Hey guys, Bonus chapter will take some time to write and I'm only done with about quarter of Heartfelt. Sorry for the delay. 

In the meanwhile, I hope you enjoy my new story Captivated Forever :) :) 

And hope you love this epilogue. Mr and Mrs Rajvansh FTW <3 <3

EPILOGUE

Mishti looked glumly at the ipad screen.

Mishti : When are you going to come back? I miss you.

Abir (ruefully) : I miss you too, Mishti. You know if I had my way, I would never have gone to the meeting. But you couldn't attend and one of us had to go..

Mishti (smiling) : I understand, Abir. It's just bad timing on both our parts. The flight will leave tomorrow, right? The airport won't be shut for another day in Chennai?

Abir : Mishti! I could leave by the next train and come there sooner.

Mishti (shaking her head) : Don't take the risk. What if it starts to rain again? Just be safe and come back home in one piece.

Abir (protesting) : But Sweetheart... You shouldn't be alone right now. I should be with you.

Mishti : You will be with me soon, Abir. But neither baby nor I can risk anything happening to you.

Mishti showed her protruding belly, A visible reminder that she was 6 months pregnant.

Mishti : We both love you and miss you. Just come back to us safely.

Abir finally smiled and nodded.

Mishti : Besides, How am I alone? Ma, Mom are there with me, not to mention, my mother and the entire family. Did you forget? Ananya's baby's naamkarann is there in 2 days.

Abir's face fell. He had completely forgotten in the heat of the moment.

Abir : Oh no. I forgot. I'll definitely try and come before then. Urghh... Stupid rains. I love you, 

Mishti. I love you too, Baby.

Mishti : And we love you.

She blew him a flying kiss and then reassured him that she was fine before hanging up the call and sitting down in a sofa on the patio. She placed a hand on her stomach.

Mishti : Well, Baby... Papa might not come here by tomorrow. Hopefully he comes day after. He's been gone three days already. Don't you miss him? (waiting a moment) Yes, Me too. Well, It looks like Papa's got his girls wrapped around his finger, right?

Well ofcourse, Mishti didn't know if the baby was going to be a girl for sure, but somehow she thought of this baby as a girl. Though she wanted a little Nannu, her mother's intuition was leaning towards a girl being born. Not that anyone was complaining. In fact, Abir was fervently praying for a girl.

Mishti smiled to herself as she remembered a conversation they had had a few months ago.

Mishti : Abir! Why do most men want daughters? Everyone seems to want a princess - you, Atul has two, Kunal has one... Why not sons?

Abir : It's not that we don't want boys, Mishti. Let me speak for myself at least. Are you kidding me? I would love a boy. Our little Nannu running around the house and calling us Mumma and Papa. Mishti darling, I would be ecstatic. But a daughter is no less... She too would be my world. My Mishti junior.... My princess. I don't know. I just have this idea in my head that if we have a girl first, I will be softer. I am worried about putting too many of my hopes and dreams on to a boy if we have one first. I know it sounds old fashioned, but I am bent on spoiling our girl to bits.

Mishti accepted the kiss Abir gave her forehead then smiled warmly at him.

Mishti : What you say does make sense in a weird logical sense. But I'm sure you won't differentiate between a son or a daughter when it comes down to it.

Abir smirked wickedly.

Abir : You know the remedy to this problem?

Mishti (surprised) : What?

Abir : We have one or two of each and then we compare.

Mishti looked at his eager expression and began laughing.

Mishti : You'll never change, Will you?

Abir pulled her close and hugged her tight.

Abir (whispering) : Why will I? As long as you are here with me....

Parul : Mishti beta!

Mishti was startled from her thoughts and she smiled at her mom. It had become a very easy transition from being Nannu's wife to Abir's and now, The three of the women - Meenakshi Ma, Parul Mom and Mishti were closer than ever.

Mishti : Ji, Mom?

Parul : Did you talk to Abir? How is the weather in Chennai? When can he come back?

Mishti : Don't worry Mom. He said that the rain seems to have stopped and hopefully, The airport is opened by tomorrow. He said he'll make it here by the function on Thursday.

Parul (sighing with relief) : That's good then. What about you? Are you okay?

Mishti (smiling) : Yes. I was just tired of sitting in the room.

Parul : It's good. I was going to ask you to accompany me on a walk after a while, anyways. By the way, Rajshri Ji and everyone else are coming tonight right?

Mishti : Yes mom. Thank you once again for allowing the naamkarann to take place in Sighla.

