Connected: A YHM Story (COMPLETED) - Page 40

Part 73

Bhalla House – April, Saturday morning, 9:00 am

Ishita opened the curtains of her room and sun rays flooded in. She shuffled through the room, folding disheveled clothes and tidying miscellaneous items. Footsteps came closer and she turned to see Ruhi come running into her bedroom for the third time that morning.

"Is she awake yet?" Ruhi asked.

"She'll be awake soon beta," Ishita chuckled. "Just be patient."

Ruhi stood over her sister's crib and crossed her arms, tapping her foot on the floor. Pihu was four months old now. She had started recognizing faces and voices and responding to them. She could babble and smile at her siblings. And Ruhi was excited to play with her. If only she would wake up.

"You can't play with her as soon as she wakes up though, Ru," Ishita said, changing the pillow covers.

"Why not?" Ruhi frowned.

"Because Pihu needs to have her bath first."

Ruhi sighed.

"But you can help me out, okay?" Ishita chuckled.

"Really? Yes!"

In the crib, Pihu's tiny body wiggled and stirred awake as she recognized her mother's and sister's voices. Her eyes blinked open and she yawned, kicking her legs and stretching her tiny chubby arms. Ruhi didi's grinning face materialized above her.

"Ga goo goo," she babbled.

"Good morning Pihuuu..." Ruhi drawled. "Mumma, she's awake!"

"Is she now?"

Pihu heard her mother's sweet voice and held her head up, looking all over for her. To her joy, Ishita's footsteps came closer and her face appeared above beside Ruhi's. Pihu flashed an open-mouthed smile and stuck her arms out for her mother. Ishita picked up her baby girl, smoothing over her soft hair and straightening her onesie, as Pihu burrowed into her warm mother's chest.

"Uth gaya mera baccha? Huh?" Ishita cooed.

"Goo ga..."

"Ab naay-naay karenge... Didi aur mumma ke saath ready honge, haina?" Ishita carried Pihu to the bathroom as Ruhi followed. "Ru, is cupboard mein se Pihu ka towel aur kuch naye kapde nikaal lo. Main uska bath ready karti hoon."

"Okay mumma."

Ruhi grabbed the clothes from the cupboard as Ishita readied Pihu's bath in the sink. She set up the baby bath tub and filled it with warm water before undressing her baby and gently putting her in the tub.

"Here's what I chose. Look." Ruhi came in and unfolded a onesie to reveal Mihir's gift from Rakshabandhan. Except it was the blue 'Raavan Kumar' one. "And these white pants."

Ishita chuckled at Ruhi's choice of clothing. "Okay, leave it on the counter and come here."

Ishita wrung a warm soapy washcloth and cleaned Pihu's face, as she instructed Ruhi to splash warm water over her body to keep the baby warm. She sequentially cleaned each part of Pihu's body with mild soap as Ruhi washed the soap away with warm water.

When the bath was done, Ishita patted her dry with a towel and got her dressed. She looked adorable in a blue custom onesie and white pants. She was truly her father's daughter, in the curve of her nose, the line of her eyes, and especially her clothing.

It wasn't until after ten am that Ruhi finally got her hands on her baby sister. Ishita fed her and burped her, after which Ruhi took her outside to the living room play area they had assembled for Pihu. The furniture had been moved aside to create a play space with a large baby blanket and cushions along with squeaky toys and rattles.

Ruhi lowered Pihu onto the play area and was shortly joined by Adi. After one last check on her children, Ishita joined her mother-in-law in the kitchen to help out with lunch. Raman sat at the table, drinking tea and reading the newspaper, while his father skipped through the channels on the TV.

Adi laid Pihu onto her stomach and Ruhi shook a rubber rattle in front of her. Pihu raised her head and stretched her hands to grab the rattle.

"Here Pihu... here you go..."

Ruhi brought the rattle closer and Pihu grabbed it with a cute smile. Immediately, she put it in her mouth and bit down.

"No Pihu, don't put that in your mouth," Adi groaned. "Woh dirty hota hai yaar..."

Adi tried to gently pull the rattle out of Pihu's mouth, but it wouldn't budge. He pulled again but his baby sister had a death grip on it. It was hard to believe such a tiny human could exhibit so much force.

"Oh my god Pihu, let it go!"

With one last budge, the rattle finally dropped out of her mouth. Adi sighed with relief. And then yelped in pain. For her baby sister had grabbed his finger and bit down on it. Hard.

Ruhi gasped. "Mumma, papa! Pihu just bit bhaiya!"

"What?!"

"Are you serious?"

Ishita wiped her hands on a kitchen towel and Raman threw down his folded newspaper before rushing to the living room. Ishita took Pihu into her arms and Raman checked Adi's finger.

"You okay Adi?"

"Yeah yeah, I'm fine. I took the rattle from her mouth, so I think she got mad and bit me."

"I don't think that's why she bit you." Ishita pulled down Pihu's lower lip. "Look Raman, I think she's teething."

"What does that mean?" Ruhi asked.

Ishita showed them where Pihu's first tooth was beginning to break through her gums. "It means she's getting her first tooth."

"Ohhh... that's why it hurt so hard," Adi commented, shaking his finger.

Ishita switched arms in which she was carrying Pihu. "Kyun baby? Aap ne bhaiya ko kyun bite kiya?" she cooed with a stern face. "That's not so nice of you bacche..."

Pihu heard the change in mumma's voice and saw her smile fade away. And her open mouthed grin morphed into a pout. Her lower rosy lip came out and tears welled in her big blue eyes.

"Amma!" Adi protested. "Don't scold her."

He pried his baby sister out of his mother's arms and rocked her in his arms. Pihu rested her head in the crook of her brother's neck and sucked her thumb.

"It's okay Pihu... It's okay..." Ruhi patted her baby sister's back.

"Look at that." Ishita crossed her arms against her chest and raised her eyebrow. "Ise ek bhi baat bolne jao toh sab ke sab iske bachaav mein khade ho jaate hai. Meri choti si nautanki..."

Raman chuckled and ruffled his son's hair. Ishita shook her head with mirth, marveling at how Adi and Ruhi's sibling rivalry, jealousy, and competition had developed into such fierce affection and protectiveness.

.....................................................................................................................

Bhalla House – a month later, May, 6 pm

The front door clicked open and Ishita walked in with Ruhi in her bharatanatyam gear. Adi followed behind kicking his football to the side and dropping his backpack on the couch.

"Ru, go put your anklets away and get changed. And Adi, make sure you soak your football clothes in the washing machine as soon as you change, okay? Warna sab kichad aur ghaas ke daag lag jaayenge."

"Okay mumma."

"Got it!"

The kids ran into their room as Ishita made her way into her bedroom. A radiant smile brightened her face at the sight that greeted her.

Raman bounced Pihu on his knee, cuddling her close and murmuring to her on the couch. Pihu had her tiny arms on his face, her palms touching and exploring papa's stubble, inhaling papa's scent. Ishita tossed her purse onto the bed before joining the duo.

"Kya kar rahe ho papa-beti?" she asked, sitting beside her husband.

"Hum log khel rahe hai, mumma," Raman answered on her daughter's behalf. "Aap ne kya kiya aaj?"

"Mumma Adi bhaiya ko football practice le gayi, phir Ruhi didi ko dance practice le gayi, aur phir bank mein thoda kaam kar ke aayi."

Ishita gave her baby girl a kiss on the cheek. Pihu palmed her mother's neck and pulled at some of her hair. She wanted mumma to come closer.

Ishita brushed her hair aside and hugged her husband. Raman turned his head and closed in for a kiss, but Pihu let out a wail before he could do so.

"Waaaahh! Gah-gah!"

Pihu raised her hand and pushed her mother away, screwing her face in annoyance. Papa was only allowed to kiss her. No one else.

Raman's jaw dropped. Ishita gasped in pleasant shock.

"Dekha aapne?!" she scoffed. "She just pushed me away!"

"I saw that," Raman laughed. "Pihu, are you getting jealous of mumma? Huh? I told you madrasan, my princess is daddy's girl."

Raman lifted his baby up in the air and Pihu smiled. Ishita giggled at the duo, gazing lovingly.

"What's happening?"

Adi and Ruhi had just arrived having changed their clothes. Ishita stood up and straightened her saree pallu.

"Your sister got mad that I hugged her father. Apparently, only she's allowed to do that," she chuckled.

"That's okay Ishimaa. You can hug us."

Adi threw his arms around his mom and Ruhi hugged her waist, sticking her tongue out at Pihu. Ishita gave a kiss to both her elder kids, curiously watching Pihu's reaction.

Pihu wailed again. "Gaaaahhhh!" Mumma was also only allowed to kiss her. No one else.

Adi and Ruhi burst out laughing. Pihu tried wiggling free of Raman's hold and stretched her arms out to her mother. Ishita picked up her baby girl, chuckling at her antics.

"Shaitaan!" she quipped, nuzzling Pihu's downy head and dropping a kiss on her cheek.

Pihu's eyes sparkled at the attention and she gurgled a laugh. Her first laugh.

"She just laughed!" Ruhi squealed with delight.

"Did you see that?" Adi exclaimed.

Raman took his baby girl into his arms and held her up high and brought her down. Up and down, up and down, and Pihu laughed and laughed, gurgling and babbling in delight.

Ishita watched the scene and her precious brood with tears of joy and love welling in her eyes. Pihu was not only her daddy's princess; she was the apple of everyone's eyes. And she knew it.

.....................................................................................................................

Bhalla House, Ishita & Raman's bedroom – a month later, June, 10 pm

"Bacche so jao na... Please go to sleep Pihu..."

Raman patted his girl, groaning in exhaustion, but Pihu kept reaching for one toy or another. She was lying on her back, wide awake on the bed beside her yawning father. Raman grabbed every toy in her vicinity and tossed them on the side table.

"Why are you being like this baby?" he asked, patting her tummy, trying to lull her to sleep.

Pihu only clapped and giggled in response.

"Aapko hasi aa rahi hai?" he chuckled. "You're laughing at papa's misery?"

More giggling.

"Wow... And here I thought you were my princess. Apparently, you've taken after your mother too, huh?"

"Whose taken after me?" Ishita walked in and clicked the door shut.

"Your daughter. I'm trying to get her to sleep but she's in the mood for playtime. She's laughing at me, look."

Ishita sat down beside her husband and smiled at her baby, rubbing her tummy lightly. Pihu was in a real playful mood today.

"She had her first solid food today, you know," Ishita said.

"Yeah? How'd she take it?"

"Pretty well. She had pea and carrot pureé."

"That explains the colorful diaper," Raman chuckled.

"How was your day today? At the office?"

"It was fine. We've hired more staff at all levels of management, so it's taking a while for the teams to gel well..."

Their conversation meandered from one point to another, even as Raman kept patting Pihu, trying to get her to fall asleep. But to no avail. For moments later, Pihu was on her tummy, pulling at Ishita's saree.

"Oh my god..."

"Raman, wasn't she just on her back?"

"Yes, yes she was!"

"Pihu, did you just roll over, my love?"

The excited parents picked up their giggling baby, pride and love swelling their chest. The consequence of that was Pihu didn't fall asleep until later. Much much later.

At a quarter to midnight, Pihu's tiny exhausted body finally gave out and Raman gently placed the sleeping baby in the crib.

"Ugghh... I am so tired..." Raman groaned, falling onto the bed. "That baby is a handful."

"Even more proof that she takes after you," Ishita teased.

"Ha ha, very funny..."

"You're really tired, huh?"

"Yup..."

"That's a shame."

Raman scrunched his eyebrows in confusion and lifted his head up to look at his wife. She raised a mischevious eyebrow at him.

"What... do you mean?" he asked cautiously.

Ishita unpinned her saree pallu and undid the buckle in her hair. "I mean... Pihu has finally started sleeping through the night. And unlike you... I'm not tired at all."

Raman immediately picked up on the alluring tone in her voice, and his body roared to life. He was up in a jiffy, climbing over his wife and kissing her all over. Ishita fell back against the headboard, fingers threading through her husband's hair, barely holding her giggles in.

Their love life had taken a serious hit after Pihu's birth, as expected. Along with the physical and hormonal recovery, Ishita had her own emotional reservations. She had been taking yoga classes and watching her diet, doing everything she could do lose the baby weight. But it was very slow to come off.

However, judging by Raman's reaction right now, it became clear that she had nothing to worry about.

"Come with me," Raman whispered. "If we're any louder, we'll wake up the baby."

"But where-"

"Shhh..."

Raman pulled his wife up by the waist and carried her into the bathroom, shutting the door behind them, for a night of ecstasy.

.....................................................................................................................

Bhalla House – four months later, October, 12 pm

"Come to mumma. That's it baby, come on!"

Ishita kneeled and gestured to Pihu who crawled to her mother on the other side of the living room. She took one choppy step after another and gurgled a cute laugh as she reached her mumma.

"Yes! Great job Pihu!"

Ishita picked her up and swung her around, before rocking Pihu in her arms and holding her close, nuzzling her soft hair. Pihu grabbed her mother's finger, curiously looking at her bright nail polish. Ishita brought the tiny chubby arm forward and dropped a tender kiss on her baby's hand.

Today, it was just Ishita and Pihu, the mother-daughter duo, at home alone. Everyone was out at work or school. Even Toshi and Omprakash were out for the week visiting relatives in Punjab. And so Ishita had spent the day with her ten-month-old, playing and looking after her new crawler.

"Pihu, it's lunch time now. Bhookh lagi hai aapko? Huh?" Ishita cooed.

She walked over to the kitchen, balancing Pihu on her hip, and opened the baby food cabinet. Pihu promptly pointed at the jars and packets of organic veggie and fruit pureé.

