Rahul-Muskaan/Atul-Anjali FF: Rishta IMP NOTE PG30 - Page 21

oh my god sur ur alive! i was worried you left! thanks for the comments hun!

OMG!! How did I miss reading this one all these days😲. Sorry!

hey komal ....how r u?

Part 7

Dinner wasn't exactly very pleasant that night in the Joshi household. There seemed to be a cold war between the father-son duo, something that Khushi couldn't help but notice and feel.

Khushi- Uh… Sweetu Chachoo?

Atul- Yes meri jaan?

Khushi- Woh… actually, Kunal keh raha tha ki woh kisi case ko leke thoda tensed hai. Shayad aap usski help kar sakein. (Kunal chokes on his food) Kyun Kunal? (hands him his glass of water)

Atul- Achha? Theek hai. (smiles)

Kunal- (quickly) Nahi! (everyone looks at him weird) Mera matlab, main khud handle karloonga. It's… okay… Dad.

Khushi- (looks from Kunal to Atul) Uh, nahi nahi. Chachoo, yeh aise hi bol raha hai. Seriously, issko help chahiye. Bechaara bohot zyaada tensed tha aaj. (turns to Kunal) Dekho Kunal, tumhe Sweetu Chachoo ki help leni hi padegi. Tum khaana khaa chuke?

Kunal- Haan par…

Khushi- Toh phir abhi jaao.

Kunal- Arre lekin…

Khushi- Nothing doing. Jaao.

Kunal- (sighs and gets up) Theek hai. (turns to Atul) Chaliye.

Atul's study…

Atul- Haan toh kya case hai? File dikhaao.

Kunal- Koi case nahi hai.

Atul- Nahi hai matlab? Khushi toh…

Kunal- (sighs) Dad… maine Khushi se jhoot bola tha. Uss waqt mujhe aur kuch samajh nahi aaya issiliye maine usse yeh keh diya ki main case ko leke pareshaan hoon.

Atul- Tu pareshaan hai kyun?

Kunal- Jaise aap nahi jaante. (turns away) Chodiye Dad. Baat karke koi faida nahi hai.

Atul- (takes a deep breath and turns his son around to face him) Chal aa. Behat mere saath. (both sit) Kunal, maine aaj tak kabhi bhi tujhe kisi cheez ke liye manaa kiya hai? Tune aaj tak mujhse jo kaha maine haan bola. Chahe teri Mummy manaa kardeti lekin main phir bhi tujhe permission deta tha. Hai naa?

Kunal- (smiles slightly and nods) Jaanta hoon Dad.

Atul- Tu Khushi se pyaar karta hai… mere liye iss se zyaada khushi ki baat aur kya ho sakti hai?

Kunal- (looks up quickly with a confused expression) Dad jab aapko koi problem nahi hai toh aapne manaa kyun kiya?

Atul- (sigh) Dekh beta, tere aur Khushi ke saath hone se mujhe aur Anjali ko bohot khushi milegi, lekin yeh nahi ho sakta.

Kunal- Par kyun Dad? Kam se kam aap mujhe itna toh bataa hi sakte hain naa.

Atul- Muskaan… Wajjah Muskaan hai. Tujhe pata hai ki teri Chaachi ki kya haalat hai. 8 saal hogaye usse aise… ussne bhi toh apni beti ke liye kuch sapne dekhe honge. Khushi meri beti jaisi hai. Main aur Anjali bohot pyaar karte hain uss se. Lekin, jab tak Muskaan theek nahi hojaati, main tujhse kuch nahi keh sakta. Yeh decision lene ka haq sirf Muskaan ko hai.

Kunal- Bas itni si baat? (puts an assuring hand on Atul's arm) Dad… aap agar mujhe pehle hi bataa dete toh main khud peeche hat jaata. Chaachi ka decision mere liye utna hi important hai jitna aapka. Woh jo chaahengi, waisa hi hoga. Jahaan tak mere aur Khushi ka sawaal hai, toh hum kal bhi best friends the, aaj bhi best friends hain, aur aage bhi rahenge. Don't worry Dad. (smiles sweetly)

Atul- (hugs him) I'm proud of you yaar.

