"Mama! Where's my red crayon? A 3-year old toddler with pig-tails was sprawled on the floor of the hall with sheets of papers and color pencils surrounding her, as she was busy scribbling over a piece of paper with utmost concentration.
"It must be there with the other ones, beta! Gauri shouted from the kitchen, washing the last of the dishes.
"I can't find it, mama! She sighed as she heard her daughter shout again. Wiping her hands with her dupatta, she walked out of the kitchen to find her daughter in a middle of a pool of sheets and color pencils.
"Uff, Ahana! What a mess you have made! Gauri frowned while Ahana chuckled cheekily, making her smile. Her daughter was a piece, literally. She was the light of the house and was daddy's little girl. The adorable munchkin had everyone wrapped around her pinky finger.
"Bohot hansi aa rahi hai, haan? Gauri narrowed her eyes at her daughter, her hands on her hips, "Who will clean this up now? She asked with her hands on her hips, in a warm, motherly tone.
"I will, mama! She said, pointing towards herself, and Gauri shook her head, smiling. "Tumne kar liya saaf She mumbled, cleaning up the mess herself. She knew her little daughter is all words and no action, and she will be the first one to vanish when she has to actually clean the mess.
Just then, the door bell rang and Gauri halted her work. "Daddy's home! Ahana squealed as Gauri walked upto the door, opening it to reveal a tired looking Omkara standing, whose frown was immediately replaced by a smile as Ahana excitedly ran towards him and jumped into his arms, all his tiredness washing away. He laughed as he scooped up his princess in his arms, pulling her up, kissing her cheeks as she squealed in delight.
"Offo, Ahana! Let him enter first! Gauri said, smiling, "tum pehle inki godh mein chad ke beth jaya karo! She chided her daughter, taking the briefcase from her husband's hands who pecked her cheek and she shook her head, blushing yet glaring at him. The number of times she has told him not to kiss her in front on kids, but he never listens to her.
"What've you been drawing, my little artist? He asked his princess as he walked into a mess of color pencils right in the middle of the hall.
"I drew a big dino, Daddy! She spoke animatedly, spreading her little arms wide, showing him how big it was. Om sighed, it was all Rudra. He was the one who showed his daughter stupid movies despite his refusal, and moreover his wife teams up against him, siding with her Rudy Bhaiyya hence making his daughter watch stupid, obscene movies. Like last night, it was some movie based on dinosaurs which bored the hell out of him but highly amused his little one.
"Yeah, a dino? He asked, joining his daughter in her excitement. As much as he'd hated the movie, he'd watch it again for his princess.
"Uh-huh She bobbed her head up and down, "A Very big one! I'll show you She said, jumping out of his arms and stared searching for her drawing in the pile of mess.
"Dekhein iss ladki ko...jab dekho tab kamra phela ke rakhti hai. I just cleaned everything! Gauri sighed, making Om chuckle as he pulled her to him.
"Don't worry, my dear wife. I'll do it He winked at her, making her roll her eyes.
"Dono baap-beti ek jaise hain...sirf baatein banate hain. At the end, it'll be me who'll be cleaning up the entire place She placed a fact to which Om smiled and hugged her from the back, as her eyes widened and she struggled to get out of his hold, pointing towards Ahana who was busy in searching for her drawing.
"Mein tou sirf baatein nahi banata... He whispered in her ear, "Mein tou kar ke bhi dikhata hun His teasing tone with hi husky voice send shivers down her spine. How as it that after five years of marriage, this man still makes her melt into a puddle of goo? She was still unable to figure out.
"Found it! Daddy! Came Ahana's chirpy voice as she pulled out her drawing, making them split apart at once. Om chuckled at a flushed Gauri and winked at her as her cheeks grew redder and she shook her head at him.
Ahana pulled Om towards the couch, as once he settled down, she jumped in his lap and showed him her drawing excitedly, who feigned surprise at it and praised it like it was a Husain. It was worth more than it to him though. Gauri smiled at the cuddled father-daughter and admired the adorable picture they made, as she started walking towards the kitchen, "I'll be setting up the table! Go freshen up! She instructed him before leaving and he looked at his daughter, "Mommy's orders. Gotta go! He said, pinching her nose cutely, placing her on the carpet gently, he went to change, as Ahana got busy with her color pencils again.
