Bonne lecture!

31/05/2020 — HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO WHOEVER BORN ON THIS DATE!

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Ten to seven in the morning, the sun rose, spreading its rays all around itself, waking up the Eastern part of the world. Birds celebrating the new day as they flew to their new destinations, chanting morning rhymes in freedom, slowly mingling with the hustle bustle on Earth.

The sudden brightness infiltrated the room, and her beauty sleep was broken as she frowned, before rubbing the sleep off her eyes. She slowly stretched her arms in the air and released her lids sleepily, as she took her phone to notice a text message sent a few hours ago, popping on her screen.

'Good morning, my beautiful roses. Hope you had a great sleep, missing me.'

Her smile grew wider as she read the first line.

'Just to inform you that I am about to board and fly back in a few minutes, I probably should reach there by noon. Can't wait to see you, I missed you so much. Tell her that her bear is not going to leave her once back.'

"Neither would she.", she thought to herself when she felt something moving behind her.

'Gotta go, now. See you soon, love.', and the last message was concluded with a 'red heart' emoji that made her grin, as she sent a reply message before leaving the device on the nightstand.

She slowly changed her position and smiled wider at the adorable sight in front of her, in a deep slumber. In the softest way, she brushed the little hair off her face and dropped a kiss on the small face when she felt her moving a little. She quickly patted on her left arm.

"Oh, oh. Alright, mumma is not disturbing you. Sleep, sleep.", she whispered, chuckling internally, as the baby seemed to fall asleep.

She turned her head to the balcony door, from where the rays were thrown, while the kid rolled to lay on her tummy side showing her back to the sun.

"Aww, poor doll.", she cooed in her ears and went to close the long curtains, before looking back at a relaxed baby sleeping in between the pillow-made walls. She quickly corrected the duvet on her and, kissing her one last time, she walked inside the bathroom.

•••

"Good morning, Amrita.", she entered the kitchen department and greeted the lady housekeeper who, busily cooking, turned to smile at her. "Good morning, Zoya didi. You woke up early today, isn't it your day off?", she asked.

"It is, but I just couldn't sleep longer. He is also coming back today, so thought of preparing something for lunch.", she replied as she took a pan to make some coffee.

"Oh, matlab bhaisaab is coming, so you are not able to sleep. Okay okay, samjhi main.", she mischievously grinned at her boss lady as she frowned back. "Don't you forget I am still your employer, don't get too nosy, miss." (I understand)

The young girl's eyes widened in fear as she stammered, "S... sorry... sorry, didi... I didn't mea..." Her blabbering stopped when she heard the woman's sweet laughter, looking at her scared state. "Kya aap bhi, didi?", she scrunched her nose whining like a kid and turned back to continue her work. "You always do that."

"Accha, sorry. Now let's get fast and have something before little shehzaadi wakes up. Though I hope she might not, since she slept quite late last night.", saying so, she poured the milk in the pan to boil, helping Amrita cook the breakfast. (Princess)

They shared some morning coffee while cooking, when they heard the doorbell ringing.

"Who is this, early in the morning?", she muttered to herself and walked out to receive the man at the door. "Oh, hey there, Karan!"

"Hi, Zoya di. I... I actually went for a walk, and... I got this for Diya baby. Thought she might like it.", told the young man, as he showed her a stuffed elephant plush toy double the kid's size, making her laugh amused.

"This must be the thirtieth gift you would have brought for her, as an excuse to meet you-know-who.", said she in a teasing tone, crossing her arms against her chest while he scratched the back of his head embarrassed. "Now that you are here, come in and join us for breakfast. And, please. Don't use my poor baby's name as an excuse next time."

He pouted as she turned back, and the both reached the dining table, Zoya asking him to sit until they brought out the dishes.

"Who was it, didi?", asked Amrita as she filled the bowl of chutney, out of the grinder. "Your special guest.", she said, stressing on the middle word willingly.

She noticed the reddening cheeks of the young woman, knowing who she was referring to, before she hid herself. "See, I have no issues with your man coming here like this, but you both have to stay on your limits. While you would be living here, far from home, you are our responsibility. Am I clear?", she lectured making her nod awkwardly. "Now, will we just stay here watching you blush, or shall we have something first? I am feeling hungry, too.", she said with a chuckle trying to cheer her up, and they brought the dishes out for their Saturday breakfast ritual.