Kunal- (smiles) I'm proud of you too Dad.

Khushi's room…

Knock-knock…

Khushi- (laying on her bed and reading) Come in.

Kunal- (peeks his head in) Hey.

Khushi- (looks up and smiles, putting her book aside and sitting up) Hey! Aao naa. Behato.

Kunal- (comes in and sits next to her) Padh rahi thi?

Khushi- Yeah. Bohot time se achhi novel nahi padhi. Socha thoda relax karloon mind ko. Tumhe case samajh mein aagaya?

Kunal- (confused expression) Case? (realization dawns) CASE! Haan. Samajh mein aagaya. (laughs nervously)

Khushi- Thank god! At least ab tum itna annoyed expression leke toh nahi ghoomoge.

Kunal- Haan, woh Dad ne sab theek kardiya. (smiles) Achha waise jahaan tak mujhe yaad hai, tum mujhe kuch owe karti ho.

Khushi- Kya?

Kunal- Next installment. (grins)

Khushi- Kis cheez ki?

Kunal- Kahaani…

Khushi- (sighs and smiles) Haan haan theek hai. Aaj mera mood achha hai issiliye sunaa deti hoon.

*flashback*

It was a beautiful day and with the day off, two best friends decided to take their better halves out. Why pass the opportunity when it was being handed to them on a silver platter?

Atul- (supporting Anjali with one hand around her waste and one on her shoulder) Araam se. Dheere chalo Anjali.

Anjali- (sighs) Atulll… Main theek hoon. Sirf 3 months hue hain… not 9. Relax.

Atul- Arre mujhe pata hai Anjali. Lekin phir bhi, risk lene ki kya zaroorat hai? (innocent smile)

Anjali- (smiles and shakes her head) Theek hai. Jo tumhe theek lage.

Muskaan- (joining them) Arre wah! Tu toh badi jaldi maan gayee. Kya baat hai yaar!

Anjali- Oh please. Mera iss over-protective Dad-to-be ke saath argue karne ka bilkul bhi mood nahi hai.

Muskaan- (laughs) Atul, yaar abhi toh baby hua bhi nahi aur tu itna tensed hai. Waise by the way, yeh toh Anji ki job hai naa?

Atul- Kyun? Anjali ko tension lena mana hai. Usske liye main hoon naa. Main poora khayaal rakhoonga. (bright smile)

Rahul- (comes) Ready guys? (looks at Atul)

Atul- Kya? Abbey tu mujhe kyun dekh raha hai?

Rahul- Nahi woh, Anji ke mood swings tujhme jo transfer hogaye issiliye. (Anjali and Muskaan laugh)

Atul- Saale tujhe toh main baad mein dekhloonga!

Rahul- (smirks) Aye chal yaar Champ.

Slowly (due to Atul) they made their way to the car and headed off to enjoy their day off.

Mall…

Muskaan- (holding an outfit) Anji, yeh kitna cute hai naa! (gushing at it)

Anjali- (smiles) Awww. Cute!

Muskaan- Main le loon?

Anjali- Kis ke liye?

Muskaan- Arre! New member ke liye, aur kis ke liye. (winks)

Anjali- (raises an eyebrow) Muskaan… ladke ka outfit? Ladki hui toh?

Muskaan- Woh toh nahi hoga.

Anjali- Kyun?

Muskaan- Kyunki main keh rahi hoon. (laughs) Mujhe pata hai, ladka hoga. Pakka.

Anjali- (laughs) If you say so.

Muskaan- (looking at more outfits) Waise, Atul ko ladka chahiye ya ladki?

Anjali- Oh please. Atul doesn't care. Usse sirf healthy baby chahiye. Chaahe ladka ho ya ladki.

Muskaan- How sweet!

