New Delhi

07:30am

He descends downstairs in