Cut to:
The lobby area
(As Anuradha reached the bottom of the staircase, Vikram's voice rang out, laced with concern.)
Vikram: (calling out) Maa!
(Anuradha paused mid-step, her back stiffening for a fraction of a second before she turned around. A faint smile flickered across her lips)
Anuradha: (hurriedly, her voice unnaturally calm) Bas ek kaam reh gaya hai... Mujhe sirf ek minute do, main abhi aayi.
(Before Vikram could respond, she turned on her heel and briskly ascended the stairs.
Her steps, though swift, held an unusual urgency-one that didn't sit right with him.
Vikram's frown deepened, unease gnawing at him.
Something was off.
The way she avoided his eyes, the hastiness in her movements-it wasn't like her.
..
..
(A thick silence settled in the living room.
Kiaan, Kiara, Naina, Purab, Bhoomika and Purab's parents exchanged glances, their expressions mirroring the same confusion Vikram felt.
No one spoke, yet the tension was palpable.)
..
..
(Vikram's frown deepened as he hesitated for a moment.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Something didn't add up.)
Vikram: (muttering to himself) Yeh achanak...
(He hesitated for barely a second before following her, his footsteps deliberate, his concern outweighing his doubt.
He reached the bottom of the stairs just as Anuradha's form disappeared further up, her back now fully turned to him.)
Vikram: (shouting up to her, his voice laced with worry) Kahaan jaa rahi ho, maa? Agar kuch kaam hai toh mujhe bata dijiye. Aap, khud kyun upar jaa rahi ho?
(Anuradha's pace slowed, and she turned around just enough for Vikram to catch a glimpse of her face.
For a fleeting moment, she seemed to hesitate, but then the faintest of smiles appeared on her lips.)
Anuradha: (voice steady but unusually clipped) Mujhe apne kamre se ek zaroori cheez laani hai, Vikram! Tum dhoond nahi paaoge... Mujhe sirf do minute de do. ... main yun gai... aur yun aayi.
(She made a gesture with her hand, as if to assure him everything was fine, before turning her back again and continuing her ascent up the staircase.
Vikram stood still at the foot of the stairs, his mind racing.
His fingers clenched in a fist at his side, and he turned back to the living room, his heart heavy with a mix of confusion and determination.
There was more to this than just a simple trip upstairs. The question was-what was she really hiding?)
..
..
..
A few minutes later,
(Anuradha reappeared, holding a beautifully carved wooden jewellery box in her hands.
Her steps were slow, deliberate, as if the weight of the moment was just as heavy as the item she carried.
She walked straight toward Naina and stopped in front of her.
For a second, Naina didn't move, confusion flickering in her eyes.
Then, as realization set in, she stiffened slightly.
Anuradha took a deep breath before extending the box to her. She opened it to reveal an intricately designed necklace.
It was a breathtaking piece, with brilliant diamonds set against vibrant emeralds, their deep green hue catching the light beautifully.
Crafted with delicate precision, the heirloom had been passed down for generations, a timeless symbol of legacy and acceptance.
Naina's eyes widened in surprise.)
Naina: Yeh haar toh....
Anuradha: (interrupting) Haan, beta. Yeh hamaari khaandaani haar hai, jo meri saas ne mujhe diya tha... (emotion lacing her voice) aur ab main, iss haar ko, tumhe pehnana chahti hoon.
(Naina blinked, momentarily speechless. Her gaze flickered between Anuradha and the jewellery box, her hands instinctively clenching in her lap.)
Naina: (hesitantly) Aunty.... yeh haar toh shaayad, aapne Tanvi didi ke liye rakha tha, hai naa?? Aapne kaha tha ki, unki 50th birthday pe, aap unhe yeh haar gift karengi.
(Anuradha nodded, her expression unreadable.)
Anuradha: Haan, maine aisa kaha tha, beta!!!!.... lekin iss haar pe tumhaara haq pehle aata hai!!!! (her voice turning softer) Maine tumhaare saath bahut galat kiya hai, Naina!!! Hamesha tumhaari haq ki cheezein, maine kissi aur ko di hain.... but ab nahi... ab, jo tumhaara hai, woh sirf tumhe milega!!!
(Naina felt something tighten in her throat. She stared at the box, but she wasn't seeing the jewellery... she was seeing everything it symbolized.
A lifetime of longing, of feeling like she never truly belonged, of hoping for a day when Anuradha would finally see her, accept her.)
