Chapter 12
Same day, evening, Shantivan
The little ones were in their new rooms playing all day. Arav was looking after them and playing with them. Khushi and Payal were doing their work in laptops and at times watching over the kids.
The Raizadas were also in their own rooms doing their work or doing household. But everyone was only thinking about the things that happened in the morning. First the entry of kids, then Khushi claiming Arav as her son, the fight between Sheetal and Khushi, Arav saying Khushi as his mother and refusing to recognize Sheetal. Everyone was confused about the happenings.
Also they felt guilty for the way they have behaved with Payal and Khushi. One thing was clear, Khushi and Payal were pregnant when they left Shantivan. But the truth that they were unaware of this fact made all of them guilty.
Arnav and Akash were the people who were most affected as they lost the most important moments of their kid's life. They felt guilty for the way they behaved with their wives when they needed them the most. Because of their own deeds their wives had to go their periods of pregnancy alone. They had to give birth to their kids and nurture and grow them alone. Also because of their own mistakes they lost the precious moments they should have spent with their kids.
But the most painful part is their own kids don't recognize them as their fathers. According to them they are mere strangers in whose house they are going to stay for few days. Unknown that it is their own house.
Another thing that is hurting everyone in the house is that even though their kids are just few feet away from them, they can neither touch them nor play with them. Khushi had strictly said everyone to stay away from the kids before she brought them or else they won't stay here.
So even though reluctantly everyone had to stay away from the kids and only see them from far, can not even enter their rooms.
It was evening. After playing for the whole day the little ones were bored sitting in the room, so Khushi and Payal took them down. Coming into the living room, they all settled there playing and watching TV in the living room.
The other family members except Anjali were also there. Leaving the kids there Khushi and Payal went inside the kitchen to make snacks and milkshakes for kids. The others were looking at the kids playing happily.
Few minutes later, they all saw Anjali, Khushi, Payal and HP coming out of kitchen carrying plates. Anjali and HP came and served beverages and snacks for elders while Khushi and Payal came with milkshakes and cookies for kids and started make them eat.
After that everyone settled in the living room discussing about random things. It was then Sheetal came there. Seeing Arav, she once again decided to try her luck.
She came near Arav and was about to hug him when he moved away making Sheetal to loose her balance and fall down. Hearing the sound everyone looked at her. The kids started laughing loudly seeing Sheetal's condition while the elders were trying hard to control their laugh.
Seeing her struggling to get up with her short dress, Anjali came forward and offered her help. Getting up Sheetal looked at the kids laughing at her and then started glaring at Arav.
Khushi: What happened, Mr Kapoor. How did you fall down and why are you glaring at my son.
Arav (still laughing): Nothing Mumma, she tried to hug me but I moved away. So she lost her balance and fell down.
Khushi: What? She tried to hug you?
(Turning to Sheetal) What's this, Miss Kapoor. Why are you hell bent behind my son. Aren't you satisfied with what happened in the morning. You again started going behind him. How many times should I tell you, Miss Kapoor. Stay away from my son.
Sheetal (faking crying): Enough Khushi. Why are you doing this. Why are you trying to take my son away from me. Please don't do it. Don't snatch my son. I only have my son. Please don't snatch him away from me.
Raizadas felt bad for her hearing her pleading to Khushi for her son. They felt sympathy seeing her condition. They didn't know whom to support. They couldn't understand why Khushi was trying to snatch her son.
Payal (irritated with her drama): Oh please Miss Kapoor. Stop this drama. I don't know what is wrong with you. Why are you hell bent on trying to prove Kuku's son as your. Have you lost it woman. Can't you understand what we are trying to tell you from morning. Arav is Kuku's son. She is his mother. Why don't you get it in your thick head.
Sheetal (crying loudly): What are you saying Payal. How can you support your sister. In fact you should make your sister understand and stop her from doing such things. But instead of doing that, here you are supporting her. How can you do that, Payal.
Payal: First of all, stop calling me Payal. How many times did we tell you. Call us KAG and PAG. Only our close ones can call us with our names. Second thing stop your crocodile tears. Here nobody is interested in seeing that. Even if you scream and say also, it won't change that Aru is Kuku's son. So stop wasting your crocodile tears in trying to convince us because it won't affect us.
