Part 2

Waqt Zaya

@WaqtZaya

PART II

Veena was harshly broken off from her reverie when she heard a car’s engine stop near the porch and some footsteps and hushed but inaudible noises. Her motherly instincts had overpowered her and she knew her children had come to surprise her. Her heart leaped to new bounds and she waited behind the main door to not spoil their surprise. She could clearly hear her darling daughter's whispers talking her husband.

"Let's surprise her!"

"I am one hundred percent sure that she can hear your doubly excited voice."

"Very funny, she is my mother, I know, okay.?" 

"As it pleases you Mrs Bajaj." 

Veena knew Prerna must have stuck her tongue out in response. Quietly, she waited till her daughter pulled the key out of its hidden place while her husband kept on saying in a no nonsense voice.

"Is all this mandatory?" 

"Yes it is."

"I am not okay with it." 

"You remain outside phir, no one is inviting you in this." 

"Yeah right you can't even take that key out from that pot. And you want to surprise Maa."

"Then what are you doing standing there like a pillar? Waise bhi your height won't increase.”

"Don't get personal with this Mrs Bajaj.”

"You and your height, oho, touchy topic.” She mimicked. 

"Here take it.” Mr Bajaj’s voice came after a pause.

"This is why you have all these enormous biceps." Prerna said in a cute voice. 

“Don't pull my cheeks or Sneha will wake up.” 

“She anyway will in a moment.”

“My poor baby.”

Veena tried her best not to laugh at their bickering.

"You know I have a feeling Maa is going to make a popat of us.” 

"She is sleeping it's 11pm. And how cute are you saying popat! Say again.” 

"Oh yea whatever ... Princess... See Sneha is waking up.”

"Sneha Sneha baby Dimaa bari..(grandmother's house)” Prerna cajoled the half sleepy kid up and she rubbed her eyes and gave her mother a big smile. Her father gave her a kiss on her cheek and she rested her head on his shoulder. 

"She will get excited in a minute.”

Mr Bajaj just chuckled waiting for the moment to arrive. 

Prerna put the key in the lock and twisted it twice. The door opened to a nearly dark house and from behind Veena booed Prerna who was momentarily caught in her own game.

Peels of laughter echoed in the entire household as the mother daughter hugged and cuddled each other in happiness. Even Sneha was wide awake and only wanted her Dimaa's attention, so much that she held out her arms, calling her in her soft voice. She now spoke in monosyllables and the doctor said that she was recovering and would be cured of mutism very soon. It was all because of her mother’s love and encouragement. Veena happily took the child in her arms while Mr Bajaj proceeded to touch her feet .

“Arey ye kya kar rahe ho beta.” She said combing his perfect in place hair as she blessed him. “Jeete raho beta, khub tarraki karo.” 

“Maa, aur kitni tarraki karenge, ab toh inka bas chale toh Mars bhi kharid le.” Prerna chimed in.

“Dhat pagli, aisa nahi bolte.” Veena jovially slapped on her Priyu’s cheek and then placed a loving kiss.

“Humein light jalani chahiye.” Rishabh suggested and he went towards the switchboard to turn on all the lights. Veena now felt exposed thinking how would she welcome her son in law with no preparations. Sensing her mother's apprehensions, Prerna held her chin and turned her face towards her and gave her an assuring look and then placed her face on her shoulder. 

“Baith toh ja pagli.” Veena said after a while. She noticed her Priyu had a different glow on her face. She looked so happy and at peace. No doubt her husband kept her very happy.

“Nahi aise hi Rehna hai.” Prerna objected in a baby tone, just like old times. Veena was surprised but she mentally thanked the gods for her daughter’s happiness. 

“You are hurting her.” Rishabh interjected, squinting his eyes. Veena felt the two were having some quiet conversations.

“You keep quiet.” Prerna instead showed him her hand. 

Rishabh just gestured that he was off.

“Joote toh khol lo.” Rishabh said as he took out Sneha’s as well as Prerna’s slippers from one of the luggage. 

“Maa, har roz yehi kehte rehte hain, joote kholo joote kholo ,khud toh ghar pe bina slippers ke ghoomte rehte hai magar bahar se koi aye..” Prerna started to complain but she was cut in the middle.

“Mujhe farsh par jooton ke nisshan pasand nahi.”

“Maa, Sneha bacchi hai, thoda toh ganda karegi na par nahi, joote kholo slippers, pehno. Aise mat karo, waise mat karo. Army mein rehna chahiye tha apko. “ 

Rishabh just gave her a smirk and picked Sneha up in his arms to open her shoes and made her wear slippers.

