The just-risen sun shone softly and its light dawned in with the chorus of the melodic birdsong. Unlike the house which was all quite since 3 days. Swapreena were in the kitchen unpacking the breakfast given by one of the neighbours, when Vishakha came.

Vishakha-Kya kar rahe ho bacho?

Swati-Mummyji woh...Sharma aunty ne abhi nashta bheja hai toh wahi nikal rahi hai.

Vishakha-Hmm thik hai. Ahh.....meri Panditji se baat hui, dopahar ko khana banake ek gay aur kauve ko khilana hai. Nashta hote hi khana banane lag jaayenge.

Naina-Auntyji aap khane ka tension mat lijiye hum sab dekh lenge.

Preeti-Ji aunty aap bas Dadi ke saath rahiye.

Vishakha hummed silently and went away. Meanwhile Dadi was in her room reminiscing about the last conversation she had with Dadu.

Flashback

It was late night when Dadu and Dadi where sitting on the swing placed in their balcony looking at the moon.

Dadu-Aaj Sameer bada khush tha, nahi??

Dadi-Ha, Naina se itne dinon baad jo mila.

Dadu-Hmm, tumhe yaad hai Sumitra shaadi ke 2din pehle jab main tumhare ghar ke bahar aaya tha.

Dadi-Ha yaad hai aur mujhe yeh bhi yaad hai ki kaise aapke peeche woh kutte lage the.

Saying this Dadi giggled followed by an aching laughter.

Dadu-Kya din the na woh.

Dadi-Ha, shaadi ke baad ke toh bohot haseen. Yaad hai jab aap mere liye hafte nayi bindiya le aate the.

Dadu-Ha....har dukaan mein ghumta tha main tumhare liye alag bindiya lene.

Dadi chuckles remembering her early days of marriage.

Dadi-Ab toh bas bacho ko khush dekhna chahti hu maina.

Dadu-Hmm, ab bas Sameer-Naina ki shaadi ho jaye ton main aankhen band karlu.

Dadi(gasps)-Kya bol rahe hai? Shubh-shubh boliye.

Dadu-Arre Sumitra ye baate sunke hi tum ghabra gayi? Main jaunga toh kya karogi?

Dadi-Toh main bhi aaungi aapke saath.

Dadu-Bilkul nahi.

Dadu sat facing at her.

Dadu-Tum mere jaane ke baad bhi yahi rahogi, humare bacho, poto, par-poto ko khush dekhte. Aur mera har sapna pura hote hue dekhogi.

Dadi-Acha, sab main hi karu aap waha aaram se baithenge, mujhe akela chodke.

Dadu-Kisne kaha main akela chodunga. Main tumhari yeh bindi banke hamesha iss maathe pe sajaa rahunga tumhare saath, tumhare paas.

Dadu said holding Dadi's hand while she blushed profusely.

Flashback ends.

Dadi moves her hand to her forehead and feels the bindi. She looks at Dadu's photo and says.

Dadi-Vidhvaye bindi nahi lagati par apne diya hua yeh tohfa main apne se kabhi alag nahi karungi kyunki isse, mujhe aapka mere paas hone ka ehsaas hota hai. Aapka har sapna pura hoga aur yeh aap dekhenge bhi mere saath hoke, mere paas hoke.

Dadi gets emotional looking at their wedding photo and caresses it.

************************************

Dadi stepped down after 3 days, the living room which had experienced laugh, love, tension was all silent. The girls were serving breakfast plates whereas Munna and Vivek were discussing about the office work. Vishakha was instructing Sameer to get the groceries and items needed for today. Dadi breathed and stepped forward.

Dadi-Itna shant kyu hai mera ghar?

Everyone looked at Dadi, who was back to normal and had a smile on her face.

Vivek-Ma!

Dadi-Sab waha kyu baithe hai? Nashta nahi karna?

Vishakha-Mummyji aap theek hai na?

Dadi-Ha main theek hun, tum log itni chinta mat karo. Jo hua woh hamare haath mein nhi tha par aage ka hai. Issi baat ko leke baithenge toh inke sapne kaise pure honge? Maine wadda kiya hai unse ki main unnka har sapna pura hote dekhungi lekin agar tum log hi aise udaas baithe rahogi toh kaise chalega?

Munna-Hum bhi aapse wada karte hai Dadi ki Dadu ka har sapna hum pura karenge.

Dadi nodded smilingly and Sameer hugged her.

Sameer-Aap bohot strong hai Dadi.

Dadi(chuckles)-Meri takat toh tum log hi ho na.

She unhugs him and wipes his tears saying.

Dadi-Par tu aise hi rota rahega kya? Teri hone-wali biwi kya kahegi ki 'mera pati kitna rotlu hai' ha?

Everyone chuckled emotionally seeing Dadi all strong and stable again. They all sat on the dinning table for breakfast when Dadi notices that one member was missing.

