Sameer entered the room with the little baby in his arms. Naina's half open eyes were stuck at the door. The moment she saw him, tears slid down the corners of her eyes. He walked upto her, and sat at the edge of the bed.

"Thank you, jaan. Jo maine kabhi sapne mein tak nahi socha tha aaj tumne mujhe woh bhi de diya." He was overwhelmed.

Her smile, amidst tears, made a few drops roll down his cheeks as well. He tilted his arms to show her the baby's face.

"Beta hai?" Her question amazed him.

"Mubarak ho, Mrs Maheshwari, Sana ka bhai aa gaya." He smiled, fighting the lump in his throat.

She took a deep breath, closing her eyes... happy that she did fulfill her daughter's wish.

"Tumhe bataya nahi doctor ne?" He asked when she opened them again.

"Maine hi mana kiya tha. Pehle hi nurses aur doctor ko bol diya tha ki mujhe baby se tum hi milwaoge." She mumbled in a low voice.

He placed the baby next to her, then got up to walk around the bed. Sitting on the other side, he cupped her face and kissed away the tears. When he lifted his face, she wiped his cheeks with her hand. He leaned and took her in a half hug.

"Naina, tum sach mein pari ho, meri kahani ki pari. Tumhari jadu ki chadi ne na sirf mere sapne sach kiye balki jo kabhi sapne mein dekha tak nahi tha woh pyar bhar diya meri zindagi mein." His voice was heavy.

A thunderous rumbling fell in their ears, making them turn towards the sound. Bright lights inside didn't bring the darkness of outside to their notice till now. Outside, the July sky was covered with thick, black clouds, and the splatter of pouring rain had completely covered the glass window.

They looked at each other.. the month had again brought something special and invaluable for them.

Sameer grinned, "Ab se ek aur anniversary manayenge hum iss mahine mein."

Their gazes turned to the tiny bundle lying in the crook of Naina's arm, his eyes shut tight. Sameer again bent down across Naina to place a light kiss on the head of his son, and another kiss on his wife's cheek.

"Agar aap logo ka romance khatam ho gaya ho toh hum bhi naye mehmaan ko dekh lein?" Preeti's lively voice from the door made him straighten up.

Looking back at the door, he made a face, faking annoyance, "Koi karne de toh romance karunga na... yahan toh ek nahi chaar chaar pyar ke dushman hain."

His friends walked in, nevertheless, while Munna smirked at him, "Preeti, iske romance khatam hone ka intezar karne baithe toh shayad hamare bachhon ke bachhe paida ho rahe honge issi hospital mein, lekin hamara bhai tab bhi bhabhi ko aise hi dekh raha hoga jaise abhi abhi lattoo hua hai."

With a hearty laugh, they all gathered around the bed, teasing a red faced Naina and gushing over the new baby, all at once. Naina stole a glance at Sameer, who stood behind everyone, staring at her with love filled eyes. The moment their eyes met, he winked... and Naina turned her face away, more colour spreading on her face.

Pandit narrowed his eyes at the baby, observing him from different angles, "Yaar Sameer, iski shakal toh tere jaisi nahi hai... dekh na, iski naak bilkul alag hai, ekdum choti si."

Munna craned his neck for a moment then rolled his eyes, "Ab chote bachhe ki naak toh choti hi hogi na, Pandit. "

"Arre haan, woh toh hai." Pandit nodded with a somber face.

Swati and Preeti gave an exasperated look to their husbands before bringing their attention back to the baby.

Swati lightly touched his cheek, "Sana kitni khush ho jayegi na sun ke, mujhe toh darr tha ki woh hamesha bhai ki baat karti hai agar behen aayi toh kya hoga."

Preeti gave a complacent smile, "Kuch nahi hota. Maine usse pehle hi samjha diya tha... ki agar behen aayi toh woh Naina ke jaise badi behen ban jayegi aur choti wali meri tarah hogi. Usse samajh bhi aa gaya... balki Sana toh khush bhi ho gayi thi."

It was news to Sameer and Naina, because they had never heard Sana mention a sister.

"Kab samjhaya tune, Preeti?" Naina queried.

"Aaj subah." Preeti gave a sheepish smile, but brightened instantly, "Lekin usse sach mein samajh aa gaya. Usne kaha theek hai, abhi behen aayegi toh koi baat nahi, next time bhai aa jayega... jaise aap dono ke liye Pralay mamu hain."

Sameer's eyes widened in horror... he quickly sat near Naina's head, putting a protective arm around her, "Koi next time nahi. Bas ab Naina dubara hospital nahi aayegi."

Preeti held up her hands in resignation, "Haan haan pata hai humein... nahi ayegi Naina dubara... humein bhi aapko aise left right karte dekhne ka shouk nahi hai. Bahar jaake dekho zara farsh pe gadhdhe ban gaye hain itni sair kar li aapne."

Amidst the teasings, Naina looked at Sameer, "Tumne ghar pe bata diya? Ramdhari ko phone kar do, woh bhi chinta kar raha hoga."

Sameer patted his pocket, to search for the phone.

Munna held it out for him, "Yeh le bhai. Bahar gira aaya tha."