He placed Prerna’s slippers next and eyed her to change in them. 

“Mera ghar hai, nahi kholungi kya kar loge.” She just replied back with an attitude that made Veena almost laugh.

“Fine.” He said and shrugged.

 “Beta Rishabh ki baat man le.” 

“Maa, please ab aap aise mat shuru ho jaiye.” Prerna complained like a little child but now Veena pulled Sneha to the divaan. The little child latched onto her dimaa, now forgot about her favorite toy that her father held out for her. A little later, she grabbed her toy and sat on her father's lap, resting her head on his chest playing in her own world. 

“Tujhe pata nahi Priyu, main kitni khush hoon.” 

“Khush karne ke liye hi toh surprise kiya.” Prerna said.

“Safar kaisa tha, Rishabh beta?” 

“Ji badhiya tha Maa.”

“Tum dono ghar chale aye seedha..” 

“Kyun, ab hum apne ghar bhi nahi aa sakte?” Prerna questioned her mother.

“Maine kab kaha aisa? Magar mujhe laga ki -

“Ki hum Bajaj Mansion jayenge. Maa, jab ap yahan hai toh hum Bajaj mansion kiske liye jayein?” Prerna completed her mother and her mother just shook her head with a smile when she saw her son-in-law getting up.

“Kahan jaa rahe ho beta?”

“Paani lene ja raha hoon.” Rishabh said.

“Beta tum kyun..” Veena was quicker at her feet. No way she would let Mr Bajaj run errands. 

“Maa, I’ll manage.” She heard Rishabh say while Prerna held her hand tightly. 

“Udhar kitchen ke samne fridge hai” Prerna directed. 

“I have my eyes.” 

“Yes, that’s why you need two more . “ Prerna chided back.

“Sunn pagli, Rishabh ko yahan problem hogi bahut, usey mana ke Bajaj Mansion le jaa.” Veena pleaded.

“Maa, apko ye sab Bajaj Mansion shift naa hone se pehele sochna chahiye tha.” Mr Bajaj’s voice boomed.

“Iss ladki ke saath reh reh ke iski hi tarah bolne lage ho tum.” Veena complained, pulling her daughter’s cheek. 

“Say thank you.” Prerna directed her husband looking in his direction. 

Veena looked at her scanned her thoroughly. Prerna’s eyes shone with mirth, she looked so happy and bubbly just like before. Veena tapped on her eyes and smudged some kajal behind her ear making her squirm. 

“Maa, baatao kaisi ho.” 

“Bahut zyada khush.” 

“Accha?”

“Haan! Ab tum sab aa gaye na issi liye.” 

“Maa apne khana nahi khaya?” Rishabh said, looking at the food that was laid out on the dining table.

“Woh tumhare phone ka intezar kar rahi thi.” Veena told them the truth.

Rishabh’s now came back and in a worried filled voice he said, “Maa apki dawai ka bhi waqt hogaya hai..” 

“Maa aisa mat kijiye.” Even Prerna scolded her. 

Rishabh  gestured Prerna to get her food and both of them looked very concerned. 

“Aha..” She caught their hands and made them sit beside her. “Tum dono fresh hojao.. phir ek saath khate hai na. Aur meri pyari gudiya ke saath mujhe kitni sari baatein karni hai.” she said while cuddling Sneha as both husband and wife gave her disapproving looks. To rescue the grandmother, Sneha yawned very loudly, rubbing her eyes. 

Motherly instincts came over and Prerna pulled Sneha to herself, cradling her like an infant.

“Kapade change kar lete hai.” Rishabh suggested and Prerna nodded. Rishabh pulled out Sneha’s night frock from her luggage. He handed Sneha a paper who excitedly took it and gave it to her grandma.

“Dee..maa.” She said very excitedly but eyes were heavy with sleep. Veena turned over the paper and saw in a child’s scribble, a house and four stick figures. Sneha explained in gestures, Dimaa, Maa, Papa and me. It was such a cute painting that Veena couldn’t stop but to kiss the child’s cheeks. Meanwhile Prerna and Rishab had conversations in gestures. Veena could see her daughter asking her husband to freshen up while he wanted to put Sneha to sleep. 

“Deemaa ko apki painting pasand ayi?” She asked as she pulled the child into her arms and then she opened her shoes, wore her slippers before going to the bathroom. 

“Priyu, Sneha ke liye thoda doodh garam kar doon?” Veena asked.

