Part :2
Around 5 in the evening Gayatri delivered a girl baby and the whole family celebrated it by congratulating each other. Devyani was in seventh heaven and carried the cute little bundle.
"Toh abb samay mila humarey paas aney ki? Kyon, meri Angad sey shadi karney ki irada hai ki nahin?" She asked the little baby who was not even opened her eyes properly. Gayatri laughed "maa! Aap bhi na, wo abhi sey baat karney lagegi kya? Aur Angad se shadi na karney ki sawal hi nahin uth thi. Wo toh issi liye hi paida huyi thi."
Damini and Avantika moved their lips sideways "Oh, yuh Angad already has two wives; your daughter is no exception." Devyani warned them with eyes "kaun jaaney kissko kaun miley?"
Naina carried the baby and kissed her stomach "very cute baby, Gayatri!"
Devyani looked at Surya "Surya! Tumhara pariwar ko aur doston ko khabar bhejo." And she turned to Dilip too "Dilip! Surya ki behen Satyavati (imagine bua of kyph) ko khabar karo aur ussey naam karan mein hazir honey ki nyunata bhi bhejna. Meri yeh ladli poti ki naamkaran bahut dhoom dhaam sey karengey. Aakhir humara Angad ki honey wali theesri biwi hai" She laughed proudly for her own wit.
All other women exchanged looks to read one another expressions.
After two days Gayatri and baby were brought home. Devyani arranged the separate labor room for her for ten days. All three kids came running to them to see the little baby.
Angad, Kanan, Misthy tried to touch the little girl's cheeks but Devyani warned them "abhi nahin, naam karan din sab ussey god mein lelengey."
Angad folded his hands and yelled with pouted lips "mein abhi dekoonga, mujhey abhi dekhna hai." Devyani laughed affectionately at him and caressed his cheeks "haan, jaroor dekhna, haat nahin lagana; kyon ussey shadi karega?"
Angad nodded his head and pulled the baby's cheeks harshly with his two hands and kissed his own hands when he noticed Devyani was not attentive. The baby started crying hard. Everyone warned Angad and Naina tried to hold his hand but he ran out of the room.
Everyone laughed at Angad and felt sorry for the baby at the same time. Devyani took Kanan and Misthy closer and showed the baby. She didn't allow them to touch the baby.
On 11th day Devyani arranged a big celebration. She invited many relatives from her daughters' in-laws families, Naina's parent's family, and many others.
Surya's sister Satyavati came with her son, Prithvi, 7 years old
Avantika's nanad, Nandini (imagine mother of pratham in kutumb) came with her son, Nishant, 8 years old.
Naina's sister Netra came with her only daughter, Anittah,1 year old.
Damini and Avantika's husbands also reached by the morning of the ceremony.
Pundits started havan in the early morning. Gayatri and the baby had a big bath for an hour at early morning. Gayatri was given turmeric and herbal powder bath. Devyani put shikakai (Acacia Concinna) on Gayatri's long black silky hair. She was given new clothes and Surya wore new silk dhoti and kurta.
All men wore dhoti's and colorful kurtas; women dressed up in colorful silk saris and jewelry; boys wore nice kurta pajamas; girls wore silk long skirts with matching blouses.
Both Surya and Gayatri performed many pujas as per ritual and took the baby to name her. They asked Devyani for the suggestion. Devyani only suggested all kids' names so far.
"Maa ji! Aap hi aaj tak sabka naam karan karvaya. Isski naam bhi aapko hi chunna padegi." Satyavati asked affectionately. Devyani patted her affectionately and looked at the couple "bhagwan ki kripa sey itni saalon ki puja ke baad paida huyi thi. Iski naam 'kripa' rakhengey."
Everyone yelled in joy. The ceremony went well and followed by 'cradle ceremony' too. All guests blessed both parents and Kripa. Devyani fed the whole village and the neighbouring villages too. It took evening by the time the whole house came back into normalcy. All servants cleaned the whole place.
The entire family relatives gathered an hour before dinner in the central hall and Kids were playing outside. Devyani sat in a wooden easy chair. Gayatri put the baby in beautiful teakwood cradle presented by Satyavati for Kripa. Everyone started commenting about the ceremony, guests, saris and all other general topics.
