FF their unfinished story...part 2 updt

Hi Guys,

So this is a story I have been writing in the KAA section for a very long time now. I wasn't able to update often since there were many changes going on in my life that kept me away from the story but now I have more time to dedicate to it and since its a multiple couple and show story I thought I would widen the audience to anyone who wants to read. Please give me feedback of what you think of the story so far and the upcoming chapters from now on I'll do it on a poll basis. So I'll have two ideas at the end and you guys can help me pick which one you would like to read more.

I truly hope you guys like my story...keep reading and supporting me...thank you :)

Prologue - Pg 1
Chapter 1 - Pg 1

The Singhania family:

Ajit Singhania

He is a wealthy and well known industrialist, with a poignant rag to riches story. He is a fair and practical man. He has only been in love once, however he married for practical reasons and not for love. Even though his marriage was loveless and done for convenience, the one thing that his marriage gave him was his children, whom he loved unconditionally. Even though he loved his children, he was unable to express himself to them. Unable to emotionally express himself he threw himself into work and was determined to leave his children a legacy that his own father never left him.

Poonam Singhania

She used to be a famous model of her time. She married Ajit more for wealth and security and less for love. Although in her own twisted way she did love her husband and children, she never had time for them. However, she saw big dreams and had great ambitions for her children's future.

Tarun Singhania (chachu) (HITEN TEJWANI)

He admires and respects his older brother with whom he shares a significant age difference. In fact, he is closer in age to Ajit's older son. Since his parents died young Ajit and Mayama raised him like a son along with the rest of the children. He is a Math professor by profession. His niece and nephews adore him. He is their best friend and confidant. He also has a soft corner for the girl next door since childhood.

Shiv Singhania

A quiet and introverted boy who grew up to be an intelligent, somber, righteous and ambitious young man. He idolized his father and was determined to help him in building and improving his legacy. He had a unique gift for music and after his family that was his passion. He adores his siblings and his Mayama and is willing to go to any length for their happiness. He also had a soft corner for the girls next door.

Rishi Singhania

He is a complete opposite of his brother and father. He is extremely extroverted, charming, witty and vivacious, the life of any party. He is always in trouble and is always rescued by his brother. He adores his little sister and worships and respects his older brother and chachu. He also has a soft corner for Mayama and her girls.

Lali Singhania

She is the youngest and most adored member of the family. She is bubbly, mischievous and absolutely stunning. Like Rishi bhaiya, she is also the life of her college. She is fiercely loyal to and protective of her family and friends. She has a kind and generous heart and loves to shower her friends, especially her best friend Shreya, with gifts. She loves animals and wants to be a vet someday.

The Kapoor Family

Kavi Kapoor

He is Ajit's business partner and closest friend. Unlike Ajit, Tarun was born into money but was uninterested in it. Instead he turned his passion for writing into a career and is now a best-selling author. He is a kind, principled man who loves his family very much.

Radhika Kapoor

A lovely, graceful and intelligent person who everyone loves and respects especially the children. She fiercely loves and protects her family. She treats the Singhania children and the Sarkar girls like her own.

Mehar Kapoor

She is a gorgeous, poised and wise young woman with an almost angelic quality about her. She is almost too good to be true. She inspires goodness in people around her. She adores her family especially her father and is also a dreamer like him. She suffers from a chronic heart condition.

Garv Kapoor

He is a smart, dashing, handsome, young man as well as a mischievous and flirtatious prankster. He adores his family especially his sister and is very protective of her due to her fragile health. He respects Shiv but Rishi is his true idol. Despite his flirtatious nature he has only loved one girl all his life.

The Sarkar Family

Deepak Sarkar (deceased)

He was a criminal and an alcoholic, abusive husband and father. He died mysteriously.

Maya Sarkar (Mayama)

A widowed, pregnant and single mother, she was desperately trying to make ends meet. At her time of crisis and in strange twist of fate her childhood friend and only love, Ajit rescues her and gives her a job as his children's nanny. She becomes Mayama, a loving, kind, warm, motherly figure who always has a warm hug and good advice for all her children. However, this smiling, motherly figure hides many deadly scars and dark secrets.

Gauri Sarkar

She is a beautiful, graceful, intelligent introvert with the voice of an angel. Music is her passion and her only emotional outlet. She has tight control over her feelings and barely lets them show even to her family. She loves her family and will do anything for them. Family always comes first for her. She has terrifying memories from her childhood that she has never shared with anyone. She has secretly admired and loved only one man all her life.