She saw Prerna question her husband before answering her back. 

“Ask her.” Rishabh said instead. 

“Apko miky peeni hai Snehu?” Prerna asked her in a baby voice and the child shook her head in no. 

“Naa Maa, waise bhi flight mein pi thi, sone se pehele. I don’t think she wants any.” Prerna replied and with that she went to the bathroom. Rishabh instead pulled out Sneha’s water bottle and held it.

“She is more excited to meet you. School mein har teacher har classmate ko she has told about you. Entire journey she was very excited but as we landed in Delhi for layover she slept. Uske baad ek baar uthi thi, khana kha ke phir so gayi..kuch der pehle hi jaag uthi.”

“Bacchi hai Rishabh, bacche pura din halla karenge aur phir seedha raat ko hi soyenge!”

“I am envious. I really want that energy streak she has.”

“Bachon wali energy toh ab wapas aane se rahi! Jao beta tum bhi fresh ho jao. Itna lamba safar tha thakk gaye hoge.” 

“Maa pehle Sneha so jaye aur aap dinner kar le, uske baad.”

“Uffo, acha ye batao Rishabh…beta garmi toh nahi lag rahi na.”

“Nahin Maa, mujhe garmi nahi lag rahi. Ap itni pareshaan.. just don’t be.” 

“Rishabh aap idhar aaiye pls, Sneha…” Prerna’s voice came floating.

“Haan, maa ek minute buss.”

“Beta, Sneha ko apne kamre mein sula do na.” Veena suggested.

“But we are downstairs…” Prerna said. She didn’t want to leave her child even for moment away from her eyes.

“Haan wohi behtar hoga.” Risbhah echoed the same thoughts, assuring her.

“If you say so…Upar chaliye phir... Sambhal kar, jaag jayegi kacchi neend hai”

Cradling Sneha’s head to his chest, Rishabh rose up the stairs as softly as he could with Prerna following him.

Veena just gazed at the three transfixed at what had transpired between the small family. A tear of joy rolled down her eyes and she thanked almighty a 100 times.

Prerna opened her colorful room finding it the very way she had left it. Rishabh just dashed towards the bed to lie his daughter down while Prerna too started picking up pillows from the couch.

“Don’t bend.” Rishabh was quick to order.

“Yes.I wont.”

“Good, dekho, she wants you… come here.” Rishabh said looking at his daughter's search for her mother in a daze.

Prerna came and adjusted some pillows around Sneha as she sat beside her. In her motherly way she patted Sneha to sleep gently till soft snores were heard. Rishabh kissed the little child’s hand and put her hand on both of his eyes, in gratitude, before tucking her hand under the duvet. 

“AC on kar dijiye na... woh udhar hai switch.” Prerna spoke in a hushed voice lest Sneha woke up.

Rishabh just gave her an I KNOW look.

“Prerna, I know you are tired and excited but I think you should rest now.. I know you want to be with Maa, aaj raat unke saath hi rehna magar please 30 minutes of all this pagalpanti and then go to bed.” Rishabh said after a while as they sat beside their daughter. He tucked a strand of Prerna’s hair behind her ear.

“Rishabh, 30 minutes are too less and I am fine, please don’t worry. Please don’t. “ She said holding his hand to her cheek.

“I know you will even if I say don’t.” She said after a while looking at him.

“Then do as I said.” Rishab with his forefinger removed another strand of hair from her face in a very delicate way, and his fingers ran down her face caressing each and every part of her skin, a way of expressing his love and concern.

“Just not today, please. I probably won’t get any sleep at all.” Prerna told the truth.

“Do not do that. I’ll tell maa..” Mr Bajaj now warned.

“I told you na we’ll tell it to her together ..” Prerna now pouted her lips.

“Now chalo at least fresh toh ho jao.” Rishabh said in an encouraging voice.

“Mere kapde neeche hai if you remember, Mr smart pants.” Prerna made a logic sign.

“I’ll get the luggage up.”

“Ramu kaka kal le aayenge, you just pull out yours and my night clothes, red bag. Accha Sneha giregi nahi na?” Prerna asked with full concern.

“Ye lo do aur bolsters, nahi giregi ab.” Rishabh assured her.

“Acha okay. Ab aap jaldi se fresh hoke aaiye na. Main hoon uske saath tab tak. “ Her voice was just so full of concern.

“Prerna, Maa neeche intezaar kar rahi hai hamara. Unhone apni medicines bhi nahi liye “ Rishabh tried pacifying his wife. 

“I just forgot.” Prerna replied absentmindedly.

