An idea of this FF has been haunting for few months now, inface for almost five months now but never really got the chance to write it but now I couldn't take it anymore as I was constantly thinking about and wanted to finally put it in writing.
A very special thanks for Keero & Harveen to motivating me to write it.
Hope you all like it. Looking forward to feedback.
Happy Reading!
Anam
Part I-Pg1, Part II-Pg2, Part III-Pg4, Part IV-Pg5, Part V-Pg7, Part VI-Pg7, Part VII-Pg9, Part VIII-Pg10, Part IX-Pg12, Part X-Pg13, Part XI-Pg15, Part XII-Pg16 (Last part)
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Part I
?he? here, Papa! She? here!?
Jai wore a smile on his face for his four year-old son? sake, but his shoulders felt tense underneath Mausi? soothing hands.
?tharva,?Mausi called over her shoulder to her young grandson as he roared past her and Jai, straight for the front door, ?o running in the house.?
?e? excited,?Anu said with a gentle smile, pulling the edge of one of the curtains back to catch a glimpse of the newest arrival to their Diwali festivities herself.
?hat boy loves his mama,?Aditya agreed, joining his daughter at the window to watch the Atharva throw his arms around Bani? waist as soon as she emerged from her car and gaze up at her adoringly, already chattering non-stop.
?di,?Mausi implored Aditya. ?o. Before he talks her ear off.?
?ome on, Mausi,?Aditya said chuckling. ?? sure Bani doesn? mind. It? been a long time.?
Jai finally ended his silence, standing up and leaving the room before coming face to face with his past.
?oo long.?O:P>
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As a guest to the Walia home, Bani wasn? allowed to partake in the preparations for dinner, but she didn? mind so much?ot when she got to spend the time drinking in the beautiful sight of her son.
Grabbing her smooth hand in his much smaller fist, Atharva had immediately pulled her down the hall to his bedroom as soon as the required awkward greetings were out of the way, intent on showing off the latest gift that had arrived in the mail from his uncle Sahil just days ago? model motorcycle.
Papa help me put it together,?Atharva told her proudly, unabashed love for Jai shining in his eyes.
Bani tried to speak around the sudden painful lump that lodged in her throat, but she could only manage a tremulous smile.
Thankfully, Atharva was none the wiser to her emotional state, launching into an excited detailing of his cousin Simran? new kitten, hardly stopping for breath until he made a pleading request. ?but I told Simran puppies are better, and she said ?ow do I know?since I don? got one, and I told her ?hey just are? and you have to get me one. Please, Mama.?
Bani blinked rapidly, still processing the rush of her young son? words, when Aditya? voice at the door made her turn.
?tharva,?Aditya chided sternly, ?ou know what your papa said.?
?ut Mama could keep it at her house,?Atharva rationalized. ?hen I could see her everyday.?Childish hope echoed in his voice, and he crawled into Bani? lap, sliding his slender arms around her neck as he tucked his head beneath her chin.
Bani smiled tightly at the look of sympathy Aditya bestowed on her and dropped a kiss on Atharva? warm, silky crown. ?isten to your papa,?she murmured softly. ?e knows best.?
?isten to your mama,?Aditya answered when Atharva looked to him for help.
?kay,?Atharva sighed melodramatically, causing both adults to smile slightly.
?ome on,?Aditya held his hand out. ?our Dadi sent me to tell you it? almost time for dinner.?
?o I get to use the big knife this year to cut the cake that Anu did bought, Adi uncle??Atharva? eyes gleamed at the thought of being one of the men of the house, just like Papa.
Bani answered for Aditya, causing him to chuckle and Atharva to whine disappointedly.
?bsolutely not.?O:P>
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Tony bustled around the table, carefully arranging silverware next to the plates.
Bani? brow furrowed at the extra place settings at the table.
Almost as if Anu had read her mind, she said ?or Mom, Pia, and Pushkar?F they come.?
?nd the other two??Bani questioned as the sounds of happy laughter filtered in from the living room, only her son? recognizable to her.
?urva mami and Simran,?Anu smiled. ?xcuse me, Bani mami.?
From the other room a young voice squealed, ?nu didi! I brought Dixie with me!?
?ama, mama,?Atharva appeared at her side, grabbing her by the hand. ?imran? here. And she brought her kitten with her.?
?o,?Mausi told her warmly. ?? almost finished here.?
Atharva relinquished Bani? hand as soon as they entered the living room, racing to the sofa where Simran and Dixie held court.
Dixie? green eyes regarded Atharva coolly as he plucked her from Simran? arms before she started daintily licking one black paw in complete boredom.
?o this is the Dixie I?e heard so much about,?Aditya eyed the regal little feline. ? thought she was a girlfriend of yours.?
?di uncle!,?Atharva rolled his eyes, causing the females in the room to laugh, ?irls are yucky. Except for Mama,?he hurriedly amended. ?nd Anu didi and Dadi and Purva chachi?he added in a panic, not wanting to hurt anyone? feelings. ?nd Simran,?he reluctantly admitted. ?kay. Just girlfriends are yucky.?
?ust girlfriends,?Aditya agreed with a chuckle.
?ani Babhi!,?Purva smiled. ?t? good to see you.?
?hanks,?Bani returned Purva? smile with a warm one of her own. ?t? good to see you too.?Then she nodded to the black-curled child practically stuck to her son? side. ?he? beautiful.?
? beautiful handful,?Purva laughed.
The two sat in companionable silence for several moments just enjoying watching their children with Anu and Aditya.
Finally Purva spoke again. ?he won? admit it to anyone, but she loves Atharva.?
Bani had to agree. ?t looks like the feeling? mutual, although I think Atharva? a little jealous about Dixie.?
?he was a present from Raashi,?Purva replied. ?nd I? think *I?* a little jealous OF Dixie. Simran loves that cat more than she does me.?
Bani? eyes twinkled but her tone was filled with understanding. ?omehow I doubt that? true.?O:P>
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Arms wrapped tightly around her middle for warmth, Mausi joined her son in the backyard, where he sat at the barren picnic table, his elbows resting on his knees and his head in his hands. ?ome inside, Jai. Dinner? ready.?
His voice was muffled when he answered her. ? don? know if I can, Mausi.?
The pain in her son? voice tore at Mausi? heart, but he was being stubborn, and she told him as such. ?ou can? avoid each other forever, munna. I don? know how you?e done it this long. Bani is Atharva? mother, and?
?nd she left him,?Jai cut in sharply. ? loved her, I did everything I could to make her happy, and how did she respond??he asked, voice rising in anger. ?he left him. And she left me.?
? can? pretend to understand Bani? reasons for leaving, Jai,?Mausi said, ?ut anybody can see that she loves that child dearly.?
?ot enough,?Jai wouldn? be convinced. ?ot enough to stay.?
?aybe,?Mausi faltered, ?aybe she loved him so much she couldn? stay.?She raised a hand to her son? face, frowning at the tears Jai refused to cry, the hurt he refused to let go of. ?ome inside when you?e ready.?
Jai watched her go, wondering when that would be.
To be continued?O:P>
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
