Life is all about the love that you share with your family. Every moment counts when with your loved one, each moment cherished and enjoyed.

It was Karvachauth, and as the day dawned, Anamika was busy with her morning routine. She had already planned everything for the day-a mix of traditions, rituals, and of course, her loving but sometimes clueless husband, Vineet. She was fasting, and though the day was meant to be full of love, devotion, and romance, she knew Vineet would add a touch of humor to it, as always.

Their kids, Ansh and Aanya, were up early, excited about the evening celebration. Ansh, the ever-curious 15 year old boy, and Aanya, their sharp 13-year-old daughter, were buzzing with energy.

"Mom, why do you have to fast for Dad? Isn't he supposed to be the one doing it?" Ansh asked, genuinely confused as he watched his mother sip some juice before the fast officially began.

Anamika smiled, patting his head. "It's a tradition, beta. I fast for his long life and health. That's how it works. And your Dad, you him well!"

"But Dad doesn't even remember what day it is, let alone why you're fasting, unko kabhi kuch yaad nahi rehta hai bina bataye par aap fir bhi sab karte ho. I think you love him a little too much," Aanya teased her mother, folding her arms and shaking her head.

Anamika chuckled, knowing Aanya wasn't entirely wrong. Vineet, her sweet but occasionally forgetful husband, was indeed not great with dates. And love, she definitely loves him way too much.

"Don't you think tum dono bewajah mere sar pe baithe ho? I have many things to wind up so go, let me work!!" Anamika directed them.

"Mumma, Dad ko bhi aapki madad karni chahiye na par wo toh living room mei aaram se baith ke phone chala rahe hai. Ruko, main unko jaa ke batati hoon!!" Aanya exclaimed and both the siblings ran out to see their father.

Vineet, meanwhile, was lounging in the living room, casually flipping through the news on his phone. He could sense the festive vibes but hadn't pieced together the reason.

"Hai kya aaj?? Ye sab celebrity ne kis chij ko hype up kar rakha hai. Uspe ye news, kya kya daalte hai, huhh!" He made a face, scrolling his phone.

Suddenly, Ananya plopped down beside him and whispered with a smirk, "Dad, you do know it's Karvachauth, right?"

Vineet's eyes widened. "What? No way! That's today?" he whispered back, looking over his shoulder to make sure Anamika wasn't within earshot. He had completely forgotten, and now he was in panic mode. This was a day he couldn't afford to mess up-again.

"So you didn't remember? Fir aap itni subah kyun jaag gaye?" Ansh asks, rolling his eyes.

"Arey you all woke up toh main uth gaya, mujhe laga we're planning something!" Vineet made a face, displeased with the fact that he again, this year too, forgot Karwachauth.

"Dad, you still have time, try kijiye shayad aap apni galti sudhar lo!" Aanya says and the siblings leave the place leaving him dazed.

... ..

As the day went on, Vineet tried to act natural, casually throwing out hints. "You know, Karvachauth is a pretty big deal for married couples, isn't it? Husbands usually make their wives feel special," he said, hoping to spark a conversation that would give him a lifeline.

Anamika didn't respond immediately, knowing exactly what he was trying to do. She finally looked at him and said with a sly smile, "Yes, it is. Wives fast, and husbands... well, some of them remember it's even happening."

Vineet gulped. "Of course! Of course, I remember!" he blurted out, overly enthusiastic. "I've planned a surprise for you! And I know you'll love it. Well, there's hardly anything about me that you don't love, isn't it?" Vineet states, his eyes spark with teasing.

Ansh and Aanya exchange knowing looks, standing at a distance gazing at their parents and how their father is trying his best to prove that he remembers the day while their mother, who knows the reality, is still playing along to keep his heart.

Aanya leaned over to her brother and whispered, "Shart laga lo, Dad's in trouble by evening. Unhe na toh kuch yaad tha aur surprise he's clearly bluffing, kuch nahi hai unke paas." she states, sure enough something was going to happen by evening.

"You never know!! Dad knows well to play such games but if you say, lagi hazaar ki shart!! But then, koi mumma ko bhadkaayega nahi Dad ke khilaf, like last time you blurted out everything to mumma ki kaise unhone maasi ke call se unki anniversary yaad aai aur wo gift ke liye gaye. Aisa nahi karna hai!!" Ansh says, directing his sister not to mess up things.

Aanya nodded. "Deal."

... ... . ...

As evening approached, Anamika dressed up in her beautiful saree, looking every bit the radiant, fasting wife, while Vineet, after some serious last-minute scrambling, managed to buy her a lovely gift-a bracelet, though he had no idea if it was what she'd liklike

Later, the family gathered on the terrace to wait for the moon, with Anamika holding her thali and Vineet holding... a glass of juice for himself.

