Chapter 24: A Promise Fulfilled

That evening, Poornima returned to the Singh Mansion carrying a few neatly packed dessert boxes.

She walked into the living room where Devraj, Rukmini, Aravind, Siya, Arjun, Rajshree, and Kritika were sitting together.

Poornima: "Maa, Papa... I brought some cupcakes and brownies."

Rukmini smiled.

Rukmini: "Come, everyone. Let's taste them."

The maids served the desserts onto plates.

There were soft vanilla cupcakes, rich chocolate cupcakes, and freshly baked eggless brownies.

Devraj picked up a brownie first.

After taking a bite, he smiled broadly.

Devraj: "Beta..."

"This is outstanding."

"The taste is wonderful."

Arjun finished his cupcake in a few bites.

Arjun: "Bhabhi, this chocolate cupcake is amazing."

Siya nodded in agreement.

Siya: "No wonder your bakery is so popular."

Poornima smiled.

Poornima: "Maa..."

"Rakshas had ordered one thousand vanilla cupcakes, one thousand chocolate cupcakes, and brownies for the employees at VDS Industries."

"They wanted a marriage celebration."

Rukmini laughed softly.

Rukmini: "So your first business transaction after marriage was with your husband's company."

Poornima smiled.

Poornima: "Looks like it."

Devraj looked at her thoughtfully.

Devraj: "Beta..."

Poornima turned toward him.

Poornima: "Yes, Papa?"

Devraj: "Send me the birth details—the kundali details—of the babies."

"I'll give them to our family purohit."

"It's time we name them properly."

Poornima nodded respectfully.

Poornima: "Okay, Papa."

She hesitated for a moment.

Everyone noticed.

Devraj spoke gently.

Devraj: "What is it, beta?"

Poornima looked down before speaking.

Poornima: "Papa..."

"I have one request."

Devraj smiled reassuringly.

Devraj: "Tell me."

"You don't have to hesitate."

Poornima took a deep breath.

Poornima: "Please don't misunderstand me."

Rukmini immediately reached over and held her hand.

Rukmini: "Tell us, beta."

"We're listening."

Poornima's eyes became moist.

She spoke softly.

Poornima: "Pavan had one wish."

The room fell silent.

She continued,

Poornima: "He wanted our babies to be named at Mahakal Mandir in Ujjain."

She smiled faintly through her tears.

Poornima: "The day we found out I was pregnant..."

"I fainted at the temple."

"When I regained consciousness, he held my hand and said..."

"If we're blessed with children, we'll bring them back here and name them before Mahakal."

She lowered her gaze.

Poornima: "That wish was very precious to him."

"I know life has changed."

"But if possible..."

"I would like to fulfill that promise."

Silence filled the room.

Devraj looked at Poornima with kindness.

After a few moments, he smiled warmly.

Devraj: "Beta..."

"A promise made with love deserves to be honored."

"No one here will think otherwise."

He nodded gently.

Devraj: "We won't ask the purohit to name the babies here."

"We'll all go to Ujjain."

"The naming ceremony will take place at Mahakal Mandir."

Rukmini smiled.

Rukmini: "We'll fulfill Pavan's wish together."

Poornima's eyes filled with grateful tears.

Poornima: "Thank you, Papa."

Devraj: "Don't thank me."

He placed his hand gently on her head.

Devraj: "Some promises belong to the heart."

"And those promises should always be respected."

Poornima folded her hands in gratitude.

For the first time since she had entered the Singh family, she felt that they had not only accepted her—but had also embraced the memories that were an inseparable part of her life.