Ashvik: I do ofcourse it’s just studies have been pretty much hectic. That’s all .
Amaira: Okay Fine ! But I am going to kill you if you hide something from me .
Ashvik: okay Madam Amaira anything else.
He said playfully nudging Amaira .
Amaira : Hey do you want to go Mall after the school? I have to buy the outfit for Tommorow, we can invite others too , and ofcourse get Icecreaaaam woahhh .
Ashvik: Don’t shout Ira I am not deaf and people are watching us like crazy, walk fast we have to reach the class and about your Icecream and shopping I have to ask my brothers .
Amaira: Ahh I was about to ask you can I ask my brother to come too ? Please don’t say na .
Ashvik: why are you asking about him only ?
Amaira: uhh huhh Ofcourse you know duhh ! It’s obvious bro the way you become a tomato around him . Others might not pay attention but I do okay. You obviously have something going on in that peanut brain of yours .
Ashvik: Shuttt upp !
Amaira: ohho , blushing- blushing.
Amaira: Jokes aside but yeah if there is really something he is good for you and I am not saying it because I am his sister but as your friend, and if he dares to break your heart then we will break his bones together okay.
Ashvik: Hmmm,
Let’s go fast na then we have to wind up the performance today.
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After Practice ✨🩷
Ashvik text : Bhaiya I have to buy some supplies for Tommorow’s performance and my friends are going to the xxx mall can I please go with them , I promise I will come before 6 .
Abhimanyu : How will you come , the mall is far from house and I can’t let you wander alone , the situation with my business partners is not much good and I don’t want any scandal broken by leaving you alone and Ansh and Armaan both are already busy .
Ashvik : Can any of you drop me to my house afterwards?
Ashvik asked while having lunch with whole group and before anyone can say anything Amaira asked Dante ” Dante Bhai you are going that side only maybe you can drop Ashvik ? To which Ashvik choked on his food , to which Luca started patting his back while Ashvik just glared at Amaira and before he could say no Dante replied ” No problem, I will drop him back on my way “
No one except Ashvik and Dante noticed Amaira blink at Ashvik.
Ashvik ‘s text :My friend will drop me back , can I go ?
Abhimanyu: Yeah and don’t be a minute late and don’t start anything, be in your limits.
Ashvik: Thank you bhai 😊
Avery : sorry guys I cannot go I have to be somewhere with someone As I promised prior.
Luca : Why do you have to go with someone? Is this someone so special to you ?
Luca asked glaring at Avery
Avery: It’s none of your business baby Romano .
Luca : First of all I am not a baby!
Xander : ofcourse it’s not baby Romano cause he is our Drama queen, right everyone? And yeah why does it matter to you bro just come with us and enjoy.
Luca : Your safety is everything to do with me Ave as a friend and I was just casually asking, nothing much and don’t call me crying if you are dying.
Avery: Like you can protect me , the one person who screamed at lizard for being loud , seriously Luca ? I am more than sufficient for protecting myself and you know that .
Luca : it’s fine meet whoever you want ! I don’t give a flying fuck . Okay . And I am leaving now I have classes.
Luca angrily went from there to his class when the whole group was dumbfounded with his sudden outburst.
Sofia : well that was sudden.
Dante : let him be he is having this weird paranoia after transferring here that something is going to happen.
Amaira : Ashvik let’s get going as today we cannot go to class we will be late in the Music room for practice.
Ashvik: yeah lets go , and you all please be ready on time as I have to reach home before 6 or else my brothers will scold me for making them worried .
Ashvik was going to say “would kill me” but quickly resentenced the whole thing to not look suspicious. But Dante noticed how could he not when the sole reason for him to come and have lunch was Ashvik, he never used to like noisy places but for Ashvik’s look he come daily to cafeteria to have lunch, just to see that cute bunny smile face . He notice every small details of his face how he scrunch his face up while eating veggies or how he would frown on anything he didn’t approve or the small mole under his lips that looked etheral . He does notice everything. If he wants he can know everything about Ashvik but to respect him and to build a proper bond first he is just waiting for Ashvik to open up to him and then the whole group too so that if anything is seriously wrong they can really help him , but for now he just prays that his Ashvik don’t had to go through something serious or the consequences will not be good for the other party .
Time skip ✨🩷
After the first lunch with group Sofia , Xander and Dante were added too in the group.
The chaos squad 💀🔥
Ashvik: Where are you all , I am waiting near the gate with Amaira ?