Once Gauri was done setting the table, she walked over to her daughter, picking her up, she placed her into the baby chair, in between two chairs. "I wanna color! Ahana whined, clearly not in the mood to have food.
"You'll color once you're done with dinner, sweetheart Gauri said sweetly, pecking her chubby cheek, settling down beside her.
"But I dun wanna eat! She pouted and Gauri sighed.
"You don't want to? Came her father's surprised voice, as she turned to look at him with a pout on her face and Gauri smiled, relieved at his entry. He'll handle their tantrum queen now.
"But how is this possible, sweetheart? Om asked, sitting on his chair, beside his daughter. "If you don't eat food, how will you grow? And then, how will you go to Disneyland? They only allow strong kids there...and if you don't eat food, how will you become strong? He asked her, making his daughter fall into deep thought. Ahana badly wanted to go to Disneyland and her clever parents always used it to blackmail her into eating food, which the poor thing was unaware of.
" Mama, I'm hungry Ahana spoke cutely, looking at her mother who chuckled and started feeding her in small morsels, as Om looked at Gauri, smiling proudly, who gave him an approving nod, with a smile on her face.
"Plus, you don't want to stay little all your life, like your mother Om said, teasing Gauri whose mouth was left open at his comment on her height. Narrowing her eyes at him in warning, she resumed feeding their daughter as he chuckled at his wife's cute antics.
"But I wanna be like mama! Ahana said, her eyes widened in wonder, "She's sooo pretty! I wanna be pretty like her when I grow up! She gushed at her mother's beauty who smiled at her adorable daughter, she pulled her in her arms, kissing her cheek out of love. "You'll be prettier than me, my love She spoke.
Om admired the sight with a soft smile on his face, his two favorite girls cuddled together and their tinkling laughter spreading warmth over his entire being. The smile on their faces, for which he'd go through anything and everything.
"What happened, Daddy? His thoughts were halted by the sound of his darling daughter, who looked at him with a slight pout on her face.
Om shook his head, a soft smile adorning his face, as he pulled his chair closer to them, "Nothing, sweetheart. He said, gently pinching her nose making her wiggle cutely as Gauri smiled at them, continuing to feed small morsels to Ahana who was now readily munching away at the food after hearing she needed to be strong to go to the Disneyland.
Once done with dinner, Gauri started picking up the dishes and cleaning the table while Om picked Ahana up in his arms, walking around randomly, patting her back gently. "Daddy... She whispered in his ears.
"Hmm? He asked, giving his dear daughter all his attention. He could see she wanted something and was whispering because of her mother. Om chuckled; this must be about something that his wife would need convincing for. Between both of them, Gauri, obviously, was the more strict one and sometimes doesn't give in to Ahana's whims. But the little devil knows that it is only her Daddy that can convince her Mommy.
"Ice-cream she whispered. Om looked at her with eyebrows raised in amusement while she pouted. Looking at his wife, who was busy placing the dishes in the dishwasher, he signaled Ahana to wait and let him handle it. "Uhm...Gauri... He called her.
"Hmm? She asked, busy with her work.
"I was thinking...
"Nope Came her answer and Om was stumped.
"Arre...pehle meri baat tou sun lo
"No need. I know she wants ice-cream. Not today She said in a tone that meant no further arguments. She had noticed Ahana drooling over the ice cream tub when she had opened the freezer, while Ahana on her hip. And she knew once Om was home, this request would just pop up, hence she was prepared for it.
The father-daughter duo looked at each other and pouted. Gauri peeked a little and let out a small smile at the adorable picture they made. But no, she was not going to give in.
"Daddyy! Ahana whined and Om looked at her helplessly and then threw a pleading look to his wife who just shook her head at their dramatics. Gauri could be such a hitler when it comes to Ahana's health. Om, being the doting father, never able to see his daughter's face gloomy, used to be lenient most of the times. But Gauri never compromised on this, so the father-daughter duo usually had to convince her into something.
