The final update for Gehraiyaan! Hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Shout out to Neet for writing a particular line in one of her drafts that I REALLY LOVED!

Would love to read your comments one last time :)

......

Suman waited at the entrance of her house, just like she did so many years ago while waiting for her first grandchild, ready with the aarti ki thali.

She eagerly looked outside, waiting for the arrival of her grandson, and her son and daughter-in-law too, of course.

"Dadi, when will Mumma and Papa come?" Janhavi asked eagerly, leaning against her wheelchair.

"Aayenge. Jaldi se aa jaayenge. Tu ek-shaited hai apne bhai se milne ke liye?" Suman looked back with a smile, and Janhavi nodded eagerly.

"Mai usko Dhara Kaki ke sundar plates todna sikhaaungi. Humesha mujhe shout karti hai, hmph!" Janhavi said snootily, and Suman laughed.

"Sab sikha dena, meri chutki! Sab sikha dena, tu uski badi behen jo hai."

The motor of a car diverted their attention, the engine shutting off as Shiva stepped out of the car and helped Raavi step out, a bundle of blue blankets in her arms, her face radiating in, what Shiva called, 'new mumma glow'

Suman adjusted her head-dress, and lit the lamp, as they stood at the entrance, beaming proudly at their son.

"Ruko." Suman quickly dabbed some kajal on the back of both their ears, as Raavi bent forward to introduce their son to his grandmother.

Suman chuckled tearfully, gently dabbing the tiniest bit of kajal behind his ears, as he fussed and wiggled around, before drifting off to sleep again.

"Itna sundar baccha, nazar na lage isse!" Suman cracked her knuckles, and beckoned Janhavi forward.

Together, they warded off all evil, sending a small prayer to the Lord above to always protect and keep this family together. Suman coloured her fingers, applying the kumkum to Shiva and Raavi's foreheads, moving towards their son.

"Maa, chota sa, haa?" Raavi squeaked, feeling suddenly protective of her newborn son.

"Jaanti hu! Chaar baccho ko janam diya hai, mujhe mat sikha." Suman warned, and Raavi nodded bashfully as her mother-in-law applied the tiniest drop of the red liquid to their son's forehead.

The entire family had arrived, after learning that Raavi had gone into labour, and they had been eagerly waiting for the last 72 hours to meet the newest addition to the Pandya family.

Shiva placed a palm on Raavi's back, guiding her slowly towards the aangan as they entered their house, continuously checking to see if she was okay.

"Darwaaze se jhule tak mujhe kuch nahi hoga. Aise taadne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai." Raavi whispered, nudging him.

"Mujhe fikar hai. Nahi dikhaau kya?" Shiva whispered back.

"Tere fikar ka nateeja meri baahon mein hai!"

Raavi looked at their son, kissing his head, wondrously looking at him, unable to believe she had created this tiny little human being.

"Kya khusur-pusur chal rahi hai, hmm?" Rishita teased, as Shiva just smiled at seated Raavi on the swing.

"Kuch nahi bhabhi, bas yunhi."

The entire house crowded around the swing, to take a look at the youngest person amongst them, continuously warding off any evil around them.

Turn by turn, everyone carried the baby in their arms, cooing and snapping in the air to grab the baby's attention, who just fussed in everyone's arms until Shiva carried him again.

"Papa ka laadla hoga, dekh lena!" Dev suggested, carrying Shesh in his arms.

Janhavi stood quietly near Suman, looking at everyone's behaviour, suddenly feeling sad for reasons unknown. Maybe because no one was talking to her, or hadn't really acknowledged her presence, not even her own parents since they had arrived.

3 days. She had gone three days without seeing them and they hadn't even-

"Janu! Mera shona!" Raavi beckoned, stretching her arms out as Janhavi walked slowly towards her.

"I missed you!" Raavi hugged her tightly, kissing her head. "You didn't miss me too much, na?"

"Of course I missed you!" Janhavi quipped, suddenly all the colour flushing back to her cheeks, "I got 20/20 in my test, I had to show you!"

"Oh my god, my smartest baby! Mwaaah!" Raavi exclaimed dramatically, kissing her cheeks and Janhavi giggled, cuddling up towards her mother.

"She gets it from me, Chipkali. Tujhse toh nahi aaya hoga, pakka." Shiva haughtily said, sitting down next to Raavi.

"Aa gaya free fund ka credit lene, pagal bhoothnath."

Shiva gasped, covering his son's ears, "Haww! Sharam nahi aati ek bacche ke saamne uske baap ko aise zaleel karte hue?!"

"Tujhe office mein nahi, TV serial mein kaam karna chahiye tha. Over-actor." Raavi mumbled, as Janhavi peeked into Shiva's arms.

"I can't see the baby! So much kapda!"

Shiva softened, adjusting the blankets and introducing Janhavi to the new baby.

"See. This is your baby brother."

Janhavi stared wondrously at the baby, who wiggled in Shiva's arms. She reached out to poke his cheeks, but the child held her finger instead.

"His hands are so tiny, Papa. He's so small." She whispered, patting his head slowly.

"I know." Shiva kissed his daughter's head, as Raavi looked at all 3 of them lovingly.

"I want to hold him." Janhavi announced all of a sudden, sitting against the seat and stretching her arms out eagerly.

