I gasped and pressed my palm over Saarang's mouth, "Jija Ji se aise baat nahi karte!"

(Don't talk to your Jija Ji like that!)

Bhairav Ji ignored Saarang and went near the bed to see our kids. There was a softness in his features suddenly. He had trimmed his beard shorter so that the children wouldn't be able to pull it. And I daresay it made him look even more handsome.

Bhairav Ji kissed the inside of his daughter's palm, and I slowly got up from the floor while Saarang clung to my sari.

"Tumne bacho se mili hai?" Bhairav Ji turned to him. Saarang looked nervous, and I gave a soft pat on his shoulder, signalling that it was okay. My husband seemed oddly calm.

(Did you meet the kids?)

We walked over to the bed, and Saarang stared at the kids who were wide awake now. I didn't expect Bhairav Ji to lift him and place him next to our babies, even Saarang was surprised.

"Keshav Bhaiya ne milaya tha..." My little brother mumbled, "Par Dadi khelne nahi deti."

(Keshav Bhaiya had introduced me to them... But Dadi doesn't let us play together.)

Bhairav Ji ruffled Saarang's hair, "Tumhare saath khelne ke liye bahut chote hai ab. Sar uthana seekhne ke baad tumhare saath khelenge, Saarang."

(They're too small to play with you now. Let them lift their heads, then you can play together, Saarang.)

My brother nodded. He leaned forward and touched my daughter's nose. She sneezed just a little, making Saarang gasp. Bhairav Ji and I smiled at this.

"Bacho ka naam kya hai, Jiju?"

(What are their names, Jiju?)

My husband paused. I stifled a laugh because it was Saarang's first time calling him that to his face.

"Abhi tak naam nahi rakha gaya hai... Ek hafte baad naam karan sanskar hoga."

(Their names haven't been decided yet... The naming ceremony will be after one week.)

My son began growing restless, and eventually he cried. However, he stopped the moment I took him into my arms.

"Mujhe bhi uthaana hai!" Saarang grinned with twinkling eyes. I glanced at Bhairav Ji, who sighed and carefully lifted our daughter into his arms.

(I want to hold them as well!)

"Gardan ke neeche apna haath rakho... Dhyaan se pakadna... Dhyan se."

(Keep your hand under her neck... Hold her carefully.)

He was cautious while placing the child in Saarang's lap. Bhairav Ji gave him countless instructions on how to hold her. Saarang followed them diligently. I watched his young face lit up when she leaned against his chest.

"Kitni pyaari hai, Didi! Mai bahut khayal rakhunga. Pakka."

(She's so adorable, Didi! I'll take care of her really well. Promise.)

Bhairav Ji watched him before glancing at me. He got up from the bed, "Chalo Saarang. Maa bula rahi hai khaana khaane ke liye. Tum bhi aa jao-"

(Come on, Saarang. Maa is calling us to eat. Come with me-)

"Nahi!" He groaned, "Mujhe Didi ke saath khaana hai."

(No! I want to eat with Didi.)

Bhairav Ji glared at him, but I interfered at that moment, "Saarang, tumhaare Jija Ji kaam ke baad bahut thake hue hai. Tum neeche jaakar khaana kha lo... Inhe nahaana bhi hai. Raat ko tum mere paas aa sakte ho."

(Saarang, your Jija Ji is really tired after working. Go downstairs and eat with him... He needs to shower as well. You can come to me later at night.)

"Sach mei?" He asked with twinkling eyes.

(Really?)

"Haa, sach mei. Ab niklo kamre se." Bhairav Ji made him leave immediately. He placed our kids in the cradle before starting to undress.

(Yes, really. Now get out of the room.)

"Man badalne ke liye shukriya..." I smiled at him. Bhairav Ji didn't respond as he wrapped a towel around his waist.

(Thank you for changing your mind...)

"Par mai kyu puch sakti hu?"

(But can I ask why?)

Bhairav Ji took a deep breath, "Woh hamara bacha nahi hai... Par bacha hi toh hai. Parivar kehne ke liye tumhare siva koi aur nahi hai uska. Bura laga use dekhkar. Tumhare liye kuch bana raha tha darvaze ke bahar... Isliye. Woh kamre mei aa sakta hai par, apne aap ka bhi khayal rakhna." He went into the bathroom.

(He's not our kid... But he's still a child. He doesn't have anyone to call his family except you. I felt bad seeing him like that. He was making something for you outside the door... So yes. He can come into the room, but take care of yourself as well.)

I felt happy in my heart. He was growing more understanding towards Saarang.

***

The days leading up to the children's naming ceremony were mostly peaceful.

Bhargav returned to the haveli as preparations for his wedding had to begin right after the naming ceremony. He was excited for it. I could see the glint in his eyes clearly.