Shreya Sarkar

She is a beautiful, accomplished young girl and also Lali's best friend. She loves her family but hates being poor. Growing up in the Kapoor household she was always envious of the life led and wanted to lead it someday. She is ambitious and aspires to be a model like Poonam aunty against her family's wishes. Flirtatious and beautiful, she has many boys pining for her but the one she wants loves another. The combination of her naivety, her beauty and her ambition brings her a lot of pain in life and forces her to grow up fast.

Arvind Dadu

He was the Singhanias' driver. A kind, elderly gentleman who takes Maya and her girls in during their desperate times and adopts them as his own family. He loves all the children and they adore him in return and affectionately call him Arvind Dadu.

Prologue

It was a cold, dark, lonely night. The clouds were fierce and the winds merciless. The wet, empty road stretched out for miles. No sign of life anywhere except on the side near the bushes. Suddenly a black, shiny car drove by and noticing something odd in the bushes, it pulled over to the side. A gentle, elderly man in white driver's uniform rushed out of the car and headed toward the bushes. What he saw there broke his heart.

A young bruised, pregnant woman was lying on the cold ground in torn clothes writhing in pain. Right next to her was a sweet little girl of no more than eight. She was holding the woman's hand and whispering that everything was going to be okay, all the while tears of helplessness were streaking down her chubby, dimpled cheeks. The old man bent down and picked up the little girl. She protested not wanting to leave her mother alone. The old man smiled at her and said, "Don't worry beta. You are safe now." Those kind words and the gentle voice were like music to the little girl's ears. She let the old man usher her into the car and then carry her mother in right next to her. Her mother smiled at her through the pain and whispered, "It will be okay beta," before she lost all consciousness. The old man looked at the ladies in the backseat through his rear view mirror and asked the girl, "beta kya yeh tumhari didi hai?" She shakes her head and quietly whispers "ma".

Acknowledging that fact, the old man looked at the young woman who was obviously in labor. He did not know if she would make it to the hospital, which was at least another 20 miles away. Instead he decided to take her and the child to his cottage which was only a little further down the road.

The little girl watched in fascination as the car passed through a gorgeous wrought iron gate towards a beautiful garden. In the middle of that garden, there was a magnificent white house which stood proud and unwavering against the stormy dark night.

The old man's soft voice pulled the girl out of her reverie, "beta aapka naam kya hai?" "Gauri" she replied in her quiet whisper. The car finally came to a stop in front of a cozy, little cottage. The old man opened Gauri's door and smiled down at her, "this is my home bacha. I brought your mother here because she is really sick right now," he said while he carried her mother inside, "I'm going to put her on the bed in that room and I want you to stay with her. I will quickly go get some help. I will be right back. I promise." Gauri nodded her head but the old man could see the fear in her big, brown eyes. "Don't worry kiddo, I promise I will be right back." With those words and a reassuring ruffle of her hair, the old man ran out the door to find help.

Suddenly the door opened again with a bang and a little boy, just barely older than Gauri, came rushing in. He was soaked to the skin and messy. "Arvind dadu!!!" the boy screamed as he ran around the house frantically looking for someone. In his rush the boy had not noticed Gauri or her mother but now he came face to face with them. For a while they stared at each other not knowing what to say or how to react and then finally the boy yelled "who are you and where is Arvind dadu??? What have you done to him???"

The little boy had a loud, booming voice. A scared Gauri ran away from the boy and hid behind the bed that her mother was lying on. At that very moment the old man came back into the cottage along with a beautiful lady and a sweet, angelic little girl. The little boy ran to the old man, "Arvind dadu jaldi chaliye, mama is sick, we have to take her to the hospital. Papa is calling you. Let's go!!!" The little boy started pulling the man towards the door yelling, "jaldi cahliye!!!" "Arre Shiv beta give me just one minute, I am coming," "No dadu lets go now!!!!!" cried the little boy already out the door. "Aap jaaiye Arvind chacha, main yahan sambhal loongi." Gauri heard the beautiful lady say, "But Radhika bitiya, there was also a little girl, she was just here, and I don't know where she went. She was very frightened poor thing." "Arvind chacha, I'll find her don't worry. Right now you should go Ajit and Poonam need you." "Thik hai beta…but I'll be back soon." As she heard that gentle voice fade away, Gauri became even more nervous and scrambled out of her hiding to protect her mother from this new stranger, no matter how beautiful and nice she may seem.

