Chapter 21

This chapter is mostly from the childrens point of view

The Morning After the Night Before

Chapter 21

At the farmhouse two individuals slept -undisturbed late into the morning.

At Shantivan, all the adults slept in an exhausted slumber. All of them had a new found respect for Khushi. She had been doing this for the last four months without much help. It had taken all of them Payal , Shashi , Anjali, Nani, Manorma and Akaash to sort the children out.

Had they really commented "How difficult could it be? Looking after three children- innocent little lambs -they couldn't do much. They didn't crawl -all they did was eat ,sleep and need their nappies changing"

Famous last words -those three babes knew exactly who ruled the roost- they did.

It was as though the three had a silent language all to themselves- Akhil had started the rebellion in the nursery - why hadn't his mum come to feed him, why was his dinner late ? What had his dad said -Mum was his all weekend. Well dad had another thing coming him and his brothers were going to show dad who exactly was the boss, and who had first say on mum's time. They had, where did he even get the idea that they were going to share her with him. As it was he had already had to share -first he had to share his space inside her ,the other two had thought they had priority over food and living space -well he had shown those two since they had been ejected very uncomfortably from their shared living quarters -now he had the most space and got the food first .

On the inside Ayaan had been the peace maker between the three - Don't push and stop kicking , Ashish, Akhil -you're not going to get any more space and your hurting mum. We have to be patient and share what we have got. All three loved each other but mum was extra special. Dad was cool in his own way but not when it came to mum. She was theirs.

Akhil started the hollering and crying -he wanted mum -and no one else was gonna do. He liked all his family, they all spoiled him especially Nana Ji.

Nana Ji had Akhil exactly pegged -"you are the most like your mum and are going to give us the most trouble growing up."

Nana Ji had said he was going to be like mum - that made Akhil proud mum was naughty and fun loving - she sang them songs -she wasn't very good at that- but her number counting was awesome -she was super fantastic with numbers she could count from one to five without stopping - dad always had to stop and think -he always asked us what comes after three?.

Dad was a bit slow in nearly all things - he always was - he was always asking them where our our noses and eyes. He sometimes had to check with Aashish and Ayaan if he was right. Mum was really good at all these things -she sometimes had to teach dad because he forgot. The only thing that he was good at was his temper and ordering Aman around. He had seen dad lose his temper on the phone and scream down at the other person. Akhil had seen his dad shout at the man when he almost dropped the tray of tea on mom. Dad was like that, no one was allowed to say anything to mom , and that's the way it should be. Dad would let people say things to them but never mom. If dad wasn't there to stop some of the people saying mean things to mum he was -he would scream so loud and then Aashish and Ayaan would join in and dad and everyone would come running in. That Sheetal Aunty -she often said mean things to mum, but dad had figured that out so she didn't come round anymore. In some ways dad was clever -but it had taken their help for him to stop that mean aunty from coming. Dad was really careful when it came to mum -even they were not allowed to upset her. That day when he came into the nursery when mum had been asleep, he had wanted picking up dad had seen him and told him off. He had said "Don't you dare scream or you will wake mum up" Dad really was a good super cool guy, he did look out for mum and all of them . He had even managed to stop the big fat -sorry - rather large aunties from pulling their cheeks. Initially dad would let the mean old aunties pull his cheeks -that hurt -all they would say is" how sweet" or "how cute". Ayaan had learnt how to stop that he would scream unless of course it was mom or Nana Ji. They were the only two, who were allowed to pull any of their cheeks. They had all taught dad how painful it was - they had learnt to pull his cheeks - he didn't like that and they blew raspberries at him when he did it. That had soon stopped anyone from pulling their cheeks since dad always said don't do that it hurts -when they do it to me.

Yeh but back to the current problem -dad had kidnapped mom -he thought he was having her for two days -the plan had already been hatched between the three of them. They had to stay strong, they had to stay united and fight as one. None of this going soft when Anjali Bua or Payal Maasi started their pleading. Ayaan was the soft one of the three he always liked pleasing everyone. H ewas the one to watch. They had to get mum home.

So started their night of adult training. The boys cried in turn , singly and then in unison, they wriggled at nappy change and they cheered when Ayaan who was always considered the angel of the three wriggle away and then managed to kick his nappy of several times before the dual efforts of bua and masai managed to get his nappy on.

