Sometimes we find people who touch our souls. Once we meet such people, they never leave us. Any distance is only physical as the souls always pine for the other and memories keep them near. Vani were such lovers- soul mates. Their love had not faded away with time. Rather, distance made the heart grow fonder. They had been craving each other like a kid for nutella, like hachiko-the dog waiting for its master to return home or an immigrant for familiarity. Perhaps all those are incorrect examples for what they had was way more- unimaginable and non-comparable.

The five years between them melted away into the kiss. They poured all the longing, every fear, each tear and all the love into that kiss. The lips took shape around the lips they recognized like comfort food. Vani kissed for a long time before the sky began to cry at the soulful reunion. As the first drop landed of Bani's cheeks, they parted away and rested their foreheads together.

V: I missed you..

B: So did I..

They were both panting and breathing hard. It started to drizzle and Vani rushed to take shelter under a large tree. Veer enveloped her in a bear hug from behind as they waited for the rain to stop.

B: Veeranshu? Tum mujhe aise jakad kr rahoge?

V: Kitne lambe intezaar ke baad maine tumhe paya hai...ab to iski aadat daal lo tum..

Bani twisted her body and saw his face. It was flushed with happiness and his eyes were moist. Now happy with the woman he loves in his arms, Veer looked like her had shed off ages. His young eyes sparkled again. Bani smiled.

B: Itne chipku ko toh nahi chod kr aayi thi mai...apne chote bhai se classes le rahe they kya itne saal?

Veer kissed her nose.

V: Tb mai tumse pyaar krta tha isliye tumhari space ko respect krta tha. Pr itne saalo ke intezaar ne mujhe bohot tadpaya hai. Aur ab jb tum bhi mujhe pyaar krti ho toh sorry Sweetheart, iski toh tum adat dal hi lo.

Bani closed her eyes and basked in his love.

B: I missed you calling me that. I missed everything about you. I love you Veeranshu.

V: I love you too Swee-

A loud roar interrupted their moment. Veer turned, feeling annoyed. It was Harshkashyap in his lion roop. His mane was getting wet and he looked annoyed. Striding near them he took his human roop. He was shocked to see Bani- his friend and colleague with Veer- his school friend.

H: Veer! Tujhse tera phone nahi uthta kya??

B: HK? Veeranshu? You know each other?

V: Yes Sweetheart, we were friends and I am a guest teacher at his school. How do you know him?

H: Rehan's mother.

V: But how you know her??

H: She is also the teacher. Pr tum dono yahan aise- ek saath? Aur Bani tumhare sath hua kya tha?

Harshkashyap was confused but what he heard next made his jaw hit the jungle floor. As Vani unwrapped their complex tale in front of him, he understood that they were separated by evil forces and now united by fate. Many Cheels who had aided the mission were overjoyed to know that they had a part to play in making their prince happy but left to give him privacy. They had taken the Parikhs along.

H: I am so happy for you both, I have no words. But, Veer!!! Tu phone to uthaya kr!! Sb kitna pareshaan hai tujhe pata hai?

V: Yrr vo Ballu aur Mayuri disturb kr rahe the...mujhe Bani ko doodne pr focus krna tha..

H: Or Rehan? Us bacche ki kya galti? Vo bhi apni Maa ke liye pareshan hai..

B: Rehan! Tum-

V: I know Bani. I know..

B: Veeranshu..

Bani hugged him and sobbed.

B: Tumhe kaise pata chala?

V: Maine tum dono ki photo dekhi tumhare ghar pr..I cannot believe I missed so many years..

B: I am so sorry Veeranshu! Mai tumhe batana chahti thi pr jb mujhe pata chala tb tk tum mujhe bhool chuke they..aur-

V: Shh...it is not your fault love. I know. It hurts but I understand.

H: Uhem! I hate to break your moments again and again but I think you should speak to your son..

V: Hume bhi uski chinta hai. We don't have a phone aur ye barish rukte hi hum jaa rahe hai..

H: I know but-

Harsh gave them his phone. Bani quickly dialled Mayuri's phone. She spoke to her, Mayuri was relieved. Then Bani enquired about Rehan.

M: I knew ki Veer apni naagin ko baacha hi lega. I told Rehan you were safe and are coming home. He ate dinner and slept waiting.

Bani was glad Rehan was safe and not stressed. Harsh turned to leave.

