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Bonne lecture!

21/06/2022 — World's Music Day 🎶🪕♥️

// ∞ ௐ ∞ //

"Uff, this song though! Dhak dhak karne laga..." he was singing while watching the television, a bowl of popcorn on his lap as he mindlessly savored the salted snack, and his head rhythmically moving to the song.

It was a usual Sunday as they spent their day off resting following the cleaning chores, the little baby taking her afternoon nap leaving the two alone for a while.

"Madhuri, so beaut..." he stopped in between looking around for any sign of his Ghalib, who had to move away for a sudden work call.

Which seemed to last longer than expected.

"Beautiful!" he completed his sentence in a whisper as he quickly checked the corridor.

"I can't believe you deleted the whole presentation for tomorrow's meeting. And I was wondering how I had a work-free weekend," a distressed Zoya walked to the living room when he noticed her, keeping an ear on the song. "Now you don't ma'am me all the time, Karan. This is your last chance, no more parties at the office place for you. I will be there in twenty. Yeah, bye. See you!"

He rolled his eyes up and down at her look and raised a brow as she hung the call. "I thought you were to stay home for the day."

She dropped her phone in her bag and looked at her husband pouting. "I wish. There is an issue with the presentation we made for the new project discussion tomorrow. I need to go and give the drafted version and check on the work as the team leader. I can't call them here because of the baby, so we will be at the office," she left a sigh. "Anyways, I would also get to do some last-minute grocery shopping on my way back, then."

"Aww, my poor baby. Come here!" he opened his arms wide and engulfed the woman who walked to the couch, straight in his embrace. "Though it's annoying that we can't spend our lonely time together, can only wish you all the best for your work, and come back soon," he ended in a soft whisper as he was rubbing her arm.

She lifted her chin up to look at him. "If Diya wakes up, could you..." she was quickly cut off. "Don't worry about her, I will take care of everything. You go and work with a relaxed mind. I would have joined you if not for baby."

"Thanks, you are the best," saying so, she pecked on his cheek with a wide smile and was about to move away when he pulled her back on his chest. "What about mine?"

She giggled and he dropped a more intense kiss on her face before pulling away. "Now, run from here!"

She got up from the sofa and checked her look once before walking to the hallways as he stared at her back.

Her wedge shoes secured on her feet, taking her keys in her bag, she opened the door to smile at their neighbor standing for the elevator with her son, politely greeting her with a head nod, when his loud voice reached the doorway, "And yes, since you are going shopping later on, don't forget the condom packs on your way. Used the last one last night, urgent need to refill."

Her face turned tomato red and warmer, mentally gaping in shock seeing the woman's eyes widening at the blunt talks.

Not getting an answer, Aditya turned his head. "Zoya, did you... Oh, hello Mrs. Shinde! How are you doing? Hey, buddy!" he smiled and waved his hand unaware of the embarrassment.

The reddening wife awkwardly smiled and said, "You... you, please, don't mind him. He always does that," she suddenly realized the wrong choice of words and cleared her throat to correct herself. "I meant... about his talking, of course..."

The lift doors opening, the lady immediately caught her son's hand and moved inside, pressing the button not willing to stand there any moment and show her disturbed expressions. "Arey! What happened to her?" Aditya wondered.

To which, a third voice in the distance came as an answer, "Aai, what is a com-dom?" the innocent boy asked his mother.

The lady frowned down at the kid and ordered him to shush. "No more questions, Pranay! Be quiet!"

Both out of her sight, Zoya turned her glare at her husband who looked confused.

"I didn't do it on purpose. How would I know you had the door open?" he pulled the wireless headphones out to prove his innocence.

"You could have texted me, the whole world doesn't have to know about it," she whisper yelled as he curled his lips to the side. "As if no one in the building knows."

She huffed in annoyance. "I will take care of your arrogance later."

"I am waiting," throwing a piece of popcorn in his mouth, he pouted a kiss at her before laughing at the door being shut quite loudly. "Ghalib kahin ki!"

