Hey peeps,
Sorry for the delay.🤔 Been busy in the past few days & I couldn't make it out. This may be yet another short update but I promise I shall give a lengthy update next!😳 Thanks a lot for the amazing feedback on the previous update.😃
Inseparable hearts
Chapter 8
Pari kept staring at her plate in the breakfast table. Rishabh was ready to go to Canberra. Pari was upset of her dad leaving outstation for couple of weeks. She refused to eat her breakfast. Rishabh tried playing every trick he used to play when Pari used to refuse to eat. But today, the situation was different. She was extremely sad. Rishabh's aunt, Gauri came to the table. She noticed Pari's sad face. She was aware that it was because of Rishabh.
'Good morning sweetheart.'
'Good morning daadi' Pari replied in a dull tone. Rishabh & Gauri chanced a glace. Gauri signaled that she would try to settle it down.
'Baby? are you okay? why? is the sandwich not tasty?'
'No daadi. I'm not hungry.'
'Aww baby! why is that? eat this quickly. Let's make cupcakes today after daddy goes. You love to eat them na?' Gauri tried to cheer her up. But Pari remained the same.
Gauri served Rishabh. He started eating slowly but he didn't have any appetite. He was thinking about her little girl. Even it is gonna be difficult for him to stay away from his princess for many days.
Suddenly Pari left the table. Rishabh became more upset. He tried to go behind her but Gauri stopped her.
'Rishu. Don't worry. Pari will understand. I will try to explain her. Don't worry. I will take care of her well. ' Gauri reassured.
Rishabh was about to stand up from the breakfast table & he felt that his car key was gone. It was on the table a few minutes back. He searched it everywhere on the table but couldn't find. He had a doubt that the key should be with Pari as only she can do such a mischievous thing in order to stop her dad.
Rishabh found Pari in her bed, reading a book. But it was clear that she was pretending as she was holding the book upside down. She must have come to the room a few seconds back. A smile crept on Rishabh's face after seeing her.
'Pari? what are you doing baby?'
'Reading!' She answered her with a single word without even looking at him. Rishabh pretended that he is searching for something. Pari noticed it slowly put her hand under the pillow to check whether her dad's car key was securely hidden there.
'Baby did you see my key?'
'No!'
'Gosh! I'm wondering where is it?' Rishabh started scratching his head in a fake manner. He noticed that Pari was giggling silently, trying to hide her laugh. His mischievous little munchkin was up to something. Then he got a call from one of his colleagues as he was late.
Rishabh was in a hurry. He noticed that Pari is hiding something.
'Baby!!' He winked. 'I know the key is with you. Please give it to me baby. Daddy is getting late.'
'Daddy! it's not with me!' Pari shouted.
'No it's with you. I know!'
'No daddy no! I don't have it!'
'Baby please. You can punish me once I'm back. But please I want the key of the car now.' Rishabh was pleading. He didn't have any duplicate key either as he had almost lost it sometime back.
Rishabh knelt down near Pari. 'Please princess give it to me!'
'No daddy! I haven't got your key! Pari raised her voice. She seemed to be irritated with her father.
'Are you sure?'
'Yes!'
'Okay then, look at your mommy & tell that you didn't hide daddy's key!' Rishabh requested his daughter turning towards the wind chime. He knew that she cannot lie her mommy.
Rishabh noticed the facial expressions of Pari. She looked down. Then she slowly got the key from her hand & placed it on Rishabh's palm. Pari was hiding her face. Rishabh felt bad about her. He knew that Pari loves him more than anyone else.
'Baby' Rishabh cupped her face. Pari was trying to hide her face. Her eyes were filled with tears. Rishabh hugged his baby girl tightly. Pari too hugged her dad.
'I'm sorry daddy!' Pari sobbed. 'Aww it's okay!' Rishabh caressed her hair. They broke the hug. Rishabh cupped her face. 'I know baby. I know my princess loves me so much & you are gonna miss me. Daddy is gonna miss you even more.' 'But baby, daddy has to leave now. Daddy will be back soon okay? I'm ready for any punishment. I will bring lots of toys & chocolates when I come back.' Rishabh pacified her.
