Part 21 (Epilogue)
5 Years later.
"Manish choro Sonia ko." Sukriti had wailed as she saw her nephew hug her one year old daughter with overwhelming passion and she cried in retaliation to his smothering hug. "Bhabhi samjhaiye aapkey betey ko buhut shararti ho gaya hai." "Manish behen ko tang nahin kero." Prachi had warned him again .Milind had folded his newspaper and had looked up to see his three year old son give his mother a rather bored look, catching his eye he had gestured him to come sit with him on the sofa and his son had run upto him . Anyone looking at them would have known them to be father and son, Manish possessed the same unruly locks, charcoal eyes and impish smile like his father even their complexion was the same. While she bore Manish, Prachi had a large picture of Milind nailed on their bedroom wall when he'd enquired her about it she had simply replied "Takeh mera beta bilkul aap jaisa dikhey." He had laughed it off then but now after three years of his birth when his son looked exactly like him he knew why she had got that picture on the wall. 'Kiya hua Sonia kyun ro rahi hai?" he had asked him in a low voice "Aisey hii Papa uski to aadat hai or Mumma mujhey daanttey rehti hai." Milind had to restrain a smile on the remark , it was Neev's wedding and both Sukriti and Prachi were deep in discussion as to what should be the venue for the occasion they had both found valuable discussion time after a week and hoped to settle the matter instantly. Meanwhile Premlata and Niharika sat discussing the menu and guest list and Saket obediently jotted down instructions often casting a wearied glance at Milind. Baba had then walked in with the pundit announcing the wedding date a month after. Daadi had brought sweets from the kitchen and everyone had a bite afterall it was Neev's wedding that too to Soumya ironic as it was Neev had certainly been destined to become a son in law of the Shah parivaar. He had felt shattered after Ayesha's death not because he loved her but because he had felt responsible for her and felt guilty at not completing his responsibility. He had housed Amrita in a good mental asylum and went to meet her at regular intervals. Soumya had helped him arise out of his misery and in the course of time they both had formed a deep and lasting bond with each other one that Neev had not formed either with Prachi or Ayesha.
Saket had joined Milind on the couch showing him the list of instructions while Milind laughed his head off , Neev too had returned from the office and joined them. "Kuch chor bhi do Sukriti shaadi key baad key liye" Saket had taunted her who seemed wrapped in her banter about the venue decorations.A fight had now ensued between Rhitvick and Manish which had drawn everyone's attention towards them. "Manish main ney samjhaya tha keh ab sharat nahin kerna." Prachi had reprimanded her son, "Iss sey bhi to bolein na Mumma mujhey Sonia key saath khelney nahin deta. Kehta hai who sirf meri behen hai tum apni jaa ker ley aao." Voicing his turmoil amidst all he did not witness the smile that his remark has invoked on all present. "Mumma aap bhi mujhey Sonia jaisi behen laa do na phir main apni Preeti ko in sey nahin khelney duunga." "Preeti kon hai?" Prachi had asked in confusion . "Ofho Mumma jab aap meri behen laaogi to uska naam bhi to rakhogi na. Bas uska naam Preeti hoga aap Papa sey kahaein mujhey laa ker dein behen abhi." "Chal Milind teri to lag gayi jaa laa ker dey abhi issey behen." Neev had joked slapping his hand on Saket's open palm in delight as they both roared with laughter. "Arey saalon yahaan yeh meri vaat laga raha or tum dono mazey ley rahey ho , itni jaldi to Superman bhi behen nahin laa sakta iss key liye main kahaan sey laaon" he had replied in a light mood. Flustered Prachi had swept him in her arms "Aisey nahin boltey beta." She had tried cajoling him "Papa" he had screamed in mock agony. Realizing that it was time enough he stepped in the scene and saved his wife from further humiliation Milind had pulled him from his mother's embrace and placed him on his lap. "Papa dekhiye na Mumma ko." "Beta roz dekhta huun aapki Mumma ko, kyun kuch change hogaya kiya aaj?" "Nahin aap in sey kahiye mujhey bhi eik behen laa dein." Meeting Prachi's gaze he had repeated the request "Milind aap bhi bas" saying this she had walked off to their room and asking Neev to keep an eye on his son Milind had followed suit.
