BONUS CHAPTER 2

Guess who is back in Crushship Town? Me.

This chapter is based on timeline after Garv and Avantika's engagement, precisely their Courtship.

Happy Reading!

I need comments everyone.

Shor si zindagi meri,

Sukoon sa ishq tera!

DHRUV’S POV

When I was a teenager, Bhabosa often used to say - you’ll understand how it feels to be a father once you have your kids.

That was true when I learned how challenging it is to nurture a kid from birth - those sleepless nights when they refuse to sleep and let others sleep, the attentive and preventive measures undertaken to not let their hands on anything that imposes discomfort. Either it is climbing stairs or eating any pointed or non-edible items. Either it is inserting their fingers in the switches or getting into a fight with their siblings, ending up snatching their hair or biting them.

Honestly, I’m reliving my childhood again through Raj- Riddhi but Shivu jija and I were on the calmer side as kids unlike them waiting for a single chance to turn into unbeatable enemies.

“Raj, kitni baar kaha hai ki kitchen mai mat aya kar.” My wife’s scolding was audible even in the living room.

(Raj, how many times have I told you not to come into the kitchen?)

“Kavya Maasi ko competition mat de,” she walked in my direction, holding him in his arms and settling him on the sofa .

(Don't compete with Aunt Kavya.)

“Riddhi se sikh, kese shanti se apne aapsa ko pareshan kar rahi hai” she added, noticing our daughter combing my hair with her Barbie set’s tiny comb.

(Learn from Riddhi how she is peacefully disturbing her Aapsa)

“Geetanjali” I began, inhaling a breath.

“Mumma, Kissie” Raj interrupted my words, pointing at his cheeks and trying to bring down her anger level.

“Waah beta, kya din-dahade kissie maang raha hai” I stared at him, bringing Riddhi into my embrace and I got up from the floor to sit on the sofa beside them.

(Wow, beta,  you are  asking for a kiss in broad daylight)

“Aacha, kichie,” Riddhi expressed, standing on my lap and cupping my face with her tiny palms. Kissing her on the cheeks, I made her sit again.

Shivu Jija and her family are visiting Delhi today. Looking around the house, I noticed we were already done with the arrangements except for lunch.

“Raj Riddhi, chalo apne dadisa ke paas aao. Tumhari mumma ko chodo.” Mumma called them while walking outside the room.

Handing them, Geetanjali went to the kitchen to prepare lunch for the guests while I secretly escaped from Mumma’s attention to help my wife.

“Dhruv, what are you doing here?” She asked, placing the pressure cooker on the gas stove.

“To help you.”

Her movements ceased hearing my words. “Dhruv, you aren’t good at cooking,” she pointed, pouring the oil in it and her hands opened the lid of the cumin seeds’ container.

“I’ll help you with chopping vegetables, assisting you in finding ingredients, and handing you the  required utensils.” I listed down the services offered by me.

“Okay, get me a jug of water,” she ordered, sprinkling mustard seed and cumin seeds into the boiled oil after lowering the flame, followed by adding the chopped vegetables.

Following her instructions, I grabbed a chopping board and a knife to cut down the coriander leaves. I learned how to chop vegetables and fruits from my sister when we were young.

I remembered my constant pleas asking her to cook something for me on the condition that I would complete the preparation as she used to hate chopping vegetables.

“Dhruv, no one’s fasting today” she mocked, watching my struggle.

“Oh,” I paused, trying to come up with a way to justify my slow chopping skills.

Taking back the board and knife, she finished the work left incomplete.

“You know Dhruv, I used to hate cooking back in Hyderabad,” she said, as my hands stayed stubborn to help her by grabbing the knife and board.

I nodded hearing her complaints.

“I think we should order food from the restaurant” I suggested, turning off the gas stove.

“I’ll manage it,” she retorted, picking the lighter.

“Geetanjali, I’m your husband. You should follow my orders.”

“What about Mumma? You’re aware how strict she is,” her voice hinted with an unanticipated fear.

“I’ll handle everything” I assured as I turned to get my phone from the room so I could place the order. I picked up my phone and quickly placed the order on the call from the nearest restaurant where we usually visit.

The familiar voices echoed from the living room. I shoved my phone inside my pocket as I walked outside to meet my sister after a long time.

“Welcome jija,” I said cheerfully, embracing her and her son, Akshat.

“Jaisalmer bhi milne aaya kar,” she complained, stepping back and turning to my wife’s side.

(Come to meet me in Jaisalmer too.)

Everyone took their respective seats and Mumma joined us holding Raj and Riddhi's hands on each side.

………

“Aacha” Riddhi snuggled into my shirt, her tiny arms barely touching each other when she wrapped around my neck as I lifted her in my arms, making her rest on my shoulder.

