“Aur yahi galti aapne Mahima di ke saath bhi kri. Bina unki pasand ko samjhe aur jaane, aapne mana kr dia. Aur aap aaj bhi unka halchaal puchhne se peeche hat rhe hai. Earlier you failed as a brother and now you’re failing as a father.”

(And you did the same with Mahi di. You denied without trying to understand and know her choice. And even now you are not trying to know her condition.)

Naresh released a wavered breath and lowered his eyes as he felt tears forming in them. Meetu was crying quietly, held by Isha who knew how much this conversation and eye-opener for her father was needed.

“Maine Mahi di ko hamesha apni badi behen maana hai. And I met her husband. I found out every information available on him when I got to know ki unhone apni marzi se shaadi kri thi. He is a very nice man, uncle.”

(I always considered her my elder sister….when I found out she married on her own will.)

Isha looked at her father, who was listening to everything with his head lowered.

“Jab mai bina kisi rishte ke apne bhai hone ka farz nibha sakta hu toh aap apne baap hone ka farz kyu nhi nibha skte, uncle? Beti hai wo aapki. Kuch samay ki naraazgi samajh aati hai. Lekin itne saalo ki zid nhi. Apni life ka naya chapter shuru krne jaa rhi hai wo. Kaisa lagega unhe jab wo ye dekhengi ki unke paas sab log bas unki khudki family nhi hai?”

(When I can fulfil my duty of being a brother without having any real relations why can you not fulfil your duty of being a father, uncle? She is your daughter. Some anger is sensible. But not years of adamancy. She is going to start a new chapter in her life. How will she feel when she’d have everyone around her but her own family?)

Om waited for his words to settle in before going for the final strike.

“Kaise lagega unhe jab unka bacha bade hokar apne nanu nani ke baare mai puchhega? Aapke hote huye bhi anath feel krengi wo. Jo galti aapne pehle kri thi usse dobara mat kriye uncle. Apni ek zid ki wajah se aap pata nhi kitne saare khubsurat rishte kho denge.”

(How will she feel when her child asks about his maternal grandparents after growing up? She will feel like an orphan even after your existence. Don’t repeat the same mistake uncle. You don’t know how many beautiful relationships you will lose in your stubbornness.)

Everyone waited for Naresh’s reaction. Slowly, his tears started falling down his eyes. A minute later, he broke down completely.

“Meri bachi! Mai…kaise itna andha ho gaya ki…apni bachi ki khushiyan nhi nazar aayi…Meetu!”

(My baby! I…how could I be so blind…that I didn’t see my daughter’s happiness…Meetu!!)

He cried and called for his wife. Meetu sat beside him and held her husband. Isha sniffed and wiped her own tears. Finally!

“Wo roti rahi mere saamne…aur mai…mujhe sirf apni zid dikhi…ek baar bhi…ek baar bhi uski khushi ka nhi socha maine.”

(She kept crying in front of me…and me…I saw only my stubbornness…not even once…did I think about her happiness.)

Om looked down. His work was done. Now it was time for Naresh to do this work. He looked at Isha who was looking at him with gratitude. 

He smiled and shook his head, indicating her not to cry. She nodded and wiped her tears but they fell again.

“Wo maa banne wali hai lekin mai phir bhi…apni zid lekar…kaisa baap hu mai, Meetu? Apni bachi ko hi nhi samajh paaya. Wo kitna…akela mehsoos krti hogi na…”

(She is going to become a mother and I still…was stubborn…what kind of a father am I, Meetu? I couldn’t understand my child. She would be…feeling so alone…)

Om nudged his father to intervene. He cleared his throat and said.

“Abhi bhi time hai Naresh. Jaao aur baat kro Mahima se. Wo bachi 5 saal se intezaar kr rhi hai apne papa ka.”

(There’s still time Naresh. Go and talk to Mahima. She is waiting for her father since 5 years.)

Naresh nodded and wiped his tears. He looked at his wife and said.

