★1★

Ishani woke up with a soft yawn, the morning light gently touching her face as a rare happiness stirred inside her. Today felt different. She left her bed quickly and walked to the kitchen, where the maid was already preparing breakfast—not for guests, but for people who were practically family. After so many years, the Suryavanshi, Harshwardhan, Kulkarni, and Agarwal families were finally gathering again under the Suryavanshi roof, filling the house with an excitement she hadn’t felt in a long time.

She was humming her favourite song and went to the porch the garden was shining brightly today maybe they know too.. After many years the wait will get its end and everyone will unite again. She walked in, her mind was excited, happy and nervous too and she bumped into the maids in her house the flowers in the maids hand fell in the air practically on Ishani. Ishani smiled and the maid chuckled, from behind Ravi saw this scene he chuckled and said,

"It was cinematic.." telling her like he is the judge of India's got talent show.

Ishani chuckled and touched Ravi's feet,

"Aaj sab thik ho yahi ashirvad do papa" Ravi kept his hand on her head blessing her and he said,

"Waise humari Kumbhkarani uthi ki nahi?" With a defeated sigh.

Ishani smirked and said,

"Woh aap mujhpe chhod do.."

She quickly connected her phone to the bluetooth speaker and the soundbox started playing the commentary of the cricket match of '19 November' as the commentary started Aradhana jolt woke up on her bed and came into the living room where the sound source is. And Ishani waiting for her with hands on hips and behind her Ravi was trying to suppress his smile.

Aradhana groaned dramatically and took the soft cushion from the couch and threw it on Ishani and said,

"Yaar Ishu di aaj ke din toh sone deti yaar... Chhuttiya shuru hain garmi ke aur aapko apni pyari putri ko chain se sote hue nahi dekh sakte?" Everyone even the maid also chuckled.

Then Shanta bai the maid said,

"Arre chhoti maim sahab aaj khaas din hain..."

Aradhana raised her eyebrows and looked at Ishani & Ravi and asked,

"Kya hai Aaj?"

Ravi said while pointing her to sit on the sofa next to her, as she sat on the sofa he started,

"Aaj Harshwardhan, Kulkarni, Agrwal families aane wali Hain, bohot dino ke baad yeh ghar firse chamak uthega firse in diwaro mein sabhi baccho ki avaj gunjengi.. yaad hain tumhe Ishita, Vrishti, Kunal, Nirav, Shivay aur Arnav...?"

Ishani sat beside her folding her legs in the couch and said,

"Haan yaad hain mujhe sabhi yeh toh bohot chhoti thi papa... Mujhe utna dhyan se yad nahi par pata hain aur woh albums bhi hain na sabke shadi ke aur hum sab toh usme bohot chhote Hain papa yeh toh sirf 1 saal ki thi" remembering the nostalgic photos.

Ravi smiled then he looked at the the upstairs wall where the Supriya photo was and said,

"Kash tu aaj hoti yeh sab dekhne.." there was not tears but a emotion which was connected to her absence.

Ishani quickly got up and hold Ravi's hand and said,

"Papa hum hain na?" And with that Aradhana also nodded.

Ravi smiled and said,

"Abhi bhi chhote bacche ho tabhi bohot samjhdar hain meri betiyaan...chal tayariya karo jao... Woh log dupahar tak aa jayenge.."they both quickly nodded and made their way to their rooms and Shanta bai looked at Ravi and said,

"Kuch bhi bolo Bade malik par dono betiyan hain bade samajhdar, maa ki chhaya nhi mili unhe tab bhi unhone khud ko bigadne nahi diya, 12 saal ho gaye ab is baat ko... Sach mein aap nasib Wale ho esi betiyan mili hain aapko"

(Shanta bai worked from 15 years in their home so she knows the whole history of this family)

Ravi leaned on his sit and said,

"Meri betiyan Supriya par hi gayi hain Shanta, aur main shiv ji se yahi prathna karta hu ki humara Ghar ese hi khush rahe.."

Shanta bai smiled and brought a cup of tea,

"Yeh lo bade malik aapki bina shakkar ki chai" Ravi took the cup from her and start sipping his tea with reading his newspaper.

