Arohi looked around in the room. There were photos of Naira mumma all around. Everyone from her family had some or the other memories with her, had some bond with her. Even Abhimanyu, Manjiri and Harshwardhan had a direct relation as her daughter's in-laws. All she was, a step daughter whose name also wasn't heard by Naira when she was alive. Hell, maybe if Naira was alive, maybe she wouldn't have given birth to another kid, and Arohi wouldn't even had existed.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Naksh mamu and Keerti bua enter. Their son, Namit followed suit. Arohi and Neil touched the couple's feet, seeking for blessings.

"Jeete raho" the two blessed in unison and Arohi gave them a weak smile.

"Neil, how are you?" Naksh asked his jamai before he could talk to Arohi.

"I am good Mamu, aap sab kaise ho?"

"Even we're fine Neil" this time, Keerti replied and Neil smiled.

"Neil bhai, do you know where the washroom is?" Namit asked and Neil nodded and the two went away.

"Aru, ghar pe sab kaisa hai?" (Aru, how's everything at home?) Naksh asked, keeping his hand over her head.

"Everything's going really well Mamu"

"Uhm Aru, how is Akshara? We heard that"

"Yes Maami, she had a panic attack a few weeks ago. But don't worry, she's fine. And let's not forget that her husband is one of the best doctors around" Arohi replied with a smile, "and not just that, her entire family consists of doctors" Arohi added.

"We know that, but darr toh lagta hai beti keliye" Keerti replied.

"I know Maami, but she's okay. Just don't talk to her about it, yeah?"

"Yeah yeah, of course. That's why I asked you, meri bacchi" Keerti replied fondly and Arohi hugged her, overwhelmed with unknown emotions.

🍁

Akshara was lost.

People who had come were giving her sympathetic glances. She also overheard some gossip about Arohi and Sirat. Kairav bhaiyya seemed to do well as he knew most of the people and what they were to Kartik and Naira.

Deep down in her heart, Akshara always felt a bit envious, of both her siblings. Kairav and Arohi at least got to spend some happy times with their biological mother. Yes, they suffered a lot when both of them left their kids. Kairav had to experience this grief twice. And Sirat is her mother, there was no lie in it. But deep down Akshara did wish for a happy memory of her mom. Her mother, Naira was a trained dancer. Akshu always wondered what a beautiful combo the two would've been- she would have sung and Naira would've danced.

Abhimanyu looked at Akshara who seemed to hold back her tears. He decided to go and talk to her but saw Arohi approaching her and decided against it.

"Askhu, I have something important to tell you" Arohi told her sister.

"Bol na" (Say it)

"Naira mumma has sent you a message, she wants you to smile" Arohi said and Akshara smiled at her.

"Akshu, Akshu...no cry please. Smile please" four years old Arohi requested her elder sister who was crying holding a photo frame of Naira.

"Akshuuuu, Naira mumma has say no cry." Arohi added and Akshara stopped crying and looked at her.

"How did Mumma talk to you Arohi?" She asked with a frown. 'Mumma's with God, how can she talk to Aru? Aru is lying'.

"I was looking at photo" Arohi replied, deepening Akshara's frown.

"Why would she talk to you? Kuchh bhi"

"I say truth" Arohi insisted and Akshara rolled her eyes and decided to go someplace else.

"Arohi, why are you troubling your sister?" They heard a voice and the sisters turned to look at their mother- Sirat Goenka.

"I no trouble" Arohi whined, pouting her lips.

"She is mumma" Akshara spoke up.

"Arohi, you must be hungry. Go to the kitchen, ask Dadi for food" Sirat instructed and Arohi nodded, running to the kitchen.

"Akshu, Arohi wasn't lying" Sirat said. "Naira didi wants you to smile" Sirat said.

"Why didn't she tell me? Why Aru? She doesn't even know her" Akshara cried out.

"Naira didi asked me and Aru both to send a message to you." Sirat replied.

"Why not me? Does she hate me?"

"Of course not, meri jaan. She is your maa, she can never ever hate you" Sirat said, hugging the eight year old child.

"She is writing a letter for you, Akshu. And she's writing a letter to her baby girl, won't she take some time? So, she asked me and Aru to send you a message. The letter was supposed to be a surprise for you, but I told you since you were crying. But don't tell didi, okay? She'll scold me"

"Okay Sirat mumma, I won't tell maa. You won't get scolding" Akshara replied with a smile of satisfaction.

"See, I smiled" Akshara said, smiling at her sister.

"Good girl!" Arohi grinned at her.

"Thanks Arohi" Akshara whispered.

"You don't have to" Arohi replied, a lone tear escaping at the sight of her sister's sorrow.

"I'll be back in five minutes" Akshara whispered and Arohi nodded.

Akshara went to her old room and opened her secret box. There was it. The letter written to her by 'Naira Maa'.

My dearest Akshu,

Every single day, when I hear your melodious voice, a piece of my heart breaks that I am not there to listen to your singing, that I am not there to hug you, pamper you, make your hair, and drop you off at school and classes.

I am so sorry beta that I never made your brother's favourite kachoris for you. I am so sorry that I never baked you a cake. I am so sorry that I never turned up for your PTA meetings in school. But I know that my Akshu is a very sweet and understanding kid. She'll forgive her Naira maa, and will always listen to Kartik Papa and Sirat Mumma.

Won't you Akshu?

I love you meri jaan,
Naira Maa.

Hi! Flashbacks 'cause why not?

Also, suggest a ship name for Kairav and Rati!