'No! I don't want anything else but my daddy! Please come soon okay?' Pari made an innocent request. Rishabh placed a soft kiss on her forehead. He held her hand.'Promise you baby!'
'I love you daddy!' Pari hugged him.
'I love you too baby!'
'So where's my kiss? Rishabh pointed to his cheek. Pari planted few kisses on his cheeks. Then Rishabh bade good bye to his little angel. Pari was upset, but her dad promised her that he would come soon as possible.
Days passed & Pari couldn't stop missing her father. Rishabh missed his daughter more. No matter how busy he was, he didn't forget to call his little princess. Finally it was the day prior to Pari's 6th birthday. Pari was sad that her father won't be around to celebrate her birthday.
Pari seemed to be not attentive for the lessons that day. She seemed to be sad. Madhu noticed it & inquired but Pari just ignored it. She wasn't much active like before. Madhu decided to talk to Pari after the classes.
'Pari, can I talk to you for a while?' Madhu asked her. Pari was packing her bad.
'Yeah Madhu ma'am.'
'Are you getting late?'
'Umm.. no my grandmother will be a bit late to pick me today.'
'Okay then.' Madhu leaned down. She cupped Pari's face.
'Pari, you seemed to be not in a good mood. Are you okay?' She inquired.
'Hmm.'
'I know you are not. But if you don't mind, share it with me. I will help you to lessen your sadness.'
'Umm.. okay.' Pari agreed. 'Madhu ma'am, tomorrow is my birthday.'
'Wow! really? that's great to hear. Then you must be having a big party at home! but why are you sad?'
'Because my daddy is not at home. He has gone to Canberra for some work. So he will not be there for my birthday.' Pari replied in a dull tone.
'Aww I'm sorry to hear about that Pari.' Madhu felt really bad about her. Pari has told Madhu that her mom is no more but Madhu was unaware of Pari's father, who is her 'Rishabh.' Rishabh couldn't attend a single parent's meeting for the past few months. Gauri used to attend them as her grandmother. Gauri has heard about Rishabh's past love life, but she has never seen Madhu even in a photograph. Rishabh didn't want to show Pari her mom, even a single photograph. He knew that it was unfair, but he wanted to wait till Pari becomes mature to understand about her parent's past life. He didn't want to make his daughter feel bad about not having her mother by her side.
'But you can celebrate it with your grandmother & friends right?'
'Hmm.. but I miss daddy so much. I have never celebrated my birthday without daddy before.'
'Okay darling. I'm sure your daddy will give you something special when he comes back. Don't worry. Don't be sad, your daddy won't like it.'
'Hmm yeah.'
'Okay then now smile!' Madhu smiled at her.
Pari smiled brightly. Madhu could finally pacify her & change her mood. Then she left home.
Later at night Madhu was looking at the sky from the window. The darkness were a bit faded away with the moon light. Stars were glowing in the sky. Finally Madhu spotted a shooting star & she wished upon it. She prayed god to give her Rishu back in her life.
The clock struck 12 midnight. It was Pari's birthday.
'Happy birthday Pari.' 'I miss you so much baby! If you were alive, you would be 6 years today. Mommy misses you so much. I hope daddy misses you too. But daddy has already left your mommy baby.' Madhu got that old baby sweater from the cupboard & hugged it close to her. Tears started rolling down year eyes.
Pari woke up early in the morning. She opened her eyes slowly. She looked around, to see if her daddy has come. But there wasn't a single decoration like before. Pari re called how she woke up in a balloons filled room on her last birthday. Her dad had filled her whole room with toys & balloons last year. There wasn't anything on that day, her room remained the same. It made her slightly upset, but she was waiting for her daddy's birthday wish.
Gauri wished her & she has made special birthday cup cakes for her. Pari was happy & at the same time she is sad with the fact that her daddy who used to wished her first on her birthday every time hasn't wished her yet.
