So so close to 50k! I still cannot believe we've reached so far. 

This is possible ONLY because of you my dear readers, so I love you and thank you. 

Also Happy 30th to my evergreen ALIA, my jaan. my world. Thank you for existing and for blessing us with your beautiful life. I love you forever. Can't believe we saw her entire 20s as a nation! So so proud of her. 

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"I remember feeling sad for Ranbir and this was way before we started dating." 

Alia's voice softened with the statement she was about to make. She stood facing the entire clan of Kapoors and their relatives and her family, along with many Bollywood biggies. They were assembled together in Taj for Rishi Kapoor's death anniversary remembrance. 

Each of those close to the late Kapoor would come forward and share their story. Alia finally took the mic after three years of being a thick part of his family post his death. She didn't speak then because she was in denial and deeply hurt. But now, she was HIS BAHU, Wife of his son Ranbir, a very essential part of the Kapoors and of course, the mother of his youngest grandchild Raha. 

Things were different now. So much had changed for everyone. Ranbir and her had married like he wished to see, sadly after his demise. They were all guilty of living without him. But life had to go on. 

"Deep in my heart I knew Ranbir was a good guy. Whatever was written about him was not the real truth. It was just a part of someone's story, not the entire story. Apparently he's close to everyone in the industry. People have grown up with him. But where were they when he needed them the most, to speak up for him? Why was no one defending the heir of Kapoors, the first family of Bollywood? Wasn't this so unfair? I felt so bad for him all the time."

Ranbir had his eyes on her. He was surprised as well. The whole day she was nervous about her speech and now look at her hitting sixers with all that pent up frustration. Ranbir knew he was born with a bad defect of a non expressive person which meant he was unable to defend or express himself. But for the first time he was glad he was made so. Because he had HER. 

"While on the set of Kapoor and Sons, I heard few staff whispering about Ranbir outside of my van. I overlooked them but guess who came around?"

"Rishi!" smiled Neetu, her eyes glimmering with joy. 

"He took hold of them and how. We watched him give them a good speech about who his son really is and I swear my heart went out for Ranbir and him. I was so glad that oh, his dad's there to defend him and that's what matters the most. Today I can say this with all honesty that Rishi Kapoor was my Ranbir's biggest cheerleader. We're all his clones."

The whole room clapped. 

"Nobody quite like him. When we got to know he had cancer, my first instinct was to protect Ranbir in my capacity. Because if something were to happen to Rishi uncle, Ranbir would break. And that's what unfortunately conspired. The day we lost him I felt like we lost Ranbir's biggest defender. Someone who could have lived longer to see him thrive, to see him smile, play with his children." The family were in tears by now. Alia herself cleared her throat to calm her pulse.

"In this world nobody loves you like your parents do. Nobody. Only they care about you. Life partners, children and friends join you later in life but parents are there even when you weren't born or formed. They've seen you from your origin. They want the best for you and it breaks my heart that someone who loved my Ranbir so much, a parent like Him, had to go so soon."

"The world can say whatever they want about their equation. They did have their problems but their hearts were always in sync with each other. In their own weird non expressive ways, both of them loved each other the most than anybody else in this room. I'm upset he's not here with us but I know he's looking out for us even from there. Watching our Raha play with her papa, daadi, with her family. We miss you so much Papa. Love you and thank you." 

""""""""""""""""""

[Armaan Jain's Apartment]

The whole clan had joined the Jains for a good dinner and get together post the memorial. Armaan and his wife Anissa had recently purchased a new apartment and the family was there to celebrate with them. Kapoors were like flocks of birds. Be it in good or bad times, everyone would arrive. It kept them going in every tide and against all storms. 

"Aaj joh Alia ne bola about Rishi, woh main kabhi bhool nahi sakti. Bilkul sahi kaha bacchi ne. I'm surprised at her observation. She's so well understood the minute details of their relationship. Even Rana ko itne ache se pehchaana tab se." Rima was taken aback. She was visibly proud too. 

"Tabhi toh hamare Ranbir ne Alia ko pasand kiya" Riddhima added with a bright smile. She was proud of her baby brother and her darling Alia for being such a beautiful part of their lives. 

"Ek baat toh main bhi maanu, ki hamare khaandaan mein abhi tak ki sabse best life partner choice Alia hai" Neila devi, wife of late Shammi Kapoor spoke with elegance. The rest agreed over plates of biriyani, mutton, kebabs and paya. 

"Saifu is also a pretty good choice of mine." Bebo had to make notes. Saif blushed and took his seat next to Ranbir who shook his head at her. 

"Haan bhai no one's gonna disagree. Saif is our darling." Randhir Kapoor laughed into his glass of wine. 

"Toh meri Anissa ka kya?" Armaan wanted everyone to talk about his wife too. 

"She's the youngest na. Sabki favourite." Tashu made him smile. 

"Aise toh meri Alia bhi sabki favourite hai." Now Ranbir wanted to make some point. 

"Ohhhh" they giggled at his remark. He was coming out of his quiet shell bit by bit thanks to her. He would express his love for her without much difficulty even in a family gathering like this. Alia smiled into her food, feeling proud of how far he'd come. Initially the other cousins would make her jealous. Armaan, Bebo were all good at expressing their love for their partners in front of the family but not her Ranbir. But he was learning quick and was getting better. 

None of it was forced. He was at his comfortable best. 

"Jabse family mein aayi hai we're all having a sense of joy and peace. And my Raha too has brought so much life to us." Ranbir was having the best time flaunting his girls. Alia just laughed knocking his shoulders while walking into the kitchen.

"Acha batao agla dinner kiske ghar mein?" asked Manoj, Rima's husband. The whole family was obsessed with food and good times together. At breakfast they would discuss lunch and at lunch they would dream about dinner and the loop continues. 

"Rishi must be having fun with Papa and Mummy..." Daboo became a little sad looking over at his brother's picture on the wall. 

"Of course. Waha toh sabse bada dinner lagta hoga. You know mummy and papa's obsession with hosting wild parties. God took away the most liveliest coolest people from this family. Bas hum boring baaki reh gaye. Woh apna karenge hum apna karenge." Rima consoled her brother. 

"Hum sab haina chachu...we'll do just fine. Papa would want us to be each other's strength and have food and drinks like this together as long as we live. Agar humne kuch ulta seedha kiya toh humara defender toh uper baitke dekh lega. Khair nahi kisi ki jo humein kuch bole." 

Everyone agreed over smiles. As long as they had Rishi looking over them, they were sorted. The family, their tribe would be okay. As long as they flocked together. 

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NOTE : First part of this ff is fictional and second is half real and half fiction. 

I saw this really heartbreaking scenario few days back in my head which took me few day to get off from. So this is bits and part from that. I'm mostly seeing tragic scenes than funny cool scenes. And I don't think people here want to read that :p 

Also it's going to be 1 year to that ICONIC WEDDING OF MY BABIES! I'm still stuck at that era. Raha hasn't yet processed in my head or system. 

Just missing my Kapoor fam a LOT! Ab ho jao spotted yaaaaar! 

Also thanks to everyone whose dropping by to read my book for the first time. 

Love and Light,

Jemi :)