The lady smiled at Gauri's effort and kneeled down to look Gauri in the eye, "Hi!!! You must be Gauri. Arvind dadu told me all about you and what a brave little girl you are taking care of your mother. You can call me Radhika aunty and you don't have to protect your mother from me, I am here to help. Your mother is sick and she needs my help, will you please let me help her?" The lady had a pleasant voice and a reassuring smile, so finally Gauri relented.

The other little girl stepped forward and took Gauri's hand in hers, "Hi my name is Mehar. It's really nice to meet you. Do you want to come see the new doll I got???" Gauri was reluctant to leave her mother; she snatched her hand away from Mehar and ran to her mother's side. Radhika aunty smiled at her again, that beautiful, gentle smile, and said "its ok Gauri, go play with Mehar. I promise I will take good care of your mother." Gauri was finally persuaded and she went with Mehar to the big house to play with her dolls.

If the house looked big from the outside, it was lovelier and even more enormous on the inside. As she entered the house, she was confronted by the loud little boy again and this time there was another boy with him, this boy was probably closer to Gauri's age. The older boy kept staring rudely at Gauri and finally he turned to Mehar and asked, "Who is she and why did you bring her here?" At that very moment an older voice asked from behind, "Is that anyway to treat a guest in our house Shiv?"

"Chachu she is not a guest, she is some random person Arvind dadu picked up on the side of the road" was Shiv's reply to the older voice. Gauri peered around Shiv to see who the owner of the voice was, he did not sound old enough to be anyone's chachu. And what she saw proved her right; the owner of the voice was a handsome young boy of no more than fifteen. When he saw Gauri observing him, he turned to her with a bright smile and said, "I apologize for Shiv's behavior. Arvind dadu was telling us about you and your mother. I hope she is fine. Please come inside. Shiv move aside and let Gauri and Mehar come inside away from the cold." Even as a little girl Gauri was very impressed with "Chachu's" manners. Gauri was however still a little bothered by Shiv and was unsure if she should heed Shiv's warning look or accept "Chachu's" invitation.

Finally Mehar tugged her inside and introduced her to the other little boy next to Shiv, "this is Rishi" and then Mehar turned to the older teenager and introduced him to Gauri as "Tarun, Ajit uncle's brother and Shiv and Rishi's chachu. And upstairs my little brother Garv is sleeping in Rishi's old nursery."

All the people, their names and relationships were confusing Gauri. The only people she had ever known were her mother and father. She had never even gone to school or had friends her own age. Her only teacher and friend had been her mother and right now Gauri was terrified that she was going to loose her too. Almost as if reading her mind, Mehar answered, "don't worry nothing will happen to your mother, my mother will take good care of her, she used to be a nurse." Gauri silently nodded, relieved at this new piece of information and Mehar continued with her chatter, "and even Poonam aunty is having a baby. That is why Shiv was calling Arvind dadu, so that he could drive Ajit uncle, my dad and Poonam aunty to the hospital. Uncle told daddy that they are going to have a little girl. Isn't that exciting? Do you know if you are going to have a baby brother or sister?" Gauri just shook her head, again silent.

Finally Rishi asked incredulously, "Do you think she is mute Mehar? I mean I have not heard her say anything, have you?" "No!!!" came the instant reply. At that moment Radhika aunty walked through the door.

As soon as she walked in, both Mehar and Gauri ran to her. Gauri looked at her with pleading eyes and Radhika looked into them and replied, "Congratulations Gauri, you have a baby sister. And don't worry your mother is fine, just tired. She is resting right now and she wants you to do the same. You can go see her and your new sister first thing in the morning but right now children, you all need to get some sleep. Gauri you can share the room with Mehar and me tonight." Gauri did not look happy. She desperately wanted to be with her mother, to see her and make sure she is okay. She was also excited about having a sister and she wanted to see her and hold her and play with her. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder and turned around to see "Chachu's" young face smiling down at her, "Go to sleep, I promise I will wake you as soon as the sun comes out and take you to your family." For the first time that night Gauri smiled and whispered quietly, "Thank you." Everyone was amazed not only by the fact that she spoke but also at the beauty of her dimpled smile and sweet, melodious voice.