Parul : Chup! They are my family as well. We do not think of your brothers and sisters as belonging to you alone. You get it? Don't ever tell that again.

Mishti hugged her mom and nodded, A silent apology in her eyes. Parul smiled and went back inside.

Mishti (looking towards the mountains) : Come back soon, My love. I miss you.

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MEANWHILE

Abir hung up the phone after talking to Mishti. He looked at it wistfully for a few minutes before turning to gaze at the wet sunset through his hotel window.

Why on Earth had he come for this meeting? He knew it was important for the company but not more than Mishti.

Abir (sighing) : This is why people should be allowed to see the future. If I had known I'll be stuck in Chennai three days, I would have cancelled the meeting, loss be damned.

But ofcourse he didn't know what was going to happen and now, A day's activity was going to take nearly 4 days. He sighed again.

Abir (thinking) : Maybe I can go outside today and buy something for Mishti, the baby and the family. I do have to get something for all the other kids and Ananya's baby's gift too. It doesn't look like it might rain for some time. I atleast won't spend all my time moping.

He became his cheerful self, got ready and informed the hotel concierge that he was going out for a while. The roads while damp, were not flooding and Abir soon found an Uber willing to take him to T Nagar, One of the major shopping districts in Chennai.

Three hours later, Abir returned to the hotel, his hands carrying more bags than he could handle. He sought the bell boy's help and soon sat down in his room tired out.

Abir ordered room service and then proceeded to unpack the packages. He had bought the famous Kancheevaram silk sarees for all the ladies - His mothers, Rajshri Ma, Ketki, Ananya, Kuhu, Neha and Mishti. For the men, He had bought something that the salesman had called a "veshti". It was more commonly known as a dhoti. For the kids, he had bought "pavadais" for the girls and small dhotis for the boys. Besides the clothes, He had also bought toys and chocolates for the kids.

As Abir packed everything neatly in his suitcase, He took the sapphire blue saree that he had picked out for Mishti and smiled at the thought of her pleasure when she saw the present. The saree was rich in colour with delicate gold designs present in the border. Abir knew Mishti had never worn sarees of this type and hoped she would like it.

He thought of her wearing the saree and his heart almost missed a beat. Three years into their marriage and Abir loved Mishti more each day. Every day with her brought something new in their lives.

He remembered how devastated they were that they had not yet conceived a baby-- After all, Mishti had wanted one so badly. At first, Abir had wanted a baby only because it would have made Mishti happy beyond measure. But soon, The pangs of fatherhood began to sting him as well.

Abir had longed to be a father and when Mishti finally told him that she was pregnant, He had been ecstatic. They had danced with joy that night and made all sorts of plans for their baby.

Abir came back to the present with a jerk.

Abir : Oh no! I forgot to tell Mishti what I wanted to name the baby if she was a girl. Should I send her a message or call her now? Actually no, Abir... Surprise her over there.

His phone rang and Abir picked it up.

Abir : Hello! Yes, Abir Rajvansh speaking. Oh, the travel agent? Yes, Mr Dubey, What is it? What? The airport will be cleared tomorrow. I can take the 10:45 flight to Kolkata? Thank you so much, Mr Dubey. I really appreciate what you've done. Thank you.

He hung up the phone and beamed at the suitcase.

Abir : I'm coming back, Mishti!

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THE NEXT DAY, 3:00pm

Bored out of her mind, Mishti strolled in the gardens wishing her family wouldn't be so over-protective.

Mishti : I mean it's not like Ketki and Ananya haven't had kids. Surely they should know how boring it is to sit in your room all day. Especially when there's so much work to do for tomorrow. I just hope no one finds out I've escaped.

Just then a child shouted out her name.

Voice : Mishti Bua! Mishti Bua....

Mishti turned sideways and smiled at Atul's seven year old daughter Aastha. She beckoned her closer and sat down on a nearby bench with her.

Mishti : Hi, baby doll. Did you finish your game of monopoly?

Aastha : No, We decided to continue it later. Everyone grew bored. Bua... When will Abir Foofaji come back?

Mishti frowned in mock anger.

Mishti : So Aastha only wants her foofaji? She doesn't want bua?

Aastha looked horrified and hugged her bua and kissed her cheek.

Aastha : Bua! No, It's not like that. It's just that I want him back quickly. When will he come back?

Mishti (sighing) : I'm not sure, Sweetheart. He told me he might not make it back today.

Aastha pouted in the manner that only young kids could do and then sighed dramatically.

Aastha : Bua, Now what do I do? I need Abir Foofaji. I looooveeee Abir Foofaji. He's just wonderful.

