Epilogue -
They walked hand-in-hand up the hill path to the loud claps and cheering of their families. Everyone bid good-bye to the newly wed couple. They were to begin their new journey today..
Shaurya walked with his beautiful bride, unable to take his eyes off her. She looked so happy, content, and utterly in love. She had regained her health rapidly, as if his love was the only elixir she needed. They had spent every possible moment together for the past few months, to the general amusement of their families and possible disapproval of some elders. But he didn't care. Her health was most important for him. It had worked wonders for him as well. For the first time in his life, he was at peace with the world. Life was good.
They reached a narrow bend in the path and stopped. He cupped her face and kissed her lips gently. Then he bent down and carried her on his shoulder to a wooden hut in the forest.
*****
7 years later...
Shaurya was running late. He had to reach home early today, but was stuck in the traffic. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel in frustration. He should have stayed home, should not have gone to work today of all days. His phone buzzed and he picked up the call. It was Vicki.
'Bhai, where are you?..everyone is here, we can't miss the auspicious time..'
'I'm on my way Vicki, just stuck in traffic. I should be there in another twenty minutes.'
He cut the call and drove as the lights turned green.
As he reached the gates of Khanna mansion, his eyes went to the gleaming plaque he had installed few years back..Superintendent of Police, Aditi Shaurya Shekhawat-Khanna. A smile crept to his face as his heart swelled with pride. He was looking forward to meet his wife, as he seemed to be doing every day of the past seven years.
*****
He was greeted by a gaggle of children. He was almost forgetting the count now. There were Vicki's twin boys, Mohit's son, Vivaans's two kids and Madhu's three year old.
Then there were his own twin sons, a year younger than Vicki's kids. They were his replicas, sturdy little boys with their mother's gray eyes. And then there was the new addition. He grinned happily as he strode inside.
As he entered his room, he stilled. A pink bundle was on the bed, cooing softly, wiggling its fat arms and legs. He went closer and picked it up. It turned its head to look at him. Two pairs of obsidian eyes stared at each other. His heart filled with love as he planted a soft kiss on his daughter's cheek.
'This is not going to stay...', said his wife from in front of the mirror.
He raised his eyes to see her fiddling with her saree. She was frowning in concentration, her sole focus on getting the garment obey her. He put the baby down and went to his wife. He hugged her from behind when she finally turned her attention to him.
'Can I wear something else? Ma will kill me if this thing does not stay..', she pleaded.
He laughed. This childish side of his wife was only for him. He helped her gently to fix the saree and kissed her forehead.
'You don't need to worry when I'm with you Adu...', he whispered in her ear.
'I love you too Shaurya...', she whispered back.
****
His daughter was christened as Muskaan. His eyes moistened as he looked at his wife, holding the baby in her arms, cooing the name softly. Kanta chachi took the baby from her, tears of joy crowding her eyes as she kissed the baby's crown.
His wife came towards him to see if he was ok. He pulled her closer, his anchor to this life, thanking her that she was his, thanking that she had brought back the fragrance of his life.
***** *****
Edited by monalidp - 5 years ago
Cricket
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