“Yes, Riddhi” I replied, patting her back and she raised the finger of her right hand to remind me how she got hurt while closing a door an hour back.

“Aacha” She hollered, grabbing my attention on her finger and her eyes made an effort to collect the tears to prove the pain, but there was no sign of it.

Raj- Riddhi’s mumma visited for shopping with Shivu jija and Mrs. Rudra. So, in conclusion, all fathers are babysitting their respective kids.

“Akshat, stop using the mobile. Any plan to get yourself specs?” Aditya Jijosa taunted, taking the phone away and encouraging him to play with Raj who was on a mission to redecorate the living room’s condition by throwing things here and there.

“Raj, stop this. Aapke mumma aakr bahut daatege” I said, placing Riddhi on the sofa and heading to stop Raj.

(Raj, stop this. Your mom will come and scold you a lot.)

“Kisko? Aapko?” Rudra asked with a tease. Rudra is Aditya Jijosa’s elder brother who is married to Swati Bhabhisa and they are blessed with a daughter after eight years of marriage. They arrived an hour later as they were driving here in another car.

(Who? To you?)

“He still blushes the same as he did the next morning after his wedding ” Aditya Jijosa joined him. “Love should never grow old, Mr. Aditya Singh Rathore” I replied, glancing at their faces only to hear “Author chose to reply in his style”

Our conversation was interrupted hearing the footsteps approaching in the living room only to see our respective ladies marking their entry.

“I hope the kids didn’t trouble you all” Shivu jija commented,  placing the bags on the table and Geetanjali headed inside the kitchen maybe to get glasses of water.

Giving them an excuse to get chocolates for the kids, I made my way to the kitchen only to see pouring water from the bottle into the glasses placed on the kitchen counter.

“Need anything?” she asked, closing the cap of the bottle and placing it back in the fridge.

“Nothing. I thought you might need my help” I replied, opening the fridge to get chocolates as a part of the excuse that made it possible for me to be here with my wife.

She shook her head at my words and walked outside gripping the tray with her fingers and I followed her.

“Akshat is so naughty that one day we got a complaint from his classmate’s parents informing  them how he had snatched their daughter's food.” Aditya Jijosa spoke, taking a glass from the tray.

“That’s true. On one instance, I asked him not to scribble anything on the wall” Shivu jija paused when Geetanjali offered her a glass and Mrs.Rudra continued “and the very next moment he rushed out of the room with Rudra’s pens and what did we find? He drew lines over the newly painted wall of the living room”

We laughed hearing the mischievous acts of him.

“Niha is still a baby. We can’t predict her plans to trouble us” Rudra joined, sharing his opinion on his eleven-month-old daughter, Niharika aka Niha.

“Rudra, she does. She’ll stay awake all night asking me not to leave her even for a second” his wife commented, taking their daughter out of the cot and Raj Riddhi stood in front of her, holding her hand.

“That’s true Swati Bhabhisa. To be a parent isn't easy. Being attentive and keeping an eye on them is actually a tricky task” Aditya Jijosa said while Geet and I stared at each other.

“Raj Riddhi won’t damage anything apart from the cushions. They are really calm when it comes to cooperating with us.” Geetanjali proudly stated meeting my gaze.

“Yeah, they are stubborn if we don’t let them eat their favorite food items but they have never taken an initiative like other kids such as scribbling on the walls, or jumping on the beds with their shoes. Overall….” My words paused when Geetanjali rushed towards Raj, who was holding Niharika’s fingers with his mouth wide. I strode to pick him up and got back in my seat.

“Raj, Abhi toh tere mumma papa taarif kiye. Tumne unko galat prove kar diya”  Shivu Jija announced sarcastically.

(Raj, your mom and dad just praised you. You’ve proven them wrong.)

He raised his hand pointing at me and started repeating the same two words “Aasa mele” He calls me aasa/aacha as he is unable to properly use the term aapsa.

“Aapka hi hu. Par Niha ki fingers kyu kha rahe the?” I asked, looking at him but his hand tapped on my chest claiming as his father.

(I'm yours. But why were you biting Niha's fingers?)

“Ohhh, shopping jaane se pehle aap keh rahe the na Niha ko mai rakh leta hu aur Raj inhe de dete hai. Niha ke papa aap ho. Majak ko seriously le lia aapke bete ne” His mumma decoded his words earning everyone’s chuckle.

(Oh, you were saying before going shopping that you'd keep Niha and give Raj to them. Niha's dad is you. Your son took the joke seriously.)

Having our lunch, the Rathores left for Amritsar as they were invited by their clients.

…………

AFTER A WEEK

GEET’S POV

“Avu, hurry up” Mumma’s voice echoed through the walls of the Shaktawat's house.

