Kaira's breath stopped. Puja was only for family members. The Singhanias had reached and the Maheshwaris were travelling so they'd not be attending. All those who were left were.....
"Dida!" Roohi yelled running to the door as two people stepped into the Goenka Mansion.
Kaira slowly turned to look over at Akshara and Abhinav. Akshara had frozen, knuckles white as she clutched Aarohi's hand for support, face losing all colour once she spotted Abhimanyu.
Abhinav, who had never met Abhimanyu didn't notice the change in the air until his eyes fell on Akshara's terrified expression and Kaira's worried glance. He watched as Roohi was the only one who excitedly greeted the Birlas.
Manjari walked in with a thaal and stood in front of Karthik and Naira, not before shooting a withering glare towards Akshara.
Akshara flinched as Abhinav and Aarohi stood in front of her in silent solidarity.
Kaira felt some courage seep back in when she saw that. You're not alone Akshu Di.
"Salgira mubarak ho Karthik-ji, Naira-ji." Manjari forced a smile as she gave Naira the thaal. Naira politely smiled and accepted her gift.
"Acha hua aap aa payi Manjari-ji."
"Arrey aise kaise nahi aate, itne saalon baad aap dono apni salgira mana rahe hain."
Karthik nodded politely and gestured to introduce keerit and Naksh. "Aap Keerti aur Naksh ko toh jaante hi hain."
"Namaste."
"Haan haan, lekin bohot din hogaye milkar. Aakri baar shayad shaadi mein hi mile the."
Akshara flinched again.
Kaira stepped up in front. "Manjari aunty. Kaisi hain aap? Aaru Di bata rahi thi ki aapki tabiyat kuch theek nahi thi?"
"Arrey Kaira beta. Main bilkul theek hoon."
"Abhimanyu, Manjari Aunty aapko kisi se milwana tha. Yeh hain Abhinav Sharma, mere Jiju."
Abhimanyu stilled when Kaira said the word Jiju for someone else. He awkwardly folded his hands in a namaste, Abhinav returning the stiffed gesture. Abhimanyu didn't dare to look over Abhinav's shoulder, he couldn't face Akshara just yet.
"Arrey aap sab khade kya hain, chaliye, puja mein baiththe hain. Pandit-ji kuch der mein shuru karne hi waale hain." Naira ushered everyone inside.
The guests were seated and the puja commenced. Naira squeezed Karthik's hand, making him untense his shoulders. After that incident, the Birlas and Goenkas didn't meet often. Aarohi used to keep two separate parties for Roohi's birthday.
They thought it was best if they maintained distance. The last time they were all under the same roof was at Neil's funeral.
"Havan ke liye ghee la dijiye." The pandit ji instructed.
Kaira took the puja vessel and went into the kitchen to get the shudh ghee Mimi had kept aside. Kaira struggled as the container was too tightly wedged.
"Kaira jaldi aao beta." Swarna called out.
"Aayi Dadi! Yeh khul kyun nahi raha." Kaira struggled for a minute before giving up. "Jiju zara idhar aana!"
"Haan Kaira?" Tow voices rang out as both Abhinav and Abhimanyu stood up.
Abhimanyu froze, realising his mistake. He could feel all eyes on him. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he lowered himself to his seat as Abhinav went to Kaira.
Muskaan watched with hawk eyes as Akshara refused to even look in Abhimanyu's direction, eyes trained on the floor. If the silence was uncomfortable before, it was suffocating now.
Kaira and Abhinav returned with the ghee, Abhinav taking his place beside Akshara. He folded his hands, paying attention to the mantras when he felt a small tug on his kurta sleeve.
Abhinav glanced at Akshara looking at him. "I'm sorry."
"Kis baath ki Akshara-j...?" Abhinav bit back the 'ji'. He couldn't change a six year habit in a day.
"Voh....Ab...Dr. Birla ke liye, sorry."
"Arrey aap bhi ji. Voh aadat se uth gaye honge. Mujhse pehle, yeh unki jagah thi na."
"Nahi. Aapki jagah hum sab ke zindagi mein alag hain. Khas hain. Jo pehle kisi ki nahi thi. Sirf aapki jagah hain yeh." Akshara stressed, hoping the point went across to him.
Abhinav smiled and nodded. "Janta hoon ji. Aap tension mat lijiye."
