A Few Days Later,
In the evening,
In Kiaan's Room:
(A slight breeze filtered through the half-open window, rustling the curtains. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation.
Kiaan and Kiara sat cross-legged on the bed, their textbooks sprawled in front of them.)
(But neither of them was studying.
Kiara absentmindedly twirled her pen between her fingers, staring blankly at an equation.
Kiaan, pretending to read his biology textbook, sighed and slammed it shut with a thud.)
Kiara: (huffs, throwing her pen down) Ugh! Mujhse bilkul concentrate nahi ho raha!
Kiaan: (running a hand through his hair) Same! Dimag mein sirf ek hi cheez chal rahi hai-Mumma aur Dadi ki meeting!
(A heavy silence settled between them. The air was thick with worry, impatience, and curiosity.
Kiara glanced at the clock, her brows furrowing.)
Kiara: Dadi ko itna time kyun lag raha hai? Kitni der ho gayi hai, hain naa?
Kiaan: (exhales sharply) Haan... Bas yeh tension ho raha hai ki kahin Mumma phir se hurt na ho jaye...
(His voice trailed off, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his book.
Kiara noticed the worry lines on his forehead and tried to lighten the mood.)
Kiara: (smirks) Mujhe toh lag raha hai ki, Mumma ne gusse mein aake, Dadi ko hi daant diya hoga!
(Kiaan shot her a sharp look, his protective instincts kicking in.)
Kiaan: Mumma aisi nahi hai, okay? She might be upset, but she's not mean.
Kiara: (grinning teasingly) Haan... haan, theek hai... Mumma ke chamche!
(For a second, the tension in the air lifted.
Kiaan chuckled at the phrase-it had been a long time since she had called him that.
The laughter, though brief, brought a fleeting sense of normalcy in the midst of their brewing anxiety.)
..
..
..
Just then,
(The sound of approaching footsteps made them sit up straight.
Panic flickered across their faces as they scrambled to pick up their pens, flipping pages hastily to make it look like they had been deep in study.
The door creaked open, and Anuradha stepped in, her sharp gaze sweeping over the two. Her lips curled into a knowing smile.)
Anuradha: (chuckling) Padhai ho rahi hai ya sirf kitaabein khol kar drama chal raha hai?
(Kiara exchanged a guilty glance with Kiaan before scratching the back of her head sheepishly.)
Kiara: Umm... dono?
(Kiaan, however, had no patience for small talk. He snapped his book shut with a thud and leaned forward eagerly.)
Kiaan: Dadi! Finally! Batao na, kya baat hui?
(Kiara, equally restless, nodded fervently.)
Kiara: Mumma ne kya kaha? Please don't keep us in suspense!
..
..
..
Then,
(Anuradha let out a soft chuckle at their impatience and walked over to bed.
With deliberate movements, she placed her handbag on the side table, then took a deep breath before settling down.
The twins mirrored her, plopping down on either side, their eager eyes scanning her face, searching for answers in the lines of her expression.
She sighed, shaking her head slightly.)
Anuradha: Tum dono bilkul Vikram ki tarah ho... ek second ka bhi patience nahi hai.
Kiaan: (groaning) Dadi, please! Ab aur suspense nahi! Hum dono tabse sirf isi baare mein soch rahe hain... we are just not able to concentrate on our studies.... Bata do na, Mumma ne kya kaha?
(Anuradha smiled at their enthusiasm, but there was a weight in her expression, a hesitation in her voice.
She took another deep breath, carefully choosing her words.)
Anuradha: Tumhari Maa ne mujhe milne ke liye bulaya, iska matlab toh yehi hai ki kahin na kahin, uske dil mein kuch badal raha hai...
(She paused, her fingers absentmindedly smoothing the pleats of her saree.
The twins leaned in, their pulses quickening.)
Anuradha: (softly) Aur phir humne baat ki... uske har shabd mein, gussa bhi tha... dukh bhi tha... lekin, sabse zyada jo tha... woh tha, ek determination!!!... aage badhne ka determination!!
(The room fell silent. The weight of those words hung between them, heavy yet hopeful.
Kiara and Kiaan exchanged a glance, their hearts pounding.
Was this the sign they had been waiting for?)
