(4 YEARS LATER)

PAAKHI POV

"We did it!" I exclaim putting the final touches on my dish.

"You have been working for the last 4 hours, go and change," Rosy slightly scolds me and pushes me out of the kitchen.

I chuckle but agree with her. I smell like onions and garlic.

"Hey, Toby," I lean down to pet the cutest member of our family.

He wags his tail and runs off to the patio.

I follow him and see him hugging Arhaan.

"Morning guys," I smile at the cutest duo.

"Morning!" Arhaan greets me while playing with Toby.

I smile looking at them both. He is Maanya and Arhaan's heart.
After what they both went through, I thank God every day for sending Toby into their lives.

"Where are your boys?" He asks me.

"Probably sleeping," I laugh and he joins in.

"Where's Maanu?" I ask him.

"Taking a bath, hence we both came out to play," he replies as Toby brings him a ball to play fetch.

I leave them both and walk toward my room to wake my boys.

Yes, 3 years ago we were blessed with a baby boy. We named him Veer.

During my pregnancy, Viren and my bond became strong. He took care of me, pampered me, he even woke up late at night to give me foot massages.

I walk into our room to see both of them still sleeping.

They look so cute that I don't have the heart to wake them up, so I decide to change my clothes before waking them up.

Walking out of the closet, I shuffle towards the bed and lean down to place a kiss on Veer's forehead.

"Mumma..." He smiles before opening his eyes.

"Wake up baby," I place another kiss on his head, and he rolls over to me. Amidst his shifting, he punches Viren accidentally.

"Hey man, you are too strong, " Viren sleepily murmurs.

Veer laughs and roll over to his dad.

"Wake up you two," I scold them both lightly.

"Did you get your wake-up kiss?" Viren asks Veer who bobs his head.

"Then where is mine?" Viren smirks at me.

I smile and roll my eyes before leaning again and placing a kiss on his forehead.

"Not here babe," Viren whispers and tug me down and kiss me.

I push him away and hit him lightly.

"Wake up, you know how important is today's brunch," I whine.

He nods his head and gets out of the bed.

"Come, little man, let's get a shower together." He picks up Veer and they both walk inside the washroom.

I do my hair and then walk back to the closet to grab both their clothes.

I put their clothes on the bed and walk over to the washroom door.

"Come out you two," I yell from outside.

"Coming!" Veer replies from inside and the door unlocks.

I smile seeing Viren carrying Drenched Veer wrapped in a towel.

Veer is giggling continuously causing our room to fill up with his babbles.

"I'll dress him, can you please hurry up," I take Veer from him and he walks to the closet.

"I'll do it!" Veer snatches his t-shirt from me.

"Baby let Mumma help you!" I plead but he refuses.

"Dada do it! I do it!" He persists and struggles while finding the hole for his neck.

This little guy is as adamant as his father and likes doing everything on his own like me.

"I do it!" He cheers and starts jumping on the bed.

"say, I did it!" Viren corrects him while walking out of the closet all dressed.

Veer nods at his father and moves to wear his shorts.

After 5 minutes of falling and tumbling. He lets me help him.

"Aunty is coming today?" He asks me as I tie up his shoes.

"Yes! Aunty Sana and Aunty Riya." I tell him.

"Yayy!!" He cheers and jumps off the bed and runs out of the room.

"Careful!" I yell after him but he is long gone.

"Babe, you look exhausted. Did you even sleep?" Viren takes me in his arms and asks.

I sigh tiredly as he places a kiss on my head.

"I want everything to go smoothly," I confess.

"Everything will go nicely, this is just a Sunday brunch love," he assures me.

I nod but still feel anxious.

"Riya is coming home with her boyfriend and you know about Sana..." I tell him.

"I will behave promise!" He quips and I laugh.

"Now let's go, " he takes my hand and tugs us out of the room.

Walking down the corridor we meet Toby and Veer.

Veer is rolling on the floor while Toby licks his face.

"Toby! Here!" Viren calls for his attention and he leaps at him.

I walk over to Veer and help him up.

"Ahil is waiting downstairs for us, let's go!" I cheer with Veer and descend the stairs holding his little hand.

