The sun was half-way down the horizon, spreading its orange hue across the sky. Birds were flying back to their nests, just like the humans on their was home making the road crowded. Amidst the crowd were our sweet couple with not so sweet expressions. Making their way to the city hospital, they ran in near the inquiry desk.

"Excuse me!"

The receptionist looked and stood up with jerk, as it wasn't everyday she would meet The Sameer Maheshwari. Ignoring her expressions Sameer hastily continued.

Sameer: I need to know the room no. of Mrs. Preeti Raghav.

Receptionist: S..sure.

The lady quickly searched something on the PC and told Samaina the room no. Hearing the lady Naina ran ahead while Sameer stopped there and asked the lady for a favor.

Sameer: Please keep a check at the media, I don't want any reporters in. Please.

Receptionist: Yes sir.

Nodding Sameer went behind Naina. Samaina came near the room panting when Pandit came out of it.

Naina: Preeti???

Pandit: Woh ab theek hai, doctor check up kar rahi hai.

Sameer: Yeh sab hua kaise?

Pandit: Hum log party se ghar jaldi aa gaye the mere meeting ke liye, maine use kaha tha ki woh Naina ko bula le agar chahe toh par usne nahi kiya. Aur fir shaam ko jab main wapis aaya toh woh behosh padi thi. (To Naina) Tum jab call kar rahi thi tab main drive kar raha tha. Yaha aake doctor ne check kiya toh woh out of danger thi, stress ki wajah se ho jata hai kabhi.

Naina: Kuch serious nahi hai na?

Pandit: Nahi ,bas diet aur movement ka dhyan rakhna hai.

Naina: hum abhi mil sakte hai?

Pandit: Ha, bas doctor last check up kar le toh mil sakte hai. Kal discharge bhi mil jayega. Tum dono mil lo main dawaiya le aata hun.

Both nodded and Pandit went to get the meds, while Samaina went in to meet Preeti as the doctor came out. Naina rushed to Preeti and sat besides her while Sameer asked.

Sameer: Tum theek ho?

Preeti: Ha, ab theek hu.

Naina: Kyu itna stress leti hai? Pata hai na ki ab tu 2 jaan ki hai, mere bhanje ya bhanji ko kuch ho jata toh!

Preeti: Acha, tujhe bache ki chinta hai lekin meri nahi.

Naina(seriously): Teri hai isiliye toh daud ke aayi.

Preeti: Sorry!

Both sisters had tears in their eyes and hugged each other carefully, Sameer smiled looking at their love

Preeti: Chal ab aansu ponch, itni achi dikh rahi hai toh ro mat aur tum dono yaha zyada der ruko bhi mat. Already late ho chuka hai aur club yaha se kafi dur hai, Sameer ki birthday party hai toh der nahi honi chahiye.

Sameer: Koi party nahi hai, abhi sabse important tumhare saath, tumhara dhyan rakhna hai, baaki sab baad mein ho jayega.

Preeti: Sameer please, I don't want you to cancel your birthday party beacuse of me.

Sameer: Wahi toh, birthday hai meri aur agar mere birthday pe mere apne nahi honge toh kya Celebration? Kal jab tumhe discharge mil jayega tab hum party karenge, ekdum zor se.

Preeti: Par....

Sameer: Par var kuch nahi main jaa raha hu sabko mana karne aur tum yaha aaram karo.

Sameer said getting up and walked out leaving the 2 sisters alone.

Preeti; Tu toh kuch kehti, woh sab cancel kar dega.

Naina: Unhone aate wakt hi sab cancel kar diya tha, tere samne sirf naatak kar rahe the, taki Hume baat karne mile.

Preeti: Matlab? Aisi kya baat hai?

Naina: Teri baat hai. Doctor keh rahi thi tune stress liya isiliye tu behosh ho gayi.

Preeti: Aisa kuch nahi hai.

Naina: Preeti kya baat hai?

Naina asked seriously.

Preeti(sighing): Pandit bohot tensed hai. Sab kuch bohot hectic ho gaya hai uske liye.

