Yuvaani
It has been four months Aarush has been working with them, them as his client but last week their equations changed. They asked him to be his business partner and he agreed. His keen intellect keeps him going and we're now thinking to build an office for the same. But yes, it needs attention to many more things like finance, connecting more people etc. Aarush first wants to be assured by his work, then he'll have his own office, he mentioned. I think he knows it better, and whatever it is, I'm by his side.
"Mummaa!! Kab se bula raha hu tumko! Kaha ghum ho?" here comes Aarush with his baby voice! He loves to talk like this and calls me mumma whenever kids are around.
[ Mumma, I'm calling you from so long! Where are you lost? ]
"Ghum ho" pihu repeated in his arms.
[ lost ]
"Haa, baby mumma is here itself!" I replied to her going near her and kissing her hands. She leaned towards me asking me to hold her and I did. Then from my hold she looked at Aarush and leaned towards him asking him to hold!
My indecisive baby!
The moment she was held by him in his arms, she poured out milk from her mouth spilling all over Aarush's formal attire! Well, he just showered and got ready for his work.
"Baby if you do like this then what will remain in your stomach?" he asked her lightly patting her stomach. He wasn't annoyed or frustrated, he was as calm as he was before. I thought he'll be annoyed or so as he just got ready. But he didn't even flinch when she poured milk on him. This is what I like about him, as a father. He always is calm when it comes to his kids. He patiently wiped her lips by his thumbs and placed her on bed. He offered her some water, which she adorably denies looking on the opposite side.
"I'll bring another shirt for you" I told him and went to his closet to choose a shirt for him. I chose royal blue shirt and gave it to him.
He began unbuttoning his shirt."Hey! Go to washroom at least!" I cautioned turning around. I could sense him right behind me "Why? Seeing like this makes you lose your sanity?" he smirked and whispered in his deep voice in my ear, standing right behind me. My eyes widened at his comment.
Challenging me?
I turned around and looked at him. "I was saying it out of courtesy. Well, you don't have an eye catching body to drool over though. Try harder, I've seen better" I lied while looking at his abs, and pushing him touching his bare chest and took pihu to change her clothes. She spilled milk over her clothes too, it needs to be changed.
"Accaha ji" he teases me from afar.
"Ji" I said as I was changing my baby's clothes.
"Pihu baby, Papa's body is so average haina?"
"Haa!" my baby was on my side.
[ yes! ]
"See papa, your daughter also agrees. Now accept it" I mentally boasted myself which can be seen in my tone. But I loved our bitter-sweet banter everyday.
"I'll accept when you'll speak the truth. Plus, I'll accept Pihu's words when she'll grow up and compliment my body" he said wearing his shirt.
"Papa ki body honi toh chahiye compliments ke kaabil"
[ For compliments, the body should be like that ]
"Ab mumma ki aankhein kharab ho rakhi hai toh kya kar sakte hai, haina baby?" He came to me and took Pihu from my arms as her outfit was changed, and kissed her.
[ Mumma's eyes are damaged so what can we do, right baby? ]
"And mumma," he said keeping his hand on my stomach from behind "Papa itne bhi bure nahi" he uttered and went outside.
[ Papa's not that bad ]
Heat rushed through my cheeks, he always making some remarks that makes me go crazier than ever. He does s unexpected romantic things which I'm experiencing first time and- makes me fall for him even more.
My blush was interrupted by cries. I looked at the cot and Ansh was standing there looking at me and crying. He woke up late today and will be cranky, I assume. I went to him and took him in my arms. Soon his cries vanished.
"Good morning Ansh"
"Ansh" he replied and hugged my neck. I don't think he wanted to do anything anytime soon, so let him just be.
"Yes, your name is Ansh" I told him and took him to our washroom, cleaning his face with a wet soft cloth. He opposed a little and waggled in my touch.
When I was about to take him in living room for breakfast, my call phone rang and it showed Papa.
"Hello, beta" I heard him after I received the call.
"Hello Papa, good morning"
"Good morning" he wished me back
"Why did you called?" I asked softly tried to not sound rude.
