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Hello, my beautiful and handsome Tulips! 🌷🤍

How are you all doing?

If you're enjoying the story, please don't forget to vote, comment, follow, and share. Every little bit of support genuinely means so much to me. 🤍🌷

Before we begin...

You guys completed 25 votes on the previous chapter! 👀🤍

So...

I think it's time to raise the target a little. 😌✨

30 Votes Target ⭐
15 Comments Target 💬
5 New Followers Target ❤️

Let's see how quickly you complete these! 👀🌷

And now...

this chapter is where a few things finally start coming together.

So read carefully...

because you never know which little detail might matter later. 🤭✨

Happy Reading! 🌷🤍

The sacred fire continued to glow softly in front of them.

The last offerings had been placed into the havan kund.

The chanting gradually became quieter...

until, finally, Pandit Ji lowered his hands and looked toward the newly married couple with a warm smile.

"Vivah sampann hua."

(The wedding ceremony is complete.)

For a brief moment...

everything seemed to become still.

Then a gentle wave of happiness moved through the mandap.

The wedding was complete.

Vikram and Meera were officially husband and wife.

After everything they had discussed...

after all the arrangements...

after the rituals...

the moment had finally arrived.

Meera lowered her eyes for a moment.

A small, almost shy smile appeared on her face.

Vikram looked at her.

His expression remained composed...

but the happiness in his eyes was impossible to miss.

He didn't say anything.

He simply extended his hand toward her.

Meera looked at it for a second before placing her hand in his.

Together...

they stood.

Pandit Ji smiled.

"Ab apne badon ka aashirwad lijiye."

(Now go and take the blessings of your elders.)

Meera nodded softly.

Vikram and Meera first walked toward Baldev Singh Deora and Rajeshwari Deora.

The moment they approached...

Meera instinctively began to lower herself respectfully.

Vikram did the same.

But Rajeshwari immediately reached forward.

"Arre, arre..."

Her voice was filled with affection.

"Bas."

(That's enough.)

Before Meera could properly bend down, Rajeshwari gently pulled her into a warm embrace.

Meera's expression softened instantly.

For a moment...

she simply rested there.

Rajeshwari kissed the side of her head.

"Ab aashirwad ke liye itna door jaane ki zarurat nahi hai."

(You don't need to go so far just to receive our blessings anymore.)

A small laugh passed through the family.

Baldev Singh smiled.

He placed one hand gently over Meera's head...

and the other over Vikram's.

His eyes held quiet pride.

"Khush raho."

(Stay happy.)

"Saath hamesha bana rahe."

(May you always remain together.)

Vikram's expression softened.

"Thank you, Baba Sa."

Meera smiled.

"Thank you."

Rajeshwari looked at both of them.

"Bas ek doosre ka saath kabhi mat chhodna."

(Just never let go of each other's support.)

Meera nodded.

Vikram's hand gently tightened around hers.

"We won't."

The words were quiet.

But certain.

Next...

they turned toward Meera's parents.

Her mother was already smiling through slightly misty eyes.

Meera approached her first.

Once again, she began to bend respectfully.

Her mother immediately stopped her.

"Arre beta..."

She opened her arms.

"Idhar aao."

(Come here.)

Meera stepped into her mother's embrace.

A gentle kiss was placed against her forehead.

"Khush raho."

(Stay happy.)

Her father then rested a hand lovingly over her head.

Before looking toward Vikram.

For a moment...

his expression became serious.

Not stern.

Just protective.

"Unka khayal rakhna."

(Take care of them.)

Vikram nodded without hesitation.

"Zaroor."

(Of course.)

Meera's father smiled.

Then placed his hand over both of their heads.

"Bhagwan tum dono ko hamesha khush rakhe."

(May God always keep you both happy.)

Meera's eyes became slightly moist.

Vikram remained beside her quietly.

Behind them...

the rest of the family had already gathered.

Rajveer stepped forward first.

He smiled at his elder brother.

"Congratulations, Bhai Sa."

(Congratulations, Bhai Sa.)

Vikram smiled.

"Thank you."

Devendra immediately came beside him.

"Finally."

He looked toward Meera with a grin.

"Welcome to the family, Bhabhi Sa."

(Welcome to the family, Bhabhi Sa.)

Kavya smiled warmly.

"Ab aap officially humari family ka part hain."

(Now you're officially part of our family.)

Ananya immediately added,

"Officially nahi."

She glanced at Vikram.

"Already."

(Not officially. Already.)

That earned a soft laugh from everyone.

Meera smiled.

"Thank you."

Yashvardhan smiled from behind them.

"Bahut bahut badhai Bhai sa."

(Many congratulations brother.)

Raghav stepped forward next.

"Congratulations, Bade Baba sa."

(Congratulations, elder father.)

Devik followed.

Vikram nodded warmly.

"Thank you."

The younger brothers gathered around too.

Aarav looked at Meera with a grin.

"Badi Maa Sa..."

He paused dramatically.

"Ab toh hum aapko pareshaan kar sakte hain na?"