Anjali- (smiles) Pata hai, he's so excited for this. Itni excited toh main bhi nahi hoon jitna woh hai. Ussne toh already decide karliya ki hum room kaise decorate karenge aur toys kaunse aayenge. Maine usse pehle kabhi itna khush nahi dekha.

Muskaan- Hoga kyun nahi? Atul ko toh bachhe itne pasand hain. Aur Sanjeevani mein bhi, Children's Ward ke saare bachhe uss se itna pyaar karte hain. Pata hai Anji, he'll make a great Dad. (smiles)

Anjali- (looks towards Atul who's standing at a distance with Rahul choosing toys) Yes he will. (smiles)

Time had passed so quickly… The foursome spent the earlier hours of the day shopping and after lunch, they headed off to the beach to enjoy whatever was left of their day.

As night fell, the two couples separated and drifted off into their own worlds. While one couple sat and basked in the moonlight, the other decided to take a moonlit walk.

Rahul- (looks back at Atul-Anjali and smiles, entwining his fingers with Muskaan's) Kitne khush lag rahe hain na saath mein?

Muskaan- (smiles) Haan. Rahul, jab humaara baby hoga, tab tu bhi mera aise hi khayaal rakhega?

Rahul- (kisses her forehead) Haan Muskaan.

Muskaan- Matlab tu bhi mera dimaag kharaab karega? Baba ji, bachaao mainnu.

Rahul- (laughs) Khud hi toh pooch rahi thi.

Muskaan- Rahul… (rests her head on his shoulder as he wraps his arm around her waist) Tu sach mein mera itna hi khayal rakhega naa?

Rahul- Iss se bhi zyaada.

Muskaan- (smiles) Pata hai, main bohot lucky hoon.

Rahul- Kyun?

Muskaan- Kyunki mujhe fully trained pati mila hai. Tujhe toh sab kuch aata hai. Khaana banaana, saaf safai, doctory, painting, mera khayaal rakhna. Tu toh perfect hai. Lekin eik problem hai.

Rahul- (smirks) Tujh mein?

Muskaan- (hits him) Kaankhajure! Tujh mein!

Rahul- Perfect logon mein problem nahi hoti.

Muskaan- Tujh mein hai. Tujhe bachhe sambhaalna nahi aata.

Rahul- Aata hai.

Muskaan- Nahi aata.

Rahul- Muskaan aata hai.

Muskaan- Achha? Uss din ki tarhaan? Jab poore ward ke bachhe tujhpe attack kar rahe the, tab tujhe kissne bachaaya?

Rahul- Toh? Humaare bachhe toh aise nahi honge.

Muskaan- Rahul tujhe yaad hai na hum dono bachpan mein kaise the?

Rahul- Uss se kya fark padta hai Muskaan?

Muskaan- Aise kaise nahi padta? Mujhe toh sochke hi darr lagta hai. Agar humaare bachhe tere jaise nikle toh? (horrified look)

Rahul- Oye! Tu mahaule ki ghundi bani phirti thi. Maine kya kiya tha?

Muskaan- Bas bas. Tu itna shareef hai nahi jitna bann ne ki koshish kar raha hai. Piddha.

Rahul- (sighs) Muskaan… dekh, itni achhi raat hai. Iss waqt bhi ladna zaroori hai? Tu mere saath pyaar se baat nahi kar sakti? (puppy dog look)

Muskaan- (smiles and pinches his cheeks) Haiye! Rahul maine decide kar liya hai, humaare baby ki aankhein teri jaisi hongi.

Rahul- Aur tere jaisi choti si naak hogi. (pinches her nose) Aur curly baal.(tugs on her hair when she's not paying attention)

Muskaan- Kaankhajure!

Rahul- (laughs and runs) Lekin tera ghussa nahi hona chahiye! (keeps running)

Muskaan- (chases after him) Bachhe toh tab honge jab tu bachega! Ruk piddhe!

Rahul continued running, eventually giving up and falling to the ground laughing with Muskaan right behind him. They lay quietly in each other's embrace listening to the silent crashing of the waves as he gently kissed her forehead and hugged her closer.