He continued the movie for a little while when he heard a loud wailing coming from the babyphone connected to the nursery room. Pausing the video, he stood up and walked through the corridor.

He pushed the door open and switched the dim nightstand lamp on when he spotted the little being lying down in her cradle, crying out loud.

"Oh, why is my beautiful little princess crying, uh?" he neared the bed.

Hearing her father's voice, baby Diya stopped her wails and turned to him, blinking her tears away to see the person more clearly although the vision remained blurred. Sucking her lower lip in her mouth, fresh fat tears slowly rolled down her face wrenching his heart as he bent down to her level.

Slowly lifting her up in his arms, he pulled her on his shoulder and she quickly grabbed his t-shirt in her chubby hand recognizing the familiar smell, before rubbing her teary face on his top.

"Aren't you my strong baby? Won't you tell papa who made my precious angel cry? I will go snatch their noses," he smoothly cooed in her ear dropping butterfly kisses on her face, as he heard her calmer sobs, closing her eyes sleepily.

Stepping out of the room with the kid, he walked to the drawing room and sat on the couch, as she whined at the unnecessary brightness turning her head away from the windows. He soothingly caressed her bare back and helped her settle in the new atmosphere, feeling her soft fingers pulling on his grey top. Within a couple of minutes, she sat up and looked back at the man with her watery and half-closed eyes, as she adorably rubbed off the dry marks of tears on her face, releasing a loud yawn.

"Look at all the sweat! We shall freshen up all this, and so change that smelly diaper, don't you think so?" he brushed her wet hair off her face and playfully frowned at her when she slowly stood on her feet. Well, maybe tried to, as she kicked her tiny feet on him for balance.

Tightly wrapping his arm around her legs, he carried her to the bathroom as she tapped his face playful. He cleaned her bottom while getting the bathtub ready before putting her in, her smile widening at the sight of the large pool as they approached. She quickly moved on her fours and crawled around, tapping the water with her soft palms. The little 'splash splash' sound encouraged her to continue when her father bent down to her level, dropping a toy duck in the bath. She emitted a loud giggle and picked it up, before pulling it to her mouth and hitting it against the tub.

Oh, my poor ducky.

On her fours, she trailed the toy animal all around the bath speaking in gibberish to herself, when someone unfairly interrupted her by turning the shower on. A cry of disapproval filling the room until papa soothingly and smoothly washed her.

《 ♚ 》

"Alright, bear cub," he took a deep breath as he looked at her fresh-and-clean look, the little baby left in a sole new diaper for the hot weather playing with her toy. He could not help himself and dropped his face on her tummy blowing some air, as her throaty giggles got louder, and her attempts to push his head away, a failure.

With a noisy peck on her cheek, he continued, "Time to get my tiny little monsh—ter's tummy filled with some yum-yum. But first," as he checked on his clothes. "I need to clean all the mess you caused."

Saying so, he stood up to take off his half-drenched sleeveless top leaving his topless figure to sight, and carefully dropping the toddler on her own to the ground, he walked to the bathroom to throw the cloth in the laundry basket by the door.

He quickly freshened himself up and dried his face and arms with a towel when he noticed, by the corner of his eye, the little girl on her fours by the basket staring at the used hoodie of his hanging out. She grabbed the grey piece of cloth in her fist and pulled it to her when Aditya saw the basket falling down, as he quickly moved to hold it still. "Naughty baby, what are you up to now?"

Unaware of what would have occurred, she innocently looked at her father and grinned a toothless smile before taking out her possession more easily and eye-scanned it, when she found the entry point as she spread it open. She put it on over her head and struggled in the dark to find her way, until Aditya bent down to pull the cloth down her body.

The huge sleeveless shoulders dangling on her short arms, he rolled them up and she moved her arms pushing them further, before getting ready to crawl away. Ouch! Well, the long dress was not letting her move freely, and she fell flat down ; fortunately the fluffy mat saving her landing.