"Mumma, a little help, please?" Shiva looked at Raavi, and she pulled her closer to herself to guide her.

"See, bend your arms like this-"

Shiva placed the bundle of blankets in her arms, and Raavi supported their baby in Janu's arms, who looked curiously at her baby brother.

"He's so cute, na?" Raavi whispered, nudging their child's cheeks.

"He looks like a raisin. I will call him Kismis." Janhavi announced, cuddling her brother closer to her chest. "He's MY Kismis!"

Raavi chuckled, as Shiva moved to sit beside her, hugging all three of them together.

"He's all yours, sweetheart!" Shiva declared, a loud cry disrupting the moment.

Janhavi gaped at the wailing child in her arms, suddenly getting scared. "Did I do something wrong, Mumma?! Why is he crying?!"

"Janu-"

"I didn't do anything, Mumma. Swear!" Janhavi pinched the skin on her neck, suddenly pooling up in tears.

"Mera baccha-"

"Sorry, Mumma!" Janhavi sniffled, as Raavi carried their son back into her arms, swaying him gently.

"You didn't do anything. He's probably hungry!" Shiva explained, patting her head, as Janhavi suddenly touched her damp frock.

"Arre!" She looked at her dress, "I didn't spill any water."

Pin drop silence later, Janhavi wailed dramatically,

"HE DID SUSU ON ME, MUMMA!"

Everyone laughed heartily, as Suman took the baby from Raavi to change his nappy and Raavi consoled her wailing daughter, "It's okay. That means he likes you."

"That doesn't even make sense!"

Raavi chuckled at her daughter's obvious despise about being peed over, sending her with Rishita Chachi to change her dress, carrying her son to feed him.

"Andar jaana hai ki-" Shiva looked at the room full of people, and Raavi shook her head, nudging towards the blanket, which Shiva covered her with.

Many minutes later of the family coughing at Shiva's attempts to romance his wife while he thought no one was looking at them, Raavi had swayed the baby back to sleep, swaddling him in his blankets.

"Koi naam socha hai?" Suman asked, and Raavi looked at Shiva.

"Shiva chahta tha ki woh apne bete ka naam rakhe." She explained, and Shiva leaned in to whisper.

"I love it." Raavi smiled tearfully, holding her son in her outstretched arms for Shiva to whisper it in their baby's ears, announcing it to the family immediately after.

"His name is Karthik."

"Karthik Shiva Pandya."

Everyone 'ooh-ed' and 'aah-ed' at the announcement, placing the baby into the wooden crib and swinging it gently.

Raavi looked at Shiva, her love for him swirling in her eyes as she kissed his chin, snuggling into his arms.

"I love you, Shiva. So much."

Shiva looked down at his wife, now mother of 2, raising his eyebrows. "Kya chahiye tujhe? Pakka kuch shopping kiya-"

"Mai aise hi apne baccho ke baap ko I love you nahi bol sakti?!" Raavi huffed, her nose turning red in annoyance. "Nahi bolti, jaa!"

Shiva chuckled, at how easily annoyed his chipkali got, kissing her nose affectionately.

"I love you. More than I ever thought I could love someone. I love you, Raavi."

......

"Mumma, what are you doing?"

Janhavi peeked into the room, and found her baby brother cuddled close to Raavi's chest.

"I'm feeding Kittu. Come, sit." Raavi patted the space beside her on the bed, and Janhavi seated herself next to her mother.

"Like that?" She asked curiously, pointing at Raavi's chest which the little baby was suckling on.

"Yes."

"Why?"

Raavi looked at her child softly, "Because Kittu can't eat solid food like us. He can only drink milk."

"But there's milk in the fridge. I went and bought yesterday only!" Janhavi explained, and Raavi shook her head, chuckling.

"I know. But Kittu can't have that milk. He can only have Mumma's milk."

"And it comes from here?" Janhavi pointed at her, and Raavi nodded approvingly.

"Correct. Mumma's body knew that there was a baby inside, it changed itself so that I can feed the new baby."

"Oh! Interesting." Janhavi thought, pondering over it for a few seconds, "That's why your your stomach isn't so big anymore? Because your body is going in ulta direction now?"

"Correct! Such a smart baby I have!" Raavi kissed her head, just as Shiva entered to change.

"Papa, did you know Mumma's body makes milk only for Kittu?"

"Yes. And that's the only food he can have until he's older. Poor fellow gets hungry every 2 hours."

"So that means Mumma has to wake up at night to feed him? In the middle of her beauty sleep?"

Raavi gaped at the usage of beauty sleep, and immediately glared at Shiva, who dared not to laugh, because Janhavi had definitely picked it up from him.

"Correct. She doesn't sleep too well nowadays, she has to wake up every time and feed Kittu." Shiva walked over and kissed Raavi's forehead, adjusting the pillow to suit her posture better.

"You can ask Rishita Chachi to help! She had Shesh in her stomach too, right?"

Raavi shook her head and smiled at the inquisitiveness of her 9 year old. "I can't do that, sweetheart. Rishita Chachi had a baby 3 years ago. She can't feed Kittu, or any baby anymore. And Kittu is only comfortable with Mumma."

"Oh." Janhavi sighed dejectedly, patting Raavi's head. "It's okay, Mumma. Papa will help. Right, Papa? You should help, Mumma."