"Mama, please!
"No baby. You had it yesterday, na? She tried to convince her little one, but she kept whining.
"Tou kia hua Gauri? A little more won't do any harm? Om, in turn tried to convince his wife, while pulling Ahana into his lap, cuddling with her.
"Too much sugar is not good for her. Raat ko soye gi nahi phir...hume bhi jagaye gi saath mein
"So what? Tomorrow is Sunday! He said, hi-fiving his daughter. Gauri sighed, Om and Ahana then looked at each other, with mischievous smirks, and then looked at Gauri, "Pleasee Mommyyy
Not being able to help it, Gauri finally let out a smile, "Okay, fine! She sighed. She moved toward the freezer and fetched the ice-cream tub, while Ahana gave her father a high-five as they laughed. As they settled down, Gauri pulled Ahana on her lap, feeding her small bites of the ice-cream which their baby girl relished whole-heartedly. Om smiled, placing a spoon full of ice-cream in front of his wife. Gauri smiled and moved forward but before she could open her mouth, he lifted his hand and smeared it on her nose. Gauri was left with her mouth open in shock while he chuckled. Narrowing her eyes, she did the same and soon, their noses mirrored each other's with the chocolate ice-cream over them.
Seeing this, Ahana giggled in glee as she clapped her hands together. Not finding any pleasure in eating ice-cream now, she followed her parent's footsteps. She dipped her little hand in the tub, scratched some of it, and smeared it over her face, laughing all the while, proud of her deed.
"Ahana! Gauri exclaimed and was about to scold her but one look at her and she let out a laugh. Her daughter made the cutest picture with hands and face all covered in chocolate ice-cream, her face resembling the teddy bear she daily cuddled to sleep with. Om chuckled openly looking at his daughter and pulling her completely on his lap, he cheered for her, clapping along, making her giggle all the more. Gauri laughed and shaking her head, she plucked out a tissue from the box and was about to wipe away the chocolate when Om stopped her.
"What? She asked. He smiled and pulled his out his cell phone, switching on the camera, pulling it up to take a selfie.
"Memories, wifey He winked at her and she shook her head at her adorable husband. Ahana squealed as she saw her face in the camera as they smiled goofily as he clicked the picture. The rest of the time passed in laughter and giggles and convincing Gauri from time-to time for a few more minutes when she said it was time for bed.
***
"Is she asleep? She asked, with her eyes closed, as she felt his arm snake around her waist, pulling her closer, as they cuddled on their bed. Apparently, their little princess was in a mood for a bed-time story once they were putting her to sleep. They, like the doting parents they are, obliged. But a couple of minutes later, the little tornado was running around the whole room, high on sugar, out of her mother's control. Om just gave a sheepish smile with a shrug once he saw Gauri glaring at him. "You go, I'll handle her He had said, pushing Gauri to go to sleep.
"Yeah...finally. Ice-cream was not a good idea He sighed and they chuckled. She turned a bit and gave him a light peck on the cheek, making him smile wide.
"Now that the devil's asleep, what do you say... He started off, with a smirk on his face, tugging at her strap.
"No, Om! Move! She said, pushing him away, "I'm tired!
"Arre! He protested, but she was too quick for him.
"Tumhari beti ne saara din bohot nachaya hai mujhe! I have no energy left She frowned, turning to the other side while Om was left with a pouting face as he huffed in anger. But one look at his wife innocently sleeping and all his anger vanished. Smiling, he moved closer and cuddled to her. She opened her eyes slowly and was about to say something when he spoke, "Sshh...sleep Saying so, he softly caressed her hair. She smiled in her sleep at his loving touch and soon both of them were asleep, in each other arms.
***
Fluff. Cheesy. Call it whatever. This is the only thing I could pen down, that too when I was supposed to be working on the next part of the SS. 😳😆 Why is it that every time I am supposed to be writing the next part, I end up writing an OS?😆
@Tasnim and @Farro A bit late in fulfilling my promise, but I hope it's up to the mark. 😉
And to all my lovely and patient readers, the next part of my SS will be up on Friday, In Sha Allah :)
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
