The Raichand Villa glowed that night as if the walls themselves had absorbed the family's joy. Lanterns lit the courtyard, the scent of fresh garlands filled the air, and the long dining hall was transformed into a place of celebration. For the first time in twenty-two years, Avni sat at the head of the table, her children gathered around her—not as broken fragments scattered by cruelty, but as one family, whole again.
She looked around the table, her eyes shimmering. Aghav sat proudly on one side, Seraphina beside him, their six children wide-eyed at the sight of cousins they never knew they had. Aria, Anaya, Vivaan, Reyansh, and Mukul filled the space with chatter and laughter, voices overlapping in a way only siblings could. Avni's heart was overflowing. She whispered to herself, This is what I prayed for. This is what I lived for.
Before the food was served, Vivaan stood and cleared his throat. "Bhaiya," he said, looking at Aghav, "there is someone you must meet. Someone who has stood by me, believed in me, and helped me survive when the world tried to break me." He turned and gestured gently toward a young woman waiting at the edge of the gathering. "This is Anika—my heart."
Anika stepped forward, her cheeks tinged with nervousness. She bowed her head to Aghav and Seraphina, then to Avni. "Namaste," she said softly.
Aghav studied her for a long moment, then a smile spread across his face. "If you stood with my brother when he was alone, then you are already my sister. Welcome." Seraphina nodded warmly, reaching out to clasp Anika's hand. "And you are family to us," she said, pulling her gently into the circle.
Not long after, Reyansh rose with equal pride. "And I too have someone you must know," he announced, his arm resting on the shoulder of a confident young woman with bright eyes. "This is Sasha. She is more than a partner to me—she is my anchor."
Sasha offered a respectful bow. "I only want to bring strength to Reyansh and this family."
The children, ever curious, rushed to her first. Mira tugged her hand and asked innocently, "Will you play with us too?" Sasha knelt down with a laugh. "Always." In that moment, she was no longer an outsider but part of the Raichand bond.
Then came the most awaited moment. Mukul, the youngest yet now the bridge between them all, stood up with a mischievous grin. "Bhaiya," he said, looking at Aghav, "I might surprise you the most tonight." He turned toward the door, and one by one, six women entered—each radiant, each carrying their own aura of grace and strength.
"Let me introduce them properly," Mukul continued, pride in his voice. "Vanya Varma, Kiara Varma, Sakura Varma, Aarohi Rathore, Liya Rathore, and Sirisha Rathore. They are my fiancées—my partners in this journey."
For a moment, silence swept the hall. The children's jaws dropped, and even Aghav blinked in shock before bursting into laughter. "Six fiancées? Chhote, you have not only found all of us but built a small empire of love too!"
Seraphina chuckled, covering her mouth. "I must say, you have outdone even the tales of kings." She rose gracefully, walking to each of the six young women, embracing them with warmth. "If you have chosen to stand by Mukul, then you are my sisters too. And as eldest bhabhi, I welcome you all."
The children swarmed around the six fiancées, tugging at their hands, asking questions, and sharing giggles. The hall filled with music of voices, joy layered upon joy.
Finally, Avni rose. She held her hands over her heart and spoke with tears in her eyes. "Tonight, I see before me what I thought I would never see again—all my children together, their partners, their families. No bitterness, no fear. Only love. This is not just a reunion—it is a rebirth."
The family clasped hands, laughter and emotion mingling as servants brought in platters of food. Glasses were raised, blessings were spoken, and the Raichand Villa echoed with something it had not held for twenty-two years—wholeness.