29K and counting and counting and effin counting ..... 

 *my heart rate is speeding up y'all*

Well bloopers first, I shouldn't have foolishly made two damned parts of this chapter just bcuz I had no clue how far the limit could go! It was relatively easier to go with the flow and complete the entire chapter piece in one go  but since I obviously took a month break to sit for this one, it's kinda hazier but nonetheless, I'm here :)

Hope this one matches your expectations -~

ENJOY :)

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[ Sid's POV]

We were back !

Back to our motherland, to our families, friends and fans. Back to the nation that gave us an identity, respect and fame. Back to the very same Production Family that breathed new life into three vulnerable idiots - Me, Varun and Alia ! To our mentor - our dad, who gave us more love than our own parents. 

We are back

I left with Alia, five years ago, in a life spinning decision to Paris. Today, we've come back as a legitimately married couple along with our son ! 

As we prepared ourselves to enter the hall, my insides tingled in both anticipation and fear. We have no clue how to face everyone. The thought of reconciling with our loved one's is both daunting and beatific. 

I glanced at my wife's panicked face. She had more reasons to be petrified in comparison to mine. After all she was everyone's apple of eyes. Her departure had caused quite a great stir amongst our closed one's and the mass. But then again, it was a last minute decision to join me. I was literally going to act like some failed boyfriend who decided to sacrifice his love. She would suffer and do movies while I'll suffer abroad and try some business. 

End result = both of us pathetic without each other! 

Even though it was heartbreaking to see her being plucked off from her great life for my own selfish reasons (more so because I had enough with the movie politics), she jumped into the plan in a heartbeat. I don't know what my depressed soul would have done without her ! She became my everything - my mom, my dad, my guide, support system, just everything. 

Then came our own ray of light into our gloomy sky  - Armaan ! He made us alive in every possible way. Addu made our almost unbearable lives, so much worth living with less guilt. 

Holding her clammy hand, I stepped inside the hall with my family. 

Had it been another day, we would have gotten a Dharma dramatic entry but today was neither a day of joy nor was there going to be any jubilation at our arrival. Just a sad reason to return. 

Taking a long breath, my eyes took in the scene. 

A priest sat in the middle of the hall, draped in saffron shawl, smeared in ashes and some powders. As he chanted shlokas from a book, my eyes travelled to stop at a semi giant portrait of Hiroo maa, framed elegantly, smiling, as if she was welcoming us. My heart skipped a beat at that thought. The incense smoke arose from a stand kept aside to the frame. It infused in the air, hazing the face of the man we were scared to confront. 

With another pause of breath, we stared and stared at his misty appearance. 

It took a sharp sniffle from Alia to snap his head at us. Time froze and so did we. 

My heart broke at the sight of our mentor - the man who made our lives! Karan gazed at us with blood-shot eyes, almost to the point of drooping. His hair messily arranged, clad in a loose white kurta, he looked thinner than we last saw him. He sat in a broken state, shoulders dropped. Lost was that liveliness and spark in his eyes that once warmly welcomed us. 

At first he stared at us like a lost soul, looking at a mirage in an arid desert. Upon realization, his eyes turned a shade darker, eyebrows raised in suspicion. His face gave away his disbelief in our physical presence at the moment. He frantically searched our faces, as if he was scared we will disappear the moment he'd look away. 

His eyes roamed from me to Alia and to Armaan in my arms. Then he closed them for a second, squirming in pain, head shaking in denial. Quickly few hands rushed to rub his back and to hold him. I couldn't register any other face except the pain that silently reflected in Karan's. Tears leaked from the corner of my eyes while Alia covered her mouth to hush her grief. 

Her body shook violently as she muffled her agony. I pulled her rocking self to mine, keeping a hand firmly across her shoulder. We felt the bucket of guilt being poured over us, terrifically. 

" Si- Sid ... Aliaaa ? "

From my blurred vision I saw everyone stand with shocked faces. Our eyes were hooked at Karan from the time we entered but now we saw more familiar faces. Faces that once were part of our colourful lives, part of our identity, our soul. People who never left our side, even when we did. Friends who cared, fought, defended and loved us, unconditionally. 

Our bunch of fools

"Damn! Are you- Is this even real ?!" 

