A Long Waited Reunion

Before starting this chapter I want to tell you something that I had started a new story named "Falling For My Husband". That story is totally different from this one and also the male protagonist is not like Adrijay. So, do check it for once.

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Kishori Ji made a face and said, "You were supposed to massage my legs. By the way, do you even know how to do that? Or are you only good at talking?"

Hearing her words, Vishakha clenched her fists in anger but then controlled herself, nodded, and sat down beside Kishori Ji to massage her legs. Kishori Ji closed her eyes and lay down.

With her eyes still closed, Kishori Ji said irritably, "You don't know how to do it properly, do you? Why are you using your hands like delicate flowers? Press properly!"

Vishakha glared at her and then started massaging her legs more firmly.

Meanwhile, when Sarika entered the room, she saw Adrijay sitting on the bed, looking at his phone. As soon as he saw her, he sat up eagerly and asked, "Why are you so late?"

Without looking at him, Sarika took out her clothes from the cupboard and said, "Bua Ji called me, so I was sitting with her."

Seeing her indifferent response, Adrijay felt disappointed but quickly composed himself and smiled slightly, saying, "Okay, so will you sit with me for a while?"

Sarika, who was about to enter the washroom, stopped in her tracks and looked at him in surprise. Adrijay saw her expression and quickly added, "I mean, it's Tanu's birthday. We'll wish him together at midnight. That's why I asked."

Sarika stared at him for a moment and then, without saying anything, walked into the washroom, leaving Adrijay feeling dejected.

A while later, when Sarika came out after changing, she saw Adrijay sitting with a disappointed look. Taking a deep breath, she asked, "Would you like some tea?"

Hearing her words, Adrijay's eyes lit up, and he quickly nodded.

Sarika turned to leave, but before she could take a step, Adrijay walked up to her and held her hand.

Sarika turned to him with questioning eyes, and Adrijay smiled and said, "Come on, I'll help you."

She looked at him for a moment, then nodded and opened the door. As she walked ahead, Adrijay walked beside her, still holding her hand.

Sarika's gaze lingered on him for a moment at his unexpected gesture.

When they reached the kitchen, she pulled her hand away and placed a pan on the stove, pouring water into it before turning on the gas. She then began adding the necessary ingredients.

Meanwhile, Adrijay stood beside her, watching her lovingly. After adding everything, Sarika stood waiting for the tea to boil.

Suddenly, Adrijay asked, "You're scared of horror movies, aren't you?"

Startled by his sudden question, Sarika quickly composed herself and replied, "Horror movies don't scare me as much as losing a loved one does."

As she said this, memories of her child surfaced in her mind, making her eyes well up.

Since she had turned to the other side, Adrijay couldn't see the tears in her eyes, but hearing her response made his heart heavy because it reminded him of their child as well.

Both were lost in thoughts of their child, but neither wanted to bring it up. Sarika refrained because she believed Adrijay didn't care, while Adrijay didn't want to mention it because he didn't want to hurt her even more.

After a while, the tea boiled. Sarika poured it into a cup and handed it to Adrijay. Taking it, he asked, "Won't you have some?"

She shook her head and, without looking at him, said, "I don't like drinking tea at night."

Nodding, Adrijay sipped his tea while watching her wash the dishes.

Once Sarika finished washing the dishes, she left the kitchen, and Adrijay followed, turning off the kitchen lights.

As they walked toward the stairs, their eyes fell on the clock. Seeing that it was five minutes to midnight, Sarika quickly returned to the kitchen and took out a homemade chocolate cake from the freezer-Tanishk's favorite.

She carried the cake and headed towards the stairs, with Adrijay following behind.

Both quietly opened the door to the children's room and switched on the lights. Seeing Tanishk and Adhik sleeping cuddled together, they smiled.

Placing the cake on the table, Sarika sat beside Tanishk, gently stroking his hair, and said lovingly, "Tanu, wake up! I have a surprise for you!" She softly nudged him awake.

