After lunch, Bhairav Ji had to go out almost immediately. To my disappointment, he only returned at midnight and fell asleep due to exhaustion. The routine didn't change for the next few days either.

My husband had to go to the city countless times with Paramesh. I wondered whether he had confronted the barrister regarding what I had told him, but I realised my husband was clever enough to beat him to a pulp only after he was done using him as required.

Bhairav Ji told me that Gulzar was currently in prison and his trial would be long and stressful. It would take at least a few months for the judge to take a final decision on his case.

In the meantime, he had to meet a lot of people every day. First, he visited Naman's family and offered condolences. He also convinced Gulzar's son, Karim (who was surprisingly on my husband's side), to grant them a generous financial compensation. Bhairav Ji also ensured that when Naman's younger brother comes of age, he'd offer him work.

Bhairav Ji also took a lot of time to find the whereabouts of the man who had died in the bomb explosion. Ravi was the boy's name. My husband visited his family as well and offered to sponsor his sister's marriage entirely, including the dowry. I was quite proud of him for taking responsibility for everything.

He invited Yusuf and Rehman to our haveli as well, and Saarang became close friends with the boy. Yusuf was quite reserved though. He was as respectful and modest as he could be. However, Maa had surprised us all.

She was fiercely religious and openly opposed all non-Hindus. But when Yusuf visited, she had held his hand and talked with him for a long time. After all, he was the one who had saved her son's life. We were all dearly grateful to him. Bhairav Ji offered him a high-paying job at the factory, but Yusuf denied it and went back to his village in the evening after collecting the money my husband had promised him.

Aradhya's baby shower was just around the corner. Even though everyone was excited for it, Bhargav was quite dull. Why? Because his in-laws would be taking Aradhya back home with them after the baby shower, as traditionally, the baby was supposed to be born in the Mother's home.

It was late at night, and my husband was finally relaxing in bed. He had spent another tiring day navigating between his office and the city. I was massaging his back and shoulders with warm oil as he hummed in relief. Even his favorite songs were playing on the radio. The kids had gotten so tired from playing all day that they were fast asleep beside us.

"Aapne aane mei itni der kyu ki?" I asked him.

(Why did you come home so late today?)

"Aspatal jaana pada..." He sighed.

(I had to go to the hospital...)

"Aspatal?" I froze.

(The hospital?)

"Mere liye nahi, Paramesh ke liye," he said nonchalantly. "Woh kuch hafto ke liye chal nahi payega... Par agli peshi tak sab theek ho jaega," Bhairav Ji yawned.

(Not for me, for Paramesh. He won't be able to walk for a few days... But he'll be fine by the next hearing.)

I squeezed his shoulders and leaned closer to his ear before whispering, "Aapne... Unke saath kya kiya...?"

(What did you do to him...?)

"Thoda neeche... Haan, wahi..." He sighed in relief as I massaged his lower back.

(A little lower... Yeah, right there...)

"Vishay badalne ki koshish mat kijiye," I shook my head.

(Don't change the topic.)

"Zyada kuch nahi kiya, meri gilehri. Kuch hafton ke liye chalne aur khaane mein dikkat hogi. Agar woh mere barrister nahi hote, toh shayad abhi zinda nahi hota... Isliye shukar karo."

(Nothing much, my dear. He won't be able to walk or eat properly for the next few weeks. If he hadn't been my lawyer, maybe he wouldn't be alive right now... So be grateful.)

The ignorance in his tone scared me at times. My husband was really unbothered when it came to taking a man's life.

He suddenly lifted himself off the bed, startling me, and turned off the lights. I gasped when he pushed me down on the pillow forcefully before hugging me tight and burying his face in the crook of my neck.

As I ran a hand through his hair, it was hard to imagine that the same man who slept like a baby in my arms was capable of so much more when provoked.

"Sanjana..." He whispered.

"Mmm."

"Aradhya ke godbharai mei Nandlal parivar ke saath aayega. Komal aur uski shaadi ek hafte pehle Mandir mei ho chuka hai. Unki ek beti bhi hai, Ruhi..."

(Nandlal will come with his family for Aradhya's baby shower. He got married to Komal one week before in a temple. They have a daughter as well, Ruhi...)

I was quite surprised to hear this, "Kya woh wahi Komal hai...? Baldev ki..."

(Is that the same Komal...? Baldev's...)

He hummed, nuzzling against my neck, "Nandlal apni press ke saath ek photo studio bhi ab chala raha hai. Godbharai ke din hum sab tasveer kheechenge. Pure parivar ke saath..."

(Nandlal is now running a photo studio with his press as well. We'll take family pictures on the day of her baby shower.)

I smiled and kissed his forehead, "Hum bacho ke bahut saare tasveer kheechenge. Mai unhe naye naye kapdo mei sajaungi."

(We'll take many pictures of the children. I'll dress them up in pretty clothes.)

"Haan..." Bhairav Ji yawned again, "Bahut saare..."

(Yes... Many pictures...)

My husband drifted asleep before I knew it while I cuddled him happily. As always, the preparations for Aradhya's baby shower were grand. A lot more guests had agreed to come, especially after hearing the fascinating tale of my husband, who had returned from the dead.

I instructed the maids to adorn every nook and corner with flowers, especially the inner courtyard. Aradhya was far too embarrassed as she sat there with her veil down. She was now seven months pregnant, and I couldn't describe how happy I was for her.

Bhargav was almost always standing near a pillar quietly or sitting on one of the stools nearby. In fact, his eyes were so lost whenever he looked at his wife. Aradhya looked stunning without a doubt. Her pale grey eyes and precious smile melted the hearts of everyone who had come to meet her.

Payal and I enjoyed teasing her the most while the others often laughed at our antics. Women danced and sang joyfully while playing dholaks. There were more instruments as well, and Payal nudged me in between, "Mujhe Thakur Ji se shukriya kehni hai."

(I need to thank Thakur Ji.)

"Shukriya?" I had to lean towards her ear because of the noise.

(Thank him?)

"Haan..." Payal smiled, "Unki wajah se aaj Bhaiya aspatal mei the. Humesha se chahta tha ki koi unhe sabak sikhaye... Aur woh aapko bhi kitna pareshan karta tha. Isliye shukriya!"

(Yes... Because of him, Bhaiya is in the hospital now. I've always wanted someone to teach him a lesson... And he used to bother you so much as well. So thank you!)

Her joyfulness honestly made me laugh. Aradhya nudged me, "Tum dono baithe kyu ho? Meri godbharai hai, mere liye nachoge nahi?"

(Why are you both sitting down? Won't you dance for me at my baby shower?)

Payal blushed immediately, "Nahi, Didi, mai nahi-"

(No, Didi, I can't-)

"Arey chalo!" I pulled Payal with me and the other women cheered for us, "Thakurain Ji chaliye, naach ke dikhaiye humare saath!"

(Come on!)

(Thakurain Ji, let's see you dance with us!)

I laughed and joined them with Payal. Seeing me dance, Raghu came hopping with his arms in the air, "Maa, mujhe bhi! Mujhe bhi karni hai!"

(Maa, even I want to! Even I want to dance!)

I took my baby in my arms and kissed his face. He was overjoyed as I spun around with him. Even Payal chuckled and pretended to dance with my little boy. I couldn't remember seeing her this carefree or happy before. She looked really pretty when she smiled as well.

The moment felt magical.

A/N - Hey guys... Barely anyone comments 🫠 Is the story not going well? Should I discontinue?