Pragya was smiling softly to herself as she peeped out of the flight window. They were due to land in Mumbai in another twenty minutes. She was relishing the first aerial sight of Mumbai after four long years now. She was never really a patriot from her heart, but homecoming after four long years did make her feel a little nationalistic. Her Mumbai, which was once upon a time her home. Now of course home is Stanford - and she had no wishes of leaving her home to come to India ever since she left. There in the States, away from home, away from close ones, away from bitter memories and heart breaks, she had built a heaven of her own. It was her own palace of illusions - where she believed she had no pain and regret to life. True she had moved on. She didn't remember Abhi any longer. It was difficult in the initial months, but with no qualms in her heart, she found it easier to let go of him. Once in a while she would surf the TV channels and come across his concerts, then she would pause for a few minutes to listen with a smile of familiarity, but she never really understood his kind of music, so she would change the channel after a bit and go on - never sparing one moment thinking about anything beyond his rockstar image. True he still did have an impact on her, but that was restricted to only stopping her from ever coming back to India. She knew if she returned, daadi would want to meet her, who knows even Abhi may want to catch up, but she had put her past so far behind, that she was too reluctant to go back there to even check if they still mattered to her - in no other ways did Abhishek Prem Mehra matter to Pragya Arora anymore.

Her mother never went with her to the States, as was their initial plan. She had understood everything when Abhi had broken it down to her. There was that regular cycle of anger, denial, acceptance and moving on. But she had made it clear that she wasn't going to leave Pragya's daadi behind to go with her. So they stayed back as Pragya went away. Of course they would come to visit her every once a year - but she never came to visit them. Bulbul and Purab would initially request her, then plead with her and finally even tricked her, but she never gave in, until the last time Purab called. After the usual conversation with Bulbul and her mother and daadi (her mother and daadi were staying at Bulbul's because Purab and Bulbul were expecting their first child, and she was in her final month), Purab had taken the phone.

"Di, I just want to tell you, this will be Bulbul and my last attempt to convince you to visit Mumbai once. If you don't come even this time, we will never ask you to. We will understand, there are boundaries which you can cross for no one. Di, Bulbul will go into labour in another three weeks. After delivery with such a small baby she can't travel for at least two-three years. If you would rather see your niece or nephew in person for the first time only after he/she is that old then it's fine. But di, I know even though Bulbul will say she understands, she will still want you to be around her when she sees her baby for the first time. She will want the baby's maasi to be there for the baby right from birth, she will want to share the joys of motherhood with her sister too. Di, please don't let your past dampen Bulbul's joy on such a special phase if possible"

Pragya let go of a silent tear of both joy and pain. She could shun herself from all, but a baby who isn't even born yet? Her baby sister's little baby? How could she say no this time? She let out a deep breath and replied.

"Purab, tell Golu that maasi is coming"

"Di, really? That is such a great news! But who is Golu?"

"Arre the baby's nickname! It's the maasi or the bua's right! And in both cases, it me! So Golu!"

Purab had chuckled and then hung up quickly to inform the family of their new added cause of joy.

And now Bulbul was due in two days and she had finally landed in Mumbai. Just in time to catch up with her Golu.

***

Sarla was sitting with Bulbul in their drawing cum dining room couch and chopping vegetables, her Pragya was going to be home after four years this late afternoon. She was making all her favourite dishes. Daadi was sitting in the chair by the dining table and reading the mornings newspaper. Purab was sitting in the chair next to her and having breakfast. He was in a hurry, he had to leave for the airport in sometime to pickup Pragya di. There was an air of general excitement in the room. Sarla was thinking about something for a few days now, she thought of brining it before Bulbul now.

"Beta this time ask your sister what her future plans are, okay? Every time I ask her, she gives me philosophy lectures like, she likes living in the present, if the present is good it conceives a good future and all that. I know she dodges my questions, but I am sure she will give you good answers"

"And when she dodges your questions Ma, then why do you think she will give me correct answers?"

"Dare she dodge questions and irritate a woman running in pregnancy hormones? Even if she tries, I will tip her with a few personal experiences! She will get the point" chuckled Purab from the table, earning a glare from Bulbul. Sarla and daadi hid their faces to laugh.

