Khushi wasn't sure how long she had been crying, but eventually, she found herself resting against Rajveer's chest, feeling a sense of safety in his arms—the same feeling she experienced when her babuji hugged her. Suddenly, a memory surfaced. Rajveer had mentioned that the private detective found her and someone named 'Riddhima.'
Pulling back and giving her brother a curious look, she asked, "Bhaiya, who is Riddhima?"
Rajveer smiled, patting her head gently as he shared, "Riddhima is our little sister. She was only two at the time of our accident."
"Sister... I have a... ah... no, we have a sister?" Khushi asked, her eyes shining with excitement.
Rajveer nodded with a warm smile. The Gupta family observed the beautiful bond forming between the siblings, realizing that years apart hadn't severed the connection between their souls. When Rajveer unexpectedly arrived a few hours ago and introduced himself, everyone in the Gupta household was taken aback. Shashi Gupta, Khushi's adopted father, welcomed Rajveer inside after Rajveer showed the DNA report of Khushi and himself. Shashi requested to know the whole story—wanted to understand why no one came for Khushi. Rajveer shared every detail, breaking their hearts with his story, yet instilling a fear that they might lose Khushi now that she has a blood relative.
"I only knew what babuji told me. He didn't know if it was a brother or sister I had," Khushi explained her surprise to her older brother. Grabbing his hand, she pleaded, "Bhaiya, I want to know everything about you, our parents, and our sister. Please."
Rajveer cupped her face affectionately and suggested, "It would be my pleasure, little one. But I think you should change and freshen up a little, as you just came from outside."
Giving him a sheepish smile, Khushi ran inside.
The smile faded from Rajveer's face as he watched Khushi go. Turning towards the Gupta family, he asked, "Is it just me, or did it seem like she had cried a lot before coming home?"
"No, Rajveer ji. She really must've cried, as her eyes were swollen. It only happens when she cries continuously," Payel stated worriedly.
"That's what I suspected. It's her habit from childhood," Rajveer said with a sigh. "Oh, Payel, as you're my Ruhi... um... Khushi's sister, that makes you my sister as well. You can call me 'Bhaiya' like Khushi did just now," he offered with a warm smile.
Smiles bloomed on every member of the Gupta family's faces. "Then, babuwa, you must also consider this your family. Think of Shashi babuwa as your father figure, Garima as your mother figure, and me your bua [paternal aunt]," Madhumati, Khushi's buaji, told him affectionately.
"You people took care of a part of my heart so lovingly for years. It would be an honor to consider you my family members. Thank you for welcoming me," Rajveer told them bashfully.
... - - - - ...
Khushi came out of the bathroom after changing into a comfortable salwar kameez. She was still feeling surprised that she had just been telling Arnav about her biological family only two hours ago, and now her biological older brother was right in front of her. The prospect of learning about her parents and their little sister filled her with anticipation. She was wiping her face with a towel when Payel entered the room.
"What is it, Khushi? Did you cry again tonight?" Payel inquired.
Khushi tried to avoid her, but Payel stopped her sternly, "I'm your sister. You're not allowed to hide your tears from me."
"What else would happen, jiji [sister]? There's only one person in my life who keeps making me cry." Khushi replied with a sigh.
"What did he say this time?" Payel demanded angrily. She really wanted to punch that Arnav Singh Raizada for hurting her little sister again and again like this.
"Jiji, I'll tell you everything. But not now. Tonight, I got my brother back... someone with whom I share a blood relation. Someone who knows about my parents. I'm dying to know about my family, jiji. I want to spend time with Rajveer bhaiya. I want to know everything about my brother. I still can't believe that my older brother is ACTUALLY here for me. And did you see how lovingly he cupped my face? I felt like a protective layer surrounded me in that moment," Khushi expressed with a wide smile.
Payel smiled at her excitement. "Okay. Go and spend time with bhaiya. He's in the front porch, taking a call. I'll bring tea for both of you," she told Khushi warmly.
