Pushpa was visibly upset with Sanyukta after learning about Ranvijay's health.
"Sanyukta, you are a very good mother. I have seen it," she began, her tone soft but firm. "But you have other responsibilities too. You are a wife and a daughter-in-law as well. You should have been more careful," she added, her words laced with concern.
Sanyukta nodded silently, accepting the reprimand.
"Maa, she’s not a magician who can predict everything beforehand," Ranvijay interjected, slouching beside his grandmother and grabbing a slice of apple from her plate. "It was just some digestive issue."
"Tu toh chup kar, Ranvijay! You’ve become so careless with your health these days," Pushpa scolded, her maternal worry evident as she caressed his hair. "Ab main khud tere liye soup bana ke dungi."
"Okay... but make it tasty," Ranvijay teased, a grin breaking out on his face. Pushpa couldn't help but smile, planting a kiss on his head as he hugged her waist affectionately.
"Chalo, ab sab meri seva mein lag jao! I feel so sick," he declared dramatically, resting his head on his Dadi’s shoulder. His exaggerated antics made Indira Devi slap his cheek playfully.
Indira Devi was about to take a bite of her apple slice when Ranvijay held her hand and guided it toward his mouth, eating it instead. Sanyukta shook her head at her husband's antics, unable to suppress a small smile.
"Induuu, your favorite grandchild is sick, and here you are eating by yourself? Feed me now!" he demanded, making Dadi chuckle.
Turning to his wife, he pointed a finger dramatically. "And you, new wife, come here."
Sanyukta sighed and walked toward him. "What now?" her expression seemed to say.
"Make me a strong coffee," Ranvijay said, popping a grape into his mouth as Dadi fed him.
"Not at all!" Sanyukta retorted firmly. "If you want something else, I’ll make it, but no coffee. You just said you’re sick. No caffeine for you."
Ranvijay groaned in frustration. "Vidya Kaki! Please make me a coffee," he called out to the house help, his tone pleading. Vidya glanced at Sanyukta, hesitant.
"Kaki! Why are you looking at her? She’s just a kal ki aayi hui ladki! Will you forget our bond of years for her?" he exclaimed, feigning disbelief. His exaggerated reaction made Vidya laugh out loud.
"Dadi, tell her not to talk to me anymore!" he cried dramatically. Then, raising his voice slightly so his mother in the kitchen could hear, he added, "And Maa, you were right! It’s because of her that I fell sick!"
Sanyukta rolled her eyes at her husband’s theatrics, silently vowing not to indulge him further.
Ranvijay’s phone rang, and he immediately picked it up, noticing it was a call from his office.
“Hmmm…” he hummed, his tone turning serious. “What about the police investigating file? Usse kuch pata chala?” he asked Satyam.
After a pause, he added, “Okay… I’ll be there in an hour. Tum log udhar hi milo mujhe, and ask Abhinav to be there with his team. We might need their help.” He ended the call with a curt nod and started texting someone on his phone.
“Aap office jaa rahe hai?” Sanyukta asked, handing him his medicine. He nodded without looking up, still focused on his phone.
“Rest kar lete na… Aaj work from home kar lo,” she suggested gently.
“Nice suggestion, but not needed,” he replied, dismissing her concern, making her sigh in frustration.
“Thik keh rahi hai Sanyukta… Aaj kahi mat jaa,” Dadi chimed in, voicing her concern as well.
“Induuu, it’s important. Mujhe ek accident site visit karni hai… phir ek aur jahan jaana hai. It’s important,” Ranvijay explained, leaning down to kiss his Dadi’s cheek affectionately.
He stood up and walked toward their room while Sanyukta headed to the kitchen to assist her mother-in-law.
“Sanyukta, ye soup le jaa bache Ranvijay ke liye aur ye dusra wala jo kam spicy hai, vo Avu aur Aarvi ko de dena,” Pushpa instructed warmly. Sanyukta smiled at her mother-in-law’s caring nature and carried the soup bowls out.
When she entered the room with a bowl of soup, she found it in complete disarray. His shoes were scattered on the floor, a towel lay crumpled on the bed, and his shirt was draped haphazardly over a chair. Meanwhile, Ranvijay was combing his hair, talking animatedly over the phone.
He was almost ready, but as usual, he hadn’t buttoned his shirt. Sanyukta placed the bowl on the table and walked over to him. Without saying a word, she turned him toward her and began buttoning his shirt while he continued his phone conversation, unfazed.
“Soup,” she mouthed silently as he sat down on the couch to wear his socks. He glanced at her and signaled for her to feed him.
She chuckled at his antics but obediently sat beside him, holding the soup bowl. She began feeding him, shaking her head at how effortlessly he got his way.
"Nahi, abhi hearing ko toh time hai, but we are not sure na ki abhi hume kuch milega bhi ya nahi vaha," Ranvijay spoke over the phone, his tone thoughtful.
He shook his head, refusing to have more soup.
"Thoda sa aur," Sanyukta said, forwarding the spoon toward him. He narrowed his eyes at her but eventually took it, making her giggle.
