Begusarai - The saga continue

054

The days leading up to Shivaratri were filled with a flurry of activity, anticipation, and bittersweet farewells. Niyati’s departure to her in-laws’ house hung in the air, a tender weight on the hearts of her family. Every corner of the house seemed to echo with memories, and each packed item felt like a piece of the love her family was sending along with her.

Raghuveer and Roopa had gone to the market themselves, hand-picking gifts for Achintya’s family, despite Manorama’s bitter protests. "Why are we the ones bearing all these costs?” she had grumbled to Deepa, who had echoed her sentiment. “Shouldn’t it be Radha handling this?” but Raghuveer had brushed her off without a word, determined to ensure Niyati left with the warmest blessings they could gather. His silent strength, his steadfast love—it was the foundation on which Niyati had always built her own resilience.

Roopa, observing quietly from the sidelines, thought it was a blessing Radha hadn’t been present to hear such petty remarks. Her heart was tender enough as it was, and Roopa felt a wave of protectiveness for her.

In the main room, a stack of sweets and small treasures waited to be packed, arranged with a meticulousness that reflected the care Roopa and Raghuveer poured into each gift. Niyati, observing it all with a knot of emotion in her throat, hugged Raghuveer tightly. "Kaka, this is all too much. Are you planning on buying me off so I don’t come back? I’ll be back again, you know.” She teased, hiding her trembling voice.

“Hush, girl,” Raghuveer replied with a smile, but his voice was thick. “I’m sending these so that even if you leave, there’s no chance of you forgetting us here.”

“Not a chance,” she laughed, though her voice wavered. Her heart ached with the thought of leaving, even if only for a short while.

Raghuveer chuckled, patting her head affectionately. “Ah, no matter how many sweets I give, you’ll still find a reason to come back, won’t you?” But beneath his smile was a bittersweet pride. He was proud of the life she was creating, yet he knew that life would take her farther and farther from him.

Gola, her younger brother, watched with gleaming eyes, his attention fully captured by the mountain of sweets displayed on the table. “Amu dii doesn’t need all this,” he declared, inching closer to sneak a sample for himself. But his hand was swatted away playfully by Niyati before he could even get a taste, her laughter filling the room.

“Actually, I do,” she replied with a grin, earning a groan from Gola.

“And if Kaka wants to send her away for good, I’m all for it,” teased Mitthu, darting behind Raghuveer with a cheeky smile. “That way, I’ll be the only daughter and can rule over everyone!”

Raghuveer shook his head, forbidding Niyati from playfully grabbing her sister, and a mock chase ensued, their laughter mingling with the warmth of the moment.

Gola looked at his father, whining in mock betrayal. “Papa, you didn’t even save me!”

Raghuveer only smiled, ruffling Gola’s hair as Mitthu stuck her tongue out at her brother with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “It’s because he loves me more,” she taunted, and Raghuveer let the comment slide, refusing to argue against his daughter’s triumphant smile.

Niyati sighed dramatically, pulling Gola into a sideways hug and kissing the top of his head. “Kaki, look at the favoritism here! Kaka’s ignoring me completely,” she teased, glancing toward Roopa.

Roopa laughed, her hands lifted in mock surrender. “Don’t drag me into this,” she said with a playful shake of her head. “You all fight like this and then make up within the hour. I’m keeping my peace and my sanity intact!”