yun hi tu mere saath rehna

Chapter Twenty Seven

Krish reached the given address at 8:50am on the dot. And then, he waited in his car for the next 10 minutes before ringing the doorbell. For the first time in years, he felt his palms were sweating. He reached into the pocket of his trousers and pulled out his handkerchief, wiping his hands. Only, it was of no use. 

The last time he'd seen Mishti was when his daughter, Siddhi, had gotten married. Mishti might have any number of issues with his father, but she'd always been there for Krish, even if not in person. She made it a point to call him on every important occasion - birthdays, anniversaries, festivals. And, despite her equation with Naksh, had immediately agreed to come to Siddhi's wedding when he'd invited her. She'd turned up with her entire family in tow - Abir, Amish, Mehr, Misha, and even their kids - and made the occasion extremely special for all of them. 

Though things were tense, she never interfered in her kids' relationship with Naksh. However, her kids were nothing if not loyal to her, and kept their dealings with Naksh minimal. That is not to say that they treated him coldly because they didn't. There was a very easy-going warmth in Amish & Misha's equation with Naksh. They got along really well with Naksh and always treated him with the respect he was due as their uncle. 

Yet, the two families didn't mingle very often given Mishti's lingering distaste. So, suffice to say, it had been a few years since Krish had seen her in person. As he walked across their front lawn, he couldn't help recalling his memories with Mishti - so few and far in between, but always flowing with unmistakable love and laughter. He'd missed her. 

With shaking hands, he rang the doorbell and stepped back, waiting for someone to open the door. Turns out, that someone was Mishti herself. “Bua,” he breathed, drinking in the sight of her. She looked exactly the way she had when he'd last seen her, standing tall despite her short height. 

Mishti was taking him in as well, drinking in the sight of her nephew, her eyes never moving away from his face. All her anxiety, every single worry that she had, seemed to have been a trick of the mind. As she stood in front of Krish, all she could feel was happiness on seeing him, and tender affection for the relationship they shared. 

“Krishi,” she smiled. Her little boy, so grown up. Krish couldn't help himself. His body on autopilot, he stepped forward, his arms winding around Mishti in one swift moment. Mishti returned the hug, patting his back. 

“I missed you,” Krish murmured softly. “I missed you so much, Bua!”

“I missed you too, kiddo,” Mishti promised. Pushing him back, she cupped his cheek. “Let me look at you.”

Krish indulged her, smiling wide as he saw her inspect him from top to bottom, making sure he looked good. “Looking sharp, Mr. Singhania,” she commented once she was done.

“Thank you, Bua,” he laughed. She stepped back and guided him inside where the rest of the family awaited. 

Abir was the first person Krish spotted, waiting at the helm, an eager smile on his face. Krish adored him. “Fufu!” He cried, rushing forward and embracing the man, still using that nickname he'd given Abir at 4 even though he was over 40 now. Abir laughed into it, returning the hug just as fiercely. 

Krish took a moment to meet everyone present in the hall, as his eyes fell on a couple, patiently watching from the sidelines. Krish had never seen them before, but he felt an inexplicable connection. However, he decided to wait for Mishti or Abir to introduce them to him, instead shifting his focus back to his family who he hadn't seen in a while. 

“Heera,” Abir called softly, extending his hand for her, once Krish had met the entire family. 

Abhira hesitated for a moment, too anxious to actually step forward. Armaan noticed it and squeezed her hand. When she looked at him, he smiled in encouragement, nudging her in Abir's direction. Emboldened by his support, Abhira walked towards Abir, stumbling a little. Abir immediately rushed forward, catching her. “Tu theek haina?” Abir asked softly.