Title is the song 'Tera Mera rishta' from movie 'Jalebi'

At doctor's advise, Naina consented to stay in the hospital for a week. It was needed for the babies as they were quite born at thirty six weeks, making it crucial to monitor them for a few days. Also, Dr Amrita felt it was better for Naina's recuperation as well, making it possible for her to check on her every day. Though the delivery had gone fine, she was worried about any after effects. But her worries eased out with each passing day. Naina was healing well. She had discussed with Harmeet, and shared Naina's reports. He too agreed that her system was recovering steadily. There was no postpartum complication, which was a relief.

Harmeet had been paranoid when he came to know of twin pregnancy. It was an extremely risky situation, but he could not forewarn Naina or Sameer about the things which could go wrong. All he did was pray, besides keeping a regular check on the reports that he received from Dr Amrita after every visit. He had researched quite a bit about complexity of such cases, had even made a few suggestions in medication to Dr Amrita which she had incorporated... and they had helped Naina reach the ninth month. He would have preferred another two weeks but when he received the report about her bleeding, he knew more wait could be fatal for any... or all the three. He had waited with his heart in his mouth while Naina went through her labour. When he got to know about the successful natural birth, he couldn't control his tears.

Next evening, he had spoken to Naina on video call, congratulating her and Sameer. By then, Dr Amrita had informed them about his involvement throughout. Naina had no words to express her gratitude.

After the call, she recalled her initial days in Delhi, when she had her first long conversation with Bhalla aunty, that she had also shared with Sameer in Canada.

"Kitni ajeeb baat hai na Sameer, ki mujhe Bhalla aunty ke ghar hi aana tha... jinke saath khud bhi ek haadsa hua tha. Pata nahi, agar aisa na hua hota toh Harmeet ji yeh field choose karte ya nahi. Phir hamari kismat mein yeh din shayad..." Her voice quivered as she relived all that had made this journey possible.

Sameer perched next to her, and took her hand in his, "Yeh sab hona hi tha Naina... kismat mein likha tha, meri bhi, aur tumhari bhi. Bas kismat ne ek ek karke kadi se kadi jod di. Pehle hum ajnabi se humsafar bane, aur ab ek bhara poora parivaar."

Her damp eyes sparkled, "Jab yahan aayi thi Agra se... kabhi socha nahi tha meri zindagi iss tarah badal jayegi. Maine toh kabhi aisa koi sapna tak nahi dekha tha."

Lifting her hand, he brushed his lips over her knuckles, "Maine dekha tha, tumhe sapno mein. Aur jis din tum sapno se nikal ke mere saamne aayi, main samajh gaya ki kuch toh likha tha hamari kismat mein, jisne humein aamne saamne laake khada kar diya. Naina, yeh jo weird se coincidences hote the na hamare saath, yeh sab humein paas laane ke liye the."

She smiled, "Hamari destiny ne humein ek doosre se mila diya. Lekin jo sab kuch humko mila hai woh bhi toh kismat hi hai na Sameer. Tumse shaadi hui toh mujhe phir se mummy papa mil gaye, Ayush ko main jis tarah se apnana chahti thi, woh raasta mil gaya, aur ab..." She glanced gratefully at the babies next to her, "...ab yeh dono. Jis khushi ki umeed tak nahi thi woh double hoke mili hai humein."

Sameer's eyes adored the peacefully sleeping twins, "Jaise Ayush ne tumhari life mein aake tumhare ek khaalipan ko bhara tha, ab yeh dono mumma papa ka roop banke aaye hain."

Her eyes darted to him, full of surprise.

He cupped her face, "Haan Naina, Doctor ne jab bataya ki ek ladka aur ek ladki hai toh sabse pehle mujhe mumma papa ka hi khyal aaya. Ho sakta hai na ki woh hi wapas aaye hain, apni Naina ke paas."

She kept on staring at him for a few seconds, then tilted her chin up and placed a kiss on his forehead. Her eyes were again misty as she smiled, "I love you."