Nodding her head, Khushi grabbed her dupatta and headed out in search of her brother. The night air felt different, and every step she took brought her closer to the sibling she had lost 17 years ago. As she walked through the front door, she could see Rajveer engrossed in a conversation on the phone. His silhouette against the fading light of the bulb spoke of years spent in search and the weight of emotions finally finding release.
Khushi approached quietly, not wanting to interrupt the call. She sat down on the bench situated behind him, watching her brother with a sense of gratitude and joy. It was a moment she had yearned for, and now that it was here, she wanted to savor every second of it.
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Rajveer had driven for hours without any break to reach Delhi, but upon arrival, he felt a wave of uncertainty. The prospect of facing his long-lost sisters and the families that had raised them left him anxious. Deciding to begin with Ruhani, he navigated to Laxmi Nagar, where she and her adopted family currently resided, according to the information he had. However, he found himself parked in his jeep for over an hour, grappling with the courage to approach the house. Eventually, when he mustered the strength to go forward, he was thankfully welcomed by Shashi Gupta with an open heart.
During the hours he spent at Ruhani's place, Rajveer had unintentionally neglected to get in touch with anyone at KMA. It was only when he recollected the matter concerning Col. Shakti and the red box containing proof of Naveen's innocence that he decided to reach out to BC. He placed a call to BC to inquire about the developments and events that unfolded when they visited the specified location.
He observed as his sister, who was once Ruhani but now preferred to be called Khushi, sat on the porch bench, patiently waiting for his conversation to conclude. After concluding his call with BC and turning toward Khushi to join her, his phone rang once again. This time, the caller ID displayed KMA's landline number.
A gentle smile graced Rajveer's face, a warmth spreading within him as he answered the phone without hesitation. "Hello?"
"Where have you been, Rajveer sir? Did you forget you promised to let me know when you reach Delhi?" Naina's voice echoed with a touch of complaint from the other end.
Rajveer chuckled, a teasing tone coloring his reply. "As far as I recall, Cadet Singh, I was supposed to call you AFTER meeting my sisters."
"Here I was, drowning in worry, and you're mocking me? Do you even realize how close I came to losing you today? Those people were planning to trap you just like they did with Bhaiya. If that PD hadn't called you at the right time this morning, you would've been behind bars. Do you know they thought Captain Abhimanyu was you and told him to shoot Col. Shakti to receive the red box that contained the proof? Thankfully, BC managed to arrest them and handle the matter. If it had been you, you would've gone there alone and ended up getting trapped like Bhaiya. Then I would've lost you too," Naina's voice quivered with tears.
Rajveer felt a pang in his heart, the smile fading at the sound of her distress. "Naina, if that was written in my fate, then no one would've been able to save me," he assured her.
"I would've done the same thing you've been doing for me for so long," Naina replied stubbornly.
Rajveer couldn't help but smile. "You would have? Why?" he inquired.
"For the same reason you do," Naina responded, a hint of shyness coloring her tone.
A blush adorned Rajveer's cheeks as the realization struck him—Naina, too, had started feeling the tender embrace of love.
"Naina, don't worry so much. I'm fine," he reassured her softly.
"Now, tell me, did you manage to meet your sisters?" she inquired.
"I just met one of them a few minutes ago. Her name was Ruhani Singh Shikhawat... although she goes by the name Khushi Kumari Gupta these days. She has our mother's hazel green eyes and the same cute facial shape," Rajveer shared, his gaze fixed on Khushi, who was smiling back at him.
"Oh. Then, you should spend time with her. But warn her that if she hurts you, you have a very scary protégé who will deal with her accordingly," Naina advised Rajveer.
Rajveer burst into laughter. "You're quite something, Cadet Singh. Now, hang up. It's almost time for lights out."
"Good night," Naina said softly before hanging up.
"Was that my bhabhi [sister-in-law]?" Khushi asked with a teasing smile on her face.
Rajveer was taken aback by her assumption. "W-What?!" he stammered.
Khushi giggled, observing her brother's reaction. "You were blushing, and your eyes were shining with lots of love while talking to her," she explained the reason behind her assumption.
"N-No... it's nothing like that," Rajveer weakly protested. His red cheeks revealed all the information Khushi needed to know about the situation.
