Yeh Rishte Hai Pyaar Ke

II Abhimaan's Entry at poddar house.

As the evening drew to a close, the festivities gradually winded down, and the guests began to take their leave, their farewells and well-wishes hanging in the air like a lingering echo. The Goenkas, exhausted from the day's merriment, sought the blessings of their youngers, their voices hushed in reverence. The house, once a vibrant hub of laughter and music, slowly succumbed to the silence of the night, its occupants retreating to their respective chambers, their dreams no doubt infused with the joy and revelry of the day's celebrations.

As they prepared for bed, Rohit made his way to the couch, his weary body sinking into its worn cushions. Ruhi, standing beside the bed, watched with a pang of guilt as he winced in discomfort, his back protesting with a dull ache - a poignant reminder of the last night he'd spent on the couch, avoiding the bed. She felt a surge of regret, her heart heavy with the realization that she was the reason for his suffering. With hesitant steps, she approached him, her eyes locked on his, filled with a deep longing to bridge the gap between them.

"Rohit," she said, mustering her courage. "Do you need something, Ruhi?" he asked, standing up from the couch. She took a deep breath. "Rohit, if you want, you can sleep on the bed." He raised his eyebrows. "You mean we both can sleep on the bed together?" She hesitated slightly. "If you're uncomfortable, I can sleep on the couch." He smiled. "Are you sure you'll be comfortable?" She smiled back. "I wouldn't have offered if I weren't. Just don't kick me in your sleep." He laughed out loud. "Don't worry, I won't. And did you really think I'd let you sleep on the couch if I were uncomfortable?" He took a step closer to her, his tone serious. She stepped back slightly. "I know you wouldn't, but it's your room, Rohit. I don't want you to be uncomfortable because of my presence." He moved closer again. "No, it's our room, Ruhi. You have just as much right to it as I do." "Why?" "Because you're also mine, Mrs. Podaar," he whispered, leaning in close to her ear. Ruhi's heart skipped a beat as his warm breath caressed her skin, sending shivers down her spine. She felt a flutter in her chest, her eyes locking onto his, searching for a glimmer of the love. His gaze held hers, tender and possessive, making her feel like she was the only woman in the world. She couldn't help but smile, her lips curving upwards in a gentle, loving smile.

He pulled back, a soft smile still playing on his lips, and said, "Goodnight, Ruhi." Ruhi's voice was barely a whisper, "Goodnight, Rohit." She watched as he turned and headed to bed, her eyes drinking in the sight of him, her heart overflowing with emotion. She switched off the light and slipped into bed beside him, feeling a sense of belonging, of being home, that she hadn't felt in a long time.
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The Podaar household woke up to the sweet smell of chai and the sound of sizzling parathas. The women chatted in the kitchen, preparing breakfast, while the men started their day with their respective routines. Rohit, sat at the dining table, sipping his tea and scanning the newspaper, while his father, madhav, uncle mannav and sajay were discussing politics. His cousions, krish aryan charu and kiara, engaged in a lively debate about the latest cricket match, their voices rising and falling with excitement. Meanwhile Ruhi expertly flipped the parathas, while her mother-in-law, vidya, supervised with a watchful eye, her aunt-in-laws wre busy gossiping while chopping vegetables. As the morning light streaming through the windows grew brighter, the Podaar family slowly came to life, ready to face another day.

When they heard a knock, Charu ran towards the door, thinking it must be her parcel. However, she was shocked to see the person standing at the door. Her elder brother, Armaan Podaar, the eldest son of the Podaar family, was standing there with a girl of her age, dressed in a pink saree, wearing a mangalsutra around her neck and sindur on her head.

She whispered, "Bhaiya?" Armaan was happy to see his sister after a long time. "Bhaiya, why is she here?" Charu asked, pointing towards the girl, who had bowed her head down, avoiding eye contact.

He glanced at his wife and said, "I'll tell you first, call everyone." Charu nodded and called out to the family. Everyone was shocked to see the girl with Armaan. "Armaan, why is this girl with you?" their grandmother, Kaveri Podaar, asked angrily.

"Dadi saa, we are married," Armaan said, looking down. Meanwhile, the girl was constantly shifting on her legs nervously. "ARMAAAN!" Kaveri shouted, and everyone flinched as her voice roared inside the house.

Vidya put her hand on Dadi saa's shoulder. "Maa saa, please." Kaveri looked at her and removed her hand from her shoulder. "What please, Vidya? Look what your son has done. He married this uncultured girl without our consent. I won't accept this marriage, and it's my final decision."

Vidya moved toward Armaan. "Why, Armaan, why did you do this? Why did you marry this girl when you know we don't like her? At least you should have taken our consent. And she is 8 to 9 years younger than you. What will society say? That the eldest son of the Podaars married a girl who didn't even finish her studies?"

Armaan held her hand. "Maa, please understand. Abhira and I are already married, and what society will say doesn't affect me."

Fufa saa chimed in. "Yes, Armaan, it doesn't affect you, but it affects us. And you girl, Your mother was giving us lectures on values, morals, and responsibilities. Where are her morals, values, and responsibilities now?"

A lone tear escaped from Abhira's eyes, and she looked up, wanting to take a stand for her mother, but Armaan held her hand. "She died, Fufa saa. She died while saving me. And I have promised her to take Abhira's responsibility. So I married her to complete her last wish." He said with moist eyes, referring to the last words of his teacher.

More tears flowed from Abhira's eyes, and everyone was shocked. Just then, Kaveri said, "This is not the only way to take her responsibility, Armaan. You could have just financially supported her. Why the need for marriage?"

"Dadi saa, I did what I felt was right. Now, please accept us," Armaan pleaded.

Dadi saa was going to say something, but Ruhi interrupted, "Dadi saa, Abhira has just lost her mother. Let's not make this harder for her. Let them in, we can discuss everything later."

Ruhi's eyes met Armaan's, and she saw remorse, guilt, and sadness in them. There was the love of his life, now his brother's wife. Ruhi's eyes only flashed betrayal for breaking his promise.

Madhav said, "There's nothing to discuss, Ruhi beta. Abhira is our daughter-in-law now, and I accept her."

Relief washed over Armaan and Abhira's faces due to acceptance. "Yes, Dadi saa, Armaan bhai had married legally to her, so she is our bhabhi now legally," Rohit said, coming to touch their feet. Abhira moved back, too nervous to say something.

"Are bhabhi ji, what are you doing? You are elder to me in relationship, so I can touch your feet," Rohit said, touching her feet.

Disapproval was written on everyone else's face. "Kajal, do her grih pravesh," Madhav said to his sister. She and Ruhi performed the ritual, while Rohit and Madhav watched. The rest of the family retired to their rooms, some angry, some disappointed, some confused.

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