Author Pov
On the same day after dinner full of various delicious dishes, Ruhanika was in her room. She was making Abhaya sleep, roaming in the balcony. Abhaya was almost dozed off on her shoulder after a tiring day.
Ruhanika was deep in her thoughts. Today was one of the eventful yet happy day of her life. Abhaya and she got accepted by Abheer's family. Yet she was having this uneasy feeling at the end of the day.
She was missing her family all of a sudden! Especially her babasa and bhaisa!
It's been long since she saw any of them. After she left her home, only her bhaisa was in contact with her. But, it has been months since she last talked to him. She didn't know what happened that he suddenly stopped talking to her, and doesn't even remember doing anything to make him upset with her.
Though she was having whole Rathore Mansion with her at moment, her Abheer ji with her, she was feeling a little lonely and missing her family terribly. Unknowingly tears started flowing from her eyes, remembering everyone, her babasa-maa, bhaisa-bhabhisa, dadisa, kakasa-kakisa, Arjun bhaisa. And now her family has a new addition too, her nephew! Whom she still didn't even see once, let alone hold! She hugged Abhaya close to her chest, seeking comfort from her sleeping babygirl.
Abheer who just freshen up after his dinner, entered into her room in his night clothes, frowned not seeing Ruhanika or his princess in there. Then his gaze fell on the opened balcony door. So, he went to see if they both are there. He smiled a little seeing Ruhanika there backfacing him, while his princess was sleeping on her shoulder.
But, his smile fell when he heard her sobs. He immediately went towards her. Ruhanika fliched feeling someone's hand on her shoulder. She turned around and broke into tears completely seeing Abheer standing there. Abheer immediately took her in a hug while baby Abhaya was now all warm in a chilling weather due to being squeezed in between them. Abheer was now worried due to her sudden breakdown.
"What happened love?" He asked her softly while kissing her side of head.
But she was still crying. So Abheer did what he thought best. He took her inside, then gently laid Abhaya in her swing and kept her baby blanket on her body.
He sat beside Ruhanika who immediately threw herself on him. He reciprocated the hug and caressed her head as gently and softly as he could.
After sometime he said,
"Enough now. Tell me what happened?" He said pulling her out of the hug and wiping her tears.
She looked at him with tear-fillled eyes,
"I'm m...issing m...y fam..ily!" She said keeping her head on his chest and clutching onto his kurta. Abheer went silent after hearing her. He sighed feeling sad for her.
"It'..s....l..like hist...history is repeating itself. I'm ag...ain in love... and still my pare...nts, my bhais...bhaisa, my whole family.... no one is here t..to be w..with me in my hap..piness!" A painful sob left her mouth.
"I don't know why, but today I'm feeling way too much desperate to meet th...em, to ask for their for..giveness, and be wit...h the..m again." She shakily whispered hiding her face in crook of his neck. Abheer with a small smile just caressed her head hugging her tightly.
"So what do you think we should do?" He asked.
Ruhanika looked at him with frown.
"W..what?"
"Yes. What do you think we should do now?" He asked again wiping tears off her face.
She just sat there confused.
"I don't know. Wh...what do you think we should do?" She asked him meekly.
"Whatever my love wishes!" He said smiling at her. Her heart skipped a beat. But, more than that a ray of hope rose in her mind understanding the meaning behind his words.
"W..whatever I wish?"
"Umm-hmm. Whatever you want!" He said.
"I w...want to me...meet them!" She said after thinking for sometime. Her eyes shined with tears while a bright smile covered her face.
"I want to go to Jaisalmer, meet everyone, talk to them for hours. Mainly I want to tell them about our Abhaya and you!" She said holding his hand.
"You know my maa, she is a really humble lady. Though sometimes she gets really angry when my bhaisa and I got into silly fights, but it's okay. And my babasa, my babasa is my first hero! He is my real rescuer from any scoldings I was supposed to get. He always favoured me over my Karan or Arjun bhaisa, you know like daughter is always favourite of her father kind of thing." She giggled remembering about the mischief she did and her bhaisa was blamed everytime.
