Ranvijay's voice echoed from upstairs, drawing a soft smile on Sanyukta's face as she wiped her hands with a kitchen towel. Her sleepyhead husband was finally awake.
"Jaa bache, uth gaya hai vo..." Pushpa ji said, entering the kitchen right on cue. Sanyukta nodded, setting the towel aside.
As she made her way upstairs, she wasn’t surprised by the sight that greeted her. There he was—sprawled lazily across the bed, yawning like he hadn't slept in years. The pillows had been kicked to the floor, and the comforter lay discarded on the far end of the bed.
"Kaha thi yaar tu..." he grumbled, voice hoarse with sleep.
Sanyukta placed the pillows back on the couch and shot him an unimpressed look. "Ye kya haal bana diya hai room ka, Ranvijayyy... such a messy man."
But Ranvijay only smirked, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief. "Your handsome and charming husband is finally up to brighten your day, biwiiii... Look at the positive side. Be optimistic, loving, and grateful."
She shook her head, biting back a grin. Of course, he would say that—looking absolutely drool-worthy in his messy state, hair ruffled, voice lazy, and body all stretched out. But no, she couldn't give in to the temptation. Not right now.
"No good morning... no hugs... no kisses?" he complained dramatically, opening his arms wide.
Sanyukta giggled, finally surrendering to his embrace. The next second, he rolled her down onto the bed, pinning her beneath him as she let out a surprised shriek.
He buried his face into her neck, breathing her in like she'd been gone for days instead of minutes. His touch was warm, familiar, intoxicating.
Sanyukta smiled, pressing a soft kiss into his hair as her fingers lazily traced patterns along the muscles of his bare back.
"Breakfast mein kya banaya hai?" he mumbled between soft kisses trailing down to her collarbone.
"Sandwich, paratha, oats... kya khana hai?" she asked knowingly, already sensing he was about to request something off-menu.
"Pyaz Kachori," he replied without missing a beat.
"Mujhe nahi banani aati," Sanyukta admitted, patting his back.
Ranvijay pulled his head back, narrowing his eyes like a mock villain. "Shall I call my saasu maa and complain about you?"
"Subah subah itna oily nahi khaate," she scolded gently, cupping his face.
He rolled his eyes dramatically. "Main kha lunga, tu bana de."
She laughed softly. "Time lagta hai usme, Ranvijay... filling banani padti hai. And I know you really well. You'll get impatient and phir udhar mere sar pe khade rahoge, asking me to hurry up."
"Pehle batate toh main bana chuki hoti ab tak," she added with a teasing pout.
Ranvijay groaned like she'd just told him his favorite show got canceled. "Main bahar se order kar raha hoon... because I want to eat kachori only." He collapsed back onto the bed and reached for his phone dramatically, like a man defeated.
"Nahi... bahar se nahi. Vo pata nahi kab ka bana ke rakhte hai," Sanyukta protested, snatching his phone away. "Main bana dungi... but I need some time. Have some coffee and sandwich first. Nahi toh bhookh control hoti nahi hai, and you get hangry."
At that, Ranvijay grinned. "Fine." He nodded like a good boy, though the mischief in his eyes never quite faded.
"Main help kar dunga," he offered, as if that were a reasonable solution.
Sanyukta immediately shook her head. "No thanks. Main khud bana lungi." She knew exactly what his "help" meant—him getting in the way, creating twice the mess, and turning the kitchen into a disaster zone.
After some more kisses and a few stolen cuddles, she finally managed to usher him into the bathroom. Once he disappeared inside, she tidied up the room, arranging his things neatly. Experience had taught her that if she didn’t, he'd end up turning the wardrobe upside down just to find a single sock, tripling her work.
Back downstairs, Sanyukta rolled up her sleeves and got to work on his precious pyaz kachori.
Thankfully, Vidya kaki joined her, well aware of Ranvijay’s legendary impatience. Together, they prepared to tackle the task—because when Ranvijay Shekhwat wanted kachori, nothing less would do .
Meanwhile, Pushpa ji was seated at the dining table, chatting with Pratap as she served him breakfast.
