Mayuri rushed to the RWSS campus. She had read the message regarding the attack on Bani's phone. The school had alerted parents on the parent-teacher portal. Mayuri left a note for the sleeping Bani and left to pick Rehan up.

Upon reaching the campus, she had some trouble getting in as the guards did not recognize her and she wasn't listed as Rehan's guardian. Luckily the guard that checked her yesterday was on duty and recognized her. She went in and saw that the school was almost empty. She enquired to a peon.

P: Ma'am saare baache jaa chuke hai..aur baaki hostel wale hostel me hai...jinke parents late hai vo ya to staff room me hai ya principal's office me.

Asking for the directions to the office, Mayuri left.

..............................

Bani woke up feeling considerably better. She rubbed her forehead and looked around. Her eyes landed on the clock on the wall.

B: OH SHOOT!! I had to pick Rehan up.

She quickly shuffled around for her shoes and rushed to get her keys from the basket but saw a note instead. She sighed in relief that Mayuri had left to pick up Rehan. Mayuri had not mentioned the attack on the note as she did not want to worry Bani.

B: Chalo Mayuri Rehan ko lekr aa jayegi, tb tk mai ek kaam krti hoon ki grocery shopping kr leti hoon..waise bhi saman chahiye tha kuch..

Bani picked up her wallet and left for the market.

..............................

Harshkashyap was talking to Rehan when Mayuri knocked at his office.

HKK: Yes?

M: Hi, I am here for Rehan Sing- Sharma...Rehan Sharma.

Rehan turned when his name was called and squealed. He rushed to her.

R: Pretty Masi!!! I have to tell you something. SOMETHING BIG!!

M: As big as you, big boy?

R: EVEN BIGGER!!!

M: ooh..I am excited..pr baaten ghar chalkr..okay..

R: Okay..I anyways want to tell mumma first..

Mayuri shook hands with the principal and left with Rehan. Veer exited the washroom two minutes later and came back to the cabin.

V: Harsh, Rehan kahan hai??

HKK: Uski maasi usse lene aayi thi.

Veer nodded. He had just met the little goofball and already missed his energy around him. He looked at Harshkashyap and saw he was smelling his hands with a confused face.

V: Kya hua??

H: Yrr Rehan ki maa ko mai jaanta hoon...vo morni nahi hai..vo ladki jo khud ko Rehan ki masi bolkr usse le gayi hai, vo morni hai...Rehan ke papa bhi mor nahi hai...ye thi kon?!

V: KYA?? Tune aise kaise jaane diya phir?!

H: Rehan usse pehchan raha tha..

V: Arey Morni ki gandh aa rahi hai na tujhe tere hath se...unme toh samohan shakti hoti hai...ek baache ko vash me krna konsa hard hai..!! Tu mujhe tere office ki footage dikha..

Harshkashyap quickly checked the footage of last five minutes in his laptop. The moment Veer saw Mayuri, he was shocked.

V: MAYURI!!

H: Tu isse jaanta hai??

V: Haan, bachpan se aana jaana tha iske humare ghar pr apni smell isne hidden rakhi...pr isse to maar diya tha meri Bani ne.....ye zinda hai? Aur ye Rehan ko le gayi hai?

H: Kon Ba-

V: CHUP! Teri wajah se Rehan ki jaan khatre me hai..

H: Arey kya pata jaanta ho ye uss Morni ko..

V: Mayuri is no good news..tu mujhe abhi ke abhi Rehan ka address dey...

Harshkashyap wanted to argue that it was against the policy but he saw the furious and anxious look on Veer's face. He himself was worried for Rehan. Also, as a friend of Bani, he didn't want anything bad to happen to her son- her only family. So, he gave Veer Rehan's address. Without delay, Veer flew out of the window.

H: Arey!!! Ud kahan raha hai?? Tu jaanta hai ye street kahan hai?? Driver le-

But Veer had already disappeared. He quickly landed in the courtyard of the school and hailed the driver.

