Chapter 48 The Smiles Of Home
Samar wraps both of them in his arms, holding them tight, and softly whispers, “How could I not return? After all, who else would I trouble, if not you two?”
Everyone is still in shock. Tears flow freely, yet no one can speak. The only sound in this moment is the sobbing of two sisters and the thundering heartbeat of reunion.
The hall fills with emotion. No one cares about how, why, or when. They only care about Samar being alive, breathing, and in their arms again.
Suddenly, the back door opens, and I step out. I feel the night air brush against me as everyone inside Mrs. Shobha, Neeti, and Ruhi freezes in shock. Tears brim in their eyes again. I see Mr. Ajay’s eyes mist over, and even Shorya and Karan are completely speechless.
Samar walks up to Mrs. Shobha and hugs her tightly. “Mom… how are you?” he asks.
I watch her stare at him, unable to believe it. Slowly, realization dawns, and she hugs him back tightly, sobbing. “Samar… my child you’re here? How is this even possible? But maybe this is some miracle… I can’t believe it.”
I bend down to touch Mr. Ajay’s feet. He embraces me gently and asks softly, “Beta… were you with Samar this whole time?”
Karan stands there, jaw dropped. I glance at him, noticing his disbelief. Samar smirks. “Close your mouth or a fly might fly in,” he teases.
Karan immediately shuts his mouth and hugs him tightly. “Bro, I missed you like crazy! Is this… real? Am I dreaming?”
Samar playfully punches Karan’s side. “Ow!” Karan shouts. Samar grins. “Believe it now? This is real.”
I see him greet Shorya, but as always, he barely speaks to Mr. Ajay. When Mr. Ajay opens his arms to embrace him, Samar simply ignores him and sits on the couch. I notice the tension, but Mrs. Shobha says nothing. She knows her son’s heart well.
I greet Neeti and Ruhi warmly, my heart racing. Neeti asks softly, “Did Bhai kidnap you?” I nod gently.
Soon, everyone sits together, and Samar starts explaining everything—why he did what he did. I keep glancing at Shorya, my eyes full of hope and questions, but he avoids my gaze entirely. I can feel everyone noticing, especially Samar and Neeti.
Suddenly, Mrs. Shobha slaps Samar hard. “Weren’t you ashamed, putting us through such pain? Do you know what we went through?”
Samar replies calmly, “I felt the same pain too, Mom, but I had no choice.”
Shorya adds, “I always knew you were alive. No one can kill SR so easily.”
Samar chuckles and looks at him. “By the way, what are you doing here?”
Shorya replies, “I came to take Neeti home.”
I notice the shock on Neeti’s face, as well as Samar’s. Mrs. Shobha says, “Then take her, beta.”
Neeti quickly interrupts, “No Mom, I’m not going. Now that Bhai is back, I’ll stay for at least one more month.”
Shorya glares at her, Mrs. Shobha agrees, “No, no. You can visit later. For now, return to your home.”
Shorya smiles slightly. “It’s fine, Mom. Let Neeti stay. We haven’t seen each other in so long.”
Mrs. Shobha nods. “Okay beta, I’ll send her tomorrow.”
Neeti shouts, “No! I’m not going anywhere!”
Shorya says nothing, but on his way out, he stops and looks at me. “Mrs. Rajput, Dad misses you. If you have time, please visit him.”
Before I can reply, Samar steps in sharply. “My Mrs. Rajput worries about everyone. She’ll visit. She’s not like some people who ignore relationships.”
I notice Shorya stiffen. Samar’s words sting. Without saying anything, he walks away.
Samar looks a little tired, but there’s a calm, contented smile on his face the kind that only comes from reuniting with loved ones after what feels like an eternity. He claps his hands together and stands up with playful firmness. “Okay, okay… that’s enough! Everyone, time for bed now. It’s already late. Let’s meet in the morning and continue whatever leftover drama is still pending.”
Neeti, sitting right next to Samar on the sofa, crosses her arms stubbornly. “Bro… we’ve met you after so many days. And you want us to sleep now? No way! I’m not going to bed.”
Ruhi joins in immediately, nodding enthusiastically. “Exactly, Bro! We’re not letting you go until you tell us everything your entire story, start to finish.”
Karan laughs loudly, teasing. “Bro… believe it or not, but even I’m not going to sleep tonight. Let’s hear it all now. Tomorrow can wait. Right now, you have to tell us everything what your plan was, how you kidnapped Ishani, how you survived… every detail.”
Samar raises an eyebrow, mock serious. “I don’t think anyone should be so interested in my private life.”
Everyone bursts out laughing. Ruhi giggles. “Oh really? Bro’s private life? Well, if you go around kidnapping girls, then it has to be discussed publicly!”
Neeti laughs through her tears. “Bro… truly, I thought I’d never see you again… now I want to hear every single word from you.”
I glance shyly at Neeti, my cheeks tinged with pink, but my eyes sparkle with curiosity. I watch Samar smile at all of us, a gentle, loving smile that comes from being surrounded by family. His eyes reflect not just peace, but a deep, unspoken bond with each of us.
Across from us, Mr. Ajay and Mrs. Shobha sit quietly in the corner, watching their children with warm, emotional eyes. Mrs. Shobha gently places her hand on Mr. Ajay’s shoulder and whispers, “Do you see? Our home is alive again… it feels like the house finally breathed after so long… all because Samar came back.”
Mr. Ajay smiles, a little teary-eyed. “Yes… just like when they were kids… sitting together, laughing. Samar always used to tease everyone… and he’s still doing the same.”
Tears well up in Mrs. Shobha’s eyes, but they aren’t tears of pain they are tears of peace, joy, and relief.
Just then, Ruhi excitedly shouts, “Bro! I’m going to write a novel about your adventure! Get ready, I’m making you famous!"
Samar rolls his eyes dramatically. “You all will never change… fine, sit here if you want, but I’m going to bed. I need sleep.”
Everyone shouts together, “Nooo!!”
Samar chuckles, stands up, and without warning, gently takes my hand and starts walking away. I’m surprised but don’t resist.
Neeti calls out from behind, “Bro! Listen, wait…!”
But Samar doesn’t stop. He takes me straight to his room. Mrs. Shobha, watching this, smiles and says, “You all should sleep now too. Poor boy has been through enough already, and you’re all torturing him the moment he returned!”
Karan pouts and grumbles, “Your poor boy has been torturing us for days, and you said nothing to him!”
Mrs. Shobha narrows her eyes at Karan and says sweetly, “Do you want to go to your room on your own… or shall I help you with a slap?”