He smiled when he entered the room to find her asleep on the recliner, with Kavni next to her, and shook his head. How many times had he told her not to wait for him? It was bad for her health. But Khushi Kumaari Gupta Singh Raizada was too stubborn. And his equally stubborn daughter tended to mimic her mother.
Arnav dropped his laptop case near the little table, took off his shoes and tiptoed towards them, making no noise. Yet, when he reached the recliner and bent to haul Kavni in his arms, she popped her eyes open before he had touched her. She opened her mouth but he gestured her to remain silent. Smiling, he picked her up in his arms and left the room.
"Aapne itna vakt kyun liya? Aapko pata hai Mamma kitni upset thi?" she burst out as soon as he had closed the door behind them. (Why did you take so much time? Do you know how upset Mamma was?)
"Sorry," he kissed his four-year old's cheek. She stared at the faraway wall but he did notice her half-smile.
"Humse nahin, Mamma se kahiye!" (Not me, say that to Mamma!)
"Yeah, right. Usse bhi kahounga." (...I'll tell her too.)
"Okay."
He placed her on her bed, under the covers and sat down beside her. "You want me to read a story to you?"
Kavni shook her head. "Aapne aaj office mein kya kiya?" (What did you do in the office today?)
Chuckling, he smoothed her hair and told her what his day had been like. Oddly, his daughter seemed to be very interested in knowing what went on in the office. When he had finished she was smiling brightly.
"Aur aapne kya kiya?" he asked. (And what did you do?)
"I took care of Mamma!" she announced proudly and sincerely.
"Really?" Arnav grinned. She was starting to look more and more like her mother but only in the physical field. Character wise, he could see himself in her.
"Haan, and I took care of your plants too."
"Good girl. Ab so jaao, okay?" (...Now sleep, okay?)
She nodded.
"Lights on chhor doun?"
"No, Papa. Hum bade hogaye hain!" (...I'm grown up now!)
Arnav gave her a small smile although his heart tightened suddenly. Yes, she had grown up too quickly...
"Good night, beta," he whispered, pressing a kiss on her forehead.
"Good night, Papa!"
***
Her hand closed itself firmly as he cradled her against his chest to bring her to bed. She moaned softly in disapproval when he tried to disengage himself. Arnav chuckled, and after brushing his lips against hers, he went in the bathroom for a quick shower. When he returned, her face was buried in his pillow. He smirked and got in beside her, crazy woman that she was.
His palm found the swell of her tummy and he rested it there, closing his eyes in content. As if on cue, he felt his son kick and he stilled, looking at Khushi. But she merely frowned slightly in her sleep. He sighed and pulled her as close as the bump would allow, snuggling her head under his chin. He felt her hand clutch at the front of his T-shirt and smiled while his hand rubbed her tummy.
His son. He was sure it was a boy. He didn't need and ultrasound to tell him that, he just knew. And they had refused to know the gender of the baby from the doctor this time too. But he wanted a son, who would, like his sister, be a unique combination of his parents. The baby kicked again, maybe harder this time, because Khushi grunted, and he kissed the top of her head soothingly.
***
She was not there when he awoke. He sat up groggily in bed, looking at the clock. It was eight already. Thank God it was a Sunday. He flopped back on his pillow, intending to sleep but he sat up again, thought and then took a towel and locked himself in the bathroom.
***
"Lo! Hogayi humaari gudiya taiyyaar!" (Here! My doll is ready!)
Kavni turned and checked herself in the mirror. Pouting, she mussed her hair, making Khushi roll her eyes. This girl was too much like for father! And like him, she was extremely fussy about her appearance, especially when it came to her hair.
Two little boys scuttled in the room with their laughter ringing. "Maasi! Maasi!"
Khushi caught them in her open arms. "Arrey, Adarsh, Akarsh, kya hua?" (...what happened?)
"Chachu ne kaha hai, leady hojaao!" Adarsh said cutely. (Chachu said to get [ready]!)
She pinched his nose gently, giggling. "Leady nahin, ready! Kyun?" (Not leady, ready! Why?)
