Playing the roles of parents wasn't an easy task. Ruhi kept them on toes most of the time. They had to tackle their professional lives as well. Madhu continued working in her job. Since RK was a freelance journalist, he didn't have an exact time to work, so he attended to look after Ruhi while Madhu was away. They planned their work shifts.
Madhu settled down in a cozy corner of the couch with a pile of project work. She was exhausted. It was a hectic day for her. Though it was a Sunday she was working like a machine, attending to Ruhi's needs. Finally after much effort she could put Ruhi to sleep.
RK came along with 2 cups of coffee for Madhu & himself.
'Thank you!' Madhu accepted it without even looking at him. She was concentrating on her work. She had to submit some reports before day after tomorrow.
'Drink it before it gets cool' RK advised her, settling down himself near her. Madhu didn't pay any heed, she kept continuing her work.
'Caffeine is my ultimate source of energy!' RK chuckled, wanting to start a chit chat with Madhu. Madhu kept silent.
'Madhu! you seemed to be drowned in a pile of work!' 'Just relax for a while & resume. Don't fret too much.'
'Will you please leave without disturbing me?' Madhu finally spoke up. She was irritated. Her work load kept her stressed out. That made her loose her temper.
'Okay okay!' RK mimed closing his mouth with a zipper.
It didn't take a minute, she was disturbed again. This time it was Ruhi, crying top of her lungs. Both of them rushed to her room.
Little Ruhi's cute pink cheeks has turned red. Tears were overflowing from her eyes. Madhu & RK felt bad about her.
'Aww hi honey... what's wrong sweetheart?' But Ruhi kept crying loud.
Madhu tried to get her in his arms.
'No no wait!' 'Let her sooth herself.'
'What?'
'Let her sooth herself & calm down!'
'What nonsense are you talking RK?' 'Ruhi is crying!'
'Okay lets sing a song!'
'Um... okay then.'
'The wheels of the bus go round and round ... round and round... round and round.. all through the town..' Both of them sang in unison to pacify the little girl.
'The uh.. what's the next line? I can't f*cking remember!' RK scratched his head.
'Me neither!' Madhu chuckled.
''Lala la.. lala la..' Madhu kept singing.
RK kept making funny faces to cheer up Ruhi. But neither of their tricks worked out. Ruhi was crying hard.
'I think she is hungry! my little baby is hungry! come on let's go & eat something.' Madhu took little Ruhi in her arms. She settled her in her feeding chair & started making cereals for her. RK tried to pacify her by showing her hand puppets.
Finally she was done making Ruhi's meal & she leaned down her to feed.
'Baby! I'm sure you are gonna love this!' 'Open your mouth sweetheart, this magic portion will make you happy!'' Madhu tried to feed her. But Ruhi didn't seem to like it. She was crying more hard.
'Madhu what about something else? She doesn't like it!' RK interrupted,
'RK! I'm doing her the best!' She snapped at him.
'Please baby! this is so tasty! Yummy yummy!' But Ruhi kept turning around refusing to eat.
'There you go! good girl!' Finally Madhu could put up a spoonful of cereal in to her mouth. But at the very next second Ruhi threw it out. Madhu's face was covered a half with cereals.
RK came up with a solution. He took a packet of Doritos chips from the pantry cupboard & minced it & put in to Ruhi's plate.
'What the eff are you doing?' Madhu chided him.
Little Ruhi grabbed a piece and put inside her mouth. She seemed loving it.
'RK? are you mad? Doritos for Ruhi?'
'Madhu! are you sure you are doing the best for Ruhi? RK questioned. Madhu kept staring at him.
Ruhi was enjoying eating Doritos.
'RK! Doritos are not good for babies! Can't you understand?' Madhu raised her voice.
'Madhu! just let Ruhi eat. At least that would end her hunger.' 'No harm in eating that!' RK too spoke in a more serious tone. Madhu kept numb.
'Good girl!' RK took her in his arms. 'But honey, you should start eating healthy okay? or else your Hitler god mother will dump me out of the house!' RK chuckled. Madhu glared at him angrily.
'Come let's go! time for some cartoon!' RK took her to the living room. He settled down in the couch with little Ruhi.
'What do you wanna watch sweetie?' He placed a soft kiss on Ruhi's forehead. He switched on the TV. He randomly found Despicable me 2 while he was switching the channels. Ruhi enjoyed watching Minions. She clapped her hands with excitement.
Madhu found her files scattered on the floor. RK & Ruhi were on the couch watching TV. Madhu quietly collected them up, hiding her frustration. She settled herself in the dining table to do her work without any interruption.
After a few minutes she was disturbed again with the loud noise of the TV. RK has increased the volume of it.