"Being younger my both bhaisa used to console me whenever I got sad after the scoldings. You know everyone in our school used to call me tail of my brothers, coz I used to always roam behind them in the school. And that's why I had no friends. I used to get really shy in the class. So as a option my parents sent my brothers to different schools. Bhaisa ko toh Jodhpur bhej diya tha padhai keliye. I cried a lot that day thinking that he was going away from me forever." Ruhanika chuckled.
(They sent bhaisa to Jodhpur for his studies.)
"Arjun bhai and I used to miss him a lot. After sometime I also made friends in school. My friends in school were okay. But I don't know if I can call them friends kind of friend, since I never felt that like my happiness was their happiness too, my sadness was their sadness too, or my secrets were safe with them. It was only Sakshi. She is a bit elder to me and more like an elder sister. I love her so much for being with me in my most difficult times." She said with a teary smile. Abheer too respects Sakshi for being selfless to his Ruh.
"Kaha se kaha ajati hu na main?" Abheer chuckled knowing what was she referring to.
(I totally got off the topic, no?)
"Feeling better now?" He asked. She smiled at him and nodded.
"Much better.
Your mere presence makes me free from all my disturbing thoughts!" She said kissing on his chest above his heart.
Abheer smiled and cupped her cheeks. He softly placed his lips on her making her breath hitch.
She took a little time before responding back. The kiss was slow but full of emotions. No toungue was involved yet the feel was making them all giddy inside. He slowly pulled out and she joined their forheads brething heavily.
"Can we go to Jaisalmer after Rakshabandhan? I want my family by my side while I'll be marrying you!" She said after her breath became normal.
Abheer smiled and nodded.
She smiled at him and hugged throwing her hands around his neck.
"Thank you, thank you so much! I love you!" She said while some happy tears slipped from her eyes.
"No need to thank me. Just don't start crying every now and then." He said caressing and kissing her side of head.
He laid in the same position with her in his arms. He kept patting her head until he felt her body going limp. She was in deep slumber and he can clearly her soft snoring. He gently laid her on the bed and got up after covering her with the blanket.
He took his phone and went to balcony while dialing someone.
"Hello, Karan?"
"Ghani Khamma hukum. Kaise yaad kiya?" Karan said knowing that it irritated him.
(How you remembered me?)
"Will you drop the act?" A little annoyance can be clearly heard from his voice.
"Okay, okay. Tell me why you called me so late?" Karan chuckled.
"Well I called to invite you." Abheer came to the point.
"Invite me? Where?" Karan asked confused.
"Since your whole family and you are here in Jaipur, we would love to host you all for our Rakshabandhan celebration!" Abheer said.
Karan's face fell a little.
"I'm really grateful for the invitation, but I might have to reject this offer." Abheer was confused a little. The sadness in his voice didn't go unnoticed by him.
"Why? What happened?"
"We don't celebrate Rakshabandhan anymore!" Abheer was a little taken aback.
"Since my sister left us all, we don't celebrate that festival. She was the sole reason for this festival. Now she is not here and I don't have any buasa. So I apologise we might not come." Karan said making Abheer sigh in relief. He didn't think of this reason and was worried that his plan would fail.
"I know it's sad. But my sisters are like your sisters too, right?" Abheer started to convince him.
"Yes, they are....."
"You are coming then. We can still celebrate. Come on, maasa was so excited when I told her you are coming. She really missed you, in fact all family members missed you. She was saying that it's been ages since she talked to you and Rakhi kakisa. Coincidentally your whole family and you are here in town. Don't say no. I know no one can take place of your sister but you can try to lessen the pain of your family.
You have been in coma for 8 months. They must be so worried for you. This littlr celebration will be a little start to your happy days. Think about it. Besides we will be able to meet our nephew." Abheer chuckled hearing babbling sounds of baby in background.
Karan smiled looking at his baby boy who was laying beside him on bed. He was chewing on his feet and babbling loudly looking at Karan. He smiled when his father looked at him and threw his hands in air asking him to hold him. Karan complied holding the phone between his shoulder and neck.
His baby boy tried to reach for his phone once in his arms.
"Do you want to talk to your Abheer kakasa?" Karan asked in baby voice making the baby giggle.