A few moments later, Tanishk opened his sleepy eyes and asked, "What happened, Mumma? Why did you wake me up so late?"

Without saying anything, Sarika picked up the cake from the table, smiled, and said, "Happy birthday, Tanu!"

Seeing the cake, Tanishk's sleep vanished instantly. He jumped on the bed excitedly and said, "Thank you, Mumma! I love you!"

Sarika smiled and said, "I love you too."

Tanishk quickly woke Adhik, and then Adrijay and Adhik also wished him.

Sarika placed candles on the cake, and after making a wish, Tanishk blew them out and cut the cake. The first piece he offered was to Sarika.

Sarika gestured for him to feed it to Adrijay instead, but Tanishk shook his head and fed her first. She couldn't say anything.

Then she cut another piece and gave it to Tanishk, asking him to feed Adrijay. Tanishk fed him as well and then gave a piece to Adhik.

Afterward, Adrijay gave Tanishk some gifts, which he opened eagerly.

Meanwhile, Sarika picked up the remaining cake and left the room. She went downstairs and placed it back in the freezer. As she did, her eyes fell on another chocolate cake-one she had made for her other child. She always made two cakes: one for Tanishk and one for the child she had lost. She would distribute the second cake among poor children the next day.

Looking at the cake, Sarika's eyes filled with tears once again. She gazed at it with misty eyes and softly said, "I know you're in a very good place, mere bacche (my child). But still, my eyes can't help but well up. Anyway... Happy birthday to you! Wherever you are, I hope you're always happy. I love you so much, mere bacche (my child)."

Wiping her tears, she closed the freezer, turned off the kitchen lights, and walked toward her room.

Just then, Vishakha, who had come to get water, stepped out from behind the door and muttered to herself, "Which child was Bhabhi talking about? And for whom did she make this extra cake? Maybe Dev knows something about it. I'll ask him."

Saying this, she took the water and went to her room.

Meanwhile, Sarika went to the children's room and told them to sleep. After switching off the lights, she returned to her room and lay down on the bed.

By then, Adrijay had also come out of the washroom and lay down in his place.

But his mind was occupied with thoughts of their child, making it impossible for him to sleep. Every year on Tanishk's birthday, he struggled with sleep.

Sarika was facing the same struggle. She tried to sleep, but sleep eluded her.

The next morning,

Adrijay and Sarika had spent the entire night awake, unable to sleep.

At five in the morning, Kishori Ji knocked on Vishakha's room door. Devansh, waking up, opened the door and, seeing Kishori Ji so early, asked in surprise, "Bua Ji, you're here so early. Is everything okay?"

Kishori Ji looked at him and said, "Yes, everything is fine. I just came to wake up Vishakha because Adrijay has organized a puja at ten in the morning, and there are many preparations to be done. Sarika can't do everything alone, so wake her up. And yes, tell her to take a bath before doing any work for the puja. She must not enter the kitchen without bathing! Also, before leaving, tell her to meet me. Okay?"

Hearing this, Devansh let out a deep sigh and said, "Alright."

Kishori Ji left, and Devansh, closing the door, looked at Vishakha, who was sleeping peacefully, and said, "Sorry, Vishu, but I have to wake you up!" Saying this, he went to Vishakha, woke her up, and told her what Kishori Ji had said. Annoyed, Vishakha got up and went to take a bath, but before leaving, she told Devansh not to sleep either. According to her, if she had to wake up early, then Devansh had no right to sleep longer.

A little later, after taking a bath and praying to God, Vishakha went to Kishori Ji, who handed her a list of tasks.

Seeing the long list of chores, Vishakha felt dizzy, but she swallowed her anger and went to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Sarika was preparing prasad for the puja when Vishakha entered and, without looking at her, asked, "Bhabhi, what do I need to do?"

Sarika was surprised to see Vishakha up so early but quickly said, "You don't have to do anything, Devrani Ji. I'll manage."

