TWELVE YEARS LATER

So many things have changed in the life of Ishita and Rudra in the last few years. They have become too close to each other that many mistakes their marriage as a love marriage. However, none of them try to correct anyone because at the end of the day they're madly in love with each other.

After coming back from their honeymoon, Rudra and Ishita decided to focus on their career first. Actually, it was Rudra who wanted to see his wife getting a lot of success in her life. Although the elders of the family wanted to see little Ishita or little Rudra but our lovebirds didn't listen to anybody and did what their heart desired.

Ishita has completed her studies and become a full time editor in Soniya's company. Rudra too has gotten more successful in the business world that many foreign company has been reaching out to do deals with him.

On the other hand, Kuhu decided to give Lakshya a chance and in a year they got married too. Ishita was very happy for her best friend because at the end, Kuhu listened to her heart. Not only that, Lakshya has turned out to be a very caring and loving husband towards his wife.

Now, after twelve years later there are many new faces have been added to the families. Soniya and Aarav have been blessed with a daughter whose name is Mihika. Gautam and Roshni have been blessed with twin boys named Daksh and Darsh. Lakshya and Kuhu have been blessed with a son named Kinshuk. Lastly, Rudra and Ishita have been blessed with a son named Sarthak and a daughter named Rusha.

All the kids are very close to each other but being the smallest, Rusha gets a little bit of extra attention of the elders which doesn't bother her brother or any of her cousins. Instead, they too fight with each other because all of them want to pick up the little girl in their arms.

Like right now, there is a debate going on between Daksh and Kinshuk about whose turn to take little Rusha in their arms. They are bickering so loudly that their parents have to come to the living room of the Bajaj mansion where the fight is going on.

"Why are you guys fighting again?" Gautam asks glaring at his son who huffs in response.

"Gautam uncle, it's my turn to pick up Rusha in my arms but Daksh is not listening to me." Kinshuk complaints glaring at Daksh who is ready to fight.

"Does Rusha look like a toy to you both that you are fighting because of her?" Lakshya asks holding his son's ear tightly making him whine.

"But Daddy, it's not my fault this time." Kinshuk remarks.

"Lakshya, leave Kinshuk's ear. These two are never going to change, always fighting for their sister's attention who is busy crawling around without a care in the world." Rudra says walking into the living room before going towards his precious daughter who is going to turn 2 year old tomorrow.

"How is my golgappa doing?" Rudra asks his daughter using the special nickname he has been calling her since she has born.

"Dada!" Baby Rusha claps her little hands happily seeing her second favourite person in the world.

You guys must be wondering who is the first person whom Rusha loves the most, it's none other than her dear brother Sarthak who is currently helping his mother in the kitchen to bake a special cake for his sister's birthday.

Ishita and Rudra were very worried about Sarthak's reaction of having a sibling with whom he had to share his parents. Because he was extremely possessive towards his parents that he didn't even let his parents pick up Kinshuk much. However, the moment he met his little sister it seemed the once possessive son of his parents became the possessive brother of his tiny sister. Not only this, little Rusha too took her first step holding her big brother's finger.

"Bhai, I have checked the decorations and other necessary things for tomorrow's party. Everything is perfectly done so you don't have to worry." Lakshya informs Rudra who nods his head in response.

"Phupha ji, kya main Rusha ko god mein le loon?" Darsh asks Rudra timidly. He is the most calm kids out of all the kids.

(Uncle, can I take Rusha in my arms?)

"No, you can't because it's my turn." Daksh snaps at his twin making little Rusha flinch before she bursts into loud crying which gets everyone's attention including Sarthak who runs into the living room along with Ishita.

"Rusha! Kya hua?" Sarthak asks picking up his crying sister in his arms.

(Rusha! What happened?)

"Rudra, why is she crying?" Ishita asks worriedly thinking that her daughter is not feeling well.

"I think she got scared hearing Daksh's loud voice." Kinshuk replies making Sarthak looks at Daksh in anger.

"How many times do I need to tell you that don't raise your voice in front of Rusha? She is very sensitive and naive so take it as my last warning. If I see her crying again because of you then no one will be able to save you from me." Sarthak tells Daksh very calmly yet everyone present there can see the fire blazing in his eyes. Ishita holds Rudra's arm in fear because sometimes Sarthak talks too maturely for an nine years old boy.

"Kids, I think it's enough drama for today. All of you go to your rooms and don't come out before dinner." Gautam says noticing the tensed situation.

"Mumma, I am taking Rusha to my room." Sarthak tells Ishita who nods his head in response.

When the kids leave from there, the adults sit down on the couch. None of them mention about the incident that happened a few minutes ago because this is not the first time and also not the last time that the kids have fought.

"I am really scared for Sarthak. I mean why does he get so angry suddenly?" Ishita ask no one particular.

"He doesn't get angry without any reason. But whenever a drop of tear falls from his sister's eyes, he cannot control his anger." Rudra replies gently.

"Sarthak is the same as Bhai because he was the same when we were little." Lakshya says making Rudra glare at him.

"So you are saying that somebody would scold my younger brother and I didn't tell that person anything?" Rudra remarks making Lakshya smirk.

"See, he is getting angry again and that too so easily." Lakshya replies cheekily but then his eyes widen when Rudra stands up from his place.

"Wait! I will show my real anger." By saying this Rudra walks towards his brother who runs away from there making Rudra run behind him too.

Ishita shakes her head looking at the grown up men who still sometimes behaves like children. But she doesn't want anything to be changed because this is how she likes her life to be. She has come a very long way from being the scared college going girl to be today's renowned editor in chief. However, her biggest accomplishment is her family for whom she can do anything.