All the while, Atul hadn't stopped for a second about every tiny detail of how he was going to make sure Anjali was comfortable at all times.

Atul- (sitting on the sand holding Anjali close) Anjali hum na yoga class join karenge. Theek hai?

Anjali- (leaning back against Atul comfortably) Atul, is it really necessary?

Atul- Of course hai. Anjali main chahta hoon ki tum delivery tak relaxed raho. Waise bhi, Junior ne hume baad mein bohot pareshaan karna hai. (laughs lightly)

Anjali- (smiles and hits him playfully) Atulll… main relaxed hoon. TUM tension le rahe ho.

Atul- Main kya karoon Anjali? First time Papa bann raha hoon naa. (innocent smile)

Anjali- (dumbfounded expression) Atul, I know. Mujhe past experience nahi hai. (shakes her head and rolls her eyes)

Atul- Pata hai Anjali, baby ke aane ke baad, tum koi kaam nahi karogi. Sirf rest. Baaki sab kaam main karoonga. Aadhi raat ko jab baby royega toh main utthke usse chup karaoonga, usse sulaoonga, kapde change karoogna, diaper change karoonga, nehlaoogna, usske saath kheloonga. Tumhaare liya khaana banaoonga, apne haathon se khilaoonga. Sab kaam main karoonga. (smiles)

Anjali- (looks up at him and kisses him on the cheek) I love you Atul.

Atul- (kisses her on the head) I love you too Anjali. (rests his hand on her stomach and they both look down at it) Anjali… tumne kabhi socha tha ki hum yahaan, AISE eik saath behate honge?

Anjali- (gives him a strange look and grins) By aise you mean hum TEENON?

Atul- (smiles) Haan.

Anjali- Never. (laughs) Issiliye kehte hain, life unpredictable hoti hai.Tumne socha tha ki main kabhi tumhe haan boloongi?

Atul- (smiles gently) Haan. Jis din se mujhe tumse pyaar hua tha naa Anjali, uss din se mujhe yakeen tha ki tum eik din haan zaroor karogi. Mujhe hamesha se pata tha.

Anjali- (nudges him gently) Tum jeet gaye Atul. (both look at each other and smile)

*flashback ends*

Kunal- Not bad… Chachoo-Chaachi ne tumhaara description perfect diya. Tum exactly waisi hi dikhti ho jaise woh chahte the. I wish Chachoo ne yeh bhi kaha hota ki tum Chaachi ki tarhaan khoobsurat hoti. (sighs) Kam se kam AISI shakal toh nahi dekhni padti roz roz.

Khushi- Achha?! Khud ki shakal dekhi hai kabhi?

Kunal- Roz dekhta hoon. I know I'm handsome.

Khushi- You wish! Jitne pyaar se Chachoo tumhaare baare mein soch rahe the naa, tumhe thoda toh decent dikhna chahiye tha.

Kunal- (smiles) Dad bhi naa… kuch zyaada hi worry karte the.

Khushi- Haan. Woh bhi tumhaare liye? Kitna time waste kiya bechaare Sweetu Chachoo ne.

Kunal- (throws a pillow at her while she was letting out a fake sigh) Bohot zyaada nahi bolne lag gayee aaj kal?

Khushi- (throws the pillow back at him) Sach bohot kadva hota hai KUNAL!

Kunal- (moves closer to her with a challenging look) I think someone's jealous.

Khushi- (moves closer to him scoffing) Main? Aur jealous? Woh bhi tumse? HA!

Kunal- (moves closer and glares) Oh really?

Khushi- (moves closer, glaring) Really!

At that point, they were literally only 3 inches away from each other. Not even realizing the proximity, they just glared at each other until reality finally hit and two hard expressions softened. One gaze had a blazing intensity while the other slowly lowered. One pair of lips slowly curved into a sweet smile allowing the slight dimples to appear noticing the lowered gaze, while the other pair of lips quivered slightly at a lack of words, a blush creeping up at the cheeks. No matter how much the two had contrasted, one thing remained common. Two hearts were beating uncontrollably fast.