"Baa-baa..." she cooed.

"Haan, baby food khaayenge, hmmm? Aaj subah dudh piya aapne, toh ab thoda khaana khaayenge. Kya khaana hai aapko? We have sweet potatoes, pears & kale, apples & spinach... Let's see..."

Ishita eventually settled for a mango, beet, and apple pureé. She served it into a bowl at the dining table, placing Pihu in her baby chair. Spoon by spoon, she fed the mixture and Pihu gobbled it up.

Towards the end, when the bowl had a couple bites left, Ishita's phone rang.

"Look here! Papa ka phone aaya!"

She put the call on speaker.

"Hello Raman. Lunch time, is it?"

"Yup, maine socha phone kar ke dekhu how my girls are doing."

"We're doing very well. Pihu ma'am is having her lunch."

"What's she having?"

"The phone is on speaker. Ask her yourself."

"Pihu... Kya khaa rahe ho bacche?" Raman asked, changing to a childish tone.

"Main mango aur beet aur apple kha rahi hoon, papa," Ishita cooed on her behalf.

"That's very good princess, very good," Raman chuckled.

Pihu pushed the spoon away and swiveled her head left and right. She could hear papa's voice, but she couldn't see him. Ishita gave her a tender, adoring look.

"Raman, Pihu aapko idhar udhar dhund rahi hai."

"Sorry I'm not home princess. Papa has to work a bit more nowadays."

Raman had been home more often than not for the first six months after Pihu was born, but for the last few weeks, he had to spend more time at the office. Their company had now gained a substantial foothold in the international market, including Tokyo, France, and London. Their Mumbai office was booming as well, and there was talk of opening offices in other cities.

Despite his hesitation to go back to work full-time, he had taken the leap nonetheless. Ishita was at home full-time, and Pihu had a pretty regular schedule now. He had faith that she could handle the home front while he took on the cutthroat business world. But it killed him that he couldn't spend more time with his baby girl.

"Raman, don't get lost in your head," Ishita said, bringing him out of his musings. "You have no reason to feel guilty, okay?"

"Yeah... yeah I know..." Raman replied reluctantly. "It's just-"

"Paa-paa..."

Pihu's first word put a pause on all conversation.

"Did she just-"

"Yeah, I think she did!"

"Pihu, kya kaha aapne?"

"Raman, she just said her first word! Pihu said 'papa'!"

Excitement and disbelief echoed through the parents' voices.

"Pihu, phir se bolo na, papa bolo, paa...paa..." Raman urged.

"Papa..." Pihu pointed to the phone and said, "Papa..."

"Take that madrasan!" Raman chortled. "She really is papa's princess!"

"Kuch bhi." Ishita turned to her baby and tried to steer her in a different direction. "Pihu, mumma bolo, mum-ma..."

Pihu looked up at her mother and gave an open-mouthed smile with four tiny teeth and red pureé smeared across her face. Ishita wiped her face with the bib around Pihu's neck and tried again.

"Say mumma baby." Ishita pointed to herself. "Mum. Maa."

Pihu lifted her arms towards her mother. "Ma-ma..." she babbled.

Ishita gasped. Raman laughed in surprise.

"She said it!" Ishita picked up her baby girl and kissed her all over. "Yes baby! Papa-" She pointed to the phone. "-and Mumma!" She pointed to herself.

"I can't believe I'm not at home to see this!" Raman groaned.

"Then come home soon and you'll hear it for yourself."

I spy with my little tired eye

Tiny as a firefly

A pebble that we picked up last July

As much as he wanted to come home right that second, Raman couldn't leave his office until well after sunset. In fact, it was past ten when he reached home. He creaked the front door open and walked into a dark quiet living room. Rinki, Romi, Adi, and Ruhi were all asleep. After checking on his elder kids, he tiptoed into his bedroom to greet a sight that stole his heart.

Ishita was lying on the bed in a black kurti and white leggings snuggling with their tiny Pihu, who slept peacefully tucked into her mother's side. Pihu's lips parted and she stirred, causing Ishita to pat her gently, attuned to their daughter's responses even in sleep. Raman's face softened with love and adoration.

Down deep inside your pocket

We almost forgot it

Does it ever miss Wicklow sometimes?

He gently placed his sleeping baby into her crib, careful not to wake her up. But the movement was enough to wake up his wife.

"Raman? Is that you?" she whispered groggily, lifting her head up.

"Yeah, it's me. I was just putting Pihu in her crib. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up."

"No that's fine. I was actually waiting for you. Pata nahi kaise Pihu ko sulaate sulaate meri aankh lag gayi." Ishita yawned and stood up from the bed. "Aapne khaana khaaya?"

"No, not yet."

"Thik hai, aap fresh ho jaayiye. Main aapke liye khaana lagaati hoon."

They said the end is coming

Everyone's up to something

I find myself running home to your sweet nothings

Before Ishita could leave however, Raman grabbed her elbow and stopped her. "Go back to sleep. You don't have to do this. I'll eat on my own."

"I know I don't have to do it. I want to. Now just go freshen up. I'll warm up your dinner." Ishita gave her husband a quick kiss on the lips before heading out.

Raman smiled despite himself. He took a quick shower and changed into comfortable night clothes before heading outside to find his wife humming in the kitchen. She gestured him to sit down, as she brought him a plateful of rice, dal makhni, and yogurt.

Outside, they're push and shoving

You're in the kitchen humming

All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothing

Halfway into his dinner, he struck up a conversation.

"Are you still jealous that Pihu's first word was 'papa'?" Raman teased.

Ishita barely suppressed a laugh. "She said 'mumma' like a minute later. You didn't really win a lottery here."

"Oh, I won more than a lottery. Every time we have an argument about Pihu in the future now, I'm going to bring his up."

"Oh dear lord..."

Raman wiped his plate clean and washed his hands, while Ishita put away the leftovers and rinsed the dishes.

On the way home

I wrote a poem

You say, "What a mind"

This happens all the time

"Waise ek baat puchu?" Ishita said.

"Sure, go ahead."

"Why are you so worked up about 'papa' being Pihu's first word?"

"I'm not worked up," Raman lied.

Ishita set down the dishes and wiped her hands before making her husband face her. "Tell me Raman. What's going on?"

"It just... It felt nice knowing Pihu's first word was 'papa.' Even though I've been working so much, she hasn't forgotten me."

'Cause they said the end is coming

Everyone's up to something

I find myself running home to your sweet nothings

Frown lines appeared on Ishita's face at the drop in Raman's eyes. She palmed his cheek and gave him a tender look.

"Why would she forget you? You're her father."

"I was Ruhi's and Adi's father too. And both of them..."

Ishita didn't need Raman to finish that sentence to understand him. He had been absent from his other kids' lives for years on end. Even if it was involuntary, the impact of that couldn't just be undone with the snap of a finger.

Outside, they're push and shoving

You're in the kitchen humming

All that you ever wanted from me was nothing

Ishita brought her hands up and stroked her husband's cheeks, boring into his guilt-ridden eyes with her warm, caring ones.

"You are a great father to all three of your kids. And I'd like to think I'm a good enough mother too. And as a team, we'll always be there for them. Yeah?"

"Yeah." Raman's eyes softened. "You're right. Except for one thing."

"What?"

"You're not just a good mother. You're an amazing mother." He lowered his voice and whispered in her ear. "And an even better wife."

Industry disruptors and soul deconstructors

And smooth-talking hucksters out glad-handing each other

And the voices that implore, "You should be doing more"

To you, I can admit that I'm just too soft for all of it

Raman brought his arms around his woman and nuzzled her hair, as Ishita snaked her hands up his back and rubbed his shoulders in comfort.

In all the noise of the world, all the conflict clawing at him, this woman was his home, his peace, his calm in the storm, his guiding light, his safe haven. This woman was his everything.

They said the end is coming

Everyone's up to something

I find myself running home to your sweet nothings

Outside, they're push and shoving

You're in the kitchen humming

All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothing

https://youtu.be/rn0brgg2BpI

Both the parts were really very beautiful and nice please update next part soon

Part 74

Bhalla House, Ishita & Raman's bedroom – a few days later, 4 pm

"Aap aisa nahi karoge na Pihu? Aap humesha mumma ke baby rahoge na? Hmm?"

Ishita was curled up on the bed while Pihu sat beside her in a peach onesie, shaking a rattle and biting on a silicone teether. Ishita gently tickled her tummy and Pihu gave out an unrestrained gurgly laugh.

"Ma-ma... Mu-mma..." she giggled.

"Aap aise hi haste rehna, aur mumma ke paas rehna, thik hai? Kabhi badi mat hona."

She picked her girl into her lap and cuddled her close, kissing her soft face. Pihu shook the rattle and almost hit Ishita over the head. She loved her warm, cuddly mumma, but this new rainbow-shaded rattle that Simi bua had given her was more interesting right now.

"Oh so you don't want your mother either, do you?" Ishita complained.

"What's going on here?" Raman walked in and dropped his laptop bag on the couch before joining his girls on the bed. "Aur yeh kya ulti patti padha rahi thi meri beti ko? Badi mat hona matlab?"

He blew a kiss to their daughter who was trying to crawl away in pursuit of a stuffed giraffe. Raman held her back by the waist and handed her the giraffe while Ishita lined pillows along the edge of the bed.

"Meri beti toh badi hokar business woman banegi," Raman predicted. "Ya phir doctor... Aur woh bhi asli doctor."

But none of Raman's quips or jokes could wipe the frown lines from Ishita's face.

"What is going on with you madrasan?" he asked, making sure Pihu was safely ensconced on the bed, busy with her stuffed animals and toys.

Ishita crossed her arms across her chest. "I'm mad at your kids."

"My kids? So they're just my kids now?" Raman chuckled.

Ishita nodded with a pout.

"So who exactly are you mad at? Adi and Ruhi?"

She nodded again. "They don't need me anymore, Raman. They don't want their mother around," she scoffed.

"I highly doubt that."

"No, it's true." Ishita straightened up and faced her husband. "Adi doesn't like me dropping him off at his friends' place anymore. He'd rather bike there. And whenever Hardik or Ayush come here, they just camp up in his room. Adi barely lets me come in to drop off snacks."

"He's a teenager, Ishita. That kind of comes with the territory. Besides, whenever his friends are over, we make him keep the door open, right? We monitor his phone, we chaperone his outside visits... Everything's fine."

"It's not just that. He doesn't even like me giving him a kiss good-bye when I drop him off at school. He's embarrassed of me! Plain and simple."

"He's a teenage boy. Next time, try fist-bumping him. That'll work better. Problem solved."

Raman stood up and began shedding his coat. Halfway through unbuttoning his shirt, his hands stopped.

"Wait, why are you mad at Ruhi then?" he asked.

"Because she doesn't need me either!" Ishita sighed. "She doesn't want my bedtime stories anymore. She reads her own novels now. And that iPod you got her for her birthday? She'd rather listen to music to fall asleep than listen to my stories."

"That's it? So what if she doesn't want bedtime stories anymore?" Raman rubbed his chin in confusion. "What is prompting all this madrasan?"

Raman sat down in front of her but Ishita averted his eyes under the ruse of ruffling Pihu's hair, who was now climbing into her mother's lap. He palmed his wife's cheek and made her face him.

"Talk to me."

Ishita sighed. "I couldn't pick Ruhi up today."

"What?"

"She came running at me to hug me and I tried picking her up into my arms. But she was too heavy. They're just... they're growing up too fast, Raman. And one day... they won't need me anymore."

If it hadn't been for Ishita's frown and displeasure evident on her face, Raman could've started laughing at her adorable pout.

"That's crazy Ishita. Of course they're going to still need you. They'll always need you. You're their mother. No matter how old they get. And isn't it a good sign that they're becoming independent? It means we're doing out job right."

Ishita chewed her lip. "I know that. But still it's just that... I'm not working anymore. My entire identity is wrapped around our kids. I love them more than anything, but if they don't need me then-"

Raman stopped her with his finger on her lips.

"Shhh. You know better than me that your identity is much more than just being a mom. And even if it was, that's still okay. You'll always be a mother."

Raman's earlier playful mood was gone. He hadn't realized how Ishita was coping with this change in their life. She loved her time at home with the kids, especially with Pihu, but leaving her job had its own repercussions that didn't surface until now.

"Do you want to go back to work?" he asked.

"No, not at all." Ishita hugged Pihu in her lap and kissed her downy head. "Not right now anyway. Pihu is too young. I don't want to leave her until she starts school at least."

Raman chewed his lip in thought.

"Okay how about this? By the time Pihu starts school, I'll hand over the CEO responsibilities to Mihir. I'll take an extended sabbatical – a long break – and you can go back to work. Ruhi and Adi will be in high school or college by then too. How does that sound?"

"Are you sure? I don't want you to compromise on your ambition-"

"It's not a compromise madrasan. I'd like to think of it as a well-deserved break."

Ishita smiled and gave her husband – her very understanding and considerate husband – a tender, loving look. This man was truly her rock, her island in the storming sea, her oasis in the scorching desert.

"Thank you Raman. I think that's a great idea," she conceded.

Pihu was now climbing into her father's lap, pulling at his half-unbuttoned shirt, as Ishita scooched forward to hug them both. Raman puckered his lips at his wife and she closed in for a kiss. Pihu cried out from the tightened squeeze between her parents.

"Aaah! Mam-ma..."

Raman and Ishita came apart, laughing at their infant coccooned between them.

"Mom?" Adi walked in and waved at the trio.

"Yes beta?"

"Ruhi won't give me the laptop. I need it for my dental hygiene essay, but she keeps watching hairstyle videos about how to make fish braids."