"Dad! That's for mom, unke liye banwaya hai meine" Aanya snickered, pointing at the glass.

"Oh! Right, right," Vineet quickly handed the glass to Ansh, who was trying to suppress her laughter.

"Main bas taste kar raha tha!!" He remarked, making his family laugh.

As the moon finally appeared, Anamika performed the rituals, gazing at Vineet through the sieve with all the love and affection of a wife who knows her husband may forget the details, but his heart is always in the right place. He may not remember the occasion but never fails to show his love towards her or to the kids.

Vineet, sensing this was his moment, held her hands and said, "I may not be perfect, but I'm always here to break your fast, feed you sweets, and, of course, drive you crazy!" he winked.

Anamika burst into laughter. "That, I believe! But next time, let's try remembering the date before the moon shows up, okay?"

Their kids groaned playfully. "Dad, you're hopeless!" Aanya teased while handling Ansh two five-hundred rupee notes.

In the end, they all shared a meal together, full of laughter and love. Anamika may have fasted all day, but her heart was full, knowing that her family-quirks and all-was her true blessing.

Between some bites, Vineet whispered to Anamika, "Next year, I'll be better prepared."

Anamika smiled, "I'll believe it when I see it." she giggles making the other two giggle as well.

... ... ...

After dinner, as the family settled down in the living room, their stomachs full and their hearts light, Vineet leaned back on the couch, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips.

"You know," he began, glancing at Anamika with a twinkle in his eye, "there was a time, before we were married, when I kept the Karvachauth fast for your mom."

Ansh and Aanya, who were half-listening until now, suddenly sat up straight, intrigued. "Wait, you fasted? For mom?" Aanya asked, her voice full of disbelief.

Anamika rolled her eyes with a fond smile, already knowing where this story was headed. "Oh, here we go. The legend of 'Vineet the romantic.'" She whispers.

Vineet grinned and continued, "It's true! It was before we got married, back when I was still trying to impress your mom. I just wanted to show her that I can do anything for her" He turned to Anamika. "You remember, don't you? I had no idea what fasting even entailed, but I figured it couldn't be that hard."

Anamika laughed softly, nodding. "Oh, I remember. You were so adamant about it. I told you it wasn't necessary, but you insisted, saying something like, 'If you can fast for me, I can fast for you too!'"

Ansh was already giggling, sensing where this was going. "What happened, Dad? Did you make it through the day? Batao na!!! Aapne bhi mumma ko chhani se dekha? Aur unhone aapko khilaya?" She asked curiously.

Vineet leaned forward, his expression mock-serious. "Well, I started off strong. I woke up early, didn't eat anything, and I was feeling pretty proud of myself. But as the day went on, it got harder and harder. By the time the afternoon hit, I was starving. I couldn't even think straight. And then, by evening, I was convinced that I was going to pass out!"

Ansh burst into laughter. "Oh no, Dad! Did you break the fast?"

Vineet looked mock-offended. "I did not! I soldiered through... barely. But when the moon finally came out, I couldn't even stand properly to look at it through the sieve. Your mom had to hold me up so I wouldn't fall over. But I made it, apna fast pura kiya meine!" He exclaimed

Anamika chuckled, remembering the sight of Vineet wobbling on his feet, trying to stay upright. "I think I spent more time worrying about him than anything else that day. He was pale as a ghost, and the minute the rituals were done, he devoured an entire plate of food like he hadn't eaten in a week. Tum dono hote toh dekhte, poore kapde gande kar liye they aur poora dining table bhi, do ghante lage mujhe saaf karne ko."

Ansh and Aanya were laughing uncontrollably now, picturing their father in that situation. Ansh wiped tears from his eyes. "So much for impressing Mom!"

Vineet shrugged with a grin. "Hey, I survived, didn't I? And your mom was so touched by my effort, even if I wasn't exactly a fasting expert."

Anamika smiled warmly at him. "It was sweet of you, though. I don't think anyone's ever been so determined to keep a fast for me."

Vineet leaned over and kissed her hand. "Well, I may not have made it look graceful, but I did it for love."

Aanya sighed dramatically, teasing them. "Alright, alright, lovebirds. Enough with the mushy stuff. But I gotta say, Dad, that's a pretty epic story. I think you've earned some points tonight." She winked at him.

Ansh nodded. "Yeah, Dad. Respect!! You went above and beyond for Mom back then." He smiled at his father.