Meanwhile At Harshwardhan,

Shivaay was sleeping yet. Then his alarm buzzed . He smiled sleepily and quickly got up and after doing brush he came downstairs and as he entered the living room the boxes were yet to be shifted the whole house was a mess, he sighed and doing the box adventure he reached the kitchen and he saw his mother Richa drapped in pastel green saree and from behind Pranav was hugging cooing something in her ears making her chuckle and giggle. Shivaay raised his eyebrows and cleared his throat,

"Uhm uhm" Pranav didn't let her go he just looked at him and said,

"Kya chahiye?"

"Aapki patni matlab meri mata ji" Shivaay said with grin and pulled Richa from Pranav embrace.

Then Shivaay said to Richa with flirty tone,

"Richa devi aaj iss pastel green rang ke resham saree mein ekdum mast lag rahi hain"

Richa chuckled and his antics and swat her hand on his chest and said,

"Dono baap bete ek tarah hain... Par ek baat bolna padega Shivaay ne tumse acchi tarif ki.." with mock tone.

Pranav acted offended and said,

"Arre yaar mera hi beta mujhe takkar de raha hain... Tu koi dhund le meri biwi hain pehle"

Shivaay & Richa both chuckled and then Richa asked Shivaay,

"Waise Alasram kaha hain?"

Shivaay sighed and said

"Alasram ji do baje tak Naruto dekh rahe the aur isliye abhi bhi so rahe hai...main utha kar aata hu"

Richa nodded and Shivaay made his way to Arnav's room. He silently opened the door and closed it behind him and then Shivaay smirked near his bed wickedly and pulled Arnav's Blanket in a pull.

Arnav groaned and snuggled his face in pillow. Shivaay sighed and then quickly pull the pillow. Arnav look at Shivaay with his sleepy eyes and said dramatically,

"Kyu is pyaare se bacche ko sote hue nahi dekh sakte?"

Shivaay shaked his head at his antics and said,

"Jaldi tayar ho ja aaj Ravi uncle ke Ghar Jana hai aur car main so Jana...chal ab uth!! Nahi toh Papa ko bulaunga.."

Arnav rubbed his eyes and get up from his bed dramatically and then finally took his cloth and went for shower. Shivaay smiled triumphantly and went to his room taking his back and somethings. Pranav was packing the gifts for all children and his friends after all the wait for 12 years is finally going to end. While Pranav was keeping the stuff in his car Richa stood behind him helping him. She said,

"12 saal ho gaye hai na....?"

Pranav looked at her with nostalgia,

"Haan bacche bhi bade ha gaye hai na sab kitne badal gaye honge na..?"

Richa said,

"Mujhe toh Ishani aur Aradhna ke baare mein chinta hoti hain... Kaise rehte honge Supriya ke bina.."

Pranav gave her a side hug and said,

"Sab thik hoga mujhe apne dost par pura bharosa hain usne sab sambhala hoga... Aaj hum milenge na.. abhi apne do mahashay ko bulao nikalna hain.."

Richa smiled and said loudly,

"Shivaay!! Arnav!! Aao jaldi nikal rahe hain!!"

Both brothers emerged out of the house and sat silently in the car because Arnav wants to sleep so there will be no arguments in the car for today. Richa & Pranav looked at eachother and chuckled. Then the Harshwardhan family left for the Suryavanshi's place.

At the Agrawal mansion the Kulkarni family was already there.

Samrat and Tarak were on the couch looking at their respective wives. Samrat said to Tarak,

"Yaar yeh patniya aur kitna time legi? Nikalna hai yaar..."

Tarak said throwing his hand defeatedly,

"Haan aur hum kuch kahe bhi nahi sakte nahi toh Hume rakh hone mein kuch wakt nahi lagega"

They were sharing each other like it's the saddest part in their life but not really it was just a dramatic part.

Then Kunal & Nirav came and sat on the opposite couch side by side.

Nirav said,

"Ishita bhi Vrishti ke sath busy ho gayi hain..." He said with dramatics.