"Rudraksh aur uski family mujhe theek lagte hain... I know whatever he did with Ranvijay is something we can't forget, but with Anu, it's completely different," Pratap said thoughtfully, stirring his tea.
"They're well-respected and well-settled people."
Pushpa ji nodded slowly, her expression unreadable. "Jo aapko theek lag raha hai kijiye... I won't interfere. But I really can't forget and forgive Rudraksh for what he did to my son."
Her voice softened, eyes distant, as if reliving the nightmare. "I died a thousand deaths seeing my boy in pain... crying in my lap like a lost soul, trying to find his way through the darkness."
She exhaled sharply, collecting herself. "Anu is my child too. If her happiness lies with Rudraksh, toh main beech mein nahi aungi. But don't expect anything from me in this matter."
Pratap gave a silent nod, understanding her stance perfectly.
Just then, Ranvijay strolled into the dining hall, his signature smirk in place. "Good morning, oldies!" he greeted cheekily.
Pushpa ji immediately slapped his back, narrowing her eyes. "Buddha hoga tera baap... mujhe toh bolna mat."
Ranvijay placed a hand over his heart in mock offense. "Well, I have to agree on this, Maateee..."
They both turned to glance at Pratap, who was glaring at them. Within seconds, the mother-son duo burst into laughter, their shared humor filling the room.
"I really wish tera ek aur beta ho, jo tujhe sabak sikhaye... Avu toh Sanyukta pe gaya hai," Pratap muttered, shaking his head.
Ranvijay chuckled. "If wishes were fishes, beggars would eat fish fryyy... Aapke kehne se kuch nahi hoga, Fatherrr." He raised his brows playfully.
"Dekhte hain... I won't lose hope," Pratap replied dryly, making Pushpa ji laugh softly.
"Maa... kaha hai meri waali? Kuch bana bhi rahi hai ya idhar-udhar timepass kar rahi hai?" Ranvijay asked with a smug grin.
Pushpa ji tugged his ear lightly. "Bana rahi hai teri kachori... subah-subah pareshan kar diya bechari ko."
"Sanyukta ko bolo zyada sar na chadhaye isse," Pratap added while sipping his tea.
"Kaash Dadi ne bhi Maa ko yeh bola hota," Ranvijay quipped, winking at his mother.
Pushpa ji shot him a glare, while Pratap gave him a sharp "shut up" look, but neither could hide their amusement.
Amidst this, Pratap cleared his throat. "Anu ka roka rakhne ki soch raha hoon Rudraksh ke saath," he announced, glancing at Ranvijay, who was busy asking his mother to feed him a bite of her paratha.
Ranvijay paused, chewing thoughtfully. "So you've decided to finalize things?" he asked calmly, though his eyes darkened slightly.
Pratap nodded.
"Kar lijiye," Ranvijay shrugged, leaning back nonchalantly in his chair. But Pratap knew his son far too well to believe this matter would pass so smoothly.
"Kasam khaa apni maa ki you won't interfere," Pratap demanded, narrowing his eyes.
Ranvijay raised a brow, smirking. "Why? You want to get rid of my sweet, innocent Pushpa?"
"Pushpa," Pratap looked at his wife seriously.
Pushpa ji nodded firmly. "Nahi aayega yeh beech mein."
Ranvijay huffed dramatically, glancing between the two of them.
Pushpa ji offered him another bite, but this time he looked away like an upset child. She couldn't help but smile at her big boy. She knew he was hurting, that despite the jokes and smirks, this wasn't easy for him.
Gently turning his face back towards her, she fed him the bite herself.
Pratap, sensing their silent conversation, quietly left the room, leaving the mother and son alone.
Pushpa ji caressed his cheek, her voice tender. "I understand what you're going through. I'm with you in everything, my baby... but we can't expect the same understanding from others, even if it's Ranveer... even if it's Anu."
She took his hands into hers, grounding him. "They just know the story. But we... we lived through it. We know the pain."
Ranvijay leaned into her touch, comforted by her unwavering presence.
"Maa... it's not just about what he did to me. I'm scared for Anu. What if her future with him isn't safe?" he confessed softly.