Naina: (eyes welled up) Mujhe kisi bhi cheez ka laalach nahi hai.... kabhi bhi nahi tha!!! (she gets teary) Yeh materialistic cheezon mein, mujhe kabhi interest tha bhi nahi. Mujhe sirf aapka pyaar chahiye tha... aur thodi si izzat. Aaj, mujhe yeh haar de kar.... aapne mujhe woh respect di hai!!!! (blinking away her tears) Thank you, aunty!!!!
(Anuradha reached out, cupping Naina's cheek in a rare, affectionate gesture.
Purab's mother smiled seeing them interacting. )
Anuradha: Ab se main sirf tumhe khush dekhna chahti hoon.... chalo, turn around, main tumhe yeh haar pehana deti hoon!!!
..
..
..
Then,
(Anuradha carefully took out the necklace from the velvet-lined box. And gestured for Naina to come closer.
Naina hesitated for a brief second before stepping forward.
Anuradha unclasped the necklace and gently placed it around Naina's neck.
Her fingers, usually firm and authoritative, were unexpectedly gentle as she fastened the clasp.
The moment the necklace settled against Naina's collarbone, Anuradha took a step back and observed her with a soft smile.
Naina's fingers instinctively traced the intricate design, feeling the weight... not just of the jewellery but of the moment itself.)
(Purab's family watched in stunned silence. Purab's eyebrows arched in mild surprise; he had never expected Anuradha to take such a bold step.
Bhoomika, standing beside him, glanced at Anuradha, before turning her eyes back to Naina.
She had always believed, that Naina deserved more respect, and this moment only reaffirmed her thoughts.
Purab's mother smiled to see Naina beginning to get what she deserved.
She noticed the tension free conversation taking place between Anuradha and Naina.)
..
..
..
Anuradha: (admiring her) Naina.... yeh haar, bahut sundar lag raha hai, tum par!!!! (cups her cheeks) welcome to the family again, Naina!!!
Naina: Thank you, aunty!
(As soon as the words left her mouth, she froze, realizing her slip.
Her eyes darted to Anuradha, who was looking at her, her expression unreadable.)
Naina: (quickly corrected herself) Oops... I mean... thank you, Mummy ji.
(Before she could say anything further, Anuradha raised a hand to stop her.)
Anuradha: Nahi, beta... mummy ji nahi...
(Before Anuradha could complete her sentence, Kiaan and Kiara, who had been watching with eager eyes, immediately chimed in.)
Kiara: (grinned mischievously) Haan!! aaj se no mummy ji- vammi ji!!! Ab toh dadi ko, aap sirf 'mummy' bulaao!!
Kiaan: Haan... Kiru is right!!! You should call her just 'mummy'... ya even 'maa'!!!
(A heavy silence followed. Anuradha's face softened, and she reached out to touch Naina's cheek briefly before pulling her hand back.
She exhaled, her voice filled with quiet emotion.)
Anuradha: Nahi, Naina.... tumhaari maa hone ka haq, maine bahut pehle hi kho diya hai!!!
(Her gaze flickered downward for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts, before meeting Naina's eyes again.)
Anuradha: Yeh title, dobaara paane ke liye, mujhe abhi, aur mehnat karni padegi...
(Naina's smile faltered slightly as she absorbed the weight of those words.)
Anuradha: (gave her a small, bittersweet smile) Main nahi chahati, ki tum mujhe zabardasti 'mummy' ya 'maa' bulao. Main samajh sakti hoon, ki tumhaare zakham kaafi gehre hain!!!
(She paused, her voice quieter but firm.)
Anuradha: I will not mind, agar tum mujhe aunty keh kar bulaogi... but mujhe uss din ka intezaar rahe gaa, jab tum mujhe maa bulaaogi... dil se!!!
..
..
Then,
(For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Naina swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded slowly.
She wasn't sure what to say... and she also couldn't hold back her emotions anymore.
She leaned forward to touch Anuradha's feet.
Anuradha blessed her with a warm smile and held her shoulders.)
Anuradha: Jeete raho, beta!!!! hamesha Khush raho beta!!!
Naina: (takes a deep breath, steadying herself) Aunty.... aap sach mein chahti ho, ki main khush rahun?
Anuradha: (taken aback) haan beta.... aise kyun bol rahi ho?
Naina: Toh jaisa maine kaha tha... these materialistic things (points to the necklace) they never really made me happy!!!!
..
..
Then,
(A slow, mischievous smile spread across her lips.)
Naina: Agar aap mujhe, sach- muchh mein khush dekhna chahti hain, toh kuch aur karna padega.
Anuradha: (raised a brow) Kya?
Naina: (her grin widened) Aapko karna hi padega, aunty!!!!... aap mana nahi karengi, please!!!!
(By now, everyone was watching the exchange with curiosity.
