I Found You

54.

Vikram headed downstairs, the sound of cheerful greetings and laughter filling the hall. The sight of his in-laws surrounded   by an array of gifts and sweets caught his attention as he descended.

He watched Adhira as she stood near the center, wrapped in her father's embrace, her smile so wide it lit up the room.

Even as they sat down, she refused to let go, leaning close to him and murmuring something only he could hear. The warmth between them was undeniable.

"Happy Birthday, Jiju!" His brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law chimed together as soon as they spotted him.

He smiled, stepping forward to greet them, before bowing down to touch his father-in law's feet. Hari stood with a warm smile, pulling him into a firm hug as he wished Vikram.

Next was Adhira's tauji, also Jaideep's old school friend, followed by her taiji. Each interaction was filled with genuine love and affection, leaving him overwhelmed.

And honestly, at that moment, he felt awkward. He didn't know how to react to so much sudden attention.

"What was the need for all this?" He asked, rubbing his palms against his thighs as he settled down beside Adhira's father.

The table was overflowing—paper bags, boxes of sweets, and fruit baskets crowding every inch of space.

"Bilkul jarurat thi, beta," Adhira's Taiji said with a smile. "Humare eklaute damaad ka janamdin hai."

"I hope we didn't ruin any plans with this surprise visit." Advait added with a nervous chuckle.

"Arey nahi, acha kiya aap sab aaye. It's been too long since we all gathered together." Vikram replied, genuinely meaning it.

Despite his initial hesitation, it felt nice to have everyone there.As Adhira got up to check on Sarita Didi in the kitchen, he seized the moment to excuse himself too.

"I'll help her." He said, rising from his seat.

He followed her closely, the soft swish of her dupatta catching his attention. On impulse, he grabbed its edge to slow her down. "You knew, didn't you?" He asked, matching her pace.

"No," she said, glancing at him with a faint smile. "They didn't even tell me."

He stood beside her, twirling the edge of her dupatta around his fingers, watching as she instructed Didi about the refreshments.

His attention shifted when he noticed Yuvaan wandering curiously into the kitchen, his little eyes scanning the room for Adhira.

Before he could spot him, Vikram quietly stepped toward him, crouched down, and in one swift motion, scooped him up.

"Pakad liya!" He said in a mock stern voice, making him freeze for a second before he broke into a high-pitched scream. "Buaa!"

Adhira turned her head toward them, shaking her head in mild exasperation as she approached them. She gently took Yuvaan from his arms, cradling him with practiced ease.

"Kyun dara rahe ho usse?" She scolded softly, rocking him in her arms with a protective warmth.

"Buaaa," Yuvaan patted her cheek, his tiny fingers catching her attention. "Doggy se milna hai."

Her smile widened as she pressed a kiss to his chubby cheek. "I'll ask Veer bhaiya to bring him," She assured, her tone soothing.

"But first, eat something." She added, turning toward the cabinet with him. She opened it and gestured for him to pick out anything from the packet snacks.

Just then, Vikram felt a light tap on his cheek. Startled, he turned to see Choti Maa standing beside him, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

"Apne bachon se bhi aise hi jealous hoga, kya?" She teased, her tone laced with affection. Before he could reply, she walked over to Adhira, leaving him momentarily speechless.