Next morning both maan and jai woke up early and got ready they were there in the home temple when Gayatri came for her morning prayers. She was pleasantly surprised to see both of them there.

Gayatri "aaj badi jaldi utth gaye dono?" She asked with a smile.

Maan "hume bhi aapke saath pooja karni thi badi maa, can we?"

Gayatri "bilkul bachcha, ye bhi koi poochne ki baat hai."

With that they all worshipped together. Just as the pooja was finished jeet came there, his walk slow, his eyes closed, his hair disheveled. He was yawning ang rubbing his eyes while moving towards his mother like a sleepy toddler. As soon as he came near gayatri he saw jai and maan there, he ignored them and hugged gayatri "good morning maa" He said in a sleepy voice.

Gayatri smiled "good morning bachcha, slept well?"

Jeet just hummed in response and pulled away. The moment he did that Jai was about to wish him good morning but maan held his hand and shook his head subtly gesturing not to interfere in their moment. Jai understood and kept quite.

Gayatri noticed everything, Although she didn't approve of what she just saw but she decided not to say anything. If jeet will accept the boys that has to be on his own terms not forced. And if maan and Jai wants to take any step towards jeet that also have to be voluntary.

She was lost in her thoughts when maan spoke "badi maa prashad"

Gayatri looked in his direction and saw both the boys with extended hands for taking prashad. She chuckled "isiliye itne jaldi utthe aaj tum dono?"

Jai laughed and said "main to waise hi jaldi uthta hu badi maa but i am sure bhaiyu ka yahi reason hai"

Maan glared at him "aisa kuch nahi hai badi maa, wo hum dono ko hi jaldi utthne ki adat hai."

Gayatri "theek hai fir prashad breakfast ke baad lena."

Maan's face fell when he saw that she has kept barfi in today's prashad. Both Gayatri and Jai laughed looking at him.

Gayatri "itna dukhi mat ho, ye lo prashad"

Maan pouted but quickly took it and ate it. Gayatri  started going towards the kitchen and both boys followed her.

Gayatri "batao kya khaoge tum dono?"

Both simultaneously "aalu paratha"

Gayatri was surprised, jeet also gives the same answer whenever asked what he wants for breakfast. All of three of them are so alike.

Gayatri "theek hai Chalo fir banate hai"

Jai "sachchi, aap help karne doge?"

Gayatri "kyun nahi, itne pyaare se helper ho to koi help ke liye kaise mana kar sakta hai"

Maan "great, jai tu potato boil hone rakh, I'll knead the dough."

Gayatri "Arre fir main kya karungi?"

Jai "aap supervise karo badi maa, bhaiyu kabhi kabhi aate me namak ki jagah, namak me aata mila dete hai." He said with a chuckle while washing the potatoes.

Maan whacked him "that was one time aur tune wo khana khaya bhi nahi tha."

As jai kept on laughing maan took steps towards him. Jai quickly hid behind gayatri and said "dekho badi maa bhaiyu maar rahe hai"

Gayatri "maan" She said sternly

Maan "Arre par wo mujhe chida raha hai badi maa"

Just then someone's voice came "ye to chote bhaiyo ka haq hai, hai na maa"

All turned towards the voice and saw arjun coming towards them with a charming smile on his face. He came near gayatri and hugged her.

Gayatri twisted his ear a little and pulled him away "hatt Tu, bilkul baat mat karna mujhse, kitne dino baad aaya hai? Itne din se to tujhe yaad nahi aayi meri aur aaj aate hi gale lag gaya" She said and left his ear.

Arjun held his ears and said cutely "sorry maa"

Gayatri "kahan tha itne dino se tu?"

Arjun "aapke laadle ne australia bheja hua tha mujhe, sach me maa, na khud chain se rehta hai, na mujhe rehne deta hai, pls kuch samjhaiye isse jab dekho tab ya to khud bahar rahega ya mujhe bhej dega."

Gayatri "tujhe pata hai na tum logo ke kaam ke beech main bilkul nahi aati."

Arjun "issi baat ka to dukh hai maa, itni dheel de rakhi hai aapne usse, isiliye bigadta jaa raha hai. Anyways bohut bhookh lagi hai, breakfast ban gaya kya?"

Jai "bas thodi der me ban jayega" He said with a smile.

Gayatri "Arjun meet abhimaan and abhijai. Mannu, jai ye hai Arjun, jeet ka best friend aur business partner."

