"Papa! Come here for a second please!!" Sunidha called out her father in urgency.

"Yes beta. What happend?" he came running towards the kitchen all the way from hall.

Their home was nothing like those big ones.

They had a cozy house in Banaras.

A two storey house with two big halls, two rooms and a kitchen with cozy balconies and a huge terrace.

But it's not the concrete which makes a house a home.

Home had a different emotion.

For some people, home is a three-storey building made of their power and money.

But for some, it's a person.

A person they love, care, cherish and vows to always stay together.

That they can even sacrifice their own happiness to bring works in their feet.

It is the same for Sunidha.

Her father is her world.

The only man or precisely the only person who cares for her.

But not until that man entered her life......

"Baba see! I made these gol gappes which are looking so tempting that I can't resist." she started to trail and point the dishes she made for her father to check upon while she slurrped the saliva on seeing gol gappes made by her which were the only cause for her salivation.

Akshaj ji chuckled at her, as he saw her mouth watering for her favorite gol gappes.

An aroma of fresh ghee filled the air and he knew it was lapsee as she uncovered the lids of casserole.

Inhaling it while closing his eyes, he remembered how much he missed the taste and aroma of food made by his daughter.

"And here is chole puri, salad, fried rice, chole ke salad bhi. For sweet, gajar ka halwa and lapsee. Okay these are all made at home and...." she stopped to uncover the lids and he looked at the dishes laid in the dinner table.

The crisp fragrance of kachoris filled the air making him salivate for them.

"These are the matar kachoris, jabeli with rabdi and paan, which you bought." at the end of her speech Akshaj ji started to laugh out loud making her frown.

"Beta," he began controlling his laughter.

"First! Wipe your face from the flour dust and.." he took tissue papers to gently wipe off the dust, stilll laughing making her smile.

"And secondly, it's not jabeli....." he couldn't control his laughter and stopped to supress it to talk further.

"It's jaLEbi beta." and a pout formed her lips as his laughter grew.

"Ha han vahi! Same same hi toh hai, aap samjh gaye na. Bas fhir." stressing on the word jalebi, he again started laughing.

She folded her arms around her chest and frowned while making him understand this, the pout never leaving her cute face.

But within a moment her anger which was very little subssided and a contentful smile spread across her face as she saw her papa laughing his heart out.

She stood there watching him, her eyes brimming with tears as she saw him like this after a long time.

She has came home after long time.

Although she was unsure of coming back, but as her father got to know about the college vacation, hestrictly commanded her to get back with him when he came to check upon her and she had no room to argue.

His laugh was echoing in the house making her chuckle at him for laughing at this silly thing.

As his laugh subsided, he frowned his eyebrows on the fact that it is her day, it is her place to get ready for the guests and still she is in the kitchen preparing feast for them, which is her mother's task.

With the sudden change in his behavior, she placed her small palm on his shoukder asking,

"What happend Papa??" she asked in concern.

"What happend to me, beta? What happend to your mother? Where's she? It's her job to do the preparations, right! Then, where's she?" his voice grew cold, unlike the moment when he was talkimg to her.

"Pa...papa, she said she was going for some work and...." she hesitated before she continued.

"And it was relating to me." she lowered her gaze as tears of sorrow began to gather in the corner of her eyes as she remembered how coldly her mother spat those words which she just delivered to her father,but in a gentle way, unlike her mother.

Abhiraj ji closed his eyes for a brief moment to control his anger for his so-called-wife, to try not to scare his daughter.

He placed her palms on her cheeks, cupping her innocent face and commanded in a gentle tone,

"Beta, you should go and rest now. You must be tired na, and yes don't you dare to come down until I call you, okay?" he commanded and she opened her mouth to argue but Abhiraj ji's one look held her back.

"And your one friend is arriving before the guest to get you ready in parlor-" he got cut off as she flabbergastedly shouted.

"PARLOR!! Baba I ain't going there. It's a waste of money." she argued.

He chuckled and continued, "Alright bacha! I know arguing with you is useless as you've already made up your mind." he nodded for her to go to her room with a gentle smile and she began to move towards her room upstairs while giggling.

He shook his head in disbelief and muttered under his breath with a soft smile,

"Meri bachi! Kabhi koi demand nai na hi koi khwahish, jabki aaj inka itna bada din hai. Bilkul apni ma....." his  

"Khair jo bi hai...."