"Um- wo- I and your mother thought you should come home today. It has been so long we haven't met. And we never got a chance to spend time with you. Will you come over Vaani? We- miss you" I felt his voice cracked in the end and I knew he was genuine.
"Mai dekhti hu, Papa"
[ I'll see, Papa ]
"Aajao, meri bacchi please. Your parents would be happy to see you. Abhi hum hai toh mil liya karo"
[ We are here now, so please keep visiting us. Later maybe we won't- ]
"Papa!! Aisi baatein mat karo!"
[ Don't talk like this ]
"Sorry, but try to come okay" he insisted
"Okay"
"Kya bola usne? Ish she coming? Should I cook her favorite food?" I heard maa asking him
"She said she'll think" Papa replied her.
"I'll see you Papa, bbye"
"Bbye" and I cut the call. It has really been long since I visited them myself. I've never been there after marriage. It was just when I got that allergy. I should ask him.
I went to the living room and saw Aarush on the sofa with Pihu.
"Aarush, Papa ka phone tha" I mentioned straightaway, reaching him.
"What did he say?"
"He just asked me to visit him today"
"Then what do you think? You are going?" he asked. His voice was laced with concern and I know why it is.
"Um, I think I should go. I never visited them after our wedding."
"Yes, you should" he encouraged me with a soft smile. I will try to fill our gaps. Between me and my parents. And I know he wanted me to mend our relation as it was.
"Can I take Ansh and Pihu with me?" I asked being unsure. I know he's so possessive about his kids and a scenario has never happened before like I'm taking them to somewhere, without him.
"I'll take good care of them, I promise" I added as he didn't reply.
"That I know, Yuvaani. I never doubted your care for them. But it an be difficult for you to handle them both by yourself, especially when the environment is new to them."
"Its okay, I'll keep them here with Maa, Papa" I knew he won't allow me. He's so possessive and protective of his kids.
"What are you doing, Aaru? How will kids live without Vaani? You can take them with you, Vaani" Maa's tone was accusing Aarush.
"I never said she can't take them with her. I just said it may be difficult." he defended himself.
"You mean the same" Maa conflicted again.
"You can take them, Yuvaani. Just make sure-"
"It's okay. You don't have to do things half-hearted Aarush. I'm not taking them with me" I interrupted him.
"You can take them with you. You are their mom" He said and moved in our bedroom along with Pihu. I went behind him.
Did I do wrong asking him this?
"Aarush, it's okay- I won't-" I reassured him as soon as I entered our bedroom.
"I'll pick you up in the evening. Also take all the necessary things for babies. Take extra pair of clothes too. And don't give them cold water, hard food for them to chew, and afternoon nap is must. Also take a few diapers along. Also, keep eye on them-" He said taking his essentials like watch and wallet.
"Aarush!! Bas!!"
"Take care bye" his voice felt distant. Like, he don't want to let them with me at my place.
"When will you pick up?" I didn't knew what to say and these words left my lips!
F! Vaani!
"Six, most preferably" he turned from the door and replied. He again came in and deeply kissed the twins. This was weird. He always kissed them lightly.
"Papa will meet you at evening, okay? Take care" He said to his babies and went off the bedroom door.
"Care" pihu repeated whereas Ansh was still in my arms. Today he didn't kissed me as he was doing it from past few days.
I began placing our kids on the bed but they climbed more on me. Their chins wobbled as I placed them on the bed. "What happened to you muchkins today? Hm?" I pacified them as I sat on the bed hugging and caressing their back.
I saw the door opening and it revealed Aarush. "I forgot this" he mentioned as he reached to his study table and took two diaries with him. Those were the two diaries he was writing in, his business knowledge, as far as I remember.
"Bye bolo Papa ko" I tried to cheer them up in baby voice but they didn't seem to be entertained.
[ Bid a bye to Papa ]
"Take care. And call me if you need anything. Also call me if they trouble you at your parents' place" he said kissing my forehead lightly.
"I will. Have a good day" I smiled at him and he returned it and went off. But something was missing in his smile. The genuineness. His smile didn't reach his eyes.