Akshara smiled at him and focused back on the puja. She was glad neither Abhir nor Roohi witnessed the incident, too engrossed in their plans to snatch up more ladoos.
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Naitik stifled his laughs as Karthik fussed over himself. After the puja, everyone had eaten a wonderful lunch made by their trusted Ramesh Kaka and were currently getting ready for the party.
Naitik laughed as Karthik tried to hide his grey hair. "Arrey Karthik bas bhi karo, itne saalon mein meri beti ne tumhare saare sides dekh liye. Ab kya impress karne ki koshish kar raha hain?"
"Papa aap disturb mat karo, mujhe concentrate karne do."
"Rehne dijiye Dadu, Mamu nahi maange. Itne saalon baad anniversary mana rahe hain, Bua ko impress karke hi rahenge." Krish said, not looking up from his phone.
"Acha yeh toh batao Naira ke liye kya laye ho tum?" Keerti asked, helping him with the tie.
"Surprise hain. Nahi batunga."
"Arrey surprise Naira ke liye hamare liye thodi. Batao na."
"Naksh tumhari biwi ko yahan se lekar jao, mujhe bohot tang kar rahi hain."
Naksh had made himself comfortable on the bed, playing some kind of video game with Krish, engrossed in it. "Na bhai na. Main apne sasural aaya hoon aish karne. Yaha par teri behen teri pareshaani hain."
"Pareshaani kisko bola?"
Naksh jerked. "Kuch nahi. Beheno ka toh kaam hota hain bhia ko satana. Aap na Karthik ko satao, mein apni behen ko satha kar aata hoon."
And escaped from his wife's gaze.
Taking their chance, Naitik and Karthik sat on either side of Krish, not so subtly gesturing at each other to start talking first in a silent, unspoken argument.
Admitting defeat, Karthik cleared his throat. "Toh Krish beta, kaam kaise chal raha hain?"
"Theek chal raha hain Mamu." Krish absentmindedly replied, not realising the trap he was slowly falling into.
Keerti tried to hide her smile, urging her father in law to say more.
"Krish tumhare liye toh sab set hain na. Job achi chal rahi hain, dost sab settled hain. Hain na?"
Krish felt something odd and slowly looked up from his phone to realise three sets of eyes staring at him. "Haan?"
"To tere Mamu soch rahe the ki--"
"Main akela nahi!" Karthik clarified.
"Tere Mamu aur main soch rahe the ki, woh Mathur ki beti yaad hain? Uske saath...."
"Uske saath?" Krish prompted.
"Uske saath tere rishte ki baat kare?"
Krish got up from between them. "Bilkul nahi! Phir se mere shaadi ke peeche pad gaye! Mumma yaar aap bhi?"
"Umar ho rahi hain teri. Akshu aur Aaru ko dekh, tujhse choti hain lekin dono ke bacche hogaye! Teri baari kab aayegi?"
"Kya aap bhi. Mujhe toh aap logon se baat hi nahi karni." And Krish stormed out of the room as the three sighed.
"Krish ko shaadi se itna dar kyun lagta hain? Jab baath chalathe hain tab bhaag jaata hain."
Keerti hummed. "Yeh hamari baath nahi manega Papa. Uske bhai behen kuch kahenge toh hi manega."
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"Dekho ek acche pati banne ke liye yeh bohot important hain." Karthik spoke and Abhinav hung on to each word of his. "35 years of experience ke saath bol raha hoon."
Aarohi and Kaira struggled to control their laughter, watching the sasur-jamai duo standing below the steps, waiting for their wives to make their entry.
"Maasi? Yeh kya ho raha hain?" Abhir tugged at Kaira's sleeve.
"Bonding....shayad." Kaira snorted as Abhinav even copied Karthik's stance.
"Ab dhyaan se suno Abhinav. Ek sukhi jeevan ka secret formula hain. Jab bhi apni biwi ko dekhno na, bas dil par haath rakh kar, woh saare lamhe yaad karo jab tumne usse chup ke se nihara tha aur jaise woh tumhe dekhe---"
Just as Karthik paused, Akshara and Naira walked down the stairs, looking like angels that had descended down from heaven.
Unwittingly, both Abhinav and Karthik let out a smitten sigh and in unison said, "Hai."