Ranveer, I figured in my trance, stared at us with half awe- half shook expression. He looked from Alia to me and forth on. We saw his eyes glisten and in a breath he rushed towards us, almost tripping over the floor mat. "Rannu, careful!" scolds Alia in her usual motherly tone. Upon reaching us his eyes raked over us once again in daze. Like he was dreaming. We took in his figure, after five damned years. 

Nothing much had changed except now he had a slight thick beard and a hint of a moustache. He seemed more bulkier than before but definitely good to go. Split of a second later his face illuminates with unsaid joy as he opens and closes his mouth like a fish, no word seems to come. He raises a shaky hand to touch and see if we were for real. His palm strokes Alia's cheek cautiously while she closes her eyes in gaiety, for the first time since we landed.  

As he realizes we ain't morphed, his other arm ruffles my hair a bit and pinches my cheek with a grin threatening to bloom amidst all the tear leakage. We silently smile and absorb the moment. Ranveer pulls Alia to him and hugs her tight, gently stroking and kissing her hair. She breaks in his arms with relief. Soon enough he's half hugging me as well. 

Feels home 

"You both came! Damned! I thought you'll never get over your foolishness. Finally dimaag chala" exclaimed Rannu with a weak smile, still sniffling. Alia and I pass him a faint smile as we still hold on to his arms. A tiny yawn echoed amidst our sentimental reunion. I felt Armaan's body shift uncomfortably on my shoulder. His little head popped up, tiny fists rubbing his sleepy eyes to reopen. My other arm that had been wrapped around Ranveer, retracts to check on our baby. 

A dead silence persists as I feel all eyes on our little wonder. 

His caramel orbs first squirt at the sudden wake and when they quickly get adjusted to the light, he scans the new surrounding, taking his own sweet time. I set his ruffled hair neatly with my hand while our Addu looks around with confusion. "Baby, we've reached" whispered Alia into his ear, stroking his hair fondly. And then he stiffens and stops at a particular face. 

"Nannuuu ?" 

Armaan voiced himself, almost like a whisper, staring shocked at ... Ranveer ?

Oh damn, how can I forget his obsession with his Nannu aka our Rannu !? 

"Nannuuu!" He squeals in joy and jumps at an equally surprised Ranveer. Alia and I watch in amusement at how quickly our boy recognized his favourite member of our gang! We saw Ranveer catch tiny Addu swiftly in his arms, his breath almost hitched at our son's reaction. But he composes himself in a minute and looks lovingly at him. His mouth opens in awe. 

"Wait a second, is that a cute-ish version of Rannu ?" Armaan nods his head in a naughty grin. His adorable dimple flashing in an instant. "OMG!! I'm so honoured my little prince. He knows me, he freaking knows me!" That was his cue to squish Addu in his arms and kiss his face repeatedly making him giggle in return. "My baby boy calls me Nannu ?! How precious is that! I love you my bubblegum." Alia chuckles at him cooing to his new fan. 

"Mamma tell story - I am Addu and you Nannu! We besht faaaands, kay ? Iluuveee you too!" 

Suddenly the dullness of the atmosphere lifts and we hear silent chuckles arise as they hear him speak. Ranveer chokes a bit and looks at us accusingly "You two kept this sunshine away from us but no more now. He's my beeeesht faaaand and I'm not letting my puddle-poo go away from me! You three are here to stay, that's the verdict." Another tear marks its way down his rugged cheeks but he smiles widely at Addu and kisses his forehead in gratitude. 

Our hearts melting at the sight. 

Before we could realize what exactly happened, Alia and I were trapped by the pouncing of quite a lot of people. Overwhelmed by the sudden surge of love, we stood straight to see tear leaked - smiling faces, gazing at us with much love. 

"Adi ? Ayan , Bunny ?!" 

"Broo?!" 

Without another word, we once again hugged our dear friends close to our heart. How badly we missed these fools! I heard Adi' choke and laugh all at once as we men hugged tightly. Alia and Shraddha were no less than us. She finally met her soul sister, was bound to get touching. Laughing through our tears we embraced each other with every pore of love we've gathered throughout these years. "We missed you both so darn much. And now your back with your adorable baby - what's his full name ?" asked Ayan in a smile that we remember being his trademark. 

"Armaan Malhotra" 

The words flew from me in pride. 