Abheer heard all their conversation with a smile and soon a loud baby voice was heard from the other side.
"Hello baby? I'm your Abheer kakasa." Abheer said. The baby boy giggled hearing the voice from mobile and again started babbling loudly to hear the response voice. The phone was on loud speaker.
"Ohh I'm fine baby. How are you?" Abheer played along with a soft gentle voice, earning giggles from the baby. Arohi who just entered the room bringing milk for Karan smiled seeing Karan and her boy playing.
"What my baby is doing?" She sat beside Karan on bed after putting tray on the nightstand. The baby pointed at phone and then clapped giggling.
"What are you doing in baba's phone?" She asked kissing his small baby palm.
"Tell maasa, we are talking to Abheer kakasa." Karan replied in baby on behalf of his son.
"You were on call?" Arohi whisper shouted at him with wide-eyes.
Abheer smiled at the cute couple a d decided to greet her.
"Ghani Khamma bhabhisa. I'm Karan's friend, Abheer Singh Rathore!" He greeted her. Now Arohi was completely shocked hearing his name.
"Hu...hukumsa?!" She whispered to Karan who nodded smiling.
"Kh..khamma ghani, hu..kumsa." She joined her hands to phone bowing a little. Karan chuckled at his wife.
"Don't need to so formal bhabhisa. Treat me like your brother only." Abheer said making her look up at Karan. He nodded assuring her he is right.
"O..kay." She hesitantly said yes.
"Then should I consider you all are coming Karan?" Abheer asked.
Arohi confused asked her husband through her eyes 'what is it?'
"Abheer is inviting us all to Rakshabandhan celebration to Rathore Mansion." He said making her amuse.
"And your husband is denying bhabhisa. Tell him he should come." Abheer told Arohi.
Arohi understood why Karan was denying looking at the distant and sad look on his face while patting his baby's back who was on the verge of falling asleep.
"What are you thinking?" She whispered softly to him making him sigh.
"We will come Abheer!" He said making Abheer happy.
"Okay, we will wait for you all.
I will hang up now." He said hanging up.
Arohi took baby from him and laid him on the bed. Karan sighed rubbing his face. Arohi held his hand,
"You okay?"
"I miss my Ruha, Aru, I miss her!" He said with a little wet eyes. Arohi hugged him tightly, her own eyes tearing up.
"We will find her soon Karan, really soon!" She tried to assure him. He just hugged her more hiding his face in her neck.
"Come on now. You have to drink your milk before medicines and take rest." She wiped her tears before pulling out. She made him drink his milk and gave him medicines. She was awake till she made sure he was asleep.
I really hope we will find you soon Ruha! Your bhaisa and we miss you a lot!
Arohi thought caressing Karan's head. She slept kissing his forehead.
Day of Rakshabandhan
(i.e. day after tomorrow)
Whole Rathore mansion was bustling due to last minute decoration being done.
"Ramu, didn't you bring the marigold flowers?" Gayatri Devi yelled for Ramu once she set the puja room.
"Just a minute maa hukum. I placed them outside." Rakhi said going out of the room.
"This girl!" Gayatri Devi sighed.
"Dadisa how am I looking?" Aditi said and twirled around showing her dress.
"Ekdam pari jaisi!" Gayatri put a small kajal dot behind her ears and kissed her cheeks, making Aditi happy.
(Just like an angel!)
"Tell me what I have to do." She said and started helping Gayatri Devi in some puja works.
"Niharika, are all the sweets and snacks prepared for the guests?" Meera asked entering the kitchen, when she saw Niharika already present there.
"Ji jiji, all eatables are ready. Lunch preparations are done too, Rakhi will start preparing it after Rakshabandhan." Meera nodded and then they both went to living room.
Elder men were also guiding some workers with their works when Reyan entered the room.
"Good morning all." He greeted touching the 3 elder men's feet.
"Jeete raho bete!" Adhiraj blessed.
"Humesha khush raho!" Vikram blessed patting his back.
"Bohot tarakki karo!" Vikrant blessed ruffling his hair.
(Live long!
Stay always happy!
