Shreya P.O.V.:

More than a month later :

Me and Adi had all the fun we could have in a month. His cute talks can bring anyone out of their sadness. We brought home both our puppies a month ago for Adi. We couldn't bring them home as soon as came back from our honeymoon as they had to get some more vaccines done every week for two months, so we had thought that it would be better if all there vaccinations were completed and then brought home. Adi named them Ruby and Angel.

At present, I'm sitting in the office room with Adi who's coloring pictures and I am doing some work.

There wasn't a single day I didn't think about Bhabhi and Bhaiyya. There wasn't a single day Adi didn't ask me about them. But being the mature kid he was, for his age, he never cribbed over meeting his mom and dad. Somewhere inside, I was proud of him. He has the qualities of both of his parents. Abhijeet Bhaiyya's  intelligence and sharpness. Bhabhi's maturity and fun nature.

Just then, I got a call from Nandu. I picked it up. I picked it up and before I could say anything, he informed "Shreya, Bhaiyya and Bhabhi...they..." I sensed the tension in his voice and the inability of forming words. I instantly realized that something that shouldn't have happened, happened  As soon as he took the names of Bhaiyya and Bhabhi, I looked at Adi who was happily colouring. I couldn't imagine what he'd go through when he gets to know that something happened to Bhaiyya and Bhabhi. I walked away to the corner of room.

I asked Nandu "Nandu, where are they ? I mean, how do you know ?"

He replied crying "We got a call from his officials Shreya. Bhai... he's... he's n..no more and Bhabhi... Bhabhi is in a critical condition. I'm so scared Shreya. They have been shifted to a hospital in Delhi. I'm going right now."

I told "Nandu, please calm down. I really didn't expect this come our way. I can't believe what's going to happen when the Vadhera family gets to know this. I can't imagine how Adi will react." I broke into tears too. I tried calming him down and here I am, crying.

He said "Shreya, I'm going to the Vadhera Mansion now. I've called for a meeting. Everyone except Purvi will be there. It isn't justifiable to have Purvi there when she's pregnant. You'll have to explain her. I want you to be composed and please, don't take stress. Don't tell Adi as of now."

I said "Okay. I'll go to Purvi's house in a while. I need some time to prepare myself." He put down the call.

Somehow, I couldn't control myself and I started crying. I fell to my knees and buried my face into my hands. Bhaiyya was no more. He, though wasn't my real brother, never let me feel to absence of Sachu Bhaiyya. Adi came to me and asked "Shreya Maa, what happened ? Why are you crying ?"

I hugged him and continued crying. How am I going to tell this little boy that his Dad is no more. He's only 3 years and he has to go through so much at such a small age.

Adi seperated me from the hug and wiped my tears with his little hands and said "Shreya Maa, don't cry. You don't look pretty when you cry. Daddy says that you should be brave. My Shreya Maa is brave and so she shouldn't cry. Stop crying." Baby, your daddy is no more. How should I tell you.

I took his hands into mine and said "Fine. I won't cry. Now, me and my baby will get dressed up to go to Purvi Bua's house."

He jumped and said "Yay !!! I'll get to meet the small baby. Come come. Fast. Let's go." He pulled me up and ran to his room to get dressed up.

I broke into tears again. I won't be able to see his happy face change to a sad face. I went to the room and got dressed up. I went to Adi's room to check on him. He was struggling to wear his shirt. I helped him wear it and then both of us headed to Purvi's house.

All the while I drived, the only thing running in my head was how to inform Purvi and keep myself composed. I had to be strong. If I fall apart, who would console everyone else ?

As we reached Purvi's house, I parked the car and we moved in. Purvi was sitting in the living room. Adi ran into her arms while I called out for him asking him not to run.

Purvi asked me "Bhabhi, you're here all of the sudden ?"

I took my seat next to her and replied "Yeah. I had to talk with you."

I turned to Adi and said "Baby, why don't you go to the games room and play." He ran up without opposing.

I turned to Purvi and took her hand into mine. I said "Purvi, I'm going to tell you something. You need to be strong. Don't take stress. It's not good for your health. Okay ?"

She asked "Bhabhi, what happened ? You're scaring me. Please, let's get this straight."

"Purvi, Abhijeet bhaiyya... he's..no more..and Bhabhi... she's in a critical condition... please..be strong.." I told her between my sobs.

She asked me "Bhabhi, you're not joking right. Please tell me you are." I nodded in a no and hugged her. She broke out into tears. I cried with her.

I comforted her saying "Please Purvi. Don't cry. It's not good for you and the baby."

She seperated from the hug and asked me "Where are they ?"

I answered "In a hospital in Delhi. Everyone is leaving today. We shall too."

She nodded and said "Okay. I'll be ready."

I said "Yeah. All I'm worried is about how Adi is going to take all this. He's so young."

Purvi said "Let's reach Delhi and then we'll decide what to do."

I got a call from Nandu. I walked away from Purvi. I received it and asked him "When are we leaving ?"

He answered "In three hours. How's Purvi ?"

