Chapter 64

Today was the naamkaran(naming) ceremony of Anjali's baby and everyone had their own stock of names. The priest completed the puja and then asked the family to give a name. Everyone wanted their choice to be the name of the baby but Anjali stopped them all.

Anjali: "I want a special person to name my little baby."

Arnav: "Who Di..?" he would happily agree to anything that makes his Di happy.

NK: "That's me. I will be naming the baby. Isn't it Di?"

Arnav: "Shut up NK. I am sure it is not you."

Anjali: "NK Bhai, I have two daughters and they have two Mami's. My Muskaan is too close to her Khushi Mami and she means the world to her. So, I don't want Muskaan to share her Khushi Mami with anyone. (Looking at the baby in her arms) ...but she too can't be kept away from her Mami's love... and since she has another Mami then why would she need to share. Payalji is there na... she will get all the love that she needs from her Payal Mami. So, it will be her Payal Mami who will give a name to her."

Everyone was shocked and Payal was left stunned. She didn't knew what she was feeling whether she was happy as she was given such a honor and Anjali thinks that she is equally important as Khushi or was she sad thinking that probably it was joke being played on her.

Mami: "Hello Hi Bye Bye... what are you saying Anjali Bitiya? This khoon-bhari-taang will name our rajkumari?"

Anjali: "Mami, now you are Nani of two grand-daughters. At least now stop calling people by weird names. What will your grand daughters think about you? And yes, I want Payalji to give a name to my daughter."

Akash: "Di... why..."

Anjali: "Now you will teach me Akash about what to do and what not to do."

Akash: "I didn't mean that DI... I was..."

Arnav: "Di is right Akash. We all know how close Muskaan and Khushi are. So, even I don't want anything happening which makes Muskaan feel insecure. And even this baby deserves everyone's love and Payal too is her Mami. And what's the harm if Payal names the baby?"

Khushi just smiled at Arnav as she knew he is doing this prove it to Payal that she too has equal importance in their lives but she didn't know why Anjali was doing it.

Dadi: "If Anjali Bitiya wishes then let it be. (looking at Payal with a smile) ...Payal Bitiya, give a perfect name to your niece."

Payal felt like crying out with the amount of happiness bubbling inside her. She felt as if a new sunshine had dawned upon her. Smiling she went near the puja place and sat beside Anjali who handed the little baby to her arms and the baby made a sound making her laugh and she realized that it was after months that she has actually smiled.

Dadi: "Payal Bitiya, please give her a name which starts with R, because my Ratna bahu's name too started with R."

Payal nodded and kissed the baby's head and thinking for a moment said: "Roshni." meaning light, indeed she had brought a ray of light into her dark life.

Anjali: "Kitna pyaara naam hai. Haina Dadi?"

Dadi: "Yes, indeed. She is the light of our lives."

Muskaan squealing in delight: "yaaay... Muskaan's sister is Roshni."

Akash hugging her: "Yes, you two are the smile and light of our home."

The priest completed the rituals and after he left Dadi said to Payal: "According to the rituals of our home, the baby stays with the person who has named it till it falls asleep, and now that you have named her and she is awake, you take her to your room as you too need to rest."

Payal nodding cuddled the baby close to herself and walked to her room.
After she left Mamaji said: "Maasiji, I didn't say anything before because it was just about naming the baby but how can you leave Roshni Bitiya with Payal. Don't you know how she is? What if she hurts the baby?"

Dadi: "Don't worry. Payal is going to take care of Roshni more than her life."

Akash: "But Dadiji..."

Dadi: "You all come to my room. I have got to tell you all something." looking at Muskaan "Bitiya, you go and complete your homework."

Muskaan nodding left and the rest others moved to Dadi's room.

Inside Dadi's room

Nani: "Sumi, Anjali Bitiya, will you two please tell us what are you two are upto?"

Mamaji: "Yes, even I want to know why you both are bent on giving importance to Payal... Don't you remember what had happened few weeks before..?"

Dadi: "I very well remember what exactly had happened and what Payal had spoken about... but that was just her insecurity and jealously speaking."

NK: "What do you mean Dadiji..?"

Anjali: "I will tell you. That day..." she narrated the conversation that she had heard between Akash and Payal "I wanted to talk to you all about it but I didn't had time. I developed labour pain... and then being in hospital and everyone fussing over me and Roshni I couldn't get time to talk to all. But today I talked about this with Dadi and she said we should make Payalji feel wanted and important. She shouldn't feel insecure rather she should feel that she is equally important in our lives."

Dadi: "Yes, she should feel loved and adored. If she begins to feel that she is a very important part of our lives and we all love her just like we love our Khushi Bitiya then we will see a huge change in her."

Anjali: "Didn't you all notice today how happy she became when she did hold Roshni... I saw her genuinely smiling for the first time... Payalji is not bad at heart, it is just that she felt very insecure throughout her life and now she feels that she hates Khushiji but it is not."