Grabbing it from him, Sameer recalled how he had dropped it while talking to Phulla bua.

"Hello, bua dadi?" He held it against his ear quickly.

"Jijaji, unse baat karke maine phone kaat diya tha. Ab tak woh aapke jaagne ka intezar thodi karti. Aap toh aadhi khabar deke so gaye... apni duniya mein kho gaye... ab wahan bechare mere mummy papa aur bua dadi baithe thodi rehte ki kab iss ladke ko hosh aayega aur woh baaki ki baat batayega... pata bhi hai aise intezar karna kitna mushkil hota hai! Poori baat batani chahiye na!" Preeti's dramatic rendition made everyone burst out in laughter.

Shaking his head at her histrionics, Sameer called up Ramdhari and gave him the news. His exhilaration was evident from the loud chant of thanks that he let out for his Hanumanji.

"Achha sun, mere phone ki battery khatam hone wali hai toh tu hi mummy ko bata dena." Sameer added as an afterthought.

Naina gave him a perplexed look, wondering about his sudden dryness towards Vishakha.

Pandit offered to get Sana from his house, so that she could meet her new brother.

Preeti got up, "Main bhi chalti hun. Naina ke liye kuch khane ko bana laungi aur jijaji ke liye alu paranthe."

Dr Shaila came back along with a nurse after Preeti and Pandit had left.

"Ab aap logon ko bahar jaana chahiye. Naina thoda so legi toh achha rahega." She advised.

Swati and Munna immediately left the room.

Sameer looked at the doctor expectantly, "Hum shaam tak Naina ko ghar le ja sakte hain na?"

Dr Shaila shook her head, pursing her lips, "Iss baar Naina ka case thoda complicated tha isliye aaj raat hospital mein hi rehna hoga. Humein iske bp ko monitor karna hai. Waise toh ab sab kuch normal hai, darne ki koi baat nahi hai par koi problem hui toh isse fir se hospital laana padega aur abhi Naina ke liye itna hilna dulna theek nahi hoga."

Sameer looked at Naina sadly. He wanted to take both his wife and son home as soon as possible, but what the doctor said made sense. He stroked Naina's hair once and nodded at her, giving a silent assurance that he was right outside the room... and walked out.

The nurse helped Naina to feed the baby once before putting him to sleep in the crib placed next to the bed.  Doctor Shaila checked all her parameters and asked her to sleep for some time.

Swati called up Preeti and told her to come after two hours as Naina had slept for now. Munna took Sameer to the cafeteria, to make him eat something as he had been up since a long time. Swati assured him that she would wait outside Naina's room. Munna brought back some sanwiches and a cup of tea for her. They all were still outside when Sameer heard the familiar, exuberant voice.

"Papaaaaa." Sana screamed from the other end of the corridor and ran to him.

Sameer scooped up his doll, kissing both her cheeks before flashing a bright smile at her, "Papa ne apni Sana ko bohot miss kiya."

She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and gave him a hard kiss on one cheek, rubbing the other stubbled one with her hand"Maine bhi. Aur mumma ko bhi... aur apne bhai ko bhi."

Sameer grinned wider, "Tumhe pata hai bhai aa gaya?"

She dipped her head to the side, pointing at Preeti, "Preeti maasi ne bataya. Papa, mujhe apne bhai ke paas jaana hai."

Sameer placed a finger on his lips, "Shh, chup karke chalenge. Mumma aur baby so rahe hain."

Sana widened her eyes, "Abhi tak? Maine toh nahana bhi kar liya, aur breakfast bhi. Lekin aaj school nahi gayi... Preeti maasi ne kaha jab baby aata hai toh big sisters school se chutti kar sakte hain."

Sameer pinched her nose, "Maze ho gaye tumhare. Dekho, baby bohot small hai na isliye usse zyada sona hota hai. Toh hum dheere dheere jayenge andar, okay?"

Sana waved her head excitedly. Sameer opened the door a bit to peek inside. Since the lights were on, he could see Naina, but the baby wasn't visible, being in the crib. He stealthily walked inside, taking Sana close to the baby.

She drew in a sharp breath, holding her hands to her mouth, "Yeh kitna small hai... meri doll jaisa."

Naina opened her eyes at her daughter's voice.

"Arre waah, meri doll apne bhai ko dekhne aayi hai." She smiled, speaking softly.

"Mummaaa, mera bhai aa gaya." Sana beamed happily, tugging at Sameer's arm to put her down.

The moment her feet touched the floor, she ran to the other side, trying to climb up the high bed. Naina turned to pick her when Sameer stopped her.

"Nahi Naina, main bithata hun." He darted towards Sana and lifted her to make her sit on the bed.

He himself sat behind her, keeping a firm hold on her shoulders lest she tried to jump over Naina.

Hearing their voices, others entered the room. Preeti gave Naina a mug of hot tea. She picked Sana and made her sit on the couch, with folded legs. Sana was ecstatic when her maasi placed the sleeping baby in her lap. Preeti told her how to delicately touch the baby and not press too hard anywhere. She nodded at everything.

Sameer smiled as she patted the already sleeping baby, telling him to sleep.

