One and a half year later,

"Maa, is everything ready, they would be here anytime now" Shakti said excitedly looking at the hallway.

"Everything is ready for your darling grand-daughter... stop fussing Shakti" Gayathri playfully scolded her son as she walked towards him smiling.

"I last saw her ten days back... I am missing her maa" he said looking at the watch and then at the door, when he heard the sound of vehicles approaching.

With a big smile he swiftly walked out of the mansion, ignoring his mother's calls to slow down.

Gayathri shook her head as a sign of give up before she calmly followed his son only to see that he was fast enough to greet Gauri's in laws and had already scooped his grand-daughter into his arms.

The little girl who was the spitting image of her damaad ji giggled and placed a sweet kiss on her naanu's cheeks while the later gifted her with a lot more all over her cute face.

"Namaste Kalyani ji" she greeted the elderly woman who was watching Shakti and her grand-daughter with a smile.

"Namaste Gayathri ji..." she said giving her a hug.

"I hope you are not too tired for a late lunch... please come in" said Gayathri smiling at the remaining people.

"Of course not... we are famished" Rudra exclaimed looking at his brothers who nodded their heads.

"Anika, Gauri... show your husbands their rooms... Rudra ... go freshen up and come down... I will also do the same" Kalyani ordered and her children obeyed without protest walking into the house.

Amaira frowned as she watched her papa leaving without giving her a kiss and screamed.

"Daa...!" she said angrily trying to fly out of her grand father's arms making her parents stop and turn around.

Omkara rushed to his daughter in guilt "Aww... sorry baby.. I am tired and I forgot" he apologized before placing a loud kiss on her cheek.

She however pulled at his hair in punishment making him hiss in pain.

Gauri who saw that, neared them and freed her husband's hair from her daughter's hand.

"Ammu... behave" she scolded her with a motherly glare.

When her daughter curved her lips ready to cry, not happy with the fact of being neglected and on top of that getting scolded, Omkara took her in his arms.

He rubbed his stubble with her cheek to shush her down and the little girl giggled feeling ticklish, forgetting that she has to cry and tell her parents that she is angry at them.

"Ammu... will you not freshen up?" Shakti asked in a baby voice reserved only for his munchkin.

Amaira turned to the elder man and shook her head in a no, clutching to her father making them laugh.

"Ammu is a good girl... she will do as papa says... won't she?" Omkara whispered into her ears placing a kiss on her temple.

Amaira cooed nodding her head "Guu... giii" she said and he smiled.

"Right... you are my good girl.. ... go with naanu..." he said handing her back to her grandfather.

She motioned her cubby hand as to ask him to come with them and he replied "I will go with mama... we will meet in a short time for lunch... okay?..." he said and she nodded in obedience.

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"How does she even understand what you say? She is just a little more than a year old" Gauri asked once they reached her room.

"My daughter is smart" came the boastful reply and she rolled her eyes.

Omkara chuckled placing an arm on his wife's shoulder "She doesn't understand Gauri... I just speak in a voice she likes and nod my head... she just imitates me..."

"Then she should also listen to me... she never does"

"That is because you get angry easily... you should be patient enough to understand her" he said and she looked at him with a smile.

"You understand everyone and everything"

"Well, I am practiced in understanding her mother... who was a tough nut to crack... Not a big deal to do it again... Amaira is much easier to deal with.... compared to you missus" he jested.

"You are going to spoil her with your sweetness... she is already pampered by everyone"

"You have Shivaay on your side to keep her in line"

"Hmm... he is an exception"

"Both of you are made out of the same mould... grumpy.. silent and strict beings" he said biting back a laugh.

Gauri frowned "You...."

"No... I don't want that I-love-my daughter-more-than-you statement again... I am dead tired and hungry... so please let us go down fast" he said taking her hand and walking into the washroom.

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"We will start the wedding functions early tomorrow Kalyani ji... It will he haldi first followed by Mehendi..." Gayathri informed at the dining table.

"Uhh... can't I marry tomorrow? Rudra asked making his brothers roll their eyes while his sister in laws awed.