Abhinav waited for Akshara to come to him while Karthik climbed the remaining few steps to offer Naira his hand, Naira smiling brightly at him.
Akshara came and stood beside Abhinav, smiling softly. Akshara fixed her saree pleats and turned only to find Abhinav looking at her. "Kaisi lag rahi hoon main?"
"Bohot sundar ji. Yeh rang aap par khubh jajtha hain." Akshara was dressed in a light pink saree for the party.
Akshara smiled at him. Main koshish kar rahi hoon Abhinav. Lekin aapko jhooti umeed dena mujhe manzoor nahi. Jis din main aapko pure dil se apna paungi, uss din main aapke laye jhumke pehnungi.
She thought to herself.
"Party shuru kare?" Kaira asked, breaking them out of their reverie.
"Shubh kaam mein deri kaisi?" Abhinav asked, making everyone cheer.
The lights went out and Kaira and Aarohi took the stage. "Deviyon aur sajano. Swagat hai aapke, che saalon baad, ek rangeen utsav, Karthik aur Naira ki salgira!!!" Kaira announced as cheers erupted.
"Toh aaj ka din, Karthik Naira ke naam. Aaj unke pyar ka utsav hain, unki yaadon ka mela." Aarohi and Kaira moved to the side as a screen was lowered with an adorable picture of the couple. "Aaj ke party ka theme hain 'Memories'."
Kaira continued. "Toh aaj hum un yaadon ki baarat ka swagat karne vale hain. Shurvat ke liye, hum ek game khelenge. Main aur Aaru Di yahak kuch pictures dikhayenge aur hum sab us picture se judi yaadon ko firse yaad karenge."
Kaira clicked on the remote and the first image came up.
Karthik and Naira smiled fondly at the picture.
Kaira and the rest of the family cooed. "Hai. Yeh Mumma Papa ki meri favourite photo hain."
"Ab aap dono ko isse recreate karna hi hoga." Aarohi said as the rest nodded in agreement.
"Haan bhai ho jaye! Gaana lago koyi!" Naitik yelled, Manish clapping his shoulder.
Karthik and Naira took the centre stage as the beat dropped, dancing in perfect sync, as though they learnt the dance just yesterday. And they read each other's improvisation like a well known book, like the back of their hand.
Haye dil dhadkaye, seeti bajaye
Beech sadak pe nakhre dikhaye
Saare, ho karke ishare
Ho ladki.. aan aan aan...Ho ladki.. aan aan aan...
Oh ladki aankh marey
Aankh maare
Oh ladki aankh marey
Aankh maare
Oh ladki aankh marey
Everyone cheered and whistled. The Birlas clapped politely as Karthik and Naira took their seat. Aarohi moved onto the next picture.
"Iss photo ke baare main main kuch bataunga." Naksh stood up and took the mic. "Keerti aur hamari sagai. Mana yeh hamari shaadi ke album se hain magar, yeh din Karthik aur Naira ke bina nahi aata. Un dono ke bina hame hamari Keerti nahi milti."
Naira and Karthik looked at their brother fondly. "Bhai shaadi hamari thi lekin maza in dono ko bohot aa raha tha. Pura din ladkiwaale- ladkewaale karte rehthe the."
Everyone laughed as they remembered those days while the kids listened with rapt attention, wishing they could have witnessed it first hand.
Naksh'e eyes softened as he got a little sentimental. "Keerti aur hamare shaadi mein kai problems aayi thi. Ek baar hum dono ki baath bhi hui thi ki shayad hame yeh shaadi rokh deni chahiye."
Everyone sat up a little straighter. This was news to them.
"Lekin Karthik aur Naira anjaane mein hamari takhat bane. Unke rishte ko dekhar hame hosla mila. Unka rishta kaafi alag hain. Sabse alag. Hame toh khabhi khabhi inka rishta samajh mein bhi nahi aata tha. Lekin ek cheez hum sabko pata thi. Inka pyaa atoot hai. Kitne zakhme jhele hain inhone, lekin kisi na kisi tarah uss sabko paar karke jeeth gaye yeh dono. Zindagi main tum dono jeeth gaye, Karthik Naira."
Not a single dry eye was present in the room, Naira running up to hug her brother, Karthik just a step behind her.
