His Replaced Bride

41) Meeting my family

"You did. I wasn't sure though. Hopeful, perhaps." She gives me a small shy smile that almost reminds me of those rare occasions in childhood where Himanshi would act like my older sister. It squeezes my chest and for a minute, I find it hard to breathe.

Himanshi, for all her cruelty, was my sister after all and yet she never once thought of telling me the truth. She knew our mother was alive but still let me live the life of an orphan for 22 years. I don't think I can ever forgive her for that.

"Jeez, why the tension, Momsie?" Aanya says to diffuse some of the weird energy brewing between the two og us. "Come sit with me, big sis. Mom made your favourite tomato rice and dark chocolate brownies."

"How do you know they are my favourite?" I ask Aanya and then turn the question to Raveena, looking up at her.

"Dhruv told me. A really caring husband you got there." Raveena smiles at me and I feel a small blush creep up my neck at the mention of his name. I miss him already but I know I have to do this thing on my own. Dhruv cannot shield me from every single obstacle I face in life, no matter how much he wants to. He was a bit stubborn about letting me go alone at first. Not being able to trust my birth parents after they spent months stalking me. Which is something he's still very salty about.

"Oh my god, yes! I HAVE to talk to you about him. Dhruv freaking Singh freaking Rathore is your freaking husband!" Aanya screams in so much enthusiasm it startles me a little.

"Ani, Language!" Sahil tells her sternly and she calms down a little, not before mouthing me that she wants details later.

A small laugh bubbles up my throat and soon we're all chuckling at Aanya's silly obsession with Dhruv.

"I still can't believe that bastard married you off like that. You're just 22." Raveena huffs as she comes to sit next to me on the sofa.

I shake my head at her, "I'm glad he did. Dhruv is the best thing that has happened to me." And I mean it. With my whole heart, I mean it.

"We're really happy it worked out for you, beta. Dhruv is a great guy." Sahil says fondly while keeping his hand on my head in affection.

"Not to mention, hot" Aanya mutters from her seat opposite mine. "Total fireball."

Aarav smacks her head with a pillow and soon they're in a sibling battle of their own. It crushes my heart to realise that I never did have what siblings what supposed to but there is a small ray of hope inside me which whispers to me that I might.

I just might.

"Don't mind her. She has no brain to mouth filter." Aarav says to me, his eyes kind and mouth set in a small smile. I can see the adoration he has for his twin sister.

Sahil clears his throat, gaining everyone's attention, "Okay, no more boy talks in this house. Husband or not, you young ladies are not supposed to call boy's hot or whatever."

I laugh at how ridiculous that is considering how I'm actually married but this protectiveness in Sahil's voice warms my heart. Vikram never cared about me like that when he traded me off to Dhruv in Himanshi's stead. I have a feeling Sahil would've never done that.

I dismiss the thought as soon as it comes because it doesn't matter how me met or how we got together, me and Dhruv were always supposed to find each other. Maybe all this was supposed to happen exactly like how it did because I wouldn't have met Dhruv otherwise and there is no reality where Jeea exists with Dhruv.

"Aw, don't worry, darling. You're still hot too." Raveena jokes and everyone is laughing except Sahil who starts to tickle his wife.

The sight warms my heart and I wonder if this is how we're supposed to grow up. Surrounded by so much love that it seeps into your bones and lightens every dark part inside your body.

They were meant to be together.

I can see it now that Raveena was always supposed to end up with Sahil. It's so evident in this place they've made a home, the kids they brought up with so much love and the love that shines in their eyes for each other.

I questioned myself so many times why my mother couldn't have stayed with Vikram for my sake, for both of her daughters sake but I see now that it would have been torture. It would have been hell that I wouldn't wish even on my worst enemy. This is exactly where she was supposed to be all along. With the love of her life. She saw so many struggles in life, scars of which are still visible on the exposed parts of her arms but she wears them like an armour. Showing everyone that she overcame something most people wouldn't and came out of it with all her kindness and love intact.

For the next few hours, we sit together in the living room, talking, laughing, and sharing stories. Sahil tells me about his life, his struggles, and how he never stopped loving me. Aanya and Aarav fill the room with their energy, their banter making me laugh in a way I haven't in years.

It's strange and overwhelming, but it's also... comforting. For the first time, I feel like I belong.

As the day winds down, Sahil places a hand on my shoulder. "You can stay here for as long as you want, Jeea," he says, his voice full of sincerity. "This is your home now."

Home.

I glance at him, then at Aanya and Aarav, who are both looking at me with hopeful smiles.

"I think..." I pause, taking a deep breath. "I think I'd like to stay for a couple of days. If that's okay."

Aanya squeals, throwing her arms around me. "Of course it's okay!" she says. "You're not getting rid of us now, big sister."

Sahil's eyes shine with unshed tears, and Aarav gives me a small, awkward thumbs-up that makes me chuckle.

When I call Dhruv to tell him, he doesn't hesitate. "Stay as long as you need," he says. "Take this time to get to know them. I'll miss you though."

"I'll miss you too. I think I've forgotten how to sleep when you're not pressed to me."

"Don't worry. You'll be home soon."

Home.

Something I hadn't known until I met Dhruv. And now this new family. I didn't think I would ever belong somewhere and now I have more than one place I can call home. Where people want me, love me. Tears well into my eyes at the thought but I awkwardly clear my throat, not wanting to let Dhruv know how a simple sentence is affecting me so much.

As I hang up the phone, I feel a warmth I haven't felt in years. I finally have a family that cares about me. A family that wants me. Sahil- that's what I'm still calling him because I cannot suddenly call him Papa after using the same word for a man who pretended to be my father all these years- continues telling me stories from his high school, how he met Raveena, how they would sneak out after classes and their separation when he went to UK for his higher studies.

For the first time, I don't feel like a stranger in my own life. I feel like I've found a piece of myself that's been missing all these years.

I think I've found home.