Mamaji: "Hmm... it happens with children at times. They tend to get jealous of their siblings and it is upto the parents to make them feel loved and bridge the gap between them... (looking at Nani) Amma, do you remember how jealous our Anjali Bitiya was of Chote when he was born... she would begin to cry if someone would hold Chote and not talk to her."

Nani: "Yes, she would cry a lot. But after a day or two when Ratna Bitiya talked to her and let her know that she and Chote both hold equal importance for her... infact she is more important as she is the elder child, then after that Anjali Bitiya didn't leave the side of her Chote and would sit by his side as if his shield."

Dadi: "That is what happened with Payal as well but her parents failed to bridge the gap between her and Khushi Bitiya... that is why she turned out to be like this. We just need to do what the Guptas couldn't and then we will see a loving Payal."

Mamaji: "Yes, Maasiji... you are right. We will do that... we all will make Payal Bitiya realise what importance she holds in our lives and how much we love her." And everyone nodded smiling.

Anjali walked near Khushi and holding her hands said: "Khushiji, trust me, Payalji doesn't actually hates you... she..."

Khushi: "I know Di. That day I too had heard the conversation between Akashji and Jiji... I felt too guilty that I was the reason for her feeling unloved and uncared but then Arnavji told me that she is just insecure and once she realises her importance in our lives then I will get my Jiji back... I know deep down in her heart she loves me."

Anjali: "You are right Khushiji. But for some more days do stay away from her... I know that it..."

Khushi: "I understand Di." Anjali smiling her hugged her.

Arnav pouting: "But Di, I am really upset... you were jealous of me..!! You disappointed me Di."

Anjali: "Oh kya hai na Chote... us waqt tum hamare papad ke tukde nehi the na... isliye..." saying she pulled his cheeks.

Arnav removing her hands from his face and sulking: "Stop it Di. I am Mama of two nieces and going to be a Tau soon. Still you are pulling my cheeks as if I am a kid."

NK: "Nannav mere Bhai, tum to hamesha Chote hi rahoge... chahe Mama bano ya Nana... Chote Nanaji..." He said making Arnav groan and everyone laughed out loud.

From that day onwards everyone was on the mission to make Payal feel loved and important. They would sit and chat with her during snacks time, Anjali would let her care for Roshni and Akash too began to talk with her. Payal was feeling overwhelmed with all of it and had begun to smile and laugh.

Some months later.

Mami and Anjali were sitting in the hall with Roshni on her lap and Muskaan by her side who was narrating her day's happenings at the school. The car horn was heard and Muskaan jumped out of the chair: "Yay..!! Akash Mama is back..." and she rushed towards the door. But to her disappointment it was Arnav instead of Akash.

Muskaan looking down sadly: "Arnav Mama... aap... mujhe laga ki Akash Mama honge."

Arnav picking her up and kissing her cheek: "Muskaan, kabhi apne Arnav Mama se bhi baat kar liya karo." and walking inside sat beside Anjali, making Muskaan sit between them and taking Roshni in his arms.

Anjali: "What's the matter Chote, you came back so early today?"

Arnav: "Nothing Di, didn't have much work at office, so came back home to spend some time with Roshni and Muskaan." He kissed Roshni's head and looking at Muskaan enquired "How was your day at school today?"

Muskaan: "It was fun Arnav Mama... you know the teacher gave us homework to write an essay on my family."

Arnav: "Oh nice. So what will you write?"

Muskaan: "I will write on all of us. About Maa, Akash Mama, Khushi Mami, Roshni, Dadi Nani, Badi Nani, Nani, Nanaji, Payal Mami,.."

Arnav: "And what about me..? Won't you be writing about me..?"

Muskaan: "Yes, I will write a lot about you too..."

Arnav: "Cool..."

Anjali smiling at them: "You know what Chote, it doesn't look like you are the same person who before used to hate being around kids."

Arnav: "Now I love being around kids Di. We already have two kids at home and soon another is going to come. I am getting addicted to spending time with them."

Anjali: "Hmm... good. It will help you in future when you become a father. By the way, when I am going to see a miniature form of my Chote?" she asked teasingly.

Arnav looked at her and the smile from his face vanished. He gave back Roshni to Anjali and smiling a bit at Muskaan and Mami walked away from there saying that he needs to freshen up.

Mami: "Arnav Bitwa sharma gaye kaa..."

But Anjali knew her brother better. Smiling at Mami she gave Roshni to her and asking Muskaan to talk to her nani she went behind her brother.

Anjali entered into Arnav's room and found him standing at the poolside with hands in pockets and figure tensed and rigid. She walked to him and kept her hand on his shoulder. Arnav turned immediately and asked: "Di, aap... kya hua?"

Anjali cupping his cheek: "Kya hua hai Chote? Koi baat hai kya..?"

Arnav not meeting her eyes: "Nothing Di. Sab thik hai."