Payal came in with a sigh. "Yeh ladke bhi na! Kitni jaldi daud lete hain! Hum to thak chuke hain!" (These boys! They run so fast! I'm tired!)
"Kya hua Maasi?" Kavni enquired. (What happened, Maasi?)
"Arnavji keh rahe the aaj hum sab ek saath Agra chalte hai," Payal explained. (Arnavji was saying we could all go to Agra today.)
The children squealed in agreement while their mothers laughed at their excitement.
***
"Yeh kya kar rahe hain aap? Koyi aajaayega!" (What are you doing? Someone will come!)
He turned her in his arms. "Aane do!" (Let them come!)
"Haww! Aap hamesha yahin kehte hain, sochte hain ke koyi nahin aayega. Uss din kya hua tha?" Khushi turned a bright shade of red. (Haww! You always say that, thinking nobody will come. What had happened the other day?)
Arnav chuckled, remembering how Akarsh, the little typhoon, had burst into their room right before he was going to kiss Khushi. "Iss baar darvaaza band kiya hai." (I closed the door this time.)
"Phir bhi..." (Even then...)
"Papa! Mamma! Humein nikalna hai, chaliye na!" they heard Kavni call. (... We have to leave now, come on!)
He sighed and pressed his forehead against hers. "We won't ever get alone time again?"
Khushi laughed, holding his face in her hands. "Mushkil lagta hai. Ab humaara Sanka Governor bhi jo aane wala hai!" (Seems difficult. And now our Sanka Governor is coming too!)
"What the-? Aap log kab aayeinge?" Kavni called again, and this time, it seemed like she was right outside of their room. (... When will you guys come?)
"Coming!" Arnav rolled his eyes.
***
She pulled at his sleeve again and he busily nodded, pretending to listen while his mind was rather focused on his BB.
"Arnavji!"
"What?" he groaned.
Khushi huffed and walked away crossly. He finally tore his eyes away from the screen and looked at her, but before he could, his gaze clashed with his daughter's who was sulking her disapproval at him. He pursed his lips apologetically and walked over to Khushi. Another thing Kavni had inherited from him was the overwhelming protectiveness and possessiveness for her mother.
"Kya hua?" he asked. (What happened?)
She scowled at the Yamuna River, standing by the Taj Mahal. "Kuchh nahin! Aap jaayiye, Amanji se baat kijiye. Aapko sataane ke liye maafi chaahte hain!" (Nothing! Go, talk to Amanji. Sorry for having disturbed you!)
Arnav's lips twitched humorously. "Gussa ho?" (You're angry?)
"Hum? Nahin to! Hum gussa kyun honge?" she grumbled as she firmly refused to look at him. "Gussa to aapko hona chaahiye, na? Hum aapke aur aapki doosri patni ke beech mein jo aaye." (I? Not at all! Why should I be? You should be angry, right? I interrupted between you and your second wife.)
"'Scuse me? Meri doosri patni?" he chuckled. He placed his hand on her shoulder but she shrugged it off. (...My second wife?)
"Ji haan, aapka BlackBerry!" (Yes, your BB.)
He flinched, then broke into a grin, leaning closer to kiss her on the cheek, trailing his lips along the corner of her lips. She gasped and her eyes widened.
"Kya keh rahi thi tum?" he asked, huskily. (What were you saying?)
She reddened, looking around frantically. "Kuchh nahin," she replied finally, still cross at him. (Nothing.)
Arnav smirked at his crazy wife. "What do you want to eat, Khushi?"
Her eyes opened even wider. "Aapko kaise pata hai ki-" (How did you know that-)
"Mujhe yaad hai, Khushi," he laughed. "Last time tumhein jab bhi bhookh lagti thi, tum my shirt pakadke kheechti thi." (I remember, Khushi. Last time, whenever you got a craving, you pulled my sleeve.)
A small smile appeared on her face. "Kaju aur gol gappe." (Cashews and gol gappe.)
"Fine, abhi le aata houn." (...I'll find them for you.)
She giggled happily and rose on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek. "Thank you, Arnavji!"
Still grinning he turned to look at Kavni. "Happy?"
😭😭😭😭 I knw!!! I'm so sad too...
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