yun hi tu mere saath rehna

Chapter Eleven

The entire family was gathered at the entrance of the new house. The Rajvanshes and most of the Poddars watched with wide smiles as Mishti did Abhira's aarti. Once she was done, she stepped aside and Abir placed a wet slab of cement in front of Abhira.

“Heera, main chaahta hoon ki iss ghar mein tumhaara pehla kadam, hamesha ke liye capture kar loon. Isliye, please… Ispe hi chalke aana,” Abir requested. 

Abhira grinned, offering her hands to Abir & Mishti. The couple looked at each other and smiled, grabbing one of her hands in each of their own. Holding on to her Badi Maa and Bade Papa, Abhira took her first steps into her new home, her eyes twinkling with unmistakable happiness. She pressed her feet in the slab, making sure to imprint her footprints properly, as the rest of the family showered her in flower petals.

“Abhira, ab tum isme pair rakhlo,” Shrey instructed as Ketan and him placed a thaal of water in front of her. She stepped into the plate, washing her feet. 

“Welcome home!” The entire family cried, blasting party poppers. Abhira jumped at the sudden noise, losing her footing, but Armaan was there in a flash, holding her securely in his arms. 

“Tum thoda dhyaan diya karo,” Armaan scolded gently. “Jab dekho girti-padti rehti ho! Abhi lag jaati na!”

“Sorry,” Abhira pouted, making Armaan shake his head fondly. He could never be mad at her for long. 

“Ek naya ghar banaunga,
Jiski har baat hogi kamalon waali,
Uss ghar mein rahegi,
Ek ladki teen jawabon waali…” Abir breathed, smiling wide as tears slipped down his cheeks. 

Mishti wrapped her arms around him, looking up, resting her chin on his heart. “Rakh bharosa pyaar par, hum woh pyaara sa ghar bana lenge,” she whispered softly. Abir pulled her into a tight hug.

“Baba! Aap har baat pe bohot emotional ho jaate ho!” Misha complained. “Ab humaari Abhira itne waqt baad ghar aayi hai toh uska welcome aise aansuon se thodi karenge! Come on!”

Abir laughed, backing out of the hug. He wiped Mishti's tears first and then his own as well. “Iss din ke liye maine bohot intezaar kiya hai, Tara. Tu nahi samjhegi.”

“Bade aaye nahi samjhegi! As if hum itne saalon se wait nahi kar rahe the!” Amish immediately came to his sister's defense. “Main aapko zara yaad dila doon ki jitna aap log iss din ke liye tarse hain, hum bhi utna hi tadpe hain. Toh aap dono akele hi saara rona ro loge toh humaare liye toh kuch bachega hi nahi!”

“Okay, okay!” Mishti intervened. “Ab no more rona and no more jhagda! Chalein?”

“Yes, Badi Maa!” Abhira exclaimed, taking her hand and tugging her inside. 

They all walked into the living room which was decorated to the nines in balloons and streamers. A huge banner that read Welcome Home, Abhira was placed in the centre of the room. A scrumptious cake was placed on the coffee table in front of the sofa. 

“Heera, sabse pehle diya jalayenge,” Mishti instructed, guiding Abhira to the temple. A beautiful idol of RadhaKrishn greeted them. Mishti showed Abhira where everything was kept and Abhira lit the diya. She stepped back, closing her eyes and praying, thanking every deity for giving her such a lovely family.

“O Kanha, ab toh murli ki,
Madhur sunaa do taan…” She sang, almost instinctively. Realizing what she was doing, she immediately stopped. 

“O Kanha, ab toh murli ki,
Madhur sunaa do taan,” Mishti echoed, surprising her. Abhira turned back to Mishti who was giving her an encouraging smile.