“Bhut taiyariyan krni hai Meetu. Ab meri bachi ko aur akela mehsoos nhi hoga. Apne nati natin ka welcome krenge hum achhe se.”

(We have to prepare a lot Meetu. My daughter will not feel alone anymore. We will welcome our grandchild very well.)

Meetu nodded with a teary smile. Isha had pulled Om in a corner after the adults started discussing Mahima's baby shower.

She launched herself in his arms. He chuckled and held her securely. Her legs dangled in air due to the height difference and she held on tightly.

“Thank you! Thank you so much, Om! You have no idea about what you’ve done today.”

She whispered and looked into his eyes. He smiled and rested his forehead against hers, sighing in content.

“Maine kuch nhi kia, Isha. Unhe bas thoda realise krne ki zarurat thi.”

(I did not do anything, Isha. He just had to realise it.)

“Aur wo tumhare bina possible nhi tha. Thank you so much!”

(And that was not possible without.)

He nuzzled his nose against hers in an eskimo kiss.

“I love you.”

He whispered, making her smile and hug him again.

“I love you, Om!”

She whispered and he grinned with full force, while twirling her around, making her yelp and giggle at the unexpected move.

He placed her back on her feet. She went on her tiptoes and he bent down a little to rest his forehead against hers. Both of them sighed in content.

They pulled back, hearing her mother’s voice. She looked at the two of them with a little surprise.

But then, she smiled at Om and walked towards him. She caressed his face and whispered.

“Thank you beta. Aaj jo tune kia hai…wo shayad hum puri zindagi bhi nhi kr paate.”

(Whatever you did today…we couldn’t have done it our entire lives.)

She whispered in gratitude. Her voice, still hoarse from all the crying and the emotions she felt.

“Arre nhi aunty-”

(No aunty-)

She cut him off and shook her head.

“Thank you! For everything beta. Hamesha khush raho.”

(Always stay happy.)

She whispered and caressed both his and Isha’s cheeks with each of her hands. When she left, Isha blinked in surprise. Om too stared ahead, trying to process what happened.

He looked at Isha and then leaned in naughtily to her side.

“Sasu maa ka ashirvaad mil gaya.”

(We got my mother-in-law’s blessings.)

He teased and bit his lip on seeing how quickly she turned red. She nudged his side and started leaving, when he held her wrist and pulled her back into his chest.

“Tune thank you bola. Mera welcome toh leti jaa.”

(You said thank you. Take my welcome.)

He whispered before leaning in and capturing her lips in a soft, passionate kiss. Isha pulled back and looked at him wide eyed.

“Pagal ho kya? Papa dekh lenge!”

(Are you mad? Papa will see!)

“Ab toh sasurji maan hi jaayenge. Tension kis baat ki.”

(He will agree. Why worry.)

“Hatt! Chhodo mujhe!”

(Go away! Leave me!)

She hit his chest lightly and pushed him away. He laughed and followed her, sauntering behind her with a grin on his face.

Naresh’s hands trembled as he rang the doorbell. Isha and Meetu were accompanying him. Both of their faces adorned with teary smiles. 

The door was opened by a maid who questioned them.       

“Ji? Aap kaun?”

(Yes? Who are you?)

“Mai...”

(I…)

Naresh felt his heart beat accelerate. They heard a masculine voice from inside.

“Kaun hai Kavita didi?”

(Who is it Kavita didi?)

Ritesh came into view and his eyes widened seeing his father-in-law, mother-in-law and his sister-in-law standing outside. He had met his sister-in-law and mother-in-law many times but not Naresh.

(Welcome!)

“Papa? Aaiye na!”

He hurried and cleaned the living room. He bent down to touch his feet.

“K-khush raho beta.”

(St-stay happy.)

“Baithiye na aap sab. Mai Mahi ko bulata hu. Pagal ho jaayegi wo khushi ke maare.”

(Please sit. I will get Mahi. She will go crazy with happiness.)

His grin was so wide and his excitement so infectious that everyone felt smiles forming on their lips.