They suddenly heard a childlike sound coming from one of the rooms, in between their meal. "You guys carry on, I will be back."

Stepping in their bedroom, she neared the bedpost with a smile, taking into the little silhouette sitting back facing the lady, soft cries as if looking for someone yet not moving out of the pillow borders scared.

"Good morning, jaan.", the familiar voice made the toddler crane her neck behind her and a wide sound smile erupted realizing someone came to her. She took a u-turn and crawled to her mother excitedly, the latter taking a seat on the edge. Her tiny palms fell on her thighs asking the lady to lift her and she did as ordered to, when the elated baby happily jumped. "Seems like someone is very happy today."

She clasped her fingers on her suit and dropped some open-mouthed wet kisses on her mother's face, giving her share of morning love, making the lady laugh. She then faced her mumma with a satisfied smile before looking at the chain around her neck and held it in her tiny fingers, mumbling uncomprehending words to herself while trying to get it in her mouth.

"I know, this little tummy of yours is feeling hungry. Let's fill it with yum-yum, umm?", as she cooed in her ear, she ticklishly nuzzled her nose tip in her little neck, her sweet giggles filling the air.

Taking her to the bathroom, Zoya quickly washed the baby's face and changed the dirty diaper to a fresh one, all while struggling to keep a hyper kid still.

"Meri jaan, just one minute. Mumma is almost done cleaning you.", baby Diya was almost begged as the young mother stopped her from turning on her back, while the talc powder bottle on her left was more interesting to look at. She tried to catch the big bottle when Zoya kept it farther before it mistakenly fell on her, the child's eyes following the moving bottle confused. Until she was pulled up a little so as to wear her jumpsuit, the distracted kid smiling while sucking her fist.

"Umm, feeling clean, now? Shall we have some breakfast?", she carried the dressed up girl and the latter sitting on her hip, they walked out to the hall area where Karan and Amrita were busy talking to each other, waiting for the mother and daughter.

Seeing the young people, Diya emitted a happy sound, welcoming her friends who smiled warmly.

He clapped his hands showing excitement. "Hello, baby girl. Finally, we were waiting for you only, since long. Look what Karan uncle has got for you."

He took up the toy kept on the chair beside him and walked to her. She was to take it from him when the young man lifted her in his arms, letting her play with her new toy.

Adoring her cute antics as she was pulling on the big ear, he playfully rubbed the animal's face on hers, making her emit a soft sound, while the ladies set the table.

•••

"Amrita, here. Have this, and enjoy your small vacation back home with family.", she forwarded a small bundle of notes to the younger woman, as she narrowed her brows.

"Kya, didi? There is no need for this. You have already given enough.", she asked, while checking on the little baby on the ground busy playing with her toys. "You please keep it inside."

"That's alright, Amrita. You are going to meet your family after a while. I know you must have some spendings to do. Don't feel shy. Think of this as a little gift to your siblings on our behalf.", replied she with a smile as she kept the money in her bag.

"Thank you, didi.", she said emotionally before falling in her arms. "Come on, you are calling me didi, and then thanking me."

They pulled away from the embrace and, putting the bag on her shoulder, Amrita was ready to go when Zoya lifted the little kid from the floor.

She slowly bent to the child's level, who was looking around in confusion. "Bye, Diyu baby. Ammu is going to meet her papa, mah, and her brothers and sisters, and will be back to you very soon. I will miss you sho much, my love. Be a good baby with mumma, don't be much difficult. I know, my Diya baby is not like that, hai na Diya?", she sweetly cooed, rubbing her nose against hers and the baby, listening to her and seeing the shoulder bag on her, realized she was planning to go out. She leaned forward and opened her tiny arms for Amrita to hold her, while Zoya tightened her grip strongly.

"Diya, Amrita is going home. Mumma and baby will stay here, and go out later with papa.", yet she did not understand her words and called for her helper didi to pick her up. "Come, baby. We will watch our favourite cartoon together, umm?"