Mishti almost laughed, because the look in her niece's eye was one she'd seen a thousand times before. Women adored Abir. It seemed even seven-year-old girls were not immune to his charm.

Mishti : So, you also think Abir is handsome, huh?

Aastha looked at her aunt blankly.

Aastha : Handsome? I guess he could be.

Mishti tried to stifle her smile and looked gravely at her niece.

Mishti : You guess so?

Aastha : I love Abir Foofaji because he takes me out for ice-cream after bedtime.

Mishti (in mock surprise) : NO! He does?

Aastha : Yes, And he promised me that he'll teach me how to salsa when I met him next. Papa says I can't learn until I'm 35.

Mishti rolled her eyes and chuckled softly. Atul had always been over-protective of his sisters and now that he had a daughter, He would be even worse.

Mishti : Well, Aastha! Foofaji isn't here. But what if I teach you to dance?

Aastha stared at her skeptically.

Aastha : Bua, Do you know how to salsa?

Mishti : Ofcourse. (whispering in Aastha's ear) Abir Foofaji only taught me.

Aastha smiled at that and nodded, then jumped off the bench and pulled her aunt.

Aastha : Come on, Mishti bua. Come on, Let's dance.

Mishti : Haan haan beta. Just one minute, The baby needs time to get up.

Aastha waited for her aunt and then they walked to the nearby pavilion and soon the two of them were dancing. Mishti taught Aastha the basic salsa steps and moved as much as she could with her ungainly body.

Aastha (delighted) : That was awesome, Bua. I just wish it would rain. Then it would be even more fun to dance.

A new voice floated towards them.

Voice : Now doll, What would the fun be in that? You'll suffer later.

Aastha turned ecstatically and ran.

Aastha : Abir Foofaji! You're back.

Mishti stood where she was, stunned and delighted to see Abir back. She watched him carry their niece and swing her around. She looked at Aastha and laughed.

Mishti : I am instantly forgotten.

Abir looked at her with such love that it made her heart skip a beat.

Abir : Not by me.

He had finally reached her and gave her a small chaste kiss on her forehead, then turned to Aastha who was poking him with her finger.

Aastha : Bua and I were dancing.

Abir : Yes, I saw. You both were wonderful. You'll make an amazing salsa dancer one day, Doll.Aastha (eyes gleaming) : Really?

Abir : Ofcourse. Now, Shouldn't the budding little dancer get a gift?

Aastha : Presents? For me?

Abir : I've given it to your mother. Go and get it before she opens it.

Aastha gasped terrified that her mother might do such a thing. She got down and ran towards the house before turning back and giving her aunt and uncle a big kiss.

Aastha : I looooveeeee you, Foofaji.

She turned back and started running again while the couple chuckled.

Mishti (sighing) : Another one falls.

Abir took her hand and tugged her toward him.

Abir : What is that supposed to mean?

Mishti grinned a little and sighed a little and spoke dramatically.

Mishti : I looooveeeee you, Foofaji.

He kissed her thoroughly.

Abir : I certainly hope so, Though I could do without the foofaji part.

She looked up into his eyes and let herself ease against the warmth of his body.

Mishti : It seems no woman is immune.

Abir : How lucky I am, then, that I want only one.

Mishti (shooting him a look) : Lucky for me.

Abir (smiling smugly) : Well, yes. But I wasn't going to say it.

She swatted him on the arm. He kissed her in return.

Abir : I missed you and baby.

Mishti : We missed you, too. You told me you weren't going to come today.

Abir (shaking his head) : I tried to give you a surprise. Imagine my grief when instead of pining for me, My wife was dancing happily with someone else.

He made a gesture of despair and Mishti laughed. He pulled away from her.

Abir : Now she's laughing. Oh God, Won't you please help me?

Mishti : Excuse me! You left for that stupid meeting. I missed you so much but I'm sure you never thought about me.

The two of them scowled at each other, but the next moment, they began laughing and Mishti hugged Abir.

Mishti : I missed you each and every minute of every day. Don't go away again.

Abir : Hopefully, I'll never have to. It was torture staying there without you. You know, I didn't even pack clothes for the five day trip? I had enough only for two days.

Mishti (giggling) : Then, What did you do?

Abir : I went shopping, Of course. Speaking of which, Come.... I have a gift for you as well.

Mishti : Me? Come on then, Let's go. Abir.. Abir! Let me down. I can walk back home. This is so filmy. Let me down!

Abir : Now, Mishti. You're pregnant and you used your energy while dancing. Now be quiet and let me carry you.