Dipping his head to the side, he kissed her cheek, "I love you too."

The babies started squirming that very moment, seeking attention. Naina pressed the bell behind her and a nurse came rushing in within seconds. She helped Naina to change the diapers for both before they could be fed. It was the first time Sameer saw the little ones without their wraps. If he had felt they were small earlier, now he was shocked to see the tiny limbs, and even tinier fingers and toes.

Before the nurse could bundle them up again, he delicately touched his daughter's hand. Instantly, her fingers curled around his thumb. His eyes shot up at Naina, in awe.

She smiled, "Tumhari princess abhi se papa ko pehchanti hai."

He leaned, and very lightly brushed his lips over her tiny hand. The little one gifted him a smile, a small one, but it made his heart swell. As the nurse packed up the baby again, he couldn't wait for the time when he would be able to play with his children.

As if she could read his mind, Naina placed a hand on his chest, "Bohot jaldi woh din ayega jab dono tumhare saath khelne ka wait karenge, ki kab hamare papa office se ayenge aur kab humein pamper karenge. Kyonki main toh strict wali mom hi banungi na."

He put his palm over her hand, smiling, "Tum best mom banogi, jaise Ayush ki ho. Aur main poori koshish karunga apne angels ke liye best papa banne ki."

She pinched his nose playfully, "Pehle diaper change karna toh seekh lo papa. Sabse important wohi hota hai."

He nodded, hoping he could handle the babies as well as he had seen the nurse do it, or, he was sure, Naina would be able to.

This one week in hospital was no less than attaining a new degree for Sameer. Changing diapers was not the only job to be done. He learned so much about babies that never occurred to him even in nearly one year of Arhaan being in the house, let alone from the reading material that he had been going through all the time for reference. The little ones were quite handful for the two of them. When Dr Samarth had mentioned that generally twins mirrored each others' actions, Sameer and Naina had expected them to sleep and stay awake at similar times. But it seemed their little bundles were not aware of the pattern they were supposed to follow. After the first day, they were never ever in sync.

When one was wide awake, other remained in deep slumber... while one demanded attention, other cried out at being bothered... one bawled to be fed, other soiled the diaper. Both parents were catering to some or the other needs of their bundles of joy, almost all the time. While Naina nursed them, staying put in bed mostly, Sameer was on his toes constantly. In the entire week, he could attend only two meetings, unable to log in for other requirements. Though Vishakha and Deepika were around most of the time, he wanted to recognise all habits and traits of his babies, so he could decipher their requirements on his own.

At the end of the week, when it was time to be discharged, Dr Amrita gave a long list of instructions, for Naina as well as Sameer. At the end of her talk, she gazed at their intent faces, then let out a warm smile, "I know you both will be wonderful parents."

Looking at each other, Sameer and Naina beamed, having the same confidence in the other one.

As they got up to leave, Dr Amrita came around the table and hugged Naina. Moving back after a minute, she patted her cheek, "I'm proud of you. Tumhara positive attitude tumhari taakat hai. Hamari koshishen bekaar ho jaati agar tumne itni himmat na dikhayi hoti. Hamesha aisi hi rehna. Take care."

Vivek and Vishakha had come to pick them up, while others stayed back at home, to prepare for the grand welcome. As the car turned into the familiar lane, Naina gazed at the white bunglow, realising how much she had missed home.

Sameer helped her out of the car, while the babies were with the grandparents. As they slowly approached the main door, Naina noticed the floral chains all over it. Vishakha stopped at the entrance, gesturing to Vivek. They handed the babies to Naina and Sameer.

Vishakha kept her arm around Naina for support, "Ghar mein pehla kadam tum chaaron saath mein rakho."

Nanu's excited voice reverberated, "Ruko ruko. Pehle mujhe apne bachhon ki aarti toh karne do."