Kiaan and Kiara leaned forward, while Purab and Bhoomika exchanged amused glances.)
Anuradha: (narrowed her eyes) Kya karna padega?
Naina: (eyes twinkled playfully) Aapko, hum sabke liye, aaj ek gaana gaana padega... you have to sing a sing!!!!
(A stunned silence fell over the room. Vikram looked at Naina like she had lost her mind.
Vikram: Naina!!! kya bole jaa rahi ho tum??? Maa aur gaana? (He scoffed) Are you serious?
(Kiaan's jaw dropped, while Kiara covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.)
Vikram: (shakes his head) Maa ko, yeh gaana-waana nahi aata hai.
Naina: (smirked) arrey.... Aap Anuradha aunty ko gaane toh dijiye... aapko kis baat ka darr hai? Ki woh aapse better gaayengi?
Kiara: (chuckled, noticing the banter) Oohh, burn.
Vikram: (gives an exasperated look.) Bahut smart samajhti ho, apne aapko?
Naina: (winked) Bilkul!!!! (she turns towards Anuradha) okay aunty... we are all waiting!!!!
Anuradha: (folded her arms) Naina.... Main kaise gaa sakti hoon??
Naina: kyun nahi.... it is time to show off your talent!!!!
Kiara: (pouted dramatically) Dadi, if you want, toh hum karaoke machine bhi nikaal sakte hain... music ke saath aur bhi mazaa aayega!!!
(Prakhar, who had been quietly observing everything, suddenly clapped his tiny hands and piped up in his baby voice.)
Prakhar: Dadi, gaana!!!! Dadi, gaana!!!!
(Anuradha laughed at the toddler's antics and then sighed She shook her head in mock defeat. )
Anuradha: Theek hai baba, main gaati hoon.... (turns towards Kiara) beta, Karaoke setup nikaalne ki zaroorat nahi hai.... main aise hi gaa doongi!!
..
..
..
And so....
(A hushed excitement filled the room. Anuradha took a deep breath and then, in a voice laced with nostalgia, began singing a classislc Bollywood song....)
Anuradha: 🎵 Uthe sabke kadam, dekho rum pum pum.
Aji aise geet gaya karo...
Kabhi khushi kabhi gham
tara ram pam pam
Hanso aur hansaya karo!!!! 🎵
(As her voice floated through the room, there was an almost magical stillness. No one had expected this.
The woman they had always seen as strong and distant was now letting herself be vulnerable in the simplest, purest way... through a song.
Bhoomika swayed slightly to the rhythm, a nostalgic smile playing on her lips.
Kiara and Kiaan exchanged delighted glances, tapping their feet to the beat.
Prakhar, too young to understand the emotions in the air, clapped happily, enjoying the melody.
Vikram just shook his head in disbelief, his lips twitching upward despite himself.
But Naina... Naina simply watched. She took in the sight of Anuradha singing, her expressions soft, free of her usual restraint.
For the first time in years, there was no bitterness between them. No taunts, no grudges-just warmth.
And as Anuradha's voice lingered in the air, Naina smiled, feeling something shift inside her.
This was more than a song.
This was acceptance.
This was love.
This was home.
___________________________________________
Author's Note ✨💖
What just happened?! 🤯 Anuradha, the ever-stern matriarch, just did a complete 360!
From hesitation and guilt to acceptance and love-this moment between her and Naina was EVERYTHING. 💖✨
Anuradha knew that she was wrong to give away Naina's expensive jewelry 💎 and sarees to her daughter, Tanvi, who never accepted them anyway.
But like Naina said, it wasn't just about the material things-it was about what they symbolized. ❤️
Naina has always been independent, strong-willed, and hesitant to rely on anyone (you all know how she is 😉),
But moments like these prove that sometimes, even the strongest people need to feel like they belong. 💖
And let's talk about that twist at the end! 😆
Who would have thought Anuradha would be put on the spot like this?! Naina flipping the script with her playful demand was pure GOLD. 🔥🎤
I absolutely loved writing this moment between Naina and Anuradha.
It wasn't just about a necklace or a song.... it was about healing, about bridging gaps, about slowly rewriting a history that had been filled with misunderstandings. 💫
And Vikram's reaction? Priceless. 🤣 I mean, imagine your mother, who never sang, suddenly breaking into a nostalgic tune!!! and that too, better than you!!!!
The man was SHOOK. 😂
What did YOU think? Did this chapter make you smile? Tear up a little? (Be honest, I won't judge! 😜)
I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts, so drop a comment! And if you enjoyed the chapter, don't forget to like and follow-your support keeps me going! 💕