epilogue

As the three families gathered around the dining table, Malhotra family,sheghal family and saxena  family conversation flowed freely, interspersed with laughter and occasional whispers.

"Mom, I think Shivin would be a good match for Avni. He proposed to us for her hand," Adarsh announced, seeking his mother Reena's approval, which she readily gave with a nod of agreement.

"He's the biggest sinner" Anaya whispered to Anika, who stifled a giggle in response.

"Why?" Anika whispered back, her curiosity piqued.

"Because Avni is marrying him," Anaya revealed, and they shared a conspiratorial chuckle.

"Avni has her own obsessed lover . He won't let her marry anyone else, and she's confused. But remember how jealous she was when she heard rumors of him getting married?" Anika explained, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Meanwhile, Ishan couldn't help but question his father's unusual decision. "Dad, seriously? Who celebrates retirement?" he queried, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Shut up! I'll celebrate whatever I want. I've earned it, enough for me and your mom," Prakash retorted, his tone defiant.

Ranya couldn't help but roll her eyes at her husband and son's playful banter.

As Anika requested the rice bowl from her mother-in-law, Ranya passed it to her with a warm smile.

"Oh, I was just thinking the same thing," Advik suddenly interjected, drawing everyone's attention towards him.

"What?" Ranya inquired, curious about his remark.

"That she's been gaining weight lately," he stated bluntly, causing Anika to shoot him a glare, and Ranya to shoot him a warning look.

"What's your problem? She can eat as much as she wants," Prakash chimed in, coming to his daughter-in-law's defense.

"Exactly! She's entitled to enjoy her food," Ranya added, nodding in agreement with her husband.

"Oh, come on! She lives with Pragya, who's the biggest foodie ever. She eats five times a day," Ishan chimed in, adding his perspective to the conversation.

"Excuse me, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, okay? Everybody eats four times, and I eat normally," Pragya retorted, her voice tinged with irritation.

"And what about 12:00, 2:00? You wake up at those times most of the time to eat," Ishan pointed out, teasing her further.

"Shut up," Pragya interjected sharply, wanting to put an end to the conversation and focus on her food.

As tension lingered in the air, Anika decided to lighten the mood. "Wait, I'll bring some ice cream," she announced before leaving the table.

"Yes, bhaiya, she really is gaining weight," Ishan remarked, earning a glare from Pragya in response.

"What's your problem, Mr. Malhotra? And don't worry, you won't be talking about her weight gain anymore after today “ Pragya declared, her eyes flashing with determination as she rolled her eyes, leaving them puzzled by her cryptic statement.

As Anika approached with two trays filled with ice creams, she also carried chits in her hand, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Are you in the mood to play something, bhabhi? i am in," Siddharth eagerly inquired, already beginning to open his chit.

"No, wait. When I say three, then everybody will open their chits," Anika instructed, her tone playful yet determined, as the others nodded in confusion, wondering what she had up her sleeve.

"One... Two... And... Three!" Anika counted aloud, and in unison, everyone unfolded their chits to reveal the messages inside.

"Hello Nani... Hello Nanu... Hello Dadi... Hello Dadu... Hey Dad... Hey Chachu... Hey Chachi... Hey Masi... Hey Bua... Hey Badi Bua... Hello Mama... Hello Mami... Hello Badi Dadi."

As the words sank in, the family members exchanged puzzled glances, trying to make sense of the greetings written on the chits. Then, suddenly, realisation dawned on them.Anika was pregnant.

The news spread among the family like wildfire.

Kalyani was the first to approach Anika, her eyes brimming with joy and her blessings carrying the weight of generations. With a tender smile, she bestowed upon Anika a pair of bangles, a symbol of traditions and maternal love.

One by one, the rest of the family followed suit, enveloping Anika in warm embraces filled with congratulations and well wishes. However, before Advik and Ishan could reach her, Pragya stepped forward with a pointed remark.

"She's gaining weight nowadays, huh?" she remarked, her words tinged with playful teasing.

"i am sorry, please excuse us. Let us go to my wife and child," Advik interjected, gently guiding Pragya aside as they made their way to Anika's side.

"Congratulations, bhabhi and masi," Ishan chimed in, eyeing Pragya with a knowing smile.

"You too, chachu," Pragya replied, her tone laced with affection and humor.

"Hello, my princess," Advik greeted Anika, who rolled her eyes at his enthusiastic proclamation. Though it was Anika who had expressed a desire for a daughter, it seemed Advik was now the more eager of the two.

"Anika, how long has it been?" Ranya inquired, her brow furrowed with concern.

"About a month and a half," Anika replied, her tone apologetic.

