REPOST: OS: Ayaan Chachu note pg 2

Ayaan entered the Khan Villa through the front door. It was as weird for him to enter from the door as it was for the occupants of the house to see him walking through that door. But Ayaan had changed his habit of jumping inside his brother's room through the window ever since Asad had gotten married. He had made the mistake of approaching that window one time after the wedding. Oh yeah! That had been life scarring. He still gets shudders thinking about that night. No should have to witness their siblings getting it on.

Ayaan came out of his reverie by the squealing sounds of the youngest Khan. A wide smile graced his face as he saw his niece, Mahek, sitting in her play pen in the living room while her mother moved around in the kitchen.

As soon as the baby saw Ayaan, she started babbling and pointing towards him. Her babbling caught Zoya's attention. Looking in the direction of her daughter's focus of attention, she saw Ayaan walking towards the babe.

"Ayaan! Tum kab aaye?" Zoya said as she proceeded to hug him.

"Bass abhi abhi, Mona. Bhaijaan strictly asked me to be here at 5:30 sharp. You guys are not ready yet?"

"Almost ready. I was sorting out things for Mahek and Asad is attending an important phone call."

Ayaan nodded at her. He was about to question her about something when the little lady on the floor decided that she was not getting enough attention from the adults and chucked her toy harshly on the floor, grabbing their attention effectively.

"Kya hua, little mohtarma? Abhi to aap badi khush thi?" Ayaan picked the baby and held her close to his chest.

Zoya snorted and said, "Kuch nahi hua isse. She just wants all the attention to herself. Drama queen hai completely."

"Actually, she takes after her mother in drama department." came Asad's voice as he entered the living room, having finished his call.

"Allah Miyan, Asad! You think I am a drama queen? Haww!" Zoya whined.

"No, Zoya, I don't think you are a drama queen, I know that you are." came Asad's reply.

Zoya opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say anything, Ayaan interrupted her.

"Aren't you guys getting late? I think aap ko nikalna chaiye if you want to make in time for your reservations."

"Haan! Thank you so much Ayaan for coming over to babysit Mahek. There is dinner for you in the refrigerator. We wouldn't have bothered you if Ammi or Najma were home." Zoya said as she gathered her purse and things.

Asad snorted at his wife and said, "More like, we wouldn't have even asked you if anyone else was available."

Zoya smacked Asad lightly on his chest for teasing Ayaan.

"I am wounded, Bhaijaan! This little princess is going to have the best evening of her life with her dearest Chachu. But it seems like you don't trust me!" Ayaan pretended to be scandalized.

"You are assuming correct. I don't trust you." Asad simply said. "Now c'mere angel and say goodbye to Abbu!" Asad crooned as he grabbed his daughter out of Ayaan's hands and hugged her close to his body. He started murmuring things like abbu loves you', be good' and don't listen to Chachu' to her.

While her father was busy showering kisses and love over her, Mahek was more interested in his tie. When she started blabbing and drooling, Zoya thought it was the time to take her away from Asad. As much as Asad loved his daughter, his personality could hardly tolerate the mess.

Zoya turned towards Ayaan and started giving him instructions, "I have just fed her so she should be good for a couple of hours. Her bottle is in the fridge. Warm the milk before feeding her. Aur han! Please, diaper change karna mat bhoolna. She's got very sensitive skin. She gets the rashes very quickly. My poor baby! I have left her onesies and socks on the bed in our room. Before she sleeps, change her into one of those, okay? Aur koi hi baat ho, toh please, call us?! Ayann? Okay? Sun rahe ho na tum?"

Ayaan was simply staring at her, watching her ramble at the speed of light. "Yes, Mona darling. Don't fret. We will be fine! Now go!"

After much cuddling, kisses and hugs, Asad and Zoya finally left for their evening, leaving Ayaan and Mahek alone for the first time ever since she came into this world eight months ago.

This could get interesting.

***

So far so good, thought Ayaan. It had been two hours since he had been babysitting the little babe. For the most part, she had been sleeping. Looking after babies was a piece of cake, or Ayaan thought it was so.

***

Mahek's wails brought Ayaan out of his slumber. He had been dozing off after a scrumptious dinner, courtesy of his Mona. He immediately got up and rushed towards Mahek who was now awake in her crib and screaming her lungs out.

"Arrey arrey! Kya hua jaan-e-man! Why are you punishing your lungs and my ears?" Ayaan took her out of the crib and started swaying and rocking her.

He took her in the kitchen and warmed her bottle as per Zoya's instructions. He tried feeding her but she wouldn't take the bottle. Next, he brought her over to her playpen and tried distracting her with all the colorful toys and things that were attached to the thing. She looked like she couldn't care less about it. Her wails were getting louder and it was making Ayaan panic.