Kiara: (smiling excitedly, her voice laced with nervous hope) Matlab? Mumma ne maaf kar diya?
(Anuradha exhales deeply)
Anuradha: Beta, tumhari Maa... pehle se bahut badal chuki hai. She is stronger... she is wiser... aur ab toh woh, emotionally stable bhi hai. Mujhe uske chehre par woh purani bechaini nahi dikhi... lekin ek doori zaroor dikh rahi thi...
(Kiara's smile falters. She gulps, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dupatta.)
Kiara: (softly) Matlab?
(Anuradha takes a deep breath, her gaze dropping to her lap for a brief moment before she looks up again, her expression one of quiet pain.)
Anuradha: (voice heavy) Beta, Naina ne mujhe maaf nahi kiya... Kam se kam abhi tak toh nahi.
(Kiara bites her lip, concern flickering in her wide eyes. She turns to Kiaan, who looks equally unsettled.)
Kiara: Matlab... abhi bhi sab kuch theek nahi hua?
(Kiaan and Kiara exchange a worried glance.
Anuradha offers them a weak smile, the corners of her lips lifting just slightly before she continues.)
Anuradha: Beta, forgiveness ek din mein nahi aata. It takes time. Maine jo zakham usse diye hain... woh kaafi gehre hain... Agar koi chhoti si baat hoti, toh shayad ab tak, Naina ne mujhe maaf bhi kar diya hota... lekin jo hua, usse bhoolne mein waqt toh lagega usko.
(Kiaan's brow furrows as he leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees.)
Kiaan: Toh phir... Mumma wapas nahi aayengi?
(Anuradha shakes her head, but there is something tender in her expression.)
Anuradha: (gently) Aisa nahi kaha usne. In fact, usne yeh kaha ki woh tumhare Papa ke saath phir se shaadi karna chahti hain.
(Both Kiara and Kiaan gasp, their eyes widening in surprise.)
Kiara: (in disbelief) She did? Seriously?
Kiaan: (equally shocked) Dad aur Mom phir se shaadi karenge?
(Anuradha nods, a small smile gracing her lips.)
Anuradha: Haan, lekin sirf is wajah se nahi ki tum dono chaahte ho ya Vikram chahta hai... Tumhari Maa khud ye chahti hai.
(Kiara lets out a relieved breath, pressing a hand to her heart as if she hadn't realized she had been holding her breath.)
Kiara: Thank God!
(But Kiaan isn't convinced. He frowns, the unease still lingering in his eyes.)
Kiaan: Lekin Dadi... agar Mom wapas aa bhi gayi toh kya sab normal hoga? I mean, agar unka dil abhi bhi hurt hai, toh kya woh khush rahengi?
(Anuradha studies him for a moment before offering a gentle yet resolute smile.)
Anuradha: (softly) I hope so... kyunki iss baar, kuch bhi waise nahi hoga, jaise pehle tha. Tumhari Maa ne kaha ki woh ab nafrat nahi karna chahti. Usne kaha ki woh koshish karegi ki past ko baar-baar yaad na kare... aur aage badhe... Lekin, ek baat pe, usne zor diya... and she was particular about it!! She said, ki agar woh, iss ghar mein wapas aati hai, toh usse sirf ek cheez chahiye.
(Kiaan straightens, his eyes searching Anuradha's face.)
Kiaan: Kya?
(Anuradha's voice is calm yet firm, her words carrying an undeniable weight.)
Anuradha: (pausing for a beat) Respect and Peace of mind.
..
..
..
(A heavy silence falls over the room. The words settle deep within them, their impact undeniable.
The twins exchange glances, their minds racing. They had seen their mother's pain, lived through her struggles.
And now, she was ready to come back... but only if the past didn't haunt her.)
Kiara: (biting her lip) Matlab... koi fights nahi, koi negativity nahi, koi bitterness nahi...
Anuradha: (nodding) Bilkul. Aur maine bhi waada kiya hai, ki woh ek naye Anuradha se milegi... (she looks at them with determination) I will work hard to change myself... Jaise usne itne saalon tak, mera dil jeetne ki koshish ki... Iss baar main, apni taraf se, poori koshish karungi, uska dil jeetne ke liye!
(Kiara reaches forward, taking her Dadi's hand in hers, squeezing it gently.