'Mommy! I hope you can remember that today is my birthday.' Pari started talking to the wind chime. 'Daddy is not here today to celebrate my birthday. I hope at least you were here.' Pari sighed. 'Mommy please make daddy come home soon! you can do it na?' Pari requested.
After a while she heard the door bell was ringing. Gauri went on & checked then she invited someone inside. Pari thought that her daddy has arrived. She ran down the stairs. She was surprised to see someone special standing in front of her.
'Madhu ma'am you???' Pari widened her eyes. She was extremely surprised to see her class teacher.
'Happy birthday Pari!' Madhu wished her with a bright smile.
'Thank you so much ma'am!' She hugged her. 'But.. but how did you find my house?'
'Oh that was easy!' Madhu chuckled. 'Your address is there at the school register.'
'Wow that's great!'
'So Pari, here is a little gift from me to your birthday dear.' Madhu gave her a gift.
'OMG!' Pari was excited. She unwrapped it in a hurry.
It was three cute teddy bears & a box of Ferrero rocher chocolates. 'Wow these teddies are so cute! & my favorite chocolate!!' Pari was overjoyed.
'You love the teddies?'
'Yeah!'
'It's a teddy family!' Madhu smiled.
'Wow! so this is Mumma bear, Papa bear & baby bear!'' Pari pointed out with a smile.
'I don't know why I bought it for you!' Madhu chuckled. 'I mean, I know you must be having so many barbies & other toys, may be lot's of teddy bears too. But this teddy family stole my heart from the first sight when I was roaming around the toy shop. I always dreamed of having a family like this, but I am not fortunate enough.' Madhu sighed.
'Don't worry Madhu ma'am. You will get a wonderful family soon! When you get married to someone.' Pari smiled. Gauri & Madhu exchanged a glance. They smiled at Pari's cute antics. She gave a smart answer to her teacher.
'Pari! Baby did you forget the manners? what do you say when someone gives you something hmm?' Gauri reminded her granddaughter to thank her teacher.
'Oops! I'm sorry!' 'Thank you so much Madhu ma'am! These gifts are so lovely. I love them so much.'
'I'm glad you love them Pari. Specially this teddy bear family, this baby bear reminded me of you. Such a cute teddy!' Madhu smiled.
'Aww really? But ma'am, there's only Papa bear & baby bear in our family.' Pari replied in a sad tone. She was missing her mom. What an irony? Pari's real mom is standing in front of her right now, but she cannot identify her. Unfortunately both of them were unaware about each other.
Madhu cupped her face. She could understood her sadness. Madhu too was feeling the same about her lost daughter. The bond between a mother & a daughter is so strong & it is irreplaceable.
'Pari. Your mommy is with you, always.' She caressed her face. Madhu felt something special, a feeling that is so much familiar but cannot be explained in to words. She loved Pari so much because of her name, which she was planning to name her daughter. 'Though your mommy is not with you physically she is always with you. May be she is standing near you right now, though we cannot see her. But remember that she is always in your heart. Okay?' Madhu smiled. Pari nodded with a cute smile.
Then Madhu took Pari out with the permission of Gauri. Pari was all alone at home & Madhu almost made her birthday special. Madhu was already missing her lost daughter & she wanted to make another child happy on her daughter's birthday. But the saddest fact was, she was unaware that she made her own daughter's birthday special.
Madhu took Pari to Luna Park. It is a huge theme park in Melbourne. They had so much of fun going on rides & engaging in fun activities. They went on the 'Sky Rider' which is a huge ferris wheel. They experienced breathtaking views around when they were up in the sky. Pari was screaming with excitement. Madhu was quite amazed to see her fearlessness to go in such rides. Then they went on roller coasters & other exciting rides.
Pari enjoyed carousel riding. The amazing carousel in the Luna park is called as Jewel in the crown. There were horses & chariots in the carousel which are visually stunning & the ride was so exciting. Madhu didn't forget to capture all those moments. Madhu & Pari took lots of selfies, with many poses. Pari was so photogenic & she loved posing to photograph. The student-teacher duo went to a photo booth & took some crazy photographs as well.
