Unexpected visit and bonds

Tanishk and Adhik left the room with Sarika. Meanwhile, a short distance away in the corridor, Adrijay, who had been hiding, stepped out and said, "Sarika was missing Maa and Baba, so why didn't she go meet them? Anyway, whatever it is, this time, she will get a lot of surprises on Tanu's birthday! Maybe this will lessen the distance between us, even if just a little." Saying this, he smiled.

Sarika told the kids to sit in the hall and went to the kitchen to quickly prepare snacks and warm milk for them.

In the hall, Tanishk and Adhik were chatting while waiting for Sarika to return. Just then, a woman entered, looked at them, and smiled as she said, "How are my dear children?"

Hearing her voice, Tanishk and Adhik turned to look at her, and with joy, they ran to her, hugging her as they said, "Namaste, Bua Dadi!"

The woman, Kishori Ji, smiled, placed her hands on their heads, and said, "Namaste, my dear ones! How are you both?"

Tanishk and Adhik stepped back and smiled as they said together, "We are very good! And how are you?"

Kishori Ji smiled back and said, "I am doing well too. Now, tell me, where is everyone? Why don't I see anyone around?"

Tanishk replied, "Dadi and Chachi are resting in their rooms, Mamma is in the kitchen, and Papa and Chachu are upstairs overseeing the decorations!"

Kishori Ji made a face and said, "Oh, so your Dadi is still resting...?" (Then, thinking to herself, She could have at least done some work since it's her grandson's birthday. I don't know how much older Bhabhi has become overnight! If she is like this now, I can't imagine how she'll be in the future. And this Vishakha, she should have been made to work at least, but it seems she is just like Bhabhi. No wonder they get along so well! I will deal with them later, but first, let me meet my dear Bahu).

Then she said to Tanishk and Adhik, "Children, I am going to meet your Mamma in the kitchen. Meanwhile, you two go and inform your Papa and Chachu that I have arrived, okay?"

Tanishk and Adhik nodded happily and ran off, while Kishori Ji smiled and headed towards the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Sarika was arranging everything on a tray for the children when Kishori Ji came from behind, covered her eyes with her hands, and asked, "Guess who?"

Sarika recognized her voice and smiled as she said, "Bua Ji, it's you!"

Kishori Ji made a face, removed her hands, and said, "How do you always guess that it's me?"

Sarika turned towards her, touched her feet, and smiled as she said, "Because your presence makes me feel a sense of belonging. So, by feeling that, I always know it's you!"

Hearing this, Kishori Ji smiled. Then Sarika touched her feet seeking blessing, then looked behind her and asked, "Oh, didn't Samarth and Reet come? And I don't see Phupha Ji either?"

Kishori Ji looked at her and said, "Yes, dear, the thing is, Samarth and Reet had exams, so they couldn't come. And we couldn't leave them alone, so Phupha Ji also stayed back."

Sarika nodded sadly and said, "Oh, I see. No problem, we'll meet next time. But even last time, on Raksha Bandhan, you all didn't stay for long, and now, on the birthday too, they aren't here..."

Kishori Ji lovingly touched her cheek and said, "It's okay, I am here, right? And next time, as soon as their exams are over, I will tell them to meet their Bhabhi first! Alright? And they will stay for a whole month next time, okay?"

Sarika smiled and said, "Okay!" Then she added, "Now, you go and sit outside, I'll bring you some water."

Kishori Ji smiled, nodded, and walked out of the kitchen. Sarika quickly placed some sweets in a bowl and a glass of water on a tray before stepping out.

In the hall, Kishori Ji was sitting with Adrijay, talking, when Sarika came and offered her sweets and water.

After drinking water, Kishori Ji looked around and asked, "Where is the chhoti (younger) Bahu? I don't see her anywhere."

Hearing this, Sarika told Adhik to go call Vishakha, then turned to Kishori Ji and said, "Actually, Bua Ji, she had been working since morning, so I told her to rest for a while."

Hearing this, Adrijay looked at Sarika, while Kishori Ji glared at her and said, "Don't lie to me, I know everything..." (Then, taking a deep breath, she added) "Alright, listen, once you finish your work, come to my room. I have a lot to talk to you about!"

Sarika gave a faint smile and nodded at her words before heading off to prepare their room.

On the other side, Adhik knocked on Vishakha's room door, prompting her to ask from inside, "Who is it?"

Adhik replied, "Chachi, it's me, Adhik!"

Vishakha opened the door and softly asked, "Hmm, what happened?"

Adhik looked at her and said, "Chachi, Bua Dadi is here, and she is calling you!"

Vishakha told him to leave and then adjusted her hair in front of the mirror. She draped her dupatta and was just about to step out when Devansh arrived and stopped her, saying, "Wait! You can't go out like this!"

Vishakha looked at herself and said, "Why? What's wrong with this? I look fine!"

Devansh took a deep breath and explained, "Look, Vishu, my Bua is a bit old-fashioned. If you go in a suit instead of a saree, it will create a problem. Plus, we've only been married for four and a half months. If you meet her in a suit, she won't like it. So please, change into a saree!"

Vishakha looked at him in shock and said, "What? Wear a saree? But I don't even know how to wear one, Dev... and you know that, right?"

Hearing this, Devansh scratched his head in frustration and said, "Oh, right! I forgot... But now what? I don't know how to drape a saree either... and you can't go out like this in front of Bua."

Vishakha started pacing the room, feeling restless. Just then, Devansh said, "I'll call Bhabhi; she'll help you wear the saree!"