Naina: Kya hua hai?

Preeti: Bohot load aa raha hai uspe. Ek toh yeh pregnancy unplanned thi, usme mere complications. Office loss mein jaa rahi hai, toh workload zyada aur pay kam hai. Meri tabiyat ke wajah se maine bhi job chod di toh Sab kuch uspe hi hai.

Naina: Toh fir Mummy-papa hai na, ya fir main bhi hun. Kuch na kuch madad ho hi jayegi.

Preeti: Pandit nahi manega. Uske liye mummy papa ne already bohot kuch kiya hai. Woh wapis madad nahi mangega. Usme yaha koi bada nahi hai. Taiji hai par main unke saath nahi reh sakti aur Pandit ki family... woh hoke bhi hamare liye nahi hai.

Naina: Tu chinta mat kar sab sort out ho jayega.

Preeti: Mujhe apni chinta nahi hai Naina, par jabse main pregnant hun tabse Pandit bohot sensitive aur emotional ho gaya hai. Har baat pe khud ko blame karta hai. Usse lagta hai aaj main jiss phase se guzar rahi hun woh uski wajah se hai, agar uski family saath hoti toh sab alag hota. Kitna bhi try karle woh, par apne parents ko bhul nahi sakta, especially ab jab usse unki sabse jyada zarurat hai.

Naina: Unse ek baar baat karke toh dekho.

Preeti: Ki, par kuch nahi hua.

Naina: Sab theek ho jayega, hum kuch na kuch kar lenge.

Preeti: Hopefully.

Preeti let out her emotional in front of Naina while she just tried to console and encourage her.

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

The early risers chirping, morning sun beams peeking through the clouds, birds about their morning rituals, a gentle cool breeze, golden light everywhere, covering natural and man-made creations, full of beauty and magic, filled with the promise of a new beginning. Naina and Sameer were with Preeti. While Pandit went to the doctor to have a word about Preeti.

Pandit-Doctor, Preeti ko ab ghar le jaa sakte hai na?

Doctor-Ha, ek baar main usska checkup kar leti hu..

Pandit-Ok.Doctor, Preeti ko ab phir se toh problem nhi hogi na??

Doctor-Nhi..Agar aap uski pehle se zayada dhyaan rakhenge.

Pandit nods his head..

Doctor-Aur abhi Preeti ko travelling karne ki manai hai toh koi bade ko yahi bula lo so jab aap ghar pe na ho toh woh Preeti ke saath ho..

Pandit-Hmm..Thike.

Doctor- Main 5 min mein aati hu Preeti ka checkup karne.

Pandit nods his head and moves towards the room where Preeti was there. Naina was sitting besides Preeti's bed on the stool, talking with her. While Sameer was waiting for Pandit. As Pandit entered.

Pandit-Doctor 5 min mein last time checkup karne aa rhi hai phir Preeti ko ghar le jaa sakte hai..

Preeti and Naina nod their heads while Sameer took Pandit outside the room.

Sameer-Doctor ne kya bola Pandit??

Pandit tells him about the conservation with the Doctor. Both were lost in their thoughts when the doctor came for the checkup she informed them to complete the discharge formalities. Completing the formalities Preedit were moving towards their car when Sameer said..

Sameer-Pandit main aur Naina ek kaam khatam karke aata hai todhi der mein..

Naina looks at Sameer with confused face, he blinks his eyes assuring her.

Pandit-Accha thik hai. Toh yeh lo ek spare key tumhare paas rakho.

Taking the key Samaina move towards their car and both the couples went on their way.

**********************************************************
A lady in her mid 50's was moving around the house with a aarti thali in her hand and chanting mantras. She entered in her daughter's room only to see her digging in her pool of clothes.

Lady: Hey Ram!! Yeh kya haal banake rakha hai tune iss kamre ka Shweta!!??

Shweta: Maa, mere paas ache kapde hi nahi hai.

Lady: Acha, toh yeh kamre mein kya patte faile hai??

