PS : anyone here to volunteer and help this poor thing choose better titles? Thank you very much. *cry cry cry*

Bonne lecture!

26/11/2021 — have a good day, you! ♥️🧿

// ∞ ௐ ∞ //

"Papa, are we there yet?" Aditya looked up at the rearview mirror when he noticed little Zayid's pouty face staring back at him from his booster seat.

Zoya turned to look at the boy. "Are you okay, baby?" to which the innocent kid mumbled, "I want to do su-su."

"But it has not even been an hour since we left, Golu," she asked him, while sadness and embarrassment were expressed on the child's face. Mumma said not to have more than a juice box, yet seeing the last small carton left in the cupboard, he was no more able to resist the desire to have a second one hiding in the kitchen.

"Zoya, it's okay. You don't worry, champ, we are almost there. Look, that's the park near daadu's place. Means we are almost there," Aditya replied in conviction and the kid slowly nodded his head in yes, fisting his hand tightly not to do anything that could anger his parents. And it was not left unseen by the elder sister sitting beside, between the two baby seats.

Poor Golu.

Zayid quickly unfastened his seatbelt on his own the minute their father turned into the familiar street and, without waiting for everyone to get off the car, ran inside the house to his grandparents, his sister's voice trailing behind to stop him.

"Golu, careful beta... Ya Allah, this kid is unbelievable," muttered Zoya when she heard someone calling for her.

"Mumma... he—p!" stretching out her little grabby hands, the toddler was begging her mother to get her out of the uncomfortable chair.

"Mumma, let me handle Aayu! You help papa," nodding at her mother, the little girl put her pink Minnie backpack over her shoulders.

She smoothly released her baby sister from the safety lock and carefully lifted her off the baby seat, as she slowly walked out the car following Diya. Scared to get off the high car on her own, she whined at her elder sister and was finally carried all the way inside the mansion, leaving the parents to bring their own things.

Once standing in front of the entrance left open, she gently left the little girl on her feet when they heard the familiar voice coming from inside. "Daadi!"

The loud echo shooed the lady of the house Anjana, who was ordering Marcus and Victor to get the snacks ready, as her face broke into a wide smile turning to see her granddaughters running to her. Diya reached her first and hugged the old woman's legs, holding her tight with her brightest smile, when the younger Aayat stopped watching them. A tint of sadness growing on her baby face. "Aayu want hug..."

"Oh, oh, now don't cry and come here, my little doll," saying so, she picked the toddler standing by them up, the latter smiling broadly at her daadi before dropping an open-mouth kiss of joy and gratitude on her not-so-wrinkled face.

Zayid was coming out of the common bathroom when he saw his sisters talking to their grandmother sitting on the sofa, and ran to them with a sweet giggle. "Daadi, I am here."

"Um, did you wash your hands clean?" asked Anjana and he showed his little palms up, "with hand wash gel," as he replied the same, he climbed up and sat beside the old lady before being pulled in her embrace.

Sitting on the other side, Diya asked, "Daadi, where is daadu? And haven't Aahil and Nethu come yet?"

"Well, your chachu called a little while ago, they would be here within a few minutes. And about your daadu, he is upstairs in the room. Talking on the phone, like always," whispering the last words in a mocking tone, she explained.

As soon as the elder kid was done asking for everyone, they heard the loud footsteps running in the hallways and came in two kids, twinning in their summer outfits, a wide laughter of excitement as they fell on the familiar people in the drawing room.

"Ayy! Diya appi? Aayu baby? Golu!" they excitedly chorused and everyone shared a warm hug, the youngest baby giggling in between her elder siblings.

Walking down the stairs hearing the loud commotion, Harshvardhan grinned at his playful grandkids. "Accha? All the love, for daadi only? Daadu is sad," as he sat on the armchair adjacent to the big couch, when the children looked up at their old man.

"Daadu, and daadi. Both, we love you!" a wider smile on his lips at little Nethra's response, he lifted her up on his lap before having the twin brother jump on him, making the elder couple laugh.

"Oh, oh! Aahil, beta your grandfather is no more a strong young man. Careful not to break anything inside!" teased Anjana.

"Daadu still looks young and cool, daadi. Don't be jealous, uh," said Diya back in defense, saving herself with her adorableness, while Anjana faked her anger. "Does it mean that I look like an old person, young girl?"

She playfully raised her chin up, tapping her index finger on it as if thinking. "Maybe," she paused in her words and checked on the woman, when her laughter broke the silence. "But I know that our daadi is the most beautiful, and the best daadi in the world."

Saying so, she wrapped her arms around her neck in a tight embrace, her baby sister looking at them before joining the group hug along with the other kids, daadu adoring the sight in awe. Exactly, when sweet short-eats with fruit juice were being served, syncing to the younger couples entering the house together, holding the various bags for the night stay.

