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Happy Reading...

Anirudh walked into the balcony after putting Ruhi to sleep.

He took a few breaths and looked at the sky to see a few stars blinking.

He sat on the floor and tears started to brim in his eyes, then rolled down his cheeks.

He just sat silently, everywhere around was silence, but in his mind, all the thoughts were playing repeatedly.

Anirudh: Mumma, you will be proud of me for being the best father. I promise I will do everything for Khushi. When she will look for her father, she will always know, I am there.

He released his breath as more tears rolled down his cheek.

Anirudh: Mumma, I am not like him. I am different from him. I am your son, not his. She said Correct, you taught me to love with conditions.

A small smile made its way on his lips as he remembered how she was trying to pronounce the word Condition but ended up pronouncing it as conition Still it sounds cute.

Anirudh: Mumma, she is wishing for death. She feels lonely. She isn't understanding or she doesn't know how to term it but she is feeling.

Sob escaped from his lips as he was trying to understand her situation.

Anirudh: No one wishes to have a broken family, to lose parents, to feel lonely, to see their mother's death, to hate their father. Why did I keep a condition before loving her? I am not like him. I love without condition. She, too, doesn't need a father like him, but we have this in fate. Directly or indirectly, I put forth a condition before loving her. This is wrong. She can't change her fate or past. She doesn't deserve this.

He keeps mumbling his thoughts. He was afraid, thinking he was behaving like the person he and his family hate the most.

He sat there for some time, crying. Trying to understand what he can do now. He always said, he can't accept her because of her parents, but isn't it like a condition? He will only love her, if she doesn't belong to her parents.

After some time, his heart felt light, his mess came back to its place. His mind is stable with thoughts. His tears stopped? No. With glossy eyes because of tears, he looked up to see stars still blinking.

Anirudh (muffled voice): Mumma, I am your and only your son. I am not like him. I won't ever be like him.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Opening his eyes, he looked at the stars again.

Anirudh: Umm... Don't worry about Ruhi. We will take care of her. She is our family. Maybe, we need some more time to properly accept her as our part. We will always love her. We won't let her feel lonely or unworthy. Always, she will be our family. And... ummm.... Thanks for giving us Ruhi and completing my mother's wish of us having a sister.

He sighed. He spoke to Ruhi's mother. He closed his eyes, and more tears rolled down.

Just then the doorbell rang. He quickly stood up and went out to open the door.

As he opened the door, he found Shalini and Harsha. Khushi was sleeping, clinging to Harsha like a Koala bear.

Observing Anirudh's face, both Harsha and Shalini understood that he had cried.

Shalini: Harsha, make Ruhi sleep properly.

Harsha nodded and walked into the room.

Pushing Shalini's wheelchair, Anirudh and Shalini came inside the hall.

Anirudh sat on his knees in front of Shalini. He placed his head on her lap, as again fresh tears rolled down his cheek.

Shalini (caressing her hair): Ani...

Anirudh (mumbling): I am not like him.

Shalini heard his words and was shocked. She cupped his face, making him look at her.

Shalini: You are not like him. You can never be. You are Vibha's son.

Anirudh (looking into her eyes, nervously): Dadi, I may need some time but Ruhi will be part of our family. Like we all are.

Shalini smiled a little, but instantly her smile turned into a frown.

Shalini: Are you forcing yourself for this?

Anirudh (shook his head): No, Dadi, I just realised, it's not in our hands to choose our parents. If we could, I would have never chosen him as my father. So, Situations are similar to hers too. Also, I think we shouldn't love someone with conditions and it was a condition from my side that she was his and his second wife's child. But as I said, it's not in our hands to choose our parents.

Shalini (peaking his forehead): Take your time. I just want you to be happy. You all have already suffered a lot because of one person. You don't deserve a broken family. All together can complete the family.

Anirudh nodded.

A wide smile played on Harsha's lips as she was standing at the door of her room, listening to them.

On the other hand, Saurav was standing at the entrance of the door, and he heard their conversation. A feeling of relief washed over him.

Next morning...

Everyone sat in the living area for breakfast. Ruhi came out, she woke up a little late today, and Harsha let her sleep as she doesn't have school.

Ruhi (sleepy voice): Good morning.

Everyone replied back to her, including Anirudh. She didn't notice and lazily sat beside Saurav.

Saurav: Ruhi, today Ani bhai made your favourite pohe for breakfast.

She smiled and mumbled Thank you not expecting any reply like usual.

Anirudh: You're welcome.

Listening to him, she stared at him in shock and surprise.

Ruhi (blinking her eyes): Mujhe bola? (You said it to me?)

Anirudh nodded. Looking at Ruhi's shocking expression, Khushi giggles. Ruhi turned to Saurav with a pout.

Ruhi: Welcome ke baad kya bolte hai? (What should I reply to welcome?)

Saurav chuckled, and so did others.

Ruhi (angrily): Haso nahi... Gussa karugi main sab ko bahut. (Don't laugh. I will scold you a lot)

Khushi (innocently): Bibi no hihihi, yuhi... no gucha... (Baby isn't laughing, Ruhi. Don't scold me)

Ruhi (pulling her cheeks): You are only good. All is bad here.

Khushi (nodding): Yuhi Katti kattiii...

Anirudh (dramatically): Haww!!! Khushi papa se bhi Katti? (Khushi won't speak with Papa, too?)

Khushi (wobbling her head): Yes Katti...

He pecked her cheek, and Khushi nodded no.

Anirudh again pecked on her other cheek. Khushi didn't respond this time. Anirudh pecked her nose. Still no response. Anirudh cups her little face in his two big hands and keeps on pecking her cheeks and nose.

Ruhi was staring at them silently. Saurav noticed her and took her on his lap. He held her face in his hands and kissed her cheeks and nose on repeat.

Happy giggles of both girls echoed in the whole house.

A cosy and warm atmosphere settled inside the house. Everyone's heart melted with happiness.

To be continued...