Luca👽 : Sorry Guys Urgent work aagaya tha , I can’t make it to mall 😅
Amaira 😸: Luca don’t be a bit*h and come quickly, how the hell I will reach their?
Sofia : ………
Luca 👽: I don’t care duhh ! Don’t disturb me 😝.
Xander ☠️ : You can come with me and Sofia if you want but our vehicle has only one place because of stuff .
Ashvik: what about me 😭
Dante ✨: You can come with me 🙋.
Ashvik: On bike ?
Dante ✨: Yeah , do you have a problem? 😐
Ashvik: No absolutely not it’s I just loves bikes so I am excited 😊.
Amaira 😸: will you all just come already? 😡
Sofia :……. Just reached. Here behind you .
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After that they all came one by one .
Dante : Ready? My passenger prince for the day ?
Dante playfully asked and winked at Ashvik secretly making him beet red with warmth of his own Face .
Ashvik: Yess !
Dante : excited I see . Hmm ?
To which Ashvik just lowers his head feeling embarrassed for being so overly excited for a ride .
Dante noticed how he coiled into himself being embarrassed and instantly felt like punching his own self.
Dante : Hey Shiv ! I was just teasing you , no need to be embarrassed. I love teasing you okay.
Ashvik: shiv ?
Dante : I ..I.I .that just slipped I I am sorry if I made you Uncomfortable I am so stupid I am so so sorry shiv I mean Ashvik.
Ashvik just hold his finger on Dante’s lips when he froze mid fumbling and stares at the quite boy with trusting eyes and a smile , wait a smile , a genuine one then only he exhaled with relief watching that Ashvik was not uncomfortable with him .
Ashvik: No need to apologise, I loved it , shiv , no one has called me that yet you are the only one .
Dante : Really?
Ashvik: Hmm , shall we get going now ?
Dante : Ofcourse your personal ride at your service mister .
Ashvik just smiled at his overdramatic reaction with hand gestures.
Dante : Hold me tight we have to reach before than my pea brain bro Xandy the candy .
With other trio
Sofia was sitting at the back when Amaira suddenly asked
Amaira: why are you sitting at the back Sofia?
Sofia : I have my stuff back there and this giant stinks cause he don’t take bath for days, girl I am telling you he is soo gross .
Xander : excuse me missy ? How dare you?
Xander points a accuseary finger at Sofia then at his “supposingly wounded heart” suddenly when
Amaira laughed whole heartedly to which Xanders expression instantly softened then the trio started the ride to mall with music blasting into the speakers as according to siblings silence is overrated and why to enjoy peace when you can blast” I wanna be your slave and beggin you in the background” .
After sometime the trio reached their when they saw Ashvik and Dante leaning on the bike . Already waiting for them .
After that Amaira and Ashvik started shopping whereas Sofia was helping them to select stuff and Xander and Dante well we can say were playing the part of Bodyguard and glaring at anyone who dares to as much as glance at them .
After buying stuff for sometime all of them were tired and decided to have something to eat to which Ashvik was reluctant as he was not hungry and he was on tight budget because of skipping work and the he spent his savings on clothes for performance but then to he went with them .
Dante : so what do you all want to eat ?
Xander : Pineapple Pizza !
Amaira / Sofia : Ewww
Both said in unison scrunching their nose with exaggerated hand gestures .
Xander : what ? I love it okay it’s amazing.
Amaira: Quite unique !
Sofia : Unique is another word for weird.
Dante : let him eat , anyways tell me about yourselves first so I can order .
Ashvik: I am not hungry.
Dante : excuse me ? You just had sandwich for lunch and you are telling me you are not hungry. It’s not going to happen you have to eat something. How about we can share some white pasta as I am not much hungry either?
Ashvik: okay.
Amaira: I want to have something spicy so Fried Rice and paneer chilli combo for me .
Sofia : Can I try something Indian like something with masala . Ashvik how about you recommend something for me tangy and spicy too.
Ashvik: Ooh you can have Dhokla with tangy chutney or if want spicy then pav bhaji or chole bhature.
Sofia : Chole bhature is good , I have eaten it once at Dante’s house.
Dante : okay anything else?
Xander : Cola for me .
Sofia : Mango lassi
Amaira: Strawberry shake for me and Ashvik.