Dadi-Arre Advait kaha hai?

Swati-Woh Dadi....Advait mummy-papa ke saath hai, woh ghar me rehta toh 100 sawal puchta isiliye maine bhej diya.

Dadi-Koi baat nhi, thode din nana-nani ke saath rehlega. Bas usse 2-3 dinon mein bula lo waise bhi ab mere pass kuch kaam nhi hai toh usike saath thoda waqt bitaya karungi.

Swati-Ji.

They all had their breakfast and all went back to their assigned work. Soon the lunch was made and offered near Dadu's photo. They did a small pooja; Swati and Munna went to a cowshed to feed a cow while Sameer was on the terrace waiting for a crow.

After sometime....

Vishakha-Naina, zara upar dekh aao ki kauva aaya ya nahi Sameer kabse upar hi hai.

Naina-Ji aunty.

Naina went upstairs and saw Sameer standing on the same spent where he was 35 mins ago. She walked to him and saw that the food offered was untouched.

Sameer-Dadu nahi aaye Naina.

Naina looked at him whose eyes were still at the plate. Her eyes softened and she said.

Naina-Woh kabhi gaye hi nhi the. Dadu toh hamesha hamare dil main, jazbaaton mein hi the na.

Sameer looked at her, into her eyes, deeply.

Naina-Aur aapko bas—

Sameer-Dil se aawaz lagani hai, hai na?

Naina chuckled and nodded. Sameer and Naina closed their eyes and called out Dadu in their mind. Just then they heard a voice and their eyes fly open. A crow was sitting on the half-built wall eating the food kept over there. Sameer smiled happily as his Dadu heard his call. Naina looked at Sameer's smile which was missing since past 3 days. She just prayed god to keep him smiling like this always. Thet saw the crow eat the food and then went down together. Post lunch, The Agarwals asked for their leave.

Rama-Kakiji ab hum ijazat chahte hai.

Dadi-Tum sab aaye sach mein bohot accha laga (To Naina and Preeti) Aur yeh dono toh meri takat ban gayi hai.

Vivek-Rakesh, thode aur din ruk jaata.

Rakesh-Agli baar zarur iss baar zara kaam hai, phulla bua ke naati ki shaadi hai toh unhe kuch madad karni hai aur Preeti-Pandit ki bhi naukari hai toh....agli baar zayada din rukenge.

Dadi-Rakesh beta agar Naina yaha rahe toh? Waise bhi ab mujhe koi kaam hai nhi, sab apne daftar, kaamon mein lage rahenge, Advait bhi nahi hai Naina ho toh mujhe bhi ek saathi mil jayega. Bas thode hi din.

Rama(To Naina)-Tu rahegi?

Naina-Jaisa aap kahenge.

Rakesh-Toh ruk jaa Kakiji ka bohot mann hai, tervi ko aayenge tab aajana.

Naina nodded obediently and the other Agarwals bid them a bye.

**********************************************************

The day ended night began along with the missing moments that made memories. It had been 11 days since the great loss of Maheshwari's. Everyone had come out of their breakdown, but yet there was a corner deep down which pained and yearned missing Dadu. Sameer was walking in the garden remembering how every night Dadu used to get him here, talk about life. He looked at the moon and remembered him. Just then he heard Advait's voice.

Advait-Yay!! Stals!!(stars)

Sameer looked at the terrace where he found Advait in the arms of Naina. She tried to make Advait drink milk but he was trying to wiggle out of her hold.

Naina-Advait thoda sa pee lo na.

Advait-Na!!

Naina-Aap chichi ko trouble karoge?

Advait pouted and nodded a no.

Naina-Toh ye pee lo.

Advait-Pal mujhe toh..pal Dadu dudu pilate hai.

Naina-Par ab Dadu yaha nahi hai toh chachi pilayegi.

Advait-Woh kaha gaye?

Naina sterned at his question, she know that he won't understand the situation but she also knew he would continue questioning till he gets a satisfying answer.

Naina-Par Dadu kahi gaye nahi hai, woh ab ek star ban gaye hai.

Naina said pointing at the sky. Sameer was amazed by her answer, he would have never been able to come up with such an answer.

Advait-Woh waha q gaye?

Naina-Ahh....aapke liye gifts lane.

Advait-Mele liye?

Naina-Ha, par uske liye aapko pehle ye doodh finish karna padega.

Advait-Phir mijhe gif (gift) milega?

Naina-Of course, ab good boy ki tarah yeh finish karo.

Naina made Advait drink his milk, telling him stories and enacting them. Soon she was done with her task and went in the house with Advait. Sameer was silently watching everything. She was there with him, his family in the most nedded time. She managed her work along with house's like an experienced woman. He would've gone mad if he was in her place, anyone would've. Thats the speciality of a woman, to handle everything on right time.

************************************

The following morning Naina was in Dadi's room setting the bed. Just then she heard a knock and saw Sameer at the door.