"What? And you are telling us only now?" Ishani exclaimed, her surprise evident.

"Sorry, Mom, but I found out just a week ago myself," Anika explained, her voice tinged with regret.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

In the hospital waiting room, Advik was pacing nervously, his anxiety palpable in the air.

"What are you panicking about? Sit down," Ranya advised, trying to calm her son's nerves.

"How can he not panic? His wife's pregnancy is the most critical pregnancy ever," Prakash remarked, his tone laced with sarcasm.

"Really?" Advik and Ishan asked simultaneously, their faces registering shock and disbelief.

"Look, I was just teasing you and Ishan. Why are you so tense? Your wife is at home Save it for the future" Prakash quipped, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Just after 6 months she will be here too" Ishan reminded him his worry not so easily dismissed.

After a tense wait, a nurse approached the group, breaking the tension with her presence.

"Who is the relative of Mrs. Anika Malhotra?" the nurse inquired.

"I am her husband," Advik replied anxiously, stepping forward.

"You can meet her one by one," the nurse informed them before departing.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot to tell you, congratulations. You are now the father of a daughter," the nurse added before leaving the group in stunned silence.

Ranya, Prakash, and Ishan enveloped Advik in a tight embrace, their joy and relief palpable in the moment.With a mixture of emotions swirling within him, Advik made his way into the hospital room to meet his newborn daughter.

Advik quietly entered the room, his eyes instantly drawn to Anika, who appeared tired yet radiant as she gazed at their sleeping daughter.

"How's my baby?" Advik whispered softly, his voice filled with tenderness.

"Sleeping," Anika replied, her gaze lingering on their newborn bundle of joy.

"I meant this baby," Advik said, leaning in to kiss Anika's forehead gently.

"In a little bit of pain," Anika admitted with a soft smile, her love for their daughter shining through even in her discomfort.

"It's okay. My baby is so strong," Advik reassured her, his hand gently caressing her cheek as he spoke.

Anika's smile widened at his words, finding comfort in his unwavering support and love.

"Look, she's so cute," Anika said, directing Advik's attention to their precious daughter, who lay peacefully asleep in her crib.

Advik's heart swelled with pride and love as he gazed at their newborn daughter, feeling grateful for the blessing of their little family and the journey they were embarking on together.

"Wow, she's so cute," he exclaimed softly, his heart swelling with love as he held his precious princess in his arms for the first time.

"She is so soft too," Advik remarked, gently playing with their daughter's delicate features, his finger tracing a soft path across her face.

"My Advika," Advik whispered lovingly, his heart overflowing with affection as he looked at their precious bundle of joy. Anika couldn't help but smile at the endearment.

"Nice name, similar to you," Anika commented, her eyes shining with pride.

"Nice name, Advik + Anika = Advika," Advik explained, his voice filled with admiration for their daughter's name.

"Wow," Anika exclaimed, impressed by the clever combination.

Soon, Ranya and Pragya knocked on the door, seeking permission to enter.

"Can we come in? The nurse said if we don't disturb her, then we can enter together," Ranya explained, seeking approval from Advik.

Advik nodded, welcoming them into the room.

Ranya approached her granddaughter and tenderly placed a dot of kajal behind her tiny ear.

"Looking like a little angel," Ranya remarked, her eyes filled with love and adoration as she gazed upon her newest grandchild.

"So beautiful, exactly like her mother," Prakash remarked, casting a fond glance at the newborn. Advik couldn't help but pull a face at his father's comment.

"Not like her father?" Advik quipped, his tone playful as he awaited his father's response.

"Who told you that you are handsome?" Prakash teased, earning a chuckle from the others in the room.

"Let me see my princess whom i am going to spoil," Siddharth exclaimed, eager to meet his niece.

"Not before me," Anaya interjected, swiftly moving to cradle the newborn in her arms with Siddharth's support.

"Look, bhabhi, how everybody forgets you except me," Ishan teased, sitting near Anika.

"Shut up," Ranya scolded him playfully as she settled beside Anika. Anaya handed the newborn back to Advik before approaching Anika with a tender smile.

Ishan quickly seized the opportunity to take the baby from Advik's arms. "Now, my baby is all mine to play with," he declared with a grin.

"Oh God, look, she opened her eyes, hazel green," Ishan exclaimed excitedly, prompting Advik to lean in for a closer look.

"She has my eye color! Oh God!" Advik exclaimed in excitement, his voice filled with joy.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and the nurse admonished them, reminding them of the hospital's quiet environment. With a chuckle, Advik repeated his revelation, but this time in a whisper.

"She has my eye colour," he said softly, his heart swelling with pride as the others chuckled in amusement at his excitement.