New SS: Its Hard To Let You Go Part 5, Page 65 UPD - Page 31

Originally posted by: Sweet_Ashum

Dekho na!!! We wont be having the priviledge of next gen cursing us as to why we invented or discovered something...

They'll be cursing us as to why we have to make it more complicated by reducing its size 😆

Originally posted by: -Alinaa-

Read all three chapters in one go. Loved it. I had huge smile and moist eyes by the time I finished.

The minute details about the characters and their relationships, the funny interactions, emotional ones too, took my heart away.
The pain of separation described from each character's point of view are really touchy. I am wishing Asmara would cancel the wedding and stay with her family for few more years. ( that's really stupid but cant help) I cant see Arnav and family crying.

Originally posted by: -Manal.A-

A wonderful and heart touching update.

Ashar remembering all the good times they have spent as a family was so sweet. He is a wonderful brother.

I loved the way you mentioned Ahsan creating his place in everyone's hearts of Asmara's family.

The boys' jalebie making session was so funny. I am sure the 'deformed' jalebies tasted amazing.😃

And Ashar recording all these moments just made me all emotional.

Please update soon and thanks for the PM.

Manal <3

Originally posted by: Aspirex

Boohoo...!! I wrote such a long reply n closed the page accidentally😭

But I ll write again...😊

Okay so very very nice update😊

U made my day before I even started reading the update by saying there are 2-3 more updates...!! Yayeee!! Aise ache khayal roz aae aapko😉Because I was seriously not ready to finish this ss even if you were😛But I won't have to now...😃

Coming to this update... I so loved it! I love how you have so much of background on your characters.. It makes them so much more real and it shows how serious you are about them. I love how your ss is sooo great without having any "villain"( I had a min heart attack when I read the portion with the video camera part! I swear I would ve been soon angry with you if you would ve got something like Shyam recording them in this😃... But i knew you would NEVER do that to asmi and ashar).I mean i always wondered why do all stories be it on page or on film have to have them. But believe me your stories are so cute n perfect without them. I also love how you write about something about which so much has been written/ read/ shown/ portrayed and yet it is an absolute pleasure to read about a girl's wedding in your works especially because it is so beautiful and different and new. Which reminds me... I especially loved the No bounds lawn part, the jalebi making in the end... Sooo adorable and the best part... Khushi feeding ahsan by mistake... Such a small part but so sweet😊

Also how Ahsan is now an integral part f their family. Every girl's dream right?

And seriously if this is writer's block I don't know what you are😛

So all in all I love how small incidents show how sweet they are... I am really liking Ahsan and would seriously love to know more about him😊. Could the poor guy get some dialogues if it goes with how you plan ahead with the SS..

And isit weird that I have the hots for both Arnav and Ashar..? What does that make me... Ewww but I simply adore both😊

Also, i ve read all of your Ashar Asmara works and loved the OS series. Are any more on the way? Am also following the junior diary... Love reading ashar's insights😉

So bottom line is enough of a rant... Awesome work and awesome you⭐️

So... Finally, do update ASAP Q😳and please PM me if possible though at the rate I check your SSs I ll probably know before you when you update😃😳

Just kidding... Love ya😊😊

Phew! That's the longest ever I have written on the net😃

And I forgot... All the best for tomorrow's exam😊

Originally posted by: SmileyStar

Omg girl!! I sooo loved your looonnnggg comment!! 😳 One of the longest this SS ever had 😛 I'm having a hard time believing that you actually typed it twice!! 😲 Thank you sooo muchhh!! 😳

Ohhh many ppl thought that the camera belonged to Shyam 😉 It was just the way I wrote it that ppl got the illusion like it was there for some evil purpose! Muhahahaha 😆

So glad you liked all their interactions and memories 😳 Will try and give Ahsan some dialogues too! I'm just happy for the time being that ppl are liking his character as well 😳

Of course I'll send you a buddy request and you'll get future PMs from now on 😛 So happy to know you gave ASR Junior's diary a read too 😳 Hope you like the next update as well which I will be updating shortly! Once again, thank you sooo much for your long lovely comment! I read it thrice before replying to it 😉

Hello everyone 🤗

Thank you for your lovely comments on the last part! Loved reading them all ❤️

Here's part 4! And its really long too! This SS will have updates only on weekends but they'll be long enough to make up for it, ok?? 😃 I had so much fun writing this update!! Hope you have fun reading it as well 😳

***

Once the plate of Jalebies had been devoured delightedly, the syrup licked off and their stomachs considerably full as opposed to before, the bickering and the leg pulling began to subside once again as the ominous cloud of tension and sadness began settling over the family sitting together.