["Anyways...."]

And he got engrossed in his phone to call someone.

Sunidha was about to step on the stair when her playful mind activated, tip-toeing she turned back to where her father was standing facing his back to her.

As she reached near him he lowered him down in a sudden movement and pecked his cheek and rn away laughing.

Everything happened so quickly that he didn't realize it and ended himself laughing once more.

"Bas aaj sab thik se ho jae, jaisa maine aur Abhiraj ne socha hai...." he silently prayed as concern gnawed him, although it's his best friend's family, but still he was concern for his daughter and her future.

Flash back

"Akshaj, humari ek khwahish hai, poori kar paoge?" Abhiraj ji asked Akshaj ji nervously making him frown.

"Mere bas mein hua toh toh kyun nahin. Lekin kya hua hai." he liked concerned as he asked this.

He took a brief pause, closing his eyes and spoke, "Hum tumhari beti ko humari ghar ki bahu manana chahte hain."

Akshaj ji was shocked hearing this dance of him.

His mind went blank and his hands turned cold as he processed the information to get his princess married to a man.

Before his mind drifted into any conclusion, Abhiraj ji put his hand on his and reassured him, offering a faint smile.

"Hum, humare bete, Garvit Singhania ke liye tumhari beti, Sunidha Kashyap ka hath mang rahe hain. Na hi unhen hum apne bete ki biwi, balki unhen humare ghar ki lakshmi banana chahte hain. Tumhari beti ko sahi mainon se apni beti mana chahte hain." he offered this proposal in such a way that Akshaj ji's all doubts and insecurities regarding his daughter's happiness and well being was carried away.

And warmth filled in him as he realised it's his best friend and his son who will become her official family if she says 'yes' to this alliance.

He knows how much Abhiraj ji adores a daughter and even wanted one.

When he sees Abhiraj ji with Sunidha, he isn't worried about her then.

Thinking about the old times And his son had always been so protective of her

They were indeed the golden

"Unhen humare ghar mein kisi ke pyaar ki kami mehsoos nahi hogi. Hum bahot pyaar se sahej kar rahenge unhen. Ek aansu nahi aane denge. Unki ankhon mein, unke har zaroorat ko apna farz bana lenge. Bas humari ghar ke soone-pan ko humari Nritya ke payalon ki chan-chan se se durr kar do. Please."

As Abhiraj ji gave Akshaj ji a warm hug, the final thread of his control shattered.

His voice shook as he conveyed his emotions,

"Mujhe vishwas nahi ho raha ki humara sapna sach hone jaa raha hai. Hum jante hain tumse zyada khush humari beti aur kahin nahi ho sakti. Lekin..." he took a pause and broke the hug.

Abhiraj ji's worried expression came to his notice and he nervously continued,

"I haven't built up the confidence to talk about marriage with her. I know she isn't seeing anyone and too that she will agree to my words. But...." he choked in his breath and looked down.

"But what Aksh?" Abhiraj ji asked.

"But I don't want her to feel that I 'm sending her away from me at such a young age. I just don't want her to hate me. She is the last piece that connects me with her mother. I can't afford to get away from her." his voice turned heavy as he spoke about her mother.

"Why do you think this way Aksh?" he placed his hand on his shoulder and asked that made him lift his gaze.

"It's nothing what you think. She is your daughter. Far more mature at things like this. Just like her mother." his last words made him feel proud at Sunidha.

"Maybe it's the right time. Veena's behavior towards her is getting worse day by day. It will just worsen her mental state. Shayad Bhole baba ne unko sambhal ke liye hi Garvit ko bheja hai." he smiled with his choice of words.

"Bholenath ne sun li tumhari Aksh. Unhone humari khwahish sun li." said Abhiraj ji with a smile while patting his shoulder.

After two days.

After that night, their children had just some brief moments together and bid farewell as Sunidha was going back to her hometown with her father on getting her vacation from college.

It was night time, Sunidha, Akshaj ji, Veena ji (her mother) and Utkarsh (her brother) all had dinner and departed for their respected rooms.

Sunidha was working on her presentation for university when she heard a knock at her door.

"Ashu beta, hum andar aa rahe hain." her papa informed her and took a pause, on hearing her voice he moved in.

"Ji papa, kahiye." she got up from her study table and lead him towards her bed with a smile.

They comfortably sat on bed and he took a long breath and said,

"Beta, humein aapse kuch baat karni hai." he breathed out making Sunidha frown at his unsteady behavior.