I answered "She's okay but she hasn't taken the news too well. Obviously no one will. I'll tell her that we'll leave in three hours. How's everyone there ?"

He answered "Mom's been crying ever since I revealed the news. Dushu hasn't said a word since then. Dad is miserable too but being the strong man he is, he's consoling Mom. I'm not even able to digest the news."

I comforted him saying "I know baby. But, we need to be strong for our family. Strong for Adi." He put down the call after that. I informed Purvi and took Adi home and fed him snacks.

I said to him "Baby, we're going to Delhi."

He asked me "Why Shreya Maa ?"

I answered "To meet Mom."

He jumped in excitement and said "Yay ! I can finally meet Mom. Will dad be there too ?"

Tears rolled down my cheek as he asked that question. I said nothing but nodded.

I packed clothes for Adi and left to the Airport. Nandu had asked me to come to the airport directly. At the airport, as soon as me and Nandu saw each other, we ran into each other's arms and hugged tightly. We both were crying as well as comforting each other. We then boarded a flight and left to Delhi.

At Delhi, we rushed to the hospital first. Adi asked me "Shreya Maa, why are we here ?" How am I supposed to answer this little kid ? I'm loosing out all the courage.

I took him into my arms and asked him "My baby is a strong boy right ?" He nodded. I continued "Mummy is sick. I want you to stay strong and talk with her. Don't cry infront of Mummy okay. Be a strong boy." He nodded.

I followed Nandu with Adi in my arms into Bhabhi's room. As I entered the room, I saw several wires attached to her body and she lied there lifeless. Adi held onto me tighter after seeing Bhabhi. I whispered to him "Be a brave boy baby."

But I can't expect Adi to be brave when I myself am not able to be. I made Adi beside Bhabhi. Everyone else entered the room too. Dushu came to me and said "Bhabhi, the doctors told...that... Tarika Bhabhi...she..has no chances of... living.. she.." He couldn't complete his sentence. I side hugged him. I had to stay strong. I kept repeating that in my head. I need to stay strong for my family.

I went to Bhabhi and said "Bhabhi, please.. open your eyes and talk to us. Adi is waiting to talk to you..Please Bhabhi. We need you."

Bhabhi slowly opened her eyes and I saw a tear slip from the corner of her eye. Bhabhi looked at Adi. She held Adi's hand and said "Adi, I'm so sorry that I couldn't spend time with you. I was so busy with my career that I couldn't give you a lot of time. Now, how I wish I could turn back time. But it's too late. I love you Adi." With every word, her breathing got faster and heavier.

Bhabhi took mine and Nandu's hand and put Adi's hand in ours. With that, she took her last breath. Tears made their way out. Adi held onto Bhabhi and started calling out for her. All we could do is stand there and watch him trying to bring Bhabhi back.

Adi came to me and said "Shreya Maa, see, mummy is not getting up. Ask her to get up. Please. Shreya Maa.. Shreya Maa.." He called out multiple times in the end when I failed to respond. Adi had started crying by now. 

I picked him up into my arms and hugged him close to my chest. I made my way out of the room while Rajat too brought out Purvi who was crying.

I made my way out of the hospital. It wasn't a good idea to keep Adi in the hospital scenario. I called Nandu and informed him the same. Me and Rajat took Adi and Purvi to a nearby park to distract them.

At the park, Adi asked me "Shreya Maa, what happened to Mummy ? Where is she ?"

I didn't know how to answer this question but what came to my mind was what Mom told Ishu when she had asked the same question. I told him "Baby, Mummy and Daddy are up there in the sky watching you every moment and smiling."

He asked me "So does that mean that they'll never come back to talk to me ?"

I nodded and answered "Yes. But they'll always reside in your heart." He nodded and in a few moments, he dozed off to sleep.

I called Nandu. I asked him "Are you done with all the formalities ? When can we take them back ?"

He answered "Yes. I'm done with completing the formalities. I booked tickets for tomorrow morning. Pari, I really miss both of them. Bhabhi was always my bestie and Bhaiyya, he was my inspiration and guide."

I said "I miss them too Nandu. I can't even explain how much I miss them. But baby, we need to be strong." We talked for a while and cut the call.

Next day :

We all reached Mumbai. Adi did cry a couple of times yesterday night and it's justified. We brought Bhaiyya's and Bhabhi's bodies back to Mumbai and placed them in the Vadhera Mansion. Most of the visitors were Bhaiyya's and Bhabhi's colleagues who praised them for their dedication and hardwork. The Malhotra family was present too.

Amongst all of us, Adi was the most effected. He didn't know how to react. He didn't even know what was  happening.

It was then time to light up the pyres of Bhaiyya and Bhabhi. We didn't let Purvi come to the burial ground. Nandu took Adi into his arms and they together completed the final rites and lit up the pyre. Tears rolled down everyone's cheeks. Mom was crying heavily. Adi started crying. He was uncontrollable. He got cranky and started fidgeting.

I took him into my arms and started comforting him. Slowly, his cries subsided and he fell asleep on my shoulder. All of us headed to our home.