The lady shouted picking up her daughter's mess.

Shweta: Yeh sab purane ho gaye hai, kaise pehnungi main.

Lady: Aree, pickhe saal hi toh khareede hai. Isme se kitne toh tu kuch mahine pehle hi le aayi hai. Aur kyu chahiye? Heroine nahi hai tu, roz roz naye kapde pehnne.

Shweta: Kaash hoti. Naye kapde, joote, hazaron fans aur handsome sa hero sirf Shweta Raghav ka.

Yes, this was Pandit's family, his sister Shweta and mother Shanti.

Shweta twirled around with open arms day dreaming, when the bell rang.

Shanti: Apne khwabo se bahar aa, aur jaake darwaza khol. Aayi badi heroine banne.

Making a grumpy face, Shweta stomped and went to open the door just to se The Sameer Maheshwari there. The surrounding went blurry as Shweta saw the Sameer confront of her. Seeing her standing like a statue her father came there asking.

Pandit Dad: Kon hai bhai?

Hearing her father's voice Shweta came out of her trance and moved aside giving her father space and as he came forward Naina appeared behind Sameer, giving Shweta and her father a shock.

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

Naina's hand trembled as she picked up the glass offered by Shweta, while Sameer just looked at her with assuring eyes. Pandit's parents sat opposite to Samaina and kneeling the tray Shweeta stood near the wall behind her parents.

Sameer: Hume aap sabse Pandit aur Preeti ki baat karni hai.

Pandit Dad: Dekhiye aap bade aadmi hai isliye humne aapko andar bolaya aur aapka maan paan kiya, par kripya aap hamare neeeji maamle mein na pade.

Pandit's father directly declined the request of discussion and asked Sameer asked stay off.

Sameer(sighing): Uncle main jaanta hun ki aap abhi Naina ko dekh thoda gussa hai aur aapke liye main ek njaan ladka hi hun. Par Preeti sirf Naina ki Behen hi nahi par ab meri hone wali saali bhi hai.

Sameer said calmly but making the Raghav family shocked.

Sameer: Main jaanta hun ki aapke liye yeh bohot bada jhatka hai lekin abhi meri nahi, par Preeti aur Pandit ki baat hai. (Pause) Undono ko abhi aap sabhi ki bohot zarurat hai. Paiso ke liye nahi bas mann ko koi saath dene wala chahiye. Preeti ke liye hum sab hai aur Pandit ke liye bhi,par akhir woh beta toh aapka hai na; uske liyehum sabse badhkar aap hai.

Pandit Mom: Toh woh Hume chodke kyu gaya? Reh jaata hamare paas.

Pandit's mom interrupted and said emotionally.

Sameer: Aunty woh aapko kabhi chodke gaya hi nahi, woh aapke saath hi tha bas apne saath Preeti ko le aaya apni patni banake.

Pandit Dad: Lekin jab Hume woh ladki nahi chahiye thi toh woh usse le hi kyu aaya?

Sameer: Kyunki usne wada kiya tha Preeti se, ke uske saath aur paas rahega.

Pandit Mom: Waade toh humse bhi kayi kiye.

Sameer: Toh woh nibhaane ke liye bhi toh tayar hai, woh hamesha se tha. Usse apni zindagi mein aap aur Preeti dono chahiye. Bas uske liye aapko usse apnana padega.

Pandit Dad: Kya usne wapis apnaya? Baat karne toh aapko bhej diya.

Sameer: Usne mujhe nahi bheja hai uncle. Main khud aaya hu baat karne, un dono ko aisi halat mein dekh.

Pandit Mom: Haalat??

Pandit's mom instantly asked as Sameer explained why he was here. He went to her and sat near her legs.

Sameer: Preeti maa banne wali hai aunty.

Shanti was beyond shocked as she heard what Sameer said. Now she realized that why Pandit had called her couple of months ago, he wanted to share the news but his father instead lashed him out. Becoming emotional Shanti asked.