She continued giving him teasing smiles while wiggling her eyebrows playfully. "So, what's my bhabhi's name?" she asked, showcasing all of her white teeth.
Rajveer rolled his eyes before joining her on the bench. Bumping his shoulder with hers, he stated, "You're very naughty. I'm 11 years older than you. Your big brother. You shouldn't tease me like this."
"If I don't tease my own brother, then who else would I tease?" Khushi replied in the flow. Then, both of them paused, tears gathering in their eyes. "Bhaiya!" Khushi sobbed out before flinging herself into his arms.
Rajveer gathered his little sister in his warm embrace, and they started crying, washing away all the pain they had suffered in each other's absence.
Payel was on her way out of the house with a tray carrying two cups of tea when her eyes caught sight of the emotionally overwhelmed siblings on the porch. Smiling softly, she reconsidered and stepped back inside, heading to the kitchen where Garima and Madhumati were busy preparing dinner.
"Arrey, Payeliya! Why did you come back without giving them their tea?" Madhumati, Khushi's buaji (aunt), inquired curiously.
"I'll go back in a few minutes." Payel replied shortly, a soft smile playing on her lips.
"What a good boy Rajveer is! That's why our Khushi has such a beautiful soul. Kindness, warmth, love, and affection run in their blood. Didn't you see how politely he introduced himself to us? He was scared of how we might react, but he didn't let it show on his face. I loved how he easily accepted that we are also Khushi's family, even if she didn't take birth in this family." Garima praised, her admiration for Rajveer evident in her words.
"To tell you the truth, I'm impressed by that boy's dedication to his family. If it was anyone else, they would've given up years ago. But Rajveer babuwa kept on searching for his sisters. His parents are really lucky to have given birth to such good children. Garima, do you think their younger sister would be like Rajveer and our Titliya as well?" Buaji wondered.
"I'm sure she would be also like our Rajveer babuwa and Khushi," Garima replied with a content smile. "Our Khushi always secretly craved to know more about her biological parents. Now that she's got her brother back, she would be over the moon. You'll see how much naughtiness she does from now on," Garima said to Madhumati and Payel.
Payel started giggling. "You're right, amma. That crazy girl will now increase her craziness by a thousand fold," she added.
"Why not? After all, she now has another person to pamper her," Buaji added with a smile, shaking her head.
... - ...
Rajveer concluded the heartfelt narration about their parents, painting a vivid picture of a joyous family. Their father, Raghav Singh Shikhawat was a Cardiothoracic surgeon, dedicated his life to saving others, while their mother, Pretty Singh Shikhawat was a bank manager. The warmth of their upbringing radiated through the memories Rajveer shared with Khushi, emphasizing the happy and harmonious life they once had.
Their mother, Pretty, was the only child of their grandparents, making all three Shikhawat siblings the beloved treasures of their maternal grandmother. Unfortunately, their maternal grandfather had passed away when Rajveer was just six, so he didn't have the chance to meet his younger sisters, Ruhani and Riddhima.
Their father, Raghav's parents had already passed away a year before Rajveer was born, so he never had the opportunity to meet them. Raghav's older brother, Ram, and his family had moved to Australia many years ago. Even though they used to visit India when Rajveer's parents were alive, they stopped doing so after their death. Despite the lack of direct contact, Ram consistently sent Rajveer money every month, a sum of Rs. 3 lac. Rajveer saved this money for the future, intending to use it when he finally reunited with his sisters.
"Bhaiya, what about Riddhima? Where does she live?" Khushi inquired with curiosity.
"She goes by Nandini now," Rajveer sighed, "She also lives here in Delhi nowadays. She's a 1st-year student at SPACE academy," he informed.
Khushi sat up straight, facing Rajveer. "Bhaiya, if she was only 2 years old when we separated, then does she even know that she's adopted?" she pointed out.
Rajveer frowned. "I'm also worried about this."
"Bhaiya, I think it would be easier if I also go with you when you go to her house," she suggested.