In the past five years he had lived and breathed Prachi and now knew her moods at the back of his hand. He could tell when she was angry, sad, depressed or excited and acted accordingly. It had been a long and arduous task on his part as Prachi hardly ever complained or lost control over emotions but Ayesha's death had changed her altogether with her father gone she had somehow managed to pull herself together though Ayesha's loss was imprinted on her soul. Initially Prachi had blamed herself for Ayesha's death she would cry for hours and often be restive at nights calling her out in her dreams, it had certainly been a living nightmare for him to see her in that sad and deplorable condition. He would sleep holding her close to him while she tossed and turned in restless slumber, praying all the while for her misery to end. Slowly and gradually he had been able to explain to her that Ayesha's death was an accident and certainly not her fault that it was meant to be. Finally a few months later Prachi had been pronounced as pregnant and that certainly had changed the situation for the better , they had decided it best to remember Ayesha as a cherished memory and not let her mistakes overshadow her innocent soul. Once Manish had been born Milind's fears had been put to rest Prachi had certainly devoted her time to the tiny bundle of joy in their lives and if she ever chanced to go down memory lane he would divert her attention to more exciting thoughts.
Reaching the bedroom he saw her collecting Manish's toys from their bed. "Naraaz ho gayi kia mujh sey?" he had asked her pulling her close to him, he could see she was mad at him. "Kiya zarurat hai Manish ki tarafdaari kerney kii? Na jjaney sab kiya soch rahey hongey. Woh to bacha hai aap to nahin." She had tried turning away but he held her hand firmly . "Kyun tuu nahin chahtii aisa?" he had felt her pulse quicken and seen her blush instantly which meant she surely did, not seeing her reply he had let go of her wrist and turned to leave. "Milind" he had heard her call in haste he stopped in mid step not turning back. She had turned him around so that he stood facing her "Jawab suney bina hii jaa rahey hain?" she had asked. "Jawab to main teri aankhon main parh chukka huun. Bin kahey bhi yeh buhut kuch keh jaati hain or zaruri to nahin keh har baat kahi jaaye." He had placed his palm against her cheek lovingly as he stared in the depths of her hazel eyes. "Mujhey itna jaantey hain." she had whispered in awe as she hugged him tightly a tear had dropped on his shirt from her eye. She had often considered herself truly blessed to have been wedded to him but it was times like these that made her afraid of losing him too just as she had lost her father and sister. He could feel her embrace tighten and knew it was another one of those moments when her fear overran all other emotions. Gently pulling her away he had wiped her tears "Main terey saath huun Prachi or hamesha rahuunga ab chalein nahin to koi or farmaish ker deyga tera beta." "Kyon aapka nahin hai?" Prachi had raised her eyebrows in astonishment. "Humara hai." he had replied pulling her along walking down hand in hand they saw Manish wedged between Neev and Saket sprouting a list of snacks he wanted from them for the evening . Sonia lay asleep in Sukriti's lap while Premlata and Soumya lay the table for dinner. Suyesha was busy helping Daadi in wrapping up the dresses strewn over the sofas while Alaap neatly stacked them in a corner, he certainly was tamed by Suyesha to a very large extent. Watching them ascend the winding staircase Manish had yelled in delight and had sped in Milind's open arms "Papa ley aaye kiya Preeti ko?" he had questioned in childish anticipation. "Abhi nahin, lekin teri agli birthday sey pehley laa duunga." he had winked at Prachi naughtily . "Promise Papa," he had opened his palm infront of his father "Bilkul maa per gaya hai." Milind had thought while he placed his own on his tiny palm. "Promise!" he had mumured, joining everyone at the table he had exchanged happy glances with Prachi ,Baba had looked up to see his son and daughter in law happy and contented and had smiled, finally his dream of having a complete and contented family had been complete.
Note: To all those who have read and appreciated my work thank you if it weren't for you people I would never have found my passion.😊
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Indian Mythology
Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan
