Pandit ji smiled softly, glancing at little Raman.

"Arey... Raman ke pita ji ki kundali bhi kuch alag nahi hai. Unka bhi toh bada parivaar hoga—do putra aur ek putri."

Raghuvir gave a small, proud smile at that.

But Savitri's face remained calm as she looked down at Raman.

Raman, of course, knew nothing of the conversation around him.

Yet Raghuvir's smile slowly faded.

He looked at Savitri.

His expression fell.

The thought of her going through that pain again was something he simply couldn't bear.

He gently reached for her hand and held it.

He didn't want more.

Not because he didn't want a daughter or another child...

But because he didn't want to see his Savitri suffer like that again. 

Savitri smiled triumphantly, looking at Raghuvir.

"Dekha... main hi jeetungi. Maine bola tha na, mujhe beti chahiye." 

Raghuvir gave her a helpless look, then glanced down at little Raman.

"Achha baba... tu jeet gayi."

Savitri's smile widened.

"Hmm... mujhe pata tha."

Raghuvir gently squeezed her hand.

"Lekin ek baat yaad rakh... pehle tu apna dhyaan rakhegi. Mujhe bas meri Savitri theek chahiye."

Savitri looked at him affectionately, her teasing smile softening.

"Ji..." 

After the puja was completed, the atmosphere in the Bhardvaj haveli became even more lively.

It was time to celebrate little Raman's naming ceremony with the entire village.

Raghuvir had made sure that no one left without being properly fed. The long rows of villagers were served delicious food and sweets, while the confectioners continued bringing out tray after tray of mithai.

The Pandits were also respectfully taken care of. Raghuvir and the family offered them daan-dakshina with full respect and gratitude.

But the celebrations didn't end there.

Clothes were distributed among the villagers as well.

For the Bhardvaj family, Raman's arrival wasn't something they wanted to celebrate only within the walls of their haveli.

They wanted the entire village to share in their happiness.

And by the end of the day, the whole village knew one thing—

The Bhardvaj family's little heir had finally been given his name: Raman. 

Days passed...

It had been six months since little Raman's birth.

The Bhardvaj haveli was going about its usual routine when suddenly, a car came to a stop right in front of the grand entrance.

The door opened.

Dikshit Bhardvaj stepped out.

After completing his training and becoming an IPS officer, he had finally returned home.

He barely waited for the servants to react before rushing inside the haveli.

His eyes immediately searched for his family.

And then his loud, excited voice echoed through the entire house—

"BHABHIIII! MAAAAAAA!" 

Savitri's face instantly lit up at the sound of his voice.

Before she could even react, Dikshit Bhardvaj came rushing toward her.

"Bhabhiiii.....maaaaa.....!!"

He scooped her up in his arms and spun her around with pure excitement.

Savitri burst into bright laughter.

"Dikshit! Arey—arey, chhodo! Kya kar raha hai ..!" 

Dikshit grinned from ear to ear.

"Bhabhi Maa!"

He carefully placed his IPS cap on Savitri's head, looking at her proudly.

"Dekhiye... sabse pehle toh meri Bhabhi Maa hi pehnegi!" 

Savitri smiled brightly, looking at him proudly as her eyes moved over his crisp uniform.

"Arey... kitna sundar lag raha hai tu in kapdon mein!" 

Dikshit grinned proudly, adjusting his uniform.

"Aakhir beta kiska hoon?" 

He looked at Savitri with a playful smile.

"Aapka!" 

Savitri gently cupped his face in her hands, smiling warmly.

"Achha, tu bhookha hoga na? Ja, Aama se mil le. Tere Bhaiya shaam tak aa jaayenge."

She lovingly adjusted his collar.

"Sun... Aama se milne ke baad naha lena. Tab tak main khana laga deti hoon."

Dikshit immediately perked up, his eyes lighting up.

"Arey Bhabhi Maa, woh sab chhodiye... mera bhatija kahaan hai?" 

Savitri smiled softly.

"... abhi so raha hai." 

Dikshit's face immediately lit up.

"Sach? Kahan hai?"

Savitri smiled and pointed toward the nearby room.