"Aren't you being too ziddi, now? Papa just gave you a bath," he carried her up in his arms, the little infant squealing in excitement once in his arms. He was about to take off the piece of clothing when she threw her arms and legs in protest. "It's dirty, baby, please."

Unable to win over the stubborn being, he left a deep sigh and both father and daughter reached the kitchen area, picking her walker as he placed her in. The black-cape hoodie rested on the table leaving her bottom diaper-naked, as she tried to tap the cloth down into the hole.

"Now, papa will make you something to have and you will stay with me, here," he bent down to her level making her look up at her father.

Diya smiled and pulled his face closer, kissing his nose mouth-open, as he chuckled before cupping her chubby face for a soft peck on her nose tip. "I love you too, baby. Now let me get you some food!"

"And, here you go! One other flight ready for landing," saying so, he was holding the spoon up and was playfully drawing a path down to her mouth, while the curious baby followed the plastic piece of her baby cutlery in astonishment. Her mouth opened a little wide as the spoonful food reached her and, closing her lips around the spoon, she pulled back the tasty yum-yum. "Yeeeee! Perfect landing! One more coming up, one more one more!"

His foot holding onto the walker's bottom carefully, not leaving her any opportunity to move away, their little moment continued for a little while as she was flying her plastic-made-figurine horse in the air, until she had enough and tried to walk away. "One more, just last one!"

However, she was not ready for any other tiny morsel but to go and play with her toys, as she attempted to move and whined in protest.

"If you won't eat it, then I will," trying to pull the last straw, he noticed her face staring at the spoon standing before his mouth and she immediately moved to him, opening her mouth to be fed. "Aw, that's like my good girl. Okay, now, promise, this is the last one," as he got one other last spoon ready for her to eat.

She frowned at her father for tricking her again ; nevertheless, she soon munched the last spoon of food in her mouth while playing with the multicolor rolls on her small walker, pushing them one by one chewing the food quietly.

Once he took his foot off the walker, she gasped at the sudden ability to walk and immediately moved away from there while he took the empty bowl and napkin to the kitchen. Free to go and play at the least, she started roaming the drawing room, waiting for papa to let her burp the dinner, when she stood before the closed balcony door. It was getting darker and, the white dots scintillating in the sky, she banged the plastic toy on the sliding glass door, calling for a helping hand.

Quickly finishing with the dishes, he filled the feeding bottle with water and his hand still wet, he walked to the baby who was busy admiring the stars, unwillingly bumping against the fragile door making her squeal.

"Hey, naughty! You just need to ask if you want to go out," and quickly cleaning her mouth before wiping it using the bib, he unbuckled the safety belt and lifted her out of the walker, pushing the accessory to its safe corner.

Munching on her little fist, she suddenly shifted in her position hugging him by the neck. "Pa... pa..." the soft voice sounded glad and happy as she leaned her head down on his shoulder while he walked out to stand by the railing.

Both stood spectators for the sunsetting view from their tenth-floor-high balcony as Diya conveyed something in her baby language, reaching for the shaded blue sky.

"Looking for chandamama? Oh, there it is, look!" saying so he pointed at the growing moon standing at a far distance as she emitted a squeal of excitement.

"Moo—" she called for the white crescent shape before trying her luck using the toy animal. Till she was about to drop it off the balcony, but Aditya pulled her away on time.

The toddler turned to her father, her face curving into a pout. "Ma...mum—mum..."

He loudly sighed, "I feel you, even I miss her so much right now, although it has only been four hours..." he dropped a kiss on the crown of her head, a hand rubbing and patting her back to calm her, as the both stared at the darkening sky, hundreds of those starry spots making their way out. "We would have watched the stars together, right baby?" she answered a quick babyish sound as if agreeing to his talks.

All of a sudden, he felt a pair of arms sneaking around his frame, smoothly tightening the embrace while warmth filled the soul.

"Your wish has been heard, my boy," whispering the same by his ear, she dropped a peck on the nape of his neck making him red and hotter in the chilly evening, while she sneaked her palm beneath his wife-beater for the warmth provided.