"Chup kar besharam... It was you who delayed everything... If you have waited this long, one more day shouldn't be a problem" Kalyani said and Gayathri chuckled along with her son.

Gauri was in her last month of her pregnancy when Shivika announced the good news of them becoming parents. Rudra thought to wait for a few more months and only when his brothers assured him that he need not put his life on hold to support them did he agree for his wedding. Not to forget his bride's silent treatment for weeks.

Rudra scoffed "See... no one appreciates my sacrifice... there is no place for good on this earth" he said dramatically.

"Of course not... you are the sweetest person on this earth" Anika said.

"Yes bhaiyya... Bhavya is so lucky to get you... don't worry at all....If not anyone...we appreciate your selflessness... We love you" said Gauri making his chest expand.

"Your brother seems to have your wives on his side" Shakti smilingly whispered to Omkara and Shivaay who sat on his either side as he fed Amaira another spoon of baby food.

One quality that Amaira did not inherit from her mother was that she never made a fuss to eat and Shakti knew his son in law was extremely thankful for that.

Though in looks his grand-daughter resembled Omkara, in behavior she was Gauri's duplicate. That was one of the reasons Shakti felt he was cherishing his daughter's childhood as well while being close with his grand-daughter.

He tried to build that comradery with his ammu and make new memories to fill certain empty spaces of his heart, which he failed to do with his daughter... owing to his then circumstances.

"Yes... and so, we will get our revenge by keeping Bhavya in our team" Omkara replied with an evil glint in his eyes.

"Hai na ammu..." he asked turning to his daughter who grinned at her father.

"Mmmm mmm" she said waving her hands in the air, her mouth full of food.

"Om... don't make her talk while eating... It is bad manners" Shivaay said from beside him giving a 'look' to his niece who sat up straight in attention looking away from her bade papa.

"Shivaay... don't scare my daughter like that" Omkara said in a whisper taken aback by his daughter's reaction.

His brother raised an eyebrow in his direction and he sighed "Right... I asked you... fine... but this way she might fear you"

"She is still a baby Om... she will know what is what when she grows up a little... everyone needs discipline until that stage... You asked me to be the strict parent and I am being one...no stepping back now"

Omkara turned to his daughter who was calmly eating her food not once looking his way. He felt guilty for asking such a thing of Shivaay. He feared it would risk his relationship with his daughter who might not want to be with him.

After all, children though do not understand words, strongly feel the vibe from a person making them partly understand and react to a situation. He knew his brother loved his daughter but unlike the rest of his family who pampered her, Shivaay stayed strict making Amaira distant with him.

"Om... stop thinking so much... you are not eating" Shivaay said again.

Omkara's eyes drifted to his wife who was watching him keenly. She gestured him to his plate and mouthed 'eat' making him nod his head and take a spoon.

May be when she grows up, he can tell her that her bade papa is not so stern as he appears and loves her more than she knew... he thought.

"Anika... I made aloo puri because you like it... why are you not having your food? Should I make something else?" Gayathri asked looking at Anika's untouched plate.

"No daadi ji... I don't know why but since my pregnancy, I don't feel like eating aloo puri... Not only that.. all my favorite dishes including pani puri makes my stomach flip" she said glaring at her husband who had a huge grin on his face.

"Ohhoo... the baby took after his dad then" Gayathri said and Anika sulked, making the others laugh.

"No problem... what do you want to eat... just tell me"

Anika looked guiltily at the elderly woman "I am sorry daadi ji.. I..."

"No need to say sorry beta.. tell me what you want"

"Pasta penne" she said thinking for a while and Gayathri turned to Gauri in worry not knowing how to make the dish.

"Daadi ji... don't worry I will cook from tomorrow... For today I brought ready to eat pasta in my bag... I just asked Dandi to add hot water to it.. it will be ready in no time" Shivaay said and true to his words Dandi walked in placing the plate of pasta before Anika.

Kalyani looked at her grandson and said proudly "See... my billu is always prepared"

The others smiled and continued to eat keeping the light-hearted talks going on for some time before they returned to their rooms.

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It was early evening and the ladies of the house gathered in Gayathri's room who gifted them with sarees and jewelry as a part of custom for the marriage.