"Wahin... apne palne mein so raha hai."

Dikshit quietly walked toward the room, suddenly trying his best not to make a sound.

He peeked inside and saw little Raman sleeping peacefully.

His whole expression softened.

"Arey... mera bhatija..." 

Dikshit looked at little Raman with pure affection, smiling at his chubby little cheeks.

"Ye kitna bada ho gaya hai na, Bhabhi Maa... gol-matol sa!" 

He turned toward Savitri with a curious expression.

"Kya khilati ho isko?"

Savitri smiled softly shyly , looking at little Raman.

"Bas... jo milta hai, wahi khata hai. Abhi toh chhota hai na."

Dikshit carefully leaned closer to the cradle, admiring his nephew.

"Arey wah... bilkul nanha sa raja lag raha hai."

He looked back at Savitri with a grin.

"Bhabhi Maa, mujhe godh mein lene do na." 

Savitri smiled teasingly and looked at Dikshit.

"Uth gaya na to... toh tumhi sambhalna."

Dikshit grinned confidently and gently reached into the cradle.

"Arey Bhabhi Maa, mera bhatija hai... sambhal lunga!" 

He carefully lifted little Raman into his arms.

But the moment Raman stirred and made a tiny sound, Dikshit's confident expression disappeared.

"Arey... arey... shhh... so ja, beta." 

Savitri covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

"Ab aaya samajh?"  

Raman slowly woke up in Dikshit's arms, blinking his sleepy little eyes.

"Umm... aa... ba... ba..."

He began babbling, his tiny hands reaching up toward Dikshit's face.

Dikshit smiled.

"Arey, arey... kya hua, bhatije?"

Raman happily grabbed his cheeks, patting his face with his tiny hands.

"Arey—arey! Oho!"

Before Dikshit could react, Raman gave his cheek another little slap, then started scratching at his face with his tiny fingers.

"Aah! Bhabhi Maa!" 

Savitri burst into soft laughter.

"Bola tha na... utha gaya toh tumhi sambhalna." 

Dikshit rubbed his cheek dramatically, staring at little Raman in disbelief.

"Ye to maarta hai!" 

Savitri couldn't stop herself from giggling.

"Abhi se aadat dal lo ab ye  tumhe pareshan kare ga."

Dikshit gave little Raman an exaggeratedly betrayed look.

"Achha! Toh pehle din se hi mujhe peetne ki taiyari kar raha hai?"

Raman simply babbled again, completely unaware of his uncle's complaint.

"Ba... aa..."

His tiny fingers reached for Dikshit's face once more.

Dikshit quickly leaned back.

"Arey nahi, nahi! Ab dobara nahi!" 

Savitri laughed softly.

"Dekha? Ab tum se hi sabka badla le raha hai."

Dikshit looked at her in disbelief.

"Bhabhi Maa, aap bhi usi ki side le rahi hain?" 

Savitri smiled, looking between Dikshit and little Raman.

"Arey, main kaise aap dono beton mein se ek ko chunoon? Tum dono aapas mein dekh lo." 

Dikshit immediately looked down at Raman.

"Achha? Toh phir faisla hum dono hi karenge?"

Raman simply babbled in response.

"Ba... ba..."

Dikshit grinned.

"Dekha! Isne toh mujhe jawab bhi de diya." 

And just like that, life in the Bhardvaj haveli fill with joy , happiness, love ,care...

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months.

Raman grew a little more every day, filling the haveli with his tiny babbles, innocent mischief, and endless demands for attention.

Savitri remained his constant shadow, while Raghuvir was always ready to spoil his little son.

And Dikshit?

He had already become Raman's favourite target.

Whenever he came home, Raman's tiny hands would immediately reach for him—only to pull his cheeks, grab his hair, or give him an unexpected little slap.

The entire family would burst into laughter.

Life was peaceful.

Warm.

Full of little arguments, laughter, and love.

For now, nothing seemed capable of disturbing the happiness inside the Bhardvaj haveli.

But time was moving...

And with every passing day, Raman was growing closer to the moment when another little life would enter his world. 

Stay tuned ~🪷