Pandit Mom: Woh theek hai?

Sameer(nodding a no): Nahi, Preeti ke pregnancy mein bohot complication hai isiliye udka bohot khyal rakhna padta hai. Pandit kaam ko jaata hai toh woh akele ghar pe rehti hai. Financially dono ko strong rehna hai isiliye Pandit bohot Mehnet kar raha hai lekin iska stress Preeti ne liya aur kal usse emergency mein hospital le jana pada. Woh dono ko kuch pata nhi hai inn baare mein, koi bada chahiye jo unhe guide kare, protsahit kare, unhe sambhale.

Tears spilled down Shanti's eyes along with her daughter's. Naina too got up and went to Pandit's Father.

Naina: Uncle mana ki aap abhi Preeti aur jiju se naaraz hai lekin abhi unhe aapki bohot zarurat hai. Jiju aapko bohot yaad karte hai lekin baya nahi kar paate. Jiss samaj ke liye aapne Preeti ko apnane se inkaar kiya, aaj ussi samaj mein Preeti ne apni ek jagah bana li hai. Woh aapke har rivaz ko maanti hai aur nibhaati hai, samaj ko izzat deti hai lekin uss samaj se dono ko koi apekshaye nahi hai. Bas aapse hai ki jiss samay mein unko aapke aashirwad aur guidance ki zarurat ho tab aap unke saath rahe. Ek baar, bas ek baar hamari jaati ko alag rakhe, Preeti ko apni woh beti ki tarah dekhiye jispe aap apni jaan chidakte the.

Pandit's father looked at Naina woh had tears in her eyes requesting him to accept Preeti as the daughter whom he would love from his core. It was true that Preeti was his favorite and would always consider her as his most lovely daughter though he had one of his own. Thinking about the olden times when they all were together and his times with Preeti, his eyes misted but then he suddenly remembered the time when his own son chose her over his family and stiffened. Getting up from his seat Pandit's father walked away crushing Naina's hope.

Sameer: Uncle aaj main  Sameer Maheshwari nahi balki Preeti ka chota bhai banke yaha apse usse apnane ki vinti karne aaya hu. Aaj sirf aapke bete ya bahu ko hi aapke zarurat nahi hai, par aapke honewale pate ya pati ko bhi hai. Please bas ek baar dono ko apnaiye, woh aapko naaraz nahi karenge.

Sameer joined his hand in front of all requesting them when Uncle ordered his mom and daughter to go inside and Samain to go out making all of them cry more.

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

Coming from the hospital Preeti was resting in the bedroom while Pandit prepared something to eat and took to the room. After entering the room he kept the food tray on the side table and settled in front of Preeti, holding her hands with an upset face.

Pandit-Preeti, I am really sorry?

Preeti- Sorry kyu?

Pandit-Kal yeh sab joh hua yeh mere aur meri family ke wajah se hua.

Preeti-Aaisa kuch nhi hai.

Pandit-Pehli baat toh main tumhe aaise chodke kal office jaara tha, mujhe ghar pe raheke tumhara khayal rakhna chahiye tha..

Preeti- Issme tumhari galti nhi hai. Hum mese kisiko bhi pata tha kya ki aaisa kuch hoga?? Aur tum toh mera pehle se hi bohot acche se khayal rakh rahe ho.

Pandit-Haa, Par agar uss din mummy-papa maan jate toh aaj woh log humare saath hote. Unnhe mene bohot manaya par woh maane hi nhi.

Preeti holds Pandit's face in her hands and nodding a no she says to lighten the mood.

Preeti- Accha chalo, Joh hua so hua, ab yeh upset mode off karo aur ek badi si smile karona pls.

Pandit keeps his hands on Preeti's hands and give a smile making her smile too.

Preeti-Very gud.

Pandit-Hmm. Ab todha kuch khalo tumhe bhookh lagi hogi.

Preeti-Ha bhookh toh lagi hai.

Pandit gives a plate of khichdi to Preeti..

Pandit-Yeh lo khichdi.