“Avu jija, shaadi ek mahine baad hai. Itna bhi kya ready ho rahi ho?” Kavya said loudly, joining Mumma as she poured the dog food for Coco in the bowl.

(Avu jija, the wedding is a month away. Why are you getting ready so much?)

“Ha mere bachche,” she said softly, patting Coco’s back. Riddhi joined sitting beside her, folding her legs and her small hands reaching to its fur.

“Mumma, it’s already 10 am. Shopping mai wese bhi aap ladies late karte ho” Dhruv mentioned, shoving his phone inside as he stepped down from the staircase.

“Your beloved student is making us wait, jijosa” Kavya pointed, rising from the floor while her hands grabbed Riddhi.

“I’m sorry everyone.”

Our eyes shifted to my sister’s direction as she hurriedly descended from upstairs.

“Avantika, kehdona mere best friend ne rokkr rakha tha” Dhruv teased, pressing his lips to refrain from bursting into laughter revealing, as his thumb and pinky finger made a call sign.

(Avantika, tell us clearly,my best friend has stopped you.)

“Dhruv Jijosa, your best friend isn’t the only one who calls me all day.” She shot back, walking outside while we followed her, settling inside the car.

Dhruv fastened his seatbelt as he was in charge of driving us to the showroom as we wanted to purchase poshaks for Avantika’s wedding. Kavya sat beside him on the passenger’s seat, making Raj sit on her lap. I sat in the middle of Mumma and Avantika as Riddhi stubbornly made us agree to stay with her Avu maasi throughout the way.

“Well, Dhruv Jijosa, how did you manage to make an irreplaceable place in my sister's life?” Kavya asked teasingly, winking at me through the rearview mirror.

“Kavya, mumma hai kuch bhi,” I said firmly, leaning and smacking her.

“jija yaar” She responded, running her hand through her hair as she managed to move to the corner of the seat.

“Bhagwan jaane mere jijosa ko kitne belan padte honge!” I heard Kavya speaking.

“Aisa bhi kuch nahi hai. Aapke jija mere saamne angry bird nahi bante” I watched his eyes smiling through the mirror as the car turned left.

(That's not true. Your jija doesn't act like an angry bird in front of me.)

“Raj beta, sach sach batao. Aapke aapsa ko daant padti hai aapke mumma se?”  Kavya asked, turning her head to watch us while Mumma’s hand actioned to seal her mouth.

(Raj, tell me the truth. Does your aapsa get scolded by your mumma?)

“Nahi, mumma kissie karte hai”

I buried my face in my palms while I heard everyone bursting into laughter.

“Idhar” He continued.

(Here)

“Acha, gaal par” Kavya mentioned as I didn't lift my head.

(Oh, on the cheek)

“Mumma, aap jara Raj ko apne paas rakho. Kavya ke asar ho rahe hai mere bete par” Dhruv said as I lifted my head to notice them watching me.

(Mom, please keep Raj with you. Kavya is having an effect on my son.)

“Kavya, shut up” Avanti interrupted as her hands made Riddhi stand to watch out through the closed window.

“As you say Mrs.Garv Singh Chauhan” She flipped her hair.

The car halted in front of the showroom and everyone stepped outside.

“Geetanjali,” I looked back hearing my husband's voice.

“Ji kahiye” I replied, turning on my sandals, eyeing him approaching me.

“Aap itna sharma kyu rahi thi car mai?”

(Why were you feeling so shy in the car?)

“Mai?” I acted as if I didn't understand his words.

“Hanji aap. Raj wahi kahega jo ghar par dekhta hai. Apni Kavya Maasi par gaya hai ye secret reveal karne mai” He spoke while his hand covered his eyes with sunglasses.

(Yes, that's true. Raj will say what he sees at home. He has taken after  Kavya Maasi in revealing secrets.)

“Ha. But… Mumma the na. Acha thodi lagta hai”  I managed to speak, noticing our presence standing in front of the showroom gate.

“We’re going to complete five years as husband and wife this 27th December”

“But you haven't changed. You're the same Dhruv whom I have known since day one” I smiled observing his lips lifting.

“Ab chaliye Rainbow, warna aapki behen ko ek aur mauka milega” He chuckled, wrapping his arm around my shoulder as we walked inside.

(Now let's go, Rainbow, or your sister will get another chance.)

“But I must agree” He leaned “You're looking beautiful in this pink saree” he whispered but I nudged him away sensing him cutting the gap.

“Don't make me blush Dhruv” I said, pressing my lips as my eyes noticed Mumma and my sisters were busy enquiring with the salesperson.

“That's my duty, Riddhi ke mumma,” he responded instantly, pressing his lips on my head.

•••••••

I hope you all had great time meeting your favorite Deora family after many months.

I missed them too. (But it's really tough for me to write kid's scenes)