“You're a goldfish that’s why.. my goldfish.” Rishabh patted on Prerna’s cheek lovingly. 

“Smart pants but mine. But lets freshen up first.” Prerna suggested and Rishabh smiled and went downstairs to get their clothes.

“Prerna, Maa neechee kuch paka rahi hai. She is cooking. “ Rishabh announced when he came upstairs again handing her, her clothes.

“She’s just warming some milk and water. She does this before going to sleep everyday.” Prerna had her answer ready but she truly hoped that her darling mother wasn't up cooking something for them.

“Are you sure?” Risbhah asked and Prerna nodded in affirmation.

“Prerna take your time okay, no need to hurry. Let me know—“ Rishabh said in a go.

“YAP  YAP YAP NOW SHOO.” Prerna made a zip gesture and went to the bathroom.

“Rishabh, are you sure she won’t fall down. Apko yaad hai na..” Prerna asked after they both had freshened up before going downstairs. Prerna hated keeping her daughter away from her eyes even for a moment, even if it was in her own house in her own bedroom. Sneha though made high pitched sounds when she felt hurt, but the thought of her daughter in pain gave her nightmares. 

“Woh couch tha Prerna, not a queen sized bed! Please stop blaming yourself for that.” Risbhah touched her cheek with the back of the hand caressing it.He knew she still cursed herself for that  incident when Sneha had rolled down the couch and hurt herself. Her cries weren’t heard because she didn’t make sounds then but Prerna’s heart knew something was wrong. Though she rescued her within 5 minutes but Prerna still cried thinking how she couldn’t save her daughter from the fall. The guilt she wore was so thick that it made her even more protective of Sneha.

“Ok..if you say so.” Prerna said in a small voice, looking at her daughter.

“Chaliye ab neeche maa intezaar kar rahi hongi.” Rishabh suggested.

“Aap coffee peeyenge?” She asked. 

“Prerna, I can make my own if I want.” Rishabh replied instead

“I like making coffee for you but-- Maa aap kya kar rahi ho. Itna sab kuch ki zarurat nahi..” Prerna raised her voice in alert. 

“Maa please aap khana kha lijiye ab. Apko apki pressure aur diabetes ki medicine bhi leni hai “ Rishabh too replied this time glaring at Prerna. She wasn’t correct. Maa indeed was cooking.

“Lelungi baba, aao mere paas toh baitho. Chalo mere saath thoda thoda karke dono kha lo.“ Veena suggested as she placed two khaandani brass plates laden with food for them on the dining table.

Both her children looked very angry with her but Veena paid no attention instead dragged Rishabh saying “Beta idhar baitho.” pointing at the head of the table’s place. Rishabh just looked at Veena and smiled. 

“Maa ap ayiye.. yea apki jagah hai, aur kisi ki nahi. Samjhi ap.” Rishabh made her sit instead. 

Veena’s eyes just filled up while Prerna just gestured her mom yes and both of them sat together side by side.

“Main coffee bana ke layun?” Prerna asked meekly. 

“Dheere bolo maa sun legi aur phir se..”

“Oh ok..”

“Ab apni biwi ka haath chod sakte ho Rishabh.” Veena teased when she saw both of them still holding their hands. 

“Haath chodne ke liye kahan pakada tha.” Rishabh naughtily winked and Prerna turned a shade of red.

“Luchi Aloo dum .. maa apne abhi banaya? Kyun??” Prerna as much as she loved this meal she was highly annoyed  at how careless her mother had been with her health and missed meds.

“Dekha, this is why I said lets not disturb maa.” Rishabh chided.

“CHUP BILKUL CHUP. Aur khana khao. “ Veena scolded both of them and ordered them to eat.

“Par Maa—“Prerna interrupted.

“Ek word nahi” Veena warned.

“All your fault.” Prerna blamed her husband with a funny scowl.

“How is it mine, it was your plan.” Her husband countered back, this time wiping her hands with a wet tissue. Veena awed at such an endearing sight.

“You could have stopped me.” 

“Tomorrow’s newspaper will have that printed on the first page.”

“Rishabh-Priyu, baccho ki tarah lado mat, chalo khana kha lo.”  Veena replied highly amused at the lovers tiff. 

“Lad kahan rahe hai maa.” Rishabh interjected in their defense shaking his head.

“Ye ladte hai Maa, main nahi aur hamesha buss yehi kehte hai ki Maa hamare saath kyun nahi ati..” Prerna pouted.