"Okay everyone, let's go to bed. Asmara needs her sleep tonight! We don't want our Princess' beauty to get marred by dark circles on her most special day, do we?" Khushi called out in what she hoped to be a cheerful tone but everyone could make out the underlying tremor in her voice.

"Yes, Khushi's right!" Arnav agreed, smiling a forced smile which failed to reach his eyes. "Asmara does need a good night's sleep and so do we all. Today was such a tiring day. All that dancing... My poor bones aren't as young as they once used to be." He joked half heartedly.

"Nooo! Its only 12! I don't want to sleep right now. I want to spend some more time with you guys." Asmara replied, laying her head on Khushi's shoulder.

"But Sweetie, it's a big day tomorrow! And you already had a hectic day today." Arnav tried to make her understand.

"But I'm not sleepy! And I'm positive neither are you all. So no one's going to bed right now." Asmara informed him cheerfully.

"You do know you are very stubborn, don't you?" Arnav chuckled.

"Surprise, surprise! I wonder where she got that from." Ashar drawled and everyone laughed.

"Okay Asmara, since you don't want to go to sleep, what do you want to do then?" Arnav asked, settling back in the couch and turning to her.

Asmara thought for a while before her eyes landed on Ashar fiddling with the video camera and she hit upon a wonderful idea.

"I know exactly what we're gonna do! We'll watch our childhood videos together. That would be so much fun right?" She asked them all, her eyes twinkling merrily.

"That actually is a very good idea." Khushi agreed smiling.

"Too embarrassing!" Ashar muttered in a low voice.

"Bhaiya, what are you mumbling out? Go ahead and put it on." Asmara said, pulling her legs up on the sofa and making herself comfortable.

Normally Ashar would have refused point blank. He found his childhood videos embarrassing, as most boys do but he couldn't say no to Asmara. Not tonight.

"I'm gonna put the one in which Asmara is born, ok? We're not watching the one where it's only me." He said before putting in the desired cassette and sprawling on the couch once again.

The huge flat LCD screen lit up revealing a hospital's private room with everyone crowding around a much younger Khushi and Payal and an infant Asmara and Anser.

"I still can't get used to a younger Mum and Dad even after watching these videos a dozen times! They look so different! Almost exactly like the heroes and heroines of their time." Asmara said in awe.

"I simply can't used to Dad's well toned figure. Seems like he did a lot of effort to impress Mum." Ashar snickered as Arnav hit him on the head playfully.

"I like Dad the way he is now; he's all cute and fatherly. Back then, he seemed like a very serious young man." Asmara chipped in, smiling at her father lovingly.

"Oh you have no idea!" Khushi mumbled under her breath and Ashar sniggered.

"What are you two laughing about?" Arnav asked, raising his eye brows questioningly.

"Nothing!" Ashar answered a little too innocently.

They watched on as a very young Arnav awkwardly but carefully cradled Asmara in his arms, his eyes welling up every now and then, while a 3 year old Ashar sat cuddling into Khushi, his arms tightly crossed across his chest, looking at them with accusing eyes while pouting adorably. He looked like he had quite a bit of temper back then too.

"Aww! Look someone's all jealous!" Asmara crooned, looking at Ashar.

"No I wasn't! Your presence was just very annoying back then too." Ashar replied smirking. "But look at poor Dad. You were such an ugly child that he can't seem to hold his tears in." He shook his head in mock sadness.

"I was not!" Asmara retorted. "Dad was just very happy to see me."

"Yep" he said, popping the P. "So elated he was that he decided to cry to vent out his feeling of extreme happiness or helplessness, should I say!" Arnav teased her.

"Bhaiya, you are the last person on Earth whom I would expect to know anything about tears and crying!" Asmara retorted and Ashar guffawed.