Kunal- (reaches up slowly and tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear, leaning closer to it and whispering) You're beautiful…

Khushi- (closes her eyes and smiles gently, finally finding her voice) Kunal… main…

Kunal- (looks at her and smiles noticing her closed eyes) Goodnight… (kisses her lightly on the cheek and leaves with a smile)

Khushi- (opens her eyes and tries to register what just happened) Yeh… yeh abhi abhi kya hua mere saath? Kunal… main… (touches her cheek where he kissed her) Kya woh bhi… (smiles) Bhi? Khushi, tujhe Kunal se… pyaar? (laughs to herself) Hai. Pyaar hai… (falls back on her bed happily)

Kunal's Room…

He sat mindlessly staring into space, trying to recollect his thoughts. Did what he thought happened, just happen… because it sure as hell wasn't supposed to.

Kunal- (tossing around a stress ball) Damn it yaar. Yeh… yeh kya tha? Paagal hogaya hai kya? Dad ko promise kiya tha. You're such an idiot Kunal. Dimaag kahaan tha tera? Kiss kardiya! How stupid! Achha hua sahi time pe nikal gaya warna gadbad hojaati. Khushi ko pata nahi chalna chahiye ki main… (thinks) Lekin… woh itna alag kyun behave kar rahi thi? Pyaar toh main karta hoon na uss se… phir… (sighs and chucks the small foam ball at the door out of frustration) Forget it yaar. (turns off his lamp and gets comfortable in his bed, drifting off to a restless sleep)

Sanjeevani… 10:35 a.m.

Sunny- Hey Kunal.

Kunal- (bored tone) Hey.

Sunny- (slaps a hand on his back) Kya hua buddy?

Kunal- Thaka hua hoon yaar. Poori raat nahi soya.

Sunny- Hmmm… Khushi problem?

Kunal- Aur kya?

Sunny- Toh bataa.

Kunal- Bataane ko hai kya? Maine kal almost bol diya ussko.

Sunny- That's great! Almost matlab?

Kunal- Bach gaya! Thank god.

Sunny- Tera dimaag kharaab hogaya hai kya? Arre you were supposed to tell her.

Kunal- Nahi bataa sakta.

Sunny- Nahi bataa sakta? But why?

Kunal- Chod yaar, bohot complicated hai. (keeps walking)

Sunny- (stands rooted to his spot) Oye.

Kunal- (turns around) Kya hua?

Sunny- (smiles) Baat jitni bhi complicated ho, you know that you can talk to me right?

Kunal- (smiles) Pata hai yaar. Chal aaja. (they fall in step with each other and head off for their duties)

I.C.U.

Khushi- Mummy meri toh kuch samajh mein nahi aa raha… Kunal ke dil mein kya hai? Kabhi kabhi toh aisa lagta hai jaise main usske liye sabse important hoon aur kabhi aisa lagta hai jaise usske liye main wohi puraani Khushi hoon. Kya sochoon kya samjhoon… kuch pata nahi. Haan par… eik baat ab samajh gayeen hoon… (smiles) Mummy… I think… I love him. Yeah. I love him. (laughs and spins around) I love him Mummy! (goes and sits right next to Muskaan's body and holds her hand with a big smile) Can you believe it Mummy? Bachpan se saath rahe… kabhi nahi socha tha ki mujhe uss idiot se pyaar hojaayega. I just wish ki aap mere saath hote… (sighs) Anyway… aap khush ho naa mummy?

Call it an impulse, but something must have suddenly snapped in the synapses of her brain. After all, she could hear and comprehend everything, as well as see. Maybe all it took was the earnestness in Khushi's voice at that moment or the glow on her face that allowed a mother's heart to reach out to her daughter's in one of the biggest moments of her life.

Khushi, still holding Muskaan's hand, waited anxiously knowing that she wouldn't get a response, just as she hadn't for the past 8 years, but still she hoped. Even she couldn't explain the gentle squeeze she felt just as she was about to let go.