Rishi broke everyone's reverie by saying, "I guess she is not mute. Bummer it would have been cool to meet a mute person." Shiv's instant reply to his brother was, "shut up. Let's go to sleep." He then turned to Gauri and said, "I am glad your mom is okay and you are lucky you have a new sister." Gauri was surprised by this change in behavior and then she realized that despite his bravado this little boy was also scared and worried for his mother, she gently took his hands in her and in her lovely, melodic voice, said "I am sure your mother will be fine too." Shiv nodded and walked away with his brother to their room.

The next morning arrived bright and happy: a complete contrast to the dark and stormy night before. Gauri woke up later than she had intended to and immediately jumped out of bed and ran out of the room towards the main door. As she was dashing out the house, a hand held her back, "I promised I would take you and I will. But why don't you eat some breakfast first, I bet you haven't had anything to eat yet?" Gauri heard her stomach rumble but she was anxious to see her mother. She pulled her arm away from Chachu's grasp and ran out of the big house towards the little cottage.

Upon entering the bedroom Gauri saw her mother's smiling face and a little, squirmy bundle in her arms. "Gauri beta come here. Come meet your new sister Shreya." Radhika aunty and Arvind dadu were already there and they were smiling encouragingly at her. Gauri slowly came near her mother and immediately fell in love with her bundle. "She is so pretty Ma, just like you." Maya smiled at that and then she turned to Radhika and Arvind Chachu and said, "You were talking about some lady, Poonam. She was also in labor right? What happened? Are her and the baby ok?" Radhika answered Maya with a beaming smile and a proud, "Yes she is absolutely fine and the proud mother of a gorgeous little girl. Have they named her yet chachu?" "Yes, they named her Lali…Lali Singhania." "Singhania?" Maya asked stunned. Arvind dadu smiled at her and nodded, "yes Ajit and Poonam Singhania's daughter. They are the people I work for, the people who were kind enough to let me take you in last night." "Singhania!!!" repeated Maya still in shock. Gauri was surprised at her mother's reaction to that name, she acted like she knew them but Gauri was sure she had never met them or even heard of them before. "Ma do you know them?" Gauri asked her still surprised mother.

"Ma…ma…!" Gauri shook Maya out of her trance. "No beta…I don't know them. But they are very rich and famous people, so of course I have heard of them." Gauri nodded satisfied and went back to amusing herself with her new baby sister.

Maya turned to Arvind Chachu and said, "Thank you so much chachu. I don't think Gauri and I would have survived if you hadn't come along when you did and rescued us." "Don't worry about it beta. But what will you do now? Where is your husband? Where is your home? I can call him or at least take you to him." "My husband passed away. I don't have a home anymore. If you could just let me and the children stay here for a little longer, I promise I will find a job and leave here as soon as I can." "That will not be necessary." A strong, loud, masculine voice boomed from the entrance of the bedroom.

"Ajit…" a soft, loving whisper unwillingly came from Maya's lips. Gauri, Arvind dadu and Radhika all turned to look at Maya. No one had introduced them yet so how did she…Noticing all the attention on her, Maya quickly changed her tone and said, "You must be Ajit saab? Thank you so much for helping us out I cannot tell you how much it means to my daughters and I." Gauri gave the stranger a grateful smile and Arvind dadu looked at him benevolently.

Radhika, however, kept observing the interactions between the young lady and the man at the door. The way they were looking at each other, they definitely did not look like strangers. They were giving each familiar, almost needy looks.

Gauri saw the tall, handsome man walk towards them and was already very impressed by him. He looked like what every rich, influential man should look like. He was a big, broad shouldered man, who wore an expensive suit and a somber pair of glasses. He looked like a man people would have no choice but to look up to. The man walked to the bed, where her ma was resting and said, "There is no need to thank me. Arvind chachu is the real hero here. As for finding a job, I actually have one to for you, if you like."

"That is very generous indeed sir but…" before Maya could finish her sentence; the man interrupted her by saying "Please at least let me make the offer first before you turn it down. As you probably already know, my wife and I have three young children now and we lead a life that doesn't allow us to give them time or raise them right. I can see and also from what I have heard, you have raised a beautiful and smart daughter and I would love for you to have the same effect on my children."

As he says this Radhika notices that Ajit and Maya are looking into each other's eyes as if no one else is present in the room, she gently clears her throat and says, "And it will be so nice for your little girl Shreya to have a friend in Lali, someone with whom she can share not only a birth date but also a childhood."

Taking his cue from Radhika, who was looking at him strangely, Ajit continued with his offer as he turned back to Maya, "Yes our children can grow up together. And also I will be more than happy to take over the complete financial upbringing of your children. You can stay with your daughters in the guest house, right next door to this service cottage. I can assure Mayaji this is a good offer, which will allow both your girls and you to lead a life of comfort."