Khushi smiled at her kids before stealing a glance at Arnav to find his eyes fixed on the TV screen, swimming with unshed tears. She squeezed his hand reassuringly, shaking her head gently and Arnav nodded taking a deep breath not wanting to upset his kids either.

The scene changed and now Arnav was holding a 10 month old Asmara coaxing her to speak. "Say 'Daddy' Princess! Daa-dyy" Arnav's loving voice echoed in the room and a plum Asmara just stuck out her tongue at him, giggling happily. "You don't want to say daddy?" Arnav asked her, before lifting her in the air and nuzzling her tummy with his nose making her squeal with delight and grab his hair with her tiny fists.

"Mum Dad, look at me!" A four year old, Ashar called out and the camera held by Khushi turned to capture him instead. He waved at the camera before putting both his hands and head on the carpet and attempting a somersault but instead of going forwards, he changed directions in midair, his legs flailing for a second before landing on his side making Arnav laugh wholeheartedly before he praised his little boy in an awed voice, "That was so cool, buddy!" Ashar jumped to his feet, brushing his hands as if he had just performed very complex acrobats and smiled his eye crinkling smile to the camera.

The whole family laughed while Ashar smiled awkwardly and said in a manner of explaining, "I was four!"

"And a stupid 4 year old at that!" Asmara grinned.

They returned their attention back to the screen which now showed about an 11 month old Asmara and Anser crawling in their playpen and playing around when Payal comes and hands each of them a biscuit each. Asmara quickly gobbles down her own before snatching Anser's and eating that as well. Anser stared at his hand for a minute as if wondering where the biscuit went before looking at Asmara and finally comprehending what happened, burst into tears. An anxious Payal came rushing to pick him up, asking the matter while Asmara looked on innocently.

"You were such an evil child!" Ashar exclaimed laughing.

"I was like, one!" Asmara replied in her defense.

"And a greedy one year old at that!" Ashar smirked at her before returning his attention back to the TV.

While Payal went to give Anser another biscuit, Ashar came running to Asmara and hugged her tightly while Khushi could be heard cautioning him to be careful from the background but ignoring his mother Ashar kissed his little sister with so much zest that she started crying as well.

The camera lost its focus as Khushi put it down clumsily and dashed to her bawling daughter...

"Aww! You used to be such a sweet older bro, Bhaiya!" Asmara said, stressing on the words 'used to'.

"Yes but then, fortunately I grew some brains." Ashar grinned.

"You did?! I could never have guessed that on my own!" Asmara replied with feigned shock.

"I didn't expect you to either! You see, you still haven't developed any brains and we're all waiting impatiently for the day you would." Ashar beamed at her while Asmara pouted like a kid.

The screen now showed Asmara and Anser's birthday on which, giving in to Asmara's wishes, Arnav had made her cut the cake 4 times! She would clap her pudgy hands and squeal with joy on blowing the candles so Arnav let her do it over and over again, his daughter's happiness reflecting on his face as well.

The camera now changed direction and focused on Ashar who making use of everyone's distraction pulled Laxmi's tail very discreetly making her bleat and Ashar giggled adorably. NK who was undoubtedly holding the camera exclaimed, "Naughty naughty babua!" in a teasing voice and Ashar jumped on being caught but quickly got over the shock as he gave his most cheeky smile to the camera and ran away.

"Thank God Nani Ji never found out you did that to Laxmi Ji! She would've fainted with shock!" Khushi giggled at her son while running her fingers through Asmara's hair in her lap.

"Yep!" Asmara agreed. "Bhaiya was one of those kids who always did mischief discreetly so no one ever found out and always remained under the impression that he was a very quiet and innocent boy. I, on the other hand, would go up to Dad and confess everything I did after making him promise that it was going to be our little secret!" She smiled her infectious smile at Arnav who couldn't help smiling back at her.

"Oh look, this scene is one of my favorites! I find it so very adorable!" Khushi said, turning their attention back to the TV screen.

The screen showed Arnav and Khushi sitting on the carpet of the TV room floor trying to make Asmara walk from one parent to another. She was still in the wobbly stage and would collapse after a couple of steps or so but one or the other parent would quickly catch her before she could hit the floor. After a while, Khushi made her stand next to the lounge table and Asmara stood there steady, holding the table for support.

