Shanaya named her.

As I told you earlier that my marriage is fixed and it is happening in 30th April, so I will keep writing as and when I get time. But I will not leave the story in between. I will definitely complete it.😃😃😃

Now you all must be wondering that if my wedding is in April, then why was I so busy? After my engagement, I attended my cousin sister's and my friend's engagement. Then, in January, my cousin sister got married, and in February, my friend got married. So, this was the reason I had been busy for the past three months and going to be busy in upcoming many months. 😅😅😅

And there are some things related to the story that I want to discuss with my readers. So, I might ask questions on Instagram or here in the coming days.

And the idea for the baby's name came from 2-3 readers in the comment box, which I combined and used. So, let me know how you liked the name and the idea.

And thank you so much readers, for always helping me! 😘😘😘

For now enjoy new chapters 🤗🤗

Follow me on Instagram for interesting reels about story

IG = @author_sunita

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Hearing the voice, Praveen and Shobha turned around and saw that everyone was standing in line to meet the baby. Seeing this, both of them laughed. One by one, everyone started meeting the baby.

When Anokhi's turn came, Shobha held the baby towards Anokhi and said, "Here, take her. Now it's your turn."

Smiling, Anokhi extended her hand but then quickly pulled it back. Seeing this, Shobha got confused and asked, "What happened?"

Anokhi replied innocently, "Maa, the baby is so tiny. I've never held a baby in my arms before. What if I drop her by mistake? No, no, I won't hold her. You keep holding her, I'll just look at her like this. She's so cute!"

Saying this, Anokhi gently touched the baby's cheek with her finger. Just then, Rishabh stood behind Anokhi. He placed his hands under Anokhi's and moved her hands forward. Anokhi looked up at him in surprise. At that moment, Shobha placed the baby in Anokhi's hands. Anokhi looked at the baby in amazement, while Rishabh adjusted her hands properly and continued standing behind her, smiling at the baby.

"Rishabh ji, she's so soft, isn't she? And so tiny! Look at her face, it's so small. And look at her fingers, they're so tiny!" Hearing her words, everyone laughed.

On the other side, Praveen was with Shanaya. Shanaya was still unconscious, and Praveen was sitting by her bed, holding her hands. He kissed her palm and said, "Thank you so much, Jaan! Now wake up quickly and see our daughter. I can't even tell you how cute she is. She has become everyone's toy. No one outside is ready to leave her even for a second. And Rohit and Riya have already fought countless times to take her in their arms."

Just then, Shanaya slowly opened her eyes. Seeing her regain consciousness, Praveen smiled. He quickly got up from the chair, bent near her face, and kissed her forehead. Looking at him, Shanaya softly said, "Praveen... our baby?"

"A daughter? We have a daughter, Jaan?" Praveen said with a smile.

Smiling, Shanaya softly said, "Really? Where is she?"

"Here, Shanaya, your daughter." Saying this, Shobha brought the baby into the room and gently placed her beside Shanaya. Seeing her tiny daughter, Shanaya's eyes welled up. She kissed her forehead with a smile and then looked at Praveen.

Praveen kissed her forehead once again.

One week later

Shanaya had returned home from the hospital, and today was the baby's naming ceremony.

On one side, Pandit ji was preparing for the ritual. Shobha, Surekha, and everyone else were helping him. Meanwhile, Anokhi, Riya, Ruhi, and their entire gang were sitting around the baby. But at that moment, everyone's eyes were not just on the baby, but also on Shvet, who had just arrived with Abhinav and Shweta and was staring at the baby without blinking.

Shweta asked him, "Shwet, what are you looking at like that?"

Shwet said, "Mumma, can I touch her?"

"Yes, of course!" Shanaya said.

So, Shwet touched the baby with his finger. Feeling her softness, he was amazed and said, "Oh, she's so soft, just like a soft toy!"

"All babies are like this. You were just like this too," Shweta said, laughing.

Then, Shwet again placed his finger on the baby's palm, and the baby immediately grasped his finger tightly. Seeing this, Shwet was astonished and started trying to free his finger, but the baby had held on so tightly that despite his efforts, he couldn't pull his finger away.

