Raghav's POV:

"Our restaurant isn't in another city. I came ages ago; what took so much time for you to return so late". These were the first words I heard upon entering the house.

"I didn't know my precious brother would be waiting for me eagerly, without even informing me about coming to home", I responded.

"Not only him, we all were waiting for you. Now stop your silly banter and come inside soon", Tanya said, while dragging me towards the living room.

"What's going on? Why were you all waiting for me?" I inquired curiously, while waving a hello to Nikhil.

"Rishi and Nikhil have some announcement. But he said he will inform us only after you come", Mom replied, letting out an irritated sigh.

"Important announcement?" Now I was more curious and also grateful that Rishi decided to wait for me.

"Are we waiting for Trisha and Samar too?" I asked and immediately moved back as Dad and Tanya yelled loudly, "NO".

"Hahaha, I don't think they can handle to wait more", Rishi laughed.

"We already contacted them but Trisha is busy. She said something important came up at work. We will tell them later", Nikhil informed us like a normal human being he was, unlike my crazy twin.

"Can we just drop everything and come to the main point?" Tanya asked earnestly.

"Okay so...", Rishi started but stopped again.

"Everyone sit down first. I am afraid, you all will lose your footing after hearing our news".

"Stop eating footage", I said, but followed his words and sat down.

Everyone else too followed my actions and we all sat, desperately waiting for him to speak up.

"We have decided to adopt a kid", Nikhil announced, when he saw that Rishi was in no mood to speak up.

It was too sudden. I wasn't really expecting this and it took me a few seconds to come around what he announced.

"So early? But you two just married", Tanya blurted out, and then palmed her mouth understanding her blunder.

"Yeah like we will get the kid tomorrow itself", Rishi deadpanned sarcastically.

"The adoption process takes time", Nikhil spoke much more calmly.

Although Rishi tried to look annoyed at Tanya's question, he was actually getting defensive. He was scared of our reaction.

I would never forget his fidgety form and his nervous eyes that moved everywhere other than our parents' face. He looked the same when everyone found out he was gay. My twin was trying hard to not show his fear.

I stood up to go near him and silently joined our hands, showing him that he wasn't alone.

"Adoption? This isn't a one time thing. Have you given it a thorough thought? There are more than thousand things you will have to think and take care of", Mom asked in a gentle tone.

"Please don't tell me you two also want a child with same bloodline. I thought at least you would support us", Rishi bursted out.

"I never said that...", Mom trailed, looking hurt and confused, while Dad looked angry at Rishi's comment.

"Sorry. Please don't take his words to heart. It's because my parents are against adoption. They think a child from unknown background would act out and cause troubles. However we have our heart set on adoption. Because we know that its not the blood but the values we give, will affect the child", Nikhil hurriedly explained.

"Sorry", Rishi whispered, looking at Mom with puppy eyes and Mom easily forgave him, understanding that he was just acting out of fear.

"I am not against you two adopting a child, but are you 100% sure? This isn't something to take lightly", Dad asked.

"This isn't sudden. We have been thinking about it long before our marriage. And we have also been constantly visiting the orphanages", Rishi answered and took out his phone.

"He is Jay. We two get along with him really well. We are friends but I don't know if he will like having two fathers. But we are really hopeful about adopting him", Rishi said while showing us the photo.

"He is really cute", Tanya commented and I agreed wholeheartedly, but then added the question that was running in my mind. "How will this work? You two don't have a marriage certificate. Won't they need it for adoption purposes?"

"You are right, but as our marriage can't be registered, we will be using the path of single father. A single man is allowed to adopt boys. So on papers, I will be his father. But in real we will be his parents," Rishi answered.

Nikhil nodded with a small smile and added, "As much as I want to be his father legally, this is the best possible solution for us. We decided Rishi's name as his financial position is better and will show a more stable home for the child. Moreover, the love and care we provide to Jay will matter more than what is on paper.

"We are hoping to give him a better life. He will receive so much love from everyone here. We will never let him feel like an outsider. He will be just like our own kid", Nikhil completed with happiness.

"That's the problem", Dad spoke, making Nikhil's smile disappear.

"Wh..what?" Nikhil asked looking scared. Even Rishi tightened his hold on me.

"Don't adopt a child if he is going to be like your kid", Dad spoke firmly.

"Da...Dad, what are you saying?" Rishi asked trembling.

"The truth. He shouldn't be like your kid, The sentences, 'I love him like my kid', 'He is just like my kid'; all these belong to his Uncles and Aunts and not his fathers.

"Only adopt him when you can take him as your own kid and not someone like your kid", Dad explained.

Rishi visibly calmed down, after understanding what Dad meant.

"You are right Dad. We will make sure not to repeat this mistake ever again", Rishi vowed.

"Yeah, make sure to bring him here with love and not with sympathy", I said.

This just came to my mind after Dad spoke up. And it was important for Rishi and Nikhil to look into all these aspects seriously. Providing food and home was different than raising the child with love.

"Don't speak in circles. Explain clearly", Rishi commanded.

He was now already relaxed that we weren't against his decision and were just giving our advices so that everything could go on smoothly for them and for the child. Hence, his fearless command.

"What I meant was, you shouldn't think that you are doing a great thing or a noble thing by adopting him and giving him a better life.

"You are doomed the moment you start feeling that you did a great deed.

Of course feeling happy is a given but never feel high and mighty for this. Or else he would turn into a charity case rather than your kid".

"So true. I don't think it will happen but I will be sure to throw out any such feelings even if they make a slight appearance", Rishi said with determination.

"Okay enough of the lectures. Let's celebrate the fact that we are going to get a grandchild", Mom cheered.

"But it may take more than a year or so for the adoption to process. That too if Jay agrees to have us as parents", Nikhil spoke, putting water on Mom's happiness.

"He will. Any child will be lucky to have you two as parents. Let's be hopeful. You only said that he gets along well with you two", Dad comforted.

"And its not like we celebrate only after the kid is born. It is usually when one announces pregnancy. We celebrate nine months before the child is born. So here too we can celebrate a year before Jay comes", Tanya gave out her whole logic.

Slowly everyone got into a mood of celebration.

"Let's party at night", I suggested.

"Yes, I will bake the cake", Dad announced.

"Please wait for me to come back from the dance academy", Tanya requested.

"I will order the food from our restaurant", Rishi said.

And just like that everyone started sprouting out their own plans for the party.