"Aahil, Nethra, you both could have at least taken your own little bags. They are filled with your toys only, they are not even so heavy," Noor complained at her twins, the two munchkins safely snuggling into their grandfather.

"Noor beta, don't be mad at them. Little ones were just too excited to meet each other, and their daadu, that they might have forgotten. You could have called someone to bring them for you," convinced Harshvardhan with a smile, caressing the children sitting on his lap.

Arjun noticed the sad kitten eyes of his babies staring back at their mother and tried to calm his wife down, "Noor, at least don't get angry at the kids here, love. Look how happy they are to meet everyone," he held her by the shoulders reassuringly, whispering the words to her ear, while she looked back at the kids.

Releasing a sigh, "I know, I am sorry. We are here to spend some family time, not to spoil the mood. Sorry, babies!" she answered and, as she held her ears in forgiveness, the two twin siblings exchanged glances before running to hug their mother.

"Sorry mumma, don't be angry! We won't do it again, pomise," they replied back in unison, the others watching the trio with a smile.

Soon, Diya along with Zayid and baby Aayat were found in their embrace, the former still very much close to her uncle since her childhood spent at the Hooda mansion, before both young families drifted to their own habitation around the metropolitan city. Though most of their free weekends were meant for family reunions and stays with the longing grandparents, the house filling in and turning into home.

Anjana commanded the workers to shift their things to their rooms before moving to the kitchen with her daughters-in-law. Meanwhile the kids exchanged their parents as they started sharing their week, Aayat standing on the couch as she hugged her father by his neck and running around to check on everyone seated, earning some playful glares from her mother when she walked out to take care of the needs.

✺

"Alright, you children might be tired from traveling. Go take some rest for a while. We will call you back for dinner," the elders were around the coffee table for some chit chatting in the vast lawn outside, until Harshvardhan suggested the same, the four of them agreeing and ready to move when Zayid and his twinning buddies walked to their parents.

"We are not tired. Can we play?" asked they while Zayid smiled at his mother convincingly. "Please, mumma?"

"Well, if you want to, then fine. Go and play, but not alone here. Only inside the house, and no naughty acts. If you need anything, then..." she was enumerating the orders when Diya stopped her. "Mumma, don't worry. I will be with them too," knowing how to convince the concerned parents.

Seeing the elder siblings running inside, the youngest baby was about to follow their steps when Aditya picked her up playfully, as they were to reach their rooms to rest. "Come here, you! Where are you going like this?"

"Appi... Aayu p—ay..." said she holding her pout as she stretched her arms for her sister. "You also want to p—ay with them? You are also a big girl and don't want to take a nap, um?" he asked back, nuzzling his nose in her hair while taking her to the children.

"Ap... appi...", she made a cry face and fake whimpered, biting her lower lip as he surrendered. "Alright, alright! You go to appi only. Papa will not take you away."

Such drama queens I have.

"Appi, let's play ball," proposed Aahil as he held his favourite plastic toy in his arms, when Nethra corrected her brother before Diya could say anything. "No, Aahil. Mumma said no ball inside the house."

"Nethra is right, Aahil. We can play the ball later outside," saying so, they all went into thinking when they saw Aditya walking in with Aayat.

"What are you guys thinking about? Are you not playing anything?" he questioned as he bent down on his knees, still holding the toddler.

Zayid ran to his father. "Papa, you also play with us. Ma—jaa aaega," he smiled wide showing his teeth as he held his hand. (It will be fun)

"You guys go and have fun, I..." he slowed down as he saw Zoya going into their room. "I will rest a little, okay?" with that said, he left Aayat on her feet. "Keep Aayu with you! She wants to play too."

"But papa, Aayu..." Diya was reluctant not willing to hurt her sister, while the overjoyed toddler immediately stood by her appi holding her t-shirt in her small fist.

"Well, think of a game in which you guys can keep her with you, without harming her," he helped them decide.

After a few seconds of reflection, they all suggested the same. "Hide-and-seek!"

The amused parent chuckled at them and stood straight. "Beautiful! Now, be careful, uh? Don't lock up yourselves in any room while playing, and you can't go far away from this house. Understood?"

"Ji, tau papa. We will stay here," Nethra confirmed with her prettiest smile and Aditya ruffled her hair. "That's like my good girl. Now, have fun!" whispering the last, he let the children on their own, knowing they were all at reach if anything, including the housekeepers. (Tau — uncle/father's elder brother)

✺

"And... caught you, Aahil!" Nethra jumped in excitement, clapping her hands as she found her last target, hidden behind the wall-length curtain.

The others came out and they laughed at their first game. "Now, who appi?"

"Now... you caught Aahil last, no?" the younger girl nodded her head in yes. "Then we all hide, while he counts."

"Till?" little Aahil asked in concern when she giggled. "You count till... twenty. No, no thirty. Is that okay for you?"

