In Mehra house, the morning felt warm and lively. The soft sound of aarti bell, kitchen ki clatter, and fresh food ki smell filled the whole space. Kavya and Nisha were moving around the kitchen quickly, plates, bowls, and tadka ki sizzling sound making the atmosphere feel homely. Krish and Namish were in the living room, arranging the pooja thaal with exact precision — flowers, diya, agarbatti, everything perfectly set.
Kavya glanced at Nisha, "Nisha, Isha kha h?"
Nisha didn't look up from chopping, "Vo hospital mai… koi case tha, so she went."
Kavya raised a brow, a sarcastic smile tugging her lips, "Aur tumhari laadli?"
Nisha bit her smile, "Aati hogi… uthaya toh maine subha hi. Aap bevajha daant deti ho usko."
Kavya scoffed, "Bechari nhi h vo," and rolled her eyes.
From Main door, soft anklet sound echoed not too loud just enough to draw attention.
Shivanya came wearing a soft-colored kurti, her hair loosely tied, morning sunlight touching her face and making it glow naturally. There was a gentle calmness in her eyes, the kind that instantly softened the whole room. She walked with her usual grace, every step steady and composed.
"Jai Shree Krishna, Uncle."
"Jai Shree Krishna, beta," Namish said with a warm, fatherly smile.
"Aunty kha h?" Shivanya asked, adjusting the dupatta resting on her shoulder.
"Kitchen mai," Krish answered politely, still focused on pooja items.
---
Shivanya walked to the kitchen, her anklets making a faint sound on the floor. She peeked in and smiled, "Good morning," greeting both ladies.
Then she asked gently, "Chachi, Shree kha h?"
Kavya sighed dramatically, "Beta, uthi hi nhi hogi. Maine toh kha tha — tu itni pyaari h, usko kuch sikha na. Bilkul spoiled ho rhi h vo."
Shivanya laughed softly and shook her head.
Nisha added teasingly, "Ready ho rhi hogi…. Beta tu jaakr dekh le usse."
"Ji Chachi," she said, and walked towards Shree's room with a little smile — already knowing what she was about to see.
--
At the door, she knocked, "Shrii… khol door."
Silence.
She knocked again, louder, "Shrii uth ja…"
Inside, the room was dim… curtains half-closed, morning light slipping in through gaps. On the bed, someone was curled up, blanket pulled, hair all messy yet cute, sleeping with a peaceful smile — like she was in her own perfect world.
Shivanya pushed the door slightly and sighed, "Uth budhu."
Still no movement.
"Uth, pooja ka time ho rha h, Shrii!"
Shrishti was smiling in her sleep — literally smiling, like she was dreaming about something… or someone.
"Pagal ladki…" Shivanya whispered, annoyed yet amused.
She looked around, spotted a glass of water on the study table, and smirked mischievously.
Without warning — SPLASH — paani seedha Shrishti par.
"Aa… barish barish—" Shrishti mumbled half-asleep, then suddenly her eyes flew open as realization hit her.
"TU PAGAL H KYA?!"
Shivanya folded her arms, "Haan, mai hi pagal hu! Kabse utha rhi hu. Pta nhi kiske sapne dekh rehti h tu subha-subha. Smile kr rhi thi tu!"
Shrishti's cheeks flushed pink, she pushed her wet hair back and glared, "Shivanya please… I was sleeping…"
Shivanya laughed, "Exactly. Bas wahi toh problem h."
Shrishti groaned and got up, "Haan… ho rhi hu ready," still blushing because she knew she really was dreaming of someone.
She grabbed her towel and walked toward the bathroom, muttering, "Stupid morning… stupid water…"
Shivanya smirked, "Jaldi!" and closed the door behind her.
--
After sometime…
In the living room, the whole family had gathered. The diya light glowed softly, filling the space with a warm yellow aura. Everyone stood before the mandir as the pooja started.
Aarti begins — soft chorus, bells ringing lightly.
Kavya and Krish stood together, their expressions calm and devotional. Nisha and Namish stood opposite them, both swaying gently to the rhythm.
Aarti lyrics… hands moving together in perfect sync.
A few seconds later, Shrishti joined them, adjusting her dupatta and standing beside Shivanya. Shivanya passed her aarti thaal with a small teasing smile, and both girls started doing aarti together.
Aarti lyrics continue… peaceful, divine atmosphere.
And then—
A presence entered.
Not loud… not rushing… just calm.
Isha walked in.
Wearing a simple kurti, her hair loose, slightly wavy, gently brushing her shoulders. Her face soft, serene — so calm that anyone looking at her would feel a natural peace settle inside them.
There was something divine in her aura… something Parvati-like.
The room subtly paused — like even the light adjusted to her arrival.
Everyone's eyes lifted toward her with a quiet admiration.
She stepped beside them, folded her hands, and joined the aarti — her voice
Aarti ended.
Everyone took aarti one by one.
Krish touched the flame respectfully, Namish bowed his head, the girls took blessings, and the pooja atmosphere slowly melted into a warm morning routine.
Kavya looked at Isha knowingly, already aware of the result but still asking with a teasing lift of her eyebrow,
"Aur beta… case kaisa gaya?"
Isha's face brightened instantly, pride and softness mixing together.
"Tai maa… ek aur jaan ko duniya mai laane ka saubhagya mila," she said with a proud smile, eyes glowing with the joy only a doctor can feel after a successful delivery.
The whole table paused for a second — admiring the quiet happiness in her voice
"Very good, beta. We are proud of you," Namish said with genuine warmth.
Everyone smiled at Isha — pride, affection, respect… all showing at once.
Isha lowered her eyes slightly, her calm smile growing softer.
Namish took a deep breath and looked at Kavya, Krish, Nisha… then finally at Isha.
There was a hint of hesitation on his face — like he had been wanting to say this since long.
"Actually…" he began slowly, clearing his throat,
"mujhe aap sabse ek bahut important baat karni thi. Especially… Isha, beta… tumse."
The table fell quiet for a moment.
Isha looked up instantly, her expression steady and composed, the calmness she always carried settling back on her face.
"Boliye na, Papa," she said softly, with a calm smile — reassuring him that whatever it was, she was ready to listen.
------------
I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
The Mehras have entered… but the real story is just beginning.
Get ready… the Malhotras are about to make their grand entry in the next chapter!
Now tell me…
What do you think Namish are about to announce? 👀
Om Parvati-Pataye Har Har Mahadev 🤍