Naina felt a sense of deja vu as nanu rotated the puja thali around four of them, a wide grin plastered on his face. However, unlike previous occasion, there was no one behind him. Craning her neck, she tried to look behind, but the door was partially open, restricting the view. She wondered where everyone was... or maybe they were not aware yet that the babies had arrived home.

"Nainaaa." Sameer nudged her with his elbow, "Kahan kho gayi?"

Startled, she looked ahead to find nanu holding a piece of sweet in front of her mouth. Taking a small bite, she smiled, "Thank you nanu."

After feeding the same to Sameer, nanu put aside the thali and placed his hands on both their heads, "Thank you humein kehna chahiye... iss ghar mein itni khushiyaan laane ke liye." He then gently put his hands on both babies, "Thank you tum dono ko bhi, mujhe apna bada dadu chunne ke liye."

He moved aside, to clear the way for all of them to walk in. Together, the four of them stepped in, to be greeted by rest of the family with a loud cheer.

"Welcome home little angels!" Screamed Preeti, Rohan and Deepika.

"Oho dheere." Vishakha chided, "Bachhe uth jayenge."

They crowded around the babies, cooing and whispering even though both had their eyes closed.

Naina turned her gaze towards the far corner, "Sameer, babies ko naniji aur mumma papa se bhi milwa dete hain."

Nodding, he walked with her towards the area where the frames were put up. Saying a silent prayer, Naina touched the baby boy in her arms to all three frames, with Sameer following suit with his daughter. They gazed at the pictures for a few moments. The smile on all three faces was vibrant, signifying happiness and joy. Naina felt a contentment in her heart. Though they were not with her, she was sure her parents would be happiest today, seeing her blissful world.

Only when she turned around did she see the elaborate arrangement. The room was filled with strings and bunches of balloons in pink, blue and white. Silver streamers swayed between the bunches. A poster on the main wall had an adorable picture of babies from the day they were born. And her favourite white lilies adorned every corner of the room, two sticks in each vase.

She smiled at Preeti, "It's beautiful."

Preeti grinned, leaning towards her, "Waise main credit le sakti hun par aaj sab kuch Rohan ne plan kiya hai."

Naina turned to Rohan, "Bohot pyara hai sab kuch. Thank you."

He bowed, "Pleasure is mine, my dear bhabhi."

A sideways glance at Sameer made him snigger. A slight frown had made its place on his forehead.

Ramdhari came ahead with fisted hand and started to wave it in circles over the babies, "Apne ghar mein apka swagat hai. Aap dono ko kabhi koi buri nazar na lage."

Sameer narrowed his eyes, "Tu inko kya boxing sikhane ki koshish kar raha hai?"

Ramdhari continued with what he was doing, his smile intact, "Aapko samajh nahi ayega. Aisa karna zaruri hai, jo bohot pyare hote hain unke liye."

"Tujhe pehle se pata tha yeh dono pyare honge?" Sameer teased.

"Aur kya." Ramdhari said matter of factly, "Humein malum tha Naina bhabhi ke jaise honge."

His brows joined in annoyance, "Matlab mere jaise hote toh pyare nahi hote?"

Without another word, Ramdhari ended his ritual, touched both babies' forehead with his fist and walked away to the kitchen.

Sameer gaped in shock, "Yeh... yeh meri baat ko ignore karke chala gaya." Frowning, he looked at his mother, who was trying to control her smirk, "Mummy, aapne kuch zyada hi sar chadha rakha hai Ramdhari ko. Dekha, kaise meri insult karke gaya."

Taking the baby from Naina, Vishakha escorted her to the large sofa chair, "Bhai main toh ab apne grandchildren ko sar pe chadaungi. Tum sab bade ho chuke ho, apne issues khud handle karo."

Vivek patted Sameer's shoulder, "Arre tu bhi kiski baaton mein aa raha hai. Ramdhari bina jawab diye isliye chala gaya kyonki nazar utarne ke baad mirchi ko jalane se pehle kisi se baat nahi karte."

Nanu chuckled, "Vivek theek keh raha hai. Lekin Sameer, tune kabse apni biwi se competition shuru kar diya."