Ashar came running to Khushi then, placing his palm on her cheek and asking her seriously, "Mum, why can't Asmi walk?"

"Because she's still very small right now sweetie but in a few weeks she'll be able to." Khushi smiled at her son, combing his hair with her fingers.

"You mean she'll be as big as I am then?" Ashar asked her wide eyed.

"No, if you keep drinking your glass of milk regularly then you'll always be more bigger and taller than her." Khushi explained.

"Ok, I will then. Because Dad said I am a big brother not a small one." He said seriously and Khushi laughed.

"Mum, when Asmi grows up, can I race with her? I always beat Dad!" Ashar bragged happily and Khushi nodded, laughing at her son's innocence.

In the background, Arnav could be seen kneeling a couple of feet away from Asmara and calling her to come up to him when Ashar ran up to her and said in a serious scolding voice, "Asmi, Dad's calling you! Mum said its bad manners to not go when big people call you." He lectured before shoving Asmara in Arnav's direction with a swift push making her fall flat on her face before Arnav could take account of what was happening. Asmara started wailing at the top of her voice as Arnav quickly scooped her in his arms and tried to pacify her. Ashar looked at them with a worried look realizing he had made his baby sister cry as tears filled his honey brown eyes and he ran straight into Khushi's arms and starting bawling as well.

The whole family smiled at the scene and Ashar was going to make a remark on Asmara when his eyes landed on her, who was now fast asleep in Khushi's lap.

"Look at her!" He said shaking his head. "Miss I'm-not-sleepy-at-all has already dozed off."

Khushi peered at her daughter's face before saying, "She has been up since 5, you know. Came to my room and we chatted for 2 hours in the morning and then she got busy with the Mehendi preparations and didn't get time to sleep. Must have been tired." She explained.

Now that Asmara had dozed off and there would be no one to pass comments, Ashar couldn't bring himself to watch the video attentively. There were so many thoughts whirling in his head.

The family watched on as the video kept rolling and different scenes flitted across the screen. Ashar and Arnav playing football while Khushi sat with Asmara in her lap watching and Arnav coming to kiss Asmara as a way of celebration every time he scored a goal but losing to Ashar deliberately in the end... Ashar sitting on the laptop and saying 'What the' with a frown... Arnav and Khushi in the swimming pool with both the kids decked in floating gear... Arnav having a race with his kids... Ashar giving Asmara a ride in his Baby Ferrari... The entire family playing out in the rain... Ashar and Asmara dancing to Nursery Rhymes... Ashar's first day at his school and his refusal to get down from Khushi's arms... Arnav playing dress up with Asmara when she complained to him that Ashar refuses to... Arnav teaching Ashar to ride a bike... Asmara imitating Arnav by yelling on the phone to Aman... Asmara hugging Arnav before office and saying, Tata Daddy!

The family watched in silence as the video came to an end. Asmara's childish voice echoing in their ears, Tata Daddy... The significance of her words at the moment settling like a cloud of despair.

Ashar stole a glance at his parents. Arnav was sitting rigid as a board, his hands balled into fists, his jaw clenched and he looking at Asmara with so much sadness in his eyes that Ashar had to look away.

He looked at his mother who was struggling to hold back her tears, not wanting to break down in front of Arnav.

"Mum, you said you'll wash off your mehendi after the video, right?" Ashar questioned.

Khushi gave him a grateful look knowing fully well that he was giving her an opportunity to escape and muttering a shaky 'Yes', she left.

Ashar went up to Arnav who was standing next to the window, his fisted hand on the windowsill and his head bowed. Ashar placed his hand on his father's shoulder giving it a gentle squeeze.

"You know what, Ashar?" Arnav began in a hoarse voice. "I vividly remember every scene we watched today! It seems only yesterday that Asmara was born and I held her in my arms. I taught her to talk and then to walk and look now she's grown up enough to walk out of this house tomorrow!" He choked out.

Ashar quietly embraced his father in a tight hug, saying nothing because he knew he wasn't good with words but he tried putting a lot of unsaid things in that hug and it must have worked because when he released his Dad, Arnav smiled gently before patting his cheek and muttering gruffly, 'Thank You'

"Anytime, Dad." Ashar smiled softly.