"You mean fishtail braids? Khajoori choti?"

"Yeah that. Apparently her friend came with a new hairstyle and she wants the same one. Can you get her to leave the laptop? Please?"

Raman raised a knowing eyebrow at his wife. See? I told you they'd always need you.

Ishita rolled her eyes and bit back a smile. Okay fine, you were right. Now stop gloating.

"Come on Adi, let's get this all sorted out." Ishita herded her son outside and headed to the kids' bedroom.

Ishita spent the next two hours helping Adi with his essay and showing Ruhi how to make fishtail braids. It was a riveting time.

But the mood was drastically different at dinner. An icy chill blasted over the table.

"Mummy, woh chicken pass karna," Romi said.

Toshi stomped over from the kitchen and dropped the chicken curry pot with a clang. Romi almost jumped in his skin.

"Main... paraathe banaane mein help kar du... mummyji?" Ishita asked, very hesitantly.

Toshi shook her head and pointed at Pihu seated in her baby chair who was now licking strawberry yogurt off her fingers.

"She's saying you should keep feeding Pihu," Rinki said, translating her mother's silent talk.

Toshi nodded and headed back to the kitchen to make parathas with Neelu.

Ishita sighed and continued mashing boiled rice and chickpeas for Pihu. Raman dropped his head into his hands and groaned. What was up with the mothers of this house today?

"Mummy, ek kaam karo," Raman intervened. "Humaare saath khaana khaane baith jao na? Paraathe Neelu banaa degi."

Toshi knocked the kitchen counter with her belan (rolling pin) and shook her head.

Ruhi elbowed Adi and wiggled her eyebrows at him. Why is dadi mad?

Adi shook his head and put a finger to his lips. No idea. Best not to get involved.

"Toshi ji, kab tak aise naaraaz rahoge?" Omprakash asked. "Kam se kam bataao to sahi ki aap naaraaz kyun ho?"

No answer.

Rinki sighed and shook her head. "Let it be papa. She'll talk when she's ready. Aap bataao, aapka Punjab ka trip kaisa raha? Tau ji aur badi beeji kaise hai?"

"Dono thik hai puttar. Tere Tau ji ne toh itni bade muchhe badhaayi, pata hai? Aur teri badi beeji-"

"Teri badi beeji ne mujhe kitna sunaaya, pata hai?!" Toshi exclaimed, breaking her silence for the first time that evening.

She threw her rolling pin on the counter and stomped to the table, towering over everyone, ranting about her mother-in-law.

"Meri saas ne mujhe itna sunaaya hai is baari! Use lagta hai mujhse mere bacche nahi sambhalte! Sab ko apni marzi karni hai aur maa ki baat sunni hi nahi hai!"

Everyone gawked at her like deers caught in headlights.

"Okay maa, calm down," Raman spoke up. "Kaun aapki baat nahi maanta? Kaun se bacche aap se nahi sambhalte?"

"Yeh dono!" Toshi pointed at Romi and Rinki.

Romi coughed up the chicken in his mouth. Rinki froze in the middle of tearing a paratha.

"Humne kya kiya?"

"What did we do?"

Toshi pulled out a chair and glared down the two of them. "Kab se bol rahi hoon tum dono ko. Shaadi karlo! Lekin koi meri baat nahi maan raha! Tere Tau ji ke sabhi baccho ki shaadi ho gayi, pata hai? Rinki, unki bahu tum se bhi choti hai aur uske do bacche hai!"

"Am I supposed to be jealous of her?" Rinki quipped.

Romi snorted.

"Enough you two!" Toshi put her foot down. "Rinki, you wanted to work after graduation, right? Well, you've been working for over three years now! And Romi, you're on our company's top management team now! Both of you have a good career and are of the right age. It's time for you to get married. Who's going first?"

"Who's going first? What is this maa? A board game?" Raman scoffed.

"Your mother isn't wrong, son," Omprakash chimed in. "And it's not like we're going get our kid married to someone off the street. Pehle logo ko dekhenge, parkhenge, parivaar ko samjhenge... Phir hi toh shaadi hogi."

"Tum dono bataao... Do either of you have someone in your life? Agar kisi ko koi pasand ho toh hum log baat karte hai. Humein love marriage se koi problem nahi hai. Bas shaadi karne ke liye ready ho jao."

Rinki looked over at Romi and raised her eyebrows. Speak up. Now.

Romi could do nothing else except gawk at her. But Rinki was done with his silence. She kicked him under the table and he let out a yelp.

"What's going on?" Ishita asked.

"Either you tell them or I will," Rinki warned.

Romi sighed. "I um... I actually... I already have... someone."

"Of course you do," Raman said dismissively. "You have someone new on your side every month. Maa is talking about marriage not a dinner date."

"No, I mean I have someone who I want to marry. I've been dating her for over two years. Almost two and a half."

Every head turned and every movement stilled. It wasn't until Pihu whined at the loss of her spoonful of mashed rice that the family came to its senses. Ishita patted her back to soothe her baby girl and fed her another spoonful of rice. Raman set down his spoon and blinked. Toshi and Omprakash exchanged curious glances. Rinki bit the inside of her cheek to avoid smiling.

"You've been seeing someone for two years? How did I not know this?!" Raman exclaimed.

"Are you sure you're serious about her? You're ready to get married?" Ishita asked.

"Oh yeah, he is," Rinki intervened. "I've met her. I've even seen them together. He's a lovesick puppy around her."

"Rinki!" Romi hissed.

"Wait! Most important question..." Toshi interrupted. "Who is she?"

"Sarika."

Romi closed his eyes so as not to witness the blank stares he received by dropping that bombshell.

"Whoa..."

"Sarika?!"

"You mean Sarika from my clinic?!"

"Woh jo Ishita ke godh bharai ke din aayi thi?!"

"Yes... One and the same."

Ishita set down Pihu's empty bowl and wiped her baby's mouth clean as she wrapped her head around this revelation. Raman couldn't even stomach another bite of food at the moment. Adi and Ruhi simply sat back and enjoyed the show.

"How did this even happen?" Ishita asked. "You only met Sarika once at my clinic, right? How did you guys become a couple?"

"We knew each other years ago, bhabhi. I met her on a college summer trip to Goa. We became... close."

"Then why didn't we know about it back then?" Raman asked. "Or now? How come only Rinki knows about it?!"

"In my defense, I only found out because I saw them hugging from the balcony once. He never actually told me," Rinki revealed.

Romi sighed. Rinki was busting his balls today. And now, everyone was staring at him, pressing him for answers.

"Okay... I um... I met Sarika back when I was on a college trip to Goa. She was there on a trip with some cousins. We became friends... maybe more... but we broke it off before leaving. We weren't ready for anything long-term, she had priorities, and... it was around the same time Bhai and Shagun were getting divorced. The atmosphere wasn't really conducive for heart-to-heart conversations."

Sadness and regret gathered in Raman's eyes. Ishita rubbed his knee under the table and nodded at him reassuringly.

"And then we met again years later, when I was dropping Bhabhi off at her clinic once. We didn't tell anyone about us because it was right after bhabhi got shot so... and we didn't want anyone to freak out. The way everyone is reacting right now? That's exactly what we were afraid of..."

It took a few minutes before everyone could get used to the idea of Romi and Sarika as a couple. Rinki finally let go of her pursuit to tease Romi and spoke from his behalf, vouching for them and their relationship. But even after a long winded discussion between the family, Toshi was not on board.

"I want to meet her," she demanded. "Bring her home this weekend and then we'll talk."

Sweat beaded on Romi's brow, anxiety crawling up his throat. His mother was traditional, even orthodox to an extent. She had changed with the times, let her kids pursue their own paths, but old habits die hard.

.....................................................................................................................

Bhalla House – the next weekend, 3 pm

"You shake your knee any more, then I'm going to assume we're in the middle of an earthquake," Rinki commented.

"You talk any more, then I'm going to assume we're in the middle of a political campaign," Romi retorted.

"Shut up."

Rinki rolled her eyes at her nervous wreck of a brother. Sarika was coming to meet the family this morning. She had never seen her laid-back brother this anxious.

"It's not your board exams bhai. Why are you so nervous?"

"I wish it were my boards. They would be a lot less nervewracking. If mummy doesn't approve of Sarika-"

"Then you keep trying until she does. Contrary to popular opinion, she's actually pretty open-minded for someone from her generation."

Speaking of whom, Toshi came out of her bedroom, glancing at the wall clock. "She's late."

Romi gulped. "She'll be here. She might be stuck in traffic. Or her mother-"

"Don't make excuses for her."

To his relief, the doorbell rang a minute later. Romi shot up from the couch and opened the door. His face brightened up at Sarika's arrival.

"Hey! Come on in!" He ushered Sarika inside.

Rinki was the first to hug her and welcome her to the family. "You're already in my good books, okay? Just win over our mother and you'll be good."

Sarika nodded nervously and took a deep breath. She shook Raman's hand and hugged Ishita. Finally, she stepped towards Toshi and Omprakash and bent forward to touch their feet.

"Namaste Aunty. Namaste Uncle."

"Namaste beta."

"Jeeti raho."

The adults settled around the living room, while the kids played over at their Tata and Paati's place.

"Aap kya karte ho beta?" Omprakash asked. "Kahan tak padhai ki hai?"

"Maine BA pass kiya hai. College se hi kaam karna shuru kiya tha. Receptionist ya secretary ki naukri ki hai humesha. Aur ab, lagbhag chaar saal se Batra Medical Center mein kaam karti hoon. Dentistry clinic sambhaalti hoon."

He asked more questions about her life, her career, and her family. Then came her sore spot. Her father.

"He died before I was born. My mother raised me alone," Sarika answered, swallowing a twinge of grief. Romi discreetly squeezed her hand in comfort.

"I'm really sorry to hear about your father," Toshi intervened. "Lekin tumhe pata toh hoga na ki woh kaun the."

Sarika gulped and shook her head. "My mother never told me. Even when I asked. Eventually I stopped asking. I don't think there's a nice story there."

Crease lines of concern appeared in Toshi's forehead.

"But she's a great mom," Sarika added quickly. "Even though money has always been short, she never left any stone unturned when it came to what I needed."

The lines of concern hardened.

"So it's just been you and your mother? No siblings? No uncles or aunts or grandparents?"

"No Aunty, just me and my mom."

Sarika gave a concerned glance to Romi. What do these questions mean?

Romi nodded at her and squeezed her hand again. Don't worry about it. Just relax.

"Sarika, main ghuma-phira kar baat nahi karungi. Seedhe seedhe kehti hoon," Toshi started. "Agar yeh shaadi hoti hai toh tumhe samajhna hoga ki yeh parivaar mere liye sabse zyada maayne rakhta hai. Mera beta yahin rahega. Hum sab ke saath. Aur bhale hi humaare paas acche-khaase paise hai... iska matlab yeh nahi hai ki yahan paise ped par ugte hai."

"M-Main samajhti hoon... Aunty... Mujhe paiso ki kimat acche se pata hai. Maine bachpan se dekha hai-"

Toshi raised her hand and stopped her midway. Her misgivings were growing stronger by the minute. Ishita gave a bewildered look to her mother-in-law, unable to understand what she was asking.

Raman cleared his throat and changed the subject to something less awkward.

"You know Sarika, I never thought this duffer could land a girl like you."

Sarika gulped nervously. "What do you mean 'girl like me'?"

"I mean a beautiful, brilliant, sorted girl like you. Seriously, what did you see in this guy?"

Raman flicked his brother in the head and Romi returned the favor with a playful scowl. For the first time since her arrival, Sarika gave out a genuine laugh.

Toshi gave a disapproving glare and walked to the kitchen for a drink of water. Ishita followed her, confused at her reaction to Sarika.

"Mummyji, kya hua hai aapko? Aap Sarika ko aise sawaal kyun kar rahi hai?"

"Puchna zaroori hai, Ishita. Sawaal kadve hai lekin zaroori hai. Bin baap ki beti hai, paiso ki kami hai, kya pata... woh sirf paiso ke liye shaadi karna chaahti ho?"

"Main Sarika ko saalon se jaanti hoon. Woh aisi nahi hai."

"Hum bhi Shagun aur uski maa ko jaante the. Kya kiya un dono ne? Humaare parivaar ko tehas-nehas kar diya tha. Woh aurat bhi bin baap bhi beti thi, kam paiso mein badi hui thi..."

Realization dawned in Ishita's eyes.

"Ishita, isse pehle logo pe andha bharosa karne ka nateeja hum dekh chuke hai. Apne pehle bete ke liye jab bahu chuni thi tab usne humko barbaad kar diya tha."

"Aapki dusri bahu ne toh aisa kuch nahi kiya na?"

"Tumhaari baat alag hai. Tum sirf Ruhi ki maa bankar aayi thi. Tumhaare piche maa-baap, parivaar sab the. Tumhaare paas apne khud ke paise the."

"Mummyji..." Ishita held Toshi's hand and calmed her down. "Har aurat Shagun nahi hoti. Aur Sarika toh bilkul nahi. Woh kitni mehanti aur khuddaar hai maine dekha hai. Mujh par naa sahi toh apne bete ki pasand par bharosa kijiye. Woh dekhiye."

Ishita pointed to the living room and Toshi peered on. Raman and Rinki were high-fiving over one of Romi's childhood pranks. Omprakash chuckled at the anecdote, and Sarika giggled without restraint.

But what lifted Toshi's heart and filled her with relief was the look on Romi's face. In every memory that was shared, every prank that was revealed, Romi kept his gaze fixed on Sarika. He looked at her like she was the center of her world.