'RK! will you reduce the volume of the TV please?' Madhu shouted. But he didn't respond.
'RK!' 'Can you please reduce the volume?' Madhu repeated. But no response.
Madhu went to the living room. RK was dancing on the couch with Ruhi to the YMCA song on Despicable Me 2. He has increased the volume to the fullest. The house was echoing with it. They didn't hear Madhu shouting at them.
'RK! just stop it!' Madhu finally came up & switched off the TV. Both RK & Ruhi seemed shocked with Madhu's sudden encounter. Ruhi started crying again.
'Madhu!' 'What the hell did you do?'' See! she started crying again!' RK chided her for switching off the TV.
'Uh.. I'm sorry baby!' Madhu patted little Ruhi & tried to console her.
'Madhu! you always mess up the things!
'Shut up RK! don't you know? I am stuck with some important work! you kept disturbing me increasing the volume of the TV! I can't concentrate on my work! Madhu snapped at him.
'I thought nothing was important for you than Ruhi.' RK's words hit Madhu deeply. She kept numb.
'Madhu! try to understand why Rajeev & Trishna chose us to look after Ruhi & not anyone else!' Madhu got emotional with his words. She looked at Ruhi. She was staring at her with teary eyes. Her cute little innocent face melted her heart.
'I'm sorry baby!' She held her ears seeking forgiveness from Ruhi. Ruhi smiled at her. 'I love you so much baby!' She gave a kiss on Ruhi's little hand. Madhu looked at RK. He nodded smiling.
After few minutes they smelled something bad. RK & Madhu looked at each other shocked.
'Uh oh! Ruhi is gonna poop!' Madhu spoke covering her nose.
'Oh shit!' RK gave Ruhi to Madhu & ran to find a diaper. Madhu made Ruhi lie on the table.
The diaper changing task wasn't easy. RK & Madhu hated it. They've been got in to trouble in the previous times.
'RK! it's your turn. I changed her diaper in the morning too!'
'What? no way!' 'Madhu you should do this! usually mom does that! RK refused.
'What the hell RK? you just told me yesterday that we should take turns in changing Ruhi's diapers. I did it in the morning. Now it's your turn!' Madhu spoke, covering her nose.
The smell was increasing. Ruhi had already pooped. 'RK! do it fast!' Madhu chided.
'Urgh! babies cause air pollution' RK complained. He started removing Ruhi's diaper.
'Oh god! dealing with this little rascal's diapers is like trying to dispose a bomb! You never know when will it explode!' RK chuckled covering his nose.
Finally he removed her diaper & the smell of poop filled the room. It was too heavy.
'Ugh..' Madhu felt like puking.
'Oh god! I need a freaking mask to cover up my nose!' RK shouted with displeasure.
'RK hurry up! change it!'
'I'm trying to do it!' RK spoke covering his nose. He couldn't bear the smell anymore.
'RK I told you! I think Ruhi's feces are smelling bad because of that Doritos. Those artificial food produces bad gasses!
'What the hell Madhu? don't blame Doritos for Ruhi's poop!'
Ruhi kept giggling looking at them.
'Okay here you go Ruhi!' RK took the diaper with his thumb & index finger & put it inside the trash bin in a swift.
'Phew!' He sighed.
'You pooping queen!' RK glared at little Ruhi. Finally he cleaned up her.
The next morning Madhu & RK were giving a bubble bath to little Ruhi. Ruhi was screaming with joy & clapping with excitement. RK lew bubbles. Soon RK & Madhu too started playing each other with bubbles like kids. They splashed each other water. Ruhi was kicking in the bath tub & made them more wet.
Suddenly Madhu was about to slip inside the bathroom due to those soap on the floor. RK grabbed her on the waist. Geet held his arms tightly. Both were drenched in water. They were looking at each other. Their wet bodies boosted their feelings. Both of them shared an intense eye lock.
RK pulled her more closer. Madhu was starring at his eyes. She could clearly see the deep passion in is eyes. RK too realized the blooming love in Madhu's eyes. They became more closer, only a few inches apart from each other's faces. RK's mind was out of control. He tilted down his head & cupped Madhu's face for a kiss.
Right then Ruhi kicked hardly & water splashed on them, bringing them back to reality. RK released his grip soon after realizing. Both of them exchanged an awkward look. Both of them looked away with embarrassment. Both of them were trying to hide their smile.
'Aww my little mermaid Ruhi!' RK leaned down near the bath tub. 'You will be a swimming champion in the future! 'Uncle will teach you to swim! okay?' RK kissed Ruhi.
Again the felt the bad smell. 'Uh oh!' 'Ruhi just farted.! 'Madhu! get ready for the next diaper changing session!' RK spoke trying to avoid the smell by covering up his nose.
