Hey guys, here I am with my next installment. It should have been here on Wed, but my net connection was cut off for 3 days 😡 (long story - don't ask). So here it is many days late. I hope you all enjoy it.
Chapter 17 – World's Best Dad
Early morning Kaajjal walked sleepily into the kitchen, stifling a yawn and folding the pallu of her sunshine yellow sari down. Fleetingly she wondered how dishevelled she must look after another night of less than three hours sleep. She could sense that her hair had taken on a life of its own, creating a wild spiral about her face like the creepers of an ivy plant. A moment later all thoughts of her frightful appearance had vanished from her mind and she stood in the doorway gaping about her with amazed eyes. For a minute she was convinced she was still dreaming. The kitchen was awash with a glow of golden sunshine, showing up the sparkling surfaces. There were fresh cut flowers in a vase in the centre of the table, which was laid for two, glasses of ornage juice sitting beside a rack of warm toast. The most surprising sight of all, however, was Dev, washing dishes at the sink, a fetching pink and white striped apron tied about him and a breezy, carefree expression on his face as he hummed along to a song playing softly on the radio in the background.
He looked up and when he saw Kaajjal his face broke into a bright smile, his warm brown eyes flashing with happiness. Warily she watched him as he walked up to her and kissed her cheek, placing an arm about her shoulders and escorting her over to the table.
"Good morning meri jaan," he said as he made her sit in her seat. "Isn't it a beautiful day?"
"D...D...Dev," she stammered, "Yeh sab kya hai?"
"Kya Kaajjal?" he asked, frowning in confusion at her.
"Y...yeh..." she stuttered, gesturing to the table with a hand.
His face practically glowed as a huge smile curved his lips and his eyes shone more brilliantly than the sun.
"Arrey yeh!" he exclaimed. "I thought I would make breakfast for my darling wife for a change," he explained, tweaking her nose as he finished speaking.
Kaajjal didn't know wether to be flattered, pleased or worried. A combination of all these emotions darted through her consciousness as she gazed up at him with a puzzled, slightly suspicious expression.
"Par kyun Dev?" she asked him.
"Kyun?" he responded, arching his brows. "Can't a husband pamper his wife once in a while?"
"Haan, lekin Dev...you never do household chores," she replied. "So why did you today?"
Dev sighed and looked down earnestly at her, his eyes deepening as he became lost in his thoughts. He had been expecting her to be amazed when the idea first crossed his mind, but he had deciced that it was time he started to help her and nothing, not even the dread of her twenty questions, was going to deter him. Looking down at her he saw the tiredness darkening her normally bright eyes and the paleness of her skin alerted him to her exhuastion, making him instantly worried for her. She would never tell him that everything was getting too much for, he knew that well, so he was adamant that she would have to listen to him for once.
"Kaajjal," he began in a quiet, serious tone. "I love you, is that not reason enough?"
"Par Dev..." she began.
"Chup!" he silenced her, pointing a stern finger at her. "Aaj you will let me look after you. I have taken the day off work especially. I am going to take full responsibility for Arjun and Naina, so you can have a hassle free day."
Kaajjal's eyebrows were rising with his every sentence and the more she heard the more convinced she was that this was some absurd dream. Every moment she expected to wake up, but Dev continued to speak until she had no choice but to accept that this was really happening.
"You took the day off work?" she repeated.
"Yes," he answered. "I wanted to spend some time with my son and daughter and you were talking about going to town, hai nah? Well now you can, and you don't have to worry about taking Arjun and Naina because I'll be looking after them."
Her eyebrows arched so far at this that they disappeared under her tangled fringe.
"You will look after Arjun and Naina?" she asked incredulously.
Dev nodded and smiled at her, taking one of her hands in his and squeezing it gently. Still she wasn't convinced and looking about her she had a distinct feeling of trepidation about the idea. She could remember all too well the state the kitchen had been in when she was pregnant and Dev had taken it upon himself to cook for her. Now there were two babies to add to the mess, and the horror of what might ensue had her stomach churning with nerves.
"I don't know Dev," she began. "It looks like it might rain, and it's not so important that I go to town today. I can go tomorrow, nah?"
"Kaajjal," Dev sighed. "It is not going to rain. For one there is not a single cloud in the sky. Dekho."
She cast her eyes dejectedly out of the window at the deep azure sky, unblemished by even a white cloud; the sun beaming down on the earth. Sighing she looked back at Dev who grinned cheerfully at her, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
"Toh, you can go to town and relax while I stay here and look after our home," he declared.
"I suppose..." she began reluctantly.
"Treat yourself," he told her. "You wanted to get a haircut, remember? Go and have a pampering session."
"Tikka," she agreed, still not a hundred percent happy with the arrangement. "But you will call me if you need anything, nah?"
"Of course I will," he agreed, winking at her.
That was all it took for her heart to melt and smiling sweetly at him she came and sat on his knee, wrapping her arms about his neck and gazing down into those bubbly brown eyes, marvelling at how bright they were when the sun reflected in them. His arms wrapped about her waist, his fingers brushing against her bare skin and making her shiver in delight. Just one touch and she could feel a fire raging inside her, causing her pulse to dance. Dev's eyes were darkening all the time and she could feel his passion in the tightening of his grip on her. Her lips were slightly parted and her breath fanned his face gently, sending little thrills down all his nerve ends. The desire to bridge the distance between was too strong to ignore and as his lips came close to hers they both held their breath, their eyes fluttering shut just as their lips touched.
At the exact same moment the piercing shriek of one of the twins cut through the air. Dev and Kaajjal both opened their eyes and looked at one another in disbelief, humour gradually stealing into their eyes and curving their lips as they chuckled at the timing.
"They are definately your children," Kaajjal announced as she reluctantly disentangled herself from his arms.
"Kya matlab?" he asked her, rising to his feet.
"They never give anyone a moment's peace," she replied, winking teasingly at him.
Before he could reply she had left the kitchen, leaving behind his frantically beating heart and a foolish grin on his face. For a moment he just stood gazing at the space where she had been, reflecting on her words and understanding her meaning. It was only when another shrill cry pierced his ears that he snapped back to earth and darting through into the bedroom he saw Naina wailing in her cot, her small face red and distressed. Gently he picked her up in his arms and gazed down at her in concern.
"Kya hua beti?" he asked her. "Your Papa is here now, everything will be okay. Chalo mere saath."
He carried her into the living room and sitting on the sofa he placed her tenderly over his shoulder, patting her back and speaking softly to her in an effort to quieten her. Gradually her wails began to subside and when he cradled her in his arms again she looked sleepily up at him, barely able to keep her eyes open. Within minutes she was asleep and with a sigh of relief and a feeling of pride Dev took her back through to her cot and placed her in it. As he stood and watched the babies sleep he mused that looking after them was easier than he had imagined and he was certain that in the time Kaajjal was gone he would have no trouble from them whatsoever.
An hour later he was standing in the middle of the living room, a baby screaming on either side of him and in a state of extreme panic.
"Where does Kaajjal keep the diapers?" he wondered allowed, rumaging through all the cupboards as both Arjun and Naina raised their voices ever higher. At the same moment his phone rang and cursing he darted across the room and picked it up in a fluster.
"Hello," he panted.
"Dev?" Kaajjal's voice made his heart leap and his eyes flew wide open in horror. Glancing anxiously through into the living room at Arjun and Naina, who still lay crying in their Moses baskets, he prayed she wouldn't be able to hear them.
"Kaajjal, tum?" he cried, pretending to be surprised.
"Kya hua Dev?" she asked suspiciously. "What's going on?"
"Kuch nahin jaan," he assured her.
"Jhooth maat bolo Dev," she said sternly. "I can hear Arjun and Naina crying in the background. What have you done to them?"
Dev cursed silently and raising his eyes pleadingly to the heavens he wondered how Kaajjal had the ability to always know when he was lying.
"Crying?" he asked, deciding it was best to go on fibbing. "What crying? I can hear traffic in the background, maybe you mistook that for them?"
"Dev I am in the hair salon, how can there possibly be traffic?" she replied.
"It's the hair dryers, that's what I meant," he answered, pressing his fingers to his forehead in despiar. "There's no need to worry Kaajjal. Sab thik hain. I have everything under my contorl. You enjoy yourself, okay?"
Before she could say anything further he hung up and running his hands in frustration through his hair he began ransacking the cupboards once again. Finally he found them and letting out a cry of delight he rushed back into the living room.
"Look how clever your father is!" he told the twins. "Look what I found! Now then, let's get you both changed."
Kneeling down he carefully detached the diaper from Arjun first. As he tended to his son the baby's cries began to peter out until by the time he was fresh he had a bright, contened look on his face. Naina continued to blast her lungs out, however, and when her turn came to be changed she kicked up a fuss. Dev had placed the bottle of baby powder right next to her, and in an effort to exert her temper her little foot knocked into it. The next thing they knew a blast of white powder came whooshing out of the top, covering both her and her father in a cloud of whiteness. This frightened the baby and she let out an ear-shattering scream that made Dev wince.
"Arrey beti, kya hua?" he asked, picking her up in his arms, and covering his already smattered shirt in yet more baby powder. Little shite spots dotted Naina's face and with a tender smile he brushed them away with his thumb. This soothing action halted her crying and making a gurgling noise she blinked wide eyed up at him. For a moment he was lost in staring into those large, intensely dark eyes, so full of inquisitiveness. Suddenly it struck him how precious these moments of life can be and he knew he was truly blessed to be able to hold his daughter in his arms.