“Haan Maa, aap toh meri baat sunti hai nahi, apni beti ki hi baat sunn le.” Rishabh complained back.

“Waise mujhe nahi lagta ki bet aap jeetne wale hai.” Prerna chuckled.  

“Bet kaunsi bet?” Veena asked looking at the two amused at how they easily forgot about the world around them.

“Yehi ki kaun maa ko convince kar sakta hai hamare saath aane ke liye.” Prerna cheekily replied.

“Iss ghar se tere pitaji ki yaadein judi huyi hai main kaise iss ghar ko chod ke jaun?” Veena replied.

“Phirse wohi melodrama. Maa you should have been Ekta Kapoor ki serials ki bechari maa. Maa, Papa aapke dil mein baste hai, iss ghar mein nahi.” Prerna shook herhead.

“She’s not convinced.” Rishabh said.

“Because she is your mother in law.” Prerna complained back. 

Rishabh just smirked.

“Maa aaj idhar abhi decide kar lete hai. Maa main apko reasons dungi and you’ll make up your mind. “ Prerna excitedly announced like a kid.

“Achha baba bol de. Magar pehele khana.” Veena suggested.

“Uske liye khilana padega… haath dhona padega phir nahi toh.” Prerna gladly choose to ignore the fact that her husband had wiped her fingers clean.

“Tera pati tere pass baitha hai aur tujhe main khila doon?” Veena reprimanded.

“Pati ko bolun phir? Rishabh pls khila do.” Prerna mimicked showing her husband her hand and continued. “Maa please. Dekhiye ap ho idhar, ab ap khila do…pleaseeeee.” Prerna requested while Rishabh shook his head.

“How can I say no to this face. “ Veena said lovingly looking at her daughter and her crazy antics.

“Good.”

“Ab kha lo phir…” Rishabh suggested as he started to dig in the food.

 “I talk and eat ok.”  

“And and and, don’t you just sit like that.. pull your legs down.” Rishabh reprimanded her seeing her sit crossed legged on the chair. 

“Baithke thik se khane bhi nahi dete.” Prerna grumped.

“Priyu!”Veena gave her a mock stare.

“Okay maa, reason 1. Cost of living in Amsterdam is the lowest, even lower than Kolkata Maa. “ Prerna enthusiastically exclaimed.

“Issiliye toh Rishabh tujhe wahan legaya.” Veena joked while Rishabh’s lips turned into a smirk.

“Wait.” Prerna implored. After having her first morsel and swallowing it from her own mother’s hands, she started to think. Her mother took the opportunity and fed her few more bites. “Yea toh maine socha hi nahi. You stay there because aap paise bachate hai?” Prerna accused pointing her finger at him.

“You are more intelligent than I thought you to be goldfish.” Rishabh smirked. 

“Ugh.“ Prerna exclaimed mouthful.

“Khale Priyu.. Rishabh thoda aur doon?” Veena asked. 

“Maa please noo. I cant.. “ Rishabh instantly protested. It was getting hard for him to swallow what all was left on his plate.

“Priyu Rishabh ko pani de. “ Veena directed her daughter 

“Mirchi chahiye?” She instead asked her husband. 

“Priyu!” But Rishabh just gave her a secret wink. 

“Maa, iske baad wala reason bataungi na ap buss jhat se haan bolgi. We all know how much you love village and Amsterdam will just give you that feel. Pura old Kolkata maa. Every house speaks of our old tradition, farms and everything. Maine pictures dikhaye thay apko yaad hai na.”

“Haan, yaad hai. Rishab ho gaya beta?” Veena didn’t even care what Prerna was telling her, she was more concerned about Rishabh! Unbelievable!  

“Haan maa buss bahut zyada kha liya.” Rishabh said trying his best not to burp.

“Kuch nahi khaya beta, thoda aur lo.“ Veena wanted to serve him more but the horror on Rishabh’s face made her giggle. 

“Nahi maa, raat ko so nahi paunga aur khaunga toh, uth raha hoon main.” He said as he gestured that he was done. 

“Haan beta, iss mein batane wali kya baat hai.” 

“Etiquettes.”Prerna mimicked. 

“Pagli. Aur le na.” Veena now concentrated on her daughter.

“Do na. Apko mujhe batana padega kya? Woh mirchi ke saath, thoda pyaaz bhi do.” Prerna demanded and her mother obliged.

“Sahi mein Rishabh ko problem nahi hogi yahan? Aur Sneha?” Veena explained worriedly.