She married only for the happiness of her family. But she didn't know then that this marriage was going to give her the biggest happiness of her life. Not only this, because of this marriage, she has gotten parents in the form of her in-laws as well as another big brother in form of her brother-in-law. Most importantly her husband who has become her everything.

At first nothing was easy because she neither knew how to cook nor had the habit of taking care of others. Because it was always she used to be getting pampered in her father's house. But by the blessings of God, she found a family who accepted her with open arms.

"Angel, Rusha seems to be hungry." Ishita hears Rudra calling out to her which breaks her chain of thoughts. She smiles at the word 'Angel' which has become her second name given by her loving husband.

"I am coming." Ishita replies and walk upstairs where her kids and husband are.

••••••••••

It's the next day that means little Rusha's birthday. Everyone from Bajaj family, Gupta family and many other relatives are already present in the house to celebrate the day. However, like usual it's Sarthak who gets to wish his baby sister first followed by others. Although little Rusha is still unaware of the term 'birthday' but that doesn't mean that she is not liking the attention she is getting from everyone.

"Why are you not ready yet?" Ishita asks her husband who is still busy doing some work in the laptop.

"Just give me 10 more minutes and then I will get ready." Rudra replies not taking his eyes off from the laptop.

"It's our daughter's birthday and you are working, that's not fare Rudra." Ishita complaints making Rudra sigh so he shuts down the laptop before pulling his wife onto his lap.

"I know it's our daughter's birthday but the work is important too. I have a very important meeting to attend tomorrow." Rudra says while Ishita starts playing with the buttons of his shirt.

"I don't know any of that. All I know is that you will not do any office work today." Ishita replies with a pout.

"As you wish, Angel." Rudra answers smiling at his adorable wife.

"Mumma!" Rusha lets out walking into her parents room making Ishita and Rudra look at their daughter.

"Yes, baby?" Ishita asks getting up from Rudra's lap and pick up the birthday girl in her arms.

"Me sweepy." Rusha mumbles putting her head on her mother's shoulder.

"Awe is my baby tired after playing with so many toys?" Ishita asks in which Rusha nods her head before looking at her Dada who is already looking at her with a smile.

"Dada, uppy!" Rusha says making grabby hands at her father who immediately takes her in his arms.

"Where is your bhaiya, baby?" Rudra asks rubbing Rusha's back gently.

"Comin." Rusha replies and in a few seconds Sarthak into the room holding an elephant soft toy in his hands which gets his sister's attention instantly.

"Me toy!" Rusha squeals loudly before taking the toy from her brother who smiles at her happily.

"Where did you get this?" Ishita asks her son.

"Mumma, this is Rusha's favorite toy and I know she can't sleep without it so that's why I searched my room and found it under my bed." Sarthak replies tickling his sister who giggles in response.

"Sarthak, come here son." Rudra says making Sarthak walks towards him.

"Yes, Papa." Sarthak says looking at his father who kisses his on the forehead.

"I am very proud of you." Rudra says with a smile.

"But why?" Sarthak asks getting confused.

"Because not only you are a very good brother but you're becoming a very good person too." Rudra answers truthfully. He is extremely proud his first born that it's hard to describe into words.

"Really?" Sarthak asks looking at his father with hopeful eyes.

"Of course baby." Ishita replies running her fingers through Sarthak's dark locks.

However anyone can say anything, a maid informs them that the guests have started to arrive which makes Ishita glares at her husband who smiles sheepishly at her. While Ishita walks downstairs holding Rusha in her arms, Rudra gets himself and Sarthak ready for the birthday.

All the guests bless the little beauty of the Bajaj Family as well as shower her with many gifts. Finally, the time comes to cut the cake and for that Rudra takes his daughter in his arms while Sarthak cuts the cake holding his sister's small hand. Ishita feeds her daughter the first bite of the cake before everyone of the family gets the chance to do that.

"I think I have eaten too much today." Sachin Bajaj says rubbing his stomach after the party ends.

"Who told you to eat that much?" Archana, his wife asks sarcastically.

"Mom, you know right that Dad can't stay away from spicy food?" Kuhu remarks making her mother-in-law nods.

"Not only that, I have seen him eating three Gulab Jamun hiding from you." Rudra says making his mother glare at his father.

"Why are you making things more complicated, Rudra?" Ishita asks getting annoyed because it seems her husband has decided to put her father-in-law in trouble.

"Princess, I don't think Rudra is lying. I have also seen Sachin Ji eating sweet after sweet." Vinod Gupta response making others laugh except poor Sachin who is now grumbling under her breath.

Ishita too smiles seeing the happy faces around her. She looks at everyone who are talking and laughing with each other. After so many years nothing changed at all. Nothing can be more beautiful than the life she has been blessed with.

Suddenly, she feels a blanket being wrapped around herself and without looking up she knows who it is.

"How do you know I'm feeling cold?" Ishita ask looking at Rudra with a knowing smile.

"My heart told me that my wife is feeling cold so I have brought the blanket." Rudra replies winking at his wife.

"How much cheesy you can get?" Ishita asks looking amused.

"You are talking as if you you don't love my cheesy lines." Rudra remarks.

"I love you, Rudra" Ishita replies while putting her head on her husband's chest.

"I love you too, Angel." Rudra says while looking at his wife lovingly.

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I know that many will think about this story as a simple story which doesn't have any intimate scenes, not even a kissing scene. However, I have always intended to keep it this way.

I want to thank all of you for giving this story a chance and your precious time. I hope to be back with another simple story but before doing that I will be completing my other pending works.