He innocently shook his head in approval and closed his eyes, "One... two... th—ee..." he started at a slow pace, giving the cue for the others to run away and find a hideout.

Taking her baby sister's responsibility, safely holding her hand, Diya looked for a good place that could cover the both of them up when her eyes fell on the grand-looking sculpture of Buddha in the lawn area inside.

"Chal, Aayu baby! Don't make any noise!" she whispered to her sibling who imitated her keeping a finger in front of her mouth, as they sneakily ran to hide behind the big form.

On the other hand, Zayid continued his quest of a convenient hideout as well, when he saw the bar counter. He was about to use it when Nethra stopped him. "No, Golu! Taayi mumma warned us not to stay by daadu's juice area," she whispered innocently. (Taayi — aunt/father's elder brother's wife)

Upset his idea failed to work out, "I know. Let me go!" as he pulled his hand away, the little girl held a finger in front of her mouth and ran to seek a place to lurk, when he saw the housekeeper uncle entering the hidden dark room.

"Nethu, let's go there!" he smiled and rushed to the room as he heard their brother counting against the hallway wall.

Nethra seemed hesitant but seeing him moving alone, she followed him to the storeroom, looking around in fear. "Golu, why is this place so dark?" she asked as she held onto his t-shirt. "Shhh... we are here to hide. Don't make noise!"

They found a spot by an old cupboard and sat hiding on the side, cupping their laughter as they were proud of staying out of anyone's sight. "They will not find us here easily."

Meanwhile, Aahil, who was already looking for his sister and cousins, carefully checked around the living area. He rushed to see behind the couch but no one was there, making him pout.

Anjana walked downstairs to check on the kids when she saw her little boy standing all the more confused, a smile growing on her face. "What happened, Aahil? Where are the others?"

He turned to his grandmother as he replied, "Daadi, we all are playing hide-and-sheek. And I have to find everyone. But... I don't know whe—e they are gone," his sad face making her go 'awww'.

Such a baby, so much like his own father.

Suddenly, she heard some giggles nearby, as she looked around with a frown when the sounds were shushed. Until her eyes fell on the red dress exceeding out of the statue, and she smiled. She softly tapped on Aahil's shoulder and whispered in her ear, as he turned his eyes towards the graceful sculpture in the lawn area. He discreetly walked to the same direction and found two of his sisters gasping at him.

"Yeeee, found appi and Aayu first, yee!" he giggled proudly while Diya stood up on her feet.

"Daadi, this is cheating," said she while holding her hands on her hips, an adorable frown on her face.

"I just helped him, this is not cheating, beta," she confessed and, at her sweet glare, she surrendered and walked away warning them again to be careful.

"Now, Golu and Nethu only missing," he said as he switched to detective mode on, intently observing every corner of the room. "Did you check there?" asked Diya as she pointed to the bar area.

"Haan, no one was there, appi," he confirmed, shaking his head in no.

Zayid and Nethra were waiting when the little boy noticed the various carton-made boxes. He stood up and walked around the place as he was curiously observing the stuff from far, when he saw the cupboard door broken and so left ajar.

"Golu, stop it! If daadi comes to know, she will be angry," Nethra lightly pulled on the hanging strap on his summer trousers requesting him to get down on the floor. "I am bored, I want to see."

She sighed and carefully held the small stool looking when he excitedly said, "Nethu, look! Photo albums!" and pulled out the small one on the top of the pile in his hands.

"I will call appi, and then we will all watch them together," saying so with a smile as sudden excitement rushed through her veins, she ran out of their hideout, forgetting the current game going on, when the twin brother and the sisters duo giggled at her.

"Yeeeee, I found Nethu. Now only Golu!" exclaimed an overjoyed Aahil before being stopped by Nethra's smile. "Appi, Aahil, Golu and I found some photo albums. Let's go and see it all together!"

"Photo albums? But... where is Golu?" asked the older girl in confusion. What was her naughty brother doing, again?

"We were hiding in that dark and dirty room, and Golu was bored. We looked around and..." she narrated without thinking much when Diya's loud gasp had them quiet.

Entering the storeroom, they fell on Golu sitting on the dusty floor, staring at the picture book between his legs in silence, a look of confusion overlaying on his face.

"Golu, what are you doing here? If mumma comes to know that you also pulled Nethu inside, then she will get angry," Diya said in a worried tone while the little boy stayed unusually silent.

The whole gang walked to him when he stood up, before staring at his sister holding up the open album. "Appi, papa ki shaadi." (Sister, papa's marriage)

"Papa ki shaadi? You mean you found some of papa and mumma's wedding photos?" she repeated in sudden excitement and they all neared to have a look when he added, "Papa hain, mumma nahin."

✺

Zoya was rearranging the bed clothes for the kids when Aditya came out of the bathroom, freshened up from their journey. He smiled at his lady and went to hold her from the back, making her smile. "Someone seems to be in a very happy mood, here."