Toshi was very familiar with that look. It was the look her husband gave her every time he saw her. It was the look Raman gave Ishita when she wasn't looking. It was the look Mihir had when Mihika teased him. It was the look Pulkit gave when Simi smiled. And best part was... she had never seen that look on Romi's face before. Except with Sarika.

Toshi set down her glass of water and rejoined the family. Ishita followed suit.

"Sarika," Ishita began, "I could never have imagined we'd become family like this in the future."

"Neither did I, ma'am. Funny how life works out."

"For the last time. Stop calling me ma'am. You can call me bhabhi now. Waise bhi jald main tumhaari jethaani ban jaaungi."

Sarika smiled at the idea, but she didn't know whether it was a done deal yet. Rinki had been on board since before today's meeting. Ishita had already accepted her as a sister. Raman was cordial but observant. Omprakash had blessed her as a daughter yet he remained civil.

It was Toshi who was still frosty. And it remained that way until Sarika was being greeted out the door two hours later.

"Apna khayal rakhna bete," Omprakash said. "Baad mein milte hai."

"Bye Sarika... bhabhi," Rinki drawled, as she hugged her.

"See you later Sarika," Ishita said in the middle of an embrace.

"Ruko..." Toshi stepped forward and faced Sarika. "Agli baar aaogi na, toh apni maa ko leke aana. Hum bhi Simi ko bula lenge. Shaadi ki taiyyari karni hogi."

A breath of relief blew out of Sarika's lungs and every muscle in her body loosened. She threw her arms around Toshi and hugged her in a moment of excitement and euphoria. Romi almost jumped with joy. He hugged his mother from behind and sandwiched her between himself and the love of his life.

"Okay, enough you too!" Toshi chuckled.

"Thank you mummy! Tussi great ho!" Romi cried.

"Thank you Aunty! Thank you so much!" Sarika exclaimed.

"Aunty nahi, mummy bol."

"Thank you... mummyji."

Tears welled in Sarika's eyes and Toshi caressed her cheek in motherly love.

"Itna senti nahi hona. Cheer up now everybody! We're planning a wedding!"

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***Let's end this thing with a bang, shall we? Nothing better than a family wedding! Also, tiny sneak peak: the title of this book will make sense soon. See you guys in a few! 😊❤️

P.S. Still got a little surprise for you guys after the last chapter. Stay tuned! 😉

.....................................................................................................................

A very nice update please update next part soon

Part 75

Five months later

Shiv-Sagar Party Plot – February 22nd, 7:40 pm

The entire night sky was twinkling with stars and a gleaming moon, as if the cosmos had been decorated in conjunction with the joy below.

A grand stage had been built for Romi & Sarika's sangeet. Fresh fragrant flowers, streaming lights, and shimmering crystals and sequins decorated the stage and mandap. The food counter was lined with veg and non-veg food, ending with an open bar stashed with the finest wine and strongest whiskey. Guests were filing in, dressed it their best and brightest sarees and suits and kurtas, grooving to the freestyle drums and shehnai music resounding through the plot.

"Taiyyari bahot acchi huyi hai, Ratanjot behen ji," Toshi said to Sarika's mother. "Yeh wedding planner ne kaafi accha kaam kiya hai."

"Thank you samdhan ji. Humaare mohalle ke sabhi shaadiyaan mein yeh hi decoration karte hai. Aapko accha lagaa, yeh sun kar mujhe bahot khushi huyi."

"Sabse changa toh mujhe yeh drink ka counter lagaa," she said, swirling a glass of whiskey. "Isse pehle humaare ghar ke dono shaadiyon mein koi loaded-shoaded tha hi nahi. Yeh madraasiyon se jo paala padaa tha."

"I heard that."

A scowling Madhu came up behind them, dressed in a dark blue and maroon kanjeevaram saree. She planted her hands on her hips and glared Toshi down.

"It was meant for you to hear," Toshi replied, meeting Madhu's glare head-on. "Ab iss baar tu dekhegi, asli Punjabi shaan kya hoti hai."

"Drink karne mein kya shaan hai? So uncultured... Aiyyo kadavule..."

Ratanjot laughed at the pair. She had been very nervous when Sarika came to her about this boy she loved. Her own marriage had been abysmal; her husband didn't even stick around to see their daughter be borned. Her experience with men after that left little to be desired.

But Sarika's choice of partner had proven fruitful. Romi had instantly won Ratanjot's heart, but what relieved her of her anxieties was the Bhalla family. They were welcoming, good-hearted, and considerate. Toshi had zero arrogance of being the groom's mother (ladkewaale), evident by her banter with Madhu. Omprakash was already becoming the father figure for Sarika that she never had growing up. And Romi's siblings and bhabhi had accepted Sarika with open arms and open hearts.

"Toshi ji chaliye... Mehmaan aane shuru ho chuke hai!" Omprakash called out from the gate.

Toshi nodded at him and the group of ladies joined the men at the gates to welcome their guests. When everyone had arrived and was situated, the clock struck eight and the function began. Romi was seated in a giant red throne chair decked in a crisp red-orange sherwani, while Sarika sat in an adjoining throne chair in a bright orange and gold lehenga. Their families, friends, and relatives sat behind them, drinking and munching on appetizers.

After a quick tap on the mike, the stage brightened up and Bala and Vandu appeared.

"Good evening everybody! Welcome and thanks for coming to our very own Romi and our dear Sarika's sangeet night!" Bala announced into the mike.

Applause erupted in the audience.

"It is with our very great pleasure that we welcome Sarika into this family, and what better way of doing so than with a night of jubilant dancing and joy?!" Vandu exclaimed.

Hoots and cheers erupted again.

"Now many of you might know that Romi is a chupa rustam, a sneaky boy. And his love story with Sarika was the same way," Bala said, causing Romi to blush and Sarika to giggle.

"It is a riveting story too," Vandu added. "And we'd love for you to witness it. So please welcome, Mihir as Romi, Mihika as Sarika, and Rinki, Simi, and Pulkit as various characters as they present how this jodi came to be!"

Applause broke out again as the stage lights dimmed. When the lights brightened again, Mihir and Mihika appeared on stage to present Romi and Sarika's love story. They showed how they met a decade ago in Goa, how they were separated by time and circumstances, and then found each other again in Delhi.

By the time they finished the skit, there was not one dry eye in the audience.

"Please put your hands together once again for Mihir, Mihika, Rinki, Simi, and Pulkit!" Bala yelled.

When the applause and cheers died down, Vandu came up to announce the next act.

Adi, Shravu, Ruhi, Ananya, and Kshitija danced to a Bollywood song from their favorite kid's move. Even a year-old Pihu hobbled forward and Adi pulled her up onto the stage to shake her feet. The kids danced without rhythm, to their own beat, but the lack of synchrony did nothing to dampen their cuteness.

Next, Sarika's friends and distant cousins came up to present a small but charming performance from the bride's side.

Finally, the Bhallas and Iyers took to the stage with a grand dance act from the groom's side.

Mihika and Rinki opened the dance with an elegant duet step, twirling and swishing their lehengas. Simi, Vandu, and Ishita entered the stage in the second verse and joined the choreography.

Bole chudiyan, bole kangna

Haai main ho gayi teri saajna

Tere bin jiyo naiyo lag da main te margaiya

Le jaa le jaa, dil le jaa le jaa

Le jaa le jaa, soniye le jaa le jaa

Le jaa le jaa, dil le jaa le jaa

Le jaa le jaa, soniye le jaa le jaa

Mihir, Bala, Pulkit, and Raman entered as the chorus verse rang again and joined the girls on stage. They danced opposite to each other, steps synchronized and on beat.

Bole chudiyan, bole kangna

Haai main ho gayi teri saajna

Bole chudiyan, bole kangna

Haai main ho gayi teri saajna

Tere bin jiyo naiyo lag da main te margaiya

Le jaa le jaa, soniye le jaa le jaa

Dil le jaa le jaa, ho

With every next verse, each couple took to the spotlight. Vandu twirled around Bala and shook her hips with the female verse.

Haai haai main marjaawa marjaawa tere bin

Ab to meri raatein kat ti taare gin gin

Bas tujhko pukaara kare, meri bindiya ishaara kare

Bala pulled his wife closer and raised his hands for a bhangra two-step with the male verse.

Hoye, lashkaara lashkaara teri bindiya ka lashkaara

Aise chamke jaise chamke chaand ke paas sitaara

Simi then dragged Pulkit into the spotlight, shaking her feet and twinkling her anklets, as Pulkit feigned disinterest.

Oh oh, oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh

Meri paayal bulaaye tujhe, jo roothe manaaye tujhe

O sajan ji, haan sajan ji

Kuch socho, kuch samjho meri baat ko

With the next male verse however, Pulkit twirled Simi enthusiastically, and they joyfully raised their hands to do the bhangra.

Bole chudiyan, bole kangna

Haai main ho gaya tera saajna

Tere bin jiyo naiyo lag da main te marjaawa

Le jaa le jaa, soniye le jaa le jaa

Dil le jaa le jaa, ho

Raman-Ishita and Mihir-Mihika came forward next. The ladies took the lead dancing in front of the gents with the female verse.

Apni maang suhaagan ho, sang hameshaa saajan ho

Aake meri duniya mein vaapis na jaana

Sehra baandhke maahi tu mere ghar aana

As the male verse began, Mihir pulled Mihika by the waist and twirled her towards him. Raman did the same with Ishita before his arms came around her in a back hug. The couples did a four-step together, before Mihir playfully winked at Ishita at the final line, earning a light smack from Raman (mirroring the steps from the K3G movie).

Oye soni kitni soni aaj tu lagdi ve

Bas mere saath yeh jodi teri sajdi ve

Roop aisa suhana tera, chaand bhi hai deewana tera

Mihika and Ishita giggled at the brothers before gently nudging them away and dancing to the next line, teasing the men for their elaborate praises.

Jaa re jaa oh jhoothe teri galla hum na maane

Kyoon taarifein karta hai tu humko sab kuch jaane

Toshi, Omprakash, Madhu, and Vishwa joined the family with the next verse, dancing with watery but joyous eyes, thanking the Lord for all the happiness they had been blessed with.

Ho, oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh, ho oh oh oh oh

Mere dil ki duaa yeh kahe, teri jodi salaamat rahe

O sajan ji, haan sajan ji

Yunhi beete saara jeevan saath mein

As the tempo of the song amped up, Romi and Sarika were pulled into the dance mayhem. Relatives came forward and joined the bhangra, including Ratanjot, who pulled through the lingering pain and weakness in her legs.

Music blasted through the speakers; hoots and cheers rang throughout the plot; and everyone danced and danced into the night.

Bole chudiyan, bole kangna

Haai main ho gaya tera saajna

Tere bin jiyo naiyo lag da main te margaiya

Le jaa le jaa, soniye le jaa le jaa

Dil le jaa le jaa, ho

Le jaa le jaa, soniye le jaa le jaa

Dil le jaa le jaa, ho

Aaja heeriye

Oh, jaa jaa ranjhna

Oh, aaja heeriye

Jaa jaa ranjhna

Kabhi khushi kabhi gham

Na judaa honge hum, kabhi khushi kabhi gham

https://youtu.be/IBvg3WeqP1U

.....................................................................................................................

Shiv-Sagar Party Plot – the next day, 11 am

The road outside the party plot had a traffic jam like no other. Except today, it wasn't cars but foot traffic rather.

Romi's baaraat (wedding procession) occupied the whole street. A wedding band played traditional Punjabi songs along with the latest Bollywood hits, while everyone danced their way to the venue. Even Romi grooved to the beat from atop his horse. The sun shining above them and the exhaustion from last night's sangeet couldn't deter the jubilation and excitement blasting through the air.

When they arrived at the entrance, Raman helped Romi down from his horse and took him to the entrance. Before the welcoming rituals could begin however, Raman removed a handkerchief from his sherwani pocket and covered Romi's nose with it.

"Bhai? What are you doing?" Romi asked.

"Humaari naak katne se bachaa raha hoon," Raman answered. "Agar saas ne teri naak khich li, toh hum sab ki beizzati ho jaayegi."

Ratanjot chuckled and came forward with the aarti thali to welcome her son-in-law and his family. She applied a tilak to Romi's forehead and showered flower petals on him, before conducting the aarti. Raman managed to keep his nose covered throughout.

"Welcome jeeja ji!" Sarika's friends called out from behind Ratanjot.

Romi rolled his eyes. "Please don't call me jeeja ji. It makes me feel old. Just... call me jeeju."

"What?! We can't hear you from behind that handkerchief," Sarika's friends yelled.

Romi shoved his brother's hand aside. "I said, just call me jeeju!"

In that split-second, Ratanjot managed to sneak in her hand and pinch Romi's nose.

"Ouch!"

"Yeh kya kiya tune!" Raman groaned. "Katwaa di na humaari naak!"

Sarika's girlfriends broke out giggling.

"Yeh toh sirf shuruaat hai jeeja ji aur jeeja ji ke bade bhai! Aage aage dekhiye hota hai kya!"

The baaraat came in, laughing and dancing, and Romi was led to the mandap. Even so, his eyes kept wandering around, looking for a particular someone.

"Kise dhund rahe ho bhai?" Rinki asked, snapping her fingers in his face.

"Tumhaari dulhan abhi taiyyar ho rahi hai, Romi," Ishita teased. "Thoda dheeraj rakho."

Romi blushed.

"Haa jeeja ji, dheeraj rakho." Sarika's girlfriends were back again. "Tab tak yeh lijiye, laddoo khaayiye."

They offered him a single laddoo and Romi raised a suspicious eyebrow. Something was not right.

"I can't," Romi answered. "I'm supposed to be fasting on my wedding day. Sarika must be fasting too, right?"

"How about you, jeeja ji ke bhai?"