"I will, sweetheart. I will." Shiva patted her head, and took Karthik from Raavi's arms, holding him against his shoulder and patting his back to burp him.

"Then you'll take me to Jiya's house, Papa? It's her birthday, and Shashank Chachu said I must come!"

"I'll try, Janu. I have to help Mumma, why don't go with Shashank Chachu, yeah? Go have some fun!" Shiva sighed, and Janu nodded dejectedly.

"Okay."

But I wanted to go with you and Mumma.

Raavi tapped Janhavi's cheeks and pulled her closer to herself, hugging her.

"My smart, intelligent, sweet baby. I love you?" Raavi quipped, and Janhavi hugged her tenderly.

"Love you, too, Mumma. At least you'll teach me that speech?"

"Pakka. I'm just a little tired today, can we do it tomorrow?" Raavi sighed, resting against the bed rest.

"Okay." Janhavi got down from the bed, closing the door, "Goodnight."

"Janu-" Raavi called out, but she had closed the door by then.

"Aaram kar. And hold this baby, always peeing over everyone." Shiva muttered changing out of his soiled shirt.

While Raavi and Shiva hadn't paid much attention due to exhaustion, Janhavi had been very observant.

And today, she didn't want to sleep alone. So she climbed into bed with her grandmother, holding her hand and drifting off to sleep.

.....

Shiva sat down after a long day at work, and Janhavi skipped over with a glass of water before Shiva could get up for it.

"Oh, thank you so much, my love!" Shiva beamed, and Janhavi smiled proudly.

"It's okay!"

"Accha, aaj aapke exam papers aaye honge na? Dikhaao."

Janhavi reached for her school bag and pulled out a few exam sheets, handing it over to Shiva and standing in front of him.

Shiva skimmed over the papers, proud of her marks.

"Social Studies, 19/20. Lovely, darling!"

"Hindi, 18/20. Very good!"

"Science, 20/20. Good job, baby!"

"Maths and English, 20/20. I'm so proud-"

Shiva looked back at the papers, and was quite surprised to see it read 2/20.

He skimmed over the paper to see if there was an error in calculation, because Janhavi was a very bright child. But she had indeed, made quite a lot of mistakes in her paper.

"Janu, kya ho gaya? Maths aur English mein itne kam kyu aaye?" Shiva asked, and Janhavi just looked at her feet, not giving an answer.

He looked at the questions, and wondered why she wasn't able to solve them. "Darling, see! We had practised this uss din, raat ko paper se pehle. Same question hai, just values are different na? Toh kyu nahi aaye? Papa ne sikhaya toh tha ye sab."

Janhavi didn't look at him, clenching her hands behind her back.

"Janu, I need an answer, I'm talking to you-"

Shiva looked closely at her paper, noticing faint pencil marks. If he squinted enough, he could read the answers she had written before. On top of it all, the old answers had been absolutely correct.

One of the questions, she had written the correct answer, erased it and written the wrong one. Thinking she got confused, he had checked every question and realised she had done the same thing everywhere.

Purposely.

"Janhavi," Shiva looked at her sternly, "Did you write the wrong answers on purpose?"

Janhavi guiltily peeked at him through her eyelashes, not giving him an answer.

"Did you think I'll not catch you? Haanji, I'm talking to you." He said, becoming the strict parent for the first time in a long time.

"I'm asking you something, and I'd very much like an answer from you, Janhavi."

She didn't look at him, but nodded her head just the slightest bit, her eyes pooling with unshed tears.

"Why?"

Janhavi looked up at Shiva, and it took everything in his power not to break his heart over her tears, because as he had learnt over the years, tears in any of his girls' eyes was a weakness he could not overcome.

"Because you and Mumma weren't talking to me!" She sobbed, rubbing her eyes. "I thought if I get bad marks, you will talk to me."

Shiva's heart instantly melted, and all his anger from a few seconds ago just showed itself the front door, as he gathered her in his arms and rubbed her back.

"I'm so sorry, baby. Papa is very sorry."

Shiva hugged her tightly, mentally cursing himself for allowing this to happen. He and Raavi had decided not to let Janhavi feel like this, but unknowingly they had let it happen, no matter how hard they tried.

"I'm really sorry, Janu. I didn't mean to do that."

Janhavi looked up innocently from his arms, tears rolling down her cheeks, and Shiva wiped them away gently.

"Do you love Kittu more than me?" Her voice wobbled, and Shiva shook his head immediately.

"No. Not at all. It's not like that. We love you both equally!" Shiva caressed her head, "Papa and Mumma just got so busy and tired in taking care of Kittu. He's not sleeping well in the night. That's all, baby."

"Mumma also doesn't talk to me. She doesn't take my English homework anymore. And she shouted at me for these marks also." Janhavi complained, rubbing her eyes.

"We'll talk to her about the marks, okay? She's a new mumma to a small baby, right? She's just taking some time to adjust, Janu." Shiva explained, and Janhavi looked on, "She just gave birth to Kittu, she hasn't done this before, she's learning. Just like how you take some time to learn something new, right?"

Janhavi nodded, wiping her nose on Shiva's shirt. "But you still love me? I'm still your Janu?"

