The talks about his and Kashish’s marriage started about an year back. Nothing was final even today but the ladies hoped that things would turn out positive.

He had forgotten about it and neither did they talk about it. Anokhi couldn’t think of anything. Her eyes blurred with unshed tears.

Why was she crying? It wasn’t like something could have happened between her and Shourya. She knew this day was to come. 

Shourya couldn’t say anything at the moment. Kashish’s mother had done a lot for their family.

There was a time when Mohit and Shourya were just kids and their father had a massive stroke. Everything felt like it was falling apart. Their financial condition wasn’t very good.

Kashish’s parents had stepped up and handled everything. Every financial cost and also handled their family.

Till this date, they did not take back a single penny from them. Shourya knew that his parents felt indebted to Kashish’s family. And so, when her mother suggested this alliance, they hadn’t been able to deny it.

But they did not answer either, saying that it was Shourya’s decision. And he hadn’t given any till now.  Shourya felt trapped. He couldn’t say no and he didn’t want to say yes.

Anokhi was thankful she had her packing to distract her because she would have bawled like a child if she kept thinking about it.

Mohit and Shourya helped her settle in her new apartment. Shourya understood the reason for her silence and her ignorance towards him. She was assuming that he was marrying Kashish.

“Kuch bhi cheez ki zarurat ho toh call kr dena. Thik hai?”

(Call if you require anything at all. Ok?)

Mohit said and patted her head when she nodded.

“Dhyan rakhna apna.”

(Take care.)

Anokhi nodded and looked down when Shourya stood in front of her.

“Koi bhi baat ho toh bata dena. Just because we live apart doesn’t mean we’re not here, ok?”

(Tell me if there’s something.)

She nodded, still not meeting his eyes. He held her chin and made her look at him. Her heart fluttered but she ignored it.

“Mai hamesha hu…hmmm?”

(I am always there…hmmm?)

They shared an intense eyelock until she looked away and nodded, shifting from feet to feet. The two brothers left the place after making sure she was fine.

During the short drive towards their home, Mohit said.

“You don’t love Kashish.”

It wasn’t a question. He knew. Shourya closed his eyes and sighed.

“She’s an amazing person, bhaiya. Really. But shaadi…I never looked at her like that. Haan mai krna nhi chahta aur mana mai kr nhi paa raha. Samajh nhi aa raha kya kru? I feel trapped in my own feelings.”

(But marriage…I never looked at her like that. I don’t want to say yes and I am not able to say no. I don’t know what to do?)

“Just do what your heart says. Agar koi obligation samajh ke commit krega, kabhi khush nhi rahoge. Na tu aur na hi wo. Teen zindagiyon ka sawaal hai Shourya. Think wisely.”

(If you commit thinking of it as an obligation, you will never be happy. Neither you nor her. It’s a matter of three lives Shourya.)

Shourya frowned and looked at her brother.

“Teen?”

(Three?)

Mohit parked the car outside their home and started to speak when his phone rang. It was his mother.

“Haan maa-”

(Yes maa-)

“Mohit! Kaha ho tum? Jaldi aao! Harshali ko labour pains start ho gye hai. Hospital le jaana hoga.”

(Where are you? Come fast! Harshali is in labour. We have to take her to the hospital.)

He could hear his wife’s screams of pain and rushed inside without waiting for another moment. The next few hours were a blur.

Harshali was rushed to the hospital. Her parents were called. Even Anokhi had reached by a cab. Kashish and her mother were also present. All of them waited outside the delivery ward. 

Mohit felt his panic rise with each of her screams. 

“She must be in so much pain. It’s all my fault.”

He kept mumbling again and again. Shourya stood beside his brother, trying to calm him down. Anokhi stood beside her parents and prayed nervously.

All of them looked up when they heard Harshali’s screams subside and another shrill wail echo around the room. Mohit and everyone else’s eyes teared up.

Anokhi sniffed when the nurse came out holding a little bundle in her arms. Mohit sobbed and hugged his mother. Shourya grinned with tears shining in his eyes. Harshali’s parents too cried silently seeing the little boy their little girl had just delivered.

“Meri laado ka…meri laado ka rajkumar.”

(My daughter’s....little boy.)

Her father whispered and choked back a sob. Mohit’s father took the little, sleeping baby from the nurse’s hand and smiled at him proudly.

“Congratulations new dadi-dadu aur nani-nanu ko.”

(Congratulations to the new grandparents.)

Kashish’s mother spoke and everyone chuckled with tears shining in their eyes. The atmosphere was filled with happiness.

Harshali was shifted to a private ward where she was immediately surrounded by her family members. Mohit sat beside her slowly moving his fingers in her hair. Her face was tired but had a newfound glow.

Anokhi gushed at the baby as her mother held him.

“Mujhe bhi toh do na! Kabse le rakha hai aapne. Usse mausi se milna hai ab.”

(Give him to me also! You have him since so long. He wants to meet his mausi now.)

Everyone chuckled at her words and her mother carefully handed the baby to Anokhi.

“Awww! Hello baby! Mai aapki Anu mausi. Mummy agar tang kre toh mausi ko batana, ok?”

(I am your Anu mausi. Tell me if mummy troubles you, ok?)

She said, making everyone laugh again. Shourya got up and stood behind her, gazing at the baby as he spoke mischievously.

“Aur agar mausi pareshaan kre toh chachu ko, ok buddy?”

(And tell chachu if mausi troubles you, ok buddy?)

Anokhi gasped and nudged her stomach harshly, making him oomph.

“Kya kaha aapne? Mai kyu tang krungi apne bache ko?”

(What did you say? Why will I trouble my baby?)

“Kyunki tum khud bhi toh bachi hi ho. Kuch ulta seedha sikha dia toh?”

(Because you’re a kid yourself. What if you teach him something wrong?)

“Chup!”

(Shut up!)

“Happ!”

(Get lost!)

She showed him her tongue and he did the same, making everyone around them laugh. Shourya stood in front of her and put his arms forward.

“Laao do! Ab meri baari hai.”

(Give him to me! It’s my turn now.)

Anokhi held the baby and shielded him away.

“Bilkul nhi! Abhi mera time hai. Baad mai aana.”

(Not at all! It’s my time now. Come later.)

She said and bent her head to whisper sweet nothing in the baby’s ears. Shourya saw her hair falling on the baby’s face and without thinking, he moved his hands to tuck her hair behind her ear.

She paused and so did everyone else in the room. She looked at him wide eyed. Their eyes met and Shourya felt himself losing. His fingers were still in her hair.