Since Bhairav Ji had talked with Maa and Dadi about Saarang, he was allowed to see me whenever he wished. My husband didn't lock the door anymore. I realised he had initially done it to keep Saarang out.

"Didi..."

I hummed as my little brother leaned against my arm.

"Aap bachon ka naam kya rakhenge?" He asked out of the blue. Tomorrow was supposed to be the children's naming ceremony. Both kids were lying comfortably beside me on the bed. I was trying to keep them entertained with one of the toys that Keshav had bought.

(What are you going to name the children?)

"Mai nahi rakhunga," I smiled, " Tumhare Jiju rakhenge naam."

(I won't name them. Your Jiju will.)

Saarang was lost thinking, "Jiju kya naam rakhenge?"

(What will Jiju name them?)

I shrugged, "Pata nahi. Tum ache se padhai kar rahe ho mere bina?"

(I don't know. Are you studying well without me?)

Saarang immediately gave me a nervous smile, "J-Ji Didi... Padh raha hu roz..."

(Y-yes Didi... I'm studying daily...)

I sighed. I knew he wasn't. With his attention span, he couldn't study without someone compelling him to.

"Jab yeh school jaana shuru karenge... Tab kya mai bhi inke saath school jaa sakta hu?"

(When they start going to school... Can I go to school with them?)

I gave him a forced smile, "Bilkul."

(Of course.)

Saarang's eyes twinkled as he rejoiced. I couldn't break his little heart. Not like this. Somehow, I'd have to find a way to send him to school. Bhairav Ji made it clear that he wouldn't spend a paisa on Saarang's education. In fact, the way he had challenged me still made my heart burn.

He wanted me to make money by myself. Using my wit. But how would I even do that in this world? I pondered over it for a long time.

For the children's naming ceremony, the haveli was bustling with life. Almost all relatives of the Chaudhary family had arrived. The maids helped me in bathing the children and dressing them in lovely clothes.

I myself dressed impeccably. Just like a Thakurain. It was a happy day for me since I could finally leave the bedroom.

Bhairav Ji's female relatives swarmed around me. Some were complimenting my beauty despite having given birth not long ago. Some were blessing me and saying how lucky I was to have twins. But some complained since I had a daughter- it should have been two sons.

I wasn't going to become the same woman my mother was. I wasn't going to discriminate between my kids. And frankly, I was happy that Bhairav Ji didn't really care since both kids were in good health. I was so happy.

But I was the Thakurain. I wasn't going to stand insult against my kids either.

"Pari jaisi beti hai, mausi. Aap kya keh rahi hai?" I scoffed and moved past the crowd.

(My daughter is like an angel, mausi. What are you saying?)

The woman's eyes widened just a little. She wouldn't raise her voice since Bhairav Ji was right next to me. Maa smiled to herself seeing my boldness. Saarang was in Keshav's arms, and he squealed when he saw me. I smiled at him.

Bhairav Ji sat next to the priest for the rituals. I sat a little behind him, my veil covering my face entirely. Both kids were in my arms, and it was a struggle to keep their hands still.

The priest proceeded with the rituals, and my son began crying in between. Bhairav Ji took him from my arms since he was being too violent.

Eventually, my husband whispered our son's name in his ear and kissed his forehead affectionately. Bhairav Ji did the same with our daughter, who had a bright toothless smile when her father kissed her head. It made me smile as well.

"Raghav Bhairav Chaudhary hai bete ka naam..." He said aloud for everyone to hear, "Aur beti ka naam hai Janaki Bhairav Chaudhary."

(Raghav Bhairav Chaudhary is my son's name... And my daughter's name is Janaki Bhairav Chaudhary.)

***

The children were in the arms of Bhairav Ji's aunts. The women were in the kitchen along with Maa and Dadi as they gossiped about the guests. I was busy warming milk for my husband and the few other families who were staying overnight.

"Aur bataiye behen, Bhargav ki shaadi ke charche sun rahe the hum... Ladki Mangalpur se hai?"

(Tell us more, sister. We've been hearing rumors about Bhargav's wedding... The bride is from Mangalpur?)

"Ji, Didi," Maa smiled happily, "Do mahine baad shaadi hoga. Bhairav saari taiyariya dekh raha hai."

(Yes, Didi. The wedding will be in two months. Bhairav is taking care of all preparations.)

One of the aunts laughed, "Aakhir aapki saari duvitha dur ho gayi, Amma."

(Finally, all your troubles have been dealt with, Amma.)

Dadi grinned at this. "Mere laal... Raghav... Aao mere paas," she took Raghav into her arms. My son was happily sucking on his thumb, and Dadi kissed his face countless times.

(My darling... Raghav... Come here.)

Janaki was in another mausi's arms. She yawned eventually and snuggled against the woman's bosom.

As the hours passed, the children were far too tired to stay awake. Maa helped me take them upstairs. Raghav was in her arms while Janaki was fast asleep in mine. Inside the bedroom, Bhairav Ji sat working at the table. He looked up as we entered, and I quietly placed the glass of milk before him.