"Arre waah, isne toh eyes close kar li, lao main isse jhoole mein sula deta hun. Tum sabko batana tumne baby ko sulaya." He picked up the infant from her lap.

"Maine Hash ko pele hi bata diya mera bhai aaya hai." Sana said with a proud flick of brows.

"Toh Harsh aur Bhavya ko saath kyon nahi leke aayi?" Sameer asked.

"Offo papa, yeh hopital hai. Yahan bas big bachhe aa sakte hain, mere jaise... ya new babies, mere bhai jaise. Small bachhon ko aana nahi chahiye... Hash, Bhavya, Arnav, Avni, sab small hain na abhi toh." She explained.

Pandit looked at her in awe, then narrowed his eyes, "Yaar Preeti, kyon na hum apne dono bachhon ko school bhejne ki jagah Sameer ke ghar bhej diya karein... jitni samajhdaar Sana hai utna seekh lenge dono toh bohot hai, humein kaunsa top karana hai. Bekaar school jaane se canteen ke samose ki aadat lagegi."

Munna frowned at him, "Tu canteen se bahar mat nikaliyo. Chup karke kal mere saath chalna. Hum bhi play school mein admission kara rahe hain apne bachhon ka, Harsh bhi wahin jayega."

Pandit gave him a shocked look, "Abhi se kyon jayega, bhai? Main toh che saal ka tha jab pehli baar school gaya tha. Mera beta bichara sirf chaar saal ka hai."

Munna let out an exasperated sigh, "Iska bas chale toh sheher ke saare school band hi karwa de."

Pandit furiously shook his head, "Na na, band kyon karwaunga? School mein kitni masti karte the hum log mujhe achhi tarah yaad hai. Haan, koi karwane de toh main exam band karwa dunga... sachhi yaar, teacher ke thappad se zyada darr result se lagta tha."

The day was spent reminiscing about their school and college days. Pandit took Sana back home in the evening and got a change of clothes for Sameer on his way back. Sana obediently nodded when Naina asked her to be a good girl in Preeti's house. In between, Swati went home and brought dinner for everyone. Sameer insisted that they all go back after dinner as only one person was allowed to stay in the room at night. Knowing him and her sister very well, Preeti did not even offer to stay.

It was next evening when finally Dr Shaila allowed Naina to go home when her blood pressure continued to show normal reading ever since delivery. Preeti and Swati had been with her from morning and had gone only after lunch, promising to come back later, with dinner. Sameer informed them that he was taking Naina home since doctor had given permission.

Along with Naina and the baby, he had reached halfway when another realisation hit Sameer. When they had brought Sana home for the first time, Phulla bua and chachiji had performed the welcome puja. There was no one to do it now. He gulped, chiding himself for not thinking of it earlier... at least, he could have asked Preeti. His son wouldn't have entered the house without a proper welcome.

The sight that greeted him was astonishing, though. Starting from the main gate of their bunglow, the whole place was adorned with balloons and fairy lights. Sameer stepped out of the car, stunned at the decorations. Taking the baby in his arms, he was about to help Naina when a loud chorus of 'WELCOME HOME' made him turn.

They all were there, along with the children. In fact, Pandit and Munna were still tangled in strings of tiny bulbs while the kids were all holding helium filled balloons. When he looked carefully, he noticed the letters on balloons,

Welcome home mumma and baby

Preeti stepped ahead to help Naina, holding her at the elbow as she stood mesmerized at the efforts put up by them.

"Ab chalegi ya baarish ka intezar karna hai... kal se ho rahi thi... bas abhi ruki hai... shayad tere swagat ke liye." Preeti nudged her.

Swati showered them with rose petals as they walked ahead, with Sana hopping in front of them.

Another surprise was the marigold flower decoration on the door. The pious scent of incense was unmistakable.

"Koi aaya hai kya?" Sameer peered inside when Preeti stopped him at the door.

"Offo jijaji, aapka beta aaya hai. Aise hi andar leke jaoge kya? Pehle aarti karke nazar toh utarne do sabki." Preeti held his arm, pulling him back.

Sameer gave her an astonished look, "Lekin aarti karega kaun?"

"Iss ghar ki Lakshmi karegi, Sameer bhaiya." Ramdhari's voice made him look up sharply.

Holding up Sana in his arms, Ramdhari stood at the door... with his one hand under the puja thali that Sana was carrying.

Both Sameer and Naina gaped at their daughter sway the thali around them a few times, a big smile on her face. Preeti told her to put the tika on her parents and lightly touch the finger to her brother's forehead. She gingerly did as she was told. Once the ritual was done, Ramdhari put her down and picked up something from the thali and circled around them while murmuring softly. When he went away with the objects in hand, Preeti asked them to enter.

"Chote Maheshwari ji ka apne ghar mein swagat hai." Ramdhari emerged out of the kitchen, with a box of sweets, offering it to everyone.

As you all know, the story is coming to an end now. I have another six chapters left of this journey. If there is any specific thing that you want me to show or include, please do tell me... I'll try my best to incorporate whatever would be feasible at this stage. Since it is not possible to show the growing years of Samaina's children, the leaps are unavoidable.

Next update tomorrow evening