V: Cottage number 5, New Colony, Rajpur Road...HURRY!!! DRIVE ASAP!!

The driver saw the look on Veer's face and hit the engine as fast as he could.

..............................

Mayuri parked the car in front of the house. Rehan ran to the door.

R: Mumma!!!! I have to tell you something...

M: Arey chill cheel ke bacche..

Mayuri opened the door and put the keys in the basket. She saw a new note there. It read that Bani was out buying groceries and since Mayuri took the car, Bani is going to walk and it might take her some time.

M: Mumma bahar gayi hai Rehan...challo tb tk change kr lo..

Mayuri turned and saw Rehan look at her differently.

M: Kya hua?

R: Apko kaise pata mere papa cheel hai...kyunki mumma to naagin hai..

M: Vo-..ugh...tumhe kisne kaha tumhare papa cheel hai?

R: Apne..

M: (Mutters: kuch zyada tez baacha hai ye) Rehan vo-

R: Aap please mujhe batao na Masi...mai mumma ko poch kr sad nahi krna chahta...pr..even I get curious. Kya mere papa nahi hai?

M: Rehan.. (She was getting emotional) Accha pehle kapde change kr lo..mai lunch laga deti hoon...uske baad saare questions..thik hai na?

Rehan wanted to protest but Mayuri held her ground. Rehan sighed and went to change. Meanwhile Mayuri set the table. Rehan came out in his casuals.

M: (In mind) Oh God! Sirf ankhe hai iski Bani jaisi...baaki toh poora Veer ki copy hai..aur to aur ye black pehenta hai to koi bhi bata de ki ye kiska beta hai..kash us stupid Jai ne vo kaam na kiya hota...to aaj Veer ko Bani yaad hoti, Rehan ko uske papa ka bhi saath milta pr shyd Veer ki ab apni alag family hogi..ya vo abhi bhi wild parties krta hoga...ab mai iss bacche ko kaise smjhungi ki iske papa iski mumma ko bhool gaye hai aur iske baare me toh unhe pata bhi nahi hai..

R: Masi aap ro rahe ho?

M: Hun?

Mayuri touched her face and felt the wetness. She quickly wiped it.

M: Nahi..kachra chala gaya tha shyd.. tum khana khao..maine tumhari favourite spaghetti banayi hai..

R: Mumma ki tabyat thik hai na masi..

M: Kya? Tumhe kaise pata?

R: (Smirks) Vo kya hai na masi, apne kaha cheel ka beta hoon..to nazar tez hai meri..mumma kbhi school miss nahi krti..aur mere liye lunch bhi wahi banati hai...aur ye sb junk-

M: Bs bs...maan liya teri nazar bohot tez hai...ab chup chaap khana kha..aur bacche aise smirking wale expressions nahi dete..

R: Why? You jealous!

M: Mai kyu jalungi bhala?

R: Because you wish you could have a cool face like me..

M: (Gapes) Batau mai tujhe...

She started to tickle Rehan. Rehan raised his brow and smirked again.

M: You are not ticklish..are you?

Rehan laughed and started to dig into his food. Mayuri rolled her eyes.

M: (Mutters) So much like his father!

The doorbell rang and Rehan hopped out of his seat.

R: Mumma hongi!!!

M: Rehan..lunch! mai dekhti hoon..

Mayuri opened the door and her mouth fell open.

R: HERO!!!

Rehan rushed and jumped into Veer arms. Mayuri got over her initial shock.

M: VEER!!! (Whispers)

Veer was busy checking Rehan for any sign of distress but the little charmer in his arms was too happy to see him. Veer noticed how similar he looked to him in his all black attire. Veer felt this little boy was so much like him. Maybe that is why he felt so connected to him.

M: Tum yahan kaise? Rehan, tum inhe jaante ho?

R: Masi ye humari workshop lene aye the aaj..

Mayuri looked at Veer and gulped.

V: Hi Mayuri...long time no see ..

