There were multiple times when Kite had landed in the Birds room. Pranav did not find any single suspicious activity in the transmitted information.
It came as a surprise when, his father, Gautam, landed down to Charu Villa, at the news of a new entry of a tiny human.
Pranav had his breath hitched when he handed the baby to his father. The old wise eyes gleamed with satisfaction, for the first time. Pranav had a mini heart attack when his father walked away with the baby in his arms. He for the first time, after his wife's death, entered their Pooja room. But instead of going to the idol of Lord Krishna, he stopped in front of the large photo of his wife.
Pranav blinked with relief when his father slowly raised the baby to the level of her face, just for a moment, bringing it back to hold him safe.
"Did you see this? A circle is completed today. You left, and I am here to relish this moment all alone." He said to the beautiful woman in the frame.
He then looked at the baby.
"I know, you would have celebrated this moment with everything in you. And I will not leave a stone unturned to fulfill your wishes. The world is supposed to know, that we have a rightful person to take over in far future." He added with misty eyes.
Pranav froze at his words.
He could now make out the real reason behind his father's actions. He could understand, why there was no sign of threat to his wife or the unborn child.
The only reason was, his father was satisfied with the progressive relationship of Pranav and Shraddha. It was just like he wanted.
Shraddha was alive because, he pretended to love her.
Everything was so crystal clear.
Gautam Agarwal decided to throw a grand party in the honour of his grandson's birth.
Long forgotten relatives were invited. Old and new business alliances were send special personalized invitations. The otherwise gloomy and lonely Villa was chirping like happy birds. Decorated from top to bottom, it had a makeover like never before. Gautam Agarwal was personally looking into everything.
Pranav, after an unknown period of time, relaxed mentally. There was a momentary relief that everything will finally be fine.
The celebration was a combination of traditional rituals and a contemporary party in the evening.
Shraddha and the baby were to be involved in the short series of rituals and a small Pooja, followed by the offering and donations of sweets, fruits and clothes to the needy.
Dressed in simple kurta, Pranav held the baby while they offered their gratitude to the almighty, in presence of family and close friends.
Kabir
It was the name decided and accepted by everyone for the new member of Agarwal family.
Surprisingly, after those rituals, Gautam blessed both Shraddha and little Kabir, and decided to leave to his usual destination, leaving the responsibility of the party on Pranav's shoulders.
He was too happy and content that day. He tucked his wife and the baby to sleep, and making sure that they are looked after well, he engaged himself with the arrangement of the party.
It came as a surprise for Jay, when Siddharth stepped on the floor and got hold of the beats. He was receiving a loud cheer and he pulled in his dear friend Pranav, who too managed to let himself out after so long.
Jay hooted and whistled as the two friends took over the stage, complimenting each other, just like old days. The music did not seem to fade away, and the happiness did not seem to cease.
No one knew, when everyone had joined them and the solo dance turned to a dual performance and then morphed into a group dance.
For the first time, Pranav truly felt carefree.
It was like, his worries had bid him a goodbye. There will be nothing but a carefree life ahead.
He slipped out of the crowd, with a mind to previlage himself with a glance of his baby, and walked towards his floor.
He was startled when a shuffling was heard on the open area of second floor of the villa. He tiptoed, with a glass of whiskey in his one hand, and other hand on the buckle of his belt.
He furrowed his eyebrows at the scene in front of him.
A young girl, dressed in white Salwar and Kurta, was standing at the open balcony, looking at the vast property spread beneath.
Her face was not visible, but her long hair that reached her mid back, was enough for Pranav to know that she did not belong to his family or circle of friends.
"Who's this?" He asked in his deep voice.
The girl was startled and turned around to look at him.
The pretty face was anxious and terrified at the same time. Her already large eyes, grew larger and her breathing stopped momentarily.
Pranav furrowed his eyebrows and looked at her suspiciously.
"I asked you something, who are you?" His voice raised a notch and she trembled.
"D...... D...... Di....... Di.. Ya" She said with difficulty, trying to keep her eyes open.
Pranav tilted his head in suspicion and looked at from head to toe.
"Diya?" A concerned voice resonated from behind and both Pranav and Diya turned around to look at Jay.
Diya sucked in a shaky breath and Jay came forward to slither an arm around her shoulders. That did not go unnoticed by Pranav.
"Hey, it's fine. He is my elder brother." he tried to calm her down.
"What is happening here?" Pranav directed his question to Jay.
"Nothing Bhai. She is my friend. Diya. She was scared to see you. That's all." Jay clarified.
Pranav looked back at the girl, who was now looking down, but was breathing evenly.
He nodded in understanding and walked away.
Diya insisted that she wanted to go back and Jay complied to her demands. He pulled out his car and drove her to her hostel and made her promise that she will see him the next day.
That night, it was very late when the guests left and the party was finally over.
Jay knew, Pranav would demand answers, and as expected, he could hear the knocks on his bedroom door.
He opened the door to find his not so happy brother, standing there, ready to shoot his questions.
"What is happening?" Pranav asked without beating around the bush.
"Nothing actually Bhai. She just wandered around and kind of lost in the Villa."
Pranav pursed his lips for a moment and analyzed him.
Jay sucked in a breath.
"She is not very social. She has difficulty in speaking when she is scared."
"Why was she here? What is going on in between you two?" Pranav asked.
"Dau I... "
"Stop buttering me Jay. I just want the truth." Pranav snapped, interrupting Jay.
Jay blinked.
"She is just a friend." he whispered.
Pranav was not satisfied with the answer.
"Why am I not liking this?"
Jay widened his eyes.
"I honestly mean no harm to her." he clarified.
That was never a point of concern for Pranav. He was sure, the harm would not come from Jay, but from someone else. He just did not want the history to repeat.
He closed his eyes briefly in irritation.
"Listen Jay, for the first and the last time, do not get involved in girls. I know you do casual flings. Keep them as they are. No strings attached."
Jay had his breath hitched, when his brother brought up his bedroom life. He chose to keep quiet and looked down.
"I do not support any serious relationship. Not until you get married. That too, with the girl that Dad decides. Is that clear?"
Jay looked up.
"I asked you something. Is that clear?" Pranav snapped again..
Jay blinked and nodded.
"Yes Bhai."
Pranav was still not satisfied, but he chose to walk away, after he ruffled Jay's hair.
It was extremely rare that Pranav lost his calm. Jay could not find any answer to his brother's unexpected anger.
Pranav just wished that the happiness he was just about to relish, after an eternity, would not prove to be momentary, and he would be left to start a mission to save another innocent life.
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Another chapter up.
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