"Kya hua papa. Koi problem hai kya?" she asked in concern.

"Nai nai beta. Hum...." he got closer to her and took her palms in his in a comforting gesture.

"Hum aapki shadi ke bare mein baat karna chahte hain." his eyes watching her confused expression changing and bringing a small smile.

"Bas itni si baat papa? Aapne humein dara diya tha. Vaise kahiye jo kehna hai." he was little perplexed at her calm demeanor, but his heart knew she wouldn't react impulsively and he gave a comforting smile before continuing.

"Bur first answer me few questions. Honestly, okay?" he commanded her earning a nod from her.

"Beta firstly, are you ready for a marriage?" he asked, caressing her palm.

She took few minutes before answering,

"No one is ready for an alliance like this, right? But time will teach me, you will teach me too, right?" she replied honestly, her heart racing with the thoughts.

His eyes glistened with tears in the moon light and he hugged her in his warm embrace as she asked this question.

It was not a normal question. It was asking to promise her that he is always with him, no matter how far is she.

"I will my bacha. I will. I won't ever feel you left out. Well it will not be needed too. As your new family will always keep you and your happiness before their's. So don't worry, Ashu."  he hugged her tightly, comforting her cold frame in with his warmness in this night of february.

They broke the hug and he asked the second question.

"Do you have anyone in your life? If you do then don't worry I'll accept him after-" Sunidha cut him off in between.

"Nai papa. Koi nai hain. Humein humare Bholenath par pura vishwas hai. Jab humein zaroorat hogi tab vo unhen bhej denge." she somwhow managed to play with words, calming Akshaj ji's racing mind bringing a smile in his face looking at her innocence and honesty.

"May be by your this strong faith in your Bholenath is the reason that he has sent such a beautiful alliance for you, beta." he caressed her head and she leaned in his fatherly touch as she nodded.

"So...." he hesitated which caught her attention.

"Kahiye papa." she urged.

"They will come to meet you in two days. So, are you okay with that?" he was unsure of her reaction, as for him it was a bit too soon for her to meet a man, that too for a rishta.

But relief coarsing him from the fact of her getting into his best friend's home.

Which is the safest place after him.

"I-I'm okay with it, papa." she thought for a second and replied giving a fake smile.

"And don't ever think that after your marriage your connections are snapped from us. You are and you will always be my daughter. You are my part of living being, beta. You are my whole world! " he poked her tiny nose button playfully earning a giggle from her.

"Don't think that I'm sending you off because of societal pressure, shona. It's because now you are in a phase of life where you need a partner besides you. You need someone to encourage and love you like you are their world. This much love only your bholenath's chosen man can do to you, not even me. And you know what.... " she broke the hug and looked at him.

"You know that man too. I just hope you are comfortable enough to spend life with him." his words confusing her, she wasn't even able to think whom is he talking about.

Suddenly one man's name came to his mind which gave a shiver ran down her spine turning her hands and legs cold and her breath hitched.

But she quickly shook those thoughts off and tried to focus on fhe moment with her father.

"And remember shona. Your no is a 'no'. And no one can force it into yes. Not even me." he cupped her face gently in his warm palma and assured her, making her heart swell with love and affection seeping out from the eyes of her papa and hugged him again.

"Puchogi nahi kaun hain vo?" he asked still hugging her, caressing her hairs.

She shook her head and replied with a smile.

"Hum jante hain aap humari zindagi ke liye sab best karenge." she spoke with utter faith in him, her heart beat now slowed down to a normal rhythm as she felt peace in his embrace.

This answer made him more happy from the love and trust his daughter had in him and he kissed her head then placed his cheek above her, soaking the moment they are sharing after a long time.

When he sensed that it was getting quite late, he pulled from their embrace and made her lie down in her cozy bed, which was surrounded by her soft plushies, her teddies, bunnies and a cute little elephant, which was looking quite old as it was gifted by her Nina (maternal grand ma) about a decade ago. 

"You sleep bacha, from tomorrow we have to start preaparing for the guest's arrival."

He tugged her small figure in a warm duvet, placing her big teddy beside her he kissed her forehead followed her teddy's earning a giggle from her.

"Ahh, Papa wait. Uhm... I have to take my multi-vitamins." she got up and sat on bed, stealing glances from her Father’s questioning gaze.