Arjun "hi guys, to jab tak breakfast ban raha hai tab tak hum baithkar baatein kare?"

Jai "sorry, hum abhi badi maa ki help kar rahe hai"

Arjun surprised "you guys know how to cook?"

Maan "aapko bhi khana banana nahi aata?"

Arjun "haan to, mujhe khana banana nahi aata par mujhe banana khana aata hai"

Everyone laughed at his reply. Arjun settled on the counter where as Gayatri, maan and jai made parantha and set the table. Breakfast time was fixed so jeet came to the dining room on time. He saw arjun and both hugged. Arjun could see the hurt and pain in his eyes but didn't say anything, they can talk later when they have some privacy. He was not sure how comfortable is jeet in front of the boys. Jeet never spoke about Mr. Jaisingh since the day he left for dehradun. Arjun tried many times but jeet always resorted to silence whenever he brings up this topic.

Jeet "how was your meeting?"

Arjun "main achcha hu, Tu kaisa hai hitler?"

Jeet "what"

Arjun turned towards gayatri "maa kuch samjhaiye isse poore 15 din baad mila hai aur milte hi kaam ki baat, kabhi to kisi normal insaan ki tarah apne dost ke haal chaal pooch le."

Jeet just rolled his eyes at him "tujhe kya hona hai, achcha khaasa to khada hai mere saamne daant dikhate huye"

Arjun "tujhe kya pata kitne gam chupa rakhe hai maine is muskaan ke peeche" He said dramatically

Jeet "achcha? To unhe chupa kar hi rakh, mujhe tere gam jaanne ka koi shouk nahi hai"

Arjun "dekh rahe ho na maa, isse koi fikar nahi hai meri."

Gayatri "ab bas karo dono, baitho breakfast kar lo"

Both took their seats and everyone started having breakfast.

Jeet "maa main aaj shaam ko delhi jaa raha hu, office se seedha airport jaunga, I'll be there for next 4 days. Aapke nikalne ke ek din pehle aa jaunga"

Gayatri "delhi jaa raha hai to tanu se jarur mil kar aana bas kaam me hi mat lage rehna. Pata nahi meri bachchi 3mahine se wahan akeli kaise reh rahi hai"

Arjun "wo theek hai maa, aap ye sochiye ke tanu ke wahan hote huye bhi delhi ab tak theek hai"

Gayatri whacked him lightly "agar meri beti ke baare me kuch bhi kahan na Arjun to theek nahi hoga"

Arjun "Arre main kahan kuch keh sakta hu aapki beti ke baare me maa, main to bas ye chahta hu ki wo jahan rahe khush rahe aur wahin settle ho jaye. Ghar wapas aa kar to jeena mushkil kar deti hai."

Gayatri "fikar mat kar ab jyada din wahan rahegi wo, is baar wo wapas aa jaye to bhaisahab ke keh kar in dono ki engagement to jarur kara hi dungi. Theek hai na jeet?"

Jeet "haan, I mean, wo, jaisa..... Jaisa aapko theek lage maa" He blushed while saying.

Arjun "ohho, to tujhe bhi badi jaldi hai aafat ko ghar laane ki. Dekho maa kaise sharam se laal ho raha hai"

While all laughed jeet kicked Arjun under the table.

Arjun "ouch, maa dekho maar raha hai ye"

Jeet "maine kab maara?"

Arjun "abhi, table ke neeche. Maa dekho isse."

Gayatri "jeet.....

Jeet "mera breakfast ho gaya, I am getting late for office. Bye maa." He stood up and left.

Gayatri "kab sudhroge tum dono, jab dekho tab baccho ki tarah behave karte rehte ho."

Arjun "Aree hum sudhar gaye to aapka timepass kaise hoga meri darling maa. 2 parathe pack kara dijiye, aise hi chala gaya wo bina theek se khaye, office me khila dunga usse."

Gayatri "wo main kara dungi, pehle Tu theek se khaa le"

All had their breakfast while Arjun kept talking to maan and jai. Both liked arjun, he was so charming, funny and easy going. Once they were done with the breakfast gayatri went to pack some for jeet. She just finished packing when she felt a little dizzy and she held the counter for support, just then maan came there and saw that. He hurried towards her and held her.

Maan "aap theek ho na badi maa?"

Gayatri "haan bachcha main bilkul theek hu. Wo bas aise hi halka sa chakkar aa gaya tha"

Maan made her sit and touched her forehead to find that she had a little fever as well.