"Anika why don't you stay here with us for the remainder of your pregnancy? Shivaay will stay here just like Omkara did for Gauri" Gayathri said gently.

Anika sharply turned to Gauri who was smiling at her and Gayathri clarified "Gauri told me that you were sad thinking of your grandmother... You don't need to feel left out... Gauri and you are the same for us"

Anika teared up soon, hugging the woman "Thank you so much daadi ji"

"That is okay...please don't cry"

"Gauri was right.... You have a hard shell under which you are a softie" she said tightening the hug making the rest of them chuckle.

"Where is Ammu? She should be crying for her mother by now" Kalyani said looking at Gauri.

"She must be with paapa... Omkara ji and Shivaay bhaiyya went out with Rudy bhaiyya to check the final fitting of sherwanis and bring them home"

"I doubt that... he must have given some reason to meet Bhavya and as usual his brothers must have gone to help him" said Kalyani and the girls gave a look to each other to bite back a smile.

"Children these days I tell you Kalyani ji... they think we don't know them at all"

"That is what... Did you know? Om was all set to break into your house the night before mehendi" Kalyani said while Gayathri gasped.

"Yeah... had you caught him that day I can imagine what a mess it would have been"

"And Shivaay? Was he like his brothers too?" Gayathri asked.

"My billu is very mature, responsible and controlled Gayathri ji.. he will never do such a thing... Om ru are my naughty grandsons"

"Yeah... he is always calm and composed" Gayathri agreed.

Gauri looked at Anika who was rolling her eyes and chuckled silently.

So much for knowing one's grandsons.

"Okay enough of complaining about my best friends.... Daadi... tell us some incidents about their childhood... I like it when you talk about them... you used to tell Gauri some memoirs right?"

"Hmm... how time flies... It feels like yesterday" Kalyani said with a fond smile and began narrating one of the brother's notably naughty incidents.

"So, once Om was cross with Rudra when he booked him with a girl he did not want to go out with"

"Ohh... and how old were they?" Gauri asked with a frown.

"Fifteen... one year less or more Gauri"

"Okay continue"

"Do you know what your husband did? The next day, he wrote a love letter to Rudra's class teacher and signed it in his brother's name"

"And then?"

"Then what... the teacher was strict and spanked Rudra in front of the class along with the complaining to the principal"

"But he was just a kid... why was she so angry?"

Kalyani laughed "She wasn't angry that he wrote a letter... she was angry because when she asked him why he did so, Rudra vehemently denied it explaining that he could never write such a letter to a bull-dog face"

The ladies burst out laughing and Kalyani continued "You should have seen the artistry Omkara put into that letter... I think I counted fifteen hearts and sixteen kisses drawn over it"

"Oh God... to think that the same people are all grown up and leading a vast business empire looking to the world as dignified gentleman makes me shake my head in disbelief" she concluded and the ladies couldn't help but agree.

************************************************************************************************

"How do I look darling?" Rudra asked dressed in his wedding Sherwani and standing before his niece with a jubilant smile.

Amaira looked at her handsome chaachu and clapped her hands giving her approval "Haa...so..." she said and he grinned taking her in his arms giving her a sloppy kiss.

The little girl made a face giving him a slap making him pout at her "Didn't like the kiss?" he asked and she hummed in response.

"When are you calling me chaachu dearie? Even your parents are waiting for you to call them maama and papa" he said and she gave him a toothy smile.

Rudra looked at the door to see if his brothers were anywhere near and whispered conspirationally into her ears "What did chaachu make you learn? Tell me"

"Chaa..." Amaira said making him smile.

"And after that?"

"Ummmm"

"Not umm... chaa... chu... come on ammu... you should say it.. aren't you gifting me on my wedding?"

The girl thoughtfuly looked at him for a minute before she cupped his face and kissed him on his nose.

Rudra laughed "Not this gift.. I want you to call me chaachu" he said.

"Chaaa..." she said again and he smiled "No... say... Chaa chu.."

The girl stared at him lips, pouted shaking her head and he sighed "I don't know why but my heart is thumping since morning... I think I am anxious" he explained.

"Annn..."

"Yeah... anxious... you know michmichi" he said immitating Anika and the girl giggled.