"Sab so gaye?" He asked his mother while taking Raghav from her arms.

(Did everyone go to bed?)

"Haa beta. Kal subah tumhare mausi aur unke ghar wale nikal rahe hai. Subah unhe station thak chod aana, theek hai?"

(Yes. Tomorrow, your Mausi is leaving with her family. Make sure to drop them off at the station in the morning, okay?)

"Ji Maa. Der ho rahi hai, aap bhi jaakar so jaiye," Bhairav Ji replied.

(Okay, Maa. It's getting late, you should sleep as well.)

After Maa left, I carefully put Janaki in the cradle and took Raghav from my husband's arms. His eyes were on me the entire time.

"Kapde nahi badlogi?" He asked as I sat on the bed to feed the Chote Thakur.

(Are you not going to change?)

"Aapke bete ko sulane ke baad."

(After putting your son to sleep, I will.)

Bhairav Ji almost smiled. I didn't pay much attention as I undid my choli and fed my sweetheart. The bed dipped, and I realised my husband was sitting behind me, my shoulder brushing his chest. As soon as he touched our boy's palm, Raghav wrapped his tiny hand around his father's index finger.

"Mausi keh rahi thi... Do do bete chahiye tha... Beti nahi."

(Mausi was saying... It should have been two boys... Not a daughter.)

He hummed, "Do do bete hone ke baad kya? Yeh toh zaroor mere khilaaf jaega. Mai bhi Baba ke khilaaf bahut baar gaya hu... Isliye ek ladki hona acha hai. Mujhse behtar uske bhai ko sambhaal legi."

(And after that? This one will definitely go against me. I've gone against my father countless times as well... So a daughter is necessary. She'll handle her brother better than me.)

I glanced at him. The man was truly a mastermind.

"Aap bhi aapke beti ki shaadi 13 saal par karva denge?"

(Will you make her marry at 13 as well?)

"Chup reh Sanjana," he muttered irritably, "Raghav aur Janaki ki shaadi jab hogi tab dono khud ke liye naam banayenge. Aur mai meri beti ko doctor banaunga."

(Shut up, Sanjana. Raghav and Janaki will get married only after they've made a name for themself. And I'll make my daughter a doctor.)

"Doctor?" I stared at him with wide eyes.

"Haa, kyu nahi?"

(Yes, why not?)

I smiled at him, "Aur agar use padhna nahi hai toh?"

(And what if she doesn't want to study?)

Bhairav Ji stared into my eyes. He smirked, "Tumhe lagta hai bache mera kehna nahi manenge?"

(Do you think the kids won't obey me?)

I rolled my eyes, "Ji huzoor... Kaun himmat karega aapke khilaaf jaane?" I muttered, and my husband nipped my ear.

(Of course not, your highness... Who could dare to go against you?)

"Ah!" I hissed, glaring at the man beside me.

Bhairav Ji wasn't fazed at all. He snaked his arms around my body and rested his chin on my shoulder, closely watching our little boy suckle away.

I froze when Bhairav Ji moved his right hand under my other breast. There was a drop of milk clinging to my nipple. He brushed it with his thumb, causing goosebumps to erupt all over my skin. His eyes were locked with mine as he licked his thumb. There was a cocky smirk on his face as I watched him in horror.

"Aise kyu ghur rahe ho? Mera bhi haq banta hai."

(Why are you eyeing me like that? It's my right as well.)

"K-kya?"

(Wh-what?)

He held the side of my face and pressed a fond kiss to my cheek. My husband didn't pull away either. I could see his twisted emotions clearly. His eyes were heavy with love and affection, a rare sighting, and yet the air was thick with his lust.

"Kitne bhi saal kyu na beet jaye, meri gilehri... Tumhe apnane ka yeh pyaas toh kabhi bhujega nahi."

(No matter how many years pass, my little squirrel... I'll always remain hungry to make you mine.)

My breath hitched as he got up from my side. Bhairav Ji pressed a final kiss on my head, his hand lovingly caressed my face, and just like that, he strolled towards the bathroom. Damn him for making my pulse quicken.

Raghav yawned a little and snuggled against my chest, "Ab mere bete ko neend aa rahi hai?" I smiled, pressing my cheek against his. My little precious bundle.

(Is my baby feeling sleepy?)

I carried him toward the cradle. Janaki was already sleeping soundly. "Dekho, aapki behen kitne ache se so rahi hai... Kitni pyaari hai..." I smiled. Raghav's eyes began closing at the same time. I carefully placed him right next to his sister.

(Look at how sweetly your sister is sleeping... She's so cute...)

"Ek dusre ka ache se khayal rakhna..." I whispered and kissed their heads gently. My children were fast asleep, and nothing made me happier.

(Take care of each other well...)