Maan "aapko to fever hai badi maa"

Gayatri "shhh, dheere bol, agar Arjun ko pata chala to wo jeet ko bata dega aur wo poora ghar sar par utha lega. Main theek hu, thodi der aaram kar lungi to bilkul theek ho jaungi. Jaa aur ab ye lunchbox Arjun ko de de."

Maan "par badi maa,.............

Gayatri " Abhimaan jaa ye tiffin Arjun ko de kar aa, and dont you tell him anything" She said sternly while giving the tiffin box in his hands.

Maan just nodded and did what was asked of him and quickly returned to kitchen. Gayatri was still sitting there.

Maan "bhai gaye badi maa, chaliye aap apne room me aaram kar lijiye."

Gayatri smiled at him and nodded. Maan took her to her room.

Maan "badi maa medicines kahan hai?"

Gayatri "bachcha medicine ki koi jarurat nahi hai, main thodi der aaram kar lungi to apne aap theek ho jaungi."

Maan "are you sure badi maa?"

Gayatri "haan beta"

Maan "to aap aaram kijiye main thodi der baad aata hu."

Gayatri nodded and maan left the room. He and jai came to check on her after an hour and saw the lights were on, so he knocked on the door and entered. There he saw gayatri looking pale and exhausted.  Maan hurried towards her and touched her forehead only to find her burning in fever.

Maan "aapko to bohut jyada fever hai badi maa. Jai tu yahan ruk main abhi aata hu."

He quickly went to the kitchen and asked the staff there for some wash clothes while he poured some cold water and ice in a bowl. He returned to her room and started putting cold strips on her forehead and heels. They kept on doing that for an hour but her fever just didn't come down.

Jai " Ab kya kare Bhaiyu, badi maa ka fever to kam hi nahi ho raha."

Maan "Arjun bhai ko call karte hai, he has given me his number." With that he called Arjun and told him everything. Arjun came with a doctor as soon as possible. Doctor checked and gave an injection and some medicines to gayatri. Once done Arjun escorted him out, jai stayed with his badi maa and maan went to kitchen to get something light for her.

As Arjun was coming back he saw maan in the kitchen and went there.

Arjun "kya kar raha hai?"

Maan startled and turned around "bhai aap ho, kuch nahi badi maa ke liye chai bana raha hu. Aap loge?"

Arjun shook his head.

Maan "coffee? "

Arjun "abhi nahi, thodi der me. Thanks for calling me and taking care of maa"

Maan "aap thanks kyun bol rahe ho bhai, mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha kya karna hai to aapko bula liya aur wo meri bhi to badi maa hai, mujhe unka dhyaan rakhna hi chahiye"

Arjun was touched by the honesty and sincerity with which maan said it. "Jeet ko call kiya?"

Maan "nahi"

Arjun "kyun?"

Maan "mere paas unka number nahi hai aur shayad mera call karna unhe achcha bhi na lage"

Arjun "aisa kyun keh raha hai tu?"

Maan "jaane dijiye na bhai, dekhiye badi maa ki chai bhi ban gayi. Lets get it to her."

Arjun can see the pain in his eyes he decided to come back to the topic later. He was sure that his  idiotic friend has done something which he shouldn't have done. Both went to see gayatri who was feeling better now.

Maan "badi maa aapki  chai"

Gayatry "khud kyun banayi mannu, staff se keh dete, koi bana deta beta."

Maan "main bhi itni buri chai nahi banata badi maa. Aap jaldi ye chai aur paratha kha kar medicine le lijiye. Doctor ne bola hai aapko rest karna hai."

Gayatri caressed his cheek and said "thank you bachcha. Hamesha khush reh"

"Meri khushi to ab bas aap dono ke saath rehne me hai badi maa, par jaruri nahi hai ki hum jo chahe wo hume mil hi jaye." Thought maan, with a sad smile on his face.

Next two days also passed like that. Gayatri was totally fine now, both maan and jai took such good care of her. They never left her alone. Even at night time maan kept on checking on her to be assured that she is fine. Whenever arjun came, he would always find the boys with gayatri. In a matter of just three days arjun was able to see how much both the boys wanted a family, which only gayatri and jeet can give to them. He knew gayatri has already accepted them, he can see it in her eyes. He has always seen her like a mother. She was good friends with his mother till the time his mother left them and took his brothers with her. Although she was gone but both he and tanu were never in want of a mother's love.

