Chapter 55 – A Quiet Birthday

It was Poornima's birthday.

The Rajawat house was decorated with a few flowers, but unlike every other year, there were no loud celebrations or grand arrangements.

Everyone gathered in the living room.

Veeresh looked around at the family.

Veeresh: "Listen, everyone."

Everyone turned towards him.

He smiled softly.

Veeresh: "This year, no heavy celebration."

Ritika looked at him.

Ritika: "Why, beta?"

Veeresh glanced upstairs, where Poornima was resting.

His expression became gentle.

Veeresh: "Mom needs rest."

He smiled.

Veeresh: "She's already tired."

He folded his hands dramatically.

Veeresh: "So no big celebration, no dancing, no long functions."

He laughed.

Veeresh: "Just cake, family, and lots of blessings."

Everyone agreed.

Just then, Adwait walked in with a mischievous grin.

He looked straight at his father.

Adwait: "All because of you, Papa."

The room burst into laughter.

Veeresh raised an eyebrow.

Veeresh: "Me?"

Adwait nodded innocently.

Adwait: "Yes."

He pointed upstairs.

Adwait: "If someone had controlled himself a little..."

He paused dramatically.

Adwait: "...Mom wouldn't be carrying triplets."

Rudra immediately started laughing.

Rudra: "Exactly!"

Aradhya: "Papa, even on Mom's birthday she's supposed to be resting because of you."

Richard tried not to laugh.

Thoshini joined in.

Thoshini: "Dad, you're famous in this house now."

Veeresh looked around dramatically.

Veeresh: "Wonderful."

Veeresh: "My own children have formed a team against me."

Rajendra chuckled from the sofa.

He looked at his son.

Rajendra: "Veeresh..."

Veeresh looked at him.

Veeresh: "Yes, Dad?"

Rajendra smiled knowingly.

Rajendra: "Please control yourself."

The younger generation immediately became silent, waiting for what he would say next.

Rajendra continued with a completely straight face.

Rajendra: "And please..."

He paused.

Rajendra: "...don't plan for a football team."

For a second, there was complete silence.

Then the entire house exploded with laughter.

Rudra held his stomach laughing.

Rudra: "Dadu!"

Adwait almost fell onto the sofa.

Adwait: "Even Dadu started teasing Papa!"

Aradhya wiped tears of laughter.

Richard laughed openly.

Thoshini clapped happily.

Veeresh placed a hand dramatically over his heart.

Veeresh: "Dad..."

He shook his head.

Veeresh: "I expected support from you."

Rajendra smiled.

Rajendra: "You have my support."

He laughed.

Rajendra: "Just... no more surprise announcements."

Everyone laughed again.

Just then, Poornima slowly came downstairs.

She looked around at everyone's smiling faces.

Poornima: "What's so funny?"

Rudra immediately replied,

Rudra: "Nothing, Mom."

Adwait grinned.

Adwait: "We're just making sure Papa retires from family planning."

Poornima looked at Veeresh.

He tried to look innocent.

She folded her arms.

Poornima: "Good."

She smiled mischievously.

Poornima: "Because I already told him the same thing."

The family laughed once more, and Veeresh simply shook his head with a smile.

Veeresh: "Fine."

He walked to Poornima, gently held her hand, and smiled lovingly.

Veeresh: "Happy Birthday, Poons."

He kissed her forehead.

Veeresh: "My best gift is seeing you healthy."

Poornima smiled warmly.

Surrounded by laughter, love, and teasing from every generation of the family, it became one of the happiest and most memorable birthdays she had ever celebrated.