Maya was unsure, she did not know what to say or how to react, her heart said yes but her brain kept telling her to run the opposite direction as fast as she could. She turned to Gauri and for the first time she saw her little girl pleading with her through her eyes. Life had been rough on Gauri; Maya knew that very well and from what Radhikaji told her Gauri had finally made some friends her age last night. She had made a mistake a long time ago and she didn't want to repeat the same mistake with Shreya. Maya wanted both her girls to have a life they deserved, a childhood filled with friends, love and laughter. Radhikaji's gentle hand on her shoulders brought Maya out of her thoughts, "So what will it be Maya?"

Chapter 1

Where's the party tonight
on the dance floor
oh sapno ke din hain, sapno ki raatein
where's the party tonight…

The speakers blared loudly from an upstairs bedroom, resonating the sound through the entire house. "The night has turned into day but in this house the party is never going to end is it? Lali shut that stupid song please and come down quickly we need your help with the preparations," bellowed a stern but sweet voice. "I am getting ready…five more minutes Mayama," came the immediate response. The owner of the stern voice grinned and shook her head, Lali was eighteen years old now, and an adult in the eyes of the world but still an innocent, nave child at heart, the years had not changed her much unlike Maya.
Life had moved quickly for Maya since that fateful day. She had dedicated her life to raising Ajit and her children. Maya smiled wistfully at how fast the little ones had grown up. It felt like it was just the other day, when she was changing Lali's diapers and boxing Rishi's ears for goofing around at school and now look at them. Lali was starting college next month. Rishi was…well the less said about Rishi the better, God alone knows what that boy does. And Shiv…Maya smiled at the thought of her favorite charge. He grew up so fast. He was always the dutiful and responsible one…constantly taking care of everyone, even her girls. And today…today her son was coming home from his honeymoon. Maya couldn't be happier for the couple, they were both two pieces of her heart and Maya couldn't have asked for anything better than for them to be joined together in the sacred bond of matrimony.
"Ma…ma…kahan kho gayi aap??? There is so much work still left to do and you are day dreaming, seriously Ma!!! Aaiye I want to show you something…" Maya looked at the hennaed hand that tugged her toward the guest room, the hand that belonged to her precious little Shreya. Maya looked at her daughter in awe, when had she grown into such a beauty? The little girl who had struggled so hard for her life that awful stormy night so many years ago had grown into a confident, ambitious young woman, a trait that sometimes scared Maya. Shreya was young and desperate for a life that Maya knew would bring her heartache but was still unable to discourage Shreya from dreaming about. "Ma what do you think about this dress? Do you think it's suitable for Shiv bhaiya and Gauri didi's welcome party tonight?" "Shreya you know you will look beautiful in whatever you wear. Just wear something nice beta." "Ma you have no fashion sense. Chodiye aapki bas ki baat nahin. I'll go ask Poonam aunty what she thinks." With those words Shreya stormed out of the room leaving a frowning Maya behind.
Poonam…that was the name that had changed Maya's life irrevocably. Maya still remembered that day so many years ago when the only man she loved told her, "I am so sorry Maya, you have no idea how sorry I am to be doing this to you but I have to, you understand right? It is my dream, my life's passion to build an empire, a legacy that my future generations can be proud of. I don't want to lead a mediocre life like my father, I want more…I need more Maya and for that I have to marry Poonam, she is my destiny. But you…Maya you are and will always be my one true love, remember that Maya and remember me. Be happy Maya." Happy, she thought ruefully, happiness had evaded her since that day but life Maya realized had a wicked sense of humor. It brought her face to face, once again, with the man she had once loved so passionately and his Poonam and today she was their children's Mayama.
A lonely tear trickled down her cheek, and even Maya wasn't sure if it was a tear of joy or pain. A strong hand gently wiped it away, "What is this rona dhona business early in the morning Mayama…Besides I told you na…if you have to cry at least let me know in advance that way I will be prepared with my dabba to collect your tears, I am telling you it's quite precious you know, its going to make me a rich man someday." "Rishi tell me what is your secret, how are you such a kishen kanhaiya with the girls, you have absolutely no sense of humor." "Chachu please don't be jealous of my charm, I am more than willing to share some pointers with you. Sometimes even the chacha can learn from the bhatija, right Mayama?"