Rajveer turned to look at her hopeful face, a familiar expression from her childhood. He nodded. "Absolutely," he told her with a smile.
"So, when are we going to her?" Khushi asked eagerly.
"My impatient little one! Don't you want to spend some time alone with me first? I do. I want to know what kind of person my Ruhani, my Khushi, has turned into. I want to learn about all of your likes and dislikes."
"Rajveer Bhaiya, you can do all of that when you have both of your sisters with you. Then you can spend 24 hours with us together. I heard army people rarely get vacation days. You must've also gotten only a few days off. Let's not waste time and get our family back first," Khushi pleaded.
Rajveer considered the points she made and agreed. "Alright. Let's go tomorrow afternoon. According to the information I got, Riddhima is staying at her adopted father's younger brother's house. Her adopted parents passed away eight years ago in an accident in the USA. After that, she and her brother, Rishav, came back to India and started staying with her father's mother in Mangalore. She recently moved to Delhi for study purposes to her uncle's house," he informed, "Her uncle comes home after 6 pm. We'll go then."
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[Taken from Wikipedia]
The eve before the college talent competition, Musicana, Manik poured out his feelings to Nandini, and they shared a kiss. On that same night, Manik stumbled upon the revelation that his best friend Dhruv harbored feelings for Nandini, mistakenly interpreting their friendship as something more. Despite his internal turmoil, Manik chose to sacrifice his love for the sake of his friendship. Dhruv, who had saved Manik's life in their younger days, always felt inferior to him and deemed himself a more suitable suitor for Nandini.
On the Musicana night, burdened with a heavy heart, Manik resorted to lying to Nandini, publicly humiliating her by claiming it was all a game and expressing a desire for revenge since the incident when she punched him. In doing so, Manik effectively severed his relationship with Nandini, leaving her shattered. During the competition, Nandini faltered, forgetting the lyrics to the song her band, NH3, was performing on stage, resulting in their loss.
Following FAB5's Musicana victory, Harshad played a video exposing an intimate moment between Cabir and their teacher Raghav, unveiling the pair's homosexuality to the entire school. Despite this revelation, FAB5 remained unbroken. In a sinister turn of events, Harshad resorted to brutally beating Cabir, necessitating his hospitalization. As Nandini uncovered Harshad's true nature and malevolent intentions, she came to the realization that he was not the person she and Navya had believed him to be.
[Author's note: In order to get my main characters together, I changed SPACE academy's location. So, instead of Mumbai, Nandini came to Delhi. Hope that cleared things up.]
Having assisted Manik in getting Cabir to the hospital and ensuring he was admitted, Nandini lingered until the rest of Fab5 and Cabir's mother arrived. The events of the last 48 hours had left her deeply disturbed, and her only desire was to return home and catch up on a hundred hours of sleep. After another heated exchange with Manik in the hospital parking lot, Nandini finally reached home at 1 am. Nandini stood at the doorstep, contemplating whether to proceed with her original plan of sneaking into the house or to ring the doorbell and face whatever awaited her inside. The late hour suggested everyone would be asleep, and she could slip into the house unnoticed. However, the scene that unfolded before her eyes dispelled that notion.
To her surprise, the living room was still illuminated, and the sound of hushed conversations reached her ears. Not only her uncle and aunt were awake, but also her younger brother, Rishav. What intrigued her more were the unfamiliar faces in the room – a strikingly handsome young man and a beautiful girl. A quick scan revealed subtle similarities in their facial features, indicating a familial connection. Nandini hesitated on the threshold, trying to make sense of the unexpected gathering. The mysterious girl triggered a sense of déjà vu within her. There was an uncanny familiarity about the girl, as if Nandini had crossed paths with her or someone like her in the past. Her mind raced, attempting to unravel the connection.
Taking a deep breath, Nandini stepped inside and cleared her throat to announce her presence. "Chacha? Chachi? Why are you guys still awake? Is everything okay?" she inquired, her curiosity evident in her tone.
The sudden intrusion captured everyone's attention. Rajveer and Khushi exchanged glances, and Rishav set aside his book with a smile. Nandini's uncle and aunt, though taken aback, quickly regained their composure, and the entire room stood up.
