Everyone in the room stared at Krishav, their eyes wide with shock, as they heard his sudden declaration of calling the baby his younger brother. The air was heavy with tension, and their thoughts crashed against their minds like a tsunami. Their faces displayed a myriad of reactions, ranging from confusion to disbelief, as they tried to process this unexpected information.

Ranvijay, unsure of how to approach this sudden topic, voiced the collective thought with a single word, "How?" Krishav couldn't help but laugh at their bewildered expressions, their thoughts clearly visible on their faces as their minds raced at lightning speed, trying to make sense of his words.

"Please, everyone, calm down," Krishav said, his face serious, not wanting any misunderstandings to arise. His words hung in the air, and Ranvijay found himself staring intently at a nearby flower pot, lost in thought. The idea of babies growing from plants and being delivered within such a short period seemed absurd, yet his mind couldn't help but wonder if it could be true.

Suddenly, Neha shook Ranvijay, her worried eyes meeting his. "Are you okay, Ran?" Ranvijay nodded, offering reassurance to his wife. The room fell into a tense silence, all eyes fixed on Krishav, waiting for his explanation.

"We found this baby yesterday, placed outside our door in a basket" Krishav began, his voice trailing off as a loud gasp escaped Neha's lips. Ranvijay, face now devoid of expression, let out a small growl, his trembling hands and glistening eyes betraying the turmoil within him. Neha rushed to comfort her husband, embracing him tightly and whispering soothing words.

Abinash quickly moved to sit in front of Ranvijay, gently tracing patterns on his palm, attempting to calm him down. "Hey Ran, listen to me, calm down. Take a deep breath," Abinash urged, his voice filled with concern. Neha's touch provided comfort, gradually bringing Ranvijay back to the present.

Ranvijay squeezed Neha's hand reassuringly, his gaze shifting to Abinash, who looked at him with worry. In a moment of vulnerability, Ranvijay pulled Abinash into a heartfelt hug, patting his back. "I'm okay, Abhi," Ranvijay spoke in a shaky voice, trying to assure his friend.

Their embrace was interrupted by Anjali's voice, attempting to lighten the heavy atmosphere. "Okay, guys, Abhi, let go of Ranvijay before Neha accuses you of stealing her husband." Laughter filled the room, bringing a sense of relief as everyone settled back down.

Abinash sat next to Ranvijay, his fingers intertwined with Ranvijay's left hand, while Neha held his right hand firmly.

The room was filled with a mixture of apprehension and sympathy as Krishav glanced at Ranvijay, his worried eyes reflecting the knowledge of his uncle's painful past.

Ranvijay had been abducted by one of their servants as a child and left on the doorstep of a deranged couple who delighted in tormenting innocent souls.

It took Ranvijay's family years to find him, but the damage inflicted during those ten long years had left him with lifelong scars and PTSD.

Despite the weight of his own trauma, Ranvijay managed to offer Krishav a gentle smile, his eyes conveying reassurance and a silent plea to continue the story.

Nodding in response, Krishav addressed the group, recounting how the abandoned child had been discovered, detailing the heartbreaking condition in which they found him.

The room fell into a somber silence as everyone fixated their gaze on the infant, their hearts heavy with condemnation for the heartless mother who could abandon her own flesh and blood in such a state.

Anjali's heart twisted with anguish upon hearing the baby's tale of injustice. "How could someone be so cruel as to leave a defenseless baby like this?" she whispered, her voice tinged with sorrow.

Neha's face mirrored the inner turmoil within her as she pondered the possibility that the mother herself had made this heart-wrenching decision. "How could a mother abandon her own child, after carrying them for nine months, nurturing them with her own blood? Didn't her motherly instincts scream out in agony at the thought of parting with her baby so heartlessly?"

Abinash's expression mirrored the thoughts of both Anjali and Neha, his face a canvas of empathy and disbelief.

Meanwhile, Ranvijay's features remained stoic, masking the whirlwind of emotions raging within him.

He fixed his gaze on Krishav and the baby, both lost in their own world, and finally broke the silence.

"Krishav, are you absolutely certain that you won't change your mind in the future?" Ranvijay's voice cut through the air, laden with a mixture of concern and hope.