Preeti(whines)-Khichdi...(twisting her mouth) yeh tum hi khao, mujhe nhi khani khichdi-vichdi.

Pandit-Arre yeh kya---

Preeti-Nahi mujhe nhi khana yeh.

Pandit- Arre baba tum abhi hospital se aayi ho, abhi toh yeh hi khana padega.

Preeti-Tumhe pata hai na mujhe yeh khichdi nhi pasand.

Pandit-Preeti doctor ne sirf healthy khana aur 'no oily food' aaise strictly bola hai..

Preeti- Pandit pls sirf mujhe hi nhi baby ko bhi khichdi nhi pasand....pls

Preeti looks at Pandit with puppy eyes keeping her hand on herb big belly.Pandit chuckles seeing thisand pulls her cheeks.

Pandit-Madam tum kuch bhi karlo par abhi filhal toh yehi khana padega.

Preeti gets a bit angry and flods her hands on her chest and says stressing her each word.

Preeti-Main.Yeh.Nahi.Khaungi.

Someone from the door said, "Toh phir yeh khaalo"

Preedit turn their heads towards the door and were shocked to see Pandit's sister-Shewta, standing there holding a plate full of appetizing food.

Pandit-Shewta..tu yaha??

Shewta-Ha, Main yaha.

Pandit-Kyu?Kaise aayi? Mummy-Papa ko pata hai kit u yaha aayi hai?? Agar unnko nhi pata toh tu wapas jaa ghar.

Shewta ignores Pandit and went towards Preeti.

Shewta-Bhabhi aap yeh lo.

Saying this she keeps the plate in front of Preeti. Pandit turns Shewta around by holding her shoulder.

Pandit-Tu pehle mere sawaal ka jawab de...kya mummy-papa ko pata hai ki tu yaha hai??

Shewta-Bhaiya woh sab chodo aap bhi betho aur bhabhi ke saath khana khao.

Pandit-Shewta, tu samajh kyu nhi rhi hai. Agar unko pata chala kit u yaha hai toh woh gussa hojayenge tujhse ...Tu toh pehle se hi unki acchi,pyaari beti rahi hai joh unka sab manti hai----

Pandit Dad- Tu bhi toh humari saari baate manta tha.

Shanti- Ha, aur tu mera laadla beta tha aur hai bhi.

Pandit turns towards them with teary eyes..

Pandit- Mummy-Papa..

Shanti- Tune humari sab baate mani, yaha tak ki humne tujhe jaane bola toh chala gaya.

Pandit Dad- Galti humari thi tune hume ek baat boli aur voh bhi humne sunni hi nhi..

Tears were continuously rolling down everyone's eyes. Shanti caressed Pandit's face saying..

Shanti- Bohot yaad aayi teri..

Hearing this Pandit hugs his mother really tight. Afterall whatever the matter is a mother cannot stay away from her child and would never stop loving them even if she is offended with them.Getting out of the hug. Shanti went to Preeti. Seeing her mother-in-law coming towards her,Preeti tries getting up but Shanti stops her.

Shanti- Arre beta bethi raho...Aur ho sake toh maaf kardo hume.

Shanti joins her hand but Preeti stops her.

Preeti- Mummy ji bado ke hath ashirwad dene ke liye hote hai mafi mangne ke liye nhi. Beeti baato ka ab chod dijiye. Pehle aap sab humare saath nhi the lekin ab toh aap hai na.

Shanti hugs Preeti. And then says caressing Preeti's face.

Shanti- Bohot pyaari bachi hai. Pata nhi pehle kya mati maari gayi thi humari.

To lighten the atmosphere Shewta jumps in between.

Shewta- Mummy bas yaar..Abhi pehle ki baate band karo. Bhabhi ko bhookh lagi thi. Unnka pet kya baato se bharna hai kya??

Shanti- Ha-Ha..Khana toh thanda hogaya hoga...jaa garam karke le aa.

Shewta-Thike.