Be successful! )
"Where are others?" He asked taking the flower mala from Vikram's hands.
"Not here yet! You start putting these on walls. I'll hold the ladder." Vikrant said.
"Yes, or else your maasa is going to scold me like a child who didn't do his work!" Vikram said agreeing.
Reyan chuckled and climbed on the stairs. He flinched putting his hand on his chest hearing a loud yell.
"Hey Maa Kaali! What were you guys doing till now!? Abhi tak kuch nahi hua hai yaha!? Vikram ji kya kar kya rahe aap log kabhi se!?" Meera questioned shocked seeing that almost all malas in the basket while some workers were putting some on the pillars.
(Oh my God! What were you guys doing! Nothing is done here! Vikram ji what were you actually doing all the time?)
"M...Meera, we were just doing. What are you looking at Reyan! Here put this one there." Vikram said giving him the other one. Meera and Niharika huffed at them.
"We already told you to do all these things in night only, but no! Who listens to us?!" Niharika said making both men duo look at each other. Adhiraj and Reyan hid their smiles seeing them getting scolded.
"Good morning everyone. How am I looking?" Ayaan entered greeting everyone.
"Wo chhod, come here start helping us. Take this and climb up." Vikrant said handing mala and holding other ladder, gesturing him to climb up. Abhiraj chuckled at his brother's disbelief expression and touched everyone's feet greeting them before starting to help Reyan.
"Kakasa, you could have at least praise me first." Ayaan whined.
"1, 2, 3!" Reyan and Abhiraj counted before loud voice echoed in the room.
"Ahh! Maa!" Ayaan screamed when Meera twisted his ear making other men snicker.
"Kuch time ka importance hai ya nahi! The guests must be arriving, and here nothing is ready. Start helping this instant or see what I'll do!" Meera said in stern voice, seeming really angry.
"Yes maasa. I'm helping them, I'm helping." Ayaan said holding her hand to remove her grip. He again turned towards her. He kissed her forehead saying,
"You are looking beautiful Maa!" Meera smiled and blessed him when he touched her feet. He did the same with others and complimented Niharika too.
They all started doing the decoration hurriedly as they have to perform aarti before guests arrive. Ladies moved to temple to see if all is ready in there.
"Is Aishu not here yet!?" Meera asked scanning the room.
"Must be coming. I went to her room before coming downstairs. She was getting ready." Niharika said.
"Abheer and Ruhanika are not here too. Send Rakhi to call them and Aishu. Aarti should be done in muhurat." Gayatri Devi said after hearing their conversation.
In Ruhanika's Room
"Ho gaya, ho gaya mera baccha. Bas abhi rote nahi." Ruhanika cooed making her wear her diaper while Abhaya was irritated due to dress she was wearing.
(It's done baby, don't cry)
"Love I'm telling you, don't make her wear that dress. It is itching her. She should wear something comfortable." Abheer said standing beside Ruhanika.
Ruhanika huffed looking at him.
"You are saying the same thing Abheer ji, so my reply would be same too. Just for sometime till puja let her be in these clothes, the moment all things are done I'll change her into comfortable ones."
"But she is already irritated. And she will get more when someone will hold her, as it will itch more." Abheer said trying to make her understand.
She looked at Abhaya who was just fussing around. Soon a loud cry was heard in the room. Both sigh looking at her crying.
"See I told you." Abheer said and started to remove clothes from her body.
She never fussed so much before. They are of cotton only. Something must be wrong with her. Ruhanika thought looking a little concerned.
"Can you bring her rash powder, she got some rashes on the back." Abheer said once she was free of her clothes and only in nappy.
Ruhanika looked keenly and saw that 2-3 ants were crawling around her.
"It's not rashes Abheer ji. These ants bit her!" Ruhanika said picking her up in her arms immediately. She looked on her body to see if any are on it.
"How come ants are on your bed?" Abheer asked looking at his princess in concern, coz he know how it feels.
"I don't know. Let me just wipe her body with wet cloth. We are already late and I don't have time to bath her." She said making Abheer nod.
They heard the knock once they were done with Abhaya and was about to move out after getting ready.
"Get in." Abheer said.