Raman knew better than to accept a singular laddoo from the girls who were hell-bent on pranking them. Unforunately, Bala took the bait. He gobbled up the laddoo, but coughed it up the very next second.

"Yeh kya hai?!" he cried.

The girls erupted into giggles again. Even the groom's side couldn't hold back their laughs.

"Oh no! Shaayad kisi ne shakkar ki jagah namak daal diya hoga..." the girls teased.

"Bas karo ladkiyon!" Ratanjot came up behind them and scolded them. "Ladke walo ko itna mat pareshaan karo! Tum jaakar dekho Sarika taiyyar hui ki nahi. Go!"

She shooed the girls away before offering Bala a tall glass of cool, sweet sharbat much to his relief.

The girls came back fifteen minutes later, but this time, they were something much more productive. They walked out of the adjoining building flanking the beautiful bride.

Romi looked up at his bride, and she took away his breath. Sarika was dressed in a red lehenga with delicate gold embroidery, accompanied with gold wedding ornaments. But the shy smile on her face outdid any makeup or jewelry she could be wearing.

She was led to the mandap, where the bride and groom exchanged garlands before being seated for the wedding rituals. The priests chanted sanksrit mantras while the families and relatives took their seat around the mandap.

"Raman ji, aap khade kyun ho? Baithiye na?"

Raman looked over his shoulder, adjusting a 15-month-old Pihu in his arms, and sighed. Sarika's girlfriends were back.

"Aap ke liye itna badhiya aasan taiyyar kiya hai, dekhiye."

The girls pointed to a couch across from the mandap, with the cushions covered in a white sheet. Raman raised a suspicious eyebrow. He didn't trust these girls.

"Hum khade hi theek hai," he replied.

"Aise kaise? Aap humaare jeeja ji ke bade bhai ho. Aapki khaatirdaari karna humaara farz hai!"

Just then, a light bulb popped up in Raman's head.

"Aapko pata hai mujhse bhi mahaan kaun hai?" he asked. "Woh..."

Raman pointed across the mandap with his free arm, and the girls followed his line of sight to Ishita, who was standing beside Toshi.

"Aap unko bithaaiye," he suggested.

"Really? Okay."

"Rukiye..." Raman stopped the girls in their tracks. "Woh aapke kehne se nahin baithengi. Mujhse bhi zyada jagga jaasoos hai. Just watch and learn."

Raman walked over to the linen-covered couch and set Pihu on the ground. She had learned to walk now and it was hard keeping her still. Raman was about to use that to his advantage.

"Pihu, look mumma is there!" He pointed to Ishita and Pihu lit up. "Mumma ko bulao, bacche. Mumma ko le kar aao."

Pihu waddled over to her mumma, wiggling her bright blue and green frock, and tugged at her hand. Ishita looked down and found her little girl looking at her.

"Kya hua bacche?" she asked.

"Mumma!" Pihu exclaimed. "Papa!" She pointed to the couch. Raman was standing a foot away, scrolling through his phone.

"Kya hua papa ko?"

"Mummaaaaa!!" Pihu squealed.

She was now tugging at her mother's hand, trying to drag her to her father. Ishita gave in and followed her daughter.

"Raman, kya hua? Pihu mujhe yahan kheech ke kyun laayi?" Ishita asked.

Raman shrugged. "Mujhe kya pata?"

Ishita scrunched her brows in confusion. She couldn't tell what was going on with Pihu today.

"Kya hua Pihu? Kuch chahiye kya?"

Ishita tried getting at eye-level with her toddler and sat down at the couch.

Crunch! Crack!

Ishita's eyes popped out of her head. She shot up from the seat and uncovered the white sheet to reveal a bunch of cracked papads.

Beside her, Raman started laughing. Sarika's girlfriends sniggered from across the mandap. Ishita gasped as realization dawned on her.

"Raman! You did this?! And you used our daughter for it? To prank me?" she exclaimed.

"It's called revenge, madrasan," Raman smirked. "Mihir-Mihika ki shaadi mein tumne Adi aur Ruhi ki madad se joote churaaye the na? Remember? Toh ab maine aur meri Pihu ne tumhe jawaab diya. Jaise ko taisa."

Raman chucked at his wife. Pihu giggled too, even though she didn't now what was going on. Ishita's jaw dropped. Her shock slowly morphed into genuine amusement, as she realized she had been bested by her husband and her toddler.

.....................................................................................................................

"Dulha-dulhan pheron ke liye khade ho jaayiye."

Romi and Sarika stood up at the priest's instruction. Rinki tied their gathbandhan and they circled the sacred fire, as their family and friends showered them with flower petals. After seven rounds of the pyre, they sat down again, and the priest guided them through the rest of the rituals.

Romi tied a mangalsutra around Sarika's neck and applied sindhoor through the partition in her hair.

"Congratulations, aaj se aap dono pati patni huye. Apne bado ka aashirwaad lekar apne vivaahit jivan ka aarambh kijiye."

Toshi and Ratanjot hugged each other. The younger gen whistled and cheered. The kids clapped and giggled. The newly married couple stood up and touched their elders' feet.

Romi hugged Raman. Sarika folded her hands in front of Ishita, who shook her head and embraced her instead.

The brothers came apart and Raman patted Romi's cheek lovingly. He had grown so much... from a reckless, naïve boy to a mature, sorted, and settled man.

"Congratulations mere bhai."

"Thanks bhai."

Ishita pulled away from her sister-in-law and smiled at her.

"Welcome to the family devraani ji."

"Thank you bhabhi."

.....................................................................................................................

Later that evening, 7 pm

"Ru, get in the car now. No more arguments," Ishita said.

"But chachu and chachi went to a hotel, Ishimaa. I want to go too!" Ruhi whined. "Mujhe ghar nahi jaana."

"Chachu and chachi will be back tomorrow morning. Aur phir bahot saari rasame karenge, okay? Bahot mazaa aayega. Abhi ghar jaana hoga. Sab log ghar hi jaa rahe hai."

"Uggghhh..."

Ruhi climbed into the back seat of the car and stomped her foot. Adi clicked Pihu's seat belt in the car seat, struggling to keep her from fussing and wailing. Once the kids were situated, Ishita and Raman shut the back doors. Raman got behind the wheel and Ishita sat in the passenger's seat, before the family of five took off.

Home was at least an hour away (considering traffic) and both girls were getting cranky behind them. Ruhi didn't understand why Romi chachu and Sarika chachi got to spend time at a fancy hotel, but she had to go home. Pihu's big eyes and tiny body were now exhausted and overstimulated after an extravagant, colorful wedding.

"Ishimaa, the girls are grumpy back here," Adi called out.

Ishita twisted around and saw Ruhi and Pihu scowling, the same pout on both their lips. She chewed her lip, trying to come up with a distraction.

"Pihu, you want some cheerios? Huh?"

Ishita emptied a bag of cheerios into a silicon bowl before twisting around and handing Adi the bowl of cheerios.

"Give it this to Pihu," Ishita said.

"She'll spill it everywhere," Adi mentioned.

"That's fine. I'll clean it up later. Just let her have the bowl. She can eat them, play with them... But she'll stay occupied."

"Okay..."

Adi handed Pihu the bowl. She picked up a handful of cheerios, eating a few and spilling a few. Meanwhile, Ishita handed Ruhi her phone.

"Here Ru, you can pick the music for our car ride, okay? Bluetooth is connected."

"Yesss!"

Ruhi grabbed the phone and scrolled through the music app. Ishita sighed in relief as both her girls were content now. But Adi groaned.

"Amma, she's just going to choose some lame girly music. Can't we listen to something better?" he complained.

"We listened to your boy band music on the way here, right? Now it's her turn."

Adi sighed and leaned back on the seat. Ruhi picked a song and as predicted, it was a Barbie song. But it was also much more than that.

"Ruhi, kuch aur choose kar na?" Adi persuaded.

Ruhi shook her head. "This is my favorite song, bhaiya. Just listen to it."

I'm blind-folded on this carriage ride that they call life.

Keep trying to make it through the next turn, knuckles white and holdin' tight.

So here I go, takin' the curve,

But I know that I'm never alone.

I think of you, and how you never let me go.

Ruhi smiled and brought her knees to her chest, deep in thought. She had fortunately forgotten the cold, lonely nights she had spent at the orphanage. But unfortunately, she now knew and understood what had happened in her past. It pained and angered her to think what Shagun had done. But she took solace in knowing that nothing of the sort could ever happen again.

She wasn't alone anymore. She was wrapped in a big round protective sphere that kept her warm and safe and loved. Her papa and mumma were there to shield her from everything, bad and scary. Her bhaiya and sister were there at her side, keeping her happy and content. They would never leave her alone. No matter what.

I feel connected (connected), protected (protected),

It's like you're standing right with me all the time.

You hear me (you hear me), you're near me (you're near me),

And everything else is gonna be alright.

'Cause nothing can break this, nothing can break this, nothing can break this tie.

Connected, oh connected inside.

Adi bit his cheek to avoid grinning. The lyrics resonated with him more than he had expected. His childhood had been peculiar. He had been born into a loving family, only to be snatched away, his life torn apart by his own mother. There were times he couldn't believe Shagun mom had done that, times he wished it was all just a dream.

But if it actually had been a dream, then he wouldn't have with him the people around him, the family he had found now. Papa and Amma, who protected and loved him beyond measure. Ruhi chuhi, who fought with him but also stood by him in every way that mattered. And Pihu, whose cherubic face always brought a smile to his lips. He wouldn't change anything if it meant he had this family whose love sustained him. All day, every day.

It's not an accident, the time we spent apart.

But now we're so close, I can always find you right here in my heart.

You've given me somethin' I need, and I don't ever want it to end.

Because of you, I know I've found my strength again.

Raman glanced at his kids in the rear-view mirror as he maneuvered the steering wheel. The time that he had spent apart from Ruhi and Adi always haunted him, but now... now he accepted that it was no accident. Because after all the ups and downs, highs and lows, they were so close to each other, he didn't need to look further than his own heart to find them.

His free hand wandered to the passenger seat to intertwine his fingers with the person responsible for everything. He squeezed his wife's hand, reveling in the warmth and tenderness she always radiated. This woman had come into his life, turned it upside down and right side up. She was his strength, his courage, and his heart.

Every time that I breathe, I can feel the energy.

Reachin' out, flowin' through, you to me and me to you, wake or dream,

Walk or stand, you are everywhere I am.

Separate souls, unified, touching at the speed of light.

Ishita felt her husband squeeze her hand. She returned the gesture, briefly locking eyes with him, love and gratefulness gleaming in her eyes. After everything she had lost five years ago, she could never have thought she'd be this lucky. She had lost hope for ever having a family of her own, but now... now she had a family beyond her most sublime dreams.

She turned and glanced at her children behind her before facing forward and dropping a light kiss on the back of her husband's hand. He had given her so much happiness, so much love. He had made her smile when she had forgotten how to. He had transformed her life into paradise. This man was her calm, her home, and her soul.

I feel connected (connected), protected (protected),

It's like you're standing right with me all the time.

You hear me (you hear me), you're near me (you're near me),

And everything else is gonna be all right.

'Cause nothing can break this, nothing can break this, nothing can break this tie.

Connected, oh connected inside.

All four of them had started out in different cities, all in various states of pain or sadness or loneliness. Raman in Mumbai, Ishita in Chennai, Ruhi in Delhi, and Adi in Dehradun. But even then, they were CONNECTED.

When destiny finally brought them together, their relationships all started with varying levels of strain and distance. But even then, they were CONNECTED.

Now, they were closer than ever, as each other's support system. And they had a little bundle of joy to complete their family. The five of them were on a journey called life, maneuvering through twists and turns, ups and downs, forever. And as always, they were CONNECTED.

I feel connected (connected), protected (protected),

It's like you're standing right with me all the time.

You hear me, you're near me,

And everything else's gonna be alright.

Connected (connected), protected (protected),

It's like you're sitting right with me all the time.

You hear me, you're near me,

And everything else's gonna be all right.

'Cause nothing can break this, nothing can break this, nothing can break this tie.

Connected, connected inside, connected, connected inside, connected.

https://youtu.be/0OC4-RQQv04

.....................................................................................................................

~THE END~

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P.S. Epilogue is coming up!

A very awesome update please update an epilogue soon

Epilogue 1

Ten Years Later

402 Archer Heights, Delhi – Sunday, 9 am

Crash! Clang! Smash! Thud!

Pihu jerked awake at the noises and thuds coming from the room beside her. She groaned and rubbed her eyes, as she climbed out of bed. It was a weekend, and she wanted to sleep in. But clearly that idea was out the window now.

Giving up on the notion of extra sleep, she drowsily walked into her bathroom to brush her teeth. After a quick shower, she browsed through her closet for a pair of clothes.

Ruhi didi's old skirts and dresses were hanging on plastic hangers, which she brushed aside as always. Despite her elder sister's insistence, Pihu would never wear skirts or dresses. She never wore pink or entertained Barbie dolls or danced ballet. She was more the type to wear gray sweatpants, cut her hair short, and choose to skateboard instead of dance.

Eventually, Pihu got dressed in a pair of comfortable denim shorts and a blue T-shirt. She tied her shoulder-length hair into a ponytail and headed downstairs. As she stepped down the staircase, her vision landed on the photos and memories mounted on the adjoining wall. It was her favorite part of the duplex.

She and her family had been moved into this building eight years ago, after Romi and Sarika's son Rohit was born. Her father had secured a set of apartments in Archer Heights for everyone, so that the family could stay close together but also have their privacy.

