Epilogue

3 months later:

It was bedtime and an almost sleepy Aaradhya was discussing something very important with her mother as was their nightly routine. But halfway through, she realized her mamma was distracted.

"Hey miss. mamma, are you listening? I asked what will be in my lunch box tomorrow."

Khushi looked down at her daughter in her arms and suppressed a giggle at her slightly annoyed face. Aaradhya used to sometimes call her 'miss. mamma' when she wanted to have a 'serious' discussion. Well, as serious as a 5-years-old could have. Like in this case lunch box menu! So, pulling her a bit more closer, and pinching her nose, Khushi answered her baby,

"Sorry miss. baccha, mamma was thinking something. But tell me what do you want?"

She grinned at this. She loved this part of her bedtime routine with khushi more than anything, where they would discuss her favorite meals for the next day!

"Can I have bhindi(okra)? Please?"

Khushi chuckled, "Baby, you had it just yesterday." but when Aaradhya pouted hearing a near-no, Khushi gave in. "Ok, fine. And breakfast mein frankie(a roll of stirred vegies in a roti/flat bread)?"

Aaradhya gleefully nodded and hugged her tight as Khushi kissed her head and patted her to sleep.

.

Khushi had decided to be a stay-at-home mom. When Arnav asked her if she was sure of this, she had calmly replied, "I am more than sure of this, Arnav. If you remember, I had always wanted to be a housewife and look after my family. My mother was a working woman; I know how much I missed her around and even when she tried her best, there were times I knew she couldn't be there. I don't really complain as she did her best and for our best stressing herself at times. But I didn't want that for myself and that is my choice." She said firmly. "Arnav, looking after Aaradhya and you, taking care of our house, waiting for you both at home when you return from work or school gives me happiness. And mind you mister, a job of a housewife is no less easy, its more challenging than any corporate job." she said, narrowing her eyes to put her point across.

Arnav had raised his hands in surrender and then pulled her close, "I love you Khushi and your happiness is what matters to me. If it lies staying at home, I will be more than happy with that. I think I can provide for us. And anyway, who can resist being welcomed by the smiling face of his beautiful wifey after a stressful day at work? And of course, being a housewife is not an easy task, sweetie. But me and radha will love having you all to ourselves 24*7." he said kissing her forehead.

.

Khushi sighed watching Arnav's never ending phone call still going on at 11pm in the night! This was the usual case since last 3 months of their reunion. He used to have daily talk with his counsellor at this time. And it generally lasted 30 minutes on average. She also did the same. But her timings were in the morning, when Aaradhya went to school and Arnav to his office. But Arnav's calls at this time made her annoyed. Granted this was the time she would be putting Aaradhya to sleep, who always liked to be put to sleep by her mamma, after a bunch of bedtime tales and meals-menu discussions, but Khushi wanted Arnav too to be there. Aaradhya was fine with it though; she finally had her mamma who cuddled her to herself all night and showered her with kisses all the time!

"Sorry, it took longer today." Arnav said coming into the room from the attached balcony and put his phone on the bedside table, to get into the bed beside Khushi. The family of 3 used to sleep on the same bed, radha in Khushi's arms and Arnav holding them both to himself. They still faced separation anxieties and at times one of them used to wake up in the middle of the night with a nightmare and then feel relaxed finding the other two sound asleep within their reach!

"It's ok. But I don't understand how he doesn’t say anything with such a lengthy calls at this time?" she asked with a frown

"True but that's the benefit of having your father-in-law as your counselor. Neither do I have to worry about paying his fees nor the timings!" he laughed saying that and ducked a pillow thrown at him!

But that was right. Shashi had willingly taken the role of the counsellor for his son-in-law aka his favorite student! And Khushi used to complain that the amount of time Arnav spoke to her papa, even she didn't!

However, she was also happy that he had found a father figure in her papa. Shashi had always been there for him since Arnav was 14 as just a student in Shashi's class but in the first 4 years of Arnav-Khushi's marriage, there was some awkwardness that overtook that easy relationship between them. And things had turned sour after that fateful event 3 years ago. But after their reunion and Shashi playing a big role in it, Arnav and he found mentor-mentee or guide and his favorite student relation again. And now they were more like father-son!

And then again, khushi's own counselling sessions with none other than her mother Garima were proving fruitful too. According to her parents, they had enough experience due to their age and seeing the world that they could help their kids in passing the obstacles in their married lives. Of course, they had given strict instructions to both that they won't meddle in their micro-level decisions. But in general, they were there to hear them out and guide them when they faced dilemma.

And Arnav used to use that time to share even his work-related topics or any other important topics he sought guidance for with Shashi. And Shashi was only too happy to help his protégé who was also his son-in-law!

"Hey! That could have hurt me." he said picking the pillow from the floor, but she only glared at him in response.

"Serves you right! Just because I love you, don't take undue advantage mister." she said in a hushed voice taking care to not wake up aaradhya.

But as soon as she said that they paused in their steps...she had never said 'that' before...

"What did you just say?" he asked, in a whisper, yet stepping closer.

She was sufficiently embarrassed by now and looked away.