"Well... it's not always that we get some free time without any of your monsters pestering around," he was about to snuggle closer when she pulled away from his hold, a frown on her face hearing him. "Oh, now they are my monsters. For your information, you spoiled, and is still spoiling the three of them very badly."

He held his ears, "Accha, sorry baba. They are our most adorable monsters. Now, let's not ruin the moment arguing," saying so, he sneaked his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. "And let's cherish each of these beautiful seconds of privacy," a seductive smile as he deepened his intense stare.

She shyly giggled as she continued, "Aditya, please! I need to finish this work, before helping in the kitchen for dinner. Moreover, what do you think we are? Some young newly-married couple? Let me remind you that your daughter is already eleven. The kids are no more that much innocent. What would they feel about it?"

"That their mumma papa still love each other immensely, and will always be in love. And that their romantic life will not stop even when they would have their own little monsters," replied he in a husky whisper while he rubbed his nose against hers. "Understood, jaan?"

Interrupting their moment, the loud noise of the children rushing to their room made them step back from each other. Aditya left a sigh, "Here you go, your laad beta has come to pick his mother away from her husband."

"Stop it, don't you talk like that about the babies," she lovingly narrowed her brows before turning to the door, letting their little wonders walk in.

"Aw, look Zoya, the whole five-some is here... to disturb my romance time," as she chuckled at the sight, discreetly punching his arm at the whispers in her ear.

"Mumma, papa took marriage photos without you," hearing their cadet boy's funny complaint, they exchanged glances with each other, hiding their amused faces.

"Oh, did I? And why do you think so, Golu boy?" asked he, a lopsided grin on his lips as he bent to face the kid.

"Golu, don't you remember seeing the marriage album, and the pictures on the walls at home? Like this one," continued the mother, pointing at the frame she gifted her husband on their first day.

"Then who is this aunty?" to which the couple stared in confusion and, holding his adorable pout, the little mumma's boy suddenly pushed the small album upper to his father's face having him jerk at the suddenness. "Who is this aunty, papa?" an accusatory tone slipping out of his words.

Taking the small collection in his hand, the parent frowned at the picture, before he stood on his feet to notice Zoya's doubtful expression. She rolled her eyeballs down to the book in his hand when her face showed nervousness.

"Papa, who is this aunty?" he repeated his question once again, pulling their attention back on him. "Why mumma is not in the photos? What is this aunty doing here? You also look different from the photos at home. Is this an old photo?"

The kids aside looked at the interrogatory in silence before rolling their eyes towards Aditya, the change of emotion in his clearer to the eldest of them as she looked back and forth between her parents.

"Golu, where did you get this? Were you again roaming in the house and looking into others' things?" Zoya narrowed her eyes, her little bunny's doe eyes showcasing the sudden hurt his mother's stern tone made him feel.

When another innocent voice answered her, "Taayi mumma, it's not Golu. We were playing hide-and-seek and Aahil was counting. I saw the dark room door and I took Golu... with me. He didn't do anything, taayi mumma."

The couple turned to little Nethra standing beside their little boy, her big hazelnut eyes staring at them innocently with her babyish open mouth, reminding them of her mother's naughtiness. A hint of smile discreetly grew on their faces at her attempt to save her cousin brother, before he got any more yelling. It was well known how much complicity Zayid and she shared, while Aahil was protective of the littlest girl in their gang of five, and the eldest of all, Diya, being the watcher amongst all.

"But still, beta, what were you both doing there alone? What if something happened to either of you, when we were all outside? What if you both got locked up alone inside?" her tau papa bending down to their level, she felt his hand caressing her hair before he looked towards Zayid. "We would have been more worried for you if anything would have occurred. So, no more hiding in rooms while alone, okay? I hope this will be our last warning."

"Sowy, papa. We will not play alone, p—omise," he held his ears and promised his father who chuckled at his babyish cooing. "Aw, I know, my sher. I believe you."

Breaking the moment, they heard a knock at the door wide open as they craned their heads up. "Adi sir, ma'am asked to serve snacks for everyone," announced Marcus in a low voice. Seeing the tray of snacks and glasses of juice, the little ones excitedly ran to the housekeeper, making him hold the tray upper.

"Kids, calm down! Don't scare him! First, you all wash your hands and then wait at the dining table. Go!" the young lady bossed around the little munchkins and they ran out to follow the orders elated to have something to eat, the conversation happening a few seconds ago long-forgotten.

Laughing at their childish antics, Aditya looked down at the picture album, open on the pictures they unknowingly kept stored in their life, as he felt a hand resting on his shoulder.

This was not the end.

✺

"Mumma, why appi is not sleeping with us?" wearing his baby blue Goofy pyjamas, Zayid looked up at the woman as she was wiping his face clean.

"Because appi is a big girl, and there is not enough space in the bed for the five of us. She has always slept in her room, though. Why are you asking today?" smiled the mother at her baby boy before she helped him get down the small stool.