Pushpa ji smiled sadly, brushing his hair back. "I know, bache... you've been worried about her from the start. But you can't carry it all. As a family, we guide her, show her what's right and wrong. But after that... it's her path to walk."
She sighed. "And she's already chosen. Agar aaj hum usse forcefully rok lenge, she'll push back harder—maybe do something even worse."
She squeezed his hand. "Aur aisa nahi hai ki Rudraksh aur uski family ke baare mein tumhare Papa ne aur Ranveer ne background check nahi karwaya... They did. Let Anu be accountable for her own decisions."
She paused, watching him closely. "If we force her to marry someone else, bacha... we'll ruin two lives."
Ranvijay exhaled slowly, nodding as the weight of it all pressed down on him.
"You want to be a part of it?" Pushpa ji asked gently.
Ranvijay shook his head slightly, kissing the palm of her hand. "I didn't know..." he whispered.
She cupped his face again, her heart full. "I won't let anyone force you into anything. And honestly, if you say no, I'll stand by you. It doesn't make you selfish.
If Anu is choosing her happiness, you have every right to choose your peace."
A faint smile tugged at Ranvijay's lips. "I'll do whatever you say, Maa. Mujhe khud samajh nahi aa raha." He rested his head on her shoulder, and she patted his back soothingly.
"Toh chal... Sanyukta ko honeymoon pe le ja," Pushpa ji teased, kissing his hair.
Ranvijay chuckled. "And what about Anu's wedding?"
"Shaadi abhi nahi ho rahi... hogi tab dekhenge. But for now, you need to relax."
Ranvijay tilted his head, grinning. "Pushpa, I love you."
Pushpa ji laughed, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "I love you more, my son."
Sanyukta stepped out of the kitchen with a plate full of fresh kachoris, and both Pushpa ji and Ranvijay couldn’t help but smile at her radiant presence.
"Khao tum dono," Pushpa ji said warmly, getting up from the table.
"Maa, aap nahi lengi kya?" Sanyukta asked, glancing at her with genuine care.
"Shaam ko chai ke saath, beta. Abhi apne pati ko khila," Pushpa ji replied with a chuckle, affectionately patting Sanyukta's cheek, making her smile shyly.
Sanyukta carefully served Ranvijay, placing the kachoris in front of him along with green and red chutneys. "Taste it and tell me kesi bani hai... bohot jaldi mein banai hai," she said, her eyes watching him expectantly.
Ranvijay took a generous bite, savoring the crispness and flavor. "Ummm... super amazing," he praised, giving her a playful thumbs-up. Sanyukta's smile widened, her heart fluttering at his approval.
"Here," he said, breaking off another piece and forwarding it to her lips.
Sanyukta blinked. "Aap khaiye, main khud khaa lungi," she said modestly as he offered her the bite again.
But Ranvijay shook his head with that familiar smug grin. "Let me feed my wife. Give your hand rest for a while," he insisted, his voice laced with tenderness.
Sanyukta's cheeks flushed. Unable to resist the sweet gesture, she leaned forward and pecked his cheek softly, surprising even herself.
Ranvijay raised his brows at her, pretending to act scandalized.
"Pyar aa gaya tha," she admitted, shrugging playfully.
"Aana hi tha... main hoon hi aisa," he replied, wiggling his eyebrows dramatically, making her giggle like a schoolgirl.
This time, as he fed her another bite, she naughtily bit down on his finger, causing him to narrow his eyes in mock warning.
"Biting is also a love language, I guess," she teased, blinking innocently up at him.
Ranvijay leaned in slightly, his tone dipping into a deep, husky whisper. "Don't pull the wrong stunt... because I am multilingual when it comes to love languages."
He tilted his head, his gaze darkening with mischief. "You’ll end up making multiple noises... in multiple ways... if I get started, Sanyuu Darling."
The air shifted instantly, playful banter giving way to heated tension. He slid his hand under the table and pinched her thigh, making her gasp softly.
A tiny hiss escaped Sanyukta's lips as she instinctively gripped the edge of the table, her breath hitching under his intense gaze.