Khushi: And I am telling you for the last time Miss Kapoor, stay away from my kids especially my Aru. If I see you troubling him again it won't be good for you.
Everyone was looking at the scene with different expressions. The little ones were angry seeing Sheetal going behind Arav once again. They were very possessive about their brother and never liked anyone coming near their brother except family members and the people they liked.
But now Sheetal trying to get close to their brother was irking them. Remembering morning incident they decided to play a prank on Sheetal. They silently gestured Tomi to teach Sheetal a lesson.
Tomi being the obedient dog immediately understood what they wants him to do and launched himself on Sheetal. Sheetal who wasn't anticipating such an attack fell on the floor. But the funny thing that happened was due to the awkward position in which she fell, the tight short dress that she was wearing got stretched causing it to tear.
Sheetal was embarrassed seeing her dress tear. The men looked away feeling embarrassed seeing Sheetal's dress. Khushi, Payal and even Anjali was trying to control their laugh. Nani and Mami were angry at her for wearing such clothes at home where men and little kids are there.
The kids started laughing again seeing her condition.
Arsh came near Sheetal and tapped on her shoulder.
Arsh: Sheet Aunty, you takes mally from Mumma and by nu dless. Don't weal baby's dlesh. See youl dless just like Ashi. Ashi small baby you big aunty. How Ashi's dless fit u. U by nu dless, Mumma give u mally. (Sheetal Aunty, you take money from Mumma and buy new dress. Don't wear baby's dress. See your dress is like Ashi's. Ashi is small baby and you big aunty. How Ashi's dress for you. U buy new dress, Mumma will give you money).
Sheetal fumed hearing him saying her to take money from his mother and buy new clothes and not to wear dress like his sister. Sheetal started glaring at him while Arsh smiled cheekily at her. Elders who were suppressing their laugh till then burst out laughing hearing Arsh's talk.
Akash (still laughing): Well Sheetal. Don't take me wrong. But I think Arsh is right. You should really start wearing big clothes rather than small kid's clothes.
Sheetal was embarrassed seeing everyone laughing at her expense. Standing up, she stomped her and went from there. After that everyone once again settled in their seats and started talking random things.
Night, Shantivan
Everyone was at the dining table having their food. Khushi and Payal were feeding the little ones. Arav was sitting beside them helping them to feed them feed by distracting the little ones in various things.
After feeding them, they left them to play in the living room so that they could watch over them. Coming back to the dining table, Khushi made Arav sit beside her and started feeding him while eating her own food. Arav started talking to her about his school and the things he did with the little ones after she came there.
Khushi was listening to everything and also asking him various things. Everyone was looking at the duo who were in their own world. Looking at them anyone would feel that they are real mother-son duo. Everyone could see the excitement in his eyes while saying all these things to her. There was nothing fake. The pure love and adoration was easily palpable to everyone. He was like every little child who would be happily sharing the happenings of his life with his mother while she was like every mother who would be eager to know what her little baby had done in his life each day.
Payal was also involved in their conversation. All could see the love Arav have for Khushi and Payal and vice versa. Payal was talking to Arav just like Khushi. It was like Arav had two mothers. Luckily Sheetal was not present there, after the evening incident she preferred to have her dinner at room itself not wanting to get embarrassed in front of everyone more.
After dinner, everyone went to their respective rooms. Khushi and Payal took the little ones to their rooms. After reading them bedtime stories and tucking them in who fell asleep instantly, they left the room not before kissing them good night.
Khushi was standing near the window in her room looking at the sky. Her room was attached to the poolside just like Arnav's. She was standing there thinking about the things that happened that day when she felt a movement in her room.
Turning around she saw the person standing there. Automatically her lips curved into a sweet smile. Coming to the middle of the room, she pulled the person in a warm motherly hug who hugged her back happily around her waist. Taking him in her arms, she settled in the rectilinear kept on her room.
Making him sit on her lap, she hugged him from back keeping her cheeks on his temple.