Bath time turned into a humungous waterfight with the grown ups -at the end Aashish felt sorry for his Akaash chacha and gave him a towel-he was more in need of a towel than he was . He did give his Cha cha a big hug for putting up with him at bath time and one of his special gurgling laughs. All the grown-ups loved his gurlgling laugh.

Powder time was another hilarious event chacha had forgotten to close the bottle and keep it out of Aashish s way - well the snow storm that followed -was one to beat the record of all records - who would have thought that three little four month old babies could play such havoc.

Akaash chacha got such a telling off from both Payaal Masai and Anjali Bua -that they took over bath time -and didn't fare much better. The trio had managed to drag out a forty minute event into an hour and a half.

The trio played up at everything - they screamed and cried and took it in turns to keep the grown ups all night -till almost sunrise when everyone fell into an exhausted sleep.

NanaJi in the end had put all three kids in the car with Payal Akash and Di and had driven around for about one hour till they were certain that all three were sound asleep .

All three were taken in their chairs up to the nursery left sleeping in their chairs.

The grownups listened to Nana ji -"don't touch them let them sleep and we will do the same these little devils will wake soon enough and carrying Khushi's genes, I know they will be up to their tricks and on full form-ready to battle on."

Everyone retired to their rooms to sleep-late into the morning.

Only when HP and OP came in the morning they were wondering at the scene that greeted them as to what had happened the night before.

The kitchen looked as though a hurricane had hit, every single child's pot utensil, bottles were out.

Food jars were open. Tea and coffee had been made -how many used cups ?

The lounge area was littered with toys and books - it looked as though they had had a junior nursery party overnight . When they reached the triplets bathroom HP and OP were gobsmacked had a tornado hit the house whilst they had been away overnight - Khushi bhabhi wouldn't like this mess. And their three little angels when they were looked in on were fast asleep in their car seats.

"Car seats " HP and OP looked at each other and smiled knowingly. Khushi Bhabhi had made it look so easy - now they were all finding out what a hard job she was really doing.

They had better get cleaning and start with the trio's breakfast or soon Akhil would be screaming the place down. Let everybody else sleep for a bit - from the signs of the house -it looked as though had had quite a party.

Back at the farmhouse Arnav was stirring as he awoke he found himself staring into a set of hazel eyes that were full of mischief.

"Do you know your eye's are just like Akhil's"

"Arnav -don't you mean that Akhuil's eyes are just like mine!"

"Yup you're both the naughty ones - he will have played up last night -well and truly. I'm too scared to ring home in case they tell us to come home now."

"where's your phone let me ring Di and see how she is ?"

"If the house was burning down they would have rung us - look no missed calls that means we are still on holiday- and I intend to finish what I started last night - imagine the most romantic setting and my date fell asleep !"

"Oh I am soo sorrry Arnav-it's just that this was the first time in...Why are you looking at me like that ?"

"Exactly how sorry are you ?

""weeelll as a matter of fact" her hands slipped under his kurta and started caressing his chest and slowly she reached up and caressed his cheek with hers first the right then the left and then started nibbling his lower lip.

What followed was a slow unhurried, loving exploration of each other's body which ended in a mind blowing experience for both individuals concerned. They both lay satiated and breathless.

"ummm Khushi -not to panic you or anything but I spent all my time making sure everything was perfect- I forgot one small detail-well actually one rather very important detail.."

"Arnav stop -you're scaring me - what is it the kids?"

"Well kind of ... not our kids ...I mean not the ones at home but.."

"Arnav stop. You're not making sense and you're beginning to really worry me"

"I forgot to use protection..."

"Again !...like you did the last time and look what happened Ayaash, Aashish and Akhil."

Khushi s laughter bubbled up "Stop looking so scared -I have three beautiful children and I think I want some more -oh stop looking so worried -I can see just how your brain is calculating how we are going to fit more children in our life - just not yet- Three is more than enough for the moment till I get them off to school -but I would like a girl -I'm outnumbered four boys to me we need to balance the scales a bit. Don't you think?"

"Khushi you're off on one -back to our current situation- protection - or therein the lack of ..."