Blushing furiously, she lowered her gaze, biting her lip to suppress the smile threatening to bloom, while Ranvijay leaned back with a victorious smirk, absolutely relishing the effect he had on her.
Avu and Aarvi came running into the hall, their little feet pattering against the floor as Aarvi, who had an off from school today, led the way.
“Chachuuuu... Anu Bua is so silly!” Aarvi announced dramatically, her tiny arms folded across her chest, and Avu bobbed his head eagerly in agreement with his Didu.
“I know, baby... she’s just like that only. Extremely stupid,” Ranvijay said with a smirk, and both kids puffed their cheeks out, as if genuinely annoyed with their Bua's foolishness.
“Asa nahi bolte bacha... she’s elder than you two,” Sanyukta gently corrected them, shaking her head.
“Yesssss... Bua itiii baiii hokee bhi sillyyy hai,” Avu added, widening his big doe eyes as if the very thought exhausted him, making Ranvijay burst into laughter at his adorable expression.
“Avuuuu... mana kiya na, asa nahi bolte. Bad manners hote hai,” Sanyukta scolded softly, but Avu only blinked innocently at her.
“Shit is a bad word, Chachiii... silly is not a bad word... Right, Chachu?” Aarvi asked, looking for confirmation, and Ranvijay nodded with mock seriousness.
“Silly is okayyy word, Mummaaa... nottt bad...” Avu chimed in with a mischievous grin, and Sanyukta sighed, knowing there was no winning when Ranvijay was on their side.
“Acha, aap kyu bol rahe the Bua ko silly? Kya hua?” Sanyukta asked, steering the conversation back to the point.
“Buaaa ne gusaaa kiyaa Diduuu ko... orr mekooo bhi...” Avu pouted, his lower lip sticking out adorably.
“She scolded you both?” Ranvijay’s face hardened, his protective mode switching on as they both nodded in unison.
“Let me talk to her...” Ranvijay said, already getting up, but Sanyukta quickly held his hand.
“Ranvijay... at least pehle ye toh puch lijiye kyu gussa kiya. They must have been troubling her as always, and you know she’s dealing with a lot of emotions right now,” Sanyukta reasoned calmly.
“Toubleee nahi kiyaaa, Mummaaa... hid sekkk khel rahe thee Bua ke rum mei...” Avu said with an innocent shrug.
“Yes... and we were just hiding there, and Bua ka phone ring hua... she was in the washroom, so I answered it,” Aarvi added as if it was the most natural thing.
“Bache aise nahi phone answer karte bado ka...” Sanyukta pointed out, but Aarvi was quick to defend.
“It was disturbing us, Chachiiiiii,” she muttered, and Avu nodded like her loyal little shadow.
“Buaaa ne bolaaa... Jaooooo!” Avu exclaimed, raising his pitch dramatically to imitate Anushka’s scolding, making everyone laugh.
“Then I asked Bua not to shout because it’s not good,” Aarvi said with an exaggerated shrug.
“Yesssss... I asooo say thatttt to Buaaa...” Avu sighed heavily, blinking his big eyes as if burdened by so much responsibility.
“You are my smart babiesss... How could that silly Anu shout at the two of you when you were just playing?” Ranvijay cooed, and both kids immediately hugged him, earning kisses on their heads.
“Ignore her and don’t go to her room. You can play in the hall. It’s so big! And I’ll tell you some secret places to hide too,” Ranvijay whispered, his voice full of excitement.
Their eyes gleamed as they leaned in close, and Ranvijay whispered their top-secret hideouts into their ears. Sanyukta chuckled quietly at his antics, watching how easily he cast his magic over the kids. Aarvi, who barely listened to anyone, would hang onto every word Ranvijay said. And Avu... well, Avu was already a full-time Daddy’s Boy.
In the evening...
Avu and Aarvi were giggling and running around the hall when Rudraksh entered, having been invited by Pratap to discuss the Roka and other details regarding Anu.
Rudraksh’s gaze softened at the sight of the playful kids. “Good evening,” he greeted them politely, earning polite nods from the adults and a small smile from Sanyukta as she excused herself to prepare tea.