"Hey, you! Didn't even hear you coming in, how was work?" he asked as he held her hand around his torso with his free one, kissing on her knuckles.

Their moment broke as the toddler, finally seeing her mother, squealed in joy, drawing their attention on the youngest member.

"Hi, my baaaaby!" she pulled the kid in her arms and both sharing an Eskimo kiss, she was welcomed with watery mouth stamps all over her face. "Aw, okay okay, I get it. Mumma missed her babygirl too. Now please, baby!" she laughed at the ticklish sensation but the tiny fists kept their grip tight. "Oh, God! Baby, mumma is dirty from all the travelling and work."

Finally releasing her mother, little Diya looked up at the woman and threw her most satisfied smile, conveying her gratitude and relief before continuing her storytelling, "Moo—mum—mum..."

"Yes, the moon is there," she said pointing at the darkening sky and drawing the finger back down at her, "and here is mumma's beautiful chanda. You are, aren't you? Um—" again pestering kisses on her chubby face to fill the air with her laughter.

"Picture-perfect family moment!" breaking their moment, Aditya pulled both his wife and daughter in his huge arms, dropping a lip stamp on her temple. "Aw, bless this beautiful family, always!" he dropped his chin on her shoulder as he quickly pecked the toddler.

She giggled and cupped his jaw while Diya happily clapped her hands.

He then asked, "Shall I get you some coffee? Or chai?"

"Aw, that's kind of you to ask. Thank you! Maybe I should freshen up, as well," saying so, she turned to face him and led their way back inside. She safely left the toddler on her own as she shifted on her fours to crawl to her corner. "By the way, I hope you remember Baby's doctor appointment for her shot tomorrow, and have your whole day work-free."

"Wai—is that already time for the booster?" he questioned while stopping by the kitchen door, standing still lost in his thoughts when he felt someone grabbing his leg in their small arms.

I am not ready for that.

《 ♚ 》

"I told you I would have managed. Now, see! You are getting late for your meeting," as the car slowed down in front of the hospital, Zoya undid her seatbelt and stepped down the vehicle, leaving her husband's query unanswered as she opened the backdoor.

Seeing her mother to her rescue, the little girl widely smiled at the beautiful woman, raising her arms up to be held as she let her the way to unbuckle her safe seating.

"Aw, my baby! Today is shot day, yay!" saying so, she wrapped their soft little ball of cuteness in her arms. "And we know how scared papa is of vaccines," she teased, knowingly keeping her glance away from his side.

"I w—was just... I was just worried about baby. You should have seen how that doctor made her cry last time..." locking the car door, they walked inside the building and registered their presence to the appointment at the receptionist. The young lady indicated the way and, thanking her, they moved to the pediatric ward.

She turned to him and whispered, "You dislike injections. You scared her that day," before taking a seat in the waiting hall. "Don't worry about the meeting, I have already informed Mona to push the meeting for an hour."

Seated on her mother's lap, the toddler looked around the hallway while shaking her plush toy in the air waving it to everyone passing by. The few patients drawn to her calling smiled widely at the attention-seeker, some even talking so as to enjoy her giggling and squealing to their cooes. She shifted in her position willing to move and play with the kids she befriended with, but her mother's grip tightened not to let her fall.

"Ma—" she was about to protest when a male nurse announced their name. "Mr & Mrs Hooda, Doctor Das will be coming to you, you may wait inside."

"Good morning, Mr & Mrs Hooda! Hi there, little doll!" the doctor walked in the room and quickly bent to have a look at the baby observing the butterfly patterns on her sleeveless dungaree, crafted from pure cotton jersey over the plain white tee for the warm weather, as she raised her head up at the extra voice, a quick babyish sound in response to his greeting before turning to her father.

Sanitizing his hands, the young pediatrician looked at the vaccines report in the health journal. "So, are we ready?" he asked in his childish voice as he raised his head up to face the toddler.

Realizing he was talking to her, she took her mother's saree from the little tooth's grip and smiled at him, when the paperweight on his desk caught her attention.