"Acha we'll talk later, obviously we ain't letting you guys leave. Come, meet karan" winked Adi and we agreed. Pandit ji had already left since the pooja was officially over the minute we stepped. It was time to encounter Karan, once again. The boys parted like red sea to pave us way. We saw Karan's detailed gaze on us. It would be alright, my heart said. 

"Karan, we're so- sorry!" sobbed Alia and walked towards him taking measured steps. I followed closely behind, legs faltering here and there. When we faced him from a closer front, we could see how exhausted he was. Bags of darkness pooled beneath his eyes - a heavy reminder of how barely he slept. "Ma- maa wanted to meet you both" he spoke to our relief, in a breezy whisper that I had to strain my ears to listen. 

"We know, it- I just couldn't stay here any longer and so we left. We've caused you and here so much pain and trouble. I wish I could go back in the past and mend everything that went wrong. I so wish she was here! We're sorry. Forgive us na." His chest heaved and he closed his eyes again to take a breath. Alia looked at me worriedly while I had a similar anxiety. 

"M- my baby ..." 

Our hearts puddled at the sight of a father who hugged his daughter, after a seemingly long gap, quivering in pure bliss. Contentment exuding inspite of them wailing in each other's arms. Hugs were invented to let people know silently, that you love them. We could feel his forgiveness in the way he held his daughter by soul, close to his heart. 

"Took you long enough to come home, Siddy ?" His next question was for me, eyes held mischief and a certain level of Johar sass that we were used to. "Guess so but-

"But now your back and that's it. No returning! Your here to stay, films or not, I don't care. But you won't ever leave this almost going to autumn fellow, alone. Got it ?" Alia and I shared a lost smile but looking at his sudden lifted spirit, we could't deny. "Come here now give me a hug." Hugging him truly felt home. Both of us dissolving in the moment. 

"Booiful house dadda!" chirped our tiny excited kiddo, breaking our sentimental moment. We felt Karan's body stiffen then calm in a beat. His focus now lingered on our bug, in  Adi's arm laughing at the faces Rannu made at him. Karan snapped his head to Alia and then at me in curiosity. He silently pointed at Armaan and asked whether he's ours. 

In our effort to gain back trust from our mentor, it completely fell off our minds to introduce our son, whose an integral part of our lives. We nodded in delight. He walked towards where they stood. I swear I saw his eyes soften. A giggling Addu faced an awed Karan and he quickly recognized. "Kaay jooouu !!" A burst of laughter erupted at Armaan's cheerfulness. Karan closed his mouth and chuckled slightly. Addu's foreign accent surely changed the sore atmosphere. 

"My goodness! I have a grandson, like seriously. Someone pinch me, this can't be real you all" spoke Karan still stupified. In a heartbeat Addu was attacked by Karan's snuggly hugs. He smothered sappy kisses on him while our lad kept giggling. He really was enjoying the attention. "Look at you, how gorgeous! You both just gave me the bestest present ever. He has your eyes Siddy and your flawless skin Aloopie" exclaimed the happy grandpa, scanning our boy. 

I felt Alia's hand snaking around my waist in a firm grip. Her head rested on my chest. I didn't had to look at her to confirm how overwhelming this was to her. To see her dad like figure accept us back, shower love on our child. To be welcomed Home. "Ouch!" we heard a shriek and all eyes were on Karan. "You asked for it, kaaay jouuu" exclaimed Rannu and Addu with a wink, giving each other a high five. 

We laughed at poor Kay jou! "One Ranveer was enough but now we have his little partner it seems. God, have mercy upon us!" laughed Karan beaming at both the cheeky monkeys. We saw Karan glow in another light. A shine we haven't yet seen. A child does changes life. Armaan was our own version of sunshine. He proved it. I couldn't be more prouder of our baby. 

"Hey, where's Pari and Fubu ?" asked Alia after we all settled back and sat down. I looked around and realized they were actually absent. How come I didn't noticed before ? Things were bitter before five years back but I had made peace with Fubu before leaving and Alia had forgiven Pari long back. We carried nothing negative for them. 

"And Varun, woh kahan gaya ?" Even he was missing from the picture. "Pari and Fubu are stuck with their shoots while VD is in Dubai. Will be back by tomorrow noon" replied Shredzy. "Who imformed you about -" stuttered Karan, pain surfacing again. "Appu did. Or else we could have never got the news" said Alia. "If you never call or ask about our whereabouts, you both would have lived an eternity in ignorance" snarled Bunny as he shot a glare at us. 