Krishav met Ranvijay's gaze with unwavering determination. "He's my younger brother, Ran chachu, and nothing in this world could ever make me reconsider my decision."

A genuine smile spread across Ranvijay's face as he responded, "Very well then, Krishu. I truly hope you stay true to your word, because if you don't, I won't hesitate to knock some sense into you."

Laughter filled the room, but beneath the lightheartedness, they all understood the seriousness behind Ranvijay's words.

Abinash joined in the laughter, his mischievous tone cutting through the air. "Well, Krishu, you may not be able to stop us from spoiling the newest addition to our family."

Krishav let out a sigh of relief, grateful for the acceptance and support of his family.

Before anyone could say another word, Khana entered the room, assisting an injured Prerna through the door.

Ranvijay and Abinash swiftly rose to their feet, their footsteps echoing in the room, as they rushed to assist Prerna in settling down.

Anjali hurriedly darted into the kitchen, the clatter of utensils and the sound of rushing water filling the air, as she fetched a glass of water for Prerna.

Krishav stood there, his heart pounding in his chest, as he held the baby in his arms, his eyes fixated on his mother, who was being gently helped onto the nearby couch.

Handing the baby over to Neha with a tender touch, Krishav dashed towards Prerna, anxiety evident in his gaze.

His forehead creased with worry, his brows furrowing as he examined her injury. A huge white bandage wrapped Prerna's head along with one on her torso and ankle. Small scratches and bruises littered her skin.

Embracing his mom tightly yet carefully, Krishav sought solace in her comforting presence.

Prerna reciprocated the embrace with equal intensity, offering a sense of warmth and security.

As Krishav breathed deeply, the weight of his concerns lingered in his mind. "Mom, how did you get hurt?" Krishav asked, his voice filled with concern, unwilling to let go of Prerna.

"It was a drunk driver, Krishu, who crashed into our car just as I stepped out," Prerna replied softly, her hand caressing Krishav's back, feeling his grip tighten. Ranvijay glanced at Prerna for a moment, his thoughts unspoken.

Abinash exchanged a knowing look with Ranvijay, and both chose to remain silent, understanding the gravity of the situation.

Krishav trembled at the thought of what could have happened if Prerna had still been inside the car.

Clinging tightly to his mom, he buried his face in her neck, seeking comfort in her presence, as Prerna tenderly stroked his head.

The tender moment was interrupted by the loud cries of the baby, piercing the air. Neha tried her best to soothe the baby, but her efforts proved futile.

Krishav reluctantly released his hold on Prerna and swiftly took the baby back into his arms, who immediately calmed down upon feeling the secure embrace of his older brother.

The worry lines on Krishav's forehead faded away as he cradled the baby, finding solace in his innocent presence.

Krishav brought the baby closer to Prerna, settling down beside her, while Prerna gently wiped away the tear that clung to the baby's cheek.

The Malhotra and Singhania families watched in awe and love, their hearts warmed by the sight of this beautiful bond.

The women leaned against their husbands, their eyes filled with tenderness, as they witnessed the love that enveloped the room.

However, a fleeting glimpse of concern flashed in Anjali's eyes as she observed the injured Prerna and the baby held lovingly between Krishav and Prerna.

Before anyone could grasp the significance of that momentary expression, it vanished, disappearing into the depths of Anjali's thoughts.

Ranvijay cleared his throat, breaking the enchanting moment, and everyone's gaze turned towards him.

"What? Why are you all staring at me like that? As much as I cherish this beautiful moment, we must focus on the most important thing," Ranvijay spoke, his eyes scanning the room, pausing momentarily on Prerna.

Prerna's breath hitched at the intensity reflected in Ranvijay's eyes, causing a flutter in her chest. She stared wide-eyed at Ranvijay, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Why did he choose this place to talk about the accident?

"What's that, chachu?" Krishav spoke, his head tilted to the side, his voice laced with genuine curiosity.

The room was filled with a sense of anticipation as everyone turned their attention to Ranvijay.