Kunal said while looking at their dad's,

"Yeh ladkiyon mein aesi konsi social conference hoti hain?"

Samrat was just going to answer them a sweet voice came from behind,

"Pati dev saree ki pin laga do zara..." With a grin. It was Smriti.

Samrat nodded like a good kid who just got an order and he followed her and then another sweet voice came,

"Ajji sunte ho yeh bags car ki dikki mein dal do!" It was Veena the responsible girl of the group.

Tarak quickly nodded taking the bags and making his way to the cars.

Now in the living room Kunal and Nirav were in their peaceful moments just then they heard two tones in unison,

"Bhaiyaa!!!"

Kunal & Nirav quickly stood up from their places just like the military officer gave them order to get up.. from the kitchen both queens enter in the living room- Ishita & Vrishti.

They gave them bags and said,

"Aalsiyo ke tarah pade mat raho yeh gifts hain sabhi ke liye ja ke car mein rakh aao.." Vrishti said to Kunal

"Haan haan kya karte ho din bhar ja ke kam se kam yahi kaam kar lo.." Ishita said to Nirav.

Kunal & Nirav huffed and took the bag and made their way to the car.

All the men and boys were outside waiting for their sisters and wives.

Then after sometime the four queens came Ishita & Vrishti sat with Kunal in the Samrat's car and Smriti & Veena sat with Nirav in Tarak's car. And they made their way to Suryavanshi's house.

The Suryavanshi's house was decorated with marigold flowers all over. The garlands hanging from the balcony the lights and rangoli were also drawn in front of the house. The house was decorated like it's diwali but the reunion is none less than any festival itself. Ishani dressed in simple yet elegant pink kurti and Aradhana with the same twin in yellow kurti. Ravi wore the pastel kurti. They all were in the living room. Ishani's eyes were fixed on the door waiting impatiently for everyone. Aradhana was busy on her phone watching "Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow". And Ravi was walking on the porch waiting for everyone to come.

Shanta bai noticed and smiled then she murmured to herself,

"Firse sab sath aayenge kitna accha lagega ab.... Nazar na Lage is parivar ko" blessing with wet eyes.

Then three sleek cars rolled to a slow stop in front of the Suryavanshi's house, its tires whispering against the patterned driveway. For a moment, everything seemed to pause—the marigold strings swayed lightly, the sunlight glinted off the balcony railings, and the house stood there like a proud host awaiting it for them.As the engine quieted, the festive entrance seemed to glow a little brighter, as if the entire place had been holding its breath for this arrival. The vibrant garlands and the flower-laden gate came together to frame the scene perfectly—like the beginning of a grand chapter, where someone important had finally reached the place that was waiting just for them.

Ravi looked out of the gate and a wide smile spread on his lips, Ishani & Aradhana came out of the house and curiosity was increasing with steps. Everyone stepped out of the car and took in the house with their eyes and all the elders smiled looking at each other. Shanta bai quickly came with Aarti thali with a big smile on her face and teary eyes like that was waiting for this moment.

All teens stepped out of the car and looked at the house. They were in awe but then their eyes fell on Ishani & Aradhana. Ishita & Vrishti quickly took them in tight embrace all four girls were now hugging each other excitedly. Richa, Smriti and Veena hugged each other with warmth, and all men gave each other side hugs with pat on the back.

Richa's eyes fell on Ishani her eyes quickly got wet but she wiped it and hugged Ishani, Ishani hugged her back. Richa said,

"Tum ekdam apne maa pe gayi ho" Ishani just smiled. Richa cupped Ishani's face and kissed her forehead. Then her eyes fall on Aradhana, she quickly embraced her and said,

"Tum kitni pyari ho gayi ho Aaru" Aradhana hugged her back and said,

"Ab time ke sath pyara hona padta hain masi" with giggle Richa chuckled too.

Then Smriti hugged Aradhna & Ishani and said,

"Kitne bade ho gaye na dono itni se the" showing with her hands thier size. All chuckled.

Veena came and hugged them too, with that she said,

"Bohot pyare ho gaye ho"

Ishani & Aradhana smiled and then everyone's feet for blessings. Samrat, Tarak & Pranav smiled and blessed both. Then Shanta announced,

"Arre darwaje par hi ruko koi andar nahi aahe ga!"