"Yes. With everything I have, sweetheart." Shiva promised, wiping her face, "Both of us still love you, we'll always love you, you're still our Janu. Aap toh humara sabse pyaara baby ho!"

"Janu," He made her sit on the sofa once she had stopped crying, "I want you to know that Mumma and Papa will never ignore you. Kabhi kabhi galti ho jaayegi, but you need to tell us then, okay? Remember, Mumma had said that you'll need to share us with Kittu?"

"I don't mind sharing," Janhavi explained, wrapping her arms around his biceps, and Shiva patted her hand, "But I miss you."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. Papa aisa waapas nahi karenge. Pinky promise!"

Janhavi smiled a little, entangling her finger with Shiva's. "And Mumma?"

"We'll talk to her when she's awake, she's taking a nap now."

"She's tired?"

"Yes. Kittu didn't sleep in the night at all."

"Oh." Something dawned upon Janhavi, and she dragged Shiva to the kitchen, ordering him around for something special.

A while later, when Raavi had woken up from her nap, she tied her hair back up, only to be greeted by Janhavi balancing a mug on a tray.

"What's this?" Raavi smiled, still drowsy.

"Janu insisted on making this for Mumma." Shiva announced, smiling and sitting on the bed.

"Kya banaya Janu ne?" She asked excitedly and Janhavi placed the tray on the bed.

"Hot chocolate! See, I put 5 small marshmallows also." Janhavi counted for each member of the family.

"I made it ALL by myself!" She proudly announced, huffing her chest like King Kong.

"Really?" Raavi teased, and Shiva nodded, as she picked up the warm mug for Raavi.

"Papa only gave me the ingredients from the top shelf. I made everything."

Raavi took a sip, and scrunched her nose up, quickly smiling to prevent Janhavi from reading her expression.

"How is it, Maa?"

"So tasty!" Raavi smacked her lips together, and Janhavi bobbed on her feet, walking towards her brother's crib and cooing at him, while Raavi leaned towards Shiva.

"Namak diya tune."

"Kya?"

"Gadhede, tune namak de diya Janu ko!"

Shiva raised his eyebrows, tasting the drink and realising he may have made a slight error.

"Ab kya?"

"Ab pi le! Half half, because this is your fault!"

Raavi looked at Janhavi, considering to tell her the truth, but the happiness in her daughter's eyes was worth every salted-chocolate-caramel drink she would ever make.

.....

Raavi emerged from the room after a long, warm, comforting shower, since Shiva had decided to take day off from work and look after their son. He had been constantly fretting over health since she tripped and fell face first, and even after repeatedly telling him that she was fine and she just got a tiny bruise, he did not budge.

So, Raavi took the opportunity to sit back and sleep for 12 hours straight, only getting up to eat and shower.

At the moment, she was looking at the most adorable sight she could have witnessed.

Her tiny 3-month old son was having his tummy-time on Shiva's very bare chest, comfortably snuggled against his warmth while Shiva leaned back and browsed through some movie channels.

Raavi crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame, reaching for her phone and capturing the moment.

Shiva turned the volume down, glancing at his son, and pecking his head multiple times, cooing at him as he started to stir a bit.

"Hi, mera chota bandar. Neeni puri ho gayi?" He asked gently, rubbing Karthik's back.

Karthik fussed for a bit, suddenly realising he was in the vicinity of a certain warmth.

In an instant, he lifted his head and frantically searched for what he desired, and started nibbling Shiva's chest.

"Aye Chipkali! Tera chipkala beta kya kar raha hai?!" Shiva yelped, while his son tried to suckle harder on what he thought was his mother.

Not getting what he was looking for, the little baby wailed in hunger, while Raavi snickered on her way towards them.

The tiny baby, with an attention span of few seconds, again found Shiva and started suckling, crying on being separated from his father's very useless nipples.

"Aaja mera baccha, bhook lagi hai, I know." Raavi cooed, while Shiva soothed his sore buds grumpily. "Papa has useless nipples, what to do, baby?"

She sat down on the couch, and fed their son, still snickering at the amazing visuals she had just witnessed.

"Hass kya rahi hai? Kaise kaat raha tha mujhe, chudail ka beta!" Shiva accused his innocent son.

"Kaat nahi raha tha. Bhook lagi thi usko." Raavi chuckled, patting Karthik's head.

"Tu rehne de. Chup chaap doodh pila usse." Shiva grabbed his vest immediately, tossing the pillow onto the sofa.

"Aloe Vera gel kaha hai?"

Raavi giggled, which annoyed Shiva even more and he walked off to search for some ointment to soothe his 'bruised ijjat'

He didn't have to know that his wife had recorded the entire thing as a memory.

.....

Raavi tied her hair up hastily, cleaning up the scattered toys before Shiva came home with his work colleagues for dinner.

"Janu! Bacche kaha ho aap?" Raavi searched the house, but couldn't find her.

She searched in the storeroom, thinking she went and hid their as a joke like last week, only to get locked from inside ; Janhavi was a crying mess and it took 2 hours for the locksmith to break it open.

But she wasn't there either. Raavi went back to Janhavi's room, and heard soft hushes and whispers.

"Nearly ten years had passed since the Dursleys had woken up to find their nephew on the front step, but Privet Drive had hardly changed at all." Janhavi narrated, and Raavi stepped into the room to get a closer look.

