Shattered (Book #1 In Heart Series)✔️

Chapter 35: A third wheel ?

Today marked Maheshwati Singhania's 90th birthday, and the Singhania family decided to celebrate with an opulent ceremony. It was an intimate affair, with only the Rai and Mehra families in attendance.

Everyone was bustling with preparations. Kritika was making last-minute checks when she heard a familiar voice.

"Kritika," Aditya called from the stairs, still in his night clothes. Shocked, Kritika hurried towards him.

"Aditya, you haven't changed yet! The function will start any minute now," Kritika chided quietly. Ignoring her, Aditya grabbed her hand and pulled her towards their room.

"Aditya, where are you taking me? I have so much work to do..."

"If you don't stop blabbering, I will kiss you," Aditya said with a wicked smile. Kritika immediately closed her mouth.

"Good. Now, come on," he said, leading her to the wardrobe.

"Why are we here?"

"You have to pick out an outfit for me," Aditya replied. Kritika stared at him in disbelief.

"What? Are you a two-year-old?"

"No, but I'm a 27-year-old who needs your help. Now, be a good girl and choose a dress for me while I take a shower," he said, heading to the bathroom.

"Such a child," Kritika muttered, picking out an outfit for him before heading downstairs.

The Rai family had arrived. Kritika ran to hug her mother.

"Ma, I missed you," Kritika said, pouting.

"I missed you too, baccha," Ishita replied, lovingly caressing her hair.

"So, you didn't miss me? You only missed your mother?" Raman said, feigning sadness. Kritika laughed and hugged him.

"I missed you too, Papa," she said softly.

"Me too," Raman replied.

"Kritika, are you happy?" Arjun asked.

"Of course, Bhai. I'm very happy," Kritika assured him.

The Rai family greeted the Singhanias as the Mehra family arrived. Aradhya and Kritika screamed in delight, hugging each other.

"From your face, I can tell you're happy with the marriage," Aradhya said with a mischievous smile.

"Yes, it's not as bad as I thought," Kritika shrugged.

"I'm happy for you," Aradhya said, hugging her again.

Karthik interrupted, pulling Kritika into a hug.."Thank you for changing my friend,"

"No need to thank me, Bhai. He deserves all the happiness, and I just helped him find it,"Kritika replied.

_________

Maheshwari Singhania descended the stairs with the help of her grandchildren, Ahana, Abhimanyu, and Aditya. Everyone clapped as she reached the bottom.

"Happy birthday, Ma," Gautham wished her.

"Thank you, beta," she replied.

"Happy birthday, Ma, and this is for you," Swetha said, gifting her a saree

.One by one, everyone greeted Maheshwati. Just as the cake-cutting ceremony was about to begin, the doorbell rang.

"I think they're here," Gautham said excitedly. Kritika looked at him, puzzled.

"Who is Uncle talking about?" Aradhya asked Kritika.

"I don't know," Kritika replied.

Gautham opened the door to reveal a man, a woman, and a girl about Kritika's age. The Singhania family smiled warmly at their arrival. Priya approached Kritika.

"Kritika, do you see that girl?" Priya pointed. Kritika nodded.

"She was supposed to marry Aditya," Priya said.

Kritika looked shocked."What?"

"Yes, she's Dad's younger brother's daughter, Mithali," Priya explained.Kritika turned to see Mithali hugging Aditya.

"Kritika, come here,"Aditya called. Faking a smile, Kritika walked over.

"Who is this, Adi?" Mithali asked in a sweet voice.

"Hi, I'm Mrs. Kritika Aditya Singhania," Kritika said proudly. Aditya turned and narrowed his eyes at her.

Mithali's smile faded."Adi, you're married?" Mithali asked in shock.

"Yes," he replied with a smile. Krithika smirked seeing her face.

"Kritika, this is Mithali, my cousin, and these are Dev Uncle and Janaki Aunty, Mithali's parents," Aditya introduced. Kritika took their blessings.

"You look beautiful, beta. What's your name?" Janaki asked lovingly.

"Kritika Rai," she answered. Janaki frowned slightly.

"What's wrong, Aunty?" Kritika asked.

"Nothing... Are your parents here?" Janaki asked.

"Yes, Aunty," she said, pointing towards her family. "They're my family."

Raman and Janaki exchanged shocked glances but smiled to avoid awkwardness.

---

The cake-cutting ceremony began, but Kritika couldn't help gritting her teeth as she watched Mithali and Aditya smiling at each other. Karthik and Aradhya observed her with amusement.

"She's taller than me. I barely reach his shoulders. She's beautiful and slim, while I'm curvy," Kritika thought, comparing herself to Mithali and fearing that Aditya might leave her.

Mithali approached Kritika, who was talking to Aradhya.

"Hi," Mithali greeted Aradhya. Kritika rolled her eyes. 

"Kritika, can you come with me for a moment? I want to talk to you," Mithali asked. Kritika nodded and followed her.

"Kritika, I'm not going to take your husband," Mithali said with a smile. Kritika gasped in shock.

"Wh-why are you saying this to me?" Kritika asked, bewildered.

"I noticed you watching Aditya and me. But trust me, we're just friends, nothing more," Mithali explained.

"Oh," Kritika replied, feeling relieved.

"Can we be friends?" Mithali asked, extending her hand. Kritika grinned and hugged her, surprising Mithali.

---

Dinner was served, and everyone was enjoying the meal when Priya suddenly ran towards the kitchen. Worried, Abhimanyu followed her and was shocked to see her throwing up.

"Priya, what's wrong?" Abhimanyu asked, side-hugging her.

"I don't know, Abhi," Priya murmured.

"Bhai, take her to the couch," Kritika instructed. Abhimanyu carried Priya to the living room and gently placed her on the couch.

"Bhai, let me check on her. You move aside," Kritika said. Abhimanyu stepped back, and Kritika examined Priya. Everyone watched anxiously.

Suddenly, Kritika grinned and jumped up to hug Abhimanyu.

"Congratulations, Bhai! You're going to be a father," Kritika announced excitedly. Abhimanyu froze, then looked at Priya, who was regaining consciousness. The room erupted in cheers.

"Priya, we're going to be parents," Abhimanyu said, smiling through his tears. Priya gasped in surprise.

"What? Really?"

"Yes, Priya. Thank you so much," Abhimanyu said, kissing her forehead.

"Oh my god, I'm going to be a grandma. Thank you, beta," Swetha said, hugging Priya.

"And I'll be a great-grandma," Maheshwari said, kissing Priya's forehead.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we have more good news," Ishita announced, smiling.

"We're pregnant," Arjun and Shivanya said together. Kritika beamed and hugged them.

"Oh my god, I'm going to be an aunt to two munchkins! And one more thing, I will select the names," Kritika declared.

"Oh, hello, I'll decide the names because I'm their uncle," Aditya interrupted

."Nope, I will."

"I will."

"I will."

"I will."

"STOP," Mithali screamed.

"You both are not kids, for god's sake," Mithali scolded, making both of them pout.

"Kritika, you can name our child," Abhimanyu said.

"And Devarji, you can name ours," Shivanya added.

"Deal," Kritika and Aditya said together.

"And you two don't need to worry. You can decide your own child's name later, right everyone?" Raj said.

Everyone laughed at Aditya's and Kritika's red faces.