"Yeh photo....." A voice spoke up, shocking everyone. Kairav stood up and took the mic from Naksh. Karthik stood by the stage in shock with his wife in his arms, much like in the picture, hope brimming in their eyes.
"Yeh photo maine khichi thi. Yeh uss din ki baath hai jab mujhe laga mujhse mera sab kuch cheen gaya."
"Kairav...." Naira's eyes brimmed with tears as she remembered that horrific day.
"Hum sab picnic ke liye nikle the, aur hamare bus ka accident hua. Yeh tab tha jab Akshara aur Aarohi che mahine ki thi aur Kaira toh paida bhi nahi hui thi."
Karthik wiped away the tears. He remembered how helpless he felt that day. He thought he had lost his Naira forever. Unconsciously, he tightened his grip around Naira.
"Uss din, by chance hum sab bach gaye. Mumma ko maine apni aankhon ke saamne girthe dekha. Mujhe laga--" He cut himself off, throat closing up. "Khair, yeh photo hame yaad dilane ke liye hain ki, we should be grateful." He raise his glass in an awkward cheers and stepped down.
Kaira ran and hugged her brother tightly. Kairav patted her head before taking his seat.
They ran a few more pictures of happy memories, teasing Karthik and Naira while reminiscing those good old days. When the family was together, when there was no awkwardness between siblings. When they weren't estranged.
Kaira vowed to bring back those times.
"Ab baari hain hamari sabse favourite segment ki....Couple dance! Mumma Papa aaye!" Aarohi signaled the DJ as the space cleared for Karthik and Naira to take centre stage.
Muskaan discreetly nudged Kaira as other couples began to join Karthik and Naira on the dance floor.
Kaira slowly crept behind Abhinav and Akshara and pushed them onto the dance floor. The two Sharmas looked bewildered and confused.
"Akshu! Abhinav! Dono aaye na!" Karthik called out, putting the two on the spot.
Akshara and Abhinav stared at each other, unsure of how to go ahead. They had to keep up appearances. For everyone, they were a couple in love. Not a compromise.
Akshara took a deep breathe in and smiled at Abhinav, offering her hand.
"Akshara?"
"Kya aap mere saath dance karenge?" Akshara asked hesitantly, as though scared of rejection.
Abhinav gulped and nodded his head furiously. "Ji! Haan!" And very hesitantly took her hand, trembling almost as they tried to awkwardly portray themselves as a couple.
"Mujhe inn dono ko dekkar hame thoda bura lag raha hain ji." Muskaan said, watching as Akshara and Abhinav painfully tried to dance together.
"Main kuch karti hoon." Kaira went inside and got a hold of Abhir. "Abhir dekh, tere Mumma Papa tumhe dance karne ke liye bula rahe hain, dekho!" She pointed to Abhinav and Akshara and Abhir's innocent heart believed Kaira's words, running towards his parents.
"Mumma! Papa!"
Like glass breaking at the slightest pressure, the awkwardness around them cracked as Abhinav took Abhir into his arms, the family dancing together, smiles more genuine and free.
Kaira and Muskaan smiled. Muskaan had told her something that stuck with Kaira.
Bhai-ji aur Bhabhi ne ek pal bhi akele nahi bitayi hain. Unke kahani ke shuruvat se hi Abhir unke beech hamehsa raha hai. Unhe toh Abhir ke bina ek dusre ke saath rehna aata hi nahi ji.
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Abhimanyu felt like someone had stuck a knife in his chest and kept twisting it from time to time.
Like a wound that just healed but mercilessly ripped open again.
Every time he saw Abhinav walk around the Goenka House, every time he interacted with Karthik, Naira, Mimi, Manish, it hurt. Every. Single. Time.
But what hurt the most was Kaira's behaviour. The way she used to spend every fetival and family gathering by Abhimanyu's side, she was around Abhinav all the time.
And Akshu--Akshara. Mrs. Sharma. He couldn't even meet her eyes.
After six long years.
He had often wondered what would happen if Akshara ever came in front of him again. Would he feel angry? Would he feel scared? Shocked? Confused?
But now he finally had an answer. Defeated. He felt defeated.
After six years, while he was still stuck at that place, Akshara had moved forward. She had made a life for herself, with a husband and child. Complete.