Alia pouted at him and I tried my puppy dog thing. "Jeez, calm your behaviour Malhotra. Your a daddy now. Bacche ke saamne aise ajeeb shakal mat bana" scolded Rannu with a fake disgust, covering Addu's eyes. I mocked an air punch at him and he devilishly scoffed. "True it is Sid. Your too old for puppy dog expression" agreed Aarti winking at Ranveer. 

"Oh so the scene's have changed. Purani baatein bhool gaye na saalon ! These same eyes had rescued you so many times" I huffed like a kid. They were ganging against me like older times. "No laugh dadda. Me Team Dadda" my boy saved my day by being on my side. I sent him a flying kiss which he catched but ultimately passed on to a cunning Ranveer! 

Ugh, c'mon 

"These two are a team I tell you. Stay on their bright side guys" shouted Ayan chuckling. "Baby jo tries first then" said Bunny, earning him a pat on his back by a visibly cheery Karan. He still had that broken figure but with some colour in his veins. "Alia, Sid, do your parents know about your arrival ?" Karan asked and that's when we sunk back in our position. Our priority was to meet Karan at first and then move towards our family. Now we were in for another trial round. 

"I'll call them up, excuse me" I stood up to ring Alia's parents first since we'll most likely stay tonight at theirs and see if Alia's personal pad is still available or not. 

Half an hour later I came back to a happily dining dharma family. They had ordered food from outside and now we were at the new addition - Dharma canteen. Spotting me at the entrance, Alia came to me with my plate. "Kya huwa ? How did it go ?" she observed me closely trying to read my mind. Smiling at her scared face, I assured her "Nothing to worry babe. They're obviously over the moon. Got quite a heap of scoldings for sure but that's fine I guess. We'll be staying at your parent's place. And tomorrow dad said that we can shift to your house."

"Thank god! Wait- my house is still there ? They didn't sell it off ?" she asked curiously. My apartment was sold days after we left for Paris. My parents took Ossy with them to Delhi along with all my belongings and even my car. But we remained clueless about Alia's pad. "Yes my darling. It's still the same as you left, said mom. She said to hurry up since they cannot wait any longer." She nodded and we moved to eat. 

After our dinner and a whole hearted chat later, we headed towards our car, bidding everyone good bye. Alia and Armaan were again caught up in everyone's embrace as Rannu spoke aloud "Attention please~ On the occasion of you three being back for better, all of us close friends have decided to hang at Alia's place tomorrow noon. I've called Pari, Fubu and VD. They will join as well. Ya that's it you can leave. Good night." 

Wow, how conveniently conveyed. Alia rolled her eyes at Ranveer's casual invitation. "Ohkaay. Deal then, see ya later everyone. Night Karan, sleep well" I waved one last time and our car raced towards our HOME.

"Addu loveees all" clapping his arm, sang Armaan. We laughed at his glee. He gelled so well with everyone. "We know baby. You were such a good child today. Everyone loved you as well. Now you'll see all our friends tomorrow at our home, okay ?" said Alia pulling his cheeks. He shook his head in anticipation. 

"Jaan ?" I heard her call me in a faint whisper.

"Mhmm"

"We made it. I'm so proud of us, of this decision. Nothing beats home, haina ?" 

"Nothing!"  

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NOTE : HOW WAS THE PARTIAL REUNION ? 

A siddy POV y'all! He's BACCCCCK ;)

Did anyone noticed the K3G scene reference ? *wiggles eyes*

Kay jouuuu has given his maafi *hurray*

Okay so I didn't wanted a reaaaaaallly senti chapter since we've had too much of that of lately. But I tried to keep the balance intact. The next one will have a more fun and happy shade almost like older times :) And you're in for some cool surprises as we head towards last few chapters of this book <3 

I thought I wouldn't be able to deliver a chapter this month as well since I had so much happening at my place, also with my grandpa at our home. But hey, I made some sacrifices in between my internals to type this so expect some rubbish :D 

Want more of Nannu - Addu scenes ? 

To know more about the gang's updates and how far they've come since the past 5 years, STAY TUNED ! They have something special for Sidlia xoxo

Love, 

Jemi :)