After some time the waiter came with all the food and she was just giving seducing looks to Dante which was noticed by Ashvik and not by Dante as his focus was on Ashvik but everyone else did notice especially Ashvik and he himself don’t understand why he was feeling to rip her head but instead he was silently watching, but when she completed serving and asked to Dante particularly leaning in too close ,showing her cleavage on display and asked if he needs anything, her one hand brushing his Hand, Ashvik snapped and asked ” excuse me ma’am will you just serve food and give us some privacy no one here is interested into Any bullshit , right Dante ? ” Ashvik asked angrily glaring at Dante to which he just nodded like a lost puppy who doesn’t know what to do . As he seriously cannot understand what happened suddenly to Ashvik’s mood , but everyone present in the table understood instantly what happened and were bewildered as Ashvik was a calm, quite and respectful person but with the look he was giving to the waiter he looked deadly. After that the whole group except Ashvik and Dante shared a look with each other and grinned knowing well that Ashvik was also interested into Dante , as per from Dante’s side things were pretty clear from day one to the group as his behaviour was different and calm with Ashvik but Ashvik just confirmed that he is not the only one to the group right at moment .
The food 🩷
After having their food They all went to their house Dante dropped Ashvik as decided and Xander dropped Amaira and Sofia to Dante’s house as Sofia was staying there only to help Amaira in the morning.
Goenka Mansion ✨
Armaan came home early today as his meeting got cancelled and was sitting in the Hall when Ashvik entered with a huge grin plastered on his face .
Armaan instantly noticed Ashvik and asked him where he was to which Ashvik explained how he went to mall and about taking permission from Abhimanyu to which he just nod and told him to go to his room . Armaan was just looking at his retreating back and couldn’t understand why he was feeling weird about Ashvik, he was wondering why he was feeling guilty when Ashvik was Scared by him when that’s what he wanted. But he ignored his heart and continued to do his work .
At Dinner 🩷✨
Everyone was eating except Ashvik as he was already full when Armaan asked Ansh about the program.
Armaan: Tommorow you are hosting right and playing too ?
Ansh : yess bhai ! You both will come right?
Abhimanyu/ Armaan : Ofcourse we would.
Ashvik was simply watching and feeling scared as he was also performing but he felt quite jealous to be honest watching Both the brothers fussing over Ansh ,he was not feeling good for feeling such way , but then too he didn’t dare to remind them about himself as he will again get ignored or worse scolded . So he just sat there hoping to get acknowledgement then suddenly Armaan spoke,
” Sabke saamne hamara naam mat kharab karna Ashvik warna mujhse bura koi nhi hoga , tumse na ho toh jana bhi mat kal , call aaya tha tumhare teacher ka confirm karne ke liye ha bola hai Maine meri naak mat katwana”
Ashvik ‘s heart sank after whole dinner when he acknowledged him just to remind him not to embarrass, not about his performance,not about the preparation not asking about anything just to threaten , he simply gave a nod and left holding his tears back he ran from their and slid down his door locking it , but before he can have a panic attack his phone pinged and when he reached he felt his heart beating faster than necessary it was a text , not from anyone but from Dante , he cannot understand how he calmed down instantly because normally when he gets such panic attacks it takes time to ground himself but just watching his name on top made him mentally calm
Conversation ✨🩷
Dante ✨ : you ready For Tommorow 💭❔
~Shiv ❤️: yess just nervous. 😳
Dante ✨: Don’t worry you are going to nail it 💃.
~Shiv❤️: I am not worrying, about it , I am terrified of it actually 😳🥹
Dante✨: Hey Shiv just breath okay it will be awesome I trust you, you are the best don’t spiral over nothing okay 👍
~Shiv❤️: Hmm , thanks I needed it 🩷🫶
Dante✨: Looking forward to your performance ❤️
~Shiv❤️: 🤭🤗
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The Chaos squad💀🔥
Xander☠️: All the best Amaira and Ashvik 👍
Dante ✨: Do your best and if someone will create any problem just tell me I will handle it before hand okay 👍 specially that shanika or whatever.
Amaira 😸: It’s Shanaya bhai and Don’t worry It will be fine she won’t dare to .
Luca 👽: All the best 🔥
Amaira : Thank you ❤️
Sofia : All the best vik and ira I know you both will kill it 🔥
Avery : Cook it guys 🔥 I am sorry I was not with both of you today to help 😭
Ashvik: hey it’s okay Ave and yeah Thanks for your wishes 👍
Dante✨: Do you want me to Come and get you from home Ashvik?
Ashvik: You don’t have to I can take a bus !
Dante ✨ : I have to , moreover I will be passing by so it will be easy .
