One day, Prerna picked Kukki up from school and the little girl was excited about something. Prerna could hardly get her to change clothes before Kukki went to grab her bag.

"Accha ji, what's the excitement, huh?" Prerna asked as she sat down with Kukki.

Kukki pulled out a folder from her backpack.

"Homework mila hai? Lao dikhao," Prerna took the folder and opened it up. "Oh, you're learning about family tree, huh?"

Kukki nodded and took a paper out from the folder, putting it on the table. She showed Prerna a family tree that started with Kukki. Then above there was Rishabh and a side line connecting him to Sia, and a whole line connecting to Prerna, labeled Pari Maa. Kukki pointed to the branches going above Prerna, asking her who was in her family.

"Meri family? Hmm. Meri family mein maan hain, jinse aap mili thi. Mera chota bhai hai, jo aapki birthday pe aaya tha. Meri choti behen hai, Shivani," Prerna sighed heavily. "Aur mera bara bhai, Shekhar."

Kukki was impressed. She held three fingers out, waving them excitedly. Prerna laughed. "Ji! Itne saare! Aap ko kya chahiye?" Prerna thought for her. "Behen? Choti so doll?"

Kukki shook her head.

"No?! Kyun?"

Kukki pointed at Rishabh's name and hugged herself, hand over heart.

Prerna laughed. "Papa ko share nahi karna aapne?"

Kukki nodded and expressed that she was the only girl in her papa's life.

"To phir... bhai?"

Kukki excitedly nodded.

"Acha? Itna pasand hai bhai! Kyun?"

Kukki grabbed Prerna's wrist and tied an imaginary dori. Prerna understood.

"Raksha bandhan!"

Kukki nodded, and motioned like she was hugging a lot of things. Prerna laughed and messed with Kukki. "Oho! To aapko gifts chahiye!"

Kukki smiled mischievously. Then, in her motions, she asked Prerna where her brothers were. Prerna thought about how to answer, looking worried.

"Mere bhai... pata nahi kabh milenge," she said mostly to herself.

Kukki pulled on her sleeve and told her Raksha bandhan was in a few days. Prerna smiled and pulled Kukki in her lap.

"I know, but mein kya karu?"

Kukki made a motion like she had an idea.
She expressed that she would like to go shopping for Raksha Bandhan supplies.

The next day after school, Prerna took Kukki shopping. The duo had fun picking out doris and trays and all the other fun stuff. Later at home, Kukki asked Rishabh to put her to bed. While they were laying together, Kukki told Rishabh about Raksha bandhan and expressed her sadness in Prerna not being able to see her brothers. On the other hand, to Rishabh's surprise, Kukki told him she was excited about having a little brother, and showed him the small dori she had bought for the baby.

That night, Rishabh was contemplative as he stayed up in bed. Of course Prerna was starting to show a little bit. He didn't know how long she was. Rishabh didn't know what he would say to Kukki; it wasn't their baby. He was frustrated, as it would be hard to break their relationship once the deal was complete. Once Kukki would speak, and Prerna would be free.

In the morning, Rishabh was late, waking up when Prerna came back from dropping Kukki at school. He didn't have any big meetings today, so instead he asked Mehra to organize a big Raksha Bandhan event, inviting families across the city. That way, in front of everyone, Prerna could celebrate Raksha bandhan with her brothers.

The event invited everyone, and circumstantially, the Basus lived in this city as well. Tapur insisted on going, even though it was a Bajaj event, and Nivi gave in to her excitement. In Bajaj Manor, however, the joy was much less. Prerna was nervous about meeting Shekhar. Kukki cheered her up by saying she would go with Prerna.

Finally, it was the day of Raksha Bandhan and everyone dressed to the nines. In Sharma house, Suman and Shivi were excited to go the event with their brothers. Dadi and Veena took Shekhar aside and convinced him to let go of his anger at least for today. Shekhar relented, and took his family to the event.

