Chapter 55: 52. Family

As the doctor announced that Mrs. Sunita Thakur was awake, a wave of anticipation swept through the room. Ekansh and Samyuktika exchanged glances filled with nervous energy, their hearts racing. “Only two people can go in to see her,” the doctor said, motioning for them to proceed.

With a deep breath, Samyuktika stepped forward, followed closely by Ekansh. As they entered the room, Samyuktika’s breath hitched in her throat at the sight of her Dadi. Sunita lay in the hospital bed, her frail frame looking vulnerable, yet there was an undeniable spark of life in her eyes.

Ekansh placed a reassuring hand on Samyuktika’s shoulder, sensing the mix of emotions coursing through her. She leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “Dadi…”

Sunita opened her eyes slowly, adjusting to the light. When her gaze landed on Samyuktika, a smile broke through the weariness etched on her face. “Samyuktika, my dear…” she murmured, her voice trembling with emotion.

Before Samyuktika could respond, Sunita's arms reached out, pulling her into a warm embrace. Tears streamed down Samyuktika’s cheeks as she held her Dadi tightly, feeling the love and strength radiating from her. “I thought I lost you,” she cried softly, her voice muffled against Sunita’s shoulder.

As they pulled apart, Sunita’s eyes shifted to Ekansh, taking in his presence. “And who is this young man?” she asked, her brows furrowing in confusion.

“This is Ekansh, Dadi,” Samyuktika replied, her heart racing at the moment. “He is my husband.”

Sunita’s eyes widened in surprise, the shock evident on her face. “Your husband?” she echoed, glancing between the two of them, her expression a mix of disbelief and joy.

“Yes,” Samyuktika said, her voice steadying. “We married under difficult circumstances. I wanted to save you, and Mahindra Uncle was willing to provide financial help for your treatment if I agreed to marry him.”

Sunita’s shock turned to concern. “You married him to help me?”

“Yes, Dadi,” Samyuktika replied earnestly, her voice filled with conviction. “I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you. You mean everything to me.”

Sunita’s eyes glistened with tears. “Oh, my sweet girl,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “You’ve always been so brave. I never wanted you to carry such burdens on your shoulders.”

Ekansh watched the exchange with a mixture of admiration and empathy. He felt a swell of pride for Samyuktika’s selflessness. It was a testament to her strength and love for her family.

“dadi, I promise to take care of her,” Ekansh interjected, stepping forward. “I will do everything in my power to ensure her happiness.”

Sunita studied him intently, her gaze searching for sincerity. After a moment, a small smile crept onto her lips. “Thank you, Ekansh. I can see you care for her. That gives me peace.”

As the three of them shared a moment of connection, Samyuktika wiped her tears and smiled. “Dadi, you’re going to get better. We’ll make sure of it.”

Sunita nodded slowly, her heart swelling with gratitude. “I may have been in a dark place, but seeing you both here fills me with light. I’m so proud of you, Samyuktika. You’ve grown into such a remarkable woman.”

The warmth in the room enveloped them as they held onto this moment, a reminder that love could shine even in the darkest of times. Samyuktika felt a renewed sense of hope; with her Dadi awake and surrounded by love, they could face whatever challenges lay ahead together.

“Let’s take it one day at a time, Dadi,” Ekansh suggested gently, squeezing Samyuktika’s hand. “You have us now, and we’ll be right by your side.”

Sunita smiled again, her heart swelling with pride for her granddaughter and newfound grandson. “Thank you, my children. With your love, I feel stronger already.”

As they shared stories and laughter, the bond between them deepened, a testament to their resilience and the love that would carry them through whatever challenges lay ahead.

For Ekansh, the weight of the past began to lift as he sat in the hospital room, surrounded by his family. The truth he had long struggled to accept—that his father, Mahindra, had never truly betrayed his mother, Nalini—was finally laid bare before him. In that moment, he realized how much he had blamed Mahindra for things that were not entirely his fault.

The revelation about Mahindra's relationship with Nisha, how he had married her to save her from disgrace, and the circumstances surrounding Saransh’s birth added layers to his understanding. It dawned on him that his father had made sacrifices and faced hardships that he had never truly acknowledged. Ekansh had lived in the shadows of his anger, holding onto resentment that had tainted his perspective on family and love.

Now, thanks to Samyuktika, he found himself reconnecting with the very family he had distanced himself from. It was as if Samyuktika had acted as a bridge, helping him to see the truth of their situation and recognize the importance of forgiveness. Her courage and selflessness inspired him, giving him the strength to confront his emotions.

As he looked at his father, who was now teary-eyed with gratitude and remorse, Ekansh felt a rush of empathy. “I’m sorry, Dad,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I was wrong to blame you for everything. I see that now. I let my anger blind me to the truth.”

Mahindra’s gaze softened, relief washing over him. “I never wanted to hurt you, Ekansh. I made mistakes, but I loved your mother deeply. I thought protecting you meant keeping you away from my failures.”

Ekansh shook his head, feeling the bond between them growing stronger. “You didn’t have to do that. We’re family, and families face things together. I want us to be a family again.”

The warmth of those words brought a smile to Mahindra’s face. He reached out to pull Ekansh into a tight embrace, the kind that spoke volumes of forgiveness and understanding. “Thank you, son. It means the world to me.”