"You have the rest. I’m done," he said, ending the call and pushing the bowl toward her.
"Achaa… main kyu jutha khau?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Suna nahi tune kabhi… pyar badhta hai jutha khaane se," he replied, winking at her, which made her chuckle.
"Pyar badhne ke liye pyar hona bhi toh zaroori hai," she quipped, taking a sip of the soup herself.
"So, you want to say that you don’t love me?" he asked, leaning slightly toward her, his gaze fixed on her.
Sanyukta blinked nervously, her heart skipping a beat as she met his eyes. She was tongue-tied. She couldn’t outright say no, but it was also too early for her to admit that she was in love.
"Aap batayiye… aapko badhana hai pyar toh," she deflected, focusing on her soup and avoiding his intense gaze.
"Mera toh saare ghar ko pata hai… you can ask anyone, Biwii jiii. They will tell you about my sacred love," he said with a mischievous grin, getting up and playfully pinching her nose.
"Ranvijay!" she hissed, swatting his hand away.
"Okayyyy, I’ll take your leave now, Biwi. Miss me, take care of yourself, and my baby boy. I might come late, so don’t wait for me," he said, picking up his car keys and wallet.
"Nahi, please… time se ghar aa jaana," Sanyukta said softly, following him downstairs.
"Will try, but can’t promise," he replied with a shrug.
"Byeee, ladies and babies!" he called out, waving at Dadi, Pushpa ji, Avu, and Aarvi before stepping out.
"Daddyyyyyy!" Avu came running to Ranvijay, who immediately scooped him up, showering him with kisses on his cheek.
Avu giggled and kissed him back, making Ranvijay laugh and smother him with even more kisses.
"Okayyy, my little tiger, you need to take care of yourself," Ranvijay said, his tone turning soft and fatherly as he reminded Avu about his stitches that still needed a few more days to heal.
"And Mummaaa?" Avu asked, his wide eyes brimming with innocence.
"Hmmmm… Mumma too," Ranvijay replied with a chuckle.
He passed Avu to Sanyukta, pinching her cheek playfully as if she were Avu's age, making her laugh at his antics.
Later, Sanyukta fed both Avu and Aarvi the soup lovingly prepared by Pushpa. While the kids enjoyed their meal, the house felt calm and homely.
Anjali, Ranveer, and Pratap had left for the office, and Anushka was off to her college.
As for Sanyukta, she still had to wait three more months before she could rejoin her school. She had applied for a transfer to a nearby branch, but the administration informed her she could only start after the semester ended.
In a way, this arrangement was a blessing in disguise. These months would give her and Avu time to adjust to the family and grow more comfortable with their new life.
If she had joined the school immediately, it would have been tough for Avu to stay without her. Though he was gradually mingling with the family, he still needed her presence around him.
Sanyukta had also started thinking about enrolling Avu in preschool with Aarvi when the new session began.
After putting Aarvi and Avu down for their nap, she joined Dadi in the living room. They settled on the couch to watch a TV serial together while Pushpa was out visiting a neighbor. The house was quiet, but the warmth of companionship lingered, giving Sanyukta a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos of her new life.
"Ranvijay ko iski saas bilkul pasand nahi?"Dadi said while chuckling. Dadiiiii," Sanyukta laughed, unable to believe what she’d just heard
"Vo dekhte hai yeh sab?" Sanyukta asked, amused.
"Mere saath dekhne ki aadat lag gayi usse," Dadi replied. "Par poora time kuch na kuch bolta rahega. Abhi ek ladki aayegi, dekhna... usse bohot pasand hai vo."
"Yeh dekho, yeh waali," Dadi said, pointing at the screen as the girl appeared.
"Isme kya pasand hai unko? Yeh toh itni acchi bhi nahi dikhti," Sanyukta muttered under her breath, making Dadi laugh.
"Beta, tujhe isse jealous hone ki zaroorat nahi hai," Dadi said, smiling. "Isko toh vo pasand karta hai, par tujhse toh pyar hai usse."
Sanyukta turned to Dadi, surprised by her words.
"Aise kya dekh rahi hai? Bhale hi saara din tere peeche pada rahe… vo toh aadat hai uski. Par tujhse shaadi karne ke liye sabse ladd gaya tha vo," Dadi revealed, making Sanyukta curious.
"Aisa kya hua tha, Dadi? Unhone toh mujhe kuch bataya hi nahi iss baare mein," Sanyukta asked.
Dadi began narrating how Ranvijay had refused to marry anyone but her and how he had confessed his love.
Sanyukta listened, amazed at his manipulative skills. She now understood why her in-laws hadn’t come to see her before the wedding.
"Phir baad mein kaise haan ki Maa aur Papa ne?" she asked.
"Karni hi padi," Dadi chuckled. "Unko pata tha ki ab vo shaadi toh tujhse karke hi rahega."
"Koi itna jhootha kaise ho sakta hai?" Sanyukta groaned internally but thought, He is Ranvijay. He does the unthinkable.