B: Barish me kahan jaa rahe ho? Wait...

Veer flashed her an annoyed look.

H: Nahi, mai to tum dono ko dhoonde ke chakkr me already bheeg gaya hoon aur mai cheel to hoon nahi jo barish me ud nahi payega...I will run back to school grounds.

He winked at Veer and left. Once he left, Veer again took Bani in his arms.

V: Kuch dino tk to hum dono ke beech koi teesra nahi chahiye mujhe..

B: Aur Rehan?

V: He doesn't count, he is part of us gharwali..

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

The rain did not stop until the next morning. It was early morning at six when Veer saw the rain stop. He shook Bani to wake up. She had felt really cold and snuggled into him. Veer on the other hand had spent all his time gazing at his love.

V: Let's go..

The grounds were really wet so Veer took Bani in his arms and they flew towards her home. He got down on the front lawn. They began to walk towards the house when Veer stopped on his tracks. Bani turned and saw Veer was standing with a lost look.

B: Veeranshu?

Veer did not respond. Bani went near him and kept a gentle hand on his face. Veer looked down towards her and their eyes met. She could see worry shining in his eyes.

V: Vo mera beta hai Bani...do din pehle tk mai usse jaanta bhi nahi tha...kya vo mujhe except karega??

B: I understand your worry. Pr mai jaanti hoo Veeranshu usse. Mujhe dukhi nahi krne ke liye zyada poochta nahi tha tumhare baare me pr tumse milne ki, tumhe jaane ke iccha bohot hoti hai uski...sb accha hoga...baccha hai vo...maan jayega..

Bani encouraged Veer and they entered the house. Mayuri was yawning on the sofa.

B: Mayuri? Tum soyi nahi??

M: Bani!? ..Oh Bani..I am so grateful you are safe!!

Bani and Mayuri hugged. Veer was amazed.

V: Waah Gharwali aur baharwali ki Jodi bhi amazing hai...mtlb ab cat fight dekhne ko milegi nahi..

M: Shut up Veer. Abhi mille ho Bani se...mai nahi chahti ki mujhe tumhe maarna pade aur tum usse wapis door ho jao..

V: Hun! Dream on!

Mayuri yawned again.

M: Yes, I should go dream, I mean sleep. Goodnight you both...Rehan Bani tumhare room me so raha hai..bye..

Mayuri left. Vani went to the room and saw Rehan sleeping cuddling into Bani's pillow with a small stuff bear in his hands

V: Kitna pyaara hai ye...shakal dekhr lgta hai bilkul mujhpr gaya hai...Rehan...

B: Sach me tumpr hi gaya hai.. lgta hai tumhari hi carbon copy hai...sach kahun toh Veeranshu isne mujhe jeene ki doobara wajah di ...wrna mai itne saal tumhare bina shyd..

Veer closed Bani's mouth and did not let her speak further. He hugged her close and kissed her forehead. Bani too embraced him. Veer smiled and took her chin in his hands. He was about to plant a sweet kiss on her lips when something landed on his face.

V: Ye kya??

Vani looked down at the bear, shocked.

R: Mumma!!!

Vani's eyes widened as they turned to Rehan who jumped into Bani's arms.

R: Aap thik ho mumma?

B: Haan Beta..

Rehan then twisted in her arms and glared at Veer.

R: Aap meri mumma ko kyu khane wale they??

V: Kya? Vo- vo..Rehan..

Bani smiled, amused to see the ever confident Veeranshu stutter in front of his five year old. Veer frowned and looked at Bani for help.

B: He wasn't eating me Rehan. Vo to meri ankh se kuch nikal rahe they..

R: Aise nikalte hai kya? Aap mujhe buddhu banana ki koshish kr rahe ho..

B: (mutters) tujhe buddhu banana ki himmat koi kaise kr skta hai chote cheel.

R: Kya kaha??

B: Hun? Kuch nahi..Rehan...come let's go to the living room. Tum Veeranshu ko apne toys nahi dikhaoge??

R: Aap mujhe baat breakfast ke baad bataoge?

B: (rolls her eyes) Tujh shaitan ko nahi bataya to tu mujhe jeene kahan dega..

R: Haw! I am good boy na..I know I am..answer dene ki zarurat nahi hai...Chalo Hero, aapko mai mere toys dikhata hoon...aur phir mumma breakfast bana degi..