(Badi Maa Sa... now we're allowed to trouble you, right?)

Krishav immediately smacked his shoulder lightly.

"Aarav!"

"What?"

"Shaadi ke din hi shuru?"

(You're starting on the wedding day itself?)

Aarav shrugged.

"Main toh relationship strong kar raha hoon."

(I'm just strengthening the relationship.)

Priyanshu laughed.

"Iski definition of bonding bahut dangerous hai."

(His definition of bonding is very dangerous.)

Even Meera laughed softly.

Veer stood slightly behind them.

He looked at Meera for a moment.

Then smiled.

"Welcome, Badi Maa Sa."

(Welcome, Badi Maa Sa.)

Meera's expression softened immediately.

"Thank you, Veer."

She opened one arm toward him.

Veer walked closer without hesitation.

For a moment...

the youngest member of the family simply stood beside her.

And somehow...

the room felt even warmer.

Vikram looked around at everyone.

His family.

Meera's family.

The people who had watched him grow.

The people who had just welcomed Meera.

And for the first time...

the thought of two families becoming one didn't feel like a future event.

It felt like something that had already begun.

The wedding was over.

The blessings had been given.

The congratulations had been exchanged.

And somewhere beyond the glowing mandap...

the next chapter of their lives was already waiting.

The wedding celebrations had finally moved toward the dining area.

The rituals were over.

The blessings had been taken.

The congratulations had been exchanged.

And now...

the enormous dining space of the Deora residence had begun filling with family members.

The elders naturally gathered closer to the main seating area.

Baldev Singh and Rajeshwari sat together near the centre, while Rajveer, Kavya, Devendra, Ananya, Yashvardhan and the others slowly joined them.

The younger members of the family stood nearby, occasionally exchanging quiet comments and amused looks.

The atmosphere was warm.

Relaxed.

Happy.

It was the kind of moment that happened only after a long celebration...

when everyone finally stopped worrying about formalities and simply enjoyed being together.

A little farther away...

near the bridal side of the gathering...

Aira remained seated.

She hadn't joined the main group.

The night had been long.

The wedding had been beautiful...

but exhausting.

There had been too many people.

Too many unfamiliar faces.

Too many voices.

And although Aira had managed remarkably well throughout the day...

she knew herself.

Crowds could still become overwhelming.

Sudden loud voices could still make her nervous.

Dark corners still made her uncomfortable.

And unfamiliar people approaching too quickly could still make her instinctively retreat.

So for now...

she was perfectly content staying where she was.

Mishti rested comfortably in her lap.

The tiny white kitten had apparently decided that Aira's arms were the best place in the entire palace.

Aira gently stroked the fur between her ears.

"Mew..."

(Mishti's translation: "I have no plans of moving. This seat is excellent.")

Aira's lips curved into a tiny smile.

Beside her sat Yuvan.

He had absolutely no intention of leaving her alone.

His phone rested loosely in one hand as he scrolled through it every now and then.

But his attention kept returning to Aira.

He knew her well enough.

He knew when she was tired.

He knew when she was uncomfortable.

And he knew that sometimes...

the best way to help her was simply to stay.

"Thak gayi?"

(Are you tired?)

Aira looked at him.

She gave a small nod.

Yuvan smiled.

"Bas thodi der aur."

(Just a little while longer.)

"Phir ghar jaake seedha so jaana."

Aira's eyes narrowed slightly.

She quickly signed back.

I'm not sleepy.

Yuvan looked at her for a second.

Then raised an eyebrow.

"Achha?"

(Really?)

He glanced at her tired expression.

"Bilkul nahi lag raha."

(You don't look tired at all.)

Aira gave him a small, offended look.

Yuvan laughed quietly.

"Okay, okay."

"Main kuch nahi bol raha."

(Alright, alright. I'm not saying anything.)

Mishti suddenly stretched in Aira's lap.

"Mrrp..."

(Mishti's translation: "I vote that everyone stops talking and lets me sleep.")

Yuvan looked at the kitten.

"Madam ka order aa gaya."

(Madam has given her order.)

Aira silently laughed.

For a few moments...

the three of them remained exactly where they were.

The main family was close enough to be seen...

but far enough that Aira didn't feel surrounded.

And most importantly...

no one was forcing her to join.

Meanwhile...

the elders had begun talking among themselves.

Rajeshwari looked toward Meera.

Her expression immediately softened.

"Meera beta..."

She smiled.

"Ab toh humein hamari beti se milwa do."

(Meera, dear... now at least introduce us to our daughter.)

Meera's expression changed instantly.

Her eyes warmed.

A small smile appeared.

Her Angel.

She had been waiting for this moment too.

Even though Aira was somewhere inside the same palace...

she felt impossibly far away.

Meera glanced briefly toward the bridal side.

Then back at the family.

"Ji..."

(Yes.)

Rajeshwari smiled.

"We've waited long enough."

Baldev Singh chuckled softly.

"Sabko milna hai."

(Everyone wants to meet her.)

The words immediately drew a few smiles from around the table.

Kavya looked toward Ananya.