The sight before her melted her poor-mommy-heart.

Janhavi was seated on the floor, resting against the bedpost, her legs crossed. Karthik was plopped into the space between her legs, and she placed her most recent novel in his lap, narrating the story to him so dedicatedly.

While the poor child stared at the numerous words with no colour, scratching the paper and folding the book.

"You don't like this book?" She turned to look at him, and Karthik looked up at her, wiggling to indicate his displeasure.

"Hmm.... Let's find my picture book!" Janhavi carefully placed him on the bed, and reached for her library of books, and sat down with her oldest colouring book.

"Kittu! Come, we'll colour." Janhavi carried him, a little inefficiently for a 5 month old, but safe under Raavi's observation, and plopped him back in her lap.

"You know! Papa bought me these colours. I don't use them too much, but you can use it, okay baby?"

Raavi shed a tear, her heart absolutely not being able to handle the bonding her 2 children were sharing. A hand on her shoulder stunned her out of her reverie.

"Kya hua, sweetheart?" Shiva noticed, worried at her tears.

Raavi simply motioned towards their children, and Shiva couldn't help but smile at the sight of Janhavi showing Karthik how to colour, but the little child was interested in eating those crayons instead.

"They're growing up too fast, Shiva. My babies!" Raavi bawled, and Shiva hugged her.

"I know insaan ke body mein 90% paani hota hai, iska matlab ye nahi ki tu sab aansu mein baha de." Shiva joked, kissing her temple, pulling out his phone to capture the memory.

Her babies were bonding and making memories together. She wished she could bubble wrap them and protect them from the world

His babies were bonding and making memories together. He wished he could just stop time right here, and never let it pass; just live in this moment.

Raavi was right, he thought.

Their babies. A piece of them.

Their little ones were growing up too fast.

.....

Shiva waited at the gate of the school, with Karthik strapped to his chest in the baby carrier, gurgling and making bubbles from his own saliva, discovering his tiny baby fingers and tongue.

Janhavi was returning from her overnight picnic today, and it was quite a task to convince Shiva until he agreed, provided that Raavi go with her as the chaperone.

So, the father-son duo spent the night as boys' night, and made the tinest pinky-promise not to tell Mumma that it took Papa and his 2 chachus to look after their naughty 6-month old havoc-wrecking child.

"He's adorable!" A lady quipped from beside Shiva, and he turned to look over at the woman, who he recognised as Janhavi's friend, Preeti's mother Anu Sharma.

"Oh hello, Mrs. Sharma." He greeted her, adjusting Karthik's beanie. "Aap nahi gayi trip pe?"

"Nahi. Iss shaitaan ko kaun sambhalta?" She pointed at her stroller, where her 1-year old was fast asleep.

Shiva just nodded, looking back at the gate, waiting for Raavi and Janhavi.

Soon enough, the handsome father with a baby carrier caught everyone's attention, and they all huddled around Shiva to grab little Karthik's attention.

"Arre aap log thoda door ho jaaye-"

The sudden swarm of people startled Karthik, and his bottom lip quivered, bursting into tears and flailing in the carrier.

"Oho! Hatiye aap sab." Shiva irritatedly shooed everyone away, getting glares and grumps from everyone.

He unbuckled the carrier, and carried Karthik in his arms, who snuggled against his father's shoulder and sniffled.

"Itni jaldi ro diya? Hmm?" Shiva patted his back, and Karthik rubbed his eyes. "Inse zyaada tang toh Nani karti hai tujhe. Nani toh gaal kheech kheech ke bandar bana degi tujhe!"

Karthik looked up and gurgled and mumbled something in baby language, pointing at the ladies, and Shiva agreed, giving him some fruit and water.

Just then, the gates creaked open, and a rush of children and parents walked through, spotting Raavi and Janhavi in the crowd.

Karthik looked up and made grabby-hands at them, wiggling with happiness in Shiva's lap.

"Hi Papa!" She ran towards Shiva, who engulfed her entire body in a hug with one single arm.

"How was your trip, Janu? Did you have fun?" Shiva smiled.

"I'll tell you everything in the car!"

"Mera shonuuuuu!" Raavi picked up Karthik and smothered him with kisses, who was giggling and smiling toothlessly at his mother. "I missed you!"

Karthik gave her a slobbery kiss in return, patting her cheeks, as if saying that he missed her too.

"Aur iss babysitter ko miss nahi kiya?" Shiva pointed at himself, getting up and hugging Raavi.

"Kitna miss kiya." Raavi whispered, "Thandi jagah thi."

"Naughty."

Shiva and Raavi giggled, as she carried Kartik while Shiva took the bags, as the ladies from before started waving "hi, bye" to the little child and Shiva.

By the time they made it to the car, Raavi grumbled and sat down in the passenger seat, plopping Karthik into his car seat.

"Hi! Bye!" Raavi mimicked them, and Shiva looked at her amused.

"Tu kyu chidh rahi hai?"

"Apne pati aur bacche ko hi, bye karo. Mere pati se door raho. Karamjali-"

Shiva sat there amused at his fiery little wife, who was cursing some women for simply cooing at a baby, something she herself used to do many years ago.