Everyone looked at her with raised eyebrows then she said,

"Arre nazar toh utar lu sabki"

Everyone smiled and then Shanta took the rice with curd in one hand and circled everyone with a Mantra and then she threw it out of the house. And then Shanta took the Aarti thali and put tilak and tikas to everyone. And then they all entered. Four boys Nirav, Kunal, Shivaay & Arnav was in last taking out all bags and gifts from the car.

While taking our the bags Arnav dramatically stated,

"Bhai kya zindagi hain ek toh sone nahi dete upar se yeh free ka majdoor bana kar rakha Hain"

Other three sighed tiredly and said,

"Hum ladke humare sath esa hi hot hain" Nirav said to Arnav. They all nodded in unison agreeing the fact. Then they entered the house and kept the bags aside. And sat on the couch. All elders also took places on the couch and Ishani & Aradhna brought water and served everyone.

Richa said,

"Acche se bada kiya betiyon ko ab aap tension mat lo ab hum in bacchiyon ko sambhalenge aakhir yeh humari bhi betiyan hain"

Ravi looked at her and said,

"Maine kisiko bhi parivaar se kam dekha hi nahi hain Richa... Ishu aur Aaru ne kadhi pareshani do bhi nahi"

Smriti said then,

"Haan aakhir sanskaar hain apni bacchiyon mein aur sachme bhaiya inko hum ab maa ki Kami nahi lagne denge"

And Veena agreeing she said,

"Haan aapne hume behen mana hain aur yeh humari Supriya ke betiya matlab humare betiyan hain"

Ravi smiled brightly and Ishani& Aradhna smiled.

Pranav said,

"Sach mein ab parivar pura sa lag raha hain"

Everyone nodded in unison, then

Samrat said,

"Arre Ravi abhi baccho ko kis school mein daal raha hain? Main soch raha tha ek hi school mein dalenge, ek dusre ka sath hoga aur asani hogi naye school mein"

Tarak nodded agreeing the point,

"Arre Haan yeh baat is gadhe ne pehli baar sahi kahi hain... Aur is city mein accha School hain mere pehchan mein hain waha ke principal waha baat karke dekhta hu sab ek school mein hoga toh badhiya hoga"

Veena nodded and said,

"Haan aur upar se apni car roj chhod degi sabko ek sath fir tension hi nahi sab sath aayenge aur jayenge"

Smriti said remembering her days,

"Yaad hain hum bhi school sath sath jate the paidal aur aate wakt woh khatte ber khate the... Woh toh mujhe abhi bhi yaad hain"

Everyone chuckled remembering the past and hitting the nostalgia.

Meanwhile Boys were getting bored so they opened their mobiles but poor Arnav he don't have phone so he sat beside Kunal looking in his phone. Then Pranav noticed them and said,

"Din bhar mobile- mobile karte rahte ho jao baate Karo ek dusro ko itne saalo baad mile ho kuch toh sharam karo"

All boys quickly stand up in unison and went upstairs in Aradhna's room. All girls look at them and raised there eyebrows. Then Kunal said,

"Yaar papa log bol rahe the mobile pe mat raho toh isliye hum yaha aa gaye"

Girls nodded and start chatting again. Then Arnav's eyes fall on the Naruto's poster on the wall and he said loudly,

"Naruto!!"

All look at him like he just came from mental hospital prison. Arnav noticed it and quickly composed himself and said,

"Yeh room hain kiski?"

Aradhna raised her hands mockingly and said,

"Meri hai.. koi problem?"

Arnav shaked his head in negative and said,

"Waise tum anime dekhti ho?" With curiosity which was evident in his voice.

Aradhna nodded and said,

"Tum bhi dekhte ho?" She said excitedly.

Arnav nodded and said grinning,

"Mera toh Naruto favourite hain.."

Aradhana rolled her eyes and said,

"Nahi Saturo Gojo best hain.."

Arnav stubbornly said,

"Nahi Naruto!"