"Ab toh humari beti ko bula hi lena chahiye."

(Now we really should call our daughter.)

Ananya nodded.

"Bilkul."

(Absolutely.)

Even Yashvardhan smiled quietly.

There was genuine warmth in his expression.

After all...

the family had already begun speaking about Aira as though she belonged to them.

Meera's smile grew.

Then she turned her attention toward someone standing nearby.

"Ishani beta..."

Ishani immediately looked toward her.

"Ji, Maasi?"

(Yes, Maasi?)

Meera smiled.

"Angel ko bula lao."

(Go and call Angel.)

For a second...

the entire conversation stopped.

Completely.

Ishani simply nodded.

"Ji, Maasi."

(Yes, Maasi.)

She turned and began walking toward the bridal side.

Behind her...

several expressions slowly changed.

Not because anyone was upset.

Because everyone had just realized something.

Angel?

Who was Angel?

A few of the younger brothers exchanged quick looks.

Abhay leaned slightly toward Devik.

His voice dropped to a whisper.

" Bhai Mujhe toh laga tha Ishani hi Maa sa ki beti hai."

(I thought Ishani was Maa's daughter.)

Devik gave him a sideways look.

"Chup reh thodi der."

(Stay quiet for a little while.)

Abhay frowned.

"Par..."

(But...)

Devik cut him off with another whisper.

"Abhi pata chal jayega."

(We'll find out soon.)

Abhay finally nodded.

Krishav, who had overheard them, quietly joined the conversation.

"Tu har cheez assume kyun karta hai?"

(Why do you assume everything?)

Abhay shrugged.

"Because nobody told us anything."

(Because nobody told us anything.)

Neither of them wanted the elders to hear.

Across the room...

Rajeshwari and Baldev exchanged a brief glance.

Kavya's eyebrows lifted slightly.

Ananya looked toward the corridor.

Even Yashvardhan seemed mildly curious.

No one asked anything aloud.

They simply waited.

And a little farther away...

Aira remained completely unaware.

She was still sitting beside Yuvan.

Still gently stroking Mishti.

Still thinking only about how tired she was...

and how nice it would be to finally go home.

Then...

a familiar figure approached.

Ishani slowed as she reached them.

"Aira..."

Aira looked up.

Ishani smiled gently.

"Maasi bula rahi hain."

(Maasi is calling you.)

Aira blinked.

Her fingers paused against Mishti's fur.

She looked toward the distant gathering.

Even from here...

she could see how many people were there.

Her expression changed immediately.

A little uncertainty.

A little nervousness.

And the faintest trace of panic.

Yuvan noticed.

He immediately lowered his phone.

He leaned slightly closer.

"Main yahin hoon."

(I'm right here.)

Aira looked at him.

Yuvan gave her a reassuring smile.

"Bas dheere se jaana."

(Just go slowly.)

Aira took a quiet breath.

Then carefully adjusted Mishti in her arms.

Ishani waited patiently.

She didn't rush her.

Didn't pull her forward.

Didn't tell her to stop being nervous.

She simply waited.

After a few moments...

Aira finally stood.

Mishti remained curled securely against her.

Aira looked once more toward the large gathering.

She had no idea...

that an entire family was waiting to meet her.

She only knew that her Maiya had called.

And for Aira...

that was enough reason to take the first step.

She carefully adjusted Mishti in her arms once again.

The tiny kitten shifted sleepily against her chest.

"Mew..."

(Mishti's translation: "Are we going somewhere? I hope there are snacks.")

Aira's lips curved into the faintest smile.

She took another small breath.

Then began walking with Ishani.

Neither of them hurried.

Ishani kept her pace deliberately slow, matching Aira's steps.

Every few seconds...

Aira's eyes wandered toward the large gathering ahead.

So many people.

So many unfamiliar faces.

Even though they were all connected to her Maiya...

they were still strangers to her.

And that thought made her fingers tighten slightly around Mishti.

Ishani noticed.

"It's okay."

(It's okay.)

She smiled gently.

"Bas mere saath aao."

(Just come with me.)

Aira nodded.

One small step.

Then another.

Meanwhile...

a young man in his mid-twenties was walking toward the group gathered near the dining area.

His steps were unhurried.

Confident.

There was nothing particularly loud about his presence.

Yet somehow...

people noticed him before he even reached them.

His neatly styled dark hair had a few strands falling naturally across his forehead.

He wore a well-fitted black suit, the top buttons of his shirt left slightly open, giving him a polished yet relaxed appearance.

His expression was calm.

His posture straight.

And there was something unmistakably commanding in the way he carried himself.

This was Vikrant Deora.

The eldest son of the family.

And despite being surrounded by people he had known his entire life...

there was still something about him that made the younger brothers instinctively straighten whenever he entered a room.

Not because they feared him.

Simply because...

he was Vikrant.

And everyone knew him.

As he approached, Yashvardhan noticed him first.

A smile immediately appeared on his face.

"Finally."

He folded his arms.

"Janab ne darshan de hi diye."

(Finally. His Highness has decided to grace us with his presence.)