"But seriously betaji, I know Pragya is completely over with Abhi and her past. I know she and that other professor, Raghav Chopra - they like each other. All I say is, if they like each other for over two years now, why aren't they making the move? Betaji, when you could convince her to come to India, I know only you can convince my stubborn daughter to start up life afresh with Raghav. I just want her to settle down too betaji. It's been so long" sighed Sarla.

"Auntyji, I understand. I think after what happened last time, Pragya di is just cautious. I will try talking to her, I promise. But in the meanwhile I request you all to remember that under no circumstances will anyone even utter Abhi's name in di's presence. I know it's easier to dodge the topic when we talk for some time with her on the phone, and with her being around in the house it's difficult - but if she can do as much as come down to Mumbai to meet us - we can do this for her too"

They all silently agreed. "Abhi" was a tabooed word in the Khanna household for the one month Pragya would be around. For Purab it would be most difficult because Abhi was still his best friend and he met him on a regular basis. Aakash had been managing Abhi's affairs for years now. But Purab still managed his finance. He had once thought of telling Abhi about staying away from his family for the month because Pragya was coming - but he knew Abhi, what if he decided to come and meet her or something? He knew he couldn't keep the news under the warp for too long, but he decided to not spill the beans so early - he would handle Abhi as and when he posed trouble. For now he had to leave for the airport.

Abhi was in great terms with Bulbul too. True, Bulbul was initially shocked to know about their divorce appeal. But Pragya had broken it down to her and Purab carefully that it was a mutual decision and she had no hard feelings for him. When she didn't believe her she compared her love for Abhi with Aaliyah's love for Purab. When Purab couldn't be held responsible for loving Bulbul when Aaliyah loved him, then how could Abhi be held responsible for loving Tanu when she loved him. Bulbul had to agree. Pragya had similarly pitched for Abhi before Purvi, her daadi, even Aakash and the daasi's. When he was taking on daadi and ma for her, she wanted to ensure all his other relations remained intact and supported him - she owed him this much. As for Sarla and daadi, they were most upset, but with time they succumbed to their emotional injuries. Daadi had finally forgiven Abhi, and on seeing how she ensured and secured Pragya's future, even Sarla was cordial with him now.

Purab was well on his way to the airport when he received a call from home. An extremely worried and nervous Sarla ma had informed him that Bulbul had started to get her labour pain two days in advance. Apparently she wasn't feeling right from the morning itself, but she ignored it thinking it was morning sickness, but in due course her uneasiness increased, giving in to the pain. Purab panicked hearing that. He put Sarla's call on hold and called for an ambulance at home, and then informed Sarla that he was coming right back. He then took a U-turn and sped towards his Bulbul.

When Pragya walked out of the airport, she was expecting to see a radiantly smiling Purab at the arrivals gate. But to her dismay he wasn't there. She thought he must have been caught in traffic and waited for quarter of an hour before calling him. But even when she called and he didn't pick up, she was startled. She tried her mother's number and yet no answer! She knew everyone was at the Khanna's so there was no point in going home, and she couldn't directly go to Bulbul's house either, because they had recently shifted to this bungalow. She knew it was in Cuff Parade, but she didn't know the exact address.

She had been away for so long that, already the sticky humid incessant Mumbai weather was starting to get to her and to top that was the irritating and insistent cab and auto drivers who were piling up before her to drop her home. On that she could feel her jet lag settling in. All in all, she was a mess. Hence she decided to take a cab and check into a hotel and rest and await for a call back from her family. How conveniently all of them forgot her she mumbled to herself. She then left a message for Purab on his phone and left the airport.

***

A two hour and half later, when all formalities were complete and Bulbul was taken in screaming in labour, the doctor told them the delivery was to be expected in another six hours.. Sarla aunty and daadi were inside with her and he had just got the medicines and other ancillary things that were needed. It was now when things were finally in control, he relaxed a little and out of habit took out his phone from his pocket to check. He saw some seventeen missed calls from Pragya and did a face palm in irritation. How did it escape his mind, that he was supposed to pick Pragya di up some two hours back? He immediately tried calling her back but her phone was dead. He stood up out of sheer desperation. What were the chances that she was still waiting in the airport? If not, then where would he search for her now, when her phone was dead? But then he noticed the message and murmured to himself, "Four Seasons..hmm". He called up Aakash. He didn't want anyone from that family to meet her if possible during her stay here, and if at all they had to meet, he definitely didn't want them to meet her on the first day itself! But with Bulbul in labour he really had no option.