"Hot insaan dekha nahi, ki uske bacche ke peeche pad gaye-"

"Tujhe chidh kis baat se ho rahi hai?" Shiva tried to hide his smile, resting his arm at the back of her seat.

"Ye, ki woh humare bacche se baat kar rahi thi, ya phir bacche ke through mujhse baat karne ki?"

Raavi glared at him, folding her arms against her chest and looked out the window. "Gaadi chala chup chaap. Bhoothnath kahinka!"

"For your kind information, unhe maine bhaga diya tha. Karthik ko rula diya tha unhone."

"HAWW! Toh tune bas isliye bhagaya? Not because they were flirting with you?!"

"They were not-" Shiva pinched the bridge of his nose and started the car, "I think I would know what flirting is, given your failed attempts of flirting with me in college. I TAUGHT you how to FLIRT."

"What's flirting?" Janhavi asked, half-asleep already.

"Nothing. Papa has lost his mind. Drive quietly, Papa." Raavi grumbled, and Shiva shook his head, taking his family home.

A few days later, Shiva and Raavi walked into a grand ballroom, for an award function that was being hosted.

"It's lovely!" Raavi exclaimed, walking hand-in-hand with Shiva, who was simultaneously greeting everyone.

"I know. Mujhe khud itni nervousness ho rahi hai. I hope everything goes well" Shiva leaned in to whisper, and Raavi stopped in the middle, turning him towards her.

"I KNOW everything will go well." She assured him, straightening his tie and the collar of his suit. "I have such a talented husband. Laga nahi tha ki woh bachpan ka maila bhoothnath itna bada insaan ho jaayega."

Shiva shook his head, smiling to himself and leaning forward to kiss her forehead. "Par mujhe pata tha, meri chipku chipkali zindagi bhar aise hi chipakne waali hai. Ab toh humare bacche bhi bilkul aise hai."

Raavi punched his arm and pouted, before chuckling and making their way into the crowd.

"I'll just be back. Mujhe kuch logo se milna hai." Shiva made Raavi sit down at one of the tables closer to the stage, "Kuch chahiye hoga toh koi staff ko inform kar dena, theek hai?"

Raavi nodded, and he placed a quick kiss on her head, before merging into the crowd.

She order a virgin mojito for herself, sipping on it and swaying to the music, watching Shiva meet with a 100 different people and investors from afar.

Just then, the award ceremony commenced, and Shiva quickly took his seat beside Raavi, as they announced the winners one by one, getting on stage to receive the award.

"And the final award, for the 'Most Innovative Project' goes to....."

Raavi squeezed Shiva's hand, knowing how much this project meant to him, working day and night to reach the deadline and goals. There couldn't have been anyone who worked this hard towards his goal, along with his team that supported him completely, even after the birth of Karthik.

"Omnilert, for their project on Sustainable Development!"

Raavi looked at Shiva, who was crestfallen, but put up a smile and clapped for the competitors. She knew that this would have put him in the eyes of more investors, but not everyone is destined for what they wish for.

"Shiva...." Raavi called out to him, and he just patted her hand, expecting the ceremony to wrap up and the party to continue.

"Excuse me!" One of the investors on the stage called out, tapping his microphone. "I have an announcement to make."

The crowd silenced, as the man continued, "I'll keep this short and simple. Our company has been looking for a worthy project to invest in, which would be beneficial to both the parties. And from the list I received, I believe that there is one project that hasn't received its due yet. In my opinion, it is a project that should be given a chance to."

Raavi noticed the man's field of vision, and looked around them to see all the awardees sitting around them, but they had 'received their dues'. All except one....

"I'd like to make an offer to Innov8 on behalf of Sheffield Corp. for their most recent project, if that's alright with you, Mr. Pandya?"

Shiva sat their stunned, and didn't move until Raavi shoved him out of his seat, clapping the loudest for him as he made his way up to the stage.

"Absolutely sir! It would be an honour." Shiva shook his hands with the foreign man, watching as Raavi sent him a flying kiss from the crowd and whooping the loudest, not caring about the eyes that were on her.

"That's my husband." She announced proudly to the people around her.

A while later, Shiva sat down beside her, as she munched down on some paneer tikka.

"You sure you can eat that?" Shiva pointed at the plate of appetisers.

Raavi stopped mid-bite, and dropped her fork on the plate, "Are you calling me fat?"

"What? No-" Shiva looked confused, "Uss mein masala hai, and you're still feeding Kittu. Bas isliye pucha, darling."

Raavi's frown dissipated, and she sighed pushing the plate away.

"Aaj kal itni chidh kyu ho rahi hai tujhe? What's the matter?" Shiva rubbed her back, and she just shook her head.

"Nothing."

"Baat kya hai, chipkali?"

"Kuch nahi, Shiva. It's nothing."

Shiva decided it was best not to pursue the topic here, and reached for her plate, breaking a piece of the appetiser and raising the fork to her mouth.

"Accha muh mat latka." He pulled her chair closer to his, "Khaa le."

"Mann nahi hai mera."

"Khaa le na! Itne pyaar se tera bhoothnath khila raha hai. Thukraaaakeee mera pyaaarrrr, mera inteqaam-"

Raavi looked at her filmy Shiva and burst out in giggles, letting him feed her dinner, just as a few ladies made their way towards his table.