Where on one hand gayatri has accepted the boys, jeet was a different story. He knew what jeet went through once his father left home. Somewhere jeet belived that the boys were the reason why his father left them. When it came to that incident jeet is still that 20 year old who loved his family beyond limits and that family broke within a matter of minutes just because his father chose those boys over them.

Arjun thought of talking to him once he will come back but he didn't knew if jeet will listen to anything about all this. There was fair chance that he won't even talk about all this. He was lost in thoughts and walking towards gayatri's room when he heard her talking with the boys.

Jai "jidd hum nahi aap kar rahe ho badi maa"

Maan "haan badi maa, pls maan jaiye na, abhi to aap theek huye ho, itni jaldi kya hai, next week chale jana aap."

Gayatri "beta mera abhi jana jaruri hai, wahan ek pooja honi hai jo postponed nahi ki jaa sakti, pls samjho tum dono"

Jai "hume nahi samjhna badi maa, pooja aapki health se badh kar nahi hai. Aur aap wahan akele bhi hoge, kaun dhyaan rakhega aapka?"

Gayatri "Arre main bachchi hu kya jo koi mera dhyaan rakhega, main khud apna khyaal kar sakti hu."

Arjun "beshak, maa apna kya poore varanasi ka dhyaan rakh lengi"

Jai squealed in joy and ran towards Arjun "Arjun bhai" With that he hugged Arjun

Arjun hugged him back "kya baate chal rahi hai?"

Maan "dekhiye na bhai, Abhi to badi maa ki tabiyat theek hui hai aur wo keh rahi hai ki wo parso subah varanasi chali jayengi aur wo bhi akele. Aise thodi hota hai. "

Arjun "kyun maa, thode din baad chale jana."

Gayatri "mera ABHI jana jaruri hai Arjun" She said it   emphasising on the word abhi.

Arjun understood there was something more to this trip then just worshipping.

Arjun "tum dono bahar jaao, main maa ko samjhata hu."

Jai "haan bhai aap samjha do. Badi maa abhi nahi jayengi aur jana hai to hum dono bhi saath jayenge"

Arjun "haan baba, ab tum dono bahar to jaoo."

Both the boys left leaving Arjun and gayatri behind.

Arjun "kya hua maa, aapko abhi hi kyun jana hai"

Gayatri "Arjun tujhe to sab  pata hai na. Ab mannu aur Jai ka hamare alawa koi nahin hai. Main inhe yahan le to aayi hu par ye bhi sach hai ki isme jeet ki khushi nahin hai. Maine usse kaha hai ki agar admission start hone se pehle uske mann me maan aur jai ko le kar yahi narajgi bani rehti hai to hum un dono ko kisi boarding Institute me dalwa denge. Aur mujhe lagta hai jab tak main yahan hu tab tak inke paas ek bahana hai ek dusre se kuch na kehne ka. Agar main yahan se kuch dino ke liye chali jaun to shayad ye teeno bhai ek dusre par thode dependent ho jaye aur wo hi dependability inhe ek dusre ke kareeb le aaye"

Arjun "par maa aap aise akele, apki tabiyat bhi theek nahin hai."

Gayatri "main ab theek hu arjun, aur agar mujhe jara bhi pareshani hui to main tujhe jarur bataungi. Lekin Tu mujhe nahi rokega aur yahan reh kar tujhe bhi koshish karni hogi ki ye teeno ek dusre ke kareeb aa jaye"

Arjun "main poori koshish karunga maa, aur tanu bhi kuch hi dino me aane wali hai. I am sure wo bhi jarur hamara saath degi"

Gayatri "bilkul degi, maine usse pehle hi baat kar li hai, mere jaane ke kuch hi din baad wo bhi wapas aa jayegi. Tum dono ko milkar in teeno ki duriyan mitani hogi. To dhyaan in teeno par rakhna hamesha ki tarah dono ladne na baith jana. Samjha?"

Arjun pouted "main nahi ladta maa, wo chipkali hi mujhse ladti hai"

Gayatri sternly "Arjun"

Arjun "achcha sorry, nahi bolunga usse kuch"

Gayatri smiled. Both him and tanu behave worse than kids when they are together. Although they love each other to no end but they are always bickering. "Achcha ab jaa aur un dono ko bhi samjha ki main nahi ruk sakti aur wahan jana mere liye bilkul safe hai."

Arjun was able to make the boys agree to gayatri leaving alone but only on one condition that she will