While Abhimanyu was still trying to gather the pieces of his broken life.
And now he watched Akshara dance with her husband and son, Abhimanyu was ashamed when the thought enter his mind, but he couldn't help it.
That used to be my life. That used to be my place.
Every time Naira said, "Beta idhar aana," he instinctively turned only to see Abhinav walking up to her, calling her Ma. Laughing with Kaira, Manish keeping his hand on his head, standing beside Akshara.
Voh meri jagah thi.
"Chalo ab sab ek family photo khiche?" Kaira suggested and tried to push everyone into a single frame. The elders of Singhanias and Goenkas sat on chairs. Karthik, Naira, Keerthi, Naksh stood behind them while the four tadpoles, Krish and ABhir and Ruhi sat down in front of the elders on the floor.
Once she was satisfied with the frame, Kaira turned towards him with a smile. "Abhimanyu?"
A flicker of joy erupted in Abhimanyu's heart. Kaira wants to include me in the picture? His feet moved forward, a small smile stretching across his face when--
"Hamari ek family photo kheech doge, please?"
Like a bucket of cold water being poured down his head, Abhimanyu froze. Numb, he took the phone from her hand and half heartedly clicked the picture, a lone tear falling from his eye that nobody noticed.
Except one.
Manjari stewed silently, wondering why her son had to face the pain all over again.
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The office guests had taken their leave and it was just the Singhanias and Birlas still around. Kaira thanked god in her mind.
Acha hua aaj koi kand nahi hua aur Mumma Papa ki salgira ache se celebrate hui.
Kaira found Karthik and Naira on the couch, talking amongst themselves when she went to sit with them. "Kaisi lag party?"
Karthik smiled and beckoned her forward and placed his hand on her head. "Thank you so much beta." He pulled her close and kissed her head. "Yeh aaj tak ki hamari sabse best anniversary thi, haina Naira."
"Haan bilkul. Pura parivaar sath mein tha, hamare bacche ek saath the, aur kya chahiye hume? Thank you beta."
"Arrey aap dono bhi na, kya thank you thank you laga rakha hai?" Kaira's smile, slipped as she watched Manjari approach Akshara was deeply engrossed in a conversation with Shefali. "Mumma? Papa?"
Karthik and Naira followed her line of sight and the three were immediately on their feet.
"Aur Kasauli main sab kaise chal raha hain Akshara?" Shefali asked. She had always liked the girl, her simplicity and infinite kindness.
"Acha hi hoga, hain na?" Manjari's voice cut through the conversation, gathering everyone's attention."Raaj kar rahi hoga vahan par. Jitne asani se yahan ki duniya mita diya, tumne utne hi asani se vahan ek nayi duniya bana li na?"
"Ma--Manjari Aunty." Akshara started. But Manjari peddaled on.
"Yahan hamara sab kuch ujhadkar vahan apni zindagi basa li! Lekin mere bete ka kya? Itni jaldi kaise aage bad gayi tu Akshara?!"
"Manjari-ji bas!" Karthik yelled putting himself between Manjari and Akshara just like that day six years ago.
But this time, Abhinav stood beside her. Her husband sided with her. Akshara tried to keep her breathing in control, she couldn't afford a panic attack right now.
Kaira clenched her fists. Of course, a family event couldn't go down without kalesh. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get one, just one untainted family memory. Just one memory without any fights and heartbreak and shouting.
Was that too much to ask?
For now, Kaira was just glad the kids were asleep.
"Kya bas Karthik-ji? Yeh sab kya hai? Itni jaldi kisi aur se shaadi kaise karli tune Akshara? Itna asaan tha Abhi ki saare yaadein bhulna?"
Akshara squeezed her eyes shut, retreating back. No, not now. She couldn't breakdown now.
"Aur ek beta bhi hain! Yaad nahi ki tune apni zidd ke vajah se mere pothe pothi cheen liye!"
"MAA!" Aarohi yelled out, standing in front of Akshara. "Woh aapke pothe pothi nahi, Akshara ke babies the! Yaad nahi kya aapko!"
"Toh mere kuch nahi lagte the kya? Aarohi ab bas. Akshara itna aage badh gayi, bas ab tum dono abhi bhi athith mein nahi jee sakte! Tumhe meri ek baath mannani padhegi."