"Mumma, I want to sleep with appi," he asked as he walked out of the bathroom and started running in the middle of the room for unreasoned excitement, while she followed back with a sigh.

Aditya entered the room holding a sleepy Aayat in his arms, to fall on the mother and son teasing each other with tickles while chasing all around the room. "What's happening here, mumma?"

Finally catching the little man to lay him on the bed, she answered, "Nothing much. Is Aayu asleep?" she lifted the boy in her arms, still hearing his giggles.

"Almost! I guess you would do better, so I brought her to you," saying so, he caressed her little back and walked to his wife, when Zayid, sitting on his mother's hip, looked at his baby sister. "Papa, Aayu is not sleeping."

"And so are you, my boy. What are you still doing awake and playing with your mother at this time?" trying a playful frown, he raised a brow as he glared back.

Mumma's boy for real.

"I am a big boy, and I am going to sleep with appi, not here," saying so, he pulled away from his mother's embrace and stood on the bed, his hands on his hips as he threw a challenging look to the man.

"Oh is that so, big boy?" carefully passing their youngest to Zoya, he continued. "Then let me also check how grown up we are here," and before the little boy could react however, he was suddenly lifted and put on the broad shoulder, emitting an unforeseen scream as he was seeing the world upside down. "Mumma!"

Rocking a stirring Aayat in her arms, Zoya glared at the both of them. "Aditya, what is this childishness? Let him go!"

Though her request went through deaf ears. "Papa, leave, please."

"Alright, junior pilot! It's time to fly to your room. We shall announce the take off, now," and with the kid on his shoulder, he walked out of the bedroom, leaving a tired wife to shake her head. When the sudden whining of the kid in her arms pulled her attention.

"First I will take care of you, then those two monkeys," muttered the mother as she laid her down on the bed.

Aditya pushed the room door upstairs, that was assigned for the kids' stay at the Hoodas' mansion, and stepped in holding a unhappy Zayid tired of trying to escape from the not-so-comfortable position, holding his chin up with his hands, while his grumpy expression amused his uncle and cousin on their way to their own bedroom holding little Aahil's hand. While the latter giggled at tau papa's fun game, chachu's failed attempt to save their Golu boy became another reason behind the frown, to precise the intensity.

Hearing the door open broke the little girl's, who was thought to stay alone tonight, attention on the diary she was filling in, seated at her desk. She quickly hid it under the storybook she was supposed to be reading for a school project and turned back to her father and brother.

With a loud sigh of relief, "Here we are, junior pilot sahab. I hope you have had a safe flight," he asked and safely pulled him straight, before he fell on his chest feeling suddenly heavy and exhausted.

"Papa, I want to slee..." he mumbled against his shoulder as he was slowly drawn to slumber.

The father chuckled at the seven-year-old boy and unable to resist the urge, pecked on the black waves of hair, hearing the soft snores as he tightly fisted his old man's tee. Rocking the child for a few minutes more, making sure he was unconscious enough, he tucked him comfortably under the bed cover and caressed his head.

"Good night, my big boy!" whispered he a couple of wishes and ending with another kiss for the day, he stood up on his legs, to notice his elder baby girl at the desk, busily reading some book showing her back to her papa.

"Diya, honey aren't you sleepy? It's almost ten," he walked closer to her seat and bent his legs down next to her. "You can continue your work later. Now, go and take some rest, will you?"

"No, papa..." she was to deny his remark when she unexpectedly yawned, making her eyes watery. "I have to finish this book by next Wednesday, or Miss will scold us."

"And I know someone else who would scold the both of us if she sees you still awake and studying," he raised his brows hinting at the hidden answer, having the little girl reconsider her plan. "Where is mumma?"

"Putting Aayu to bed. You come, today I will tell you a bedtime story," he stood up and stretched his hand forward for her, as she gladly kept her books away before joining her little brother on the bed.

Once settled comfortably, he sat down facing her as she smiled in excitement, patiently listening to his tale-telling. Her siblings and she would be often seen eagerly waiting for the few nights they would be allowed to spend with their father whenever he was work-free. As playing with papa always promised more fun and entertainment, especially when he loved annoying their mother.

Aditya loved adventures, and his stories were amusingly filled with his own diaries written from the sky and clouds. Even right now, he made her laugh as he described one of the turbulences he went through during a journey last month, shaking and tickling her over her clothed waist.

The loud giggles disturbed the little boy besides, as the man stopped and held a finger in front of his lips before carrying on more quietly. The decrease of his tone had slumber take her attention away as her heavy lids unconsciously closed on their own, while she pushed them open. He noticed her hard efforts and added a few more sentences until she surrendered herself to tiredness, silently landing in her dreamworld.