Mishti sighed, but complied. She gazed happily at her husband as he walked back to the house.

Kunal : Ah! The lovebirds are together again. How happy they must be.

Abir : Don't you have a wife who loves you?

Kunal : Yes, I do.

Abir : Then go to her and leave us alone.

Mishti sniggered while Kunal gave a huge guffaw behind them. Abir carried her all the way to their room and placed her on the bed. He then got into bed beside her and hugged her tightly.

Abir : I missed this the most.

Mishti : What? The bed?

Abir : No baba! You, near me. I couldn't sleep peacefully without you. The bed was too cold and lonely.

Mishti smiled and leaned against her husband.

Mishti : I love you.

Abir : I love you too, My sweetheart.

They clutched hands and soon, the two of them were fast asleep.

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

FEW MONTHS LATER,

Mishti : Abir!

Abir : Haan, Mishti. One minute.

He came out of the washroom and turned to his wife. His jaw dropped. Mishti was wearing the saree he had bought for her from Chennai.

She twirled around for him showing the entire saree with her hair made up in a messy plait and her jhumkis tinkled as she moved. She looked breath-takingly lovely and Abir was speechless.

Mishti : What's wrong? Don't you like it?

Abir (hoarse) : I think you should change your dress.

Mishti looked at him in dismay.

Mishti : Why? Is it bad? Does the blouse not look good?

Abir : No. You look fabulous, My love. That's why you shouldn't wear it.

He walked towards her as she looked at him confused.

Abir : No one will believe that you're my wife and the mother of our child when they see you in this saree. You look terrific.

She smiled and smoothened his dhoti before they turned and looked at the mirror.

Mishti : Mr and Mrs Rajvansh are ready to name their baby. Shall we go then? We have something to do before the puja begins remember.

Abir : Yes, but first....

He bent down and kissed her softly.

Abir : I couldn't resist.

Mishti laughed and cupped his cheeks.

Mishti : Abir Rajvansh, I love you so much. Now, Tomorrow, Next week, Forever.

She kissed his nose and then went downstairs. Abir followed her and they walked with their baby to Nannu's gardens.

They stood in the middle and Mishti took her daughter in her arms.

Abir : Nannu!

Mishti closed her eyes and she thought she could feel Nannu listening to them.

Mishti : Nannu! I gave birth to a baby girl ten days ago. But ofcourse you know that. Today's her naamkarann and there's a grand celebration at home.

Abir : You would have enjoyed it a lot. But before the priests and other guests come, Mishti and I want you to be the first one to know her name and we want you to bless her.

Mishti : Bless her to be as kind as you were, as loving as you, as calm and brilliant.

Abir : Bless her to know the difference between right and wrong, to stand up for the poor and the needy, to make a difference in this world.

Mishti cuddled the child and Abir placed an arm around her.

Mishti : She looks exactly like Abir, You know. Her nose, her eyes... Even her face seems built like Abir. I see no resemblance of me in her. It's quite unfair.

Abir : She's going to be her daddy's girl. Mishti and I debated a lot on what to name her... But finally we decided on a name that she knew you liked. I love the name too and it was unanimous.

Mishti : Nannu, meet Misha Abir Rajvansh!

A new breeze seemed to float towards them, touching them gently with it's invisible hands and just as suddenly as it appeared, it disappeared as well.

Mishti looked at Abir. who looked ecstatic as well. It seemed as if Nannu had given his blessings. Mishti and Abir looked down at their baby, who had brought them such happiness.

Abir : Misha... You were right, Mishti. Somehow you knew this baby was going to be a girl.

They began walking back to the house and Mishti grinned at Abir.

Mishti : Well, I'm always right.

Abir shook his head but at her warning look, smiled sheepishly at her and put an arm around her.

Abir : Yes, You are right.

Mishti : I love you. You know that, Don't you?

Abir : I do. I love you too.

Misha, who had been sleeping thus far, suddenly gave a loud wail and the new parents chuckled.

Mishti and Abir : Yes baby, We love you too.

She settled back into a contented sleep as Mishti rocked her gently.

Abir (wonder in his voice) : She understood us.

Mishti : Ofcourse, She's our perfect little girl.

Abir : You know what's next, Don't you?

Mishti : What?

Abir : We should have a little Nannu Abir Rajvansh in the house soon.

Mishti stopped and laughed at her husband who started laughing too.

Mishti : Soon maybe, My love, But not now.

Sure enough, Two years later, Mishti gave birth to their son Nihal Abir Rajvansh, also known as Nannu and who looked exactly like his mother.

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