"Will you stay with me today? I already...kind of feel better talking to you" he said tracing his finger on her cheek.

She only grinned at him before encircling his neck with her chubby arms and hiding her face in the crook of his neck.

Rudra gently stroked her back hugging her close to his chest. Just as he kissed the girl's hair with a smile and mumbled an 'I love you Ammu', his brothers entered the room ready to take him down to the stage.

"Rudy come.. it is time" Shivaay said and his brother nodded walking to him.

"Rudy.... Give her to me... she won't let you sit calm on the mandap" Omkara said and tried to take his daughter who unusually clung to his brother.

"Ammu... come to papa... chaachu is busy today... for a change" he said with a wink making Rudra glare at him.

"What do you mean O? Am I..." Rudra began to start his banter when Shivaay intervened.

"Guys... don't start now"

"Don't say that to me... who started it? This person here thinks I don't do any work" Rudra said angrily.

"Yeah.. what wrong did I..." Omkara started.

"Om... shut up... Rudra come down now" he ordered.

"Coming... when did I say no... let ammu stay with me... I am feeling nervous for some unknown reason... my darling will give me moral support unlike my brothers" he said glaring at them.

"Aww... you took it seriously... I was just trying to ease you Rudy... my little brother" Omkara said with a smile.

"Okay" Rudra scoffed when his brothers smiled pulling him into a warm hug taking care not to crush the little girl in between.

After a moment when none of them made a move to leave each other, too involved in the hug and stuck in their O-bro moment, Amaira wiggled making irritated voices making them part with a chuckle.

"It has been a while we had some bro moments together..." said Omkara

"Yeah... let us plan a vacation after a few months" said Shivaay.

"Only the three of us" Rudra said firmly and the brothers nodded in agreement.

"Maaa...." Amaira cooed as if reminding her father of his wife.

"Mama is downstairs... come let us go down before Hitler comes scolding for delaying my wedding again" Rudra said kissing his neice and walked out with his brothers.

*********************************************************************************

"Awww... look at the sight... they are killing it" Richa nudged both Gauri and Anika, making them look up at the stairs.

The brothers dressed royally in various shades of blue, their Sherwanis and pagdi rightly fit, were walking down the stairs with charismatic smiles on their faces.

While Rudra was in the center carrying Amaira dressed in a royal blue frock, his brothers were walking on either sides of the groom. The group appeared to be in a brotherly banter with the little girl giggling and cooing, equally participating in the conversation.

"Am I the only one who finds the sight of handsomely grown up men with cute children extremely endearing??" Richa asked not getting a response from the awestruck females.

"Count us in the same category Richa... They look adorable" Anika said with a smile and Gauri agreed, her eyes focused on her husband looking sinfully handsome.

When the group reached the ladies, Rudra proceeded to sit on the mandap with Amaira placed on his lap and talking gibberish, letting the elders know that she was taking part in the wedding, calming down her uncle.

The ritual was going on in full swing when Omkara neared his wife and stealthily slipped his hand around her waist pulling her to him.

When she sharply turned to him rebukal clear in her eyes for the impropriety, he leaned to whisper in her ears.

"Let Amaira sleep with Shakti paapa today"

Her eyes widened at the meaning when he winked at her saying "Don't think I missed that hungry look you gave me sometime back"

Gauri looked away flushing red while he chuckled, his gaze returning to his brother and daughter duo.

"My daughter is an attention seeker... isn't she" he said "I should also say she is curious and patient... I got bored one hour into the ritual and look at her...she barely made any noise since a long time" he added looking at the way his daughter calmly sat on her chaachu's lap looking at the priest wondering why his lips moved so fast.

"Hmmm... how come she didn't ask for you?"

"That's what even I thought was unusual... She did not come to me when I tried to take her from Rudy"

"Rudy bhaiyya seems tense... why is that so?"

"Just cold feet for the wedding Gauri... he doesn't like his freedom hindered... When we were kids we pledged not to marry"

"Ohh... I wonder what made you change your decision" Gauri said watching the couple get up for the pheras.