Vikrant stopped a few steps away.

His eyebrow lifted.

"Darshan?"

He glanced around.

"Main apne hi gharwalo ke paas aaya hoon."

(I've come to my own family.)

Rajveer laughed.

"Isi liye toh."

(Exactly because of that.)

Devendra immediately joined in.

"Hum soch rahe the..."

He looked at Vikrant from head to toe.

"...shayad aaj bhi kaam ne aapko kidnap kar liya."

(We thought work had kidnapped you again today.)

Vikrant gave him a completely calm look.

"Kaam ne nahi."

He paused.

"Aap logon ki bakbak se bach raha tha."

(Not work. I was escaping all of you.)

For a second...

there was silence.

Then Priyanshu burst out laughing.

"Arre wah!"

He pointed at Vikrant.

"Bhaiya ne finally sach bol diya."

(Well, well! Bhaiya finally admitted the truth.)

Yatharth shook his head.

"Priyanshu..."

(Priyanshu...)

Priyanshu looked at him innocently.

"Kya?"

(What?)

Yatharth sighed.

"Bas kar."

(Just stop.)

Priyanshu immediately grinned.

"Main toh bas family ko entertain kar raha hoon."

(I'm just entertaining the family.)

Raghav laughed.

"Family ne bola tha?"

(Did the family ask you to?)

Priyanshu placed a hand dramatically over his heart.

"Nahi."

He looked around.

"Par family ko meri zarurat hoti hai."

(No. But the family needs me.)

Abhay muttered from nearby,

"Ye khud ko bahut important samajhte hai."

(He thinks he's far more important than he actually is.)

Priyanshu immediately turned toward him.

"Sun liya."

(I heard that.)

Abhay smiled.

"Achha hai."

(Good.)

Krishav laughed.

"Ab shuru ho gaya."

(And now it has started.)

Aarav immediately added,

"Five minutes."

He looked at Veer.

"Bas five minutes mein sabko headache ho jayega."

(Give it five minutes and everyone will have a headache.)

Veer looked genuinely thoughtful.

"Five minutes?"

Then he glanced at Vikrant.

"Bhaiya, aap bachaa loge na?"

(Bhaiya, you'll save us, right?)

Vikrant looked down at him.

A faint smile appeared.

"Main kyun?"

(Why should I?)

Veer blinked.

"Because you're my favourite."

(Because you're my favourite.)

The entire group immediately reacted.

Priyanshu placed a hand over his heart.

"Traitor."

(Traitor.)

Raghav laughed.

"Veer, favourite bolne se baaki sabka kya?"

(Veer, what about the rest of us if you call him your favourite?)

Veer thought for a moment.

Then answered honestly,

"Aap sab bhi achhe ho."

(You're all nice too.)

Priyanshu nodded.

"Bas?"

Veer smiled.

"Vikrant bhaiya zyada."

(Vikrant Bhaiya is more.)

The laughter that followed was immediate.

Even Baldev Singh smiled.

Rajeshwari shook her head affectionately.

"Ye bachcha na..."

(This boy...)

Vikrant simply looked down at Veer.

"Ab khush?"

(Happy now?)

Veer nodded proudly.

"Very."

The eldest grandson of the family had always had a particularly soft corner for the youngest.

And everyone knew it.

Vikrant reached forward and lightly ruffled Veer's hair.

"Good."

Then he turned toward the elders.

His expression softened immediately.

He walked toward Baldev Singh and Rajeshwari first.

"Dada Sa."

Baldev smiled and opened an arm.

"Arre, aa gaya."

(There you are.)

Vikrant stepped into the brief embrace.

Baldev patted his back.

"Kaafi der laga di."

(You took quite a while.)

Vikrant smiled.

"Kaam mein phas gaya tha."

(I got caught up in work.)

Rajeshwari immediately looked at him.

"Shaadi ghar mein ho aur tum kaam mein phanse hue ho?"

(There's a wedding in the family and you were still caught up in work?)

Vikrant laughed softly.

"Dadi Sa, ab aa toh gaya."

(Dadi Sa, I'm here now.)

Rajeshwari gently touched his cheek.

"Bas, ab kahin mat jaana."

(Good, now don't go anywhere.)

"Poora din gayab rehkar abhi aaye ho."

(You've been missing all day and only came now.)

Vikrant smiled.

"Ab poora time aap logon ke saath."

(Now I'll spend all my time with everyone.)

Baldev nodded approvingly.

"Ye hui na baat."

(Now that's better.)

Vikrant's gaze then shifted toward Vikram.

For a moment...

his expression became softer.

He stepped closer.

"Baba."

Vikram looked at his eldest son.

The usual royal composure remained in his face, but the pride in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Finally."

Vikrant smiled.

"Congratulations."

His eyes moved briefly toward Meera.

Then returned to his father.

"Happy for you, Baba."

Vikram placed a hand on his son's shoulder.

"Thank you."

Vikrant gave him a small smile.

Then his gaze shifted toward Meera.

There was a brief pause.

He stepped toward her.

"Maa sa."

The word came naturally.