Vineet puffed his chest out playfully. "See? Your dad's got some game."

Anamika shook her head, laughing. "Some things never change. He's still as determined as ever, even if he forgets the details sometimes." She states, gazing at Vineet with a smile playing on her lips.

And as the night came to a close, the house was filled with warmth, laughter, and the shared memories of love that had carried Anamika and Vineet through the years-quirks, missteps, and all.

After their laughter-filled moment, the family slowly retired to their rooms. Ansh and Aanya were still giggling about Vineet's story as they headed to bed, while Anamika and Vineet walked hand-in-hand to their own room. The house was quiet now, filled with the kind of comfortable silence that comes after a day well spent.

As they lay down, Anamika rested her head on Vineet's shoulder, a soft smile on her face. The story he had shared with the kids brought back vivid memories of that day-years ago, before their marriage, when he had kept the fast for her. She stared up at the ceiling, slipping into the past.

.....

It was their first Karvachauth together as an engaged couple. Anamika hadn't expected Vineet to do anything beyond being supportive, but when he showed up that morning and casually announced that he was going to fast for her too, she was shocked.

"You? Fasting for me? You don't even skip breakfast!" she had teased, half amused, half touched by the gesture.

Vineet, with his signature grin, had waved off her concerns. "How hard can it be? You fast every year ever since we met. Why can't I? Besides, I want to show you how much you mean to me."

Anamika had admired his enthusiasm but had also known him well enough to predict that things would not go as smoothly as he thought. By noon, Vineet's confidence had started to waver. He tried to keep up appearances, but she could tell he was struggling. He hadn't eaten anything all day and was visibly fatigued.

By late afternoon, when they met at her house, he had looked completely out of sorts. His face was pale, and his usual energy had been replaced by a sort of dazed sluggishness. She remembered how he had stumbled over his own feet, barely able to stand, and how she had rushed to his side, holding him upright.

"I'm fine, I'm fine!" he insisted, trying to sound brave, though his voice was weak. "Just... a little light-headed."

Anamika had burst into laughter, shaking her head. "This is why I told you not to do this. You're going to faint before the moon even shows up!"

But Vineet had been stubborn. "No way. I promised I'd fast, and I'm going to finish it."

When the moon finally appeared that evening, Vineet could hardly lift the sieve to look through it. Anamika had ended up holding it for him as he leaned on her for support. She remembered how they had both laughed at the ridiculousness of it all. And the moment the rituals were over, Vineet had collapsed into a chair, devouring the plate of sweets and snacks with the fervor of a starving man.

"Are you okay?" Anamika had asked between fits of laughter.

"Never again," Vineet had mumbled through a mouthful of food, though there was a twinkle in his eyes. "But I'd do it all over if it made you happy."

"You don't have to Vineet!! Your love is enough!!" She expressed, staring at him with love.

It was in that moment, watching him struggle but still smiling, that she realized just how much he loved her. He may have been terrible at fasting, but he had done it out of pure, unfiltered love. And that had meant more to her than any grand gesture ever could.

... ... ... ..

Anamika chuckled softly at the memory.

Vineet noticed her smile. "What's so funny?" he asked, turning his head to look at her, pulling her out of her trance.

Anamika gazes at him,
"I was just thinking about that day... when you tried to fast for me," she said, her voice warm with affection.

Vineet groaned playfully. "Oh no, not again. I still haven't recovered from that day."

Anamika laughed. "You were a mess. But you know, that was the day I knew how much I meant to you. You didn't have to do any of it, but you did. And even though you were struggling, you didn't give up. I've never forgotten that."

Vineet smiled, wrapping his arm around her tighter. "Well, I had to impress you somehow. And clearly, it worked, didn't it?"

Anamika looked up at him, her eyes soft. "It worked. More than you'll ever know." she expressed making him smile.

He caresses her head, gazing at her, "you know uss din se aaj tak bahut kuch badla par jo nahi badla wo aasman ka wo chand aur tumhare liye mera pyar. Aur main chahta bhi nahi ye kabhi badle, I want to love you today and forever." He pecked her head, Anamika smiled at his words, snuggling closer to him.

They lay there in comfortable silence, the warmth of the memory wrapping around them like a blanket. The years had passed, and life had changed in so many ways, but the love they had for each other remained the same. And as they drifted off to sleep, the memory of that Karvachauth-the laughter, the love, and the determination-stayed with them, a reminder of the little things that had built the foundation of their relationship.

In the soft glow of the night, Anamika whispered, "Thank you, for that day and every day since."

Vineet, half-asleep but smiling, murmured back, "Anything for you, always."

... ... ... . .

The end..