It was a big ground, too big to be contained in a building. The decorations were beautiful and there were a few temples made around the space to accommodate the many families. There was a thali station, where there were a lot of options to choose the items. Shivani wanted to run off, but Veena held her back.

Not too later, Prerna arrived with Mr. Bajaj and Kukki. Rishabh welcomed the guests and introduced the event, letting the festivities begin. There was still at least an hour to the auspicious time.

Tentatively, Prerna followed Kukki to where her family was waiting. Kukki excitedly went to Veena and met Mahesh and dadi. The rest of the family were stand offish at first, but slowly warmed up to Kukki.

Veena nodded to her bahu and Suman took Prerna and Shivi to the thali stall. The girls were having so much fun, they forgot they weren't on speaking terms.

Finally, it was the hour of prayer, and the families gathered to do the rituals. Shivi went first and Prerna smiled as she waited her turn. Prerna did Mahesh first, and was nervous in approaching Shekhar. After a long minute, Shekhar smiled and extended his arm, grazing his hand over her head. Prerna had tears in her eyes and after tying the Rakhi, she cried in her brother's arms.

"I'm so sorry, bhai. Main ne aap sabh ko bohot pareshan kya, trust me, meri intention..."

Shekhar shook his head and calmed Prerna. "I'm sorry too. Ghusse mein main bhul gya ke tumne hamare liye kitne sacrifices kiye hain. Kya ho sakta hai ki Rakhi ho aur hum na milein?"

Prerna smiled.

"Aaj tujhe jo chahiye maang le,"

Prerna shook her head this time. "Mujhe aap sabh mil gaye, mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye." She cried and hugged her brother, and everyone else hugged over them.

Eventually they dispersed and Kukki pulled Prerna down. Prerna hugged her daughter. "Yeh sabh aapne karaya hai na?" Prerna asked her.

Kukki scrunched her nose and signed papa. Prerna looked for Rishabh but he wasn't there. Prerna hugged her again and thanked her. Kukki pulled on Prerna's arm and pointed to her brothers.

"Apne bhi bandhni hai? Jao, karo!" Prerna encouraged her.

Kukki got out the two Rakhi she had gotten and tied one on each of her new uncles.

From afar, Anurag was more interested in watching the Bajaj family than his own. He wasn't paying attention as his sisters were doing his aarti, and just wished they would hurry up. Anupam noticed, and felt sad for his wife.

After the aarti, families were invited to explore the stalls and let the daughters pick their own gifts. Anurag let his sisters run off and sat steaming. Anupam was trying to direct Anurag to his family, but he wasn't interested.

"Yeh Shekhar bhi mil gaya hai inke saath. Agar woh Prerna ko forgive karde ga, to mere liye mushkil hoga. Isko, isko phir Mr. Bajaj ke against karna hoga."

On the other hand, the Sharmas were finally enjoying themselves. They took gifts and ate food together and stayed till the end of the event. Prerna thanked all the families for coming as they slowly left. Her driver showed her extra cars that Mr. Bajaj had left for Prerna's family. The Sharma family thanked her and greeted each other goodbye, promising to invite Prerna to their home again.

Kukki and Prerna went home, where Rishabh was working. He came down to check on her once Kukki and Prerna were in her room.

"So, did you enjoy, Kukki?" He asked once Kukki got done changing into her pajamas.

Kukki nodded and ran to her purse. Prerna scolded her for getting out of bed. Kukki came back and opened her purse, taking out the small rakhi she had gotten.

"Arre! Yeh kya hai?" Prerna asked.

Kukki took Prerna's hand and tied the thread on two of her fingers. Prerna watched interestedly. "Yeh kiske liye hai?"

Kukki giggled and hugged Prerna, kissing her belly. Prerna worriedly looked to Rishabh for a second before she caressed Kukki.

"Thank you, very much. Abh mein change karke aati hoon, tabh tak aap papa ke saath story read karo, okay?"

Kukki nodded and Prerna kissed her head and went to change.