Raman, Ishita, Adi, Ruhi, and Pihu lived in a duplex apartment connected by an indoor staircase on the fourth and fifth floor. Romi, Sarika, Rohit, and his grandmother Ratanjot lived on the ground floor, on account of the latter's muscle weakness. Toshi and Omprakash had their own space in a flat on the second floor where Rinki lived with them until she got married two years ago. The Bhalla grandparents split their time between Raman and Romi's flats, with frequent visits to Rinki and Simi's place, to stay close with their five grandkids.

Meanwhile, the Iyers continued to live at Akash Ganga. Despite Raman's insistence, Madhu and Vishwa had refused a flat in Archer Heights from his behalf.

"Hum log sirf dus minute dur rehte hai, Raman. Har hafte aaya karenge. Is bahaane is umar mein humaari walk hi ho jaayegi," Madhu had remarked. "Kabhi hum log aaya karenge, kabhi tum log aaya karna."

Vandu and Bala continued to live at their university-sanctioned flats with Shravu and Kshitija, while Mihir and Mihika had moved to a house closer to their twins' school. Madhu and Vishwa split their time between the three daughters' houses to stay close with all seven of their grandkids.

Pihu walked down the stairs, browsing through the pictures, taking a stroll down memory lane.

There were pictures of Adi bhaiya's football wins and his trophies mounted in wall. He was the most sought after player for the Delhi regional championships. There were photos of Ruhi didi's dance recitals. She had mastered ballet and was a skilled choreographer too now. There were snapshots of Pihu's own violin concerts and competitions. She was pretty proficient at the violin now, if she said so herself.

She took another step, gazing at the family picnic photos that barely captured their huge, boisterous family in a single frame. They had made many trips, some with the Bhallas, some with the Iyers, some with both.

There was the family journey to their ancestral village in Punjab at Toshi's behest. There was the visit to Mumbai's best water park where Ruhi and Adi had their biggest fight after she broke his favorite inflatable pool float. There was the summer they spent in Chennai with Madhu and Soumya when Mihika's twins were born.

Their travels weren't just limited to India however.

There was the trip to Tokyo at Mr. Takahashi's invitation. They had visited the Tokyo Skytree and the Sensoji Temple with Mihir, Mihika, Romi, and Sarika. There was the recent Christmas vacation to Paris with Mr. Moreau and Mr. Dubois. They had clicked a photo with a snowy Eiffel Tower in the background. There was the London trip with the Tandons and their kids. It was the first time Ishita had let the kids go exploring on their own with the Tandons' kids.

Pihu took a few more steps downstairs.

Pictures of Ishita's dentistry awards and research accomplishments came into view; when she had presented her research at the international level; when she had won the award for Exceptional Dental Service. Just alongside them were photos of Raman and his company's success parties; when they opened offices in Bangalore and Pune; when they made the Forbes India Top 100 Companies.

The corner of Pihu's mouth turned upwards, as she marveled at the real power couple in her life. Brad and Angelina had nothing on her mom and dad.

As she approached the bottom of the stairs, her favorite picture came into view. It was a polaroid of her, her brother, and her sister eating mint chocolate chip ice cream under a fort of blankets in their old room. It wasn't the picture itself, but the story behind it that made that memory her favorite.

Flashback from six months ago

"It doesn't make sense!" Pihu yelled in frustration, slamming her science notebook on the kitchen table. "How is it possible?!"

"Welcome to my world," Ruhi chuckled from the kitchen, stirring a cup of hot cocoa. She was in college for an arts degree, but she would never forget the tortures of calculus and chemistry from high school.

Unlike her elder siblings however, Pihu had always been a prodigy at math and science. So the rare instances where she couldn't understand science concepts made her crazy. Even if she was just in the sixth standard.

Adi towered over Pihu from behind her chair to peek at her notebook. Even though he worked as an editor at a publishing company, he had a double major in psychology and literature. Maybe he could help with his science background.

"What's going on Pihu? Can I help?" he asked.

"Sure bhaiya, let me take science advice from the writer," Pihu spat sarcastically.

Adi gasped. Ruhi choked on her cocoa. Raman's head whipped from the TV console to the kitchen. Ishita stopped her needlework, almost poking herself.

"Pihu!" Ishita spoke up. "That is not a very nice thing to say! Bhaiya ko sorry bolo. Right now!"

"Sorry bhaiya," Pihu gulped. "I didn't mean to hurt you." She had inherited her father's sharp tongue and sometimes she didn't know the limit.

"It's okay Pi."

Adi ruffled her hair with a smirk, and Pihu swatted his hand away.

"How many times have I told you? Don't. Call. Me. Pi!"

There was a time when Pihu had insisted everyone find a nickname for her. Ruhi didi was Ru, Aditya bhaiya was Adi, even mom and dad had cute nicknames for each other. Only Pihu didn't. But when Ruhi and Adi came up with a nickname that sounded like 'pee,' she regretted her demand instantly.

"What do you need help with, Pihu?" Ishita asked, before another fight broke out.

"It's these genetics problems, mom."

Pihu brought over her notebook to her mother on the sofa.

"We're looking at dominant and recessive traits in family members. Now, I'm looking at cleft chins, which is a dominant trait. Me, you, and papa don't have a cleft chin. Which makes sense, because if both parents don't have a cleft chin, then the child can't have one."

"So what is the confusion?"

"The fact that Ruhi didi and Adi bhaiya both have a cleft chin!" Pihu exclaimed. "How is that possible when neither of you have one?!"

At that moment, every single face in the room paled. Adi, Ruhi, Ishita, and Raman all exchanged glances and questions.

Pihu doesn't know about Shagun.

Should we tell her?

Won't it confuse her?

She's our family. She deserves to know.

Eventually, it was decided that they would tell her together. The four of them sat Pihu down and revealed that Adi and Ruhi were the biological children of Raman's first wife, Shagun (who indeed did have a cleft chin). They didn't reveal Shagun's misdeeds. All they revealed was her existence, but maintained that it was Ishita who was their mother in every way that mattered.

That day Pihu had shrunk into herself. She had just found out that didi and bhaiya were only her half-siblings, that there was another woman in Papa's life before Mumma. Her entire world had been disoriented.

That night, when Pihu went to bed after dinner, refusing to talk to anyone, Ruhi and Adi had pulled her out of bed for a late night movie under a fort of blankets and pillows with their favorite mint chocolate chip ice cream. Ruhi had even let her pick the movie, but Pihu was in no mood.

"I thought mumma was papa's soulmate," Pihu whispered dejectedly. "And now I find out that another woman... I don't like it."

In the next moment, guilt seeped into her heart. That other woman was still Ruhi didi and Adi bhaiya's mom.

"Sorry didi, sorry bhaiya... I didn't mean to be rude to your mom."

"No Pihu." Ruhi insisted. "Shagun is not our mom. Only Ishimaa is. Giving birth is not what makes someone a mother. It takes much more than that."

"And Ishimaa is papa's soulmate," Adi added. "You don't always get marriage right on the first try, you know? Just because she is his second wife doesn't mean she isn't his soulmate. Did you know even Ishimaa was almost engaged to someone else before papa?"

The three of them stayed up late that night sharing stories, watching movies, and munching and slurping on ice cream. It was then that Pihu realized it was foolish to get caught up in semantics. Who cared for genetics? Of course they were siblings. Real siblings.

The next day, when Ishita discovered ice cream stains on their blankets, she made her kids wash them manually. Granted, all they had to do was throw them in the washing machine, it was still hard work. It was then that Pihu thought, of course they were Ishita's children. Only her children.

Flashback ends

"Pihu?"

The eleven-year-old was brought out of her musings when she heard her father call her from the kitchen table. She jumped down the final steps and hopped towards the kitchen for breakfast.

"Aap itni jaldi uth gaye?" Raman asked, sipping his morning coffee.

"Of course uth gayi. The woman is at it again upstairs," Pihu complained. "At this rate, she's going to demolish her room."

Raman sighed. "Yesterday your mother cleaned this kitchen spotless in anxiety."

"And today, didi is going to destroy her own room. I'm scared to up there, dad. I hate messes."

"Just like your mother," Raman smiled.

Pihu poured herself a bowl of cereal and milk and joined her father at the table. He turned over a newspaper page and bit into a piece of toast.

"Why is she so anxious anyway?" Pihu asked. "I don't get it."

"Ruhi didi's admission results come out today. And your sister and mom are both nervous about it."

"I know that. What I meant was, what reason does she have to be nervous? She's an amazing dancer. New York would be lucky to have her."

Ruhi had finished her bachelors in arts a month ago, and she had decided that she would pursue her career as a professional dancer. She had applied to dance academies all over India for training, but her dream was to get into the New York Metropolitan Dance Academy. It was a long shot, but results came out today and she hoped beyond hope that she would get in.

"I agree," Raman said. "Par tumhaari maa aur behen ko kaun samjhaaye?"

"Speaking of maa, where is she?" Pihu asked, crunching her cereal.

"Emergency surgery. She left early this morning. Someone came in with head trauma and the trauma surgeon needed a dental consult."

When Pihu started school, Ishita had contacted Dr. Batra again for a job. To her delight, Dr. Batra actually hired her for his own replacement as he was nearing retirement. Today, Ishita was the head of the dentistry department at Batra Medical Center.

In response, Raman had taken an extended sabbatical (as promised) and then subsequently cut back on his hours when he did return to work. It was only when Mihir and Romi had their own babies that he took on the primary role again.

"Is your brother still sleeping?" Raman asked, folding the newspaper and emptying his coffee mug.

Pihu shook his head in the negative. "He went to an early morning football match. Apparently the new book his company is going to publish is 'as boring as a bag of rocks' and he needed to clear his head. His words not mine."

Raman chuckled.

After Adi's childhood struggles with mental health and the solace he gained from books, he had decided to pursue a joint degree in psychology and literature with a football scholarship. He now worked as an editor in a publishing company that specialized in children's and teen's novels. His love for reading had now translated into a passion for writing, and he hoped to publish his own book one day.

"Um... Uh-huh..."

Pihu cleared her throat knowingly and scooched forward in her chair. Raman raised an eyebrow at his daughter.

"Do you need something?" Raman asked.

"Well... um... the thing is..."

"Just spit it out Pihu."

"There's a party next weekend... Tanya's birthday. And it's a slumber party. Can I go?"

"Slumber party? So a late-night party?"

"Yeah... like a sleepover. But it's just girls, my friends actually. You've met them."

"Okay, I'll talk to your mother and let you know."

"But dad-"

"Pihu... No arguments."

"Fine," Pihu sighed.

The front door chimed open, and Ishita and Adi walked in. Ishita was dressed in a simple blue saree with her stethescope and white coat sticking out of her tote bag. Her 24-year-old son almost towered behind her, donning a gray and black track suit.

"Tum dono saath mein kaise aaye?" Raman asked them.

"I called mom for a ride," Adi answered. "Didn't want to take the bus after practice."

"How was your surgery Ishita? Is the patient going to be okay?"

"Yeah, he'll be fine. Won't be able to have solid foods until-"

Thud! Clunk!

Noises of furniture moving around above cut Ishita off mid-sentence.

"Is Ruhi still stressing out?" Adi asked.

Pihu nodded.

Ishita sighed. "I'll go talk to her."

"Wait." Adi stopped her. "Did you have breakfast yet?"

"No but-"

"Then sit here and eat, mom. I'll go talk to her."

"Did you-"

"Yes, I already ate. I had waffles after practice with the boys."

"Wow... You play football for an hour, then eat waffles covered in syrup and whipped cream. Really healthy bhaiya," Pihu commented.

Adi flicked her in the head before heading upstairs to his other pain-in-the-behind sister.

He cautiously opened Ruhi's door and blinked in shock. Her cabinet was practically empty. Her clothes were strewn all over the room. Her dresser and desk were both moved to a different location. And her bed was drowning in a pile of unkempt pillows.

"Ru...?" Adi said cautiously, knocking on her door.

Ruhi turned around and sighed at her brother. "I think I have a problem."

"I think you have a big problem kiddo."

Adi walked in, gingerly avoiding the mess strewn across the room. "You have a plan to clean this up? Because Ishimaa and Pihu won't even step into this place until you do."

"I'll figure it out. As soon as I get the admission result... I hope I get in... But what if I don't? Maybe I just shouldn't read the email. That way I'll never get rejected."

"Technically then you'll never get accepted either."

Ruhi glared at her brother. "Thanks bhaiya. That really helps. Thank you so much," she said sarcastically.

"Okay, just calm down. Come here. Sit with me."

Adi pushed the pillows aside and sat on the bed, patting a spot beside him. Ruhi plopped down beside her brother.

"Look..." Adi brought an arm around Ruhi's shoulders. "You're a good dancer. I think you'll get in. But, in the off-chance that you don't, you have your whole life ahead of you to try again. You have a million ways to become a dancer, and you're going to be a great one. I know it."

He squeezed her shoulder reassuringly and she took a deep calming breath.

"Thanks bhaiya."

Just then, Adi's phone chimed with an email notification. He slid it out of his pocket and gave the screen a quick glance before sliding it right back in. But not before Ruhi caught a peek as well. And then she was mad for a whole other reason.

"What the hell was that?!" she asked angrily.

"What?"

"That email! Why the hell are you getting an email from shagun.arora@gmail.com?!"

Adi sighed and dropped his head into his hands. Shagun had reached out a couple months back via email. He didn't even know how she found his email address. Apparently, she wanted to get in touch again. He had read the emails, but never had the courage to reply back.

"Ru, she... she wants to get in touch with me again," Adi explained. "She's in Australia and she says she misses me-"

"No," Ruhi said sternly. "Absolutely not."

"I haven't decided whether I want to return the gesture, but-"

"How can you even think about that, bhaiya?! After what that woman did!"