And he knew she was lying from him, but he remained silent not nudging her further to make her feel uneasy.

He didn't said anything but gave her a glass of water from the side table and sat beside her.

She retrieved her medicines from the chest of the drawer with slightly shaking hands and swallowed it in one go, chugging the water harshly to sooth her dry throat from the bitterness of medicine in one go.

He took the glass from her, placed it in his place and again laid her down, ignoring the unasked questions that laid deep within him that just tightened his chest.

"Good night, Ashu." He gave her one final look witha smile before moving to turn down the lights so that only a tiny Buddha lamp remained lit, radiating a golden firefly beam of light.

He pulled the drapes and closed the window shutters to stop the remaining light from seeping into the room.

With a final look, he shut the door behind her as he emerged, and a tear ran from his eye.

He leaned against the wall in front of her room and murmured to himself as he looked up,

"I'm so sorry, Archana! I failed to take care of our daughter. But I promise. Garvit Singhania will not even let a piece of dust to harm her." he closed his eyes and put his hand above his chest in account to feel connected with the deceased one.

"Humari beti ko khud se durr bhej raha hun. Taki unki khushiyon par kisi ki buri nazar na pade. Chahe mujhe khud ko unse dur rhena pade, lekin unki khushiyon ke liye toh humari jaan bhi hazir hai." he claimed his love and protectiveness for his love to his love and retreated to his room.

Flash back ends.

"Abhi bhai! I'm so so nervous. Don't know aaj kya hoga. What if I messed up in front of them. What of I ended up embarassing myself or Papa. A-ap bataiye na mai-" Sunidha pacing back and forth in her room, ranting her anxieties in a call with Abhinav, who was a senior once, but now is more than her own brother.

"Kashu!! Kitna panic karogi?? Imsaan hi hain vo sab. Kha nahi jaenge tumko!! And I know you are perfect, so don't worry, bache." he reassured her in his best way but failed as her cracking voice reached his ears.

"But bhai, I have social anxiety..... How will I be able to manage them. Agar kuch uuch-nichh ho gayi toh??" she plopped in her bed in defeat.

"Meri Kashu!" this time Kuhoo summoned her and continued in the soft voice to ease her anxieties.

"We all know how much of a great co-odinator you are, bache. Aap kabhi anjane mein bhi galat nai kar sakti. Aur rahi baat sab kuch sambhalne ki, toh mai, aapke Abhi bhai, Aksh Kaka sa aur kaki sa bhi toh hain bhi toh hain na. Aap akeli nai ho." she reassured her that made a smile bloom in Sunidha's face.

"Aur aapko itni hi chinta hai, toh unn ghaton mein apni Nina se baat karne kyun nahi chali jati, Kashu?" he just pretended to ask her, on which she excitedly jumped up and stood straight.

"Haan bhai. I should go to ease myself. Thank you so much for making me realise my peace. Ok I'm going. See you all soon." with this she hung up, grabbing her dupatta and tot bag she rushed out her room.

Whereas Abhinav and Kuhoo who sat in halted car, sighed in relief and chuckled looking at each other as they heard her usual cheerful chim.

"Eeyaa..!! Comin..." baby Zivaa mumbled in her sleep, as she nuzzled her face in her Kuhoo's chest.

They both giggled and kissed her both hands.

Giving the attention to each other, Abhinav took Kuhoo's free hand, and kissed the back of her palm, making her close eyes with the sense contentment.

She shifted and rested her head in his shoulder intertwining her palms in his before kissed his palm.

Their cozy moment was disturbed by the opening and closing of the car door, as Garvit hopped in the back of their Merecedes.

"Uff my love-birds! Did I disturbed your moment?" he asked, mischiviously.

"Devar ji!!" she whinned as it was the nth time of his tease since they left Delhi.

Abhinav whereas kept mum, supressing his laugh at her irritated demeanor.

"Kya bhabi! Don't be shy, just accept you were-" she scoffed with his teasings and was about to clarify when Zivaa again moved in her sleep, abruptly opening her eyes with a jolt.

Abhinav took her his arms and patted her head to make her fall asleep again in his warm embrace.

Abhinav looked her and chuckled when he saw his wife's annoyed state, whose face was now flushed.

And Kuhoo whisper yelled at him,

"Sharam kijiye, Devar ji! Shadi hone wali hai aapki. Kuch toh lihaaz kijiye." she mocked at him which snapped his chuckle as blood rushed to his cheeks, painting them in a light pink colour.