"Um, are you going to stay inside, Mr. Hooda?" he questioned and Aditya frowned at his direction. "Excuse me–"

"I mean, after what happened last time, I don't think it's a good idea to have you here see chinnu getting her vaccine," he tried to give a reason in the most soothing way he could.

"Oye, why would I go and leave my baby and wife alo–" he protested when Zoya stopped him midway. "Aditya, Dr. Das is right. You don't worry, she will be fine."

"What, Zo–" however he stopped as she kept a hand on his shoulder, "Please?"

The baby girl looking between her parents in confusion, she imitated her mother as she tapped her chubby palm on his thigh.

He stepped out of the cabin with an annoyed face and took a seat on the bench, sulking like a child getting punished.

"Stupid chashmish! One day I will push that needle in your own butt, then you will know how scared you would look," and he leaned his head down on the wall.

Inside, Das cleared his throat and grinned at Zoya as she helped Diya sit on the examination table, "I am sorry, Mrs. Hooda. I think your husband got me wrong and must feel angry."

"Don't worry, doctor! Aditya must look grumpy, but he won't mind it to his heart. And if he does, then leave it to baby and me. We know how to treat his mad self," she grinned at him and laid the kid down ready for the shot.

Getting comfortable on the soft baby mattress, she held her feet in her hands, staring at the surroundings and smiling to nobody but her imaginary friend before rolling on her tummy to get up.

"Alright, baby!" Zoya put her back in her former position as the professional stood beside with the syringe. "Here, look at mumma here, doctor uncle will be very quick, okay?"

The young mother drew her attention talking randomly as he managed to aim a safe spot on her thigh. The sudden feeling of something pricking her skin had her alerted as she shook her leg by reflex and turned to look at the third person.

"Abbo! Such a pretty little woman you are, you know?" he playfully grimaced at her and caressed her cheek, "Such a cute and beautiful baby girl, aren't you?" as they tried to divert her.

Once her attention was back to her mother who smiled wide making her shy, the pediatrician grinned back while discreetly holding her leg in his soft grip and safely pushed the needle in her skin, not letting her move and miss the shot for the second attempt.

The toddler felt the pricking sensation once again and was to shoo it away when her leg held, she was late to react and the medicine was injected in her body. She stopped her playfulness as her smiling face went blank, slowly shifting to a sad expression.

Hearing the loud wailing, Aditya stood straight from his position and looked aside at the cabin door before sprinting inside without the need of knocking at it. The sight of a crying Diya having his calm heart break into pieces.

My baby!

《 ♚ 》

"Yes, mah ji, all went okay. Just pain and soreness, and her leg got a little swollen at the spot where she was injected," Zoya was doing the dishes when her mother-in-law called as per their daily routine, leaving the father and daughter alone.

She finished cleaning the counter when the cries got louder and closer. "Zoya, y— oh, that's fine I will do it. Are you done? I will make her something to eat. She must be hungry."

Nodding her head in yes, "Yes, I am there. Sorry mah ji, I—I will call you tomorrow. She didn't have anything after lunch, we will just make her something," she managed to convince her. "Big hug to everyone! Take care, bye!"

"Mum—mumma—" she quickly hung the call and turned to the toddler in tears as she was calling for her mother. Careful not to press her sore leg, she carried her in her arms on her back.

"What shall we make, then? She is not willing to eat at all," he asked in worry as they looked down at the fussy kid in her arms.

"I will try to breastfeed her tonight, let's see. If that doesn't work, then we will give her something else," saying so, she was about to walk to their room. "Uh— could you just boil some water, and bring it in her feeding bottle? We should massage her leg, it will help her with the soreness."

He nodded and stayed behind while she rushed to the bedroom, the toddler snuggling against her bosom as her small fist tightened on her kurti's collar for the warming thigh.

"Oh, my baby boo!" Zoya sat on the bed against the headboard and carefully laid her down on the mattress. "It's alright, it's alright. Mumma will first fill this hungry tummy and then take care of your little leg."

