Chapter 46: A House Full of Colors

The farmhouse incident had become a memory now.

Life had returned to its usual happiness.

And today, the haveli was buzzing with excitement.

It was Holi.

A festival of colors, laughter, and family.

For Veeresh and Poornima, it was even more special because all the children were coming home.

Since the wedding in Delhi, they had spoken regularly over calls and messages, but meeting everyone together again was different.

The haveli felt alive from the early morning itself.

The maids were preparing sweets.

The courtyard was being decorated.

Colors were arranged in large plates.

Poornima herself had supervised the preparations while Veeresh pretended to help and mostly got in the way.

"You are disturbing more than helping," she told him.

Veeresh looked offended.

"I am the owner of this haveli."

"Then own it quietly."

That made the nearby maids laugh.

Veeresh simply shook his head.

"See how she speaks to me."

Poornima smiled and walked away.

Around noon, the first vehicle entered the haveli.

Ajay had arrived.

The moment he stepped out, Veeresh walked toward him.

Father and son hugged each other warmly.

"How are you, Appa?"

"Good. You?"

"Alive because Mumbai traffic hasn't killed me yet."

Veeresh laughed.

"That bad?"

"Worse."

Both smiled.

Ajay then turned toward Poornima.

Immediately touching her feet respectfully.

"How are you, Ma?"

Poornima's eyes softened.

"I am good, beta."

She blessed him.

Then asked,

"And where are the children?"

Ajay smiled.

"They have school."

"And?"

Poornima immediately raised an eyebrow.

Ajay knew exactly what she meant.

He laughed.

"And my wife didn't get leave."

Poornima shook her head.

"Next holiday bring everyone."

"I want to meet my grandchildren properly."

Ajay smiled.

"Done."

A little later another car entered.

The moment Zara stepped out, she ran straight toward Poornima.

"Mumma!"

Poornima immediately hugged her tightly.

Months had passed since they had spent proper time together.

"Meri bacchi."

Zara smiled happily.

Then she looked at Veeresh.

"Happy Holi, Dad."

The word still made Veeresh smile every time he heard it.

"Happy Holi."

He patted her head affectionately.

Soon Rhea and Ritesh also arrived.

The haveli instantly became louder.

Just the way it used to be.

Ritesh immediately began teasing everyone.

Rhea complained about college.

Ajay started sharing stories from Mumbai.

And Zara somehow managed to involve herself in every conversation.

The house that had once felt empty now echoed with laughter.

As everyone sat together drinking tea, Zara suddenly remembered something.

"Mumma."

Poornima looked at her.

"Airav bhai will come tomorrow."

Poornima nodded.

"Okay."

A small smile appeared on her face.

Whatever differences existed between them, he was still her son.

And she was happy he was coming.

The conversation continued.

Everyone was talking.

Laughing.

Planning Holi celebrations.

Yet amidst all the noise, Poornima's attention shifted toward Rhea.

Just for a moment.

Something felt different.

Rhea was smiling.

Talking.

Participating in conversations.

Yet something in her eyes looked off.

A little distant.

A little distracted.

As though her mind was somewhere else.

Poornima quietly observed her.

Years of teaching had made her good at reading people.

Especially children.

Even grown-up children.

She noticed the small pauses.

The forced smiles.

The moments when Rhea drifted into thought.

Poornima didn't say anything.

Not in front of everyone.

Not during a happy occasion.

She simply watched.

Then looked away.

Maybe she was imagining it.

Maybe she was overthinking.

But something told her she wasn't.

As laughter filled the haveli once again, Poornima made a mental note.

She would speak to Rhea later.

Alone.

Not as a stepmother.

Not as an elder.

But simply as someone who cared.

Because if something was troubling her, Poornima wanted to know.

And as she looked around at the children who had unknowingly brought her and Veeresh together, her heart filled with gratitude.

The haveli was no longer just a house.

It was a family.

And for the first time in many years, everyone she loved was under one roof.