Yet it still carried something new.

Meera's expression immediately softened.

"Thank you, beta."

She gently touched his arm.

Vikrant smiled.

"Ab officially bol sakta hoon."

(Now I can officially say it.)

Meera laughed softly.

"Toh pehle kya bolte the?"

(Then what did you call me before?)

Vikrant pretended to think.

"Meera aunty."

Meera shook her head, amused.

"Very impressive."

Vikrant smiled.

"Ab Maa sa better hai."

(Maa sa is better now.)

Her eyes warmed.

"Then I'll have to get used to having another son."

Vikrant nodded.

"Main bhi."

(Me too.)

For a moment...

Meera simply looked at him.

There was something deeply touching about hearing the word from him for the first time.

She smiled.

"Thank you, beta."

Vikrant gave her a small nod.

Then turned toward Yashvardhan.

"Chachu sa."

Yashvardhan immediately opened his arms.

"Idhar aa."

(Come here.)

Vikrant stepped into the embrace.

Yashvardhan patted his back.

"Ab toh aa gaya tu."

(Now you've finally arrived.)

Vikrant laughed.

"Sab log aaj meri attendance laga rahe hain."

(Everyone seems to be marking my attendance today.)

Yashvardhan smiled.

"Family hai."

(We're family.)

"Attendance toh lagegi."

(Of course we're going to notice.)

Vikrant shook his head with a smile.

"Fair enough."

He then turned toward Rajveer and Kavya.

"Chhote Baba."

"Chhoti Maa."

Rajveer immediately pulled him into a brief side hug.

"Ab aaye ho toh seedhe humse bachke mat nikal jaana."

(Now that you're here, don't think you can escape us.)

Vikrant laughed.

"Main kahan ja raha hoon?"

(Where am I going?)

Kavya smiled.

"Bas isi attitude ki wajah se sab tumhe pakad ke rakhte hain."

(It's exactly because of this attitude that everyone keeps you around.)

Vikrant shook his head.

"Achha?"

(Really?)

Kavya nodded.

"Bilkul."

(Absolutely.)

Then came Devendra and Ananya.

"Chhote Baba."

"Chhoti Maa."

Devendra pulled him into a quick hug.

"Ab family ke beech baith."

(Now sit with the family.)

Vikrant nodded.

"Ji."

Ananya smiled warmly.

"Bahut thak gaye ho?"

(Are you very tired?)

"Thoda."

(A little.)

"Par ab theek hoon."

(But I'm fine now.)

Ananya nodded.

"Good."

"Bas aaj ka din family ke naam."

(Then let today be for the family.)

Vikrant smiled.

"Done."

(Done.)

He then turned toward his brothers.

The formalities disappeared almost instantly.

He walked toward Raghav first and gave his shoulder a light squeeze.

"Tu toh same hi hai."

Raghav grinned.

"Aap bhi."

"Bas hairstyle thoda zyada hero wala ho gaya."

Vikrant raised an eyebrow.

"Jealous?"

Raghav laughed.

"Thoda."

Priyanshu immediately jumped in.

"Main toh pehle se handsome hoon."

(I'm already handsome.)

Yatharth looked at him.

"Khud se pooch raha tha kya?"

(Were you asking yourself?)

Priyanshu gasped.

"Yatharth!"

Krishav laughed.

"Ab bhaiya ke aate hi dono shuru."

Aarav added,

"Humne bola tha na, five minutes mein headache."

Veer immediately nodded.

"Already."

(Already.)

Everyone laughed again.

Vikrant shook his head.

"Nothing changes."

Priyanshu smiled.

"Family ka rule hai."

(That's the family rule.)

"Jo aata hai, uski khinchai hoti hai."

(Whoever arrives gets teased.)

Vikrant laughed.

"Good."

Then he lightly tapped Yatharth's shoulder.

"You still look serious."

Yatharth smiled faintly.

"Someone has to balance Priyanshu."

(Someone has to balance Priyanshu.)

Priyanshu pointed toward him.

"See?"

"Ye mujhe villain bana raha hai."

(See? He's making me the villain.)

Abhay laughed.

"Aap khud hi bana hua hai."

(You made yourself one.)

Krishav immediately added,

"Accurate."

The laughter returned.

Vikrant looked around at all of them.

For a moment...

he simply smiled.

This was home.

Loud.

Chaotic.

Warm.

And completely familiar.

Then Veer suddenly appeared beside him again.

He tugged at Vikrant's sleeve.

"Bhaiya."

Vikrant looked down.

"Hmm?"

Veer's eyes were shining with excitement.

"Aapko pata hai aaj kya hua?"

(Do you know what happened today?)

Vikrant glanced toward the mandap.

"Shaadi hui."

(The wedding happened.)

Veer shook his head quickly.

"Wo toh sabko pata hai."

(Everyone knows that.)

He tugged his sleeve again.

"Main doosri baat bol raha hoon."

(I'm talking about something else.)

Yatharth immediately looked toward Veer.

A tiny smile appeared on his face.

Priyanshu noticed.

"Arre..."