Muskaan loved Kunal dearly. He was perfect for her daughter. They knew everything about each other, and she knew that her daughter couldn't be in better hands. Her best friends had taken Khushi in as their own, and now when she had found a place in that family, she knew that this was always meant to happen. Kunal and Khushi were always meant to happen. Their constant bickering, arguing, meaningless fights, unintentional flirting… it all seemed too familiar. They were a younger version of her and Rahul. That was it. She had given her consent happily and willingly with a gentle squeeze.

Khushi- (smiles with tears in her eyes) Mainnu pata si tussi khush hojaaoge. Lekin main aapse bohot naraaz hoon. Abhi main kisi ko bulaoongi aur boloongi ki aapne mera haath squeeze kiya toh tab tak aap chod doge. Kisi ke saamne kyun nahi karte ho Mummy? Bas bohot hogaya. (childish pout) Uttho naa. (smiles) Achha theek hai itna toh bataa do ki mujhe yeh kaise pata chalega ki woh kaankhajura mujhse pyaar karta hai ya nahi. Karta bhi hoga, tab bhi woh gadha khud se nahi bolega. (sighs)

Kunal- (walks in when she says gadha) Oh ho. Itni tareef? Wow.

Khushi- (rolls her eyes) Speak of the devil.

Kunal- Khud hi hogi.

Khushi- Oye! Mere naal zyaada bakwas na kareen! Nikamma kahin ka.

Kunal- Excuse me? Nikamma? At least main kisi kaam ka toh hoon.

Khushi- Jis din tum kisi ke kaam aaoge naa, uss din main apna naam badal loongi. Hmph!

Kunal- Achha hai. Maine toh naam soch bhi liya hai. Badalke Medusa rakhlo. Chudail kahin ki.

Khushi- KYA?! (ready to charge at him)

Kunal- Behri bhi hogayee ho?

Khushi- Teri toh! (runs after him)

Her eyes saw all… yes, they were exactly who she compared them to. Right in front of her eyes she could see her youth unfold. The familiarity of the situation… her insults… his reaction… her and Rahul.

*flashback*

A 19-year-old Muskaan stood wide-eyed at the guy in front of her. As much as she wanted to go up there and tell him how amazing he looked, the immature little 9-year-old brat in her could not in any way allow her to do such a thing. Letting her guard down was not an option here, no matter how breathtakingly amazing he appeared… so she took the alternate route.

Muskaan- Oye phitte moo, nikamme, nikhatte, common sense ke marre hue putle, jhaadu ke aakhri tinke!

Rahul- (turns his head to see why it was raining Punjabi insults) TU?! (quickly sets the iron rod back in it's place and sits up from the bench press) Tu yahaan bhi aagayee mere peeche? Tereko aur koi kaam hai bhi ki nahi?

Muskaan- Bakwaas bandh kar. Tujhe toh jaise bohot kaam hai naa. Zaroori kaam ke waqt yahaan let ke dole shole banaa raha hai. (makes a face)

Rahul- (stands up and faces her) Taan fer? Hun tu mainnu dassegi ke main ki kar sakna haan taan ki nahi?

Muskaan- (smiles flirtaciously) Rahul… (walks right at him slowly)

Rahul- (starts backing up) Yeh… yeh tu kya kar rahi hai?! Dur! Dur jaa! (up against the wall)

Muskaan- (standing 6 inches away from him, leans closer and picks his shirt up, throwing it at his face) Sharam kar! Khotte! Itna bada hogaya hai, par abhi tak mere saamne aadha nanga khada hai! CHI! Shirt pehen!

Rahul- (looks down real quick at his bare chest and holds the shirt up to him immediately) Toh tu… dekhna bandh kar! (taunts her) Tereko sharam nahi aati? Jawaan ladke ko ghoor ghoor ke dekhte hue. Woh bhi aise.