He said to Shanaya, "Aunty, she has gripped my finger so tightly! How does she have so much strength?"

Shanaya jokingly said, "Looks like my daughter really likes you, Shwet! See, she's not letting you go!"

Hearing this, everyone smiled. Meanwhile, Shwet blushed slightly, his face turning a little red.

Anokhi teased him, "Oh look, Chiku is turning into a tomato!"

Hearing this, everyone laughed again.

Shwet complained to Swati, "Masi Maa, see!"

So Swati requested Anokhi, "Anokhi, please!"

"Alright, alright! I won't tease anymore," Anokhi said and then, with a sly smile, looked at Swati.

She had noticed that Swati's eyes and attention were not on them. She was looking around, searching for Shivaay, and her thoughts were also on Shivaay. Seeing this, Anokhi smiled but didn't say anything.

Just then, Pandit ji called everyone for the ritual, and within a few moments, the ceremony began. After the prayers, Pandit ji gave the letter 'V' and said that they could choose a name starting with that letter. Everyone started suggesting names with that letter. But Shanaya was lost in a different thought. She suddenly said, "Veena... we will name her Veena."

Hearing Shanaya's words, there was complete silence, and everyone looked at her. Praveen's eyes widened in surprise, and he looked at Shanaya, who was smiling at him.

Just then, Anokhi said, "Not Veena, Shanaya Didi! Veena is a nice name, but it's very old-fashioned. We should choose something unique and modern for today's generation!"

She was still speaking when Rishabh held her hand and stopped her, then looked at Praveen and said, "Veena is Praveen's mother's name."

Hearing this, Anokhi fell silent and felt a little guilty. Meanwhile, Shanaya, smiling, placed her hand on Praveen's and gently squeezed it. "Yes, Veena is Maa's name, and Maa has come back. That's why we will name her Veena."

Hearing Shanaya's words, everyone smiled, but Praveen's eyes filled with tears. He rested his head on Shanaya's shoulder, and Shanaya gently caressed his cheek with a loving smile.

Just then, Surekha brought a large plate filled with rice and placed it before Shanaya and Praveen. "I swear on my diamond, I don't feel like interrupting, but you two can have your emotional moment later. First, complete this ritual."

Hearing Surekha's words, Praveen wiped his tears and sat up straight. Then he glanced at the plate of rice and asked Surekha, "But what are we supposed to do with the rice?"

Surekha said, "What to do? Write your daughter's name in it. Come on, quickly!"

Following Surekha's instructions, Praveen and Shanaya did exactly as told. Shanaya held Veena's tiny hand and gently grasped one of her fingers between her own. Meanwhile, Praveen placed his hand over Shanaya's, and together, the three of them wrote "Veena" in the rice.

Everyone clapped loudly. Hearing the sound of claps, Veena woke up and started crying.

Shanaya picked her up to soothe her, and Shobha said, "Shanaya, go to your room, dear. She must be hungry, and you both should rest a little. Anyway, the ritual is complete."

"Okay, Badi Maa," Shanaya said and carried Veena to her room.

After she left, everyone sat and chatted. Anokhi softly said to Praveen, "Sorry, Praveen Bhaiya."

Praveen, confused, asked, "Sorry? But why?"

Anokhi couldn't say anything, just lowered her gaze. Then Praveen remembered what she had said earlier.

"Oh! You're saying sorry because you called the name Veena boring?"

Anokhi slowly nodded. Praveen laughed, ruffled her hair, and said, "Silly girl!"

At that moment, he felt Rishabh's intense gaze on him. When he looked at Rishabh, he found that Rishabh was staring at him.

Praveen shrugged and said, "Why are you looking at me like that?" Then he laughed and added, "I'm talking to my sister, not your wife!"

Saying this, Praveen looked at Anokhi, who smiled and nodded repeatedly like a little kitten, making everyone laugh.

Then Anokhi said, "By the way, Praveen Bhaiya, all of us had decided that we would combine your and Shanaya Didi's names to name the baby. So, everyone had a lot of names in mind. But if you look closely, even the name 'Veena' has both your and Shanaya Didi's names hidden in it!"