"How long are you going to keep calling this tiny one as baby? Shouldn't we name him, huh?" He spoke in a duh tone, as if stating the most obvious fact. Prerna let out a small sigh of relief hearing this.

A realization slowly dawned on everyone, and Krishav, face palming himself, realized that they hadn't given the baby a name yet.

"We need to properly welcome the newest member of our family," Neha's voice trembled with excitement, her eyes glistening with joy.

"This calls for a celebration." Anjali and Neha spoke in unison, their voices blending harmoniously as they high-fived each other like little girls.

"Celebration without us, not fair,"
Suddenly, a voice emerged from behind, breaking the celebratory atmosphere. All heads turned, their eyes meeting the sight of two kids standing at the door, their smiles radiating warmth.

Giggling with infectious joy, they rushed towards the group, joining them in their excitement. Prerna smiled warmly at their arrival, her heart swelling with affection.

However, Krishav turned his face away, his emotions hidden from view. "How are you kiddos? And what took you so long to visit us?" Prerna's voice held a mixture of curiosity and fondness as she stared at the two children.

"We're doing well, Auntie. We had angered tiger, so we brought offerings to seek forgiveness, hopefully we would be forgiven" Viraj spoke mischievously, winking at Krishav.

Krishav huffed and averted his gaze, while Vedika stifled a giggle at Viraj's playful comparison.

Neha's voice turned stern as she questioned their mischief. "We didn't do anything, aunty," Vedika spoke softly, her voice filled with innocence, and she approached Neha, embracing her tightly. Melting her instantly.

"Really?" a voice came from behind Vedika, and before she knew it, her ear was playfully pulled. Vedika gave a sheepish smile, turning to face her mother's stern gaze.

"Mumma," she called out softly, her eyes shining with innocence, attempting to win her mother over with her puppy eyes.

Anjali raised her eyebrows, her gaze filled with skepticism, but her stern expression softened. "Maasi," a soft voice called out, and Anjali's glare shifted towards Viraj, who quickly sought refuge behind Prerna, wrapping his arms around her.

Vedika took advantage of the distraction, slipping away from her mother's grip and joining Prerna, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.

Anjali shook her head, accepting the futility of scolding them, while the men settled comfortably on the couch, having grown accustomed to this daily occurrence.

"Maasi maa, tell na Krishu to forgive us," Viraj whispered softly in Prerna's ears, his voice barely audible over the murmurs of the room. Vedika nodded in agreement, her eyes pleading for forgiveness.

Prerna let out a weary sigh and motioned for both of them to step forward, the creaking of the wooden floor beneath their feet adding to the tension in the room.

"First, tell me the full story," Prerna spoke, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.

She knew that Krishav wouldn't unleash his anger without a valid reason.

Viraj gently pushed Vedika ahead, her betrayed expression piercing his heart as all eyes turned towards her. Vedika nervously chuckled, her eyes darting around the room, feeling the weight of her mother's stern gaze upon her.

With a resigned look, she lightly ruffled her hair, a nervous habit she had developed over the years. "Well... actually, what really happened is that, umm, that would be told to you all by Viraj," she stammered, her words tumbling out quickly.

She pushed Viraj forward, who opened his mouth to protest but was quickly silenced by Neha's authoritative tone.

Viraj muttered about always being thrown into the fire but reluctantly began to speak. "Umm, actually, last week, we poured paint on Mrs. Sharma, and kept a frog in her bag" he said, his voice filled with a mix of guilt and amusement.

He dared to steal a glance at Neha, who was fuming with anger, before turning to Vedika, silently urging her to continue.

"It wasn't really our fault. Mrs. Sharma had tried to bully us, so we decided to teach her a lesson," Vedika spoke in a small voice, her gaze lowered under the disapproving glare of Anjali.

Abinash's bewildered voice interrupted the tense atmosphere. "How were we not aware of all these fiascoes you both caused?" he exclaimed.

Viraj chuckled softly, remembering their encounter with Mrs. Sharma. "Hehe, Krishav convinced Mrs. Sharma to forgive us and spared us from a lecture," he replied, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

Ranvijay joined in the laughter, but quickly stopped when Neha shot him a warning look.