Making sure she would not roll over, she moved to the bathroom and prepared a bowl of cold water as she picked a cloth out of the drawer. She carefully brought the whole to the bed and, settling herself in the middle, the baby soon in her arms, she drenched the cloth before squeezing the extra drops. Checking her reaction at the cold contact, she smoothly cooled the sore thigh when she noticed the cries slowly turning into sobs as she munched her bottom lip while fisting onto her mother's dress.

Holding the cloth with her left hand, she quickly pulled the zip of her feeding kurti down and freed her breast. Understanding the happenings at the sight, the toddler whined impatiently as she tapped on her chest expressing her need.

"Aw, my baby might have been so hungry, ain't you? Mumma will give you dhoo-dhoo, don't you worry," and Diya immediately reached and latched her mouth on her bosom, the pain slowly fading at the back of her mind as she started sucking the milk satisfying her hunger.

Zoya caressed her face and brushed the sweat-wet hair at the back, as she kissed her forehead to soothe her restlessness. Feeling the warm peck, the little eyes rolled up to face her mother and she playfully bumped her head against the tiny one making her smile.

Finally.

Aditya entered the room holding a hot bottle, wrapped in a cloth, to fall on the quiet sight, a sigh of relief to know she was feeling okay. Walking to the night stand, he kept the feeding bottle before sitting on the bed next to the wife and the baby, the latter busier into sharing a conversation with her mother than sensing the man's presence.

"I can see that she is feeling good here," saying so, he looked down at the bare leg while she kept giving smooth squeezes on the reddening area, making sure she changed the intensity whenever she felt pain.

"I am glad she is," she answered as her fingers slid through her hair. "You got the water?"

Before he could say anything, a tummy-satisfied Diya finally heard her father being present in the room and pulled away from her mother's embrace to raise herself and look for him. Unfortunately, the sudden move's impact flowed to her thigh as a loud screech broke the silence in the surrounding.

Back to square one!

《 ♚ 》

"There, there! Time to move to Dreamland, baby!" Aditya was pacing back and forth as he had the toddler in his arms, rocking her to sleep while holding the cold-wet cloth on her leg but to no avail. "Who is my big and sh—trong baby girl, uh? Papa's princess should not cry anymore, okay?"

Changed into her comfortable nightgown, Zoya was tidying the cupboard shelves when she glanced over her shoulder as she fell on her husband struggling to console their baby. With a heavy sigh, she neared them and stood before him ; upon seeing her, Diya whined for her and threw her small arms in the air.

"She will eventually fall tired and sleep, I guess..." she slowly rocked the kid, a hand patting her head, as he continued, "but then, let's attempt one last way."

Ignoring the frown on her face out of confusion, he walked to the old-age radio kept on the nightstand table with a smile and turned it on to a special station.

"What are you doing?" she looked down at Diya who seemed to stare at her father sadly and tired, as the woman led her to the fresh air by the balcony.

When the soft music started to fill the ears and room, she let a small smile linger on her face. "Papa is getting smarter with time, isn't he baby?"

"Here for you, dear listeners, a sweet memory down the lane to enjoy the soothing and beautiful moon tonight!" they heard the jockey's voice as the instrumental music was reduced to the background.

"This has been the remedy to each of us, maybe she shall experiment it too."

" wo chaand khilaa wo taare hanse
ye raat ajab matvari he "

He turned back to see nobody in the room, and neared the open balcony as he noticed the two people by the edge.

" wo chaand khilaa wo taare hanse
ye raat ajab matvaari he "

Joining the playback singing at the second line, she playfully pointed at the starry-night sky and started mouthing the lyrics as she looked down at the kid in her arms, carefully keeping her diaper-covered bum on the railing.

" samajhne vaale samaj gayi hai
naa samjhe
naa samjhe wo anaadi hai "

She widened her eyes and shook her head, as if asking her for any answer, to which the toddler happily gurgled while trying to pull her nose.

As the male voice echoed, Aditya took over and picked the baby in his arms, twirling her round before running back inside at the sudden blow of wind.

