Chapter 75: Eid Mubarak

The first rays of the morning sun spread across Bikaner as the house came alive with the joy of Eid.

The aroma of sheer khurma, biryani, and festive sweets filled every corner of Haji Kareem's home.

Everyone got ready in their new clothes.

Veeresh smiled as he walked into the room carrying a neatly wrapped gift.

Poornima looked at him curiously.

Poornima: "What's this?"

He handed it to her.

Veeresh: "Your Eid gift."

She smiled and slowly unwrapped it.

Inside was a beautiful simple purple saree with delicate silver embroidery and a matching set of elegant bangles.

She looked at the saree for a few seconds before looking at him.

Poornima: "Purple..."

Veeresh smiled.

Veeresh: "I went to buy other colours."

He laughed softly.

Veeresh: "But somehow..."

He looked at her lovingly.

Veeresh: "...this colour suits you, Poons."

Poornima smiled.

She remembered the very first saree he had sent before their wedding.

It had also been purple.

She looked at him with affection.

Poornima: "Thank you."

Veeresh gently made her wear the bangles.

Veeresh: "Now go wear the saree."

She nodded happily.

A little while later...

Poornima came downstairs wearing the purple saree.

The simple elegance suited her beautifully.

Veeresh couldn't take his eyes off her.

Veeresh: "Beautiful."

Poornima smiled shyly.

Soon, everyone gathered in the living room.

Smiles filled the house.

Everyone: "Eid Mubarak!"

They embraced one another warmly.

Haji Kareem hugged Mahendra.

Haji Kareem: "Eid Mubarak, my friend."

Mahendra: "Eid Mubarak."

Mahesh hugged Haji.

Shabana lovingly blessed all the children.

Ayat and Aarhan happily wished everyone.

Ayat: "Eid Mubarak!"

Aarhan: "Eid Mubarak!"

Aadhya hugged Poornima.

Aadhya: "Eid Mubarak, Mumma."

Poornima kissed her forehead.

Poornima: "Eid Mubarak, beta."

Yash and Aarav also smiled.

Yash: "Eid Mubarak, Mumma."

Aarav: "Eid Mubarak!"

Poornima's eyes lit up again hearing them call her "Mumma."

She hugged both of them.

After breakfast, it was time for gifts.

Aarav excitedly brought a pile of gift bags.

Aarav: "This year everyone gets gifts!"

Yash laughed.

Yash: "You planned this for weeks."

Aarav grinned.

He handed a shawl to Mahendra.

Aarav: "For Dadu."

A warm kurta to Mahesh.

Aarav: "For Papa."

A beautiful prayer cap and perfume to Haji Kareem.

Aarav: "For Abbu Jaan."

A graceful embroidered dupatta to Shabana.

Aarav: "For Dadi."

Yash smiled as he distributed the rest.

He gave Ayat a storybook and art supplies.

Aarhan received a remote-control toy car.

Aadhya received a beautiful journal and sketch pens.

Everyone smiled happily.

Then Poornima came forward with her own gifts.

She gave Mahendra a traditional shawl.

Mahesh received a wristwatch.

Shabana received a silk stole.

Haji Kareem received a new kurta.

Ayat, Aarhan, Aadhya, Aarav, and Yash each received gifts chosen specially for them.

The children thanked her with happy smiles.

Finally...

Veeresh handed Poornima one more small box.

She looked at him in surprise.

Inside was a delicate silver pendant.

Poornima: "Another gift?"

Veeresh smiled.

Veeresh: "One saree wasn't enough."

Everyone laughed.

The house echoed with happiness.

Children played together.

The elders shared stories.

Laughter filled every room.

It was their first Eid as one family.

Not bound only by marriage...

But by love, trust, acceptance, and the promise that no one in the family would ever have to celebrate alone again.