Khushi: What happened, Aru. Didn't you sleep, bacha.
Arav (leaning towards her more): No Mumma, didn't get sleep.
Khushi (frowning): What happened, bacha. Why don't you want to sleep.
Arav: I'm scared, Mumma.
Khushi (frowning more): Scared, Why baby? What happened?
Arav: Mumma, what if that Sheetal Aunty come and do something.
Realization dawned upon her. She hugged him more tightly.
Khushi: Shhh, Bacha. Nothing will happen. It's OK, baby. It's alright. Mumma is here na. Mumma won't let anything happen to you. You trust Mumma na.
Arav looked at her and nodded his head.
Arav (hugging her): Yes Mumma. More than anybody.
Khushi (hugging him back): Then it's OK, baby. Mumma is here. Mumma won't let anything happen to you.
Arav: What if she does something to the little ones.
Khushi: Shhh Baby. Don't think all these. Mumma is here. Mumma will take care of everything. She won't do anything to you or the little ones. You guys will be fine. OK.
Arav nodded his head.
Khushi: Now come let's sleep.
Saying that she started taking him to the bed but Arav stopped her.
Khushi: What happened, Aru.
Arav: No, Mumma. I will sleep in my room. The little ones are alone there. What if the Sheetal Aunty come and do something to them.
Khushi: It's OK baby. You can sleep here. Sheetal won't do anything to the little ones. See I have put baby monitors in their rooms. Also there are sensors at the door of your rooms. If Sheetal or anybody else enters the alarm will go off and we will find out. So you don't worry. You sleep here. They will be fine there. OK. Now come.
She then took him to the bed and made him sleep with her. Arav also laid down on the bed hugging her tightly. Few minutes later, there heard a knock on the bedroom door. Frowning Khushi went and opened the door. The sight before her amused her.
Her four little devils were standing there with little cute angry faces. But before she could say anything, they ran inside and went and sat on the bed with angry faces. Shaking her head, Khushi closed the door and came inside.
Arav also got up and sat on the bed amused by his siblings' antics.
Khushi: So what happened to my kiddos. Why are they making such angry faces.
Arshi: Kiddos angly (angry) with Mumma and Aru Bhayya.
Khushi (controlling her smile and making a sad face): Oh. That's so bad. So what mistake Mumma and Aru Bhayya did that Kiddos are angry with them.
Arush: Mumma and Aru Bhayya no lub (love) kiddos. Mumma and Aru Bhayya sleeping alone leaving Kiddos.
Khushi: OH. So Kiddos are angry with Mumma and Aru Bhayya because they are sleeping alone leaving Kiddos. Then Mumma and Aru Bhayya have to get punishment na. So what punishment will kiddos give Mumma and Aru Bhayya.(pretending to think).
Arav (playing along): Let's leave Mumma and Aru Bhayya in dark room.
Khushi (pretending to get scared): No Kiddos. Don't leave us in dark rooms. We will get scared and cry.
Arsh (innocently): No Mumma and Aru Bhayya no cly. Mumma and Aru Bhayya cly. Kiddos cly. Mumma and Aru Bhayya very nice. No punshmen fol Mumma and Aru Bhayya. Kiddos lub Mumma and Aru Bhayya. (No Mumma and Aru Bhayya no cry. Mumma and Aru Bhayya cry. Kiddos cry. Mumma and Aru Bhayya very nice. No punishment for Mumma and Aru Bhayya. Kiddos love Mumma and Aru Bhayya)
Khushi and Arav (smiling widely): And Mumma and Aru Bhayya love kiddos too.
Saying that Arav and Khushi started tickling the little ones who tickled them back. After having some more fun. All six of them settled on Khushi's Queen sized bed and slept hugging each other.
That's all for now. I am really sorry for the delay. So what do you think is going to happen. Why is Arav scared of Sheetal. What had she done to him. Is Sheetal Arav's mother. If yes, then why is he calling her Aunty. If not, then who is Arav?
Also please please please comment. I will update the next Chapter only if you comment. So please comment. Also give your views on the story.
Jhanak
Shiv Shakti
193