Without looking at her, Vishakha said, "Bhabhi, Bua Ji said that I have to make the prasad, so if I don't, she will be upset. So, please step aside, I'll do it!"

Hearing this, Sarika sighed deeply and said, "Oh, I see. Then go and prepare for the puja outside; I'll take care of the kitchen. As for Bua Ji, I'll handle her."

Vishakha looked at her for a moment, then lowered her head nervously and said, "I... I don't know how to prepare for the puja. I mean, at my house, Shivika Bhabhi did everything, and here you do, so I..."

Understanding her hesitation, Sarika said, "Alright, then make the Panchamrit. I'll prepare the Panjeeri first and then handle the puja preparations."

Vishakha nodded and started making the Panchamrit while Sarika prepared the Panjeeri. Both worked in silence.

After finishing in the kitchen, Sarika went outside to set up for the puja. By then, Adrijay had also brought Tanishq and Adhik downstairs, as it was time for the ritual.

Everyone else had gathered in the hall, and the guests had also arrived. The priest had taken his seat, and the puja began. Adrijay, Sarika, and their two children sat for the ceremony.

Throughout the puja, Adrijay kept glancing toward the door, which Sarika noticed. However, she remained silent, assuming that perhaps an important guest was expected.

Once the puja ended, Mohit and Niharika arrived. They had been delayed because they had to visit the hospital. With them was Neeta Ji. Sarika happily greeted the three of them and asked about Niharika's baby.

Adrijay was also about to go meet them when his eyes fell on the door. Seeing the people arriving, he smiled and went to them, touching the feet of Diwakar Ji and Krishna Ji. "Namaste, Baba. Namaste, Maa Ji," he said.

Diwakar Ji and Krishna Ji blessed him happily. Looking at Shlok, Adrijay said, "Hello, Shlok! How are you?"

Without looking at him, Shlok replied coldly, "Namaste, Jija Ji. I'm fine."

Seeing his tone, Krishna Ji shot him a warning look. Ignoring the exchange, Adrijay turned to Diwakar Ji and said, "Why did you all get so late? I've been waiting for you for so long. Look, the puja is already over!"

Before Diwakar Ji could say anything, Shlok looked at him and said, "Oh really? You were waiting for us? But in these past nine years, you never invited us to your home. If we were that important to you, I think you should have invited us to every function, right?"

Hearing this, Adrijay's face fell, and he said, "I know, Shlok, you're upset, and you have every right to be, but-"

Before he could finish, Diwakar Ji glared at Shlok and said to Adrijay, "No problem, Damad Ji. The fact that you invited us is enough! By the way, where is Sarika?"

Adrijay smiled slightly and said, "You three come inside first. I'll call her. She'll be so happy to see you!" Saying this, he respectfully invited them in and asked them to sit on the sofa before going to find Sarika.

After he left, Diwakar Ji turned to Shlok angrily and said, "Shlok, is this the way to talk? He's your Jija Ji, and this is not how you speak to elders! Is this what we have taught you?"

Lowering his head, Shlok said, "Sorry, Baba, but after what he did, I can't talk to him nicely!"

Hearing this, Diwakar Ji, now even angrier, said to Krishna Ji, "Explain some sense to him!"

Krishna Ji began to counsel Shlok.

Meanwhile, Adrijay, searching for Sarika, found her in the kitchen. Seeing her still working, he shook his head and went to her, grabbing her hand. "Come, I need to introduce you to someone!" he said.

Sarika, confused, said, "But the work here isn't done yet. How can I-"

Cutting her off, Adrijay said, "Others will handle the rest. You come with me now!" Saying this, he took her hand and pulled her out of the kitchen.

Sarika tried to protest, but Adrijay ignored her and led her straight to her family. "Forget the work for now. First, meet our special guests!" he said, turning her toward them.

Seeing her family after nine long years, Sarika's eyes welled up with tears. The same happened with Diwakar Ji, Krishna Ji, and Shlok. The three of them stood up, looking at Sarika with teary eyes.

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