Sameer: Good morning!

Naina: Good morning!!

They bother greeted each other as Sameer came in. Naina then spread the bedsheets and Sameer helped her.

Naina: main kar lungi, aap rehne dijiye.

Sameer: it's ok, mujhe aadat hai.

They both tucked the sheet under the mattress and Naina asked.

Naina: aapka koi kaam tha?

Sameer: as.. kaam nahi tha bas..tumhe thank you kehna tha.

Naina: thank you?

Sameer: ha, yaha rehne ke liye, sabko sambhalne ke liye, ghar sambhalne ke liye sach mein thank you.

Naina: Sameer isme thank you ki kya baat hai?

Sameer: hai Naina. Jabse Dadu gaye tabse hum sab toot gaye the. Uss wakt unke saath rehna meri zimmedari thi par main toh room se tak bahar nahi nikla. Agar bhaiya nahi sambhalte toh pata nahi kya hota.

Naina: Sameer aisa nahi hai--

Sameer: kaisa nahi hai Naina? Jiss family ne mujhe zarurat thi tab mujhe apnaya, usi family ko jab meri sabse zyada zarurat thi tab main aage aaya hi nahi, main tha hi nahi.(pause) Par tum thi....meri jagah.

She looked at him, deep into his eyes.

Naina: Sameer, maine jo bhi kiya woh....meri jagah koi aur bhi hota toh yahi karta. Aur main aapki jagah kabhi le hi nahi sakte.

Sameer: Right! Tumne meri jagah nahi li Naina, apni banayi.

Sameer stepped closer to her and kept his hand on her cheek saying.

Sameer: Tumne iss ghar mein ek nayi bahu ki jagah bana di Naina. Aur main khush hu li woh nayi bahu tum ho.

Both had their eyes locked with each other. Each one had tears in their eyes. It was the first time that Naina was so close to a boy, but this proximity did not bother her; she just wanted to be there with him. It was Swati's voice which called out for Naina and they got apart.

************************************

Naina was with Swati sitting on the dinning table cutting fruits for snacks, when Ramdhari asked.

Ramdhari: Bhabhiji khane mein 12 rotiya bana du?

Swati: Bhaiya meri rotiya mat giniye...aa..10 hi bana dijiye.

Ramdhari: ji.

Saying this Ramdhari goes.

Naina: Kyu bhabhi? Aap kyon nahi kha rahi?

Sameer: Khane ka man hi nahi kar raha. Subah se zara acidity si bhi hai.

Naina: Acidity? Par subah toh sirf Poha khaya tha, kuch oily khaya hi nahi.

Swati: Pata nahi kis wajah se hua, shayad kuch dinon se khana thik se nahi ho raha hai isiliye.

Naina: Ha...aap abhi dahi chawal khaiye thoda aaram milega.

Swati: Hmm...acha tum yeh andar Rakh do, main ye Advait ko de aai.

Naina: ji.

Swati picks up a plate of fruits and moves to Advait's room.

************************************

All the Maheshwari members were running here and there in the living room. It was the 13th day after Dadu's demise, all were busy making the arrangements of Havana. The agarwal's had reached there before-time to help out with the setting. Soon the Priest arrived and they started with the havan. As they neared towards its end and Vishakha hinted Swana to serve a plate that would be offered to Dadu. As swati started picking Advait from her lap, he clutched
her hand tightly and shifted back in her lap. Meanwhile Naina went in the kitchen along with Ramdhari. Munna caught hold of Advait and pulled him into his lap letting Swati free. She quickly got up and walked in the kitchen just to smell something that made her feel uneasy.

Swati: ahhh...Naina yeh badbu kaisi?

Naina: Badbu? Mujhe toh nahi aa rahi, bas yeh tel ki smell aa rahi hai.

Swati: ah! I can't take it.

Saying this Swati ran to her room clutching her mouth. Naina was shocked seeing Swati and was worried too. She asked Ramdhari to serve everything and went behind Swati. As she entered Swati's room, she took a quick scan but couldn't find her. Just then she heard the sound of flush and turned to the bathroom; swati came out and saw Naina worried but the next moment Naina's eyes were in shock.

************************************

The havan was over and even the guest who came to pay visit, were gone.

Priest: Sumitra hi, ab main bhi aagya chahta hu.

Vivek gave him his dakshina and touched his feet with Vishakha. Rama and Rke also did the same followed by Swati-Munna. As they bent down to touch his feet, the priest stepped back. All were surprised when he did this but were shocked by his next move. He stared Swati for a second or two and smilingly stared.

Priest: Sumitra ji, badhaai ho! Bhaisaab wapis aa gaye.

************************************

Hey guys!!

The next chapter's up as promised. Won't make any commitments about the next one as we have study. Till then please do read my other stories and also comment about how it was.

Please do vote on this chapter and share your views.

Love,
Shambhavi and Hemangi❤