Muskaan- (rolls her eyes) Toh teri kaunsi izzat lut gayee. Lutne ke liye izzat honi bhi chahiye! Lekin tere iss (points to his bare upper body) exhibition ke baad, meri aankhein phat jaayengi!

Rahul- Toh abhi tak dekh kyun rahi hai?! (turns her around as he puts the shirt on) Aur tu yahaan ayee kyun?

Muskaan- (facing the other way) Teri Mummy ne bheja hai. Bulaa rahi hain. Aur jab tujhe phone utthana nahi hota toh phir khareeda kyun?! Khud toh koi kaam karta nahi hai aur mujhe kaam pe lagaake rakha hota hai. Nikamma kahin ka.

Rahul- (walks around to stand in front of her) Tu khud hogi. Tere kolon bohota kaam karda haan. Gal kardi hai.

Muskaan- (laughs really loud) Tu??? Tu kaam karta hai?! (slaps him on the arm while cracking up) Abbey gadhe, jis din tu kisi kaam hoga naa uss din main apna naam badal loongi. (pushes him aside and starts heading towards the door, still laughing)

Rahul- (yells out) Haan toh badal ke Hidimba rakhle! Chudail kahin ki.

Muskaan- (stops laughing and turns around with blazing eyes) KYA?! (Rahul sees her expression and moves back a little even though she was at the other end of the gym) Kaankhajure! Aaj toh tu gaya! (picks up a 20 pound weight and runs at him) JO BOLE SO NIHAAL!!! SATSRIAKAAL!!!

Rahul- (running around machines to avoid getting his skull crushed) Paagal hogayee hai kya?!!! MUSKAAN!!!

*flashback ends*

A tear rolled down from the corner of her eye… a tear of happiness. Her daughter was her replica, and although Atul-Anjali did not at all share the kind of savage relationship that she and Rahul did, surprisingly, Kunal had turned out to be a lot like Rahul. Well, you couldn't blame the kid. He spent a majority of his childhood in the company of his Chaachi-Chaachoo. He was bound to pick up something from the crazy Garewal household.

Atul- (walking in with Anjali) Muskaan ko check karloon, phir coffee… (trails off)

Anjali- (previous smile turns into a look of horror) Guys! (Kunal-Khushi stop running) What are you two thinking?! Yeh eik hospital hai… more importantly, yeh I.C.U. hai. INTENSIVE CARE UNIT! Aur tum log yahaan pe bachhon ki tarhaan eik doosre ko chase kar rahe ho?! Ridiculous.

Atul- (squeezes her hand gently) Bas karo Anjali warna bp high hojaayega.

Anjali- (gives him a hopeless look) Atulll...

Atul- (backs off) Sorry.

Khushi- Sorry Chaachi.

Kunal- Sorry Mom. (both leave)

Atul- (hesitantly out of fear) Anjali tumhe nahi lagta ki tumne kuch zyaada hi…

Anjali- (glares at him) Chup.

Atul- (puts a finger on his lips obediently) Hmm.

Muskaan could see that after 2 years of internship, 3 months of residency, a proposal and acceptance, a wedding, and 2 kids later… Anjali still had the last say, the ONLY say, in the matter. She was the dominating one in the relationship even today and Atul the obedient one, but that's what she always loved about the two. Their relationship was way out there. No matter who was dominant or obedient, they had a mutual understanding… a quiet, resolved understanding. If she was angry, he'd remain quiet, and if he was angry (which rarely ever happened), she remained quiet. All the more reason for her to love them to be her daughter's in-laws.