V: Uff! Kya tez baccha hai ..

Rehan took Veer's hands in his tiny ones and started to pull him away. Bani's heart swelled in happiness. Her family was complete now. Rehan stopped and turned.

R: Mumma, jao..kuch banana...wrna ke mujhe bhi kha jayenge..

B: Hey Bholenath!

Bani huffed and went inside the kitchen. She was excited to make something for Veer again. She cooked his favourite dishes which were also Rehan's favourite. Meanwhile, Rehan was chatting away with Veer. He showed him his stuff and kept telling about himself. The great Veeranshu Singhania who could silence everyone was silent himself and listening to his sons stories, trying to absorb his every word. He closely studied all of Rehan and Bani's pictures and felt sad that he wasn't a part of them.

V: (In mind) jo beet gaya, uska dukha manane se kuch nahi hoga...mujhe apne aaj ko enjoy krna chahiye..

Veer and Rehan played around with his cars when Bani called for morning milk. Veer had coffee made by Bani after ages and felt at peace. Rehan made a face when he spotted the milk glass.

V: (Whispers to Bani) Kuch mamlo me tumpr bhi gaya hai...meri naagin ko bhi doodh bilkul pasand nahi tha..

Bani blushed. She turned away from Veer and saw Rehan slowly trying to pour his milk away into a vase. Bani caught his ears.

R: Ow! Ow! Ow!

B: Badmash!!..

V: Bani, chodo usse...mai doodh pilwa dunga..

Bani left Rehan and went back. Veer offered him the glass while Rehan rubbed his ears.

R: Mujhe doodh pasand nahi hai..

V: Pee lo Rehan.. mai mumma ko bata dunga tum kitne good boy ho

R: Aap pee lo..mumma ko mt batana maine nahi peeya

V: (Thinks: ye to ulta mujhse deal kr raha hai, sahi hai ...baap ko beta hi seedha kr skta hai) mt peeyo..waise bhi aapko dekh kr lgta hai aap super slow ho..mai to ekdum fast pee lunga..

Veer smirked and took his cup to his mouth. Rehan frowned and took his glass too. He gulped it all down. Veer laughed while pretending to drink.

V: (in mind) Baap Baap hota hai beta!

R: DONE!! MAI FIRST!!!

V: Oh!! Aap to kafi fast ho..kl rematch krna padega...aaj shyd aap lucky ho gaye..

R: Hmph!! Kr lena..mai hi jeetunga..

Veer smiled and Rehan happily marched off to tell Bani he drank his glass.

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

After breakfast, Bani sat with Rehan and Veer. Veer looked nervous and Bani looked at Rehan. Rehan picked up the seriousness of the situation and looked at Bani with a sober expression.

B: Rehan, I have something really important to tell you.

Veer gulped and Rehan nodded.

B: Remember you once asked me about your dad on your third birthday.

R: Yes, and you got sad. I hate to see you sad mumma...

B: I know..I love you my boy..(pecks his head) well, there was some really important thing that needed your dad but now it is done..

R: What!? So means Dad will come home now??

Bani nodded slowly.

R: Yes!!! I will also have dad. No one will tease me anymore!!! When will he come??!!!...

Rehan jumped happily. He was about to fall when Veer rushed to save him. Rehan looked at Veer and frowned.

R: Ek minute, kya aap ho mere papa?

Veer looked at Bani and softly nodded towards Rehan. Rehan stilled. He took a minute to digest the information. It was probably the longest minute for Veer. Soon a large smile broke on Rehan's face and Veer's heart was put at ease. Rehan hugged him.

R: I missed you Dad.

V: (hugs Rehan back with tears) Dad missed you too. (in mind: this is the piece of me that I was missing, my family)

Bani wiped a stray tear and clicked a picture from her phone. Unsuspecting, the father-son duo continued before pulling her into their hug. Their family was now complete.

Mila hoon ab jo tum se
Hai dil ko mere kasam se
Sukoon mila, sukoon mila.

Tujhe hai paaya Rab se,
Hai dil ko mere kasam se
Sukoon mila, sukoon mila.

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Thoughts?

Come catch Balwant's reaction in next chapter. Will new relations pave way for the old relationships once ruined? Will it also pave way for old enemies to reform alliance?

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Love~
♡