Two days later, Meenakshi was discharged from the hospital. Vishnu drove them home while Madhavan and Radha followed in an auto. Sarala had already arrived to clean the house and prepare a special meal to welcome Meenakshi back.
Hema gently laid the baby in the center of the bed, while Aakash held Meenakshi’s hand, guiding her slowly into the bedroom. Sarala entered shortly after, offered her blessings to the couple before peering warmly at the sleeping infant. After ensuring they were settled, Aakash headed out to pick up the supplies on Sarala’s list.
When Madhavan and Radha entered the room, Meenakshi greeted them with a tired but kind smile.
“Meenu, please… talk to Aakash. Let us stay here and take care of you. I regret everything, Meenu. Please forgive me.” Radha said, her voice breaking into sobs.
Meenakshi gently hushed her to keep from waking the baby. “Amma, we aren’t angry with anyone anymore. There was a time when we both yearned to be part of the family, but we were cast aside. Life is too short to dwell on the past, so we moved on. We built a life for ourselves and now we have our son. It isn’t easy to let others into the nest we have worked so hard to build, it would feel suffocating for everyone. I won’t risk the peace we have finally found. You are welcome to come see your grandson anytime, but this home is ours.” she said.
Radha simply nodded, understanding the boundary her daughter had drawn.
That night, after the guests had departed, Aakash sat in a chair beside the bed and watched his son stir.
“We need a bigger bed. I don’t want to sleep on the floor. Tomorrow, I’ll order a larger one and move this one to the guest room.” Aakash said and to his surprise, Meenakshi didn’t argue.
“You are not going to disagree?” he asked, tilting his head.
“No, I want you on the bed with us. I’ll manage for tonight, but that’s it.” she replied softly.
Aakash leaned over and kissed her forehead and waited until both his wife and son were deep in sleep before spreading a sheet on the floor. He managed a few hours of rest before the baby’s hungry cries woke them both.
The next morning, Sarala arrived early to help prepare the baby’s first bath at home. Aakash and Meenakshi watched intently as Sarala handled the infant with practiced care. Afterward, Meenakshi dressed the boy and fed him until he drifted back to sleep.
Aakash then took over, drawing a warm bath for Meenakshi and helped her get ready for the day. Once Sarala finished cooking breakfast, Aakash fed Meenakshi himself before heading out to purchase the new bed.
By the following day, the room was transformed. While sitting together on their new, expansive bed, Aakash received a photo from his father of Lavanya’s wedding. Moments later, his phone rang again, it was his father, informing him that Sharmi had been admitted to the hospital.
“Aakash, go visit her,” Meenakshi urged him.
“Not now, Meena. I can’t leave you alone right now. I’ll go another day.” he said settling back against the pillows.
“Aakash, Sarala Akka is here, the baby sleeps most of the day and I have everything I need. Why are you worried about being gone for a few hours? Just go. Buy a few gifts, check on Sharmi and the baby.” she said touching his cheek and Aakash finally relented, promising to visit the hospital by the end of the day.
That evening, Aakash visited Sharmi and presented her with the gifts. Balaram and Padma stood proudly beside the cradle, while Rajesh watched his daughter with a look of pure adoration.
“Thank you for coming, Mama. I want to raise my daughter to be as kind and confident as you and Meena Akka. Please give her my best wishes ” Sharmi said softly.
Aakash nodded, offering a small smile to Sharmi, but he left the room without acknowledging his mother’s presence.
When Aakash returned home, Meenakshi was feeding the baby. He pulled off his shirt and his forehead creased with a deep frown that didn’t go unnoticed.
“I see she’s perfectly fine visiting her favorite son’s child,” Aakash muttered and Meenakshi immediately understood the source of his foul mood.
“The wedding is over, Aakash. Stop worrying about it. Do you really want your son to see his father scowling like that?” Meenakshi said.
Aakash didn’t reply, he grabbed a towel and disappeared into the bathroom. When he emerged, refreshed and dressed, he leaned over to watch his son.
