Chapter 10
"Good morning children, bright sunshine. First day of school! You need to get ready early today. Come on now, sleepy-heads, wake up" Aarti came in to the children's room waited just a minute longer to take in the sleeping form of her children before she spoke in a loud voice.
"Come on mama just five more minutes" Ansh answered groggily.
"Yes mama, just 5 more, pleaseee" joined Palak who did not seem like actually sleeping but still supported her brother for fun-sake.
"Alright 1,2,3,4,5 ok done. Now get up. Time's-up" said Aarti.
"Hey you cheated that's not 5 minutes. That was not even 5 seconds. I am not getting up now. Go away, mama" complained a lazy Ansh. And all three of them covered their faces with the blanket.
"Well you are cheating too sweetu, I have already given you extra time to sleep, I came in late to wake you up, you know. Now show me that you are mama's pets and do not make her come after you."
She heard them giggle softly from under the blanket.
"Hurry get up and give mama her good morning kiss. I am waiting... On the count of three...ready 1,2,3 ..".
The kids pushed aside the blankets, woke up and scrambled on the bed to reach for Aarti and gave her a kiss each.
"Aww! My sweethearts' thank you so much" and then she kissed them in return.
"Mama susu..." said Ansh lifting his pinkie. Aarti gave Ansh a nod and he rushed to the toilet and later once the girls too returned Aarti adjusted their pyjamas.
"Come on now go and brush your teeth. Who wants to have the most sparkling, pearly white teeth?"
"Me me me !!! " said all three of them raising their hand and jumping around.
As the kids made way to the washroom, Aarti started to fold the bed-covers and adjust the pillows but slipped into a daydream about Yash.
No not again. The minute I have any free time to myself my mind wanders to him. Why am I so obsessed with him...with that night? This has got to stop. Enough time has passed. My one-sided infatuation...Yes...why should i call it love... well it is just giving me heart-ache, nothing else. And he is least bit affected by it. If he indeed did feel anything for me or he felt that the night meant something for him, he would have said something...shown it somehow. Why didn't it matter to him? He was so different that night, why did he change? What's the use we are back to the way the things were. I sometimes feel it did not happen at all but sometimes feel... it is all that ever happened.
"Mama we are done now, look "eee"" they displayed their teeth to her.
"Hmm...oh God! I can't see. Need to close my eyes. Your teeth are so shiny. Oh owch!!"Aarti held up her hands to block her eyes as she played along with her kids. All three of them grinned at their mother's obvious joke.
"Ok now, let's go and have some milk" she lowered her hand and led the children towards the dining area.
"My junior horlicks."
"My boost."
"And my bournvita" said Palak, Ansh and Payal one after the other.
"I don't know why all of you don't have the same drink. What difference is there in any of them I wonder?" Aarti asked shaking her head.
"Junior Horlicks is for babies, mama. I will never touch it" said Ansh keeping a face of distaste.
"And boost is for boys. Yuck!" Palak retorted to what Ansh and said.
"And i just looove bournvita mama. " Payal finally concluded, as they made their way to the dining area.
After they finished their milk the kids had a hushed discussion after which Ansh turned to Aarti and asked
"Can we watch some TV now mama?"
"Ansh... holidays are over sweetu, its school time. NO TV in the morning time. Remember the rules. Yes?" Aarti pointed and shook her index finger.
To which all reluctantly agreed.
"Now who wants to take bath first?"
As they were talking Yash came back from his morning jog and joined his family at the table.
"Good morning everyone" he smiled at his children and when he met Aarti's eyes nodded at her.
Aarti 's heart skipped a beat. He just had to look this perfect, even after coming back from a jog. All sweaty and yummy. Uff...Aarti control yourself. This is so not healthy. Uff...Yashji... GO AWAY.
Aarti made herself NOT think about his presence. Just then Ansh spoke up.
"Mama can papa give me bath ,just this one day?"
"Ansh... I remember, you telling us that, now you have become a BIG BOY who can get ready and take bath on his own so what happened today?" Yash asked.
"I am a BIG BOY, it's just for today, that all" requested Ansh.
"No Ansh. Papa has just come back from his jog he needs to freshen-up too" Aarti tried to dissuade Ansh.
"It's OK Aartiji, just this one day,am I right champ?" Yash grinned and winked at Ansh who grinned and winked back.
"Come on champ lets head towards the bathroom" Yash said and too Ansh along.
Trust him to contradict me. He is spoiling Ansh rotten. But it's so good to see them like this. He loves Ansh so much.
Aarti felt a pang of envy at the love they shared. She could not believe she was jealous of her own son.
Why can't Yashji love me too? Shh... Aarti STOP RIGHT NOW. Enough already.
She took the girls to the other bathroom and got them ready.
Once they were all ready they again came back to have their breakfast.
"Taiji what have you made for breakfast today?" asked Ansh.
"Taiji...
"Uh...your fav puri and aloo-mattar" replied Vidhi after sometime.
"WOW!! Hurray!!! Can I have the same in my lunch box too,please?" asked a hopeful Ansh.
"Ansh ! is food all you think about?" Aarti chided gently.
"No mama but it's just my fav..but..it's OK I will eat whatever you keep in the lunch-box" said a deflated Ansh.
"Nahi..Nahi..Ansh I will surely make your mama pack this for your lunch too" said Vidhi though her smile did not reach her eyes.
"Vidhi bhabi where are the others?" asked Aarti.
No response.
"Vidhi bhabhi?" questioned Aarti again.
"Uh... well maaji and buaji are doing their morning prayer. Bauji is busy with the newspaper. Pari is in the garden and Prateek bhaiya is with her" Vidhi finally answered.
"What about Pankaj bhaiya? He did not turn up for dinner last night too. Is he busy with some event or something?" Aarti asked a touch concerned.
"Uh...maybe. He left home early this morning" answered Vidhi in a low voice.
This early, very strange. Something was not right. Vidhi bhabhi is behaving strangely. She is not her usual sunny self this morning. She is not even answering when spoken to. What could possibly be bothering her? I need to find out. She is like a sister to me. I will never let anything trouble her thought Aarti.
When Vidhi went back to the kitchen Aarti followed her.
"Bhabhi what's wrong?"
"Wrong...nothing Aarti. Just not feeling well that's all" said Vidhi not meeting Aarti's eyes.
"Bhabhi you are a terrible liar. Please tell me what is really bothering you. Any stress will only lessen if you share it" Aarti probed mildly.
No response
"Bhabhi...
No response
"Alright I can see you are not comfortable in sharing it with me. That's OK. But if and when you do need an outlet, you know I will be there for you."
As Aarti turned Vidhi held her back.
"Aarti...Oh Aarti... I don't know how to tell you this?" said Vidhi who was visibly distressed.
"What is it bhabi, spill it out. Do not hold it in. Trust me."
"I think... I think... your Pankaj bhaiya is having an affair" let out Vidhi almost in an inaudible whisper.
"What?" was the immediate shocked reaction of Aarti
TO BE CONTINUED...
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
Tum Se Tum Tak
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