As Ekansh stood there, enveloped in his father's embrace, he felt an overwhelming sense of completion wash over him. He was no longer burdened by the weight of his past, and with Samyuktika by his side, he knew they could face whatever came next together.

“Dadi’s awake,” he thought, glancing at Sunita, who was now smiling at them, her eyes twinkling with joy. In that moment, everything seemed to fall into place. The family he had thought was broken was healing, and he was finally part of something whole.

With Samyuktika as his anchor, Ekansh felt a newfound sense of purpose. He was determined to cherish this second chance, to be there for his family, and to build a life filled with love, understanding, and forgiveness. The past would no longer define him; instead, it would serve as a lesson that guided him toward a brighter future.

As the doctor discussed the discharge date with Sunita, Nisha’s voice chimed in, breaking through the lingering tension in the room. “Aunty Ji, you’re coming to stay with Ekansh and Samyuktika. We can’t let you be alone after everything that’s happened,” she said, her tone warm and reassuring.

Sunita looked at Nisha, her heart swelling with gratitude. “But Nisha, I don’t want to be a burden. You have your family to take care of.”

Nisha waved her hand dismissively, a smile lighting up her face. “You’re family too, Aunty. Besides, Ekansh and Samyuktika would be more than happy to have you. It’s time for all of us to be together, to heal and support each other.”

Ekansh, who had been standing silently by the door, nodded in agreement. “Mom’s right, Dadi. You belong with us. We’ve got a big house, and you’ll have your own room. Plus, I’ll make sure to be there for you, no matter what you need.”

Sunita’s heart fluttered at the thought of being surrounded by her family again. It had been so long since they had all been together, and now, with her health stabilizing, she felt a surge of hope. “Thank you, Nisha. Thank you, Ekansh. I would love that.”

As the doctor finished the discharge paperwork, a sense of relief settled in the room. Sunita’s face glowed with warmth and affection for the family she had fought so hard to be reunited with. She knew she would need time to adjust, but having her grandson and his wife by her side made the journey seem less daunting.

After a few more minutes of conversation, they were ready to leave. Nisha walked with Sunita, supporting her as they made their way out of the hospital. Ekansh and Samyuktika followed closely behind, their hands intertwined, their hearts lightened by the reunion.

Once they reached the car, Sunita paused, looking at her grandson and his wife with grateful eyes. “You both have brought so much joy back into my life. I never thought I would see you both so happy together. It gives me hope.”

Ekansh smiled, squeezing Samyuktika’s hand. “We’re just getting started, Dadi. We have so much to look forward to, and we’ll face everything together as a family.”

As they drove away from the hospital, a sense of renewal filled the air. Sunita gazed out of the window, taking in the sights of the bustling city, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness for the new chapter ahead. She was ready to embrace her family, to create new memories, and to enjoy the little moments that made life beautiful.

Back at their home, Ekansh and Samyuktika had already prepared a cozy room for Sunita, adorned with familiar trinkets and photographs that spoke of love and history. As they helped her settle in, laughter echoed through the house, the atmosphere filled with warmth and affection.

That evening, as they gathered around the dining table for dinner, Sunita looked at her family—her heart full. “I may be the elder here, but I feel so young and vibrant when I’m with you all. Let’s make every moment count.”

And with that, a new sense of togetherness enveloped them, binding their hearts and reminding them that family was worth fighting for, that love could heal even the deepest wounds. Together, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, united by the bonds of forgiveness and hope.

As the evening settled in, the house was filled with a comforting hush, broken only by the soft sounds of Sunita’s steady breathing as she slept in her room. Samyuktika sat beside her, quietly admiring her grandmother's peaceful expression. She felt a wave of gratitude wash over her—after all the struggles, they were finally together again.

Just then, her phone buzzed softly on the table. Samyuktika glanced down to see a message from Ekansh. Her heart skipped a beat as she read: "Let’s go for a long drive to the beach."

A smile spread across her face, igniting a sense of excitement within her. The beach was their special place, a spot filled with memories of laughter, deep conversations, and moments that had brought them closer together. She hesitated for a moment, glancing at her sleeping Dadi, then made up her mind. Sunita was safe and sound; she could take a little time for herself.

Samyuktika stood up quietly, careful not to disturb her grandmother, and tiptoed out of the room. As she made her way down the hallway, anticipation bubbled in her chest. The thought of being alone with Ekansh, feeling the cool breeze from the sea and listening to the waves crashing against the shore, made her heart race.

When she reached Ekansh’s room, she knocked softly, unable to contain her excitement. The door swung open almost immediately, revealing Ekansh in a casual t-shirt and jeans, a wide grin spreading across his face when he saw her.

“Hey! Ready for an adventure?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

“Absolutely!” she replied, her voice brimming with excitement.

As they headed out together, Samyuktika felt a sense of freedom envelop her. The world outside was waiting, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a renewed sense of hope and joy. The thought of the beach, with its endless horizon and soothing sounds, filled her with a lightness that she hadn’t experienced in a while.

They hopped into Ekansh’s car, and he turned on the ignition, the engine purring to life. As they drove away from the house, the city lights began to fade, giving way to the peaceful night. The anticipation of the beach stretched before them like an open canvas, ready to be painted with new memories.

“Just you and me,” Ekansh said, glancing at her with a smile that made her heart flutter.

“Yes, just us,” Samyuktika echoed, feeling a rush of warmth as they sped towards the beach, ready to embrace whatever the night had in store for them.