---

After the crying and healing session had settled, the family gathered for breakfast. Everyone sat at the dining table beside their partner. Aakash and Shashi were sitting next to each other.

Aap royi kya? Aakash asked softly.

(Did you cry?)

Nahi, Shashi replied quietly.

(No.)

Haan, Adarsh and Saksham said in unison.

(Yes.)

Are you okay? Aakash asked, concern lacing his voice.

Par beta tu royi kyun? everyone asked at once.

(But dear, why did you cry?)

Ritual hai uska. Har birthday par roti hai, Saksham said, shrugging.

(It's her ritual. She cries on every birthday.)

Kyun? Aakash asked, puzzled.

(Why?)

Apni biwi se pooch lo, Laksha said cryptically.

(Ask your wife.)

Everyone furrowed their brows, turning to Shashi with curious eyes.

Shashi looked down, a sad smile forming on her lips.

It feels better when I cry... Pehle log hotey the mere paas, jo rula dete the mujhe. Ab main hi ro leti hoon, khud ko birthday ka bahaana dekar. Har saal khud hi kuch na kuch mess create kar deti hoon.

(It feels better when I cry... Earlier, people used to cry for me. Now, I use my birthday as an excuse and create a mess myself.)

She looked up, voice soft and unsure.

You'll find it weird... but crying heals me.

But it's better, Laksha said, her tone supportive.

Way better than the drama they used to pull on your birthdays.

Thank God those nightmares are over, Shashi added with a playful smirk.

Why are you all staring at me? Enjoy your breakfast! Laksha laughed.

Waise, kya bana hai? Shashw asked eagerly.

(By the way, what's made for breakfast?)

Khud hi dekh le, Laksha replied.

(See for yourself.)

Shashi opened the lids of the vessels-and her eyes sparkled like a child's.

Thank youuuu! she squealed in delight.

There it was-Srikhand and puri. Her favourite.

Everyone began eating with joy. Shashi, with love in her eyes, offered Aakash a bite. But he shook his head, still sticking to his salad.

After breakfast, everyone moved to the living room to plan the day and welcome the little one.

Just then, Shashi's phone buzzed. She picked it up and put it on speaker.

Sat Sri Akal aunty! she said happily.

Shashi betaa! Tenu janamdin diyan bahut-bahut vadhaiyan! Rabb tuhanu hamesha khush rakhe, tarakki deve. Aaj tere layi main gurdware ja rahi haan, tere changey bhavikh layi ardaas karangi, puttar.

(Shashi dear! Many happy returns of the day! May God always keep you happy and bless you with success. Today I'm going to the gurdwara for you, I'll pray for your beautiful future.)

Thank you, aunty! Shashi said warmly.

Kaise hai tu, puttar?

(How are you, dear?)

Main theek haan, par tussi apne puttar nu samjhao zara, Shashi teased.

(I'm fine, but please scold your son a little.)

Ki hoya? Hor ki kar ditta is vaar khoteya ne? aunty asked.

(What happened now? What nonsense did that idiot do?)

Kal raat mere birthday pe, usne cake ka pura cream mere face pe ragad diya!

(Last night, on my birthday, he rubbed all the cake cream on my face!)

Main ignore kar ke us nalayak nu daant dungi!

(I'll ignore him and scold that useless boy!)

Ab dekh, tu 'nalayak' lagaa diya mujhe! Saksham muttered in fear.

Ruk puttar, main abhi us khoty nu phone kardi haan!

(Wait dear, I'm calling that idiot right now!)

Mummyyy! Sorry na! Saksham whined in panic.

Aunty rehne do, main hi daant lungi ise. Aap to do second mein pighal jaati ho, Shashi said, protecting him.

(Aunty, let it be. I'll scold him myself. You melt in just two seconds.)

After the call, Saksham whispered a soft thank you to Shashi for saving him.

The discussion turned lively again as everyone started planning the grand welcome and the proper birthday party for the little one.

---

Later, in her room, Shashi changed into a dress.

Subah hi bhej diya tha dress, par madam subak bike pe ghoom aayi thi, Laksha teased.

(I had sent the dress in the morning, but madam went off riding her bike.)

Bas, I hope dress mein koi fat-phoot na ho, Shashi muttered.

(I just hope there's no damage to the dress.)

After an hour, everyone came downstairs.

And then... Shashi appeared.

Descending the stairs slowly, looking breathtaking in her dress. Joy shimmered in her eyes.

Chalo mere bhanje se milne! she squealed.

(Come on, let's meet my nephew!)

Sarthak... Laksha and Lee-Yoon aa rahe hain, he informed.

(...they're coming.)

Dadi Saa stood at the door, ready with the aarti.

Laksha arrived, dressed simply with very light security. In her arms was a little bundle of peace-the baby, sucking on a pacifier, playing with the necklace around her neck.

Dadi Saa performed the aarti, applying tilak on Laksha's forehead. Laksha quickly shielded the baby from the aarti's light so it wouldn't fall on his face.

Suhani warded off evil with red chillies while Aparna watched fondly.

Then, Laksha stepped inside and announced:

Now, the baby's masi will name him.

The name is... Shashi stepped forward with teary joy in her eyes.

Shashwat.... Shashwat Laksha Oberoi.

The room stood still in warmth.

Shashi extended her arms-and the baby, wide-eyed and curious, reached out. She took him gently in her arms and instantly kissed his forehead.

Welcome home, Shashwat, she whispered.

The baby tried to wobble out a word but only cooed.

It's okay. Bol lena jab bada ho jaaye, she smiled.

(It's okay. You can speak when you grow up.)

The baby nuzzled into her chest, his little fingers curling around her. Shashi rubbed his back gently.

I think he wants to sleep, she murmured.

Then let him sleep, Aparna said softly.

Lee-Yoon picked him up carefully and placed him in the cradle.

Shashi sat near the cradle, eyes fixed on the baby's slow, rhythmic breathing.

His tiny fingers clutched the blanket edge-and in that silent moment, something inside her healed.

She leaned in, brushed a soft kiss on his forehead and whispered:

Welcome home, meri jaan.

(Welcome home, my love.)

Just then, Laksha grinned.

Now come on! Chef banne ka time ho gaya hai.

(It's time to become a chef now.)

Shashi raised her brows. Abhi?

(Now?)

Of course! Tera birthday hai, aur kitchen ab banne wala hai battlefield! Saksham announced with drama.

(It's your birthday, and the kitchen is about to become a battlefield!)

Shashi smiled.

Let's make your first birthday unforgettable, Shashwat, she whispered to the baby.

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How was the chapter ???

Hope you liked it ???

The next chapter is very interesting 👇

Precap: Cooking battle and and evening birthday celebration 🧿

Shashi being drunk and flirty🤭

Spoiler already uploaded on insta

🖤🩶🤍