"Konsi baath?"
"Tujhe Roohi ki kasam, Abhi se shaadi karle."
Aarohi physically recoiled at Manjari's words. She thought this topic had been done and dusted when Neil's second death anniversary had passed. Roohi was one and Aarohi was overwhelmed with being a new mother as well as resuming her doctor duties.
Manjari had coaxed her to the verge of accepting. But one night at home with her parents and after a night of uninterrupted sleep, she had a clear head.
Nobody could replace Neil in her life and let alone her husband's elder brother, it was just wrong.
"Maine aap se pehle bhi kaha tha, baath baath par Roohi ki kasam khane mat khayie mujhe! Aur Abhimanyu? Seriously? Woh mere Pati ka bada bhai hain aur meri behen ka ex-husband. Yeh kitna galat hain!"
Naira frowned. "Pehle bhi? Yeh baath pehle bhi hui? Tune kuch bataya kyun nahi Aaru?"
"Kyunki baathane layak kuch tha nahi Mumma. Mere faisla tab bhi vahi tha aur aaj bhi vahi hai. Na. Mujhe yeh rishta manzoor nahi hain."
"Lekin kyun? Roohi ke liye toh saahi, yeh samjhota karne mein kya badi baath hain?"
Aarohi scoffed."Badi baath kya hain? Seriously? Aap Neil ko replace karne ki baath kar rahi hain aur isme koi badi baath nahi hain?"
Kairav, who remained quiet all this while, stepped forward. "Aap Neil ko bhul gayi kya, Manjari-ji?"
Manjari staggered back at Kairav's quiet fury. "Kya? Kya matlab hain tumhara?"
"Bathaiye na, bhul gayi kya Neil ko?"
"N-nahi."
"Kairav." Abhimanyu warned.
Kairav paid no heed, eyes fixed on Manjari. "To Roohi ke zindagi mein Neil ki jagah kyun mitane ki koshish kar rahi hain aap?"
Manjari's eyes widened, tears glistening as she shook her head. "Nahi, woh..."
Kairav nodded his head. "Isiliye na, kyunki woh aapka saga beta nahi tha?"
"KAIRAV!"
Abhimanyu's voice roared the loudest amongst others, Karthik and Naira included.
Naira grabbed Kairav's hand to make him face her. "Yeh ka badtameezi hain Kairav! Maafi maango abhi ke abhi!"
"Maine kuch nahi galat kaha! Yeh Neil ko bhul gayi aur Aarohi aur Roohi ke dil se bhi Neil ko mita dengi. Roohi toh khabhi bhi Papa ki zidd nahi karti thi, yeh khayal uss nanhi se bachi ke dimaag mein kisne dala? Ki uske Poppy uske Papa ban sakte hain, kisna sikhaya Roohi ko Mumma? Bathaiye na!"
Naira gulped, having no answer to her son's questions. "Kairav, maafi maango."
"Nahi. Maine kuch galat nahi kaha!"
"BAS!" Kaira yelled, clutching her head, on the verge of tears. All she wanted was one day of peace. One day to celebrate her family.
Lekin bhagwan ne meri ek nahi suni. Kara diya na kalesh.
"Meri galti nahi, uski galti, sab ki galti, chikna chilana, iske sivaaye aapko kuch aata nahi hain kya?!" Kaira roared, shoulders trembling with anger.
She seethed, eyeing everyone present, but no one could meet her eyes, heads hung in shame.
"Baar baar vahi purane zakhme ko kuredna, dusro par ilzam lagana, jhagda karne, yeh hona chahoye tha aaj ka theme. Kyunki hamare parivaron ko kalesh se fursat hi kaha hain, hain na?"
Kaira laughed bitterly. "Mera pura bachpan aap sabke jhagde aur gusse mein katte hain. Kaha the aap sab huh? Jab mere NEET ke results aaye? Jab mere college ke culturals mein mujhe prize mila? Jab maine pehli baar ek bache ko deliver kiya? Jab mei 21 ki hui? Kaha the aap log?"
She yelled at her siblings and Abhimanyu.
"Aap sab apne gham mein, apne zindagi mein uljhe hua the, samajthi hoon. Akshu Di ghar chodkar chali gayi, Aaru Di ne vapas aane se inkar kar diya, Neil Jiju hum sab ko chodkar chalegaye, Abhimanyu ne ham sab se rishta thod diya aur Bhaiya aap? Aap yaha reh kar bhi paray ho gaye."