Saying so, she discreetly sent the woman off and walked to the balcony, distracting the eight-month-old kid showing the birds flying high in the air. The innocent baby smiled at the creatures forming a letter 'V' as they were reaching their destination, the little being on her balcony waving her small chubby hand, before putting her fist in her mouth while leaning on her mother's shoulder. When suddenly the sound of a plane flying echoed in the air, making her look up once again.

Zoya looked down at her daughter's face who was keenly listening to the flight from a distance, and tightening her embrace, she kissed her temple tenderly.

"Don't worry! Your papa is coming home, baby. He will be there in a few hours.", and the little girl looked back at her mother, before she shifted her focus on the flower plant hanging beside her head, trying to hit it. "No way, Ms. Hooda. I love you, but I won't let you break my plants like this."

Before she could jump out of her to catch the pot, the elder woman took her to the egg swing chair and, sitting on her mother's lap, Diya stared at the clouds moving slowly like a snail, giggling at her mother giving them names, before leaning back on the lady lazily, fidgeting her fingers around her feet. Zoya smiled and, caressing her hair, she kissed on the top of her head, remembering those first memories, from the minute they emotionally held and smiled at their new born, wrapped in the pink towel.

"Our beautiful little angel.", she whispered to herself.

•••

"Baby shark, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo,
Baby shark, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo,
Baby shark, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo,
Baby shark."

Sitting on the floor, facing the television screen that was fixed on the wall, the little Diya was enjoying her favourite song videos while playing with her teddy bear, sucking her dummy, when she heard her mother's singing nearing her eardrums.

"Mommy shark, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, mommy shark. Isn't it, my baby?", Zoya childishly cooed and ruffled her little hair before moving to the balcony to get the dry clothes inside, while her tiny orbs followed her mother's walk.

She was about to join the lady when, all by sudden, the doorbell echoed in the living room once again in the day. Forgetting about her previous act, she crawled to the main door.

"Having a little guess of who it could be, little butterfly?", the young mother accompanied her towards the hallways, and the little being waited for her to attend to the guest. "Baby, come here."

Still on her fours, she moved behind Zoya precautiously, and let her mother open the door for the surprise.

"Hello, beautiful lady.", the manly voice echoed from up there as baby Diya sneakily peeped out of her hideout, her small fist holding her mother's palazzo until a wide-open smile appeared on her face, unknowingly dropping her pacifier.

Aditya dropped a kiss on his wife's forehead when they heard a squealing laugh, and looked down at the little girl excitedly crawling towards him, before holding her arms up for him to hold her.

"Hi, baby. Here is our gorgeous little princess.", Aditya bent on his knees and she tapped his arms encouraging him to lift her, the two adults chuckling in amusement. "Oh, even I was missing my little cuddle bear. Now, come here, little girl."

Saying so, he pulled her in his arms and dropped continuous kisses on her cheek, the ticklish sensation making her giggle sweetly, while Zoya adored the two. He slowly pulled away and rubbed his nose against her tinier one, as he said, "Alright, just wait here a little with mumma, papa needs to freshen up. Okay, bugaboo?", he said, putting his pilot hat on her little head.

He left her down on the ground and stood up, while she softly took it off her eyes. Seeing her father walking away, Diya got back on her fours and followed the man at a quick pace along the corridor towards their bedroom, and reached the attached-bathroom door.

Before she could get in, she felt someone pulling her up in the air, and turned back to fall on her mother. "Baby, no. You just had your milk, you can't take your shower now."

She whined and protested, trying to jump in Aditya's arms who was back from washing his hands and face, looking at the two with a smile, while the poor woman struggled to hold her straight. "Mumma said no, little lady. And you, Aditya. You could help a little, at least, instead of smiling like an idiot."

He blinked his eyes and leaned down to kiss on her soft hair, making her look up, arms still stretched for him to save her from angry bird mumma. Eyes teary, she sucked her lower lip sadly while staring at her father, the latter getting conscious.

"Baby, don't do this to me. You know papa can't resist this.", he pouted and pecked on the little nose tip in the middle of her face, giving her the cue to grab his neck in her arms.

Left with no choice, he took her from her hold. "Zoya, it's okay. Let's just not disturb her more.", said he before dropping a peck on her arm wrapped around him.