Rakhi entered and said,
"Everyone is in puja room waiting for you and baisa, hukum." She said.
"We are coming. But make sure you clean the whole room properly. There were ants on bed that bit Abhaya. This should not happen again!" Abheer said sternly.
"Ji hukum, I'm sorry." She apologised bowing a little.
They all moved downstairs and directly headed to Puja room.
"Lo agaye tino." Reyan said looking at them entering.
(Here they come.)
"Okay, then let's start." All the couples worshipped idol of Maa Kaali followed by younger clan. Abheer and Ruhanika were told to perform the puja together. Younger clan hooted making Ruhanika shy while Abheer was happy from inside.
"Now we will start for Aarti." Pujari ji said. One by one everyone did the Aarti and this way puja was completed.
Everyone came to living room after prasad was served.
"Thank god, everything happened in time." Gayatri Devi said sitting in living room.
"Maasa, you sit here. You don't even realise how much work you do in puja room? Take some rest now." Meera said handing her some water to which Gayatri Devi smiled.
"When are they all coming? It's almost time." Meera asked. Everyone was in living room after breakfast and waiting for Rajput family.
Ruhanika being unaware of the guests was just chatting with Aishu and Adu.
"They must be on their way here." Reyan said looking at the watch.
"Ill be back." Ruhanika excused herself to rest room. Abhaya was sleeping in her crib in living room. The crib was in dining room, but can be seen from living room if you see it clearly. Now if you ask me why is it there, then it's coz of giving silent environment for baby to sleep as there is always chaos in living room.
"Hukum, Rajputs have entered the palace." Shekhawat came in informing about their arrival.
They all moved outside, while Abheer was glad that Ruhanika was not here right now. They saw Rajput's getting out of cars while Karan was walking with the help of a stick. Abheer and Reyan went to help him out of the car first.
"Ghani Khamma! Aap sabka swagat hai!" Vikram said while everyone greeted them with joined hands.
(A hearty welcome to you all!)
"Khamma Ghani sa! Aap sabka dhanywad hume aaj Rakshabandhan ka nyota dene keliye!" Karan's father Nikhil said and other family did the same greeting them with join hands.
(Thank you for inviting us for Rakhi celebration)
"Nitya! Kaisi ho?" Meera said going to hug her(Ruhi's maa) which was reciprocated happily.
"I'm totally fine, Meera. How are you?" She asked pulling out with a smile.
"All good as you can see!"
"Nitya jiji!" Niharika hugged her welcoming. They did the same with Janaki(Ruhi's kaki)
"It's been so long we met!" Vikram said shaking hands with Nikhil and Mahesh(Ruhi's kaka), Vikrant did the same.
"Namaste Sushma ji! Tabiyat to thik hai na?" Gayatri Devi said.
"Ji bilkul, hum bohot badhiya hai. Bas umar ke sath ab pehle jaisa josh nahi raha." She said with a small smile.
"Josh toh jeevan ke akhari shwas tak hona chahiye, sushma behen. Aur ab toh joshila hone ka karan bhi to hai, aapka par-pota!" Adhiraj said pointing at Karan-Arohi's child in Arohi's arms.
"Ji bilkul!" She looked fondly at her great-grandchild who was looking at new faces keenly with his adorable doe eyes.
(Your health is all fine right?)
(Of course. Just the energy has diminished with age!)
(You should be full of energy till your last breath, Sushma sister. And now you have a reason too, your great-grandchild!)
(True!)
"Karan! Kitne bada hogaye hai, aap. Last time dekha tab toh ekdam hi patle-patle se the, aur ab toh ekdam dashing huh!" Meera said happily hugging him with a little wet eyes.
(Karan, how much you have grown! You were so slim the last time we saw you, and look at you now, all dashing! )
"And you too became more beautiful than last time kakisa!" Karan said making others chuckle. While Arohi was all stunned looking at all of the interactions with Rathore family, coz Karan never ever mentioned about them.
"Maska mat lagaiye! Naraz hai hum aapse! Koi itna samay lagata hai kya milne mein?" Meera said glaring at him.
