EPILOGUE
DEDICATED TO DEEPALI, VIDISHAA
SPECIAL CREDIT TO VEENAJI AND ANJANIJI
One and a half years later "Dadi Bua, Aarav's fingers are so small!"
"Dadi Bua, Ashi Didi to Amrit!"
"Dadi Bua, who does Aarav look like?"
"Dadi Bua, put Amrit on Ashi godhi!"
"Shh girls, no making noise. Let the babies sleep!"
Yes, babies! There were two of them, Aarav and Amrit. Born just three minutes apart! Ashutosh had had to do the honours twice, cutting the umbilical chord and then lifting the precious cargo and laying it on Nidhi's chest! Tears had steamed down his cheeks and the hospital staff were taken aback to see the normally unflappable senior surgeon break down that way! Each of them was glad though, for he was a wonderful man and deserved all the happiness in the world to compensate for all the pain in his past.
The babies had been born less than two weeks ago and had the punyavachanam and naamkaran performed just two days ago. A radiant Nidhi had beamed in delight when Mrs Trehan arrived in style to bless the newborns. The ice queen had begun to thaw. They did not know why or how. But she had turned up announced at Nidhi's godhbarai uninvited. Maybe it was because Nidhi had made relentless efforts to get Riya to develop a bond with Her grandmother, beginning with Mrs Trehan's birthday six months after Mallika's passing. She had taken Riya to greet her and had asked her to attend the annual day at Riya's school where she was to be part of a skit. They were not sure she would come but, at the last moment, Armaan had managed to bring her. She still held herself aloof, but Nidhi had seen the regret in her eyes whenever she looked at Riya. Whatever her reasons for all that she had done, the lady did seem to repent for her past actions although she did not say so in so many words. To Armaan's eternal disgust, Nidhi had refused to hold the past against her and treated her with the respect and care owed to a mother. To Armaan's surprise, his mother did not try any further new tricks and actually seemed to be trying to build a relationship with Riya. And she was even being civil to Nidhi and Ashutosh, a mammoth task for her. Maybe the loss had sobered her down!
Or was it maybe a new entrant to the Trehan household. Armaan had finally given up his precious bachelor status. The young lady who had won his heart was Anupama, who had first joined as intern at his architectural firm. The decade plus difference in age had bothered Armaan initially. But Anupama had not been the one to give up. After a whirlwind courtship, they were now married and Mrs Trehan's hopes for another grandchild were now well alive. A gentle and yet firm natured girl, Anupama seemed to have tamed the grand dame, a task that neither her children nor her husband had been able to do. Or maybe it was because she made an effort to understand her perspective too even before gently showing her the error in her ways.
Armaan and Anupama had donned the roles of Mama and Mami to the newborns, just as they had with Ashi. After being a family of three, Ashi found herself having a much larger extended family now. Of course nothing to beat her Daddy, who was the centre of her universe. Ashutosh was the go to guy if Nidhi or anybody else wanted something done with Ashi. The bond that had probably been formed the day she was born had now strengthened to a lifelong relationship cemented by mutual adoration. Nidhi of course remained Riya's friend and confidante, her Nima and Mumma rolled into one, and she looked forward to discussing boys with her maybe three or four years from then. Something she loved teasing Ashutosh about and something that had him shuddering in fear. Left to him, he wanted to keep his daughters locked away till they were thirty!
Dadi Bua of course was ecstatic. Her bacchi had a husband who loved her to distraction, which was all that the old lady's heart had longed for. When she and the girls had returned from Kanpur that Sunday night, her heart had swelled with joy when a dishevelled looking Nidhi had opened the door after almost fifteen minutes of ringing the bell. Ashutosh had emerged from the bedroom looking rather sheepish too. Although she had all the answers she had sought right in front of her, Dadi Bua had to be certain.
"Nidhi, I hope you have been taking good care of Damaad babu. He looks like he has lost weight!"
Even as Nidhi had protested, Ashutosh had draped a casual arm around her shoulder.
"Dadi Bua, meri biwi ko kuch mat bolo aap!"
Ashi had picked up on the word 'biwi'and started parroting it, sending Riya into a fit of giggles.
He had spelt it out for her loud and clear and just in case, she had any doubt, he shamelessly added.
"Ri and Ash, you girls must sleep with Dadi Bua in her room from today. Your Nima and I have an important project to complete!"
"What project, Daddy?"
"Project Baby Brother!"
The girls had screamed in excitement but Nidhi had wished the earth would just open up and swallow her. She had not known that she had married an absolutely shameless man!
Now, as she lay beside him on the bed and nestled against his shoulder, she could not help thanking God for the blessing that her life had become! Who wouldve thought a guardian angel who had come into her life one rainy afternoon would return yet again as her very own Prince Charming and bring to life all the romantic dreams that she had once woven.
"Ashu, did you imagine ever that you would see me again!"
Ashu dropped a gentle kiss on her brow as he replied.
"Yes and no. I knew that a strange lifetime bond had been established when I first held Ashi in my arms. But I never imagined that two angels would re-enter my life, just when it was at its darkest, and bring me back to light again!"
She could not help but turn and drop a kiss on his neck.
"I love you so much, Thank you for making my dreams come true!"
"Love you too, baby. And thanks for teaching me to dream again, at a time when I had lost all hope!"
They gazed into each other's eyes with all the love in their hearts before the spell was broken by some loud crying.
Dadi Bua brought Amrit into the room followed by Riya carefully holding Aarav. Ashi skipped along, with a proprietorial hand on Amrit's head. The girls had clearly marked out their favorites. Nidhi was thankful that there were two, leaving no chance for a tussle of any sort.
"Nidhi, pata nahi yeh donon ab kyon ro rahe hain? Abhi abhi toh doodh pilayi tu ne?"
"Dadi Bua, inki Mumma ne doodh toh pila di. Par shayad donon ko ab Papa ki yaad aagayi!"
Ashutosh carefully took Aarav from Riya and cradled him in the crook of his arms and whistled softly to him. Magically, the baby stopped crying. As if responding to his twin's cue, Amrit also ceased to cry, as his mother cuddled him close to her.
Riya and Ashi were on either side of the couple, both cooing to their respective favourites and trying to entertain them.
Dadi Bua smiled at the perfect family picture and sent a prayer upward asking for them to be just as happy always!
So, my dear friends, Nidhi and Ashu and their four children lived happily ever after 😃😃
Edited by sharadrocks - 10 years ago
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