" wo chaand khilaa wo taare hanse
ye raat ajab matvaari he "

She quietly followed behind, a loud chuckle at his 'mother hen' behavior as he tightened his hold around her rubbing her arms for warmth.

" samajhne vaale samaj gayi hai
naa samjhe
naa samjhe wo anaadi hai "

Rushing to their spot, she stood behind him and played with the little one while grimacing. Smiling at her mother's funny expressions to the song, Diya clapped her small palms against each other and encouraged her for more fun, almost forgetting her sore leg and tired self, while the young lady teasingly pulled on her man's ear taking him by surprise.

" wo chaand khilaa wo taare hanse
ye raat ajab matvaari he "

Before Aditya could turn his fake glare to her, she ran to the toddler's side and hugged her, the tiny arms wrapping her neck for she believed she was to be held by mumma.

* instrumental *

Zoya twirled herself round, holding her smaller hand in hers as if trying a few steps of valse, while Diya was comfortably settled on her mother's hip, laughing at the joyful playtime. The glow on the kid's face had the young parents a little bit relieved and they continued the entertainment, aware she would soon doze on her own with no much hurdles.

Within the end of the first couplet, as expected, the slumber weighed on her fragile frame and the heavy lids soon dropped out the effort of staying awake.

Feeling her head resting on her shoulder, the mother took her hand to her back and softly caressed her, rocking her body left to right while she heard the volume of the radio station decreasing in the far corner of the room.

"I will get the water bottle heated," saying so, Aditya exited the bedroom leaving Zoya with the baby.

Back within a few minutes, he fell on both of them lying on the bed, her hand smoothly tapping their daughter's arm while her own eyes were shut in exhaustion.

She felt the bed dipping and opened her eyes to face a darker room, and it had her get up abruptly when his reassuring voice whispered back, "Hey, relax! It's me, you can lay down. You need a good sleep, it was a long day indeed."

Sighing, she rested her head back on the pillow and looked at the man as he covered the hot bottle with a cloth before rolling it over her baby leg. The sudden impact made her stir in her sleep and she patted her head, humming a soothing lullaby as Diya sleepily tilted her head towards her mother. Meanwhile, Aditya took his seat and managed to massage her sore muscle, his delicate moves helping her fall into slumber.

"She looks so peaceful and relaxed, at last," she admiringly brushed the soft hair off her face and dropped a peck on her forehead.

Smiling at his lady, "You should rest as well, I will take care of this. You have to go to the office tomorrow, Miss Young Entrepreneur."

"Oh, such papa goals, you are!" she mockingly pulled on his cheek before drawing her fingers to her mouth for a flying kiss. "The best, forever, and ours. Right, baby?" to which they earned a babyish snore making them chuckle.

"Now silence and close your eyes! You talk too much," saying so, he covered her eyes and pushed her to slumber.

《 ♚ 》

Sun rays peeking through the open window, curtains flowing to the wind, he felt a soft tap on his face breaking his deep sleep, as he narrowed his eyes.

"Pa... pa..." the soft calling of the toddler neared his ear drums and he was to open his eyes when he felt someone falling on him.

"Arey re, careful there, baby tortoise!" he chuckled at her lying face down on his chest and pulled her up by her underarms. "You missed papa for the whole week? Because I missed you so much."

She tapped his cheek in response and crawled closer. "Seems like your boo-boo is doing much better as well, now," he cooed in her ear and pecked on her mouth.

He suddenly noticed the reading on her tee-shirt and asked, "Uh! Diya? Baby, is tha–'' he playfully raised his brows and was to ask her the meaning when he heard the third voice. "Happy First Fathers' Day to you, papa!"

He craned his neck to see Zoya walking to the bed, holding a red-paper-wrapped gift box behind her back. "To the best father, best husband, most azeez dost, the sweetest soulmate, and the best man in our life! Just, because this is the very first one!" she forwarded the box.