Aradhna said,

"Nahi!! Saturo Gojo!"

Arnav said,

"Naruto is the best" he said dramatically waving his hand.

Aradhna said,

"Ab kam dimaag ke sath paida hue ho toh kya kar sakte hain.."

Arnav got offended and with angry He took out the poster with his due respect and said,

"Toh me lekar ja raha hu.."

Aradhana quickly get off the bed and grabbed the poster from one end and said,

"Yeh Mera hain!"

He said pulling the poster,

"Tuze toh Gojo pasand hain na!"

Aradhana said stubbornly,

"Toh kya hua??"

He then said,

"De de thakurani!!"

Aradhana raised her eyes mischievously and quickly let the poster go which made Arnav fall on the ground 'BAM!!!' .

Arnav groaned dramatically, hands on his hips,

"Aai! Aaai! Lag gayi!! Tu shatarmurg ki bacchi!!"

Aradhana shot back with flipping her hair,

"Aur tu Saap ka anda!!"

Arnav said angrily,

"Ek lagunga na ki tu ghumti phiregi!!"

Aradhana said pointing at him with anger,

"Main dungi na toh to tujhe Taare dikhenge!!"

Shivaay, Nirav, Kunal, Ishita, Vrishti & Ishani all trying to suppress their laughter but Vrishti laughed and finally can't hold more and then others started laughing too. Then suddenly the door got opened and all the elders entered taking in the scene. Pranav asked Arnav looking at his fallen state.

"Kya ho raha hain?"

No one answered then Ravi asked Aradhana,

"Aaru kya hua?"

Aradhana answered looking angrily at Arnav,

"Yeh sanp ka anda mera Naruto ka poster chura Raha tha!"

Then Arnav shot back,

"Aur is shatarmurg ki bacchi ne mujhe giraya!"

Ravi & Pranav sighed defeatedly,

"Yeh toh tumhara bachpan se chalta aa raha hain"

All the baccha party looked at them and said in unison,

"Matlab?"

Smriti chuckled and said,

"Tum dono sirf 1-1 saal ke the tab, Aradhana ne chalna jaldi shuru kiya tha toh woh Arnav ke baal khich kar chali jati thi aur yeh Arnav rota rehta tha." The Elder's mind went to nostalgia.

And then Richa said,

"Aur yeh Arnav koi doodh ka dhula thodi hain, yeh bhi Aradhana ke sabhi khilone chhup kar lata tha aur bed ke niche chhupata tha.. yeh dono abhi bhi nahi badle hain..."

Everyone chuckled at their antics but Aradhana and Arnav were glaring at each other like they were going to kill each other right now.

Then all the elders talked about some past memories which were beautiful yet there was an absence present but now everyone started to live again like before.

After sometime everyone settles back to the comfort. All girls & boys now comfortably sitting on the bed and Aradhna , Arnav are still glaring at each other.

Ishani noticed them, she sighed defeatedly and said,

"Band karoge tum dono ghoorna?"

Ishita said,

"Chhod na baad mein khud bolne lagege.... Vaise apne bare mein bata yaar itne saalo mein sirf baate ho pati thi aur 3-5 saal ke gap mein mil pate the.."

Vrishti said,

"Haan yaar, par abhi aur long distance nahi, abhi hum ek hi school mein hain, ab maza aayega yaar.."

Boys were not looking interested in the conversation they was busy in the phone,

Ishani said,

"Agar aap sabne phone band nahi kiya na sab ke phone le kar de dungi papa ko.."

And as she said everyone kept their phone back because they worry more about the phone.

Then Shivaay said,

"Ab kya kare fir?"

Kunal said,

"Chalo sab kuch khelte hain yaar.."

Vrishti said,

"Bhai tu bhi dimaag ka upyog kar leta hain kya?"looking at kunal mockingly.

Kunal glared and said mockingly,

"Tuzse toh zyada karta hu."

Ishita said irritated by the siblings fights,

"Tum bhai behen yaha shuru mat ho jana yaar pehle hi jhagda kar ke aaye ho! World war nahi karna hume yaha!"