"Ohh don't worry -remember Sheenu saw us kissing in the neonatal unit - she made sure I was protected for at least three years. Look you can feel them in my arm -three rods one for each child or one for each year-She said with our past history -she couldn't take the risk -so she placed three implants. So Mr Arnav Singh Raizada you can be as forgetful as you want to be and we can play and practice as much as we want without any worries."

"Yeh we only have three to worry about -but you are right i think some more in the future would be nice- but first let me practice."

It was much later on in the afternoon when Arnav called Shashi. "How are things?"

"Sooo glad you called - remember you said you wanted two nights? Well ithink its time you two came home-the babes are far too you young to be left two nights without their parents ...andI'm far to old . We all need a bit of adaptation time."

"Really dad was it that bad...were they really misbehaving, I bet it was Akhil leading the way... We will be home late afternoon early evening is that Ok - I promised Khushi a picnic under the Gulmohar trees.- then we will be home."

Arnav then put the phone down - "Iwanted to talk .."

"Khushi they want us back home we will soon find out exactly how badly behaved our kids have been ..till then you are mine- no exceptions. Soon as you go home you will become everyones -here you are mine and mine alone."

"Arnav I will always be yours wherever I am. I promise always to find time for you"

"Yeh I know three people who will object to that statement-out three boys"

"I love you and them-I will always have time for all of you"

"Well while I have you to myself let me show you one of my fantasies..."

It was early evening that a very relaxed Khushi entered a screaming house -bedlam seemed to be the word-a madhouse -crying ,singing every musical toy seemed to be on full blast.

Arnav was the first to say "What the..."- but even his what the was drowned out by the noise coming from the lounge.

HP "Bhabhi you've come thank god "

All Arnav could say was "really ?"

Khushi entered and saw her three babies screaming - she recognised the screams as fake crying when they wanted attention.

Rather than run up to her children and hug them -she switched of all the gadjets and in a stern voice said "Listen all you Raizada boys - I have had a lovely time and you are not going to spoil it. I'm home now so be quiet or I will leave..."

Her voice or her tone or whether the babies understood was a mystery to the adults but it had the desired effect ... all three babes stopped crying and held out their arms to her she sat with Arnav holding all three . She had one who clutched her neck and Ayaan who sat in her lap and Aashish who went to his dad.

Silence ruled the house as the others looked on in awe of what had just occurred .

Akhil had his head sideways watching his dad as only traces of tears remained on his face. He gave his dad a look as if to say " Yeh so who's the boss of us now -ehh dad? Mum's back with us and you thought you had her for the whole weekend "

Arnav looked at his son -"Really was his son really challenging him- the little monster"

Khushi without looking at Akhil "Akhil I know you're the ring leader of all this trouble- have you all caused this chaos in this house because i went away with your dad- well boys get used to it ! Ayaan I expected better behaviour from you -hassling you bua and Maasi and you Akhil you must have hasseled your Nana ji . " His only response was to nuzzle into Khushi neck deeper as Ayaan eyes grew large and filled with tears. Ashish you must have caused problems for your chacha -he has a very soft spot for you and you probably took advantage of him. I'm ashamed of your behaviour". The three boys looked at Khsushi -this time with genuine tears.

"But I love all three of you -so next time I go and there will be a next time -my boys will make me proud -wont they and Ashish gurgled, Ayaan smiled and laid his head against his mothers chest.

Whilst Akhil put both his tiny hands on Khushi face and kissed her and leaned over to his dad and did the same- as if to say sorry. They could all have a bit of mum- she had so much to give.

Shashi was the first to say " I don't believe it - you come home and silence ensues"

"Dad it won't be for long it will be bath time and dinner time"

"Khushi I love you , and them,but sweetheart bath time goes above and beyond the call of duty - I'm going home with Payal while I have a bit of sanity left."

Akaash said" Bhaiya, my sympathies -but I need some rest and bath time is too traumatic"

"Chote - bath time -I need my rest -i think I have a headache coming on"

Arnav looked at his three boys "What did you lot do to my family last night "

Nani looked at them "Nothing -they were perfect little cherubs and I wouldn't have it any other way- it's the adults they require a little bit more training "

"Arnav looked at his three in disbelief and then at Khushi "If this is what they do at four months old what is going to happen when they can walk?"

Khushi laughed "kids will have trained the adults perfectly by then- help me get these three in the bath and fed - so that we can..."