He looked at Yatharth.

"Isko kuch yaad aa gaya."

(Oh... he remembered something.)

Yatharth nodded.

"Bahut important."

(Very important.)

Veer nodded enthusiastically.

"Bahut!"

(Very!)

Vikrant looked amused.

"Toh batao."

(Then tell me.)

Veer took a breath.

And then...

with all the excitement of someone sharing the greatest discovery of his life...

he said,

"Bhaiya..."

"Bade Baba ki shaadi mein..."

He paused.

His eyes grew even wider.

"...maine ek little fairy dekhi."

For a moment...

nobody reacted.

Rajveer looked at Devendra and Yashvardhan.

Devendra looked at Kavya.

Kavya exchanged a glance with Ananya.

Baldev Singh's expression softened with amusement.

Rajeshwari smiled.

Even Vikram looked toward Veer.

Vikrant, however...

stayed completely still.

"Little fairy?"

His voice remained calm.

Veer nodded vigorously.

"Haan!"

(Yes!)

"Bilkul chhoti si."

(She was really tiny.)

"Bahut cute."

(Very cute.)

"Bilkul baby jaisi."

(Just like a little baby.)

He moved his hands while explaining, trying to show just how small she had been.

"Uske baal bahut sundar the."

(Her hair was very beautiful.)

"Anarkali pehni thi."

(She was wearing an Anarkali.)

"Wo itni pyaari lag rahi thi..."

(She looked so adorable...)

Veer smiled to himself.

"...mujhe sach mein laga woh fairy hai."

(I genuinely thought she was a fairy.)

The room grew quieter.

Not uncomfortable.

Just...

interested.

Because Veer wasn't usually like this.

He talked about cartoons.

He talked about food.

He talked about games.

He complained about his brothers.

But he had never stood in the middle of the family and spoken about some unknown girl with this much excitement.

Priyanshu leaned toward Abhay.

"Isko kya ho gaya?"

(What happened to him?)

Abhay quietly smiled.

"Pehli baar kisi unknown ladki ki itni tareef kar raha hai."

(It's the first time he's praised an unknown girl this much.)

Krishav heard them.

"Veer ko fairy mil gayi."

(Veer found a fairy.)

Aarav immediately added,

"Ab ye usko dhoondhega."

(Now he'll go looking for her.)

Veer turned toward them.

"Main dhoondhunga!"

(I will look for her!)

Priyanshu burst out laughing.

"Arre, pehle ye bata fairy thi kahan?"

(First tell us where this fairy was.)

Veer opened his mouth.

Then stopped.

He looked toward Yatharth.

Yatharth immediately understood.

He stepped forward.

"Hum dono food counter ki taraf ja rahe the."

(The two of us were going toward the food counter.)

"Tab humein woh dikhi."

(That's when we saw her.)

Veer nodded eagerly.

"Haan!"

(Yes!)

Yatharth continued.

"Akeli thi."

(She was alone.)

"Bahut quietly chal rahi thi."

(She was walking very quietly.)

"Veer ne usko dekha..."

He glanced at his brother.

"...aur tab se fairy bana diya."

(And from that moment, Veer turned her into a fairy.)

Veer looked offended.

"Kyuki woh fairy thi!"

(Because she was a fairy!)

Everyone laughed again.

Rajeshwari smiled at him.

"Accha baba."

(Alright, dear.)

"Toh tumhari fairy bahut sundar thi?"

(So your fairy was very beautiful?)

Veer nodded without hesitation.

"Bahut."

(Very.)

"Chhoti si."

(Very small.)

"Sweet si."

(Very sweet.)

The family exchanged amused glances.

Even Meera smiled.

She had never heard Veer speak about someone like this before.

Vikram looked toward his sons with quiet amusement.

Vikrant...

remained silent.

Because somewhere inside his mind...

another little image had already appeared.

A little girl.

A white kitten held carefully in her arms.

The same dark eyes.

The same tiny figure.

The same child who had collided with him earlier.

He didn't say anything.

He simply listened.

Veer continued talking happily.

"Uski smile bhi bahut cute thi."

(Her smile was also very cute.)

Yatharth nodded.

"Veer ne usse dekha tha."

(Veer saw her.)

"And then he couldn't stop talking about her."

(And then he couldn't stop talking about her.)

Priyanshu laughed.

"Ye toh serious case hai."

(This is a serious case.)

Veer immediately protested.

"Main bas sach bol raha hoon!"

(I'm only telling the truth!)

Rajeshwari smiled.

"Humein bhi milni hai tumhari fairy."

(We also want to meet your fairy.)

Veer looked delighted.

"Really?"

"Really."

Rajeshwari nodded.

"Bilkul."

(Absolutely.)

Vikrant finally looked toward Veer.

"Mil jayegi."

(You'll meet her.)

Veer smiled.

"Promise?"

Vikrant nodded.

"Promise."

For a moment...

his eyes drifted toward the distant bride's side.

The little girl was still somewhere there.

And now...

he knew something the rest of the family didn't.

The fairy Veer had been describing...

was the same little girl he had already met.