I put Adi to sleep in our bedroom and headed down with the envelope that Bhaiyya and Bhabhi gave us before they left to their mission.

Me and Nandu, along with the Malhotra family and Vadhera family got seated in the living room. I put the envelope forward and said "This is the envelope that Bhaiyya and Bhabhi gave us before they left to their mission. They asked us to open it if they don't ever come back and the situation that they had predicted would've happened, really happened. I thought, it would be justified to read this before all of you."

I opened the envelope and there was letter attached to some documents. I read the letter out.

"Dear Shree,

          I know that you are mad at us for leaving all of you like this but I am afraid I had no choice in this matter. Now that I'm not there, I'm entrusting you with the responsibility of taking care of one of the two most important and precious people of my life - Adi.

You treat him like he's your own son. I know that he will be safe and happy as long as you are there to look after him. I know this because I used to watch how, in that one week, before I went to my mission, you kept him happy, yet at the same time, didn't spoil him. You did so many things with him in a week that I couldn't do in three years. I also saw how he started getting excited at the prospect of spending the day with you.

Right now, either me or him or the both of us are critically injured or dead. If even one of us is dead, I don't think that the other would be able to come out of the depression soon enough. This is why I'm handing the responsibility of taking care of Adi to you. Take care of him as well as you can. There is no reason for you to be crying, okay ?. I love you and I'll always love you. Not only you, but each one of you and so does Abhijeet.

Dad, Mom, you never let me feel like you're my in-laws. It always frlt like you were my . Dushu, you're the best joker I've ever met. Purvi, darling, all the best for your future and take care of your baby well okay ?. Rajat, you're the best brother any sister can ever get. Daya, I never knew that my Dewar would be my bestie. Shreya, you are one in the universe. No one can be as sacrificing and dedicated as you are towards relationships.

There is a reason for everything that happens and this was destined to happen. About the legal stuff, all the adoption papers for you to legally adopt Adi are ready. Me and Abhijeet have already signed them. Only your signs are required now. Also, the papers to legally declare Adi as your son are ready too. He should never know that the both of you aren't his real parents because he might not love you as much as he would love his own parents and would always feel our absence. Just remember this - Despite all that has happened, I trust you. No matter what happens. I know that only you will be able take care of him that he wants to be taken care. I'm sure that you can take care of him better than I can.

Promise me Shree, that you'll take care of him like your own son. I know, it's too much to ask you, but you do know how helpless I am. Treat this as my lat wish Shree. I love all of you and if something happens to both of us, we'll always live in your hearts. Love you all.

With loads of love,

Tarika

Every word brought tears to my eyes. Bhabhi trusts me so much. Sachin bhaiyya said "But Shreya, how can you do this ? I mean, it's hardly been 3 months you both have been married."

Mom said "Yes Shreya. Adi is a huge responsibility. Moreover, what will happen when you have your own kids."

Kajal Bhabhi said "Shreya, think about it. It's not something you should do. You and Daya need to spend time at this point and at this stage of life, parenting is not right."

I looked at Nandu who was looking down at the ground with tears in his eyes.

Sachin bhaiyya said "Shreya, don't take this responsibility. It's going to cause complications in the future."

Dad said "Moreover, you can hand over the responsibility to Pradyuman(Daya's father)  and Niyati (Daya's mother) right."

It was a lot for me to take. I lost my temper and shouted " What the hell do you expect me to do ? Leave him to struggle and care about my own life ? You guys are unbelievable ? How can you be so selfish ? Mom, Dad, if you remember, Ishu wasn't our own too. You both had your own kids too. Did it cause complications ? Did Ishu ever feel like she's not our own sibling or your daughter. Bhabhi trusts me so much that she got all the documents ready for me to make Adi my own son. You're talking about parenting him right. Did you forget that Bhabhi too is a mother ? She put forward her last wish and I'm going to fulfill it. Talking about our married life, it's for me and Daya to decide if we want to take the responsibility of Adi or not. I'm not going to talk about this topic anymore. I have taken a desicion and I will abide by it...no matter of you agree with it or not. Daya, do you agree with me ?" I asked looking at him. He got up from his seat and nodded smiling. I smiled back at him.

He took my hand into his and we together went to our room. We sat on the either side of Adi. I whispered "He's our first child. It doesn't matter if I haven't given him birth."

He said "Yes Pari. It doesn't matter. We consider him our first child and he is forever. We'll fulfill Bhabhi's wish."

I looked up and said "Bhabhi, thanks for trusting me. I'll never break your trust. Adi will be our own son." I looked at Nandu and smiled. He gave me back an assuring smile.

Our life is going to undergo a change from this very moment. A drastic change.

😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉

Hey guys ! Mega chapter again ! 3100+ words. Its a huge twist isn't it ? Tell me how this chapter was okay ?

Guys ! My first interview is up. It was taken by @WriterAshwini Thanks a lot Ashwini ! Please check it out guys !

I don't know when I'm going  to update next. I'm a little busy for the next few days but I'll try my best to update soon.

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