The father in him grinned at his innocent children's tranquil state, Zayid sleepily turning to lay on his stomach while grabbing his sister's nightshirt in a tight fist as he neared her. He corrected the duvet covering them well as the night promised coldness. And wishing them sweet dreams with her share of good night peck, he quit the room with the door left open ajar, not before taking a last glance.

✺

"Oh, there you are! Are the two in bed?" the door closing behind her, Zoya craned her neck to fall on her husband walking in the dimly-lighted bedroom, before sitting and dropping his back on the bed. Noticing his exhausted reaction, she turned back to the mirror and continued combing her golden locks. "Golu wasn't too grumpy, was he? The way you took him upstairs, I thought he would have kicked you out of the room earlier."

To which Aditya chuckled, "It would be no wonder if he would have done so. He is your son for sure."

She scoffed in reply and said, "Then I shall not start about your laadli who happens to be a handful... most of the time," when she looked up at his reflection in the mirror, staring at the ceiling pensively.

He was unaware of his surroundings until he heard the movements nearby, someone sitting down next to him when she leaned her head on his chest wrapping him in her arm. "Are you still thinking about the kids confronting us with the pictures?"

He raised his hand to her locks and ran his fingers through her hair. "Although they are in no way touched by the matter, we have always known there would be such a day we would tell them about our respective pasts, and how we happened," he took a brief pause as he sighed. "I just... didn't expect it to come so soon."

Her fingers played with his shirt buttons while she replied, "We can manage, however we don't have to say anything, if you are not comfortable," as he giggled, making her feel the sensation. "As if you have no issue at all talking about it. But anyways, we might not delay anymore if we don't want the kids to get more curious."

"I do, but with you by my side, I feel so much stronger than how I seem to be," confused by him silently massaging her roots, she narrowed her eyes and sat up so as to face him. "Did someone say anything? Did the children..." she hesitantly started as she looked on hearing him chuckle, before reassuring her with his soft stare.

He then got up from the bed and walked to the night stand, as he pulled the drawer open. He picked up the picture album and, turning back to Zoya, sat again on the edge of the bed.

He opened the collection and a smile erupted on his face at the first sight. "I actually forgot this book was still there... alive," she snickered as he continued. "I remember, we were still in school when Pooja gifted me this album for my birthday. She said this was specially made for the both of us, and our promising future," his smile turned emotional and it was not left unnoticed for long, as she side hugged him, leaning her head comfortably on his shoulder.

He turned the page and looked at the picture of two teenagers in school uniform, although standing in the same bedroom they were at the moment, while cutting a birthday cake. "I turned eighteen if I am right, and Pooja made sure that we would fill the blank pages with our most beautiful memories," they continued to look through the various photographs while he shared the background stories. "This one was after she completed her MBA. She wanted us to click a picture of us, with me in my first pilot uniform and she in her graduation robe, so we went to the studio to take one. This picture used to be framed and hung in the room."

To his unawareness, Zoya had been staring at him while listening to his tales, her eyes not moving away from his, glinting with a particular emotion she had seen in his sight whenever they would talk of Pooja. She would be called selfish for wishing it to be just sorrow, missing, or even guilt, and not love that might be deeper than what he felt and expressed in her presence. However, she could never deny the shine of love a friend felt for his childhood and best pal, and Aditya was obviously willing for just even a moment, to cross the sole pillar he had in his troubling life, and ask for forgiveness for abusing of her care, and patience, although he knew his best friend would have immediately brushed the thoughts away from his mind with her glowing smile.

Oblivious of Zoya often wondering what if she also had had that special someone she unfortunately missed in her youth days. Someone she could have trusted on to share her most beautiful secrets and moments, as well as the worst ones, beside her abbu who considered her his precious lucky charm ; her ammi who was more the friendly-kind, more than anything, or even her baby sister who grew up holding onto her appi's steps taking her as her inspiration. Not ignoring her Aditya's saath for a lifetime made her who she was today ; she often felt she had no rights to step in between the two best friends, nevertheless, when destiny was the sole reason they were tied to each other today, she tried to justify her possessive thoughts not to be unfair.

"Oh, and this one was from one camping tour we went to, to celebrate her birthday..." she quickly wiped the lone tear that rolled down her cheek and smiled at the picture of the both of them standing back to the mountains covered by the foggy sky.

She giggled at his reaction in the picture, looking much younger in his early twenties yet nowhere less handsome and adorable, as she said with a hopefully-not-so-broken voice, "You truly don't seem to appreciate campings, do you? Look at that dull face, as if you were about to sleep up on your legs," she kept chuckling, imagining that silly picture, when he suddenly closed the album.

Consequently, she came to realization he had stopped talking at all ; she was about to pull away when a hand sneaked around her waist wrapping her in his hold. She unconsciously sniffed the threatening tears back and looked up at him, feigning confusion and innocence that had him smile.