Toby rushes past us in the lounge where I hear Ahil's little cheers.

With a massive smile, I enter the lounge, and Veer rushes towards his brother and hugs him.

Being almost the same age, their bond is strong. They spend every day together playing, eating, and even napping.

"Here's my little boy!" Aditi opens her arms for Veer who rushes into her open arms.

I smile as Ahil walks over to me and hugs me.

"Morning Masi," he adorably greets me.

"Champ!" Viren takes him into his arms and roars like a lion causing Ahil to shriek and chuckle.

Shaurya joins them with Veer in his arms.

I walk over to Adi and sit beside her.

"I heard you made everything today?" She asks me.

"I was feeling like it," I smile.

"Only you would feel like working this much," she rolls her eyes, and I smile.

"Morning girls!" We hear Maanya coming towards us with Toby on her toes.

She sits beside us and Starts playing with Toby.

"Masi!" Veer rushes to Maanu who takes him in her arms and makes him sit in her lap.

"What is my little munchkin up to?" She tickles his belly causing him to roll over in laughter.

"Hungry!" He replies amidst his laughing fit.

"Hungry? My baby is hungry? Then let's get some food in this belly!" She tickles him again and calls for Ahil.

"Superman? Are you hungry too?" She kisses his cheeks and he blushes.

"Hey! That's my wife!" Arhaan picks him up and tickles him. He laughs in his arms.

Our little Ahil has a crush on his Maanu Masi. He always says she's beautiful and blushes whenever she kisses him.

Often we all joke about his behavior.

"Our little boys are hungry!" Maanya stands up and tugs both of them with her.

"But they are not here yet!" I whine as they all leave the room.

"Mom and Dad are descending the stairs and I'll call Riya!" Viren walks over to me and tugs me outside.

"What about Sana and Prithvi?" I look at him.

"She just texted me they'll be here in 5 minutes." He replies while making a call to Riya.

"Hey, girl? When are you coming? Paakhi is driving me nuts!" I hit him and he laughs.

"Are you sure?" He asks on his phone.

"Okay see you then," he hangs up.

"Riya and her mystery man will take around 2 hours." He informs.

"Two hours?" I ask horrified.

"I made so much for this mystery man...," I sadly murmur.

"You know love, in our 4 years of marriage, you never cooked these many dishes for me!" He remarks as we near the table in the gardens.

"Hey! I always cook for you and with love!" I respond depressingly.

"I know love! I was kidding!" He pulls me to him and places a kiss on my head.

I swat him lightly and he chuckles.

"So guys Riya will be arriving after 2
Hours and Sana..."

"Is here!" Sana chimes in and we all holler.

Everyone stands up and greets them.

"I will sit with Dadi!" Veer insists when I pull him to the chair beside me.

"Don't bother Dadi baby, Mumma will feed you!" I tell him.

"No!!! Dadi!" He whines and opens his arms to Ma.

Ma chuckles and takes him in his arms.

"You should learn from Ahil! He's such a good boy," I scold him.

Veer pulls his tongue out at me causing Viren to pipe in, "Young Man! Never disrespect your mother!"

Veer looks down guiltily hearing Viren's stern voice.

"Sorry, Mumma," he murmurs in his baby voice causing my heart to clench. But certain things are necessary.

"It's fine baby! But don't do it again," I smile at him across the table.

"P you always amaze me as a mother!" Prithvi whispers to me.

I look to my side and smile at him.

"I'm trying," I confess.

He put an arm around me and hug me.

"I'm proud of you P," he murmurs and I smile in gratitude.

I'm so happy that Sana and he are together. They both are good for each other.

"So when is the marriage?" Aditi puts forward the question as I watch Veer eating messily.

The pasta sauce is smudged all over his face and hands.

I let him be and focus on the Discussion going on.

"It's still early," she blushes and everyone laughs.

"When are we meeting your parents officially Prithvi?" Dad asks him.

He sits straight and says, "we are just waiting for her to give the signal."

"You are teasing the poor soul here, Sana," Arhaan teases his sister.

Sana tosses a piece of bread at him which he catches in his mouth.

"Cool!" Ahil comments and high fives Arhaan.