"Zoya, you—" he felt a sudden rush of emotions at the sudden realization and sat up on the bed, being careful with the toddler on his lap. "Is it really the day?"

The kid got up and was about to take the shiny thing in her hands with a wide smile when her father, faster, helped her take the gift, having the curve on her mouth drop downwards.

"Baby, we will open together. Now don't make that face!" he quickly pulled her closer and tore the wrapper revealing a picture frame of him and Diya laying on the bed, wearing a responsive smile on his proud face as her small arms were stretched for him, her tiny mouth open as if talking.

A happy tear fell down on the glass as he stared at the photograph. The moment it represented held a huge place in their memories book, and he could remember each of those seconds with no obstacle.

The instant she first called him 'papa'.

"When did you— oh my God! Zoya, this is so... so beautiful!" words stuck in his throat, he sensed another couple of tears expressing his thoughts about the gift. "You never said you had this moment pictured, let alone framed."

"Don't you know how secretive I can get while taking pictures?" she mocked him as she referred at their earlier days, in particular the preparations of his birthday party years ago. "I had planned the surprise since a few weeks ago, when this moment happened. How could I just tell you and spoil this priceless reaction?"

"Fish! Now, I feel ashamed of my own gift for your first mothers' day," he cringed.

"Oh, come on, Aditya! You giving us time means more than anything. You took us out on a date for a whole day, nothing would have been more satisfying. Don't think like that, okay? Today is your day, so smile!"

Seeing her father and herself in the picture, the toddler giggled and hit the frame in excitement.

"Yes, it's papa and his baby girl. Mumma's gift for papa, you liking it, my love?" he asked before peppering kisses on her cheek, to which she tapped on his thigh. "Pa–pa Di–a."

"This beautiful memory wouldn't have been reality without you, Zoya," he started as he turned to his wife. He opened his arm for her, "Because you are the reason I am celebrating my first father's day."

She laughed at his remark and went to sit beside him, his arm engulfing her. "This truly made my day. Thank you so much, jaan!" saying so, he kissed her temple.

She pecked back on his cheek, "You don't thank your wife, baby. Especially your friend."

"Aahaan? Then what shall I do to thank you?" he asked as he bumped his head against hers.

"Well, baby is here, we shall not discuss all this now," she smirked at him and whispered against his lips, pulling away before he could reach her. "Not so fast! First, face wash, then–"

"It's my day. You cannot refuse me, baby," his husky tone had her quiet as she stared in his eyes. "I want my morning kiss, now."

She smiled at his dominating attitude and neared his face when they heard the loud voice. "Pa–papa–"

They turned down to see Diya looking back at them in confusion, when she turned around to stand on her feet. "Mumma..."

"Baby, you ruined it!" he loudly whined having Zoya chuckle, before they pulled the toddler for a tight hug. "It's okay, I love you more."

She wrapped her arms around their necks, laying her head on his shoulder. "Lo–e lo–be!"

~•~•~

End of Needle Of Love

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© a shrucreationsx' pen work

~•~•~

Hello, family & friends!

Hope you are all doing good.

I am sorry for going MIA often ; work and studies are taking huge amount of our precious time in everyone's life. Just trying to handle a few moments here and there to write for relaxation time is much needed as well.

I was listening to the beautiful classic song Woh Chand Khila (Anari) when I was having the same scene in mind, and thinking of a particular plot, I today came out of my hideout.

Basically the first day scene and then the shot sequence were both different plots but then I had no idea how to finish both. Then, as if someone finally switched on my brains, I thought of merging both ideas into one. And, last scene but not the least, I was very much trying to publish this for Fathers' Day two days ago but the whole week had me exhausted so I took an off for the weekend.

Why am I blabbering all this?

I hope you liked the story, although it's so random and... well, so random? But I guess baby D could still make up for the 'blah'-ness, hehe. *scratches the back of my neck*

Again, if you find any mistakes, do mot hesitate to keep me informed. It's not always easy to find out your own mistakes.

I will try to come up sooner with another update.

Until next time,

With love,

Shuruthy