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As Karan and Teju stepped out of the room, they immediately spotted Reyansh and Kavya sitting on the floor, giggling as they clicked pictures together with a tiny camera. Both kids, no older than five, looked absolutely adorable in their matching traditional outfits. Kavya had her arm wrapped around Reyansh, and they both beamed at the camera, their innocent faces radiating pure joy.

Teju couldn't help but smile, her heart swelling at the sight of her daughter and Reyansh. "Kitne cute hai na ye dono......," she whispered to Karan, who was standing beside her, his gaze softening as he watched the little duo.

Just then, Manik appeared, walking up to Karan with an exaggerated slow pace, a teasing smirk on his face. " aare...samdhiji...i mean..karan," he started, lowering his voice dramatically. " teri beti aur mera beta kitne cute lag rahe hai na sath mai...?"

Karan rolled his eyes with an exaggerated sigh. "Manik, stop it," he groaned. "I swear,mai tuje meri life se ban kar dunga"

Manik raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "karan yaar....over drama na kar..vo dono soulmates hai....aur tu unke pyaar ka dushman na ban!" He winked at Karan, who glared back at him, clearly annoyed but trying to suppress a smile.

Teju  and nandini chuckled at the chaotic exchange between the two best friends.

Manik, seeing the playful banter between them, leaned in closer to Karan, whispering just loud enough for everyone to hear, " dekh..mai bata raha hu..agar tu inki shaadi ke liye nhi maana na..toh mera beta bhaga le jayega teri beti ko."

Karan, rolling his eyes again, pushed Manik's shoulder. " 5 saal ke hai vo dono....." he muttered.

Reyansh and Kavya, oblivious to the conversation, continued to pose for the camera. Kavya turned to Karan and Teju, her eyes sparkling with excitement. " mumma...uncle...ye deko..meri aur rey ki pics kitne cute aaye hai!"

Teju smiled warmly at her daughter, while Karan gave a proud nod, his heart swelling. " bohot cute hai ye pics baby," Teju said, walking over to them. karan bent down, looking at the photos on the tiny screen, and then gave Reyansh a thumbs up. "Great job, buddy!"

Manik, sensing the opportunity to cause more chaos, walked over to the kids with an exaggerated pout. "I think yaha pe best jodi ka award inhe hi milna chahiye..haina karan?," he teased.

Karan shot him a glare, while Teju just chuckled, shaking her head at their chaotic friendship.

As Teju and Karan stood close, enjoying the moment with the kids, Reva, who had been watching them from a distance, suddenly walked over with a stern expression on her face. Without a word, she grabbed Karan's arm, pulling him away from Teju with surprising force.

Karan was taken aback for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. He opened his mouth, about to retort, but then he caught Teju's gaze. Her eyes were firm but calm, silently signaling him to stay quiet.

Karan hesitated, his jaw tightening as he met her gaze. He could see the gentle but clear plea in her eyes, asking him not to escalate things. He took a deep breath and closed his mouth, forcing himself to stay silent despite his growing frustration.

Reva, unaware of the silent communication between them, dragged Karan a few steps away, her grip on his arm firm. "Karan..yaha sirf pooja ke liye aaye hai hum....tu uske sath kyu khada hai ?" she asked, her voice harsh. "You know better than to get too close to her."

Karan felt a flare of anger at her words, but his eyes quickly flicked back to Teju. He saw her standing there, watching him with an encouraging, almost protective expression, and he knew he had to hold back for her sake.

Teju stood where she was, her posture calm but resolute. She didn't make a scene, but there was a flicker of understanding in her eyes, as though she knew exactly what Karan was going through and what he had just done for her.

Teju's mom and dad walked into the living room, with Pratik  following behind. As they entered, Teju's dad immediately spotted Kavya and made his way toward her, scooping her up in his arms. Kavya giggled, reaching up to hug her nanu as he smothered her with affection.

"Look at my princess," Teju's dad beamed, showering Kavya with love. " kitni cute lag rahi hai  my little star."

Karan's dad stood there, watching them with a subtle frown on his face. The playful smile he usually wore was replaced with a hint of jealousy as he saw the bond between Teju's dad and Kavya. He couldn't help but sulk, knowing that he had to keep his relationship with Kavya a secret, especially in front of his wife and the rest of the family.

"Yeh Prakash...huh..mere samne over acting kar raha hai..meir poti ka fav ban na chahta hai...huhh," Karan's dad muttered under his breath, watching Teju's dad twirl Kavya around. "Aur main yahan chupke se khada hoon, jaise koi stranger hoon."

Teju's dad, oblivious to the growing tension, continued his playful banter with Kavya. "Tu toh meri jaan hai...aur mai tera Fav ....," he indirectly teased karan;s dad , earning a glare from him.

Karan's dad cleared his throat, trying to maintain his composure. "Praksh.....teri natin teri jaan hai toh .....bhabhi ji ( teju;s mom) kon hai phir?" he said in a loud voice, but with a touch of sarcasm. 