Ranveer and Anjali soon joined them, and everyone settled down.
“Papa abhi aate hi honge,” Ranveer informed Rudraksh, who nodded understandingly.
Anushka's face lit up upon seeing Rudraksh, but he subtly gestured for her to control herself. Anu pouted but obediently sat beside Dadi.
“Hellooo, cuties!” Rudraksh greeted the kids warmly.
“Gud eveingggg, unclll,” Avu replied with a small smile, blinking his big eyes cutely. Rudraksh smiled wide at the little munchkin, but before he could say more, Aarvi pulled Avu back, whispering something into his ear.
Avu’s head bobbed as Aarvi folded her arms sassily. “Uncle, don’t call us cuteee... Aap stranger hai. You can call me Aarvi, and him Avu.”
Rudraksh raised a brow in amusement. “In that case, we can be friends. Then I won’t be a stranger, right?”
Avu, the innocent soul, was already nodding when Aarvi stopped him with a glare. “Nooo, uncleeee... I can only have one boy as friend and that is myyy Chachu. He is my only boy friend.”
She pointed her tiny finger for emphasis. “And only my Chachu can call me sugar plumm... princess... doll... baby... cutieee,” she declared proudly.
“Diduuuuu, I am asooo ur frnddr,” Avu pouted, confused.
“Avuuuu... you are a baby! I am sayinggg about biggg boyss,” Aarvi clarified, and Avu’s mouth formed a little ‘o’ before he grinned and hugged her.
“I’m your Bua’s good friend. I can be your friend as well,” Rudraksh tried again, charmed by their banter.
But Aarvi wrinkled her nose. “Bua is silly... and Chachi said she is stupid also... aap unke friend hai... aap bhi silly honge.”
Anu gasped. “Aarvi!” But Rudraksh just laughed.
“Yessss... Diduuu is ryttttt,” Avu added dramatically, giving Anu a side-eye.
“Asa nahi bolte, Aarvi... Uncle bade hai aapse,” Ranveer corrected her.
“Chachuuu ne bola asa... Bua yelled at usss in the morning,” Aarvi defended.
“Yesss, Baee Papa... Buaaa solddd (scolded) ussss... Bad Habitttt... and nottt say sryyyyy,” Avu added with a pout.
Sanyukta entered with tea and snacks, helping Vidya Kaki serve everyone.
“Aap log pareshan kar rahe honge Bua ko,” Ranveer guessed, but both kids shook their heads quickly.
“Nooo... we are good babies. Daddy aapko nahi pata... Chachu knows things. Let me call himmmm,” Aarvi said, reaching for Sanyukta’s phone, but Ranveer stopped her.
“Nahi, koi jaroorat nahi hai... it’s okay,” Ranveer sighed.
“I can give you chocolate as well,” Rudraksh offered, immediately catching their attention.
“Unclll, I wann choco chippp cookieeee,” Avu said eagerly, his grin wide.
But Aarvi tugged him back, whispering seriously, “Nooo Avuuu... uncle can kidnap us... I told you naa... no chocolate from stranger uncle... they will kidnap us.”
Avu’s eyes widened as he stared at Rudraksh. “Unclll... aap kiddnaprrr hooo?”
Rudraksh nearly choked on his tea, coughing while the room fell silent.
“Avuuuu...” Sanyukta called him gently. He ran to her side.
“Asa nahi bolte bachaaa...” she reminded, and he nodded.
“Aarvi, come here baby. Finish your milk, and then you both can go play in the garden with Gardner uncle, okay?” Sanyukta suggested, and their eyes sparkled at the thought of playing in the mud.
Hand in hand, the little duo dashed off with Vidya Kaki, leaving the adults smiling.
“They’re the little troublemakers of our house,” Ranveer said fondly.
“They’re adorable... and very attached to Ranvijay,” Rudraksh noted.
“Very much. Whatever Ranvijay says becomes universal truth for them,” Anjali added with a laugh.
Pratap soon arrived, and the Roka discussions began, but the echoes of the kids’ antics lingered in the air like little rays of joy.
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