Abhira Family-Volume 2

Good Gold Days

"Yeh baarish kab rukegi", said Abhir. All the Birla kids are sitting near the window waiting for the rain to stop. 

"Barish ko aaj hi ana tha. Sara plan kaharab ho gya iski wajah se", said Anaira sullenly. The Birla's decided to go on the picnic today. They have been planning this picnic since last week but rain fizzles out all of their plans. 

All the kids are sadly looking at the rain and waiting for it to stop.

"Abhi, dekho na bachon ka mood kitna kharab ho gya hai. Hum kuch nhi kr sakte kya?" asked Akshara. She is also sad looking at her kids sad faces.

"Akshu, tumhe pta hai na hum kuch nhi kr sakte. We planned for an outdoor picnic and baarish mai hum log kha jayenge. Tum hi batao", said Abhi.

"I know Abhi, but bache iss din ka bahut time se wait kr rhe the", said Akshara sadly. She put her head on Abhi's shoulder looking at the sullen faces of her kids.

"Everyone, can I have your attention please", said Neil loudly. Everybody looked at Neil who was standing at the table.

"Neil, table se neeche uttar. Kaun kahega tu do bachon ka baap hai", Manjari scolded her son and hit him on the leg.

"Bhabhi, dekho na maa mujhe maar rhi hai", whined Neil. The Birlas laughed. It is a regular affair in the family. Whenever either Manjari or Abhi scolds Neil, he seeks Akshara's help for his protection.

"Maa, aap Neil ko kuch mat kaho", said Akshara immediately came to the rescue of her beloved brother-in-law.

"Nhi , keh rhi mai kuch. Tere hote huye koi Neil ko kuch keh sakta hai kya", said Manjari and rolled her eyes at her kids.

"Ab agar sab ho gya ho toh Neil tu batayega kyu maang rha tha sabki attention", said Abhi.

"Haa, batata hoon. Bachon I know aap sabko picnic pr jana tha pr baarish ki wajah se hum nhi jaa paye, toh I thought why not we visit the good old days", said Neil.

"Huh? Good old days! Yeh kya hai?" asked Roohi.

"Rooh, I have the videos of the last 15 years. It has every video. Marriages, birthday parties, picnics, etc. Toh hum picnic pr toh nhi jaa sakte pr yeh good old days toh visit kr sakte hai na", said Neil. The kids shouted happily at this suggestion. 

They are preparing everything for this. The women made some light snacks whereas the men arranged videos and sitting space for everyone. Finally, all the preparations were done. Abhi and Akshara sat together with popcorn and nachos. Anaira and Roohi sat together. Abhir and Shivansh. Neil's youngest son Ruhan settled on his lap. Shefali's daughter Shifa sat down in her lap. Elders were sitting on the chairs.

"All ready", asked Neil. He heard various yeses. All the lights were dimmed and Neil started the videos. The first video of 'Radha Ashtami' where they met for the first time.

"Wow, mumma aap aur papa kitne young lag rhe ho", exclaimed Anaira. Abhi put his arms around Akshara and kissed her on the head. They happily saw the whole festival. How Abhi and Akshara met each other after the mask festival.

"Akshu masi I love this pink suit", exclaimed Roohi dreamily.

"I love it too, Rooh", said Abhi in a trance. "Look, how smitten I was at that time", whispered Abhi in Akshara's ears.

"Was? No, Mr. Abhimanyu you are still smitten with me", said Akshu with a wink. 

"Mumma, yeh Mimi hai na?" asked Abhir. 

"Yes, she is", said Akshara sadly. Mimi died when Abhir was a year old. Apart from Shivu and Abhir, no other kid had seen Mimi.

"Wow, yeh uss umar mai bhi kitni energetic thi", declared Roohi. Akshara and Arohi looked at Mimi with a sad face. They held each other's hand thinking about their Mimi. They missed their great-grandmother too much.