“I’m going to be the best father to him and you will be the best mother. We are more than enough for him. Am I right, little guy? You have got me and your beautiful mother. We are a perfect family.” Aakash said, carefully cradling the baby.
He rocked the baby gently, but the moment was punctuated by the baby spitting up milk right across Aakash’s chest. Meenakshi chuckled, grabbing a wipe to clean Aakash first before taking the baby from his arms.
The next morning Padma and Balaram arrived. Aakash greeted his father with a smile and gave his mother a brief, polite nod.
“Where is my grandson?” Balaram asked, setting a basket of fruit on the table.
Aakash went into the bedroom and gathered the baby, being careful not to wake Meenakshi. He brought the boy out to his father, but it was Padma who reached out and took the baby into her arms with a beaming smile.
“He looks just like Aakash, where is Meenakshi?” she whispered.
“She is sleeping,” Aakash replied shortly.
He headed to the kitchen to make coffee for them while Sarala started on lunch. He placed the mugs in front of his parents, then promptly scooped his son back up. He carried the baby back to the bedroom, laid him next to Meenakshi and closed the door behind him to ensure they weren’t disturbed.
The silence that followed was heavy. Aakash remained quiet and distant, making Padma so uncomfortable that she stood up to leave, unable to bear the cold atmosphere any longer.
Later, Meenakshi woke up to find Aakash expertly changing a diaper. He casually mentioned that his parents had stopped by.
“Why didn’t you wake me?” she asked, reaching for a towel to go freshen up.
“You were asleep and your rest is more important than anything, especially more important than meeting people who didn’t give a damn about us before. Go get ready. I’ll tell Sarala Akka to bring you some coffee and snacks.” Aakash said, kissing the palm of his son’s tiny hand.
Meenakshi gave him a playful spank as she passed. Aakash looked up, stunned but a grin quickly broke across his face. As she walked toward the bathroom, he let out a sharp, playful whistle that made her stop in her tracks.
Meenakshi arched an eyebrow at him and Aakash simply winked.
Ten days flew by and the house was transformed with fresh floral decorations for the naming ceremony. Hema and Vishnu had arrived the day before and settled into the guest room to help with the final preparations. Aakash and Vishnu handled everything and Aakash bought new outfits for himself, Meenakshi, the baby and their close friends.
Early that morning, Meenakshi bathed and watched with a soft smile as Sarala gave the baby his bath. She dressed the little one before draping herself in a stunning magenta silk saree. Aakash complemented her perfectly in a matching magenta shirt and a traditional silk dhoti, with the baby dressed as a tiny mirror image of his father.
As the ceremony began, Vishnu was busy coordinating with the caterers, while Hema meticulously arranged the puja essentials. When both sets of parents arrived, they were greeted by the sight of Hema comfortably managing the household. Meenakshi welcomed them with polite grace, while Aakash offered a curt nod of acknowledgment.
When the priest arrived and the house filled with invited friends, the atmosphere vibrated with joy.
“Keep your voices down, don’t wake the boss.” Aakash cautioned with a grin and he slipped into the bedroom to check on his son. Radha followed, hoping to carry the baby, but Aakash was quicker. He scooped the baby up himself and walked out.
He remained firm in his silent vow that his mother and mother-in-law would not be the ones holding his son today. He intentionally handed the baby to Vishnu first before joining Meenakshi for the rituals. Finally, as the puja concluded, Aakash looked at Meenakshi and signaled that it was time.
Leaning close to the baby’s ear, Meenakshi whispered, “Mithran ” three times. Aakash followed, repeating the name with pride.
The room erupted in applause, which startled little Mithran. He began to cry and while Radha rushed forward to take him, Aakash gently intercepted her.
“He’s likely hungry since he slept through the ceremony. Meena, go ahead and feed him. I’ll take care of the guests.” Aakash said smoothly.
A few minutes later, Meenakshi returned and settled Mithran into his brand-new crib. Together, she and Aakash rocked him until he drifted back into a peaceful slumber. The gifts began to pile up, a gold chain from Balaram and Padma and clothes, toys and gold jewelry from Radha and Madhavan. Silver anklets from Keerthy and gold anklets from Hema and Vishnu.