(Don't butter me up. I'm angry with you. Who takes this much time to meet again?)
"I have no excuse for my mistakes, so I'm very sorry to everyone." Karan apologised sincerely looking at everyone.
"You have to compensate for all the years first, then we will think of forgiving you." Reyan said taking Meera's side.
"As you say, Mr. Reyu-Weyu!" Karan said bowing dramatically. Everyone laughed at Reyan's angry face on his nickname.
"Hume humare bahu aur pote se toh milwao pehle!" Vikrant said taking everyone's attention. Arohi gave an awkward smile when she was the centre of attention. The baby boy too snuggled into her neck when all were looking at him.
(Introduce us to our daughter-in-law and grandchild first.)
"Yes, so she is my wife Arohi Rajput, and the baby boy here is our son!" Karan said trying to take his son from Arohi while he kept holding her tightly thinking that someone else is taking him.
"Baby, see baba." Arohi whispered softly making him look out of her shoulder towards Karan who gestured to come. He immediately forwarded himself to Karan and snuggled keeping his hands around his neck.
"Namaste!" Arohi greeted them and moved touch Adhiraj's feet first.
"Are are nahi!" He said holding her shoulders. Arohi looked at him confused.
"Daughters don't touch feet dear! Stay blessed always!" He said patting her head making her smile.
"What is his name? Aishu asked smitten by baby boy's charm.
"We have not named him yet!" Arohi said.
"Huh?"
"Umm, as you must have known about Karan's accident...." Nikhil replied,
"....we decided to wait for Karan to wake up first before naming his son!" He said.
"As he already missed his baby's birth, we thought to wait till he wake up to name him. If it had took more time than 1 year, we would have done it. But, fortunately due to Maa Kaali's blessings Karan woke up." Nitya continued.
"It was really nice to think so!" Niharika said.
"Shall we go in now? We are talking in here since they came." Abheer said making them nod.
Abheer picked up Karan's baby from him so that he could walk who was looking at him with doe big eyes while holding onto Karan's kurta who was walking immediately ahead of them.
"Arjun bhi kitna bada ho gaya hai na. Bohot chhota tha jab last time humne dekha tha." Niharika started chatting with Janaki.
Arjun got gelled up with younger clan pretty quickly same goes to Arohi with girls.
They all settled in the living room. Rakhi and some maids served them water and little snacks.
"Should we start then?" Meera asked. Rathore clan can clearly see the sadness on Rajput family's faces which they were trying to hide with smiles.
"Sure, let us help you too." Nitya sais getting up with Janaki and the ladies moved to Puja room to bring the thaal.
Nikhil got the call in between. He looked to see it was the private investigator who was finding his Ruha.
He immediately excused himself. He went in the calm passage beside living room to attend it.
"Hello?"
"Good morning sir."
"Good morning. Why did you call? Do we have any lead regarding Ruhanika's case?" He asked anxious with hope.
"Yes sir..."his breath in relief while his eyes became wet a little.
"The last time Miss.Ruhanika was seen in Jaipur, around 3 months before!" He said shocking him.
He was in the same city with his laado and he didn't even know about it?!
"I guess she was in some accident and after that she was not seen in that area again!" He said making him numb.
"What!"
"Yes sir. We are looking into it..........." The voice started fading. All the worst scenarios were coming to his mind. While his reverie broke when he felt someone's hand on his shoulder.
He turned around and he could not believe his eyes whom he saw!!
His laado! His Ruha! His little princess!!
The phone fell from his hands while his eyes welled up.
"L..l.laad..laado!" A small whisper left his mouth. A smile covered his face when he touched her face and saw that she was real! She immediately hugged her father while crying on his chest.
"Baba!"
Woahh!! Huff....such a long chp!🙄
I'm sorry for the late update! It got delayed coz I wanted to add some images and in the end they are still not selected!
I wanted to make this chp Rakshabandhan special, so there are some Rathore family scenes! Hope you didn't get bored and are not angry that Ruhanika's union with her family is still not in this chp!😇
Tell me how was the chp like boring, amazing, anything you felt! I'll be waiting for your responses guys!😁
Vote and comment.....
Bye bye till next chp
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