M: (In mind: Ye yahan kya kr raha hai? Kahin Bani ne isse dekh liya to vo bohot tut jayegi...nahi! mujhe isse jaise-taise yahan se bhagana hoga) Hi Veer...ab kya karu ..tumne to meri khoj-khabar hi nahi li..

V: You cannot blame me, I thought you died.

M: Ab kya kare, sbko yahi lga-

Suddenly Mayuri stopped. How did Veer know that she was supposed to be dead? Did he not forget all incidents regarding Bani? She eyed Veer with curiosity.

R: Hero ,aap andr chalo..

M: Rehan, I am sure he is busy.. (In mind: Arey mai isse bhagana chahti hoon aur tu andr laa raha hai...teri maa ka toh soch!)

V: No, I am actually free right now..come Rehan..

Rehan guided him to the living room and Veer settled on the couch. He studied the small yet cosy space. Something about how the things were set made Veer feel right at home.

V: So Mayuri, how come you are Rehan's masi?

M: Kyu nahi ho skti mai iski masi??

V: Kyunki ye cheel hai..

M: Kya? Tumhe kaise- Rehan!! Was this your big news? You transformed into a cheel!?

R: Yes Masi!! I wanted to tell mumma first but..

M: OMG!! I AM SO HAPPY. MY LITTLE BOY IS GROWING UP!

Mayuri scooped Rehan up and hugged him tightly. Rehan muttered that he was big but hugged Mayuri. Veer studied the two and felt Mayuri was genuine. She had really changed over the years.

V: Uhem!

M: Oh sorry! I got excited.

V: I can see that..but you did not answer my question..

M: Actually I am friend of his mom...so in that way I am his masi..

V: Oh!!..

Veer rubbed the back of his neck. He had misunderstood the situation. Mayuri saw his expression and realized.

M: Wait- you thought I might harm Rehan and that is why you came here!

V: Yeah..sorry..

M: Hmm...

V: You have really changed Mayuri..

M: So have you..

Mayuri studied his freshly groomed face and her sharp eyes saw the emptiness in his eyes. He was a lost man. The bags under his eyes were less but definitely prominent. Rehan tugged on his shirt to get his attention. To Mayuri's surprise, a small spark lit up in his dead-man eyes.

M: (In mind: Abhi to tum jante nahi ho ki ye tumhara beta hai toh aise behave kr rahe ho...agar pata chala toh-)

R: Hero! Aap mera room dekhoge?

M: Rehan! Mumma ne strangers se baat kaise krte hai nahi sikhaya?

Something about Mayuri saying this made Veer angry. He did not want to be stranger for Rehan!

R: But he is my hero, not stranger..

M: Rehan!! Pehle bartan sink me rakho...apni dishes khud uthate hai na?

Rehan slouched his shoulders but went away dragging his feet.

M: I am sorry Veer but I think you should go..okay? His mom doesn't like strangers over..

V: I am his teacher..

M: Ek class ka teacher so please-

R: MASI...EK MINUTE ANA..

M: Please leave Veer..It was nice seeing you and now you know Rehan is safe..leave..

Mayuri went to the kitchen and saw that Rehan wanted a cookie that Bani lets him have only after he completes his meal. Mayuri smiled and took the jar down. She gave Rehan a cookie but the monster dug his hands and pulled out one more.

R: Hero ke liye-

Rehan started to run and Mayuri ran after him but she froze when she saw Veer was still standing in the living room.

M: Veer- you did not go-

Mayuri froze when Veer turned. He had tears in his eyes. Mayuri looked and saw a picture frame in his hands. She paled. Veer was holding the picture with trembling hands and rubbing his thumb over a face he longed to see. It was a picture of Bani with her Rehan when he was still a toddler.

The date was scribbled on the bottom of the picture and a sharp man like Veer did not have a hard time putting two and two together. It was his son!!!

R: Cookie?

Veer looked away from the picture and towards the boy standing next to him with a smile on his face and a cookie extended towards him. How did he not see that it was his son? He is basically a splitting image of him.