Atul- (checks Muskaan and sighs) Yaar tu kab theek hogi? (kisses her forehead lightly)

Anjali- (holding Muskaan's hand) We miss you baby. (kisses her hand)

Atul- Pata hai Muski, kal Kunal ne mujhse bola ki usse Khushi se pyar hogaya hai… (smiles) Lekin maine usse manaa kardiya. Main aur Anjali Khushi se bohot pyaar karte hain yaar. Hum toh chahte hain ki woh hamesha ke liye humaare paas hi reh jaaye, lekin hum yeh bhi jaante hain ki tu Khushi se kitna pyaar karti hai, aur tere liye yeh kitni badi baat hai. Tune kitna kuch socha hoga apni beti ke liye. Hum tujhse yeh haq cheen nahi sakte. (Anjali and Atul both smile at her as a tear rolls down the side of her face)

IDIOTS! What were they thinking? They knew very well that they had just as much a right over Khushi as she did. They had kept her for half of her life. For the past week, all her daughter had been telling her was how confused she was about Kunal, but Muskaan knew all along that Khushi was slowly falling in love with her best friend. She was the happiest person in the world when she Khushi told her that she loved Kunal. Muskaan had been waiting for this day eagerly! She knew that even Kunal had feelings for Khushi, but she wasn't quite sure. She knew her nephew well enough though, to decipher his inner feelings. He wasn't a difficult kid… he was an open book just like his good old Dad. It was these two that she couldn't believe.

As soon as the words 'Kunal loves Khushi' left Atul's mouth, she felt like she had just received all the happiness there ever was, but hearing the rest of his words, she wanted to get up and smack him across the face. How could Anjali and he not see how hopelessly in love the two kids were? She was literally a vegetable, and still she could see right through them, but these two were perfectly normal, healthy doctors. How could they miss it?! Even after it was being slapped into their faces, they say no?! NO?! WHY??? She wanted this too! Dreams for Khushi's future?! Well Khushi was an intern at Sanjeevani so that one could be knocked off the list and the last was getting run over by her best friends. If only she was "awake." She'd set these two straight. Something HAD to be done… for Kunal and Khushi's sake, Atul-Anjali's safety, and her own sanity…

Okay guys. so sorry for the delayed part. I was very busy with college and a personal crisis. Enjoy!

yay !..was waiting for u to update this

Awsome! Awesome! Awesome part! ...just enjoyed reading AA KK and RM in "Rishta" after so long

Awwwww.......Komal!!!!!!!!

Komal, the part was amazing!!

Komal.......this was simply BEAUTIFUL!! Wow. Im over RM as I told you..but ur updates..do you ever think I can ignore them? They are so tempting and blah blah...lol.

Aww....Im in love with them al over again. The reason Atul gave Kunal was a bit surprising..coz I expected something more serious. But itna hi reason tha na..thats good. =]

The AA and RM flash-back. That was soooooooooooo chweeeeeet!!!!! More than RM I loved AA in the chapter. The caring Atul and 'sighing' Anjali is so cute. How hes so bothered and loving. Thats eternal.

RM....hayeee!! Lol. How she calls him the perfect man..and then says what if their child is like 'him'. Haha!! The same running embrace and kisses were too sweet:)

And the good night kiss :) ; Muskaan's thoughts..how KK are just like younger RM. I really wish YuNa were like that. No offence..i know they are RM replica..but I just cant tolerate them...RM were the best..and I know its tuff to re-create. Sorry i know ur a fan. Just my opinion.

Muskaan's memory...LOL. My sis is sleeping..and im covering my mouth and laughing. 😆

Rahul- (looks down real quick at his bare chest and holds the shirt up to him immediately) Toh tu… dekhna bandh kar! (taunts her) Tereko sharam nahi aati? Jawaan ladke ko ghoor ghoor ke dekhte hue. Woh bhi aise.
Muskaan- (rolls her eyes) Toh teri kaunsi izzat lut gayee. Lutne ke liye izzat honi bhi chahiye! Lekin tere iss (points to his bare upper body) exhibition ke baad, meri aankhein phat jaayengi!

This is raising more and more curiosity in me. Please open up the story soon. Atleast tell where Rahul is=]

I have one tini-winy doubt. Umm..like Kunal-Khushi are almost of the same age right? So Angie is pregnant..so when will Muskaan be pregnant? Im reading after long..and you must have mentioned the age difference b4..can you jus clear it?

Thanku=]=] Loveeeeee youuuuuuuu ❤️ 🤗

Awesome part!!