Ashvik: Okay ! thank you 😊
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Next Day ✨ 🩷
Ashvik Got up early and get ready for the performance,the whole time he can listen his own heart beating in his chest loudly partially because of excitement and Fear combined he quickly hurried out of his house.
Dante’s Pov ✨ 🩷
I woke up early today as I have to pick up Ashvik from his house and I might not be the most punctual because of my schedule and sleep and all but for him , hell I won’t mind Waiting whole night and not sleep at all just to see that cute smiley blushing face Of his , I wore a simple and elegant outfit today because For a matter of fact I know Ashvik is wearing Indian and lowkey I want to match with him I want to see his cherry red Cheeks if he he do realise that I am trying to do matching outfits with him ,
In sometime I reached their only to get mesmerized by the beauty infront of me before I can think anything my mouth my stupid mouth blurted out ” Divine ” and. Yesssss Ashvik heard it ,how do I know ? Well , he became a tomato and trust me when I say I never loved tomatoes more in my life than at this moment,
Dante: You are looking beautiful shiv .
Ashvik: You are looking Good too and Boys are handsome not beautiful.
Dante : who said that you can be beautiful and handsome too .
Ashvik: Hmm , let’s go or we will be late .
Dante : Nope we won’t , wear helmet and hold me tightly.
Dante’s Outfit
Ashvik’s Outfit.
Then after wearing helmets they both sped up and reached school where Amaira,Sofia and Xander were waiting for Ashvik to get hair and pre performance make-up done , then both Amaira and Ashvik went to the makeup room with Sofia whereas Luca and Avery were doing warm-up as they have to take part in sports .
Suddenly Xander turned to Dante mischievously,
Xander : So now , we are flaunting matching outfits aren’t we ?
Dante: Jealous much ?
Xander: Jealousy and me Nahh , I am happy to be single but ready to mingle!
Dante: Feeling Bad for him or her already.
Xander : huh ! How dare you Veera , Jokes aside but keep an eye on Vik ,but you should also stay away from him in public he is innocent and naive, he is not like others. Don’t let anyone harm him to hurt you, . At least till the Russian shipment arrives as you are their target.
Listening this Dante’s Expression became serious as he himself knew about the threats so he nodded and replied.
Dante: hmmm , I know.
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Time skip to the performance 🩷
Everyone is already seated in their places, Dante ,Xander and Sofia with Avery and Luca, but Avery and Luca were suspiciously sitting together, but not talking at all which was rare for them as they both were always meddling or fighting which was new for others, but they all decided to have a talk with them afterwards as both the performance were the priority,
Ansh was Hosting and surprisingly Abhimanyu and Armaan too came on time and were sitting with one of their Family friends as his sisters were also performing they all were talking when the Dance announcement was made .
Ashvik gracefully came on stage and for a moment the whole auditorium hold their breath as he was looking etheral and with the same grace he completed his first dance .
The whole crowd was cheering his name by the end of performance, the whole friend group was proud of him , his brothers were astonished with his talent as they never bothered before to come or attend his any achievement, but Shanaya and her group were fuming because He was the one to introduce Amaira and moreover to convince the teacher to replace her so they decided to embarrass him on stage so they Placed broken pieces of glass on stage so that Ashvik cannot complete his dance but he did and to make him suffer they started cheering for another surprise dance and because of the great performance the teachers were also interested in another performance, they than took out a box they have already prepared and gave him to pick songs , in that box all the songs were difficult to perform but then too their main motto was to embarrass Ashvik and then Amaira too so he picked up the chit to prove that he is worthy of the praise but when he opened his chit he froze watching the song written on it ,
then suddenly one of Shanaya ‘s friend yelled ” Are you scared mr. Dancer or can’t dance huhh , or you just did this one by luck ”
He started laughing with whole group to which Dante and Group clenched their fists as they knew that Ashvik can handle himself and moreover they can’t risk Ashvik’s safety by standing for him as they are being watched,
Ashvik then gave chit to the music producer but the next moment the whole cafeteria froze when the song started playing and when Ashvik’s whole dance style changed by the end of Performance two of the brothers had tears in their eyes and Armaan was fuming in anger as He hated that he himself was feeling bad for Ashvik, but for Ashvik it was like everything was a blur of pain ,he was feeling that he is going to passout with pain but because everyone was busy watching the dance, no one had noticed how his feet were bleeding and the lights were also confusing and moreover he was just good in hiding his emotions as that is what he is been doing since he was small , hide pain be happy, So after completing the dance he thanked everyone and told Ansh about the glass to say Ansh was bewildered would be an understatement as he was wondering two things actually first was that how can he dance so calmly and second was that who will do such a thing on a very big program as anyone could get hurt, he was feeling guilty after watching Ashvik limp to back as he knew that Ashvik must be thinking that he is the one who did that , but he decided to ask that afterwards as Amaira’s performance was next and he had to get stage cleaned up before .