She sighed. "Guess you have made it for her nap time, Aditya.", chuckled the young woman while watching her lean her head on his shoulder, eyes closed as she sucked on her thumb finger tiredly. Zoya softly pulled her hand out of her mouth and before her wails came out, she delicately pushed the clean pacifier in, the little girl gladly accepting it and keeping it right in her mouth.

"Now, let's get our little princess to bed fast. Lunchtime will have to wait.", he whispered as he sat down, the little one excitedly taking her place before snuggling into him. "And I will get the food out and heated for you, then."

•••

The sun started to set, Mumbai's heat slowly shooed by the evening breeze and, the toddler on her feet as they were holding her hand each, the trio went for a stroll in the nearby park. Excited to be out of those same walls, the baby girl practiced some big steps, hitting her shoes hard on the ground, the path half empty giving them enough space. While grinning wide at her parents one after the other as they worked on matching her pace. They raced a little faster, her innocent laugh increasing as she played along, careful not to fall, before he pulled her upper to make her sit on his shoulders. And the view from up there had her elated, tapping her free palm on his head composing her own music, Aditya discretely hissing while Zoya chuckled at his face.

"Do you know how much that hurts? Stop laughing!", whined he.

They spent their dinnertime in a fancy family restaurant on their way back home, Diya busy playing with her toy elephant seated on the high chair, leaving the couple to eat in peace. But, oh well, parents knew more than to hope for a silent baby. And the toddler soon felt bored being away from their hold, willing to stay on their lap. Zoya reluctantly lifted her out as she pouted with her arms open for either of them.

"Now, please stay tranquil, at least till mumma finishes eating. Is that okay?", she slightly tilted her head cooing the words in her ear, when their baby innocently craned her neck to face her. Happy to be sitting among her parents, Diya ignored what she was told and emitted a shy squeak, cupping her mouth before pulling her mother by her neck. She slowly managed to turn and lay tummy side towards her mother, her tiny arms still wrapping the lady, and pushed her feet trying to reach her face, a little push by mumma as a help. Cranky baby needed more attention than the food.

"Here, have this, baby.", Aditya held the small plastic spoon, with a pinch of melted butterscotch ice cream for her to taste. She gladly sucked the tip, taking into the flavour. Until the cold cream made her cringe and shiver adorably while the two of them chuckled at her face. She looked up at her father and leaned into the dessert cup for another spoon, when he playfully picked it away from her reach. "Let me, princess."

He brushed the cream delicately and flew it down to her lips as she innocently licked the spoon before wrapping it in her mouth. She pulled it out and looked at white piece, waving it in the air playfully. "Fine! I will get myself another spoon, Miss."

"And... here is my baby's soft bed.", whispered Aditya as he carefully put the sleeping baby in her crib, the soft baby moving to a comforting position as she landed in her dreamworld.

Tucking her underneath the warm sheet, he caressed her tiny fist that was lying above her head. Her fingers slowly loosening to grab his, before she rolled on her tummy. A chuckle came out of his mouth while watching his kid hold her papa back, as if asking him to be hers only for the night. He was about to say something when he felt two arms sneaking around his waist before being warmly engulfed in the sweet embrace of his lady.

"I shall get some of your attention too, janaab. I am your wife, in case you have forgotten me.", she childishly whined against his back. "Diya was not the only one missing you, alright?", as he scoffed at her reaction.

He was about to turn to face her when the tight grip on his hand restricted him to move, making him sigh. "Handling two women is certainly not an easy job, you see?"

Zoya pulled away a little and peeked at their toddler unconsciously pulling on Aditya's finger, growing on her face a smile of gratitude to her Allah for the blessing, as she leaned her head against his arm. She encircled it with hers and they stood there staring at the baby in a peaceful slumber, before she looked up and dropped a lingering kiss on his beard.

Perfectly trimmed the way she loved it.

"Is it me, or does my handsome man look even more dashing tonight? What would you call that? Haan, looking so irrésistible.", she stared at his side profile, her hand caressing his face. "Looking sho cute, too.", suddenly pulling on his cheek as she smiled babyishly.

