Chapter #30: Threads of the Heart

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Shruti and Mahika hop out of bed and freshen up before joining Shruti's mother. By 11 a.m., they have packed up, and the family checks out of the hotel. They reach Shruti's home, and Mahika helps the family settle down. As she begins to leave, Shruti's mother holds her hand.

"Mahika beta, tu abhi se kahan ja rahi hai? Aaj toh Sunday hai na?" her mother, Shweta, asks.

Mahika smiles. "Mumma, I've been here for two days. Ghar jaa kar mummy papa ko dekhna hai. Aur Mumma, shaam ko main, Shru, Sid aur mere boss, Gautam, hum charon dinner par jaane wale hain. Toh abhi mujhe jaana hoga," she explains.

Shweta smiles. "Thik hai, bache! Tum jaao, aur sham ko tum yahin aa jaana, thik hai? Main Siddharth se keh dungi ki tum dono usey yahin miloge," she says—a gentle command for Mahika to come back later.

 "Thik hai, bache! Tum jaao, aur sham ko tum yahin aa jaana, thik hai? Main Siddharth se keh dungi ki tum dono usey yahin miloge," she says—a gentle command for Mahika to come back later

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"Ji, Mumma! I'll be back. I'm so lucky naa! Apni Mumma ko ghar pe chhod ke aati hoon, toh idhar bhi meri Mumma hai, aur Sid ke ghar pe meri Maa hai," she says affectionately.

 I'm so lucky naa! Apni Mumma ko ghar pe chhod ke aati hoon, toh idhar bhi meri Mumma hai, aur Sid ke ghar pe meri Maa hai," she says affectionately

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Shruti hugs her mother. "Story is same here, Mahi. Ma pampers me so much, aur udhar Sid ki Ma is my Mumma too. We have so much love," she says, referring to Mahika's mom as Ma and her mother-in-law as Mumma.

"Isey hi toh family kehte hain, beta! Kuch rishtey dil se bante hain. Jaise tu, Mahi! You're my child born out of my heart. Teri Ma se bhi Shruti ka aisa hi rishta hai. Isliye toh jab Shruti unhe Ma kehti hai aur tu mujhe Mumma bulaati hai, toh humein sukoon milta hai," Shweta explains.

Mahika doesn't say anything but hugs the lady, resting her head on her chest, while Shruti hugs her mother, resting her head on her shoulder. In that moment, Shweta feels surreal.

Shweta and Shruti see off Mahika, and then the former asks her daughter to rest. However, Shruti hugs her mother.

"Mumma, chalo na, aap bhi thoda rest karlo," Shruti insists.

"Beta, mujhe kuch samaan set karna hai. Aur phir shadi ki taiyari bhi shuru karni hai na, beta," Shweta explains.

 Aur phir shadi ki taiyari bhi shuru karni hai na, beta," Shweta explains

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