Swallowing her food, Prerna said, “Maa sneha so rahi hai, aur woh kahin bhi so jati hai. Aur Rishabh ki please ap fikar mat kijiye.”

“Itna..“

“Maa please. He really wants you to come with us. You know na maa, how much he misses you. Wo sirf aapko Maa bulate hai. Sirf aapko. Ek din bhi nahi jata unka apka naam liye bagair. Maa ne khana khaya, maa se baat ki, maa ko kyun jane diya, maa this maa that. Pura week wait karte hai apse Sunday ko baat karne keliye.  Mera kya hai apko toh meri fikar hai hi nahi magar ap at least Sneha aur unka sochiye.” 

“Par beta idhar sab kuch chod ke main aise kaise.. aur immigration ka bhi toh- 

“Maa you think Rishabh hasn’t planned for all this already? He is THE RISHABH BAJAJ. Duniya kaapti hai unke naam se.” 

“Kitni zyada tareef kar rahi hai pati ki. Kya baat hai?” Veena teased her daughter. 

“Maa topic mat ghumao.” Prerna replied crossed with her. 

“Beta, dekh, privacy is very important.”

“Aur maa apko kuch hogaya toh? Aise ap kaise akeli..”

“Main akleli kahan hoon? Suman ati rehti hai har roz.. tujhe toh pata hi hai, Ritu ko school chodte waqt ati hai aur rehti hai mere saath jab tak Ritu school se aa na jaye. Shekhar jab Kolkata mein rehta hai har roz milne ata hai sham ko ek saath chai aur samose khate hai. Mahesh toh pura weekend idhar hi pada rehta hai. Haan Shivani teri tarah mahine mein ek do baar milne ajti hai. Itne padosi, itne rishtedaar sab ate jate rehte hai, tujhe kyun lagta hai main akeli hoon.” Veena said as she fed her daughter.

“Kyunki aap mere saath nahi ho issi liye.” Prerna retorted back.  

“25 saal reh liye tere saath aur nahi rehna mujhe. “

“Maa!” Prerna angrily retorted.

“Priyu!”

“Maa. I really wish Rishabh apko koi deal dete jaise woh apne business mein karte hai. Magar family! Aur unke usool! No deals in family.” Prerna gestured a no. 

“Kisne kaha I don’t have deals for my family?” Rishabh’s thunderous voice came from behind. He had a steaming mug of coffee that he sipped as he came towards her.

“Maine kaha! Aur apke pass hai hi nahi ek bhi. Maa ko de ke dikhaiye… main bhi toh dekhun apke pass kitne ache deals hai maa ke liye.” Prerna challenged her husband. 

She received a mock glare from Rishabh instead.

“Haan main bhi toh dekhun kya deal hai MR BAJAJ ke pass mere liye?” Veena replied looking very eager.

“Maa I tell you it’s going to be the best deal of your life.” Rishabh had his trademark smirk back on his face. A glint in his eyes proved he was in the best of moods.

“Haan toh bataiye Mr Bajaj. Hum bhi toh sune.” It was Prerna’s turn to tease him. She knew what he was going to tell her. This time she let him take the lead. He walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders in a very caring way and a delicate way. 

“Maa..”Rishabh looked at Prerna and she closed her eyes as if telling her it was the right time. He placed his chin on her head and said, “We are expecting. We really need you.”

Veena gave them a smile. They looked so cute that way. 

And then it hit her. It hit her so hard that she went all white. Her eyes widened as round as saucers and her jaw dropped to the floor literally, disbelief clearly written all over her face. 

“Yes maa, you are going to be Deema once again.” Prerna politely told her mother.

“Sach mein?” Veena managed to choke out.

Both the man and wife nodded with a big proud smile pasted on their faces. 

“Meri Priyu itni badi kab hogayi ki who khud maa banne wali hai..?” Veena said reflecting. All she could see was the little doting daughter of hers running here and there around the house calling for her. It seemed almost magical to her that she had grown so big that she was now going to be a mother, once again.

Prena dramatically rubbed her temples while Risbhah returned to his mug. “Maa please ab senti mat hona, mujhe rona aajayega aur Rishabh ko phir gussa.” She said looking at her mother so emotional. 

“Rishabh-Priyu, thank you so much. This has to be the best day of my life.” Veena said as she stood up and gather both her daughter and son in law in her arms.  “Now I know why no one can refuse The Bajaj Deal ever. This indeed is the best deal of my life!” Saying so she gave out a laugh so did others. Now Veena was more than sure, that her daughter had found not only happiness but also love that would last for not only for a lifetime, but for many more to come.