They had lunch together & enjoyed some more fun activities. It was almost 4 in the evening & both of them were so much exhausted. Madhu enjoyed genuinely after a long time. Pari made her smile all the time. Then Pari wanted to eat ice cream. Madhu took her to the ice cream parlor.
'What do you want Pari?' Madhu inquired her.
'Umm I can't even think of a flavor!' Pari giggled seeing the flavors around. The Ben & Jerry's ice cream parlor had a variety of flavors.
'Okay! I want Chocolate fudge brownie, chocolate chip cookie dough & strawberry cheese cake!' Finally Pari decided the flavors she wanna taste.
'3 scoops?' Madhu chuckled.
'Umm.. yeah! I can eat all.' Pari giggled.
'Okay then!' Madhu ordered 3 scoops of her favourites for Pari & one Triple caramel chunk for herself.
Pari started slurping them happily. The first scoop vanished in to the air in seconds. Madhu was enjoying her ice cream slowly & she was quite amazed to see Pari enjoying her second scoop.
'Madhu ma'am! shall we have an ice cream competition?' Pari giggled.
'Now? here?'
'Yeah!' 'Me & daddy always do those kinda stuff. Daddy is an expert in those games. You know what? He can eat super fast!' Pari giggled. That reminded Madhu of her Rishu who used to eat before her every time they meet & every time Madhu had to share her remaining food in the plate with him.
'Are you ready ma'am?'
'Hmm okay!' Madhu giggled.
'Ready? 1..2..'
'But wait!' Madhu interrupted. 'What do you get when you win?'
'Free cough & cold may be!' Pari giggled.
Both Madhu & Pari shared a laughter. Pari gave her a smart answer. She had a good sense of humor like her dad.
'Oho! so in case if you win Pari, you will catch a cold! And your daddy will scold me!'Madhu chuckled.
'No way! he won't.' Pari smiled.
'Once me & daddy had an ice cream competition & we both got sick. But he didn't even mind. But he took good care of me. It just lasted for a few days & again we had another competition!' Pari giggled sharing her moments with her father.
Madhu flash backed the memories, the times she spent with Rishabh. How they used to have food competitions. Rishabh was a foodie back then. Tears formed in her eyes while remembering them.
'Madhu ma'am are you okay?'
'Umm.. yeah.' Madhu tried to conceal her tears.
Then Madhu saw a cute family in the opposite table, next to them. It was a mom, dad & a cute little girl around Pari's age. Madhu stared at them for a while. How'd she wished to start a family like that with Rishabh. She almost imagined herself there, with her Rishabh & their daughter. A smile crept on her face.
Pari had finished her 2nd scoop by then. Madhu's scoop was almost melting, so they slurped it quickly, like in a competition. It was almost 5 in the evening. Madhu spent 7 quality hours with the birthday girl. It was amazing. Pari was thankful for her teacher.
Madhu went to drop Pari home. She knocked at the door but nobody opened it. Then Pari tried to open it & with a surprise it just opened.
'Hmm it is open!' Pari giggled.
They went inside the house but it was all dark.
'Pari? where is your grandma? nobody at home?' Madhu was a bit puzzled.
'I don't know! and why? why is it dark? daadi won't go anywhere!' Pari was confused. Then they go to the living room & something stuck on Pari. She looked down & realized that the floor of the living room was covered with balloons. She could still identify them in the dark.
'Happy birthday angel!' The lights came on with a familiar voice. It was familiar for both Pari & Madhu. Someone came down the stairs.
'Surprise!!' It was none other than Rishabh who has come back from Canberra to surprise his little daughter.
'Daddy!!' Pari screamed with joy. Madhu looked up. It gave her a huge shock. Rishabh spotted Madhu at the same time. He was stunned to see Madhu in front of him. Both of them couldn't believe their eyes.
To be continued...
Pre cap - 'Madhu...?' Rishabh was shocked & surprised at the same time. 'You.. you are alive?'
Seher Hone Ko Hai
Anupamaa
Naagin 7