Maya beamed at the two handsome, broad shouldered squabbling young men in her kitchen. They were uncle and nephew by relation but had always behaved more like brothers. These boys were her pillars of strength; they always managed to bring a smile to her face. They had grown up from precocious little boys to good, strong young men, especially Tarun. He was one of the youngest professors at their local university and that made Maya so proud. The easy camaraderie between the boys despite their minor bickering showed how close the members of this family were to each other, or at least most of the members.
"Where were you boys? I have been looking for you…where have you been??? You know there is so much work to be done around the house." "Well you see Mayama…" "Please bhaiya…we all know what your excuses are going to be and we all also know what you were really doing. Mayama as usually bhaiya went for an early morning jog to check out and flirt with all the girls who go work out at the park in their tight, short little outfits. Am I right chachu?"
"Thank you so much for that information Lali…" Maya said caressing the petite girl's pretty young face. Unexpectedly the girl cried out in pain, "Ouch!!! Mayama what are you doing?" "Pulling your ears. Don't think you are too old for that because you are not. Ms. Tattle tale, where have you been all morning? There is work for you too."
Maya put the kids to work and immersed herself in the kitchen, cooking for the party tonight. Suddenly she felt someone creep up behind her and two large, masculine hands covered her eyes. "Hi sexy…Guess who?" the stranger's voice whispered in her ears. "Garv…" Maya responded. "Kya Mayama…you take the fun out of everything. How did you know it was me?" Maya smiled at the petulant but handsome, young face and shrugged, "What can I say I am psychic! Why are you so late? Anyways I think the boys might need your help in the den. And where is Radhikaji?" "Ma is in the living room…" the boy yelled in response as he dashed out the kitchen towards the den. Maya shook her head and grinned at the boy's antics. He was still the same, always running around the house, creating a ruckus along with his idol Rishi. Just then she heard a loud crash and men's laughter coming from the den and realized that something's never change. "Who's thought has you smiling so brightly?" a lovely, feminine voice asked from the doorway, Maya looked up to see the beautiful face of her best friend of eighteen years, Radhika Kapoor.
"Arre Radhikaji why are you so late? Do you know how nervous I was getting? I mean even if they are my son and Bahu they have some relationship with you too."
A laughing Radhika came and gave her agitated friend a warm hug and in her sweet voice replied, "I am so sorry. Its just getting Garv and his dad ready is itself such a huge task…I am so sorry. Okay so tell me what I have to do to make it up to you, I am yours to command." Maya let out an exasperated sigh and the two friends laughingly delved into the kitchen work. From outside a lone figure watched the giggling friends, her body shaking with fury and envy. How dare she? How dare that woman so happily live her life?
"Poonam aunty, you are here? I have been looking all over for you? Aunty, Ma is so useless; she doesn't know anything about fashion. Can you please help me pick something to wear for tonight?" Poonam looked at Shreya with disgust. She regarded her as though she were an annoying fly that Poonam couldn't get rid of. The girl was always pestering her, trying desperately to fit into a world that was so obviously beyond her. Poonam was about to rudely brush Shreya off when women's laughter from the kitchen rang loudly in her ears. Poonam looked toward the kitchen and then toward the pleading girl in front of her. With an evil glint in her eyes and a fake smile Poonam turned to Shreya and sweetly answered, "Of course I will help you beta. In fact I think I might have just the outfit for you." A gleeful Shreya clapped her hands in excitement and cheerfully said, "This will be so much fun aunty. I will surprise everyone even Ma." In her excitement Shreya did not hear Poonam quietly whisper, "You have no idea."
Poonam and Shreya were just about to head upstairs when suddenly a breathless Lali came running in and began shouting for Mayama. Maya and Radhika came running out of the kitchen and a worried Maya asked the young girl, "Lali kya hua? Why are you shouting like a banshee?" Lali struggled to catch her breath and stuttered, "Mayama…bhaiya…bhabhi…" Maya began to get very anxious and shook her charge, hoping that maybe that way she would be coherent and explain what was going on. "Lali…" Maya ventured anxiously, "Lali what happened to your bhaiya and bhabhi?" The young girl finally turned to Mayama and with a mischievous smile she said, "They are almost here!"
Maya let out a breath and pulling the young woman's ears she said, "You scared the life out of me. Go call the boys and get my puja thali." Maya turned to Radhika, her eyes glistening with tears of joy and said, "Radhikaji, my son and Bahu are here." At that very moment the door opened and a soft, gentle voice called out, "Ma…"