"Nandu, you're finally home. We've been waiting for you," Nandini's Chachi greeted her.
"Sorry, I got late. There was some trouble at the event," Nandini explained apologetically.
"That's okay, Nandu. But what about the trouble that's been waiting for you here?" her Chacha inquired, shooting a disapproving look at Rajveer.
Confused by his statement, Nandini asked, "What are you talking about, chacha?"
"These people came here, claiming that you're their long-lost sister and that you're not my brother's biological child," Chacha said angrily.
Nandini, now genuinely perplexed, turned to give the strangers a puzzled look.
Seeing her gaze, Rajveer introduced himself, "I'm Captain Rajveer Singh Shikhawat, and this is my younger sister, Khushi."
Nandini sought clarification, "What is Chacha saying?"
"Actually, 17 years ago, when you were only 2 years old, our car was in an accident. Our parents died on the spot, while Khushi and you were taken by the people who saved you. I was distracted by our parents' dead bodies, so by the time I realized that my sisters were not present there, you two were long gone," Rajveer explained.
"I'm sorry for your loss, but I think you're mistaking me for someone else," Nandini said politely.
Rajveer offered her a patient smile. "I'm an army officer, little one. I wouldn't have come here if I wasn't 100 percent sure of my findings. But it's okay. I understand your disbelief. You were too young at the time to remember anything. And you also look dead tired. You should freshen up and rest. We're taking our leave tonight. But I would really like it if we could talk about this."
Nandini, already upset from the Musicana events, agreed instantly with Rajveer's suggestion and told them to come back the next day. Rajveer gave her an affectionate smile before shaking hands with a reluctant Chachaji and Rishav.
Khushi couldn't control her excitement. She pulled Nandini into a tight hug. Nandini didn't know why, but she felt like she just got wrapped in a blanket of love, warmth, and affection. Tears gathered in her eyes without her knowledge. She stared after Rajveer and Khushi as they left their house.
"I think they are a bunch of crooks," Nandini's uncle grumbled.
"Murthy ji, what's the trouble in keeping an open mind? Even if our Nandu is not their sister, did you think for a minute how desperate they must be to look for their little sister? How dedicated!" Her aunt pointed out.
"Whatever! Our Nandu is our Nandu only." Nandini's uncle pouted giving his niece a side hug.
Nandini smiled at his affection. "Even if I turn out to be their biological sister, I'll still be your niece." she assured her uncle in a joking manner.
Her uncle frowned and pouted some more. Her aunt chuckled before sending Nandini up to change and sleep. Nandini walked into her room and sat on the bed as the incidents of the day started messing with her head. She closed her eyes and wished she still had her mother with her to give her hugs when she needed it the most. Immediately she recalled the hug Khushi gave her earlier. The safety and love that evolved her at the moment was very precious. Nandini recalled Rajveer's eyes had had gotten teary when Khushi had hugged Nandini. The longing in his eyes were clear. Like he also wanted to hug her tightly and cry till all the sadness was washed away.
What if I'm really their biological sister?" the questioned started ringing in Nandini's head. She got up from the bed and grabbed her phone. She knew only one person would know the truth. Her grandmother. Her Amms. She made a late-night call to her Amms (grandma), the one person who had always been her confidante. Pouring her heart out, Nandini recounted the unexpected encounter with Rajveer and Khushi, seeking solace in her grandmother's wisdom. Amms listened patiently, her soothing words offering comfort amid the confusion. She advised Nandini to approach the situation with patience and understanding. She also assured Nandini that she would come to Delhi the very next day to solve this matter properly.
As Nandini hung up and started getting ready for bed, she resolved to confront the truth. She was determined to navigate the complexities that lay ahead. Little did she know that the quest for truth would lead to revelations that could reshape the contours of her world.
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A/N::: Now you guys know the background story of Shikhawat family and how Khushi and Nandini got separated from their family.
Khushi and her adopted family took Rajcveer's entrance in their lives quite nicely. But would that be the same with Nandini and her family?
Stay tuned