Kiaan follows, placing his other hand atop theirs. In this moment, there is no past-only the hope for a new beginning.)
Kiara: So, dadi, are you really ready to change?
Anuradha: (Taking a deep breath) Haan beta... aur waise bhi, bharosa ek din mein nahi banta. Jo rishtey toote hain, unhe judne mein waqt lagega... Lekin main haar nahi maanungi. Ek na ek din, main Naina ke maafi ke laayak, banke rahungi. I will do it, tum dono ke liye, Vikram ke liye... aur apne liye bhi.
(Kiara and Kiaan exchanged a look, their smiles growing as the weight on their hearts lifted.
This was the first time in years their family truly felt like it was on the path to healing.)
Kiaan: (Grinning) Toh phir, bas ek cheez reh gayi.
Anuradha: (Raising an eyebrow) Kya?
Kiaan: (Leaning forward mischievously) Shaadi ki planning shuru karni hai!
(Anuradha chuckled, a sudden spark lighting up her eyes.
She sat up straighter, an air of resolve around her.)
Anuradha: Toh phir der kis baat ki? Jaise hi Vikram hospital se aajayega, main usse baat kar leti hoon!
(Kiara's eyes widened in amusement, and before Anuradha could rise, she quickly grabbed her hand to stop her.)
Kiara: Dadi, itni bhi jaldi kya hai? Thoda patience rakho!
Anuradha: (Frowning in confusion) Patience? Tum dono toh tabse betaab ho rahe ho, then why are you stopping me now?
(Kiara and Kiaan exchanged a knowing glance, a silent conversation passing between them before Kiara leaned in conspiratorially.)
Kiara: Dadi, aap itne saal se TV serials dekhte ho. Kuch seekha nahi kya unse? Thoda drama toh hona chahiye na, life mein?!
Anuradha: (Narrowing her eyes warily) Kiara, tumhara matlab kya hai?
Kiara: (Grinning, lowering her voice dramatically) Aap aise hi jaake, Papa ko sab straightforward bata doge?? (shakes her head) No... no way! Humein ek dhamakedaar impact create karna hoga!
Kiaan: (Laughing, catching on) Ahaan! Maine bhi yahi socha tha. Kuch toh hatke hona chahiye!!!
(Anuradha looked at them, equal parts confused and amused.
Their excitement was contagious, but she wasn't sure whether to encourage or fear it.)
Anuradha: Tum dono kya plan bana rahe ho?
Kiara: (Eyes twinkling with mischief) Dadi... bas mujh par chhod do. Aap toh bas mere plan ke according chalte rehna!
(Kiaan and Kiara exchanged a victorious high-five, grinning like partners in crime. Anuradha sighed, shaking her head.)
Anuradha: Mujhe bas yeh ummeed hai ki tum dono ka yeh plan kisi disaster mein na badal jaaye!
Kiara: (Smirking) Dadi, thoda toh bharosa rakh lo... Aur waise bhi, humari family mein, emotional moment se zyada, entertainment ki zaroorat hai!
Kiaan: (Winking) Get ready, Dadi! Yeh Sabharwal house ki kahani ab ek naye mode par hai!
(Anuradha shook her head, but a small, indulgent smile tugged at her lips. Maybe, just maybe, a little drama wouldn't hurt.)
___________________________________________
Author's Note 💌✨
Hey dear readers! 💖
What a rollercoaster of emotions this chapter was, right? 🎢
From Kiaan and Kiara's restless anticipation to Anuradha's heartfelt confession, and then-BOOM! 💥-the shocking revelation of Naina and Vikram's remarriage...
This chapter was all about forgiveness, healing, and second chances-but let's be real, things aren't that simple! 😬
Naina might be ready to take a step forward, but old wounds don't just disappear overnight.
And our favorite troublemakers, Kiara and Kiaan, are already plotting something... I have a feeling we're in for some major drama ahead! 🎭😂
But tell me-what do YOU think? 🤔 Will Naina truly find the peace she's looking for?
Will Vikram and Naina's love story finally get its happily ever after?
And most importantly... just what kind of mischief are these twins planning? 😏
Drop your thoughts in the comments! Let's chat! 💬💖 And don't forget-the best is yet to come!🚀✨
Till then, stay awesome!!!