Vishakha immediately refused and said, "No, leave it! I'll try it myself. I'll watch a tutorial on YouTube and give it a shot. Meanwhile, you handle Bua!"

Seeing her stubbornness, Devansh simply nodded and left, closing the door behind him. Vishakha took out a saree, opened YouTube on her phone, placed it on the dressing table, and started trying to drape it.

Meanwhile, in the hall, Kishori Ji looked at Devansh and sarcastically said, "It seems Vishakha is cooking up some grand plan in her room; that's why it's taking her so long, isn't it?"

Devansh lowered his head and said, "Actually, Bua, Vishu-I mean, Vishakha-is in the washroom, so it's taking her a little time."

Kishori Ji laughed and said, "Oh dear, I hope she hasn't fallen sick! What if she can't even eat anything at her nephew's birthday party because of her stomach?"

Hearing this, Adrijay chuckled, but seeing Devansh's glare, he suppressed his laughter.

A lot of time had passed, and Sarika had even served Kishori Ji some snacks, but there was still no sign of Vishakha. Noticing this, Kishori Ji said to Devansh, "Dev, I really think your wife has an upset stomach. You should take her to a doctor. And when she feels better, bring her to me. In the meantime, I'll go meet my Bhabhi, who, like your wife, is also hiding in her room." Saying this, she got up and headed towards Yamini Ji's room.

Devansh hesitated before approaching Sarika and nervously asking, "Bhabhi, could you... help me with something small?"

Sarika replied calmly, "Of course, tell me, what do you need help with?"

Devansh looked at her pleadingly and said, "Bhabhi, actually, Vishu doesn't know how to wear a saree, which is why she's taking so long. Could you please help her wear it? Please, Bhabhi!"

Sarika smiled gently and said, "Devar Ji, please don't say 'please.' I will go right away and help Devrani Ji wear the saree."

Hearing this, Devansh let out a sigh of relief and said, "Thank you, Bhabhi! You really are the best!"

Sarika just gave a soft smile and was about to leave when Adrijay, who had been sitting on the sofa listening to their conversation, suddenly got up and stopped her.

"Wait, Sarika!" he said.

Sarika paused and looked at him as he walked up to her and asked, "You're going to help the one who has only ever created problems for you? Why?"

Sarika lowered her gaze and softly said, "Everyone in this house has created problems for me except for my children and Devar Ji. I don't want Devar Ji to be scolded because of Devrani Ji. Bua ji is a good person, but if Devrani Ji doesn't mingle with her, she will blame Devar Ji. I don't want him to be scolded for no reason. That's why I'm helping Devrani Ji. And besides, just because people treat me badly doesn't mean I should become like them."

Saying this, she quietly walked away.

Adrijay stood there, feeling like a fool, absorbing her words.

Meanwhile, Vishakha had grown frustrated after repeatedly failing to drape the saree. Losing patience, she threw the saree aside and groaned, "Ugh! Why is wearing a saree so difficult? And what's the big deal if Dev's Bua sees me in a suit? Will the world end? Honestly, the people in this house claim to be educated, but their thinking and behavior are anything but rational!"

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Annoyed, Vishakha snapped, "Who is it now?"

Sarika's calm voice came from outside, "Devrani Ji, it's me. Devar Ji sent me to help you wear the saree."

Vishakha rolled her eyes and cursed Devansh in her mind before opening the door. Sarika stepped inside and said, "Come, let me help you wear it."

Vishakha handed her the saree without a word. As Sarika helped her drape it, Vishakha stood in silence, feeling strange. She had always taunted Sarika, always created problems for her, yet here Sarika was, helping her so that her dignity remained intact in front of Bua Ji. The thought made her feel awkward.

After a few minutes, Sarika finished draping the saree and said, "There you go. Now, get ready quickly and go straight to Maa Ji's room. Bua Ji is there. And please hurry up-she's already a little upset with you."

Vishakha simply nodded without saying anything, and Sarika left the room.

Lost in thought, Vishakha finished getting ready and headed toward Yamini Ji's room.

Inside the room, Kishori Ji was chatting with Yamini Ji when Vishakha entered, covering her head with the saree pallu. She bent down and touched Kishori Ji's feet, saying, "Namaste, Bua Ji!"

Kishori Ji pulled a face and said, "Yes, yes, alright... No need to act so much. If you were really that respectful, you would have come to meet me first. But instead, you kept me waiting as if you were some great queen!"

Hearing this, Vishakha clenched her fists in anger but controlled herself.

Sensing the tension, Yamini Ji tried to ease the situation and said, "Oh, come on, Didi, Vishakha is still young. Kids make mistakes!"

Kishori Ji looked Vishakha up and down before saying, "Kids don't get married, Bhabhi. And besides, child marriage is illegal these days!"

Vishakha's anger flared, but she controlled herself and said, "Bua Ji, please go to your room and rest. I'll bring you something to eat."

Kishori Ji wrinkled her nose and said, "No, thank you. Who knows what you'll feed me? Besides, Sarika already served me snacks while you were busy with your makeup. So, you can relax. And if my presence here bothers you so much, I'll go to my room!"

Vishakha quickly said, "It's nothing like that, Bua Ji. I just thought you might be tired."

Kishori Ji smirked and said, "Oh no, dear, by God's grace, I'm perfectly fine. I don't fake tiredness or laziness... Anyway, I'll go freshen up and change, and then we'll talk."

Saying this, she walked out of the room, while Yamini Ji and Vishakha watched her leave, fuming.

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Happy Mahashivratri!! Finally 200K+ views. Thank you so much guys for giving soooooo much love to this story. This is so overwhelming for me. I just want to say that keep supporting me.

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