Ishq Mein Adhoora Sa - A ShivIka SS

5.

An hour later, the Oberois and KiddOs were in the hall to welcome Farhan, Fiza and Faizan. Farhan hugged Shivaay, then Om and Rudra while Fiza hugged Gauri and Bhavya. Farhan and Fiza shook hands with RiVya and ShivOmRu respectively

"Bhavya, aap Dubai toh kabhi aaye nahi Likin ab kaam bahana nahi chalega. Ek din aapko humare ghar toh aana hi hoga." Fiza insisted.

"Zaroor aayenge Fiza likin aaj toh humein aapki khaatirdaari karne dijiye aur aap araam kijiye." Bhavya said.

"Woh toh zaroor karenge." Fiza giggled. RiVya noticed how visibly Fiza was more relaxed and laidback as compared to the last time she came to their house, which they were very glad about.

While the women sat on one side of the couch, talking about their lives and kids, the men sat on the other side, talking about work and family.

"Farhan, aunty kaisi hain?" Shivaay asked, recalling their last, and rather unpleasant, encounter.

"Theek hain. Mujhse aur Fiza se kabhi kabhi khafa ho jaati hain likin Faizan par jaan'nisar karti hain." Farhan told them and the men agreed that it was the same with all their mothers.

"Likin aaj kal unki tabiyat kuch nahi hain." Farhan added. "Toh hum unhe bhi Mumbai bulaane ki koshish kar rahe hain."

"That's good. Aunty saath rahenge toh unka khayal rakhna bhi easy hoga." Shivaay said.

"Exactly. Though... She won't really be staying with us. Humne same building 2 flats le liye hain. Upar hum teeno, neeche Ammi aur ek full time attendant." Farhan explained.

"Ek minute, likin tum aunty ko bulake unhe alag kaise rakh sakte ho?" Shivaay questioned, tone laced with disapproval

"Shivaay, hum teeno 15 saal se Dubai mein hain. Haan, Ammi aati rehti thi, hum jaate rehte the likin humare rehen-sehen ke tareeke bahot alag ho gaye hain. Fiza aur Faizan ko bhi apni personal space ki aadat hain, aur zaroorat bhi. Already Dubai se Mumbai shift hona bahot bada badlaaw hain aur main nahi chahta unhe ya ammi aur taqleef ho." Farhan explained. "I know tu joint family se hain toh shayad tere liye samajhna mushkil hoga but please try kar."

Shivaay nodded slowly. OmRu shared their thoughts on the matter, both agreeing with Farhan'a point of view before the conversation shifted to their professional lives.

A staff member approached them and informed, "Sir, khaana lag gaya hain."

The men and women made their way to the table where the KiddOs were already seated, elder three chatting, still munching on snacks.

"Okay kids, don't fill up on snacks. You'll miss out on the other delicious food." Om told them as he took his place beside Gauri.

Aroma filled the room as the servers lifted the covers off the serving bowls and put portions of each dish in plates.

"Bhaiya, iski khushbu itni achhi aa rahi. Hum toh jabse office se aayein hain, tabse khaane ka wait kar rahe hain." Bhavya gushed.

"I really hope it lives up to your expectations then." Shivaay said. "Bon Appetite everyone."

Everyone began to eat and immediately words of appreciation echoed through the dining room.

"This is, hands down, the best mutton I've ever had!" Faizan declared.

"And thanks to you, hume bhi khaane mil raha hain." Raahil said while devouring the food.

"Mumma is missing this." Ansh commented while eating.

From the corner of her eye, Shivani noticed Shivaay's jaw clench and stop chewing the morsel halfway. "I would say main thoda pack kar lete hain but I doubt ek bite bhi bachne wali hain."