He leaned forward and dropped a longing kiss on her temple. "How delicate my baby wife is!" he whispered to her as his hand caressed her clothed skin. "If you think that I have forgotten you in all this, then you are wrong..."

Before his voice could fade in, she shook her head denying his thoughts. "I know..." she said in a similar tone and cupped his jaw. "I am fine, I was just thinking how lucky you might have been, to have a friend who was there for you in your worst times. At least, in your childhood."

With a sigh, he leaned his forehead down on hers, the sudden closeness and rush of feelings making them rock to an unbalanced rhythm. "And I can proudly say I am... because I have my begum jaan beside me, who is not only my beloved wife, but also my lover, my soulmate, the beautiful mother of my gorgeous babies, my partner, and last but not the least, a lifelong and supportive friend. In whom I found my home, in whom I found my path to the light, out of the darkness I was suffering in. With whom... I live in peace.

"And... by the way, what would you call me?" he pulled back as he lowered to a teasing tone, while she frowned her brows in amusement. "Of course, azeez dost," she shyly giggled at his face as he playfully bumped his head on hers, their laughter filling the wide room. "You cannot imagine how it would prick my heart when the one I was falling for deeply, literally friendzoned me," he finished as he pouted sadly.

"Oh oh, drama queen! This happened more than a decade ago, are you still going to taunt me for that?" she faked anger and patted his cheek. "Now, get off me! Time to sleep, chaliye!" saying so, she gently pushed him away and walked around the bed to her side, as she sat next to the toddler who, miraculously silent, stayed oblivious of what was happening in the room.

"I love how you sound so strict giving orders, mummy," he kept the album on the nightstand, a mischievous look given back to her glare. "Ya Allah! Your daughter is sleeping in front of you, don't use such terms."

I already miss him talking more maturely.

"Why not? Mummy is an endearment used for mothers, something that you are. I don't feel there is anything wrong with it. Although... perhaps if you have understood something else... which is, of course, naughty of you, not me," that said, his smirk widened as he took a seat on his side of the bed.

She simply huffed, not willing to start any ridiculous argument, and laid down, showing him her back along with the silent treatment offer. Resting on his elbow as he watched his wife, smiling to himself at how easily she would get annoyed, he slowly lowered to kiss Aayat when she turned on her position snuggling towards her mother, before he moved closer to his angry bird.

"Good night to you too, queen!" whispering the words in her ear, he stamped his pair of lips in her hair, elongating the gesture as he noticed hers curving upwards. Nautanki!

✺

"And... that's how your mother and I met each other for the first time, while destiny had already drawn our life and future," Aditya looked up as he heard Zoya walking in the playroom, back from her sudden work call, and she joined their little circle. Seeing their mother sat among them, Aayat squealed in excitement and stood up from her father's lap to rush towards hers. "We unknowingly crossed each other's path because of an incident that cost some precious people in our respective lives, and it had taught us much to better ourselves. In particular, the fact that life gives such unexpected surprises, at unexpected times."

"And also that we shall never fear the hurdles we may ever face. Because if there is a problem, then there must be one solution, as well, to solve it. Nothing is to be left undone, or incomplete ; and everything that would happen holds a certain motive. And it's up to our smartness to act wisely and come through the obstacle," Zoya carried on, smiling at her two elder kids keenly listening to their words, before she looked down at the toddler and hugged her tight. "You understand, babygirl?" she cooed and nuzzled in her hair.

To which she giggled loudly. "Mumma, no tickles," she pushed her mother off her and stood up to move to her toy corner.

"Mat—ab... that photo wali aunty is your best friend?" Zayid suddenly asked breaking their brief pause, as he sat up straighter. Aditya slowly nodded his head in yes and he continued, "And she was your wife, instead of mumma?" enumerating the points before he looked up at their father. "Do you love that aunty?" he shot his questions, not much unexpected for someone who knew how possessive he could behave regarding his mother. "Golu!" whisper-yelled his sister as she shook her head in no.

"Golu, is this how you talk to papa, baby?" Zoya glared at him ready to give her motherly lecture when Aditya held her quiet, before calling the little man in his embrace, "Zoya, relax! Come here, boss baby!"

As told to, the innocent boy quickly crawled to his father and sat down on his lap in an attempt to escape from her, while the two ladies looked at the duo. "You surely love your mumma way too much. Competing against me, aren't you?" he started playfully so as to calm his scary woman. "But if you want to know my answer, then I love three other people more than the both of them," he gave a blah grimace as he referred the last.

Zayid turned to look at Diya, his elder sister as much confused as he got, before he asked, "Are you talking about daadu, daadi and chachu, papa?"

He hissed remembering the three other lead characters in his life story as he chuckled, and turned to face his curious kids. "Well, I love them too, of course, they are my family. But apart from them, I love my three little monsters the most."

Three little monsters?