"The Shiva Pandya! What a suprise!"

Shiva looked up from Raavi, and was greeted by 3 fair, foreign ladies.

"Oh my! What are you doing here?" Shiva got up and gave them a formal hug, while Raavi sat there cluelessly.

"Let's just say, the same as you!" One of the other ladies replied, keeping a hand on his arm.

"Oh, let me introduce you." Shiva shrugged the arm off and reached out his palm, and Raavi took it, standing up beside him.

He placed his hand at the small of her back, and held her closer. "Jaan, these are my classmates from London. Stacy, Margaret and Rose."

"Ladies," He called their attention, "This is my beautiful wife, Raavi."

Raavi smiled and shook their hands, as one of them recognised. "Aah, the pretty girl you would always talk to, am I right?"

Shiva nodded bashfully, kissing her hairline and Raavi blushed, smoothening her dress which she was aware of all of a sudden.

It wasn't a very fancy dress. A normal, mauve, knee-length dress which was one size bigger to hide her belly that didn't go away. Hair in a fitted bun, minimal make-up and jewellery. She thought she looked decent. Shiva had said she looked beautiful, but she didn't really feel like it.

She took a look at her dress, and then at the beautiful women in front of her.

Dresses that fit them snug, barely up to their thighs, hair wonderfully set, features sharp and crisp.

They looked gorgeous.

Raavi's mood suddenly deflated, and she didn't want to stay here anymore, no matter how many conversations Shiva engaged her in.

"Mujhe hotel room leke chal." She tugged on Shiva's arm, and he looked around. "Achaanak?"

"Waise party khatam toh ho gayi hai, mujhe bas sabse ek baar bye bolne de."

Soon, they had retired back to their hotel room, where Raavi had immediately changed into her nightgown, sitting at the edge of the bed.

Shiva got into his tracks and vest, just about to call his team and inform them about the developments at the function when Raavi quipped very quietly.

"Are you cheating on me?"

Shiva whipped his head around so fast, he thought it would snap off. "What?!"

Raavi stood up angrily, striding towards him. "ARE. YOU. CHEATING ON ME?"

He looked appalled and taken aback that she would even ask this sort of question. "Kya behuda sawaal puch rahi hai? Of course not!"

"Do you not love me anymore?" Raavi asked emotionally, and Shiva held her shoulders.

"Of course I love you. Aise kyu puch rahi hai, sweetheart?"

"Don't lie to me!" Raavi yelled, "I saw how all those ladies were fretting around you today. Gale lag kar, gaal pe kiss bhi kar raha tha tu!"

"Raavi, don't be ridiculous!" Shiva said sternly, "Tu mere saath mere office parties mein aayi hai. This is how everyone greets each other, and you know it!"

"Aur uss din, those stupid women were flirting with you in Janhavi's school, they've been flirting with you forever!" Raavi cried, and Shiva moved to wipe her tears, she swatted his hand away.

"Stop it, Raavi! Mai kyu tujhe cheat karunga?!" Shiva yelled, shaking her shoulders.

"Because I looked like a fat pumpkin! Look at me!" Raavi pointed to herself, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand.

"Those friends of yours, from London," She said, her voice returning back to normal suddenly, "They looked so beautiful. They don't look like pumpkins. Everything is so.....perfect. And me? I have to buy dresses 2 sizes bigger because I don't fit in my old clothes, Shiva!"

Shiva looked at Raavi, everything falling into place in an instant. He knew this day was bound to come, but nothing had prepared him for her sudden outburst like this. How would he explain to her, that she was everything he had ever wished for, and he wanted her just like he did so many years ago?

"And," She sniffles, rubbing her nose, "Husbands always do this. Biwi pregnant hoti hai, aur unhe needs poore karne hote hai, toh dusri aurat ke paas-"

"Raavi, that's enough."

"-chale jaate hai. Maine dekha, woh Toshu be Kinjal ke saath aise hi kiya tha. Sab mard aise hi hote hai!"

"Enough, sweetheart!" Shiva said sternly, holding her by her shoulders and pulling her towards him.

"Sabse pehli baat." He lowered his tone, and looked at her, "Tu meri biwi hai. Mere baccho ki maa hai. There is no force on Earth that would make me change even a single day of the last few years of my life. Do you understand?"

Raavi nodded feebly, and Shiva caressed her cheeks. "You grew an entire baby within you. An entire human being. A cute, fat, healthy baby. Our baby. Tu sacch mein apne aap ko iske liye kosegi?"

She shook her head, and he lifted her chin to face him. "Listen to me, Raavi. There is no way I would ever, and I mean it, EVER throw away my family for 2 minutes of pleasure. Even if you have wrinkly skin and no teeth. You know me better than that, don't you?"

"I love you and our little family way too much to do something THAT stupid. Samjhi?"

"And besides," Shiva smirked, kissing her cheeks, "There's more of you for me to love. See."

He started poking her everywhere, tickling her in the process and she started screaming and giggling for Shiva to leave her, a laughing mess by the time he stopped.

Raavi just looked at Shiva with tears in her eyes, wrapping her arms around his chest and resting her head where she could hear his heart.

"I love you, Shiva."

"Thank you. I'll think about it."