As Aakash and Vishnu moved through the crowd serving food, Hema nudged Meenakshi’s shoulder.
“You just named the first one, give it a rest. The way you’re looking at my brother, it’s like you are ready for baby number two already.” Hema teased.
Meenakshi pinched her arm with a blushing, but she couldn’t look away. Both women watched their husbands looking striking in their traditional attire and chatting with the guests.
“Wow,” Meenakshi murmured as Aakash ran a hand through his hair and adjusted the edge of his dhoti.
“My brother is quite the heartbreaker, isn’t he?” Hema whispered.
Meenakshi nodded, then looked at Vishnu and teased back, “And my brother is looking just as handsome, don’t you think?”
The two friends burst into a fit of giggles but quickly muffled their laughter when they noticed guests looking their way. Watching from a distance, Radha and Padma felt a pang of shame. They realized they had never seen Meenakshi look this radiant or happy during all the years they had known her.
As the guests departed and only the family remained, Meenakshi changed into a comfortable gown. Aakash smiled at her that she finally felt secure enough to wear what she liked without fear of judgment.
The peaceful moment was interrupted by the arrival of Rajesh. Padma welcomed him eagerly, but Aakash and Meenakshi were stunned since they hadn’t invited him.
“I know I’m probably not welcome but I wanted you to know that I’ve changed. I’m working at a small firm now, earning enough to support my wife and daughter. I bought a small gift with my first salary.” Rajesh said in a humble voice and held out a box.
Aakash hesitated but Meenakshi stepped forward and accepted it. “How are Sharmi and the baby?” she asked kindly.
Rajesh’s eyes welled with gratitude. “You were always kind, anni and we were too blind to see it. Aakash bro, you did everything for me in place of a father and I only ever repaid you by being a burden. I realized too late that I pushed away the two most precious people in my life. I hope you can forgive me one day.”
He took a deep breath. “Sharmi is coming home soon. She wants to work, too and I will be the one taking care of Appa and Amma now. You don’t have to worry about them anymore. Thank you… for everything.” he said politely.
As Rajesh walked away, feeling a sense of closure, Meenakshi opened the box. Inside lay a delicate, tiny silver hip chain for Mithran.
“He seems to have changed but it’s far too soon to judge. Let’s see if Sharmi is actually willing to return to him. And don’t forget her parents, they won’t let her go back to Rajesh that easily.” Balaram said thoughtfully.
“He has changed.Sharmi has been calling him every single day. She is doing her best to convince her parents that he’s a different man now. She will be home soon.” Padma insisted, jumping to her son’s defense.
Balaram turned a sharp gaze toward his wife. “And what about your daughter? Why didn’t she show up today for the naming ceremony? She is out there living her happy life and it seems she has completely forgotten the people who raised her. If it weren’t for Aakash’s sacrifices, she wouldn’t even have the life she has today.”
Padma glared back at him. “I agree she should have come, but we don’t know what she’s going through. Maybe she will visit later. She is our daughter, please don’t curse her.” she pleaded.
“I don’t want anyone visiting my son, especially not her. In fact, I would be perfectly happy if she stayed away from my family forever.” Aakash said in a cold voice and devoid of hesitation. The room fell into a shocked silence.
The finality in his tone left no room for argument. It was clear to everyone present that Aakash had officially closed the door on his past. He no longer sought the approval of a family that had failed him, his world now began and ended with his wife and his son.
Suddenly, the sound of Mithran’s sharp cry drifted from the bedroom. Aakash didn’t wait a second, he rushed to the room and gathered the baby against his chest and rocking him with fierce tenderness.
“Aww, don’t cry, Mithu. Appa got you. I won’t let anyone hurt you and I won’t let anyone get near you who doesn’t belong. You have everything you need right here…..your Appa, your Amma, Hema Aunty and Vishnu Uncle. We are all you’ll ever need.” Aakash said and his voice carried clearly into the hallway for everyone to hear.
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A/N:
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