While staring into her eyes with a mischievous grin, he smoothly freed his finger from the grip, before tucking her loose hair behind her ear. When he carried her up in his arms making her gasp in surprise.

"Had already lulled one baby to sleep, I shall take care of the other one now.", said he in his husky tone and walked to the bed, her arms around his neck as they laughed shyly.

•••

"Seventy-three... seventy-four... seventy-five...", Aditya panted while counting his push-ups in a soft muttering voice, as he glanced at his little girl seated before him who was busy pulling the teddy's eye. "Seventy-nine... eighty... uff! Diya baby, papa needs a booster kiss. Come here, please."

Hearing her name, she looked up at the man sweating after the thirty-minutes-long workout, and, leaving her toy aside, she crawled to her father. Setting her bum on the ground once closer to his position, she stared at his face and clapped her hands encouragingly. He smiled wide at her cheering and blew a kiss for her to giggle shyly, before dropping an open-mouthed peck on his cheek.

"Aww, thank you, baby. Now, papa is all fresh to do more.", he playfully cooed in her ear, making her smile ticklish before standing on her legs holding onto him. He stopped his exercise and sat on his knees, lifting the toddler high in the air. "Who is flying high, now? Uh?", her laughter filled the room, her fist in her mouth as if she controlled her laughs.

He left her back on the floor, the toddler on her knees while looking at him, before throwing her hands in the air asking for more. "I shall thank mumma for cutting your nails often, now."

Zoya walked out of the attached bathroom while tying the knot at the back of her dress, when she fell on the both of them sharing an Eskimo peck. "Both father and daughter seem to be having fun early in the morning itself, that too leaving mumma aside."

The man rolled his eyes up to look at his wife facing the dressing mirror, as she took the damp white cloth off her hair, leaving her hair open, sliding down her back. Pushing them aside on her left shoulder, she let her wet back free to his sight and adorned her hairline with red vermilion sindoor, a midnight blue bindi between her brows completing the routine minimal make-up. Unaware of his focus drawn at her as she slid her fingers through her drenched tresses, before counting the wet drops on her bare skin, rolling down beneath her top.

The little Diya smiled at her mother and crawled to her mother, holding the chiffon-made cloth in her tiny fists when she hugged her leg and dropped her open mouth on her saree, remembering their morning kiss ritual.

She looked down at her baby chuckling and bent down, as she pulled her in her arms, the tiny being snuggling against her.

"Aww, so much of love for mumma, that too when papa is home? What happened to you, Ms. Diya Aditya Hooda, huh?", she cooed in her ear and dropped continuous kisses on her chubby cheeks, the little attention-seeker elated tapping on her chest.

"Papa also wants some morning lovey-dovey.", saying so, he engulfed Zoya in his embrace, leaving butterfly pecks on her face making her giggle heartedly like a child. "Aditya... you are sweating... leave me..."

And she pulled away from his hold, letting the kid move on her own, before standing on her own feet. She was to walk away when he held her back, pulling on her wrist as he managed to stand up. "Aditya, what..."

"I remember someone asking for my attention last night, and now she is running away from her dear husband...", he whispered as he stepped closer to Zoya, tightly holding her wrist in his fingers before pulling her closer.

"Aditya! Please, Diya is here...", she tried to move away but in vain. "Well, that 'please' was more pleasing to hear last night."

"Hathiye! I won't let you touch me if you keep teasing me like this.", she protested whining. "Stop denying, you love when I tease you.", he smirked.

A loud babyish noise in the room suddenly stopped their morning romance and turning their heads to the sound, they fell on the little doll pouting at her parents, her arms unknowingly crossed against her chest, needing some attention from the both of them. She angrily threw her arms in the air expressing her disappointment, while they shared a look before laughing at the drama queen.

In the genes.

~•~•~•~

End of A Day At Hoodas & Co

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© a shrucreationsx' pen work

~•~•~•~

Hola, Watty familia!
Hope you are all doing good, although the pandemic. Because positivity and smiling through the hurdles are much-needed renforts in difficult times.

Just a very light, no-drama specially for Queen's birthday as well as celebrate Mummies' Day yesterday.

I shall edit later, sorry.

Until next time,

With love,

Shuruthy.