"How is that?" Praveen asked, confused.

Anokhi smiled and said, "Oh! The 'Vee' from 'Praveen' and the 'Na' from 'Shanaya'! Veena!"

"Oh wow! I never thought of that! 'Veena' has both Praveen and Shanaya's names. And at the same time, it also includes Auntie's name! Shanaya has chosen the perfect name!" Hardik said, making Praveen smile.

Just then, Anokhi said, "By the way, Praveen Bhaiya, you miss your mom a lot, don't you?"

"Yes, a lot! And you know, this trend of combining names isn't new; it's been around for a long time. Even my name was created by combining my parents' names!"

"Really? How?" Anokhi asked excitedly.

Praveen laughed and said, "My father's name was Prakash, and my mother's name was Veena. So, it became-Prakash + Veena = Praveen!"

"Oh wow! Prakash + Veena = Praveen!"

Anokhi laughed and said, "Wow, Praveen Bhaiya, your parents were really modern!"

Saying this, she playfully tried to bump her shoulder against Praveen's, but unfortunately, her small shoulder couldn't even reach his.

Praveen laughed and said, "My parents weren't modern at all. They lived in a village. My father passed away a long time ago, and my mother also passed away due to an illness."

"Oh...!" Anokhi could only whisper.

Praveen continued, "And I didn't even live here..."

"Then how did you and Rishabh Ji meet? I mean, how did your friendship start? And how did you meet Shanaya Didi?" Anokhi asked curiously.

Praveen, lost in old memories, sighed slightly and said, "I always lived in the village. My schooling was also done there. I managed to get into a college in Mumbai only because of a scholarship. That's when I brought my mother here and started her treatment. But her illness kept getting worse, and eventually, she passed away..."

For a moment, Praveen paused. Then, with a faint smile, he continued, "Then I met Rishabh. The hospital where my mother was treated belonged to Shanaya's parents, and that's where Dadaji had come to meet them. That's where I met Dadaji, and he took me under his care. That's how I became friends with Rishabh. Then came my studies, my joining 'The Seven Rings,' falling in love with Shanaya, starting my own company... and the rest of the story, well, everyone already knows!"

Saying this, he fell silent and looked around at everyone. Everyone was looking at him.

Anokhi took a deep breath. She was about to say something but then stopped herself...

"What happened? What are you thinking about?" Alok asked, looking at her.

So, Anokhi spoke with a faint smile, "kuch nahi Papa, bas soch rahi thi ki bin mushkilon ki life to bas kahaniyon me hoti hai, warna asal zindagi to imtihaano se bhari hai. ( Nothing, Papa. I was just thinking that a trouble-free life exists only in stories. Otherwise, real life is just filled with tests) ."

Then she looked at Rishabh, who was already looking at her. As soon as she saw him, a mischievous idea struck her mind.

She asked Praveen, "By the way, Praveen Bhaiya, tell me something... Did you join '7 Rings' by yourself, or did Rishabh Ji threaten you to join? Was it like, 'Join the group, only then I'll help establish the company'?"

"How do you know?" Praveen asked in surprise.

Anokhi, just as surprised, replied, "Wait, really? He actually did that? I was just joking!"

"But what you said was true. That's exactly what happened!"

"Oh! Rishabh Ji, is this what you used to do with everyone? I mean, did you take advantage of everyone's helplessness?"

"Yes, yes, I was the villain in everyone's life!" Rishabh said, glaring at her before getting up and leaving.

"Are suniye to Rishabh Ji!" Anokhi called after him. Then, looking at everyone, she asked, "Did I say something wrong?"

Everyone nodded in agreement, making Anokhi's face shrink in guilt.

A little later,

Rishabh's Room

Anokhi stood outside the room while Rishabh sat inside on the sofa, working on his laptop. She peeked inside through the slightly open door and saw him sitting there.

She closely observed his face. Though his expression was neutral, a faint hint of annoyance was visible in his eyes. Seeing this, Anokhi grew a little worried. She stepped inside and stood near the door, playing with the lock, but Rishabh didn't even look at her.