Ref. Dance ignore the pillow thing guys it’s the closest I could find .
The whole backside of stage was filled with performers and Achivement winners so No one was allowed to go back there and no one was allowed inside the building as it will create chaos and The whole group was waiting for Amaira’s performance so Ashvik was alone, but because of pain he decided not to go back as he have to tell everyone and he was feeling drained out so he decided to go to terrace alone to catch his breath not noticing the figures looming around him like predators.
On terrace
Ashvik was silently watching the sky when he felt like someone was watching him , he looked back and instantly froze ,there standing were Kai and Jay looking at him with disgusting gazes he felt a chill ran down his spine, so he quickly scrambled to his feet to go back he was sped walking towards the staircase when Jay hold his hand and pushed him into the wall forcefully,
Kai : where do you think you can go mr.perfect
Kai said and started touching Ashvik In an inappropriate way
Ashvik: Let me go plss
Jay : why in so hurry huh ! Let’s have some fun first, shall we ? Right kai .
Ashvik: No.no.no plss don’t come near me plss.
Then jay tried to kiss Ashvik but before he can do anything A sharp pain surged through Kai ‘s
head . He shouted in pain and kai who was busy touching Ashvik was now bleeding heavily from his head was in ground and Jay was pushed down by Ashvik in meantime.
Ashvik was grateful for whoever hit Kai but when he looked up he was feeling more terrified, as it was none other than Ansh and he was looking deadly but poor Ashvik thought that he was angry at him,
Ashvik: No ,no…. sorry Bhai sorry I Didn’t do anything sorry… sorry…. plss …don’t beat mee …. sorry…..
He just started to apologise and shield himself but the hit never came when he looked up he saw Ansh beating Kai mercilessly and Jay trying to pull Ansh down from him ,
Jay : Ansh we didn’t did anything leave him he will die ! This boy provoked us he invited uss here to have fun .
Finally Jay managed to break free Kai from Ashvik’s hold , by now Kai was unconscious, now Ansh’s whole focus was on Jay .
Ansh ; you fucker how dare you to touch my brother like that huhh !
Ansh: Hit …how….hit…dare..hit ….you…hit…you motherfucker….
He started beating Jay , jay tried to push Ansh but Ansh was raging like a uncontrolled bull and beating the hell out of Jay in sometime Jay was unconscious too , when Ansh looked up his breath hitched, Ashvik was just crying and by now he was looking like a sobbing mess and was having difficulty in breathing, Ansh slowly crouched down infront of Ashvik and took him in his arms . And hugged him tight like they used to do when Ashvik used to have nightmares as a little kid .
Ashvik: I ..I Tried…I.. tried…to…to..sto….stoppp him bhai … I really Didn’t..I … didn’t Invite..them.
Ansh : shh baccha I know bubba you didn’t do it okay I trust you pls don’t cry , breath slowly with me , count from 1 to 20 .
1.2.3.4…….20, now repeat, 1.2….20
Slowly Ashvik’s breathing become normal and he stopped crying.
By now Ashvik fell Asleep in Ansh’s Arm because of all the crying and throbbing pain in legs .
Ansh Picked him up and left the terrace with Ashvik in his Arms bynow Armaan and Abhimanyu were looking for Ansh as he was the host and teacher has called them to look for him as he left the place saying that he had a small work but didn’t came back after hour so they were worried, but when they reached to look for him near the terrace entrance they froze , Ansh was carrying sleeping Ashvik in his Arms and he signed them to keep quiet and go to home with him , and by looking at Ansh ‘s face they knew better not to say no as he was serious so they left from backdoor to their house,
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Happy New Year Guysss ❤️🔥
I hope you liked the chapter,it was heck of a long one approx 5000 words to makeup for late update.
Comment your favourite part and you can send me suggestions too if you want but don’t forget to like the chapter.
Love you Munchkins ❤️
Bye bye 👋
And once again happy new year 🫶
I hope your 2026 to be happy and healthy 🩷