"Come on, darling. What is wrong? You've got to help Chachu here! I am new to all this baby business. Batao kya hua? Agar tumhare Ammi-Abbu ko call kiya, toh voh seedha ghar aa jayenge. Let's not ruin their night, shall we.

Mahek was not in the mood to cooperate and started flailing her arms and legs. Just then, Ayaan was hit by a very potent and unmistakable stench, making him understand her cries immediately.

"Oh! Toh yeh gadbad hai! For a little lady, this is sure powerful! Let's get you changed!"

Ayaan took her to her parents' room and laid her on the changing table. Very slowly, her peeled off her soiled outfit and started at her.

I am supposed to remove that stinking piece of diaper? He gulped nervously and opened the baby's diaper. Holding his breath, he disposed off the diaper quickly and reached for the baby wipes.

He noticed how Mahek had gotten quiet. You can do it, Ayaan! How hard can it be?!

***

Very hard. It was very hard.

After numerous tries, wasting many diapers- tying several of them the wrong way, he had finally managed to successfully tie one on her properly. Then came the part of dressing her. For a calm baby, she sure did transform into a wet noodle the moment he tried to get her into her any clothes. So after thirty long minutes, and severe pleading on Ayaan's part, she was dressed once again, this time in her cute sleeping onesie.

"You are a devil in disguise, little mohtarma." Ayaan commented as he settled to feed her the reheated bottle.This time, she took the nipple of the bottle quickly and started gulping down the contents of the bottle like a pro.

"Such manly gulps! You really are your mother's daughter! You know all your aunts take such dainty little bites but not your mom. You think you a foodie like your Ammi, huh? You are going to give your Abbu premature grey hairs if you turn out to be as messy as your mother. "

The baby simply started at him with the bottle in her mouth and her land over his, holding the bottle. After she had finished her dinner, Ayaan remembered to burp her. A few minutes of gentle patting on her back produced a loud belch that made her Chachu proud of her! She gave him a toothless grin as he praised her belching abilities.

Ayaan held her in his arms and started rocking her, willing her to go to sleep. Alas, Mahek was wide awake now and in the mood to talk and play. Ayaan handed her some of her toys to keep her from reaching out for random things and putting them in her mouth. Instead of the toys, he found his hands more interesting and proceeded to put his fingers in her mouth.

"No, darling. We don't eat other people. I don't that is very appetizing." Ayaan rocked her and made her stand in his lap facing him.

She started babbling in her own language and her hands found purchase in his beard. She tugged harshly on his beard, making him wince and scowl at her. Mahek found his discomfort amusing and she started giggling. Her laughter was contagious and Ayaan found himself laughing along with her. He let her yank at his beard again and again, just to hear the musical peals of laughter.

"You are such a sweet baby! I think you should start sleeping better at night now. You should make life a little better for you Ammi and Abbu. They were so happy to be spending time together tonight. Although they said they were just going out for dinner and then some walk, but we know better, right? They are just out there somewhere, getting on their monkey business. You know what?! You may even get a sibling out of the whole shenanigan! And siblings are the best, ever!

"Initially, you may feel that they are taking over your parent's love and attentions, but truly, siblings are your best friends. And you will be the best elder sibling ever! You know how? Because you have the best to learn from! Your dad is the greatest big brother that one can have. All of us are so lucky to have him. I know that I have said things to him that I shouldn't have and I still and forever will regret those."

Ayaan reminisced all the special memories of his Bhaijaan. He really was lucky to have such an understanding and supportive brother. He should always be thanking Allah.

As he looked down at Mahek, he realized that she was starting to get sleepy. Ayaan Miyan, you have become so boring that even little babies can't tolerate you now. Ayaan chuckled at Mahek whose eyes were fighting to stay open after each blink. He got his phone and took a couple of pictures of the tired babe. Precious moments.

Shaking his head at her stubbornness, he rocked her and hummed an off- key lullaby. The actions did the magic and she was asleep in a few minutes. Very gently, he took her into her nursery and laid her down in her crib.

He stood by the crib and took a moment to look at the sleeping beauty. She looked so peaceful and content. Looking at her, just taking in her features, he was suddenly compelled to always protect her and keep her safe and away from all the drama he and his family had to live through.

"Sleep tight, little mohtarma. You have an amazing family."

***

Asad and Zoya were enjoying their much needed time alone when Asad's phone beeped, altering him of a message from Ayaan.

It was picture of Mahek, sound asleep. The caption said - Good night, Ammi-Abbu! Please go out often so that I can spend more time with Ayaan Chachu. He is the best! Xoxo - His little mohtarma.