The emotional atmosphere was nowback to normal. Pandit was happy that his family accepted Preeti finally and all were happy and would be together from now. Suddenly a thing passed his mind.

Pandit- Mummy papa, aap log andar kaise aaye? Mujhe yaad hai ki maine darwaza ache se lock kuya tha.

Pandit Dad- Yeh dono laye hume..

He said pointing towards them, our Samaina. Naina went to her Sister. Preeti hugs Naina dearly and says..

Preeti- Thank you Naina.Main bohot khush hu ki sab saath hai.

Naina-Main bhi khush hu. Lekin yeh sab mene nhi, Sameer ne kiya hai.

Preedit look at Sameer with a surprised face. Sameer comes besides Pandit and says.

Sameer- Tumhara udaas chehra dekha nhi gaya,Toh socha tumhari todhi help kardu.Tum agar upset ho toh Preeti upset hoti. Aur yeh na Naina, na Main koi nhi dekh sakta. So just aunty-uncle ke paas gaya aur manaya aur le aaya tumhare paas.

Pandit takes in tight brotherly hug.

Pandit- Thank you so much yaar.

Sameer-Thank you ki zarurat nhi hai, kyunki main Preeti ka chota bhai bhi toh hun, toh yeh mera farz hai ki iske chehre pe hamesha khushi jhalke.

Sameer says looking at Preeti emotionally, while she too smile overwhelmingly.  Sameer came towards her and Naina stood up giving him place to sit. Naina stood behind and kept looking at Sameer. He had bonded really well with Preeti and Pandit, actually with her whole family. He loved her, she knew that but the way he did and cared about her family made her fall for him. Wait, what? Fall for him? Did she really?

Naina suddenly realised about what she was thinking and was surprised at her own thoughts. She slowly walks out without anyone noticing as she really needed to with herself alone. She entered another room and sat on the bed. Since their engagement Naina had started observing him, his nature, his love closely. There were a very few things that mattered to him seriously and emotionally. His family, his partner were the only things. He was always there for them, for her no matter what.

She remembered the time when they were apart. How her heart flinched at his every memory, how she had lost her smile, how badly she missed him, how sad everything had become until he came back, with lights of happiness.

How happy she had become being with him, how open she had become in front of him, how she argued with her father for him. For the first time in her life she had hid things from her parents, just for him; she hadn't spoken to her father and fought with him, just for Sameer. Why? Because she wanted him with her forever. Why? Because she...she loves him.

Yes! Yes, she loves him! The emotion that she felt since past they met, the longing, the happiness, the want of his warmth, everything that she felt for him was love. His eyes, his face, his nature, his love, he heart, his soul were the ones she fell for.

Happy tears spilled Naina's eyes as she realised she was in love. He was right, he made her fall for him. Naina grinned wide just at this feeling. She looked at her ring and thought.

Naina: Sahi kaha tha aapne, pyar ho hi gaya and I promise ki main aapko woh saara pyar dungi jo aap deserve karte hai.

Saying this she kissed the ring.

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

The Raghav family was back together and all were happy with each other. They all sat down for lunch made by Pandit's mom as Shewta brought food for everyone. All enjoyed it with each others company, and were sitting in the living room where Preedit were now happily complaining about each other to Pandit's parents. Shanti of course was bias to her son but Pandit's father was agreeing with Preeti all the time. Naina saw all of them together just like the olden times, the only difference was that before Preeti wasn't in their family but today she was.

Naina then looked at her to be family and smiled as he was looking at the old pics of all the three that is Preedit and Naina in school. She was going towards him when her phone rang and it was her mom, similarly Sameer's phone also started ringing.

They both picked their parent's call and hearing them, Samaina looked at each other with a shock.

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

A very Happy Diwali to all of you'll.  I hope this Diwali brings lights of happiness and prosperity with it.

This special family reunion was for Diwali with a small bomb at the end.

The Last line of the update was specially for Superb_Giggles Ab guess karke dikhao ki aage kya hoga?😂

Love,
Shambhavi and Hemangi.