I lean back and enjoy the chit-chat going on. We all have come a long way.
From not having anyone, now I have so many people who love me. MY FAMILY.

Things were never easy, but what happened, every problem, every difficulty brought us all here.

"I will take Veer inside and clean him up," Viren whispers in my ear and takes Veer inside.

"I will go feed Toby," Arhaan stands up and Ahil follows him.

Shaurya, Dad, mom, and Prithvi also leave to go inside.

"So tell us, how is he?" Maanya stands up and takes the seat beside Sana.

I too stand up and take Prithvi's chair.

"What do you all want me to say?" She blushes.

"How's he in bed? Who takes charge?" Aditi inquires.

"Eww, girl, he's my brother!" I scrunch up my face in disgust.

"Why would I tell you that?" Sana scowls at her.

"You guys are no fun, I can tell you what kind of sex Shaurya and I had this morning." We all groan hearing her.

"Your loss," she shrugs and we all roll our eyes at her comment.

"Let's go inside and have a cup of tea, " I suggest and we all get up to go inside.

Walking in I walk to the kitchen to look at the dessert I made,

Just as I enter in, Veer bumps into me.

I look down at him to see him holding a cookie in his hand.

"Who gave you this?" I scrutinize the half-eaten cookie.

He just smiles and places a finger on his lips.

"Who gave you this baby?" I try different tactics.

"Secret!" He giggles standing there.

"Little man don't tell your mum..." Prithvi comes sauntering towards us while munching on a cookie himself.

His face goes pale as he sees me standing there.

"P!" He hides the cookies behind his back causing Veer to mimic him.

I place my hands over my hips and glare at him.

"Do you both want to get punished?" I use my mummy tone.

"Sorry," they both look down and murmur adorably.

I stifle a smile.

"Okay, don't do this again," I instruct both of them.

They nod their head simultaneously.

"Now let's go join others," I suggest.

Veer jog away while I smile at Prithvi.

"What? He's my favorite nephew." He chuckles and I join in.

"You spoil him," I groan.

"Sorry but not sorry," he asserts and I whack him.

"Woman!" He groans while starting walking and I follow him.

We walk to the lounge room to join others and get settled with a cup of tea in our hands.

Conversations flow from everywhere when we hear Riya's cheery voice.
"Did someone make us tea?"

We all look up excitedly.

But what stunned me is the person standing behind her.

"What the hell is happening here?" Viren angrily asks. I take a hold of his hand and pull him back.

I look expectantly at Riya.

"Bhai he's my boyfriend" Riya replies defensively.

Viren stared at me and I at him.

This is going to be fun...

_____________________

Masi means Mother's Sister.
Dadi means father's Mother.
_____________________

Hey people! So I'm overwhelmed right now! These were just not characters, but people whom we experienced every emotion with.

Thank you to my beautiful readers for motivating me and appreciating my work. For always being there for me❤

*****

So I'm introducing the next book in MY HEART series.

My Heart Wants you! Sana and Prithvi's journey. It is published! Read Now!

When I'm away from you, I'm still with you, when my eyes are closed, I still see you, when I'm awake, I still dream of you, when I feel I have everything, I still need you, and no matter what My heart wants you.

▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫

"What is it you want from me?" I yell frustrated by his consistent talking.

"I don't want anything, but-" he stops talking and takes a few steps closer.

"But?" words come out as a whisper from my mouth as my body acknowledges his closeness.

"But, My heart wants you!" he utters staring into my eyes, caressing my soul.

▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫

Loving someone with your whole heart and then getting deceived by that one person you vowed to love didn't break her. But the guilt of severing her relations with her family crushed her.

Working every day to get back to her normal self, our Sana is working in a nightclub, her days are easy but nights become challenging when a very persistent someone keeps an eye on her.

Being the only child of his loving Parents, Prithvi is following his dreams of owning a nightclub. Being new in town, his club becomes instantly voguish.

He is usually an amiable person but since a certain someone came to work for him he started feeling things that he was unaware of.

How will Sana resist the charming and friendly ways of Prithvi?

What will happen that their hearts match and one becomes others want?

(Book 2 in My Heart Series)