Kaira pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed, tired. "Ab bas. Mujhse aur nahi hota yeh sabke bich pisna. Ek chein ki saans ya khushi nahi rehne de sakte hain hum! Ab aur nahi hota mujhse, thak gayi hoon aap chaaro ke beech piste hue, thak gayi aap sab ki zidd se."
Kaira folded her hands in front of everyone. "Abse koshish nahi karungi, aap sabko saath laane mein. I give up."
And with that Kaira stormed up the stairs, ignoring everyone's calls.
"Main dekhkar aata hoon." Krish said, going after Kaira. The rest remained rooted in spot.
Everyone was quiet, scared to utter another word. Too much was said tonight. Too many feelings poured out.
"Chaliye Chachi. Abhimanyu." Shefali coaxed the two towards the door, folding her hands in an apologetic namaste to Karthik and Naira. "Hum aate hain."
"Neil, mera beta tha, mere hi beta tha. Mere dil ka tukda tha." Manjari kept muttering under her breath, tears flowing as Abhimanyu hugged her close.
"Jaanta hoon Ma."
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Aarohi rubbed her temples, deciding to stay over at the Goenkas for the night. She needed a break and clear her head. She sat down in a chair, pouring herself a glass of water, not saying a word.
Muskaan ushered over to help her, not understanding how to react.
Akshara and Abhinav were not doing any better, Akshara spacing out as she kept replaying Manjari's words in her head while Abhinav tried to shake her out of it.
Kairav was on the edge of being angry yet regretful.
Karthik fumed, pressing the bridge of his nose. "Raahat mil gayi sabko?" He yelled at his kids, the three jumping at the tone. "Jab Kaira pedha hui thi, to tum teeno ne hamse kya promise kiya tha? Haan? Ki tum usse hamesha protect karoge? Sun liya us bechari par itne saalon se kya beethi hain? Uske life ke har ek important moment pe uske bhai-bhenen uske saath nahi the. Yeh tha tum teeno ka promise nibhana?"
"Karthik...."
"Nahi Naira, bohot hogayi inn sab ki zidd. Aaj to main bolunga." Karthik turned to Akshara. "Che saal pehle tumhare faisle ke piche majboori ko main samajh gaya tha beta, lekin ek call toh kar sakthi thi na tum? Udaipur nahi aana tha toh ek message toh karti! Video call ke zaamane main bhi yeh sab? Rishta Birlas se thoda tha humse toh nahi na? Khair yeh sab ek taraf, Kaira ko birthday ke liye ek message nahi bhej sakthi thi? Jaanti ho kitna taras gayi thi woh ki use khud tumhe laane ke liye Kasauli aana pada!"
"Aur Kairav tum! Tum dono saath the, ek hi chaath ke neeche, lekin ek baar bhi Kaira se dang se baath ki? Ek baar bhi uske college ho aaye? Aarohi aur Akshara par gussa tumne Kaira pe kyun nikala?"
Karthik rubbed his temple. "Main nahi jaanta tum log kya karoge lekin iss sab ko theek kar na pao toh bhi theek hain, lekin please, baath ko aur aage mat badhao."
And with that he left, leaving Naira alone with her kids. "Tumhare Papa sahi keh rahe hain. In che saalon mein tum main se kisi ne bhi Bade Bhai aur Badi Behen hone ka farz theek se nahi nibhaya hain."
The three flinched at Naira's words. Kaira was the apple of their eyes. More than the family members it was the three siblings who spoilt her the most. And now...
"Lekin ab bhi der nahi hui hain." Naira said, sparking some hope in them. "Jao, apni choti behen ko manao."
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And that's a wrap for this chapter! The three older tadpoles have a lot of making up to do. Akshnav is slowly moving forward, I'm gonna write them in a slowburn so please be patient with me.
Kaira's outburst is a culmination of those six lonely years with frustration and anger reaching past it's boiling point. It was almost cathartic to write it.
Hope you liked this chapter! Let me know in the comments if there is anything specifc you want to see. Yes I've already taken jealous Akshnav into consideration, it will come a little later to match the pace of the story.