The same little girl whose tiny white kitten had nearly made their accidental collision even more chaotic.

But Vikrant kept that thought to himself.

For now...

he simply watched his family laugh over Veer's innocent story.

The younger boys were still teasing Veer.

Priyanshu was clearly enjoying himself far too much.

Yatharth was trying to keep him from making the situation even more dramatic.

Rajeshwari was smiling.

Baldev Singh looked amused.

And Meera...

Meera was no longer laughing.

Her eyes had drifted toward the far side of the dining area.

Toward the direction Ishani had disappeared.

A small thought had quietly taken shape in her mind.

Could Veer actually be talking about Angel?

She knew how Aira looked.

She knew how small she appeared for her age.

She knew that strangers often assumed she was much younger than she really was.

And Veer's description...

A little girl.

An Anarkali.

Long hair.

A quiet smile.

A little fairy.

It sounded far too familiar.

Especially the way he had spoken about her.

Not like someone describing a random guest.

Like someone who had genuinely noticed her.

Meera's lips curved into the faintest smile.

Maybe...

Maybe that's my Angel.

Beside her, Vikram noticed the sudden change in her expression.

He didn't ask.

He simply followed her gaze.

For a brief second...

their eyes met.

Meera looked at him.

Vikram gave the smallest nod.

Neither needed to say anything.

They were thinking the same thing.

Perhaps...

Veer's little fairy was Aira.

And if that was true...

then the mystery would solve itself in a few moments.

Across the room, the conversation slowly began settling again.

Rajeshwari looked toward the corridor.

"Ab Ishani ko kaafi der ho gayi."

(Ishani has been gone for quite some time now.)

Kavya glanced toward her.

"Shayad Aira ko dhoondh rahi hogi."

(Perhaps she's looking for Aira.)

The name made Meera smile faintly.

But for the rest of the family...

it was still only a name.

A daughter.

Someone they had heard about.

Someone they had yet to meet.

For a moment...

the room returned to its usual warmth.

But Meera's attention remained toward the corridor.

Something inside her had already begun anticipating the moment.

Her Angel.

Her little girl.

After all these years...

standing in the same room as the family she was about to become a part of.

Yet Meera knew Aira.

She knew that this wouldn't be easy.

Not because Aira didn't want a family.

But because unfamiliar people could still make her nervous.

Too many eyes.

Too many voices.

Too much attention at once.

So when she finally saw Ishani appear at the far end of the corridor...

Meera didn't move.

She simply watched.

Ishani was walking toward them.

Alone.

For a moment...

nothing seemed unusual.

Then Rajeshwari noticed.

Her eyebrows lifted slightly.

"Arre..."

She looked toward the corridor.

"Ishani akeli aa rahi hai?"

(Oh... Ishani is coming alone?)

Kavya turned.

Ananya followed her gaze.

Baldev Singh looked up.

The younger brothers stopped talking.

Even Priyanshu became quiet.

Everyone had expected to see two people.

Ishani...

and Meera's daughter.

But there was only Ishani.

Walking slowly toward them.

Alone.

Aarav frowned.

"Where is she?"

Krishav glanced toward the corridor behind Ishani.

"Maybe she's coming."

Priyanshu whispered,

"Toh Ishani itni door akele kyun aa rahi hai?"

(Then why is Ishani walking all the way here alone?)

Yatharth looked carefully behind her.

There was no one visible.

"Shayad peeche hai."

(Maybe she's behind her.)

Veer immediately looked toward the corridor.

His expression brightened.

"Little Fairy?"

The single word made everyone look at him.

Veer pointed toward Ishani.

"Fairy uske saath hai."

(The little fairy is with her.)

Rajeshwari smiled faintly.

"Toh humein abhi dikh nahi rahi."

(Then we can't see her yet.)

Meera remained silent.

Because she had noticed something else.

A tiny movement.

Just behind Ishani.

A small portion of dark hair.

Then...

nothing.

It disappeared again.

Meera's heart softened immediately.

Angel.

She knew.

Aira wasn't walking beside Ishani.

She was hiding behind her.

Exactly as Meera had expected.

Ishani continued approaching.

Her pace was deliberately slow.

She didn't turn around.

She didn't call Aira's name again.

She simply kept walking...

knowing the little girl behind her needed the safety of distance.

And slowly...

the rest of the family began noticing it too.

First...

a small hand appeared around the side of Ishani's dress.

Then vanished.

A moment later...

a few strands of long black hair became visible.

Then disappeared again.

The room grew quieter.

Not because anyone was frightened.

Because everyone was curious.

Who was she?

Why was she hiding?

Why had Meera's daughter come so quietly?

And why...

did she look so much younger than they had imagined?

Rajveer exchanged a brief glance with Yashvardhan.

Devendra leaned slightly toward Ananya.

Kavya's expression softened.

Baldev Singh watched patiently.

Rajeshwari's curiosity was impossible to miss.

The younger brothers were even less subtle.

Abhay whispered,

"Is that her?"

Devik nodded slowly.

"Probably."

Aarav squinted.

