Unexpectly Yours:The Journey Of An Arranged Marriage

Epilogue 2

The Sharma household was a delightful chaos that evening. Laughter echoed through the halls as Team India gathered for a rare day off, their banter mixing with the playful squeals of one-year-old Aarohi Sharma.

"Catch her, Rohit Bhaiya!" Ishan Kishan called out, laughing as Aarohi crawled away from Rohit, who was half-heartedly trying to catch her.

"Why am I always the designated babysitter?" Rohit grumbled, though the smile on his face betrayed him. He swooped Aarohi up, earning a delighted giggle. "Gotcha, little tornado!"

Suryakumar Yadav snorted. "Because she likes you more than her Dada," he teased, nudging Abhishek, who was busy setting up snacks with Kavya in the kitchen.

"Hey!" Abhishek protested, leaning into the doorway. "Aarohi loves me the most, right, princess?"

Aarohi, oblivious, slapped Rohit's cheek and clapped her hands, causing everyone to burst out laughing.

"Looks like she's made her choice, Sharma," Shubman Gill joked, taking a selfie with Aarohi as Rohit held her.

"Alright, hand her over," Abhishek huffed, walking over to take Aarohi from Rohit. "Don't let these uncles confuse you, Aarohi. Daddy's still your favorite."

Virat Kohli leaned back on the couch, holding a bowl of chips. "She's growing up in good company. By the time she's five, she'll be pulling pranks on all of us."

"She already does," Kavya said, carrying out a tray of drinks. "Yesterday, she hid Abhishek's phone in her toy basket, and he spent an hour looking for it."

"Smart kid," KL Rahul commented with a grin. "Takes after her mom."

As the evening progressed, the team gathered for a group photo. Aarohi, perched comfortably on Abhishek's shoulders, waved her tiny hands excitedly.

"Alright, on three," Rohit said, holding the camera. "One... two—"

"Wait!" Ishan yelled. "Let Aarohi press the button!"

Rohit rolled his eyes but crouched down, letting Aarohi's tiny finger tap the screen. The resulting picture was slightly tilted, but it captured the pure joy on everyone's faces.

Later, as the team dispersed to the garden for a barbecue, Kavya leaned against Abhishek, watching Aarohi toddle after Tilak Varma, who was happily entertaining her with bubbles.

"This is what happiness looks like," Kavya whispered.

Abhishek wrapped an arm around her. "And it's only going to get better."

As Aarohi's giggles filled the air, surrounded by her parents' love and her extended cricket family, it was clear: she was growing up in a world full of love, laughter, and the best kind of madness.

*****

The backyard of the Sharma residence was alive with laughter, chatter, and the sound of little feet running across the grass. It was a rare off-day for the team, and everyone had gathered for a relaxed family evening—complete with kids, WAGs, and, of course, baby Aarohi Sharma.

Samaira, Rohit Sharma's daughter, was leading the charge, pulling Vamika Kohli by the hand as they chased bubbles blown by KL Rahul. Aarohi sat on a picnic blanket in the center, surrounded by her toys, clapping her tiny hands every time the bubbles floated her way.

"Aarohi, you're missing out!" Samaira called, running back and gently tugging at the baby's hand. "Come, I'll help you walk!"

"She's trying, Sammy!" Kavya said, laughing as Samaira attempted to lift Aarohi, only to topple over herself.

Ritika Sharma chuckled from her spot beside Kavya. "Sammy's determined to turn Aarohi into a sprinter before she can even stand properly."

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli was chasing Vamika with a water gun, his laughter loud and carefree. "You can't escape, Vamika! Papa's too fast for you!"

"Virat, you're soaking the lawn!" Anushka called, cradling baby Akkay on her lap.

"Let him be," Abhishek grinned, watching the scene unfold as he held Aarohi in his arms. "The kids love it."

At the barbecue station, Shikhar Dhawan flipped kebabs, occasionally pausing to toss jokes at Rohit and Surya, who were competing over who could blow the biggest bubblegum bubble.

"Grow up, guys," Tilak teased, walking past with a plate of snacks.

"Don't be jealous because you can't beat us, Tilak!" Rohit shot back, popping his bubble with a proud grin.

In another corner, Devisha Shetty sat with Kavya, showing Aarohi how to stack wooden blocks. Aarohi, more interested in chewing the blocks, giggled every time Devisha tried to take them back.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the group gathered around the large dining table set up under fairy lights. The kids sat on smaller chairs, giggling and trading pieces of cake while the adults shared stories and hearty laughter.

"Aarohi's officially part of the madness now," Suryakumar said, raising his glass. "Welcome to the cricket family, little one."

Aarohi, hearing her name, banged her tiny fists on the table, earning a round of cheers.

Later, as the night wound down, Kavya and Abhishek sat on a swing in the garden, Aarohi fast asleep in Abhishek's arms.

"Think she enjoyed her first full team gathering?" Kavya asked softly, brushing Aarohi's curls out of her face.

Abhishek smiled, looking around at the people who had become their family. "She's got a big, crazy family to grow up with. I think she's going to love every second of it."

And as the laughter of the team echoed through the night, Aarohi slept peacefully, wrapped in the warmth of love, family, and endless memories waiting to be made.