After a while, Anokhi moved to the side table and started playing with the flowers in the vase. She kept glancing at Rishabh from the corner of her eye, but he continued to ignore her.

Next, Anokhi moved in front of a large mirror and, while fixing her hair, stole glances at Rishabh through the mirror. Still, Rishabh paid her no attention. Seeing this, Anokhi pouted.

Finally, she sat on the bed right in front of the sofa and started shaking her legs on purpose. The sound of her anklets echoed in the room. This time, Rishabh was forced to acknowledge her antics. He finally looked up at her.

As soon as Rishabh looked at her, Anokhi immediately flashed a bright smile. But the next moment, her smile disappeared because Rishabh closed his laptop, placed it on the table, and walked out to the balcony.

Seeing this, Anokhi pouted again and said, "Oh, come on, Rishabh Ji! I was just joking. Why did you take my joke so seriously?"

But Rishabh remained silent, standing quietly in the balcony.

Seeing this, Anokhi muttered to herself, "Is he really that mad at me?"

Then, looking at his back, she hesitantly wondered, "Or is he just messing with me?"

Meanwhile, a faint smile appeared on Rishabh's lips. He was indeed teasing Anokhi and enjoying watching her squirm, but she had no clue and was genuinely getting worried.

Anokhi thought to herself, " No, I don't think he's teasing me. I must have really hurt his feelings by saying that in front of everyone. I should've teased him privately instead!

Then she mused," Now, how do I make it up to him? "

After some thought, a small smile crept onto her lips. She got up and walked towards the balcony.

Standing behind Rishabh, she softly began to hum-

"Kasam hai tumhe, tum agar mujhse roothhe,

Rahe saath jab tak yeh bandhan na chhoote..."

Rishabh's eyes widened! He knew this song was something Alok always sang for Shobha.

Just then, Anokhi stepped in front of him, held both her ears, and made an innocent face as she continued-

"Tumhe dil diya hai, yeh wada kiya hai,

Sanam main tumhari rahoongi sada..."

After singing, she fell silent and simply looked at Rishabh.

For a moment, Rishabh stared at her in surprise. Then, smiling, he took her hands away from her ears, pulled her close, and sang-

"Yeh raatein, yeh mausam, nadi ka kinara,

Yeh chanchal hawa..."

As he sang, Rishabh gently touched his nose to hers, then rested his forehead against hers. Seeing this, Anokhi burst into laughter.

But they didn't know that below their balcony, in the garden, Shobha and Alok were listening them in shock.

Shobha exclaimed, "That song?!"

Alok chuckled, shaking his head, and said, "te ladki kitni badmash hai. Kitni shaitaniyaan karti hai. " ( This girl is such a troublemaker, always up to some mischief!")

"How does she know your song? Did you tell her?" Shobha asked Alok in surprise.

Alok, still smiling, walked towards their room. Shobha followed him, asking again, "But when?"

As they entered the room, Alok sat down comfortably and replied, "One day, she was being naughty as usual, pestering me, saying, 'Papa, tell me, when Maa used to get mad at you, how did you convince her?' So, I told her that I always sang this song to win her over. And look, today she's using her father's trick to pacify her sulking husband! She really is a little devil!"

Hearing this, Shobha laughed. Then, after a moment of silence, she looked at Alok quietly.

Noticing her gaze, Alok asked, "What happened? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Shobha took his hand and said, "I feel so proud of you, Alok."

"And why is that?"

"Just because... For everything you've done for us, especially for Anokhi."

Listening to this, Alok embraced her and said, "I haven't done anything special. Every man does this for his family."

Shobha simply smiled. Then, after a while, she said, "Alright then, sing that song for me one more time! It's been so many years since I last heard it from you!"

Smiling, Alok tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear and began to sing-

"Kasam hai tumhe, tum agar mujhse roothhe,

Rahe saath jab tak yeh bandhan na chhoote..."

Just then, Shobha held his hand and continued-

"Tumhe dil diya hai, yeh wada kiya hai,

Sanam main tumhari rahoongi sada..."