Satyavati entered the hall with her son. Devyani affectionately welcomed her "aao Satya! Yahan meri paas baitho. Yeh tumhara beta Prithvi hai na." Satyavati smiled "haan, Maa ji!" She got used to call Devyani 'maa ji' along with her brother Surya from the time he got married to Gayatri.
Devyani took Prithvi in her lap. She turned to Avantika "Avantika! Tumhari nanad, Nandini kahan hai?" Nandini came forward who was behind Swami "main yahan hoon, maassi ji!" Devyani smiled at her "tumhara beta kahan hai?" Nandini smiled and called Nishant who was playing with Angad and other kids outside. He came running and Devyani took him into her other side of lap.
Angad noticed it from far and ran into hall along with other kids. Angad stood in front of Devyani fuming to see Prithvi and Nishant sharing his grandmother's lap. Misthy and Kanan in their silk skirts stood on either side of Angad as supporting him. They didn't like someone outsiders sharing their grandmother's lap.
Devyani didn't notice them and smiled at the two kids in her lap. She stared at Prithvi "kyon Prithvi! Kripa kaisi lagi? Shadi karega uss sey?" Angad couldn't control his tears and climbed the easy chair. He leaned back of Devyani and tied hands in front over her shoulders. Devyani caressed his hands with affection.
He whispered in her ears "Kripa meri hai, why are you asking Prithvi?" Devyani couldn't stop laughing loudly "suna, Gayatri, Naina! Angad ney kya kaha?" They quizzically looked at her. She kissed Angad's cheeks "yeh keh raha hai ki Kripa uska hai aur mein kyon Prithvi sey poochrahi hoon." Everyone joined Devyani in enjoying Angad's possessiveness. Damini and Avantika exchanged looks envying Gayatri as if Angad already decided to marry Kripa.
"Prithvi ka bhi haq hai, angad! wo bhi toh Kripa ki cousin hai, barabar ristedar hai." Surya spelled out affectionately pulling Angad's cheeks. Angad couldn't stop rolling his tears "No, wo pehli meri hai."
He turned to Prithvi and pulled him from Devyani's lap "you go back to your Bombay." Naina warned him "Angad! aisa nahin kehtey, beta! He is also your cousin and kripa's too. He won't take away your Kripa, okey?" Angad shook his head and kissed her cheeks "thanQ" and ran out as if he got secured promise from his mother. Everyone laughed at him once again.
"Maa, aap aisey baat kum keejiye bachon badey horahey hai." Avantika told Devyani before leaving the room.
Naina changed into night gown before bed time and lay on the bed. Dilip took her into arms "tired? You did lot of work? Thanks for taking care of everything." Naina smiled with tired eyes "it's my duty as a daughter-in-law of this family. After all Gayatri had a child after long waiting." Dilip agreed with a smile.
Naina continued "I felt Surya was not happy for Maa ji saying Kripa and Angad names together."
Dilip agreed "I too noticed, he must be interested in his own nephew, Prithvi. After all he is his sister's son. Who wants to give his only child in this village? One day Angad has to settle here only. I'm lucky to have you. Thanks for marrying me though you were born and brought up in Delhi. I'm proud of you for settling here with me and respecting my family."
Naina caressed his cheeks "Our time the custom was different. My grandfather and your grandfather worked together in freedom fight. Your grandfather settled here in his village and my grandfather retired in Indian regiment. They both promised to tie relationship one day and for their dreams we got into relation. And overall I loved you, Dilip! I love city life, western style of living but I cannot live even a day without you."
Dilip kissed her forehead "I love you, Naina!"
Devyani feared initially for accepting Naina into her family because of her city brought up, but soon she respected and loved her obedient behavior towards her and her family.
After three months Gayatri left with Kripa promising to visit her mother and brother frequently. Avantika, Damini also stayed till then and left at the same day promising each other to meet frequently.
Angad became alone after everyone left. Naina concentrated on his studies now as she got a big leisure time. Devyani never interfered in Naina's bringing up Angad in her own style as she trust Naina was capable of taking enough care of everyone.
For next six years three daughters visited Devyani for every important occasion, festivals, Angad's birthday, and their father's death anniversaries.
Financial markets and global economy
Ishaani
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