"I'll go and check on Khushi. She's probably in our bathroom trying to hide her tears from me. You go and get some sleep, ok? And yes, leave Asmara here. If we try shifting her, she'll probably insist on keeping awake and spending time with us. She needs her sleep. She hasn't been sleeping well." Arnav instructed and Ashar nodded.

He stood watching his father's back till it disappeared out of sight and then made his way towards his room. He knew sleep was a lost cause today as he stood by the window watching the night sky as his mind whirled in circles.

He took a deep breath to calm himself down when his eyes landed on the camera on his table. It was the distraction he needed, he decided, as he thought he'll transfer all the new pictures he snapped today to his laptop.

Sitting on his bed he connected the camera to his laptop and began his work. The pictures had turned out beautifully and he couldn't help smiling as the Mehendi's moments passed through his brain once again. If he could have just forgotten about Asmara's bidai, the evening would have been picture perfect.

He stopped short at the last picture, knowing fully well that it wasn't taken by him- probably by his mother. He now knew where Asmara had gone when she had excused herself during the Mehendi function. It was a picture of Asmara in her yellow mehendi outfit sitting on the floor next to Arnav with her head on his shoulder and her arms around him, who was wearing a white sherwani by the poolside. The sadness in their eyes and the sheer beauty of that picture made his eyes swim with tears. It was a beautiful picture.

"Bhaiya, do you mind if I sleep with you tonight again? I can't sleep by myself." Asmara asked, entering his room.

"Sure kid! Since when did you need to ask permission? I thought Mine, Mum's and Dad's shoulders and laps were all your property to sleep on!" He joked, looking at her subdued expression.

"Bhaiya! Tonight's my last night in this house and still you can't stop yourself from teasing me, can you?" She asked him with a pout while putting her head on his shoulder.

"I can't! Not knowing when I'll get the chance to tease you like this again all night long." He replied in a thick voice.

"Hey do you know what I was just thinking right now?" He asked in a cheerful voice, trying to distract Asmara as well as himself.

"What?" She asked, distracted.

"Remember the time you were getting very late for your university and were running all over the house collecting your things and talking to Ahsan on your cell phone?" He asked and Asmara laughed.

"And I told Ahsan I couldn't find my cell phone so I'll talk to him later!" Asmara giggled.

"And then Ahsan called at my number and asked me to inform my scatterbrained sister that she had the phone next to her ear!" Ashar started laughing and once started, it was difficult for both of them to stop.

Finally Asmara took a deep breath and said, "Bhaiya, I think we should get some sleep now! But I just don't feel like sleeping! Nor do I feel sleepy." She said.

"Read some course book then!" Ashar winked. "Do you know what Baba Ranchordas Chanchar said?" He asked, his eyes twinkling.

"Who?" Asmara asked confused.

"You know Rancho from 3 Idiots?" He asked.

"Ohhh!" Realization dawned on Asmara's face. "What did he say?"

"He said, 'Neend kay pechay mat bhago, Bhagna hai to parhai kay bhago, neend khud tumharay pechay aye gi!' "He said in a superior tone before bursting out with laughter.

"This is not Rancho's dialogue! This is your own philosophy!" Asmara said between giggles. They both laughed till their ribs ached and their throats felt raw.

"I think we're losing it!" Ashar said, taking deep breaths to calm himself down.

"Yes, all this lack of sleep must be going to our heads!" Asmara sniggered. "I actually have a headache right now!"

"Ok, then you are going to bed! Mum and Dad will not be happy knowing you spent the entire night awake." he said, getting up and filling a glass full of water, taking out two tablets of aspirin and offering them to her.

"Bhaiya! Sometimes you act exactly like dad!" She whined but took the pills nevertheless.

She swallowed the pills with the glass of water before lying down on her side and closing her eyes. In a minute or two, her breathing turned shallow and he knew she was asleep.

Ashar stared at his sister who looked too small and innocent while sleeping and tears came before he could stop them. What was the point in wiping them off or pretending? He had been stopping them for a long time now. But he knew they wouldn't stop now. Not tonight. And After decades it seemed, Ashar broke down and cried...

***

Phewww!! Last night is finally done with! Next update will be the wedding 😳 LIKES AND COMMENTS Pleej!! 😆

CHAPTER 5 (Last)]