"I know Ru, but it's not that simple for me! That woman raised me for ten years!"

"And Ishimaa raised you for fourteen more!"

"Let me be clear Ruhi. I will never – ever – turn by back on Ishimaa. It's just... if I can maybe at least be civil with Shagun mom-"

"Bhaiya, the last time she was here, she broke you. Literally broke you. I have never ever seen you like that in my life. If she comes back in your life, she'll break you again. We're not gonna let that happen."

Ruhi didn't believe in second chances. Not with people like Shagun. She had inherited her father's policy of keeping firm boundaries and being fiercely protective of family.

"It's not like that, Ru," Adi countered. "Shagun mom said she's doing better. She's been seeing a therapist for narcissistic personality disorder. She's even been in alcoholics anonymous, and now she's been sober for over a year. She's been trying."

Adi had a different policy than his sister. He, in fact, believed in kindness and forgiveness like his mother. He had the habit of trusting people, of believing the best in people.

And Shagun, no matter what she did, was still the woman who had birthed and raised him during his early childhood. His mother was only Ishimaa. But if he could have a civil relationship with Shagun mom, then the last tear in his life would be sealed.

"Are you actually thinking of getting back in touch with her?" Ruhi asked, realizing the depth in her brother's eyes.

"I... I honestly don't know what to do," he replied.

This time, Ruhi brought her hands around his shoulders and squeezed.

"Bhaiya, if you do decide to reply, then can you promise me something?"

"What?"

"Tell us first. Tell papa and mumma before you decide to entertain that woman."

Adi gave her a solemn smile and ruffled her hair. "As you say."

Pihu came up minutes later and knocked on the door.

"Didi, just know that we all love and support you, no matter what," she said.

"Awww... thanks kiddo," Ruhi smiled.

"That being said, if you don't clean this mess up, my personal love and support will be cut in half. So please... clean it up."

Ruhi gasped at the audacity.

"I love you Ruhi chuhi, but Pihu is right. This mess is getting on my nerves too now."

"You two are the worst!" Ruhi shrieked.

She grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it at her siblings, who ducked in response. Adi was quick to grab a nearby cushion and toss it at her in retaliation, while Pihu joined the pillow fight.

By the time they fell on her bed in heaps of giggles and laughter, Ruhi had forgotten all about her anxiety.

.....................................................................................................................

Raman buttoned up his shirt and ran a comb through his hair in front of the dresser mirror. He ran a wad of cream through his beard, shaping and moisturizing it. He was 47 now, but he had maintained himself very well. His muscles were bulkier, his beard was thick and prickly, and to his delight, Ishita loved it.

Speaking of whom, the bedroom door creaked open and his wife came in.

Ishita adjusted her saree as she walked in and tossed her tote bag onto the couch. She hadn't changed much in the last ten years, meaning she was just as homely yet graceful. Except for a couple grey hairs and a few wrinkles between her eyes, no one could tell she was 43.

After she had put away her stethescope and white coat, she came towards the dresser and, to Raman's surprise, she wrapped her arms around him from behind.

"Ishita?" Raman asked, scrunching his eyebrows in confusion. "What's up?"

"Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?"

"For everything. For those three tykes fighting in the other room. For all the love and happiness that I had never imagined I'd have."

Raman sighed and smiled. "I should be the one thanking you madrasan."

He clasped Ishita's hand on his chest and laid a kiss on her wrist on his new favorite spot. As was on her bucket list, she had gotten a tattoo there, and Raman loved it. It was a dove, symbolizing peace and love; perfect for someone who was free as a bird.

Raman prised Ishita's arms from around his torso and turned to face her.

"You get a lot more credit for all this than I do," he said.

"Let's just agree to say it's a team effort," she chuckled.

"Speaking of team effort, Pihu asked me to go to Tanya's slumber party next weekend."

"Don't tell me aapne already permission de di."

"No, I didn't yet," Raman chuckled. "I remember what happened the last time. I wasn't going to let another kid fool us."

"Adi ne jaan nikaal di thi us din," Ishita recalled. "Maine use uski party mein jaane se manaa kiya toh mujhe bina bataaye aapse permission le li. Aur to aur, mujhe bina bataaye party mein bhi chalaa gaya! I lost my mind thinking he'd snuck out!"

"You grounded him for a month after that so I'd say he learned his lesson."

Raman sat down on the bed and grabbed his wristwatch from the dresser.

"So, about Pihu?" Raman put his watch around his wrist. "What do you say?"

"I'll take her." Ishita sat down beside her husband. "I haven't met Tanya's mom in a while, so isi bahaane usse mulakat ho jaayegi."

"Tanya... Isn't she the one whose sister's wedding we went to a few months ago? Ruhi choreographed all the sangeet dances?"

"No, that was Ruhi's friend Arpita's sister."

"Oh yeah, I remember. She put together four different Bollywood dances."

"I still wish she hadn't given up bharatanatyam," Ishita expressed. "She had eight years of training. She was so good at it!"

Raman chuckled and shook his head.

When she turned fourteen, Ruhi had decided to drop classical dance training, choosing to focus on semi-classical, ballet, hip-hop, and contemporary instead. Ishita was severely disappointed, hoping she'd continue with the art form that connected her to her Tamilian roots. Their disagreement had manifested as a huge fight between the mother and daughter.

Ruhi had been joined with her mother at the hip when she was a kid, but when her teen years struck, she had found her own path, bringing a whole new cause of friction in the family dynamic. As Ishita had predicted years ago, Ruhi's teen years had truly been difficult.

"Enough about the kids madrasan. Your husband demands some of your attention now."

Raman banded his arms around Ishita's waist and pulled her closer. Ishita stroked Raman's face, running her fingers through his beard. It was longer than his usual stubble, and to her delight, it had turned their late night 'adventures' all the more exciting.

Raman leaned forward and Ishita closed her eyes but before they could go any further, their bedroom door burst open and the couple sprung apart.

"Pihu! Give that back!" Ruhi yelled.

Pihu ran in, waving Ruhi's phone in the air, with her older siblings at her heels.

"What is going on?" Raman asked, watching Ruhi chase Pihu around the room, as Adi doubled over in laughter.

"Pihu won't give my phone back! I want to check my email!" Ruhi cried. "The New York school emailed me!"

Raman snatched the phone out of Pihu's hands and handed it to Ruhi.

"Papa, come on," Pihu groaned. "Kitna mazaa aa raha tha."

"I agree dad," Adi added.

"Okay enough, you two," Raman said sternly. "Go ahead Ru, check your email."

Ruhi took a deep breath, in through her nose and out through her mouth. She unlocked her phone and went to open her email app, but her hands froze.

"I'm scared," she whispered.

"We're right here with you, beta," Ishita said reassuringly. "Whatever happens, we'll always love you and be proud of you."

A corner of Adi's mouth turned upwards. Their mother had said the same thing when he was awaiting his own college results.

Pihu rolled her eyes. "Don't be such a wimp di. Just read the email. Or I'll do it for you."

But Ruhi didn't move. She didn't want to open the email. What if she was rejected?

Adi groaned impatiently. He snatched the phone out of her hand and handed it to Pihu.

"Go on Pi, read it."

Pihu glared at her brother (she hated that nickname), but opened the email app anyways.

"You got in."

"What?!"

"Are you serious?"

"This better not be your idea of a prank, Pihu."

"It's not a prank di." Pihu handed her sister the phone. "You got into the New York school. Look."

Ruhi's eyes skimmed over the email at warp speed. Adi craned his neck over her shoulder and read aloud from the screen.

"Ms. Ruhi Raman Bhalla, it is our pleasure to invite you to the New York Metropolitan Dance Academy. We were pleased with your application and dance prowess, and we believe you would be a great addition to our school..."

Cheers and excitement broke out amongst the family of five!

Adi and Pihu high-fived each other before congratulating their sister. Raman hugged Ruhi tight, as Ishita dropped a kiss on her forehead.

They were so proud of all of their children. Ruhi was on her way to becoming a great dancer and choreographer on an international level. Adi was a hotshot writer and editor, working to branch out on his own. And Pihu was a math and science whiz, unlike anyone else, and a prodigy at the violin.

This. This was their blessed little world.

Epilogue 2

Five Years Later

Delhi International Airport – 7 July, 3 pm

"Why are they not here yet, Raman? Their flight landed half an hour ago!"

"It'll take a while, Ishita. They have to go through customs and baggage claim and everything. Just be patient. Come on. Let's go get some coffee."

Raman dragged his wife to the nearby café, and Ishita was forced to tear her eyes off the arrival gate. They ordered a black coffee and a mocha and then stood in line to wait.

"It's been six months since I last saw them," Ishita sighed.

Her head turned towards the gate again. Raman tapped her shoulder and got her attention again.

"They're not kids anymore. Ruhi and Adi can handle themselves, you know. They're well into their 20s now. Heck, Adi is almost 30," Raman said.

Ishita nodded, but it did nothing to dampen her eagerness.

Ruhi had been in New York for the last five years, learning dance and theatre. After finishing her degree at the dance academy, she now worked as an artist on Broadway, organizing and performing prestigious plays and dances.

Additionally, Adi had been in Los Angeles for over three years after successfully branching onto his own as a writer and editor. After finishing the first draft of his novel, he had partnered with an LA publisher to have his book published and distributed. He had just finished his first book tour last month.

Ishita insisted that they come home every six months, either for Diwali or Christmas or for the summer holidays. They had visited last Christmas and now, six months later, they were coming home again. Adi had flown from LA to New York, from where both siblings were flying to India together.

Raman grabbed their coffee orders, and they took a seat at a table facing the arrival gate. Ishita's phone chimed with text notification. She set down her cup and smiled at her screen.

"Pihu ka message aaya hai."

She turned her phone at her husband, who read the message and laughed out loud.

There were a couple of pictures: one, of Pihu in a lab coat and safety goggles and another, of a tray of test tubes with colorful solutions. The text on the bottom read:

Chemistry... it's like ✨magic✨ but REAL 👩🏻‍🔬🔬

"Use bolo pictures lena bandh kare aur kaam pe dhyaan de," Raman chuckled. "Warna internship ke pehle hafte mein hi nikaal denge."

Pihu was only sixteen, but she was a true prodigy. She had managed to land a coveted internship at one of the top research institutes right in the middle of high school.

"Kuch bhi Raman... I'll text her," Ishita said.

Ishita: Have fun baby. And put your phone away. Otherwise your supervisor will get mad.

Pihu: Calm down mom. I'm on break right now. I'm not stupid enough to take my phone out during lab.

Pihu: Are di and bhaiya here yet?

Ishita: Not yet. They're still going through customs. Should be here soon.

Pihu: Okay. Give them a hug for me. I'll see you guys tonight.

Pihu: Got to go now! Bye! 😘

Ishita: Bye baby ❤️

Ishita put her phone away in her purse before sipping on her mocha. Raman meanwhile, had almost finished his black coffee.

"Tumhaari Mummy se baat hui aaj?" Raman asked.

Ishita shook her head in the negative. "Kal baat hui thi. Mummyji-papaji toh Canada mein maze kar rahe hai bua ji ke saath."

"Bua ji se milna toh sirf ek bahana hai. Asal mein woh dono second honeymoon manaa rahe hai."

"Seriously?!"

Raman nodded and Ishita laughed with shock.

"Ek woh dono hai aur ek Amma-Appa hai, jo do mahine pehle tirth yatra pe gaye the," Raman commented. "Such stark differences between both couples..."

"What kind of couple do you think we'll be at their age?" Ishita asked.

"Madrasan, you may not have a single romantic bone in your body, but as long as I'm here, I'm keeping the romance alive even after fifty years of marriage."

"You think I'm not romantic?" Ishita scoffed. "Did you forget that night when..."

She leaned forward and whispered the rest of the sentence in her husband's ear. Raman sucked in a sharp breath.

Ishita straightened back and smirked at him. Raman bit his lip to avoid smiling.

"You can't remind me of that night in public, Ishita. What is wrong with you?!" he whisper-shouted.

Ishita simply shrugged and blushed.

They chatted over coffee for another twenty minutes before the arrival gates flooded open. Ishita and Raman threw away their paper coffee cups and rushed to the gates.

Two minutes later, Adi and Ruhi's faces appeared in the crowd.

"Adi!"

"Ruhi!"

The parents waved at their kids who came running forward, wheeling their suitcases behind them.

"Mumma!"

"Papa!"

Raman hugged his kids and patted them on the back, while Ishita kissed them on the forehead, ignoring their entreaties and cries of embarrassment.

"Where's Pihu?!" Ruhi asked. "Woh paagal nahi aayi humein receive karne?"

"And where's everybody else? Chachu, bua, chitti, periamma, koi nahi aaya?" Adi noticed. "Mujhe toh kabse Shravu aur Ananya ke message aa rahe the, 'We miss you bhaiya' and 'Come home soon bhaiya' and what not."

"Everybody's at work right now, beta. And Pihu started her internship, remember?" Ishita answered. "Aur kaafi log aana chaahte the, lekin humne manaa kar diya. Tum dono ghar chalo aur aaraam karo aaj ke din. Itna lamba safar karke aaye ho, thak gaye honge."

"Fair enough," Ruhi conceded.

"Chalo sab log. Let's go!"

Raman herded his wife and kids out of there and into his car, driving them home.

.....................................................................................................................

402 Archer Heights – later that evening, 7 pm

"Nuh-uh. Nope. Not gonna happen," Ishita said.

"Come on mom!" Pihu squealed. "It will be so much fun."

"I agree with your mother. This is not necessary," Raman said.

"It may not be necessary, but it would still be awesome!" Adi added.