"She's tiny."

Priyanshu leaned forward slightly.

"Veer..."

Veer looked at him.

"Hmm?"

"Is that your little fairy?"

Veer's face lit up.

He nodded.

"Haan."

(Yes.)

"That's her."

The certainty in his voice made Priyanshu's eyebrows rise.

He looked toward Yatharth.

Yatharth smiled faintly.

"I think so."

(I think so.)

Vikrant remained silent.

But his eyes had already found the small figure hidden behind Ishani.

The same long dark hair.

The same quiet posture.

The same little face he had seen earlier.

And then...

he noticed something else.

Mishti.

A tiny white kitten was safely nestled in Aira's arms.

The sight confirmed what he already knew.

The same kitten.

His expression softened.

He didn't say a word.

He wouldn't.

Not yet.

That small secret belonged to him for now.

Across the room...

Meera saw Aira too.

Her heart tightened for only a moment.

Not from worry.

From tenderness.

Her Angel was already overwhelmed.

Too many people.

Too many unfamiliar faces.

And yet...

she had still come.

That alone meant something.

Meera didn't call her.

Didn't wave.

Didn't tell her to come faster.

She simply stayed where she was.

Waiting.

Giving Aira the one thing she needed most.

Choice.

Ishani finally reached the edge of the main gathering.

She stopped.

For a moment...

she looked toward Meera.

Then smiled gently.

"Maasi..."

(Maasi...)

Meera smiled back.

"Ji?"

(Yes?)

Ishani glanced behind herself.

A tiny figure immediately disappeared again.

She looked back toward Meera.

"Aapke Angel aa gayi."

(Your Angel has come.)

The words made the entire room fall silent.

Angel.

Everyone's eyes instinctively moved toward the space behind Ishani.

Aira's fingers tightened around Mishti.

The kitten shifted slightly in her arms.

"Mew..."

(Mishti's translation: Too many humans.)

Aira lowered her eyes.

Her breathing became a little quicker.

Not enough to become overwhelming.

Not yet.

But enough for nani, who had been watching her carefully from a distance, to notice.

She remained where she was.

She didn't call her.

Didn't come toward her.

She simply gave her a small reassuring nod.

I'm here.

Aira saw it.

Her fingers relaxed around Mishti just a little.

Then...

slowly...

very slowly...

she moved half a step out from behind Ishani.

Only enough for one side of her face to become visible.

The family saw her.

Not completely.

Just a glimpse.

A small face.

Large, uncertain eyes.

Long dark hair falling around her shoulders.

And the tiny white kitten resting safely in her arms.

For a second...

no one spoke.

Veer's eyes widened.

"Little Fairy..."

The words escaped before he could stop himself.

And across the room...

Vikrant's lips curved into the faintest smile.

Because now...

the rest of his family was finally seeing what he had already known.

The girl Veer had been describing.

The girl Meera had been waiting for.

The little girl who had once looked at him with those same uncertain eyes.

And Aira...

still unaware of just how many eyes were watching her...

slowly lifted her gaze.

First toward Meera.

Then...

past her.

Toward the family.

One by one...

the faces came into view.

Vikram.

Baldev Singh.

Rajeshwari.

Rajveer.

Yashvardhan.

Devendra.

Kavya.

Ananya.

Vikrant.

Raghav.

Priyanshu.

Devik.

Yatharth.

Abhay.

Krishav.

Aarav.

Veer.

So many people.

So many unfamiliar faces.

Yet...

somewhere among them...

there were also a few familiar ones.

Meera.

Vikram.

And the young man who had once quietly waited for her to trust him.

Vikrant.

Aira's eyes finally lifted completely.

For one suspended moment...

the entire Deora family looked at her.

And she looked back.

No one moved.

No one spoke.

Even Mishti remained unusually still.

The room seemed to hold its breath.

And somewhere in that silence...

the first real meeting between Aira...

and the family she was about to call her own...

finally began.

🤍 End Note 🤍

And that's the end of Chapter 29. 🌸

This chapter finally brought the Deora family and Aira's world a little closer...

and I have a feeling some of you may already be connecting a few dots. 👀

But...

I'm not going to confirm anything just yet. 🤭

Some answers are better when they arrive at the right moment.

Especially when there's a certain little encounter from the previous chapter that we haven't completely talked about yet...

👀

So for now...

I'll leave you with your questions.

🌷 What did you think of Vikrant's entry and his interaction with the family?

🌷 What was your reaction when Veer started describing his "Little Fairy"?

🌷 Do you think Vikrant already realized who Veer's Little Fairy was?

🌷 What do you think actually happened when Vikrant and Aira first met?

🌷 Do you think Vikrant will tell the family about that first encounter, or will he keep it to himself for now? 👀

🌷 And finally...

What do you think will happen when Aira finally stands in front of the entire Deora family?

Take care. Stay happy. Keep smiling. Love you all bahut saaraaa! 🤍🥹

Bye-bye! 👋🏻

See you all in the next chapter. 🌸🤍

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧˚.🎀༘⋆

Radhe Krishna🌷**