Raavi swatted his arm, and his bellowed laughter rumbled through his chest, his strong arms wrapping around her frame. The two of them stood there, embraced in each other's arms for a long time until Shiva spoke again.

"Dusri baat," He looked down at her, "Yeh Toshu jo bhi hai, ek number ka idiot hai. Kaun hai yeh Toshu aur Kinjal? Aise nalayak dost mat bana."

Raavi looked up at Shiva guiltily, pursing her lips together.

"Woh MahantaMaa serial mein, uska beta aur bahu."

Shiva stared at Raavi for 20 seconds straight, pulling her away from the hug.

"So, YOU," He pointed at her, and then at himself, "doubted ME, compared ME to some stupid man in a STUPID SOAP OPERA?!"

"A TV SOAP, CHIPKALI?! Seriously?!" Shiva huffed, appalled at the comparison to a non-existent idiot, crossing his arms and turning away from Raavi.

"Unbelievable, Chipkali."

Raavi walked in front of him, and wiggled herself between his crossed arms, "Mere toh dimaag mein bhusa hai hi. Tu hi toh kehta hai."

He glanced down at her, and huffed, looking away.

"Ab tu bhaav khaa raha hai."

"You compared me to an idiot."

"You're my idiot."

"Hmph! MahantaMaa, it seems. Bandh karwaao yeh bakwaas serial."

Raavi giggled, kissing his chin, cheeks, nose and lips. "Mera pati kitna bhaav khaata hai, sab bolenge, biwi kuch aur khilati hi nahi!"

Shiva rolled his eyes and acknowledged her kisses, giving her a single peck on her forehead. "Chal jaa. Tu bhi kya yaad rakhegi."

"I love you?" Raavi asked, jutting her lips and putting on her cute 'Shiva-pighal-jaayega' face.

"Tu aur tera cute face!" Shiva gave in, kissing her lips, and swinging her up in his arms, making her squeal.

"Shiva! Neeche utaar mujhe!"

"Tujhe kuch prove karna hai." He declared, tossing her on the bed and pulling his vest over his head.

"Kya?" Raavi asked, smiling to herself

"That's there's more of you for me to love." Shiva whispered, dimming the lights of the room.

......

The sun set against the crystal waters, the sounds of birds retiring for the day filling the sky, the hues of orange and yellow surrounding the only people beside the shore.

Set up just a few feet away from the water was a small picnic spot, where Shiva and Raavi were curled up together, watching from afar, a nearly 10-year old Janhavi chase her little 1-year old Karthik, their Goldu right on their heels, playing and giggling in the sand.

"Look how Karthik is trying to eat sand." Shiva pointed out, and they both laughed at Karthik's disgusted face on knowing sand didn't taste the way it looked.

Raavi looked back at Shiva, her eyes swarming with emotions as she placed  a palm on his cheek and kissed his lips.

"Thank you, Shiva."

"For what? This family vacation?" Shiva pointed at the empty beach, "I think we all deserved one-"

"No, not the vacation." Raavi explained, wrapping his arms around her waist tighter from where she was seated in the space between his legs, her back against his chest.

"For giving me everything I've ever craved for. Friendship, love; a family. You gave me a family, Shiva."

"Our family. Our 2.5 babies." Her voice caught in her throat, as she looked at her children.

"You gave me what I didn't have. And I'm so grateful-"

"Shhh." Shiva placed a finger on her lips, moving to caress her cheeks. "Aise mat bol. Aisa kahegi toh ehsaan lagega. Yeh humare pyaar ka nateeja hai, Chipkali."

They remained wrapped up in each other's arms, the sounds of waves crashing and children giggling engulfing their surrounding.

"Agar humari dosti waapas nahi hui hoti, toh aaj hum yaha nahi hote na Shiva?" Raavi looked up at him.

Shiva simply smiled and kissed her deeply, hoping she'd get her answer in his eyes, that sang its utmost devotion for her.

"Mujhe aisa nahi lagta. Hum yaha pohonchye zaroor, par zyaada waqt lag jaata humein ek dusre ko dhundhne mein."

"Aisa kyu?" Raavi asked, confused.

"I think we were meant to be. Hum kitna bhi door chale jaaye, waapas ek dusre ke paas hi aate hai."

"Tere bina," Shiva looked into her eyes, with a look that would always make her melt, even when she was old and wrinkly, "Mujhe zindagi gawara nahi. Tu nahi hoti, toh shaayad koi aur nahi hota."

"Meri takkar dene waali chipkali." He rubbed his nose against hers, making her laugh.

"Chipkali apne bhoothnath se humesha chipki rahegi." Raavi promised, kissing him just as deeply, as he pulled out his phone to play a tune, holding her hand and raising her to her feet to dance to this tune.

A tune that would always be theirs. A tune that was made to bind them, bring them together, remind them of their togetherness every step of the way.

Lag jaa gale, ke phir yeh
Haseen raat ho na ho
Shayad phir iss janam mein
Mulaqaat ho na ho

xoxoxoxo

And that's a wrap! Thank you for supporting this story for over a year now! With this, my writing journey on this forum comes to an end!

Shout out to the ones who've seen me write right from the beginning, where I began on Wattpad, and to the ones that continued to support me till here. Great journey it has been!

Lots of love to everyone! Until next time ❤️