"Oh no, don't do that. You have made me wait for 7 years to hear that. Say it again, Khushi." He stepped in closer and held her hand, "please?" Although, at this point he knew she loved him but hearing her say it made it feel more real.

A beautifully blushing Khushi finally said what she had wanted to say a long time ago, "I love you, Arnav. With all my heart. For forever."

As soon as the words left her mouth, an ecstatic Arnav picked her up and twirled her around, "I love you so much, Khushi! God, you made me wait 7 years to hear that!" he said with a huge grin and slowly put a slightly lightheaded Khushi down. And they rested their foreheads together, trying to catch their breaths, trying to process this was indeed real and trying to contain the joy!

After their decision to stay together, they had decided to take time to shed the inhibitions completely and be the husband-wife they were once a time. They had decided to take it slow and Arnav had wooed her taking her out on dates, movies and hoteling, something they hadn't done much in their courtship period or even after their marriage. But this confession from Khushi sealed the final deal!

--*--

2 years later:

For the entire first year of reunion, this family of 3 stayed close knit and inseparable. Their anxiety issues had resulted in them living in their own cocoon spending every possible moment with each other. Arnav and Aaradhya both had refused to let Khushi go out of their sights and so had khushi. They had also decided to not have another baby and fully concentrate on Aaradhya. Khushi wanted to make up for the 3 years she missed, and Arnav wanted to live his life with his 2 girls, that was all they needed.

In all this, only 2 people were privy to their lives - Shashi and Garima.

But slowly, they started letting other people in. The first were Aman and Anjali. They had realized how wrong they once were in thinking Arnav and Khushi were better off each other but after seeing the kind of commitment they had for each other which even time couldn't break, they realized their mistakes. They apologized to Arnav for trying to force him to move on with someone else and then asked for forgiveness from Khushi. Khushi let the past go and slowly warmed up to them. After all they had helped arnav look after aaradhya and also give him a sense of a family.

.

.

Then, came the most important person who had played a role albeit inadvertently in their separation. Khushi's brother, Shyam. Khushi knew he was guilty, and he was also worried for her. She knew he used to ask about her through Priti or their parents. Truth be told, she missed her bhai as well. And thus, when Priti had given birth to their first child, Khushi flew to Mumbai with aaradhya. Arnav still needed time and Khushi, or her parents didn't want him to go with half heart.

Khushi reached the hospital where Priti and the new-born child were as well as rest of the Guptas were.

"gudi- Khushi." Shyam was surprised when he saw Khushi enter the hospital room. He had hoped against hope that his son gets to meet his bua(aunt). But he didn't know if or when she will come to meet them.

Khushi warmly smiled at her brother and then looked at Priti who held the baby, "Will you not introduce your gudiya to your second child, bhai? Because I am still your first baby, right?"

Shyam's happiness knew no bounds after hearing that as he gleefully nodded and introduced his son to his gudiya-bua!

And then, Arnav too surprised them when he arrived for the baby's naamkaran(naming ceremony). Turns out, Shyam had called Arnav to personally invite as well as profusely apologize for all the bitter words he said and the heartless way he behaved.

"I know what I did was beyond redemption, Arnav. I am so sorry for what I did 3 years ago. Believe me, I have died a thousand deaths seeing what my actions did to my sister and her marriage with you. I was wrong with judging you. But, I have prayed every single day for you two to meet and reconcile again. I've gotten my sister back now, but I also want my brother-in-law with me. Will you please forgive me and come for my son's naamkaran?"

And just like that, Arnav had let the bygones be bygones...and joined the Guptas in this occasion.

.

.

And now, there was this one final step in bringing a full closure to their pasts. Khushi saw as Arnav was holding and reading the wedding invitation for Nishant! He had invited them both to his wedding in India next month and Khushi didn't know what Arnav felt about it. In between these 2 years, they had hardly kept in touch except Nishant checking on them through her parents and she and Arnav were aware about it. They knew he was doing it as a well-wisher, but they never spoke on it. So, she decided to ask it directly instead of thinking about his reaction, as they had been doing ever since they got back together.

"Arnav, we don't have to go if you feel uncomfortable."

He smiled at her and put the card down on the table, "I used to, Khushi. Not anymore. And I am saying this honestly. I truly admire Nishant for the person he is, and I am grateful to him for bringing you back in my life. So, I want to be a part of his big day and wish him the best. If you are ok." He said with sincerity and Khushi's countenance relaxed and she nodded. She too wanted to meet Nishant and wish him best being there for him at an important time of his life, as he did for her...

With that, they were indeed bringing a closure to the past. On a joyous note.

.

.

And eventually after 3 years, they decided to try for their second child. Aaradhya by then had grown up to be an 8-years-old and had herself started demanding a sibling. But as always, God had special plans for this family. So, a year later, they were blessed with not just 1 but 2 cute babies, a boy and a girl who were named Anand and Karishma – as their birth signified joy and miracle in their lives...

--*--

A/N – Thank you everyone for loving this story and rooting for it in your own ways. Special mention to my India forums reader chinnulu for consistently leaving reviews there to keep it active. I loved writing this one for you all and loved even more reading your comments. Do share your thoughts on the epilogue as well. See you soon in another tale <3.

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