Our Own Battles

Chapter 24

Everyone came and gave Shivaay and Anika a hug. Rudra pulled out his phone to take a selfie, Shivaay shouted "Dil bole.." and everyone said "Oberoi. That moment was all smiles and happiness reflected in everyone's face. It was a joyous moment. They all savoured and stored that moment to memory. God knows what is instore for them...life is not perfect but it has perfect moments.

It was time to go home. Everyone had become silent on the drive home. Shivaay noticed everyone's expression. Shivaay had forced Mahi to come with them to Oberoi mansion. Anika, Mahi and Sahil was with Shivaay in his car. Shivaay was driving but he noticed all their expressions. He reached over and held Anika's hand, squeezing her hand letting her know everything was okay. Anika squeezed his hand back and smiled. Shivaay could see through that smile. Anika was worried almost afraid.

Meanwhile at the mansion...

Pinky could feel something major was going to happen today. She looked for Shivaay, he was nowhere to be found. Neither was any of the younger crowd. Ragini was here but her brother was not. Samar and Anika broke off their engagement that was all Ragini said and proceeded to get ready totally ignoring Pinky, which also annoyed Pinky. Pinky noticed her mother in law and Jhanvi smiling and talking, like there were really excited. They were definitely hiding something. There was no guests as yet, as the wedding was scheduled for the night. Ragini was very early and was eating on Pinky's nerves already. Pinky got distracted attending to her daughter in law. A few hours had passed they was still no word on the youngsters. Ragini was irritating her now, with all her boasting that the she is now Mrs Shivaay Singh Oberoi. Ragini had even began talking about the changes she was going to make in the house. Pinky could not believe this but she did hear it with her own ears. Pinky was continuously trying Shivaay's phone. Pinky noticed Jhanvi and her mother in law hug each other in excitement and then they went into prayer room. Pinky barely took a few steps toward them when a whirlwind, Gauri, Saumya and Prinku ran pass her, almost knocking her over. As Pinky recovered, she was called inside by Ragini again, there was something wrong jewels she had given her.

Shivaay, Anika, Mahi and Sahil reached the mansion and Gauri, Prinku and Saumya asked them to wait there. Prinku, Gauri and Saumya ran inside to the things ready for Anika's grah pravesh. They came out and sat everything by the door, only to see daadi and Jhanvi already standing there with the arti thal. Everyone was all smiles. Shivaay holds Anika hand squeezes it, and smiles at her reassuring her, together they step toward daadi. Daadi does their Arthi, Shivaay and Anika bend down and take her blessing and Jhanvi's blessing. Anika and Shivaay hugged daadi and Jhanvi. Prinku stepped forward it a tray of lali.

Daadi touched Anika's cheek, "The last time you entered this house your face was hidden. Today you hold her head high and claim your right as an Oberoi bahu. Make your mark as Shivaay's wife and his other half" said daadi. Anika looked at Shivaay and blushed. She dipped her hands in the lali and walked to her handprints she left of the wall the last time.

As she raised her hands, she felt Shivaay behind her. He put his hands on hers and said softly in her ears, "What is yours is mine and what is mine is yours. I love you Anika Shivaay Singh Oberoi". Together they left their imprint on the wall and everyone's heart.

Om, Rudra, Mahi and Sahil beamed with pride and love. Jhanvi cleared her throat, "Ahem, its time my bahu came into her home" said Jhanvi.

Anika held Shivaay's hand and walked to the door threshold, she kicked in the rice pot, and together with Shivaay she took her first step into the house, into their home. The next step she took Anika she held onto Shivaay's hand tighter, she placed her feet into the tray of lali and made her footprints as she walked into the house. Everyone smiled. Gauri and Saumya was so happy for Anika, the smiled with tears in the eyes. Everyone clapped. Shivaay looked into Anika's watery eyes and smiled, he wiped away the stray tear that was threatening to spill over. Shivaay kissed Anika's forehead.

Everyone walked behind them. Jhanvi and daadi noticed Mahi standing alone by the door. Jhanvi walked to Mahi and made him stand at the door. Mahi was a little confused. Daadi stopped him. Everyone was surprised. Shivaay went forward to defend Mahi but Anika held him back.

"As of today, you are son of this house as well. Just like Shivaay, Om , Rudra and Sahil. From today onwards you are my grandson" said daadi turning arti and putting a tika on for Mahi.

Mahi was speechless. This was no less than a dream come true. Mahi could not find any words, he just bent down and touched daadi's feet and hugged her. Mahi could not hold his tears in anymore. He cried, he let out all his fears, all the insults he heard, all the pain he carried in his heart, all those lonely times. He cried, for now he finally found his family. Jhanvi stood next to daadi and Mahi and rubbed Mahi's back to calm him down.

Mahi stood back and wiped his tears. Daadi gave him a light slap "small baby. Stop crying and come inside your home" said daadi.

Mahi was hesitant, Jhanvi held his hand and brought him inside, "Welcome home son" said Jhanvi and hugged Mahi.

Anika could not contain her excitement and rushed over to Mahi and hugged him. Anika knew how much this meant to him. He finally has his family with him. She knew all too well, that pain and joy that only family could give. Mahi hugged her back and whispered in her ear "Thank you Bhabhi".

"Hugs without us, not fair" said Rudra, Om Ru joined the hug as well "Welcome Home Mahi bhaiya" said Rudra.

Gauri and Saumya stood next to Shivaay, they had tears in their eyes. They understood the importance and meaning of that moment. Their other half's had found their other brother. Shivaay saw tears in their eyes and hugged the both of them. Shivaay knew this moment was special. He walked over to his wife and brothers and joined their hug, "you guys forgot about us" teased Shivaay. Everyone laughed and held onto each other, savouring that moment...

Lafzon ka ye rishta nahi - This bond is not just of words

Sadiyon ka ye hai waasta - It's a bond as old as time

Hai rooh ka raabta - A joining of our souls

Na ab kabhi nazdeekiyon ki fiza ye - Regardless if we are not near each other

Aaaye na doori dilon mein - There will never be a distance between our hearts

Karti hai aankein dua yeh - This is the prayer of my eyes

Koi khusi ho gum ho - In happiness or in hardship

Kahi jyada kam ho.. - Whether it's a lot or little

Koi khusi ho gum ho - In happiness or in hardship

Kahin jyada kam ho - Whether it's a lot or little

Baatenge jo ho ata - We will share all that which comes our way.

Lafzon ka ye rishta nahi - This bond is not just of words

Sadiyon ka ye hai waasta - It's a bond as old as time

Hai rooh ka raabta - A joining of our souls

Hum saath ek duje ke, saaya banke rahenge – Together we are each other's shadow

Duniya ki ho ya ho dil ki, har baazi hum jeet lenge – together we will win every battle, be it the world or heart

Aaye jaye koi mausam, yuhi nilke rahe hum – Seasons will change, we will always be together

Toote na yeh silale – This story will never end

Everyone was in awe of this sibling bonds. You could see the love reflecting off them Jhanvi held Sahil's hand and daadi held Jhanvi's hand. You could feel the love in the room. Daadi in heart prayed that God protect their bond forever. As the words left her mouth, daadi heard a bang on the top of the stairs. There stood Pinky, with a tray rolling down the stairs. Pinky was furious, her eyes was spitting fire as she saw Shivaay holding Anika, Anika who had sindoor in her maang and a mangal sutra around her neck. Her fiery vision was locked onto Anika was she walked down the stairs. Everyone looked and her. Shivaay noticed Om Ru and Mahi step in front of them, it looked like they were protecting them. Shivaay felt Anika's grip on his hand tighten. The air around them suddenly got very cold...