"Which color did you use?" he asked, unable to contain his curiosity. Vedika hesitated, knowing she would face another round of disapproval, before quietly answering, "Pink." Anjali's disapproving glare intensified, causing Vedika to bow her head in shame.

Both Vedika and Viraj apologized to their parents, their voices filled with remorse, and then embraced Prerna, trying to coax her into forgiving them.

"Forgive them now, Krishu," Prerna called out softly to Krishav, her voice filled with a mix of hope and pleading.

Vedika and Viraj turned their gaze towards Krishav, their eyes pleading like innocent puppies.

Krishav sighed, looking at them with a mixture of exasperation and affection. "Fine, but this is the last time I'm hearing scoldings for you both," he relented, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation.

"Aww Krishu, you're the best," Viraj exclaimed, making Krishav cringe and cover his ears, unable to contain his excitement, as he pounced on Krishav, enveloping him in a tight hug.

Vedika couldn't resist the temptation and joined the embrace, causing all three of them to tumble onto the couch. The elders shook their heads, watching them fondly, their hearts filled with a mixture of amusement and love.

Krishav tapped them on the shoulder, a hint of playfulness in his voice. "If you don't want me to die in the next 10 seconds, then get off me," he huffed softly after finally being released from their bear hug.

"Okay, now tell me, who is this baby and what are we going to celebrate?" Vedika spoke, her voice cutting through the room and capturing everyone's attention.

The soft scent of baby powder filled the air as all eyes turned towards the sleeping infant in Prerna's arms.

"He is my brother," Krishav spoke with determination, his gaze filled with love as he looked at the tiny bundle.

Vedika gently cooed, her voice soft and tender, as she held the baby's hand in her much larger ones.

"His cheeks are so soft," Viraj commented, lightly poking the baby's cheek. Krishav felt a pang of jealousy as he watched everyone vying for a closer look at his baby brother.

"He's my baby brother," Krishav mumbled, his voice barely audible as Viraj continued to shower affection on the little one.

"He's so adorable, Mom. Can we take him home with us?" Viraj pleaded, his eyes wide with longing.

Before anyone could respond, Krishav intervened, rushing to the baby's side and gently taking him from Prerna's arms, holding him close.

"No, he's my baby, Viraj. You can play with him, but you can't take him away from me," Krishav asserted with determination, his gaze stern as he stared at Viraj, who stood there, stunned, along with the others.

It was a side of Krishav they had never seen before, this fierce protectiveness.

"I'm just joking, silly. And if he's your baby brother, then he's my baby bro too," Viraj chuckled softly, leaning against Krishav, who lowered his guard, realizing the extent of his jealousy.

"Prerna, you should rest now. We will handle the preparations for the ceremony," Neha suggested, her voice filled with concern as she looked at the injured Prerna.

"I'm okay, Neha. It's just a little pain. I can help you. Besides, it's my son's naming ceremony. How could I miss all the preparations?" Prerna replied, a touch of hurt in her tone.

"Prerna, isn't your son our son too?" Realizing her mistake, Prerna quickly shook her head. "I didn't mean that, Neha."

Prerna motioned for Neha and Anjali to come closer, taking their hands in hers. "You both have equal rights to my children, just as I have to yours. You both are like their mothers, never think otherwise."

The three women embraced each other, their bond evident, as the men looked on with adoration.

"Prerna, you need to rest now if you plan to attend your son's naming ceremony. Otherwise, we will postpone it if you dare to argue with us. And no, I'm not only saying this as your brother, but also as your family doctor," Abinash spoke, his voice firm as he silenced any oncoming protests from Prerna, immediately turning away to attend to other matters.

"Fine," Prerna muttered with a defeated tone, her gaze fixed on her stubborn family.As she glanced at Krishav, she gave him a reassuring nod, noticing the worry etched on his face as he stared at Prerna.

"Nehu, Anjali, you all stay with the kids. We will take Prerna to her room," Ranvijay spoke as he, along with Abinash, helped Prerna to her room.

As Prerna contemplated sharing her foolish mistake with both of them, a small sigh escaped her, knowing the scoldings that awaited her.

            *********************

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