He mumbled something under his breath and looked away.

They were stopped nearby a cafe.

After taking their coffees and chai they were waiting for Abhiraj ji who was buying some hampers for and gifts for Akshaj ji's family.

Suddenly Neil came into the view who demanded Abhinav to lower the the window shield.

As soon as he did Neil asked,

"Bhai, why Baba is not letting us eat anything??" earning chuckle from the couple.

"Beta, the house we are visiting no less than a restraunt. A feast is already prepared for us right there. And they will make you eat that food till your stomach ache. So just wait for just one more hour, okay." he explained earning a nod from him, which showed he was still not satisfied.

"Baba! How much more time?" Neil asked coming near Abhiraj ji, who was now buying fruits.

"Just few more minutes." he told.

Zivaa slowly fluttered her eyes open, adjusting herself with the light.

As she saw her Papa she hugged him, resting her head in his stomach.

"Mela baby uth gaya!" he kissed her head and softly asked in his rarely soft voice, which is only reserved for the two lives which lightens up his entire world.

Zivaa, who just woke up from her sleep, nodded in response while yawning.

Now they were talking in the gibberish tone, where Kuhoo amd Garvit were quitely adoring the Father-daughter duo.

After some time Abhiraj ji waved at Abhinav, gesturing him to move along.

"Chalo baby-" Zivaa chimed in between while he was saying.

"Eeyaa ke ghar??!" she exclaimed cheerfully.

He chuckled and continued.

"No baby. First we will go to Dadu's place to rest then-" but Zivaa started crying silently.

She is a really mannered baby, she knows not to teoubke her parents unnecessarily.

But she can't endure this much long gap between her and her Eeya, Sunidha.

"Baby please! Don't cry na. Baba will get you whatever you want. He, he will do anything but just stop crying, bacha." Abhinav panicked when he saw her doe eyes, drenching in tears strangling his heart to no extent.

"Ee-Eyaa ke ghar j-jana hai." she hiccuped between her sobs.

Kuhoo whose heart ached seeing their baby crying, was now smiling with their baby's attempt to divert her father’s mind and obey her demand.

She glanced back at Garvit with a smile and saw him smiling st them too.

He wiped the lone tesr escaped her eye whispering,

"Don't, buddy." to which she nodded.

Garvit's heart, which was already being drawn towards Sunidha, now swelled even more to see how much this girl is loved around others.

But remembering the fact that he is going to see a girl, merely a stranger and not her is ripping his heart, to which he is unknown.

His mind is not in conscious but he is unaware of the fact that this is because he is going to make alliance a stranget.

And now he is wondering, why does this universe is dragging him closer to her day-by-day, second-by-second.

Abhinav's panick voice oulled him out of his trail of thoughs.

"We will go, okay? We will go. But please now stop crying." he wiped her tears and kissed her eyes.

She gradually stopped crying in his arms, who was kissing her cheeks and forehead every second.

"Baby, now will you go to mumma? Papa needs to drive to drop you at Eeya's home naa." he cooed her and she gave him her brightest smile before kissing his cheeks and jumping in her Mumma's lap.

"Kuhoo!!" she chimmed and kissed her mother's cheeks making her chuckle at her adorable antics.

As soon as he heard Sunidha's name being mentioned, he quickly leaned to Abhinav's shoulder asking,

"Bhai, why are we going to Sunidha ji's home?" he whispered to which Abhinav cocked his brow at him whioe folding his hands to his chest he replied loudly.

"Kyun? Do din bhi raha nahi ja raha Suni-" Garvit's eyes widened in shock as he heard him saying something whose meaning no one should understand and he quickly cupped his mouth to shut him up who was now smirking.

His loud voice earned the two girl's attention that disturbed their girl talk.

They glared at Abhinav whose mouth was shut and he raised his hands in air surrendering himself.

"Bhai yaar, itne be-rehem mat mano." he mocked in a fake hurtful tone earning a chuckle from him.

"Kuhoo is going as Kashu needs her and you know Zivuu. You have already saw her state right now." he scoffed at the two people who was longing to meet Sunidha but not paying attention to him.

"Bhai, don't tell me you are getting jealous from your own sister." now it was Garvit who was smirking at his jealous state.

"Shut up!!" he curtly hissed making ceasing Garvit's laughter.

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