Teju's dad looked up, finally noticing the sulking expression on Karan's dad's face. "Come on Kundrra....aag kyu laga raha hai," he said, a mischievous smile forming on his lips. "Kavu meri jaan hai..aur teri bhabhi...matlab ki kavu ki nani ko ismai koi problme nhi hai..."

Karan's dad grunted in response, and stomped karan;s foot

karan, " ahh..dad..ye kyu?"

karan's dad : " tere hi wajah se mai meri poti  ko as my poti nhi mil paa raha hu..tuje toh mai......

he riased his hand to smakced karan;s back playfully when karan;s mom saw them, 

karan' s mom: " aap dono kar kya rahe ho?"

karan's dad: " shabashi de raha hu tere bete ko..i mean hamare.."

karan;s mom saw them and then said to teju slowly, 

karan's mom: "teju..muje lagta hai abhi inn dono ke liye havan karwana hoga muje...pata nhi itne dino se ye jaani dushman - dost ban gaye hai"

teju chuckled

after some time, the pooja started 

As Teju and Kavya were in the middle of the pooja, lighting the diya and chanting the mantras, Panditji, who was overseeing the ceremony, looked around and asked, "Tejaswwi beta.., where is your husband? It's a good thing to have a man by your side during the pooja."

Teju smiled softly, trying to keep the conversation light, but with a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Panditji, I don't have a husban..i am unmarried " she replied, her voice calm but firm.

Karan was stiff. 

Panditji looked at her with a thoughtful expression, raising an eyebrow. "beta...pooja kon karega phir?," he said, his tone gentle, but implying what was usually the tradition.

Teju nodded politely. "mai aur meri beti."

Meanwhile, Kavya, who was standing by, holding a small plate with offerings for the hawan, glanced at her papa from a distance. She was quietly wishing, hoping that he could be a part of this special moment. She wanted to offer the items in the hawan with him by her side, just like she had imagined.

Her eyes brightened when she saw Manik, who was sitting off to the side, casually observing the pooja. Kavya looked at him and subtly signaled with a small hand motion, trying to get his attention. Manik saw her and immediately caught on to her silent plea.

He winked at her before looking around the room to make sure no one was paying attention. In a quiet tone, he leaned over to her and whispered, "Don't worry, Kavu...tere chachu mai bohot dimag hai..unlike ur dad...(kavya glared him) acha cha.s.orry..tere papa mai bhi dimag hai....tu ruk..karta hu mai kuch"

Manik, knowing exactly what she needed, quickly got up and walked over to Karan and Teju's parents, subtly ushering them out of the room. He knew this was the perfect moment to distract everyone, giving Teju and Karan the chance to finish the pooja with Kavya.

"mai kya keh raha hu...yaha na bohot dhua hoga hawan ke wajah se..so hum na bahar chalte hai...dhua kam hoga..tab vapis aajayenge....sab oldies hai na yaha.." Manik said

karan;s dad and teju;s dad both smacked his head saying, " kon oldies? "

manik sighed saying, " aare aap dono toh mere bete se bhi young ho..yaha mai old hu..pls chalo bahar.."( sarcasm)

As soon as Manik led Teju's parents and the others outside, the room felt quieter, more intimate. Kavya, who had been anxiously waiting for her moment, finally ran to Karan and hugged him tightly.

 "Papa," she whispered softly, her voice full of love and warmth. Her small hands clung to him, and Karan's heart melted as he held her close. He gently stroked her hair, his voice thick with emotion, "Princess....."

Teju, watching the beautiful bond between them, felt her heart swell with a mixture of pride and love. She glanced at the two of them, her family, and felt like, just for a moment, everything was exactly as it should be.

After a few moments of hugging, Karan slowly pulled away from Kavya, wiping a tear from his cheek that had unexpectedly fallen. He smiled at her. "Now that my princess is happy, let's finish this pooja, huh? jiske liye aapne aapke chachu ke sath milke sabko yaha se bhaga diya...." he said, his voice full of affection.

Kavya beamed up at him. " Yes papaaaa"

Teju, who had been watching them, nodded and turned to Panditji. "Panditji, now that Kavya's mom and dad are here, hum pooja continue kar sakte hai, par pls ye baat bahar kisiko pata nhi chalni chahiye..pls" she requested  her tone calm but with a slight quiver of joy in her voice.

Panditji, who had been patiently waiting, smiled warmly at them. "Of course, Tejasswi beta....kisiko pata nhi chalega ye baat.... Let us continue. the pooja" He motioned for them to resume the ritual.

Teju and Karan, with Kavya in between them, joined hands and stood together to continue the pooja. As they recited the mantras, the bond between the three of them, their silent promise to always be there for each other, filled the air. It wasn't just about the pooja anymore—it was about a family coming together, despite the complexities and challenges that life had thrown at them. And in this moment, they found peace.

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