Anjali: "Look straight into my eyes and say the same... Chote, what is the problem..? Is there any problem in you and Khushiji having a child..."

Arnav removing her hand from his face: "No Di, there is no such problem."

Anjali: "Then what is it Chote... tell me please..."

Arnav turning to the other side: "Khushi doesn't want a child... she..."

Anjali shocked: "WHAT...!! BUT WHY...!! Khushiji loves kids... then why... the way she mingles with the kids at the destitute home... with Muskaan... then..."

Arnav: "Di, she wants us to have a baby only after I clear Papa's name... only after I prove that Papa is innocent and I change my name back to Arnav Mallick, she wants our baby to be born."

Anjali wiping away the drop of tear from her eyes: "I never knew that Mallick surname was so important for Khushiji... you know what Chote, Mama Papa wherever they will be, they will be very happy seeing Khushiji as their daughter-in-law... who not only cares for her husband, his family but also for her dead father and mother-in-law."

Arnav: "Di, I too want to prove that my Papa was innocent... I want him to get the respect that he deserves not the hatred that he is getting now for someone else's mistake... (sitting down on the chair) But I just don't know what to do... anything I try, I just meet the dead end... Only person who can help us is Dadi but I don't want to stress Dadi over anything... she has just recovered and any stress is harmful for her."

Anjali: "Hmm. You are right Chote. (She sat down beside him and thinking for sometime said) Chote, I think there is someone else other than Dadi who can help us."

Arnav getting excited: "Who is it Di..?"

Anjali: "An..."

Arnav getting up angrily: "Are you hinting at her Di..??"

Anjali: "Chote, listen to me..."

Arnav: "No Di... I just hate her and her family... don't ever take her name before me. I don't want any discussion about her ever again."

Anjali: "Don't tell me Chote that you hate her. Because I know that you love her a lot... so much that you yourself don't know how much."

Arnav: "I don't Di... maybe I loved her a lot before but not anymore. I hate her as much I hate the person who is behind Mama Papa's death."

Before Anjali could say a word more she saw Khushi standing behind looking confused.

Anjali: "Arey... Khushiji... aaapp...!!" Arnav too turned behind to look at Khushi.

Khushi walked towards them: "What are you two talking about..?"

Anjali was about to answer when Arnav cut in: "Nothing Khushi."

Khushi: "But... I heard..."

Anjali felt it is better to leave the two alone so giving the excuse of feeding Roshni went from there.

Khushi: "Arnavji, kya hua hai..?? Aap aur Di kis bare mein baat kar rahe the?"

Arnav: "Kuch bhi nehi."

Khushi: "Aap humse kuch chupa rahe hain kya..?? Humne suna Di ko bolte hue ki aap kisise bohot pyaar karte the... kaun hai woh..?"

Arnav hugging her: "No one Khushi... Always remember I love you a lot, more than anyone. Okay."

Khushi: "But..!!"

Arnav: "I don't want to talk about anything now Khushi... I am tired... please... I need you now."

Khushi nodded against his chest and hugged him back.

Payal was walking in the garden of RM with Roshni in her arms when her phone rang. She sat down on the garden swing and answered the call.

Buaji from the other side on the phone: "Payalia... my child... how are you?"

Payal: "Buaji, I am fine. How are you?"

Buaji: "Kahe puch rahe ho Nandkishore... tum batao kya chal raha hai..? Wahan sab kaisa hai?"

Payal: "Everything is fine Buaji. Now I am in the garden with Roshni."

Buaji: "What..!! The Raizadas turned you in a nanny..??"

Payal: "What are you saying Buaji..!! Everyone here loves me a lot. And I love to spend time with Roshni, so I am with her."

Buaji: "You are too innocent Payalia... they just wanted a nanny for Roshni and you were available for free so..."

Payal: "I am not Roshni's nanny but her Mami. So, what I did something for her..? She too is just like my daughter... won't Di do the same things for my child, what I am doing for Roshni..? She will... because this is called caring and loving the baby."

Buaji: "But Payalia..."

Payal: "Please Buaji, I love my family and they all love me a lot. So, please stop saying bad about them."

Buaji shocked: "Payalia..!! Tumne to hume... apne Buaji ko paraya hi bana dia."

Payal: "Aisa nehi hai Buaji, you are my own but after marriage the in-law house becomes the actual house of the girl and I am enjoying my life here. They all love me."

Buaji: "It is just a showoff... they all love only Khushi."

Payal: "It is not like that. They all love me as much as they love her and I too hold the equal importance in their lives."

Buaji: "Par..."

Payal: "I will talk to you later Buaji. I have been walking in the garden for long, if I don't go back then Dadiji and Maaji will be worried. Bye." Saying she disconnected the phone and kissing Roshni's head walked back into the house.

P.S. I know I am very very late. But please bear with me as I am very very very busy with my university work. Will try to update my other stories soon. Thanks for being patient.

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