Aakash answered the phone and told him he was with Abhi for a press release. Purab quickly explained the situation and requested if he could at least arrange for something such that Pragya could be brought to City Hospital. Aakash assured him that he himself will drop "Pragya bhab"di" to the hospital. Purab just needed to tell him where she was put. - Four Seasons.

"Purab, are you sure Four Seasons?"

"Of course Aakash, but why do you ask?"

"Purab, I am currently at Four Seasons only, with bhai. The press release is taking place here" whispered Aakash

"Bhai. Pragya di. Press. Just Perfect" spat Purab in anxiety.

"Don't worry Purab, you be with Bulbul. I will arrange for something and get Pragya bhab-di out of here without the press or bhai noticing"

"Thanks Aakash, and one more thing, when you talk to her, please keep the "bhab" out of di. Bye"

Pragya had given in to jet lag and was sleeping to glory in her room when the intercom rang. She reluctantly answered it.

"Hello"

"Hello Ma'am, a certain gentleman by the name of Aakash wants to see you. Shall we send him in?"

"Sorry, I think he is making a mistake, I don't know any Aakash"

"Right Ma'am, Thank you"

"Aakash" who can this be? Pragya thought to herself. Unless, but no no how could it be that Aakash? She didn't think Purab would have told them of her arrival. This must be someone else. The phone rang again.

"Hello Ma'am, we are extremely sorry to disturb you, but this gentlemen insists on talking to you over the phone once at least. He claims he is your brother"

Pragya's doubt got confirmed. This was some other Aakash - she was his bhabi, not di. But then she stammered at her own mistake - she wasn't his bhabi anymore. Could it be? But why would he?

"Fine please pass him the phone"

"Hello Pragya bhab-sorry I mean di, this is Aakash here. Aakash? Your..your.."

"Yes, Aakash of course I remember you. How did you know I checked in here?"

"Bhab-sorry again, di, actually Purab sent me here to pick you up, actually he was on his way to pick you up, but then Bulbul started with her labour pain, and he rushed there, and in all the chaos he forgot to pick you up. I came to take you directly to the hospital"

"Oh my God Aakash, Bulbul is in labour? I am coming down right now, give me five minutes."

She should have guessed something was wrong, why did she not wonder? Staying alone in a faraway country with no close ones near had made her so indifferent to the world, that she had forgotten to worry completely. It just didn't occur to her that something could be wrong. After five minutes, a worried Pragya dashed down to the main lobby with her luggage to see Aakash standing there and gaping at her.

"Bhabi! How a- are yo-you?" he stammered. "You have changed so much!" then he came forward and hugged her.

Pragya laughed freely. "I must have changed quite a bit. Why else did you forget to rectify your mistake of calling me bhabi this time, with a - sorry I mean di!" she chuckled.

Aakash just smiled back amazed. She was still the same Pragya bhabi, yet she was so very different both in terms of clothing and personality. Pragya moved away and went near the reception to check out, it is then it struck Aakash that Abhi was in the same venue and if they go by time, the press release is almost about to sum up. He hurried to her and told her to come with him quickly. He would look into the check out details later for her. But Pragya refused that upfront. She thanked him but told him it wouldn't take long and she wanted to wrap it up herself. As Aakash waited patiently, he kept glancing around to see if Abhi was coming out from anywhere - thankfully he wasn't.

Once she was done with the payment, Pragya turned around and smiled at Aakash. She said she could go now that she was done. He sighed in relief and they were walking towards the exit finally.

"Pragya bha-opps sorry di, would you first like to drop your luggage at Purab's before heading to the hospital or -"

"I think I will first go to the hospital Aakash and yes, please call me whatever you feel comfortable with - bhabi/di/ bhab-di whatever, just tune out the profuse apologies you add in between. Of course don't call me bhabi, if your present bhabi has a problem with it" she laughed softly, and before he could respond, he heard another voice.

"Ah I was wondering what was keeping Aakash my responsible manager cum brother away from such an important press release today, but now I guess I know. Only someone as stunning as you can manage the impossible my lady" drawled Abhi's unmistakable flirtatious voice from behind and Aakash froze. Purab was going to kill him now.