"Exactly! We'll take care of everything. We'll organize it all too, I promise," Ruhi declared.

The family of five had gathered for dinner that night and were discussing their plans for the summer. The topic at hand was Ishita and Raman's upcoming anniversary.

"It's your guys' twentieth anniversary!" Ruhi exclaimed. "Of course we have to do something special!"

"Then let's do a simple vow renewal in the temple," Ishita suggested. "We don't need a full-blown wedding."

"Exactly," Raman interjected. "Otherwise this will be our third wedding. No one needs that."

"Technically it would your fourth if you count Shagun," Ishita remarked.

"Thanks for that madrasan."

Ruhi and Adi exchanged curious glances.

"How would it be your third wedding? It would be second," Ruhi said.

"Your mother and I got married once in the Meenakshi temple a month before our first anniversary. Just the two of us."

Raman locked eyes with Ishita, a million memories passing between them.

"What?!" Ruhi cried out. "And I wasn't invited?!"

"Come on Ru," Adi intervened. "At least you saw their first wedding. How come I wasn't invited to this second one?! I feel betrayed."

"And I've never been to any of your weddings," Pihu remarked. "Imagine how left out I feel."

"Enough you guys," Raman groaned. "And Pihu, you weren't even born then. Stop complaining."

"You know what? If you reallly want to see a wedding, let's get Adi married. He's old enough na? Adi, call Aliya and propose to her. Right now," Ishita suggested.

Adi choked on air. Ruhi almost spit out the rice in her mouth. Pihu burst out laughing.

"Mom... That's... not a good... idea..." Adi coughed.

"Why not?"

He cleared his throat and answered, "She's still studying. And she doesn't want to get married until she has her career established."

"I think I should just call Mani and get him to convince Aliya, shouldn't I?"

"Please don't do that. Just... don't."

Ishita had reconnected with Mani a few years ago when her mother informed her of his impending nuptials. He was marrying a lovely lady by the name of Nandini, who he had met through work. She was a divorced woman and Mani was a heartbroken lad, and they just... clicked together. Even Raman let go of his dislike for the man and wished them well.

After their wedding, Mani and Nandini had moved back to Turkey with Aliya and Nirvaan. But two years ago, Aliya had moved to the US for college, where she got in touch with Adi. The pair quickly fell in love and had been in a long-distance relationship ever since.

"Besides Amma," Adi added, "Aliya is in Turkey visiting Mani uncle and Nandini aunty. It's not like she can come here with the snap of a finger."

"We're getting off topic here!" Ruhi reminded them. "Mom and dad's wedding anniversary. What's the verdict?"

Adi, Ruhi, and Pihu looked at their parents with pleading puppy-dog eyes. Ishita sighed and gave up her fight. She nodded at Raman.

"Fine, let's do it,' Raman conceded. "Lekin meri ek shart hai."

"What's that dad?"

"Maine do baar madraasi tarike se shaadi kar li hai. Is baar humaari shaadi Punjabi taur-tarike se honi chahiye. Manzoor?"

"Manzoor!"

Adi, Ruhi, and Pihu high-fived one another, sending excitatory punches in the air.

Raman winked covertly at his wife. So madrasan, what do you say? Will you marry me again?

Ishita smiled at her husband, sending him a tender look. It would be my honor.

.....................................................................................................................

Archer Heights Banquet Hall – July 18, 10 am

Despite Ishita's insistence that only family be invited for their anniversary celebrations, the banquet hall was nearing full-capacity. Their guest list wasn't long; their family was huge.

The younger generation had stepped up for the arrangements. Adi and Ruhi had rounded up their cousins and handed out responsibilities for the wedding. Adi, Shravu, and Rohit handled guest invites, catering, and other logistics. Ananya and Kshitija took care of decorations and color scheme. Ruhi took help from Mihika chitti and Simi bua to organize the traditional wedding supplies. Pihu and the twins organized the music and photography settings.

In the end, all their efforts had paid off.

Today, the hall was decorated in an elegant theme of light pink and white. Pink roses, white lilies, and twinkling fairy lights shimmered along the walls against pastel colored drapes. A small mandap was set up in the middle of the hall, decorated in the same theme. Guests filed in, dressed in colors ranging from white and cream to soft yellow and baby pink.

Madhu, Toshi, and Ratanjot chatted at a table with Dolly and Pammi. Vishwa and Omprakash shared a drink with Pulkit's father and uncle who were in town from Karnal. Mihika, Vandu, and Trisha discussed the latest developments in their careers. Mihir, Bala, and Neil had already started digging into the appetizers. Simi, Rinki, and Sarika marveled at the preparations of the younger gen. Pulkit and Romi chugged down a whiskey at the bar, waiting for the function to begin.

"Ru, is everything ready?"

Adi approached his sister, who was surveying the modern wedding theme.

"Yeah, everything's done. How does it look?" Ruhi asked.

"It's incredible. I love how the pastel theme worked out. Ananya and Kshitija did good. They did really good."

"Didn't they? We should do the same theme for your wedding bhai."

Adi groaned. "Enough with the wedding talk. I already told you, Aliya needs time."

"You're almost 30, bhaiya. Get on with it already." Ruhi playfully punched his shoulder.

"You're one to talk. You're 24, right? That's a good age to get married too."

"True, but I'm missing one thing. A groom."

"What happened with that law student you met a month ago? Sohail, right? I thought you guys were doing good."

"Didn't work out. I think he just... he wasn't the right fit."

Truth was, Ruhi had grown up seeing her father doting on her mother, and she had resolved not to accept anything less for herself. Her standards were too high, and she was damn proud of it.

"Should I get mom and dad?" Pihu asked, coming up behind her brother and sister.

"Yeah, just-"

Ruhi turned around and stopped mid-sentence, gasping when she saw what her sister was wearing.

"What is this?! You're wearing jeans to a wedding?"

"Calm down di... It's jeans and kurti. And it's a really fancy kurti," Pihu argued.

"No. Nope. Absolutely not! Come with me."

Ruhi dragged Pihu upstairs to their apartment, pleading for her to wear at least a salwaar-kameez, if not a lehenga like her. Pihu was not fond of feminine clothes and insisted on an embroidered kurti instead. Finally, they compromised on a red blouse and gold threaded palazzo pants.

They came down ten minutes later and began the celebration.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you so much for coming out today to celebrate our parents' 20th anniversary!" Ruhi announced into the mike.

Applause broke out.

"I have had the privilege of witnessing my mom and dad's relationship strengthen and flourish over the past 20 years. Since the day they proclaimed their commitment to one another, their love has only grown and grown. So please join us as we celebrate their togetherness and wish them even more lifetimes of happiness!"

When the cheering quieted down, Adi brought his father out of the dressing room. Raman was dressed in a crisp gold and white sherwani with strings of pearls hanging around his neck.

Simi and Toshi whistled at the groom's entrance.

"Raja lag rahe ho, bhai! Raja!" Romi hooted.

"You look so handsome, bhai!" Rinki cheered.

Once Raman was situated at the mandap, Pihu beckoned her aunts and uncles for the bridal entry.

Mihir, Mihika, Vandu, and Bala brought Ishita down the aisle. The four of them held a phoolon ki chaadar (blanket of flowers) above the bride's head, as they ushered her to the mandap.

Ishita was decked in a bridal red suit with a dupatta lined with gold gems that was draped over her head. Earrings and necklaces of diamonds and gold adorned her face and neck. A set of red and white bangles ran up her wrists and forearms, dangling with shimmering kaleeras. Kajal lined her eyes and pink gloss accentuated her lips.

Madhu blew a kiss to her daughter.

"Absolutely gorgeous, bhabhi!" Sarika yelled. "Just stunning!"

When Ishita arrived at the mandap and stood in front of Raman, their eyes met and all background sound faded away. Memories of the past, moments of the present, and promises of the future passed between them, hearts beating with volumes of love. Emotion clouded in Ishita's eyes and Raman brought his hand forward to wipe the tears away before they fell.

"Itna bhi bura nahi hoon ki mujhse shaadi karne ke khayaal se tumhe rona aa jaaye," Raman joked.

"Kuch bhi, Raman," Ishita laughed.

"Rona to mujhe chahiye. Upar se meri buri kismat, Punjabi shaadi mein toh Kaashi bhaag jaane ki rasam bhi nahi hoti."

"Agar bhaagte bhi na, toh main pakad leti," Ishita smirked.

Their banter was interrupted when Adi came forward with a tray of white and pink rose garlands. His parents took a hold of one garland each before facing each other.

Ishita slid the garland around her husband's neck and Raman did the same for his wife. They were led to the mandap after and seated in front of the havan (sacred fire).

The rituals proceeded as the priest chanted mantras and the guests gathered around the mandap. Pihu took pictures of each phase of the ceremony. Madhu and Vishwa came forward for the kanyadaan, blessing their daughter and son-in-law for another lifetime of togetherness. Ruhi tied their gathbandhan and Ishita smiled at her, recalling the origin of their family, the first thread that tied them together.

The bride and groom then stood up for the pheras. Ananya and Kshitija handed out flower petals to the guests, who showered them on the couple as Ishita and Raman took their vows again. They walked around the fire, hands clasped together in a sign of their everlasting commitment, hands held together lovingly, protectively.

When they sat down again, Raman lined Ishita's hair partition with sindhoor and tied a new mangalsutra around her neck. Their eyes locked in the backdrop of soft classical music and sacred holy flames.

Raman palmed Ishita's cheek, overcome with an outpour of love. He leaned in and planted a kiss on her cheek, uncaring of the onlooking eyes. Ishita blushed like a young, new bride, as the family around them gasped and hooted and whistled.

"Who could say these two have been married for 20 years now?" Mihir chuckled.

"You should take a page from jeeju's book, buddhu," Mihika demanded, gently elbowing her husband, even as their twins giggled at them.

"Isi ke saath, saari rasame puri huyi aur yeh vivaah sampann hua," the priest announced.

Drums were played, confetti cannons exploded, and the guests dispersed into happy disarray as the ceremony ended. In the midst of the chaos, Raman clasped Ishita's hand and whispered in her ear, a promise meant just for her.

"Ishita, on this day, I vow to love and hold you forever, as I have for the last twenty years, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better for worse, as long as I shall live."

Ishita squeezed his hand, covering it with her other palm.

"Raman, with this promise, I reaffirm my love and honor for you. I will continue to be by your side, in all phases of life, loyal to you and only you."

Ishita gave a chaste kiss to their conjoined hands before their foreheads pressed together, the couple wrapped in their own little bubble of bliss.

Twenty years later, the deed was done. The deal was sealed. Again. Forever.

.....................................................................................................................

402 Archer Heights, Ishita & Raman's bedroom – later that night, 10 pm

The bedroom door clicked open and Raman stepped inside, locking the door behind him. Immediately, his eyes landed on Ishita standing at the dresser, ready to remove her jewelry. He came up behind her and stopped her hands in their ascent, locking eyes with her in the mirror.

Ishita scrunched her eyebrows in confusion at him. What happened?

Raman lovingly nodded at her. Just allow me.

He turned her to face him and peeled the dupatta off her head. He untied her necklace and tossed it on the dresser. Her earrings came off, bangles came off, and hair fell free, as Raman pulled her gajra out, the fragrance of lilacs permeating through their room.

"You look beautiful," he whispered.

"You're not too bad yourself, Mr. Bhalla," Ishita remarked. "Especially for someone your age."

Raman narrowed his eyes at his wife. "Careful, Dr. Bhalla. You don't want to poke a sleeping lion."

Ishita snaked a hand up his chest and slid the pearls off his neck, dropping them on the side table.

"It's a valid concern, wouldn't you think? You do seem to be getting old," she smirked, knowing full well what she was doing.

But Raman knew too. He pulled his wife roughly by the waist, coming close enough that his breath fanned her face.

"You wanna test that theory?" he asked.

Ishita wrapped her hands around his neck, tightening her hold on her husband.

"I'm a scientist, Mr. Bhalla. It's my duty to test theories."

"Fine. Then I can assure you, this theory will definitely be disproven."

Raman lowered his lips on hers and backed Ishita against the bed. They were whisked into a land of ecstasy, living their own little happily ever after. Forever.

A Note of Thanks

Wow.

Just wow.

I cannot believe this story has now come to an end. It started off as an outline with 30 chapters, elongated into a draft with 50 chapters, and finally ended as a book with 75 chapters. A journey of two years and four months as now come to a glorious resolution.

I want to take this opportunity and thank my entire reader base for supporting this story the way you have. Every read, every vote, every comment means the world to me. You guys have been such a blessing, an audience that an author can only dream of. When I started this story, I could never have imagined that it would receive so much love, so much support. Thank you so much. Thanks to each and every one of you.

"Yeh Hai Mohabbatein" will always remain incredibly close to my heart. No other piece of fiction, no other show or web series or movie has left such an impact on me, and I doubt there will be another story out there that could match up to it. The idea of lost souls finding their home, of being connected to each other with an invisible thread, despite being separated by time and space, is something that I believe we can all relate to. We're all looking for our comfort people, our home, and I'm hoping that with this story, you can find the hope that you will find them one day. Whether it is a partner, a parent, a sibling, or a child... Life will bring you your family, one way or another.

It pains me to say goodbye to you all, but as they say, all good things must come to an end. Many of you have asked if I have plans to write anything else. As of now, I don't have any such plans. No other fictional couple or story has compelled me to write. As far as IshRa is concerned, I believe I have exhausted all my ideas for YHM in this fic.

With one final thank you, I now bid adieu. Au revoir my lovelies! I love you guys so much! Stay happy, healthy, and safe! Wishing you all the best!

✨❤️xoxo❤️✨

A very amazing and beautiful story