In an hour or two, I bathed the babies, fed them and made lunch for everyone. I gave kids to Maa and couldn't help but asked "Do you think it' a good idea?"
"What?" she asked
"Taking kids with me? I think Aarush didn't liked it" I voiced out my concern
"Vaani, he has to accept and face this. He has to trust you for his own good. He has to battle his emotions. Whether it's insecurity or protectiveness. He should trust you as his kids' mom"
"But Maa-" I tried to interrupt
"She's right. This is the first step of trust, Yuvaani. He permitted you, himself. And your Maa is right, he needs to face his own emotions. You making it easier for him will not delay his learnings" Papa said.
I think Maa and Papa are right. I left kids with them to look after and got ready to visit my parents. I dressed in a simple red kurti with jeans on bottom, along with a plain dupatta. Complimented them with my favorite silver jhumkas, with a wrist watch in my left hand and two silver thin bangles in my right hand.
I took a bag and took some diapers, their binkies, their three pair of clothes, few handkerchiefs, their mini water bottles, milk bottles, their dressing accessories, socks, shoes. I think this might be enough. I took some extras so that I don't fall short of things when in emergency.
All set to go!
I booked a cab and took my babies in it along with our baby bag, and my purse. Soon we reached there. And I paid the cab driver and he was so genuine to help me to get out of the cab with my babies and luggage.
I rang the door bell and Papa opened the door.
"Vaani!" his face lifted up seeing me.
"Papa! How are you?" I asked him
"First you come in! Why are you standing out?" He took our bags and invited us in.
"Baccho ko bhi laayi ho! Bohot accha kiya!" Papa expressed his happiness seeing our twins.
[ You brought them too along with you! So nice! ]
Mumma emerged out of the kitchen maybe listening our voices and her face too lightened up seeing us and she came and hugged me lightly, because there were kids in my hand.
"Why did you put your dupatta on them?" Papa asked as soon as we settled down on couches and I removed dupatta over my babies' heads.
"Bahar dhoop thi na, cab se nikalne se pehle hi I covered them." I reasoned out and my mom caressed my kids' heads and they were looking at her when she was doing the same.
[ It was hot outside, before stepping out of the cab I covered them ]
"See, who is she? Your nani" I tried to teach my babies.
"And see there, he's your nanaji" I pointed towards my dad.
"I wanted to talk to you, about something important" I heard my dad's voice and got concerned. Last time it was Aarush's marriage proposal now what?
"What is it?" I meekly voiced out. My kids were on my lap and my hands were wrapped around them. They were just still in my arms, looking at the new surroundings and frequently looking at me.
I felt my mother helding my palm in her, for support? I guess? What is happening?
What are they thinking?
Papa kneeled down before me and joined his hands together "Beta, mujhe maaf kar do" I saw his eyes welling up. "I didn't knew mujhe itni badi saza kaatni padegi. Aur ek baap ke liye uski beti usse baat na kare, isse badi aur kya saza ho sakti hai?" He sobbed and my mumma supported him to be intact.
"I'm sorry for not considering your opinion on your own wedding. I'm sorry to impose my decision on you-"
I kept mum. Because deep down I needed this apology. But my heart ached seeing him teared for me. I kept my kids on couch and they again tried to jump in, but i held my dad'd palm and told him not to do so.
"Papa, please don't. But at least you realized you did it wrong. Maybe your intention was right but actions weren't" I said but we were disturbed by kids' cries. Both of them cries heavily until I let them on my lap.
"Aarush bhi bohot acche hai, Papa. Mumma was right. You yourself rejected those seven guys for me, before me so how can you not choose a correct guy for me? We took out time, and began understanding each other, and everything is falling in it's place now" I added being emotional. I know he might be guilty, but I wanted to let him know he chose the right one for me.
[ Aarush is very nice, Papa ]
"You forgave us?" mumma asked and I saw her, she was also teared. I nodded and wiped up her tears, and kept it on her shoulder. Priyansh pulled my hand that was on her shoulder and placed it on his lap.
We all laughed on his antics and called it a happy family reunion. I'm glad, I'm with good terms with my parents. We engaged our noon while talking about what we missed out due to the communication gap in these months.