Echoes of MaAn: Love beyond Separation

||92|| A Warm Welcome Amidst Chaos

Note:- In this Whole story, Ankush and Barkha are different from the way they are shown in the show. They are sweet, kind hearted, and loving. Not like how they are shown in the show as Kamine, Greedy, jealous people. Hope you all enjoy.

The Kapadia house was buzzing with excitement and a flurry of last-minute preparations. Ankush, Barkha, and Saara were due to arrive from the airport any moment, and everyone was looking forward to the reunion. Anupama had been awake since early morning, running around the kitchen to prepare snacks and lunch for their guests. Anuj, eager to see his brother, had taken a break from work and was helping arrange the living room, making sure everything looked perfect.

The only hiccup in the morning's excitement was the cranky, teething eight-month-old, Aadhymaan. Normally cheerful, today he was fussy and irritable. His small gums were sore, and the discomfort made him unusually clingy. He had been crying since breakfast, and no amount of rocking, bouncing, or soothing seemed to calm him down.

"Anuj, can you try putting him to sleep?" Anupama called out from the kitchen, her hands busy kneading dough for the parathas.

Anuj, already holding the restless Aadhymaan in his arms, sighed. "I've been trying for the past half an hour. He's not having it today." He gently patted Aadhymaan's back, trying to shush him, but the little boy squirmed in his arms, tears spilling from his eyes.

"He's teething too," Anupama said sympathetically, looking over her shoulder. "That's probably adding to his crankiness. Poor baby."

Anuj kissed the top of Aadhymaan's head, trying to soothe him with a lullaby, but the boy wasn't interested. His wails grew louder, making Anuj sigh in frustration. Aadhya, their 14-year-old daughter, peeked into the living room, excited for her cousin Saara's arrival.

"Is he still crying?" Aadhya asked, frowning as she watched her brother's red face contorted in discomfort.

"Yup," Anuj replied, rubbing his temple. "I think this is his way of welcoming Ankush bhai and Barkha Bhabhi."

Aadhya giggled. "I can't wait to see Saara! It's been forever since we hung out."

"Yeah, it's been a while," Anuj agreed, bouncing Aadhymaan on his hip again, hoping it would lull him to sleep. "And I bet she's just as excited to see you."

Meanwhile, both sets of grandparents were equally excited about the impending arrival. Madhav and Sushma, Anupama's parents, had never met Ankush, Barkha, or Saara before and were looking forward to it. Rajesh and Meera, Anuj's parents, couldn't wait to reunite with their elder son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. The house was alive with anticipation.

Rajesh glanced at the clock and smiled. "It's time. I should leave for the airport now." He grabbed his car keys, kissed Meera on the cheek, and gave Anuj a thumbs-up on his way out.

"Drive safe, Dad," Anuj called after him, still jiggling a restless Aadhymaan, who now started pulling at his father's shirt in frustration.

"Anuj," Anupama said, emerging from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. "Maybe he's hungry again? Let's try giving him something to nibble on before they arrive."

But no sooner had Anupama suggested this than the familiar sound of the car horn outside signaled Rajesh's return. They were here.

"They're here!" Aadhya squealed, darting toward the door in excitement. Anuj followed with Aadhymaan in his arms, the baby's crankiness still evident, though it seemed to lessen with the commotion in the house.

Rajesh opened the door, his face beaming. Behind him, Ankush walked in first, tall and broad, his face lighting up with a smile as soon as he saw his younger brother. Barkha followed close behind, stylish as always, her warm smile just as infectious. And there was Saara, now 19, with the same sparkling eyes and mischievous smile that Anuj remembered from years ago.

"Ankush bhai!" Anuj greeted his brother with enthusiasm, momentarily distracted from Aadhymaan's fussing. He leaned in for a warm hug. "It's so good to see you!"

Ankush grinned, hugging Anuj back tightly. "Missed you, little brother."

"Chachi!" Saara ran over to Anupama and hugged her. "It's been too long!"

"Oh, Saara! Look at you!" Anupama exclaimed, hugging her niece. "You've grown up so much. It's wonderful to see you!"

"And this must be little Aadhymaan," Barkha said softly, stepping closer to where Anuj held the still-whimpering baby.

"Yes, this is him," Anuj smiled, bouncing Aadhymaan lightly. "He's a bit cranky today, though."

The moment Barkha reached out to take Aadhymaan into her arms, the unexpected happened. As soon as her hands enveloped the baby, Aadhymaan stopped crying. His tears dried up, and his sobbing stilled, replaced by a calm, curious stare as he gazed up at Barkha.

"Well, well," Barkha chuckled softly, bouncing the baby gently. "Looks like someone likes me."

Everyone burst into laughter, amazed by how quickly Aadhymaan had calmed down.

"I can't believe it!" Aadhya giggled. "He's been crying the whole morning, but one look at Kaaki, and he's as quiet as a mouse."

Anupama folded her arms and chuckled. "Bhabhi, I think you've got the magic touch."

Anuj smiled, watching his baby son nestled comfortably in Barkha's arms. "Maybe we should let him stay with you for a while," he joked. "He seems to like you better than his old man today."

But the moment Ankush leaned in to take Aadhymaan from Barkha's arms, the magic wore off. The baby's face crumpled once again, and within seconds, his shrill cries pierced the air.

"Nope, nope, nope!" Aadhymaan wailed, wriggling furiously as Ankush held him.

Everyone burst out laughing again. Ankush raised his hands in defeat, passing the baby back to Barkha. "Well, I guess I'm not the favorite uncle today."

"It's okay, Ankush bhai, he'll warm up to you," Anuj chuckled. "He's just a bit cranky because of the teething."

Saara, standing next to Aadhya, smirked. "I'm sure I'll win him over with my charm soon enough. Babies always love me."

Aadhya grinned. "Good luck with that. He's been testing our patience all morning."

Anupama stepped forward, still laughing. "Well, since Bhabhi seems to be his new favorite person, why don't you hold him while I get lunch ready?"

Barkha laughed, swaying gently with Aadhymaan. "Gladly. We'll have a little chat, won't we, cutie?"

The rest of the family gathered in the living room, exchanging hugs, excited chatter filling the air. Madhav and Sushma introduced themselves to Ankush and Barkha, who greeted them warmly, and Rajesh beamed with pride as he stood next to his elder son.

"It's so nice to finally meet you," Madhav said, shaking Ankush's hand. "We've heard so much about you."

"The pleasure is ours," Ankush replied warmly. "And I'm glad we could finally come visit."

Meera, who hadn't seen her son in a while, held Ankush's face in her hands and smiled. "Look at you, still the same as ever. I've missed you, my boy."

Ankush hugged his mother tightly. "Missed you too, Mom."

As the excitement continued to build, the family settled into easy conversation. Anuj's heart swelled with happiness, knowing that everyone was together under one roof. Even though the morning had been chaotic with a cranky baby, the moment felt perfect.

And as they sat down to enjoy lunch together, the laughter, warmth, and love that filled the house made it clear—this reunion would be one for the books.