Shakti got up to take his granddaughter from the groom and this time the girl went to the elderly man willingly, too bored with the never ending rituals to keep her chaachu company.

"To answer your question..." Omkara said grazing his wife's bare waist "I was slapped into reality by a bewitching woman"

"Achaa ji.... Who? Ms. Mallika? I heard you wrote her love letters" Gauri said holding back her smile.

Omkara groaned aloud turning a few heads in his direction "What all do you women talk? I am not going to leave you alone with my grandmother henceforth"

Gauri laughed and walked towards her daughter who had become cranky all of a sudden asking for her 'daa' and 'maa'.

Once Gauri took Amaira from Shakti, she visibly calmed down making them sigh in relief.

As Rudra filled Bhavya's hairline with sindoor making her his wife, Gauri smiled looking at her cousin who seemed close to tears. Anika went and hugged Bhavya when a happy tear slipped her eyes. In no time, she was joined by Richa and Kalyani.

"I am happy for both of them... finally they will be together... Never thought Rudra thought so much... my idiotic but sweet brother" Gauri heard her husband speak and nodded in agreement.

When the groom tied the mangalsutra, the guests showered them with flowers and their blessings. Amaira then excitedly clapped her hands, loudly saying "Chaa ...chu..." earning a gasp from her parents.

The little girl's voice getting muffled with the loud music of the hall, couldn't be heard by the rest of the family. They continued to chat, smiling at the newly married couple who were in their own world of bliss lovingly looking at each other.

Gauri turned to her husband in dread and true to her fears, he was staring at his daughter in accusation.

"Omkaraji... she is a child..." she whispered holding his hand to comfort him.

Hearing her mother talk, Amaira turned to her father and giving him a toothy smile finally uttered "Daa..daa"

"Ohh... yeah... now you say that" her father hissed and she pouted fluttering her lashes at him.

"Don't give me that cute look Amaira.. you betrayed me" Omkara accused and Gauri laughed at her husband.

"This stays between us understand... she said Daa-daa first" Omkara instructed his wife.

"But..."

"No more arguments" he said in the tone of a petulant child and she rolled her eyes shaking her head mumbling 'You brothers and your stupid bets'

Amaira watched her ever calm father standing there with an annoyed expression. Wondering what caused his mood change, she called him again to get his attention.

"Daa...daa..."

Omkara looked at his daughter repeatedly calling out to him and spreading her arms, asking him to carry her. No need to say, his heart melted in no time and he scooped her up before she placed a calming kiss on his stubbled cheek.

Gauri looked at the two people who meant the world to her. Every time they laughed, her heart fell in love with them over and over again.

She thought she could not love anyone as much as she loved her Omkaraji but she was proven wrong, the moment she held her daughter in her arms. After all, Amaira was the facsimile of her father.

Few years back when she had to choose between her dream and her freedom, she blamed Shakti for her pain thinking that her future will be bleak and lifeless in a loveless marriage. But now she realized that her father wanted nothing but her good and it was the best ever decision she made by marrying into the family of his choice.

From a silent, obedient, closed off person who had no expectations from her future, she matured into a fierce, outspoken ,demanding one who is ready to write her own future. She knew without doubt that this version was far better than her previous self.

Omkara turned to his wife to find her staring at him. He smiled and raised an eyebrow in question. When she shook her head in a no, he snaked his free hand around her waist to pull her close. Gauri leaned into his embrace kissing his chest as her daughter continued to talk to her father diverting his attention.

If her husband taught her to open her heart and put out her love in words, her daughter taught her that love cannot be divided... it only multiplies with every new addition.

In life, you will realize that there is a role for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will use you and some will teach you. But the ones who are truly important will bring out the best in you. They are the rare and amazing people who remind you why it's worth it.

---google quotes.

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With this we reach the end of my thinking capacity.....🙃🙃

Hope you liked it...

Vote and comment on this chapter and the previous ones if you still did not.

For people who still don't know... I started a new show based fanfiction named "My Nepenthe" do give it a read and encourage me.

I should warn you that updates for Nepenthe will be terribly slow... may be once a week unless of course you amaze me with the response.

The story will be entirely response driven...

Love you all guys... signing off... Yours Soujanya.