"Competition? Not at all nanu." He sheepishly smiled.

Rohan placed his elbow on Sameer's shoulder, facing nanu, "Kya hai na nanu, kisi aur ke muh se bhabhi ki praise sunke bhai ko thoda indigestion ho jaata hai."

Vivek let out a hearty laugh, "Phir toh tu dawa apni jeb mein rakha kar Sameer. Hamari Naina ki tareef toh har koi karega, ghar pe bhi aur bahar bhi."

Naina was embarrassed, "Papa, Sameer ka woh matlab nahi tha."

Preeti winked at her, "Of course. Sameer ke saare hidden matlab samajhne ka course toh aapne hi kiya hai madam."

Naina turned more red, "Chup kar. Aur yeh bata bachhe kahan hain."

"Hein?" Preeti widened her eyes dramatically, "Tujhe dikh nahi rahe kya? Eye sight weak ho gayi shayad... ya phir Sameer ke aage koi nahi dikhta."

Naina smacked her arm and hissed in low voice, "Pagal hai kya, kuch bhi bol rahi hai sabke saamne. Main Ayush aur Arhaan ki baat kar rahi hun."

"Dekho kaun aaya hai bhabhi." Before Preeti could reply, Deepika cried out from behind them.

Naina turned to see Arhaan in a pram, while Ayush stood beside him, holding a banner that said, 'Thank you mumma'. A similar banner was put up over the handle of pram, with a bit different words, 'Thank you Naina mumma'. Both banners were dotted with colourful stars. Like Ayush, Arhaan had a big grin on his face. Seeing Naina smile, he raised his arms, asking to be picked up.

Rohan lifted him from the pram, laughing at his eagerness to go to his Naina mumma. Ayush ran to her, flinging his arms around Naina's neck, squealing in joy, "Wow mumma, abse mere brother aur sister hamare saath hi rahenge, issi house mein. Haina?"

She nodded, kissing his cheek, "Tere aur Aru ke paas rahenge dono." She pointed at the banners, "Tune Aru ko abhi se likhna sikha diya? Aur stars banane bhi?"

Ayush giggled, clasping his mouth with one hand, "Buddhu mumma, woh toh maine likha hai Aru ke liye." He turned to others, "Mumma ko laga Aru ne banaya hai."

Preeti laughed, "Teri mumma sach mein buddhu hai."

Sameer came over and took the seat next to Naina, smiling, "Buddhu nahi sabse intelligent hai. Uski choice se hi pata chalta hai."

Preeti rolled her eyes, "Ghoom phir ke inki sui ek hi jagah aati hai. Bas thode din aur mister. Uske baad yeh bachhe itne smart ho jayenge na ki tumhe aur tumhare bhai ko koi dekhega tak nahi."

Rohan raised his brows at Arhaan, "Humein koi nahi dekhega?"

Arhaan was too pleased to shake his head forcefully.

Ramdhari brought kheer for everyone. He gave a different bowl to Naina, proudly telling her that he had added crushed dry fruits for her, claiming that it was better for a new mother.

"Hamari amma ne bataya tha jab Aru baba paida hue the." He informed when Naina asked how he knew so much.

Sameer got up, holding out the baby to him, "Itna sab bataya yeh nahi bataya kaki ne ki bachhe ko goud mein bhi lena chahiye. Tab se bas faaltu ki baatein kiya jaa raha hai. Chal, hamari princess ko uska ghar dikha."

With a full smile blooming on his face, he quickly wiped his hands on the towel around his neck. Gingerly, he took the little bundle in his folded arms, "Aap toh iss ghar ki gudiya hain... lakshmi hain. Chaliye, sabse pehle aapko mandir dikhate hain."

Naina didn't fail to notice the smile on Sameer's face. Whatever he said to Ramdhari, or however much he reprimanded him, the fact was that Ramdhari was considered a part of the family by everyone.

Next update on Monday