Veer crouched next to him and opened his mouth. Rehan put the cookie in it. It tasted sweeter and better than anything Veer had had all these years. He held Rehan by his shoulders. This was really his son. He had his naagin's eyes but rest all was from him. He must be five now! Veer sobbed thinking about all those years he missed with Rehan.

R: You like the cookie so much? Don't cry, I will give you another one...

Veer couldn't stop himself from hugging the kid. How many years were wasted! Did he really mistreat Bani so much while she was pregnant? It made him feel worse. He ill-treated her when he should have treated her like a queen! His cousins even pushed her around. They treated her like a maid! She should have been ordering him around but instead she was being thrashed.

R: Are you okay?

V: No!

Rehan somehow felt Veer's sadness. The innocent child hugged his small hands around his neck.

R: Thik ho jayega sb..

Veer smiled and sobbed.

Aashiyaana mera
Saath tere hai na
Dhoondte teri gali
Mujhko ghar mila
Aab-o-daana mera
Haath tere hai na
Dhoondte tera Khuda
Mujhko Rab mila

Tu jo mila
Lo ho gaya main qaabil
Tu jo mila
To ho gaya sab haasil
Haan! Mushqil sahi
Aasaan hui manzil
Kyunki Tu.. Dhad.kan.. Main Dil...

 He missed his own son's birth, his first smile, his first cry, his first steps and first day to school! He missed five years of his life! His sweetheart had been all alone. How did she manage all this alone? He looked up and saw Mayuri who was fighting her own tears. He realised now he was indebted to Mayuri for a lifetime.

M: Rehan...why don't you go into your room?

R: Pr kyu masi?

M: Rehan, it is important. Please?

Rehan understood that it wasn't time to be playful. He picked up his toy car and left.

V: Quite mature for his age..

M: He is. He is very naughty but realises the mood in the room very quickly. He won't joke if he thinks the situation is serious.

V: Hmm..

M: The way you cried..I figured-

V: That he is my and Bani's son, yes I know. He is playful like me and mature like Bani, perfect blend.

Mayuri was slightly shocked but gestured Veer to sit. He settled on the sofa and Mayuri took the chair in front of him.

M: How-?

V: Mtlb..

M: How do you know he is your son..

V: I saw the picture. He is Bani's son! The date, him being cheel and so many things add up..

M: Not that-..I mean how do you remember all this? Bani said you forgot and will never remember her again..

V: I remember- I remember everything.

M: What!?!?!..Since when!??

V: I remembered everything the day after she left and trust me whatever I did to her- My heart still beats me about it...

M: Pr ye kaise ho skta hai? Us farishte ne toh kaha tha ki tumhe Bani kabhi yaad nahi ayegi..

V: Kya? Kon?

Mayuri told Veer everything she knew. From Bani meeting the farishta and making him understand everything to Jai's plan and farishta warning Bani about it. Mayuri told him that Bani was told that Veer will never remember her. She also told Veer how Bani survived and met Mayuri. She told Veer about Rehan's birth and Bani's life to this point.

Veer told Mayuri his side of the story.

M: I am so happy you recall Veer. Bani and you deserve to be together. Rehan deserves a complete home! He deserves his father..Whatever happened was no one's fault. Tum dono ne bohot suffer kr liya..

Ting! Tong!

M: Bani hogi..

Veer quickly got up. He was going to see the woman who held his heart, someone whom he dreamed of meeting everyday but did not. He ran a finger through his hair.

V: I look okay?

M: Stop being so nervous..You look fine..

V: I will get the door.

Ting! Tong!

Veer took a deep breath and licked his dry lips.

V: (In mind: Here it goes!)

He opened the door with a small smile and tears in his eyes. His wait was finally going to be over!

..............................

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Veer knows Rehan is his son and about Bani's whereabouts. How do you think Bani will react? Come see how the 'do-jism-ek-jaan' meet in the next chapter.

Until then,
Take care
Stay Safe
Love~
♡