Thinking of his father's words, the little man looked down and slowly turned to look at his sisters. "One monster," he pointed a finger at Aayat, the little girl sitting legs open while busy playing with her toy farm animals set isolated from the whole conversation, when Aditya intervened in a softer tone. "No finger pointing, Golu," pushing his arms down.

"Sorry... one," he started again without using his hand and turned to his appi, "Two... three..." touching his chest, he finished and clarified his doubt as he raised his head with a hopeful grin. "Three... Are you talking about us, papa?" to which Aditya laughed.

"And you needed to take such a long time to understand it, buddhu," teased the elder girl, when they heard the childish whine. (Silly)

"I am not buddhu," ready to start a drama session as he jutted his lower lip out, while Diya tucked her tongue out. "Mumma!" he screamed as he jerked his hand in the air asking his sister to stop, "Bad appi."

"You bad boy, not me. Because I don't ask silly questions," and he was about to jump out of Aditya's arms to hit her. Although the latter held him still on time. "Golu, no! You don't hit girls, especially not your sisters," he ordered the little guy.

"And Diya, stop disturbing your brother, now will you? You are no more five, young lady," the mother narrowed her brows, not ready for another chaos of theirs, and it did her work well. "Now if you are done playing and taking rest, go back to your rooms and study a little!"

"But mumma, it's Sunday. And I have already finished my homework," reasoned the cadet, not willing to be spending his holiday studying but in the playroom, or better watching his favourite cartoons.

"Oh, have you, little champ? That means you know your times tables for Tuesday," she crossed her arms against her chest as she enquired.

With no positive answer nor reaction coming from his side, he gave up and pulled away from his papa's hold to stand. "Fine, but can you come and help me, please?"

"Sure, baby. You go, take out your books and start, mumma will be there in a while," and in no time, the two flew away to their rooms, leaving the entertained room in a sudden silence. Letting them heave a loud sigh, "Thankfully, they stopped their questions, at least... for a while."

Hearing the quietness around, Aayat noticed her siblings were gone and, her toys no longer in her attention, walked to her father, her rushed steps making her tumble in his arms. "Arey, Aayu care—"

Not minding her almost accident, she pulled away and looked at him. "Papa and Aayu p—ay," excitement overruling as papa was alone and now hers finally.

"You want to play with papa? Is that your homework, uh?" he asked as he was getting up on his knees before his daughter. He quickly pulled her in his arms and showered a rain of ticklish kisses. "Come, baby! At least that's some homework that I am worth being a help to someone," he blabbered the last part, though it still made Zoya discreetly chuckle while cleaning the mess.

As she was done putting the few toys left back in the box, she stood straight and turned around to fall on Aditya and Aayat busy piling the building bricks into a house, the baby girl choosing the specific colors while he made sure they were well fixed. At times, she heard the babyish squeals disapproving of his wrongdoings and he would immediately change to her preference, almost begging for her to calm down, before they continued their task.

He was patiently listening to her broken words, struggling to form sentences, while he helped her learn the mistakes and pronunciation. Being on their third experience was much of a help to understand babies and their needs, and he was made sure to take as much care as his wife did. Parenting now being one of his passions among many, she included.

Zoya was helpless and smiled wholeheartedly at the sight of the father-of-three, still being a child himself and sharing his own moments with their three little ones. Three little monsters, indeed like they called, but undoubtedly theirs to love and cherish the life they were given. Making them believe in destiny and the worth of second chances in life.

Still regretting their stupidity and impulsive acts out of pain.

The toy house was finally built and standing gloriously in front of them, as Aayat jumped excitedly clapping her hands. "Yeee! Papa!" she loudly exclaimed for her father and ran into his arms, earning his precious laughter as he tightened his embrace, caressing her back. "Papa the besh—!"

Indeed, he was.

"And so is my Aayu baby," saying so, he kissed her head in pure adoration, rocking her tiny frame pressed against his built one, when he rolled his eyes up to his beloved. Her eyes never breaking away from the perfect sight before her, until he raised his brows questionably and she shook her head in denial of emotional thoughts.

And sending a silent prayer to her Almighty, Zoya walked out to check on her elder babies, the father-and-daughter duo left in the room not yet ready to stop this moment as they continued playing.

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End of Jab Future Met Past

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© a shrucreationsx' pen work

~•~•~•~

Hello, there!

Hope you are doing well, all around the world. Though the friggin' disease is not set to leave us tranquil, I wish you all the best.

So, after a month and a half of thinking, work, then loss of inspiration, before getting back on track, here I am.

Since I have been requested to write about the kids, and also missed the three little munch—keteers, this time adding two new Hooda babies, I finally decided to put an end part to this particular shot I started long ago. It was struggling to find ideas about how to continue but thankfully, within time, I got my neurons back. And I hope and feel I did okay.

Might be good, might be bad, I just wanted to try and finished this story. Open to good criticism, even bad ones as long as it helps me learn, not bash.

Until next time,

Bien à vous,

Love, S.