Kunal looked at Ishita for the first time directly into her eyes but he quickly looked away not wanting to make things awkward and he said looking at Vrishti,

"Haan Vrishti kahi bhi shuru mat hua kar."

Vrishti sighed and said,

"Cards khelen?"

Ishani said,

"Pagal hain? Bore ho jayenge."

Ishita said,

"Chalo nahi toh hum hide-" just when she was going to compel the sentence Richa entered the room and said,

"Khana ready hain toh jaldi chalo"

Everyone nodded and one by one made their way towards the dining room. But there was no dining table today. Then Shanta bai said,

"Aaj sabhi niche baith kar khana khayenge pehle ki tarah"

Pranav said,

"Haan yaar pehle sab mil kar ese hi toh khana khate the" already taking his seat.

All teenagers groaned but obeyed knowing that the ladies were in charge.

Richa, Smriti, Veena all served the food on the floor to everyone and Shanta made fresh roti's on tawa for everyone. The plate was full with Shahi Paneer, Rajma, Bhendi (Okra), Naan & Roti, Veg Pulao, Rasmalai and perfect mango pickle, papad and sliced tomatoes and cucumber. Everyone faces lit up with happiness elders discussing the business women discussing their home chores & sales.

All baccha party quickly ate their dinner and then flopped on couches, then Aradhna got an idea so she whispered in Ishani's ear. Ishani smiled at first she shook her head negatively but  Aradhna insisted her so she finally sighed defeatedly and smiled.

She sat comfortably and then started humming...

"Is din mein ek baat hain,

Jo the dur in dino woh aaj bhi paas hain,

Bina sath tumhare yeh duniya lage mushkil-mushkil,

Tere sath hone se aasan lagta hain yeh dil,

Yeh din hai, yeh sath hain...

Yeh din hain, yeh sath hain..

Bachpan ke yaar hain hum tune yeh bhula kaise,

Humne wada jo kiya tune usse bhula kaise,

Rishta hain yeh, Bandhan hain yeh,

Yeh sath chhuta kaise,

Tune mere sath rahengi yeh baat bhuli kaise..

Yeh din hain,yeh sath hain..

Yeh din hai, yeh sath hain..

Sabki hasi Khushi ko hum niharenge,

Yeh wada karte hain ki hum na jayenge,

Hume sath itne saal jo bitaye hain,

Woh humari taqdeer hain,

Ise kaise tune yeh bhula dala hai,

Main nahi jaungi aap sabhi ko chhodkar yeh wada kiya hain,

Agar jaungi bhi toh itna yaad rakhna,

Mera roop meri apne mein hi dhundna,

Yeh din hai, yeh sath hain..

Aaj bhi hum sath hain yeh humari anokhi baat hain,

Hum sab wada karte hain ki hum sath hain,

Yeh din hain, yeh sath hain...

Yeh din hain yeh sath hain...

Yeh din hain, yeh sath hain..."

Smriti, Veena and Richa all eyes welled up and Ravi, Pranav, Samrat & Tarak eyes got wet.

It's the same song Supriya wrote and sang whenever all reunited. This song is an emotion to everyone.

Ishani always hummed this song not knowing the reality about it. She always heard it when Ravi played the CD. But hearing this from Ishani was something else.

This line-

'Agar jaungi bhi toh itna yaad rakhna,

Mera roop meri apne mein hi dhundna..' was now real for everyone.

The Baccha party didn't understand why everyone was behaving differently but there was something warm in it.

Shivaay who didn't recognise Ishani now remembered her, the voice was recognisable now he got it this voice was the one his mind kept repeating. He smiled at her and Ishani also smiled looking at him.

Richa came and hugged Ishani tightly. Richa said,

"Meri supriya tuzme basi hain...aur tere gale mein maa Saraswati khud basti hain...wahi avaj hain jo uska tha.."

Ravi nodded overwhelmed by emotion he hugged Ishani and then

Aradhana also joined them, then slowly Samrat, Veena, Tarak, Smriti, Richa Pranav joined too and reluctantly all children also joined them. Pranav chuckled and said dramatically,

"Hum Sath Sath Hain..."