Then, together, they both sang-

"Yeh raatein, yeh mausam, nadi ka kinara,

Yeh chanchal hawa..."

Meanwhile, back in Rishabh's arms, Anokhi was still smiling. Rishabh playfully pulled her nose and asked, "How did you know this song? Dad told you?"

"Yes, Papa told me. He said that whenever Maa was upset and refused to talk to him, he would sing this song to pacify her."

"And you copied his trick?" Rishabh asked, narrowing his eyes.

Anokhi wrapped her arms around his neck and teasingly replied, "This is Papa's Brahmastra, Rishabh Ji! If Maa couldn't resist it, then how will you?"

"Oh! So you're using Brahmastra now? Let me show you something!" Rishabh said, pressing his lips to her neck.

Anokhi giggled but quickly pushed him away, saying, "No, Rishabh Ji! Not today!"

"Why? Why not today?" Rishabh asked, squinting.

Anokhi pouted and said, "Why should there be a reason? Just because!"

Rishabh thought for a moment, then smirked, "But Cupcake, as far as I remember, your period date is either tomorrow or the day after... So, it's either tomorrow, or the day after, or maybe even later."

Hearing this, Anokhi's eyes widened. She glared at him and said, "Rishabh Ji! You're so shameless!"

"Hey, what's shameless about it? Shouldn't I know your period dates?"

"Unbelievable! You are too much!" Anokhi huffed in annoyance.

Rishabh looked at her in confusion. He had no idea why she was upset. Come on, he is her husband! Of course, he would know her period dates. He lived with her in the same room, took care of her during her periods, so obviously, he would be aware of it!

But for now, Rishabh pushed these thoughts aside because something felt off. He asked Anokhi, “Forget all that. Just tell me what’s wrong.”

Anokhi replied, “No, there’s nothing serious. Just a mild stomach ache. Maybe my periods will come early this time, before the expected date. And before you suggest taking me to a doctor or hospital, let me tell you—this is normal, okay? Period dates keep shifting a little.”

Hearing this, Rishabh, who had his mouth open to say exactly that, shut it instantly. She had stopped him before he could even suggest it.

Taking a deep breath, he said, “Alright, but if this keeps happening frequently or if there’s any other problem, we’re going to the gynecologist, okay?”

“Yeah, fine!” Anokhi obediently agreed.

Rishabh silently stared at her. After watching her quietly for a moment, he leaned in and playfully bit her cheek. His teeth left faint marks on her skin, making Anokhi let out a surprised yelp.

Anokhi yelped, rubbing her cheek. "Rishabh Ji! What was that for?"

Rishabh grinned, "That was for calling me Rakshas Shergill in front of everyone!"

Hearing his words, Anokhi pouted. She glared at him for a moment, then decided to take her revenge.

Anokhi grabbed Rishabh's shirt, pulled it slightly from the shoulder side, and then bit his shoulder hard. Although Rishabh hadn't used any force earlier, Anokhi put all her strength into it. Yet, it didn't affect Rishabh at all. Instead of screaming, a smile appeared on his lips.

Meanwhile, Anokhi, after finishing her little act, kept glaring at him.

Rishabh asked, "And what was this for?"

Anokhi, in the same tone, replied, "And this was for directly troubling me!"

Seeing her childish antics, Rishabh smiled. Slowly, he tightened his grip around her waist and said, "But, Cupcake, don't you think this small act of yours has become a huge punishment for me? Do you even realize that because of this, I'll be restless all night?"

Saying this, Rishabh moved even closer to her, making Anokhi blush. She quickly placed her hands on his chest and gave him a slight push, saying, "So... so what can I do about it? It's your fault! You started it, now I can't do anything, and neither can you. Coming close is not allowed!"

Rishabh moved a little closer again and, in an adorably coaxing voice, said, "Cupcake, please... just a little bit!"

Meanwhile, this sudden change in Rishabh's tone was making Anokhi more restless. The poor girl was utterly confused. She even started feeling bad, as if she had done something wrong.