"Tujhse toh pyar karta hi hai, par Avu se toh aur bhi zyada pyar karta hai," Dadi added, making Sanyukta smile widely.
She knew this was true. She had witnessed firsthand how much Ranvijay adored Avu. He was unpredictable and full of mystery, yet he made her happy. There was never a dull moment with him, and the house felt utterly empty without his chaos.
"Bohot zyada shararti tha vo... shuru se aisa hi hai," Dadi said, her voice filled with affection as she recalled Ranvijay's childhood days. "Ranveer toh bohot seedha bacha raha hai, aur Anushka? Vo toh bas soti hi rehti thi bachpan mein. Khana, sona aur rona... bas yeh teen kaam the uske."
Sanyukta chuckled, already picturing the contrast.
"Par Ranvijay? Akela kaafi tha poore ghar ko sar pe uthane ke liye," Dadi continued, her smile widening. "Idhar se udhar bhagna, shararat karna... aur sabse zyada Pratap se maar bhi usi ne khai hai!"
Sanyukta couldn't stop laughing as Dadi recounted the mischievous tales.
"Par ek number ka ziddi tha vo," Dadi said . "Jo karna hota tha, vo karke hi maanta tha. Ek baar toh Pratap ne use kisi baat pe daant diya tha aur vo naraz ho gaya."
"Phir kya hua, Dadi?" Sanyukta asked eagerly.
Dadi grinned. "Shaam ko Pratap ka college ka ek dost ghar aa gaya. Dono study room mein baith kar drink kar rahe the. Ranvijay ne door lock kar diya bahar se!"
"Phir kya? Jab Pratap ko pata chala, toh use gussa aa gaya. Ek thappad lagaya aur Ranvijay ko room mein lock kar diya," Dadi said, shaking her head at the memory.
"Aur Ranvijay? Vo chup baithe honga kya?" Sanyukta asked intrigued.
"Bilkul nahi," Dadi said, laughing. "Jab dinner ka time hua aur humne door khola Pratap ko daant ke, tab tak toh Ranvijay kab ka khidki se bhaag chuka tha!"
Sanyukta clutched her stomach as tears rolled down her cheeks from laughing so much.
Dadi continued recounting Ranvijay’s childhood antics, making Sanyukta laugh so hard that her stomach ached.
"Ek baar toh khud hi kidnapper ban ke apne baap se paise maang liye," Dadi shared another story, leaving Sanyukta in tears of laughter.
"Vo toh ab bhi aise hi hai," Sanyukta said, shaking her head, and they both laughed again.
In the evening
"Badeee Papaaa… diveee chale," Avu asked Ranveer sweetly, making him smile.
"Avuuu ko jaana hai toh zaroor chalenge," Ranveer said, picking him up and tickling him, causing Avu to giggle uncontrollably.
"Bhaiiii, hum sab log dinner ke liye chalte hai na bahar," Anushka chimed in. "Sanyukta bhabhi ke aane ke baad se ek baar bhi hum kahin bahar nahi gaye hain. Pleaseee!" she pleaded, giving Ranveer her best puppy-dog eyes.
Ranveer laughed, ruffling her hair. "You need to ask others. Agar sab ready hain toh we can go."
Dadi was the first to say yes, and soon Anushka convinced everyone else, but Sanyukta was hesitant.
"I know, Anu, but Ranvijay ko light food ke liye hi bola hai doctor ne," Sanyukta replied.
"Toh unke liye ghar pe khichdi bana dena," Anushka joked, making everyone laugh.
"I guess vo aayenge hi nahi dinner tak. He comes home late. Let me call him," Anushka said.
She called Ranvijay, but he didn’t answer, making her sigh. "Bhaiii, aap call karo. He won’t pick my phone," she said, handing the phone to Ranveer.
As soon as Ranveer called, the phone was answered immediately.
"Whyyyy can’t you pick my phone, Bhaiiii? You’re sooo bad! I won’t talk to you ever," Anushka shouted into the phone, only to hear a calm voice respond.
"Ma’am, it’s me, Satyam," said Ranvijay’s assistant.
"Ohhh, sorry, Satyam Bhai," Anushka apologized, biting her tongue.
"Satyam, where is Ranvijay?" Ranveer inquired.
"Sir, Ranvijay sir toh abhi crime scene pe busy hain. Police aur forensic waale log bhi idhar hain," Satyam informed.
"Kab tak ho jayega ye sab?" Ranveer asked.
"Sir, ye sab toh kab ka khatam ho jaata, par Ranvijay sir kisi ko jaane nahi de rahe. Subah se sab ko wahi rok rakha hai," Satyam said, making Ranveer sigh.
"Okay! Ask him to call me once he’s free," Ranveer instructed, ending the call.
"I guess vo nahi aayega dinner ke liye," Ranveer informed everyone.
"Bhabhiii, it’s decided now. You are coming with us," Anushka declared, leaving Sanyukta no choice but to agree reluctantly.
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