Part - 2
"This time, you can't get away with your cute antics Ishaan Bhalla.." Ishita crouched to reach her six year old son's height. "So, tell me.. why did you ask Adi bhaiya to bring an ink bottle for you?"
"For this.." Ishaan forwarded his right hand.
"For what?" Ishita raised her eyebrows in confusion.
"Rakhi Mumma.. Rakhi" Ishaan touched it with his index finger of left hand.
"I can see that, but what's the connection in between Rakhi and an ink bottle.?" asked a bewildered Ishita.
"Offo! Mumma.." Ishaan cupped Ishita's face in his tiny palms "Papa sahi kehte hain.. aapko memory ki problem hai.."
Ishita looked at Raman with the corner of her eyes but Ishaan's voice made her shift her gaze back to him. "Yaad hai.. Ruhi didi ne jab ye Rakhi bandhi thi toh aapne hi toh kaha tha ki I've to protect her.. main bas wohi kar raha tha.." Ishaan smiled.
"Protect? Kis'se.?" Ishita asked taking his hands in her's.
"Uss bad boy se.. Woh roz Ruhi didi se poochhta hai friends ban'ne ke liye aur woh roz mana karti hain but woh manta hi nai.." Ishaan spoke and after a second pause added "Now, he won't be able to ask for at least a week!" He grinned.
Ishita looked at Ruhi, whose eyes were reflecting, how proud she was of her li'l brother.
"But what did you do?" Ishita asked, still not able to figure out the role of ink bottle.
"I poured the whole ink on his head.." Ishaan smiled "His face resembles that of a Zebra crossing!" He laughed, merrily.
"WHAT?" Ishita stood up.
"Yes, Mrs.Bhalla.." Principal spoke, nodding her head in order to assure Ishita that it's true.
"But beta, aap Principal ya phir Teacher se complain bhi toh kar sakte th'e na.. aisi bad boy waali baat karne ki kya zaroorat thi.?" Ishita asked, composing herself.
"Main Punjabi hoon Mumma.. I know how to protect my sister by myself.." Ishaan said with his hands on his hips and a proud smile adorning his lips.
Ishita looked at Raman for support but found him smiling like a proud father. "Hass toh aise rahe hain jaise bete ne koi bahot achha kaam kiya ho.." she thought to herself.
"Mumma.." Ishaan called out, snapping Ishita out of her thoughts.
"Hmm.."
"Please.." Ishaan opened up his arms.
Ishita was a little mad at him but she just couldn't help giving in, to his innocent request.
"Papa ki carbon copy!" Ishita scooped her little Ravan Kumar up in her arms and pulled his nose lightly.
"Aapne sorry bola?" She asked.
"Hmm.." Ishaan nodded.
"Ma'am, I'm really Sorry on his behalf but I assure you, he won't repeat this again.." Ishita said apologetically to the Principal.
"I hope so, Mrs.Bhalla.." Principal spoke, looking at both Raman and Ishita.
"Ma'am, chhutti toh hone hi waali hai so can we take kids with us.?" Raman asked with hopeful eyes.
"Okay." Principal nodded.
~*~
"This isn't the right way to protect your sister, Ishaan!" Ishita tried to explain that what Ishaan did was wrong.
"But Mumma.." Ishaan protested.
"No if's and no but's.. what's wrong is wrong!" Ishita stated.
"Okay!" Ishaan said "I'm Sorry!" He held his ears with his tiny fingers.
"Forgiven!" Ishita smiled "But Promise me that you won't repeat it again!" She forwarded her hand.
"Promise!" Ishaan clapped his hands with Ishita's. "I'll think of some new trick!" He grinned and ran out of the room while Ishita just looked on with a defeated face!
"Ishaan!" Ishita stomped her foot in helplessness. She looked up at the trio, standing near the wardrobe. As her eyes met with their's, all three burst out laughing!
"Mom.. you can't win with Ishaan!" Adi laughed.
"Wah! I'm Proud of my son!" Raman grinned "Jhansi ki Rani ko sirf hamara Ishaan hi takkar de sakta hai.." He winked.
Ishita could only fume with anger! "Chhota Ravan Kumar!" she muttered under her breath and walked out of the room, leaving Adi, Raman and Ruhi laughing their lungs out.
----** END **----
P.S. - Thanks for readin'!
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