"Do you know beti? When I look at you I see the beauty of your mother in all your features," he told her. "No other child could ever be so beautiful as you."
Naina stared silently up at him, lost in the magic of his voice. Smiling Dev placed her back down at put her new diaper on her. When he placed her back in her Moses basket he sat and sang a sweet song to them both, watching with amazement as sleep stole over their little faces and finally closed their eye lids. For a few minutes he just sat watching them sleep, marvelling at how innocent and peaceful they looked. They were the most precious moments he had spent with them and he knew that he would cherish these moments for the rest of his life.
An hour later Kaajjal walked into the cottage, expecting to see anarchy. Her breath was held in anticipation and her heart was beating anxiously in her chest as she stepped inside, casting her eyes all about her. Much to her surprise there was a fresh smell of oranges and limes in the air and when she entered the living room she saw Dev sitting on the sofa, reading a newspaper, the twins sound asleep in their baskets on either side of him, and not a speck of dust or dirt in sight. Stopping she surveyed the room, wondering if she had stepped into an alternate universe. Just then Dev looked up and a warm smile lit up his handsome face, lighting a fire in his warm brown eyes. Rising to his feet he walked across to her and ran his eyes over her, taking in her new hair cut with admiration. Her chestnut locks now bounced about her shoulders in soft curls, with a beautiful sheen on them. Complimenting her yellow sari with its silver sequened border, it made her look like a goddess.
"Wow!" he exclaimed. "You look extremely beautiful."
She looked up at him and saw the flame in his eyes, felt the answering leap in her heart and blushing she lowered her eyes to the ground, unconsciously winding her pallu about her finger.
"Dev!" she exclaimed with a shy giggle. "Please!"
"It's true. Would I ever lie to you?"
At the word lie her head snapped up and fixing him with slightly narrowed eyes she replied,
"That reminds me, how did you cope today? Were there any problems? Did you handle Arjun and Naina okay? Tell me truthfully Dev."
"Everything was fine, I promise," he replied, folding his arms about her and resting his forehead gently against hers, his warm brown eyes bubbling with delight as they gazed into hers. She felt shivers running down her spine, but she was in a playful mood, and darting away with a giggle she headed towards the kitchen door.
"Good," she declared. "Now I am going to make myself some chai."
Dev smiled and watched her walk into the kitchen. He was just turning to sit back down when he suddenly froze and his eyes widened in horror, his face turning pale, as he remembered something.
"Kaajjal!" he cried. "Don't open..."
Too late he heard her shriek and darting through into the kitchen he saw his worst nightmare had unfolded. There Kaajjal stood in the middle of the kitchen, wreathed in a cloud of baby powder. The bottle lay at her feet, it's top having come loose and the contents making a stream across the floor. Kaajjal was covered, from top to bottom, in the powder; it stuck to her georgette sari and streaked her arms, but worst of all it had died her lovely curls snowy white. Dev stood with a distraught look as she blinked through the cloud of white specks in front of her eyes across at him. She cut such a hilarious sight that poor Dev felt a peal of laughter rising up inside him. He struggled to keep it down but it rose and rose until it poured out and he placed a hand in front of his mouth as he chuckled. Kaajjal's eyes flashed with lightning, but a smile was tugging at the corners of her mouth and in a moment she was giggling too.
"Arrey, it suits you," Dev teased, walking up to her, his eyes dancing with mischief.
"Oh really?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.
Before he knew what was happening she had smeared a lump of powder in his hair. He stared at her in consternation and her eyes sparkled with glee, an impish grin curved her lips.
"Kaajjal!" Dev cried.
She let out a delighted giggle and sprang away before he could grab her. Both of them laughing like kids he chased her through the cottage. She darted into the bedroom and turned to shut the door but he caught her about the waist and the pair of them tumbled down onto the bed. Mischief danced in both their eyes as they gazed back at one another.
"I must say Mrs Pratap Singh, you look irresistable in white," he told her in a husky voice, running a finger down her nose.
"Really?" she asked, arching her eyebrows.
"Hmm," he agreed. "Too beautiful."
She blushed and lowered her eyes. His lips touched her cheek and she sighed, wrapping her arms about his neck. When she lifted her eyes to his again she saw the flame that had burned there this morning and it left her breathless. His lips were only inches from hers and her heart raced as they came closer. Closing her eyes she gave herself up to the moment and when his lips pressed against hers she was lost in his passion. Forgetting everything they immersed themselves in their own, beautiful world.
That's all for now. Hope it was good. 😳 Please leave your comments - they mean so much to me. 😳
Anu