'Oh god not again!'
Days & months passed. Ruhi kept Madhu & RK busy all the time. But they thoroughly enjoyed the parenthood. They supplied Ruhi with every comfort. Ruhi too loved her foster parents. She wasn't mature enough to understand that her real parents were no more. She was pampered by RK & Madhu all the time. They went out every weekend & enjoyed some quality family time. They seemed like a real cute family. This adorable trio could make anyone say 'Aww look at that cute family' when they go out for walks.
RK & Madhu kept continuing their cat fights & nok jhoks. Each & every fight brought them more closer. Both of them had special feelings for each other. It took a long time to realize that they really love each other. But both of them were doubtful. Both of them were hesitant to express their feelings for each other.
Little Ruhi who was crawling till date, started walking. RK & Madhu guided her to walk. She tripped numerous times but RK & Madhu always pacified her & encourage to step up. Soon little Ruhi started running around the house. RK & Madhu often got tired running behind her. The whole house was filled with little Ruhi's giggles. RK videoed those special moments of Ruhi.
One fine day Madhu was trying out the new outfits she had purchased for Ruhi. All of the cute frocks looked good on her. Ruhi was jumping on the bed giggling.
'Aww my little princess! you look so pretty in those cute frocks I bought for you!. Madhu smiled at her.
'Momma!' Suddenly Ruhi uttered that word which made Madhu shocked & surprised.
'What? baby? you called me Momma?' Madhu was delighted. A bright smile crept in her face.
'OMG! am I dreaming? Baby you called me Momma!' Madhu caressed Ruhi's face. 'Please please! say it once again!' Madhu was excited.
'M..momma!' Ruhi uttered once again with a smile. 'OMG I love you so much my princess!' Madhu placed a soft kiss on Ruhi's tiny forehead.
'RK!' Madhu screamed with happiness.
RK rushed to their room. 'Madhu what happened?' 'Why were you screaming?' RK was worried.
'RK! Ruhi...! Madhu couldn't gather words to speak. She was on cloud nine.
'Madhu! tell me what's wrong with Ruhi?' RK questioned her. He was impatient. He looked at Ruhi. Nothing has happened to her she was giggling.
'RK...! RK!' Madhu still couldn't express her joy.
'What the eff wrong with you Madhu? why do you keep chanting my name & laughing like a fool?' grabbed Madhu tightly from her shoulders.
'RK! guess what? Ruhi called me Momma!' Madhu hugged him tightly with happiness. She hugged him for the second time. First it was after Trishna & Rajeev's death & she was in grief.
'What? are you serious?' 'OMG!' RK hugged her back. After a few seconds they broke the hug. Madhu was on happy tears. RK slowly wiped her tears. He cupped her face. Madhu was smiling brightly.
'Momma momma!' Ruhi spoke clapping her hands. RK was crying with happiness.
'OMG she has started speaking!' RK took little Ruhi in his arms.
'RK, if Trishna & Rajeev were here today they would be the happiest! I remember how Trishna was eager to see Ruhi starts speaking & to call her 'Mom'. Madhu got emotional recalling the past memories. RK consoled her.
'Arrey! my naughty little angel. When will you call me uncle?' He gave a small peck on Ruhi's cheek.
'She will start speaking to you soon RK! but not uncle. She will call you daddy.' Madhu caressed Ruhi's face.
'Madhu?' ' RK was surprised to hear those words. He looked at her. She kept smiling at him.
'Yes RK! don't forget that we are not just mere guardians of Ruhi. We are her parents. If she calls me mom, then you too should be called as daddy.
RK was staring at Madhu surprisingly. 'Madhu?' He just couldn't believe what she was talking. She never spoke so much familiar with him after getting married.
'You mean you have accepted this relationship?' RK inquired her.
'Yes RK! I have realized my immense love for Ruhi. To be honest, till this moment I treated her as my best friend's daughter. But that doesn't mean I didn't love Ruhi. I loved her a lot. But when she called me 'Momma' I felt so special. I felt those motherly emotions which I never felt. It's true I haven't carried her for 9 months in my womb, but I feel like I am the real mother of Ruhi. Ruhi is my life RK!'
Madhu got emotional & rested her head on RK's shoulder. RK too wrapped Madhu & Ruhi with his protective arms. RK decided to pour out his feelings for Madhu, that he really loves her.
'Madhu'
'Hmm?'
'I've got something important to tell you. Please don't misunderstand me.'
'What it is RK?'
To be continued..
I know this was supposed to end up in 3 chapters as I was planning for a three shot! But in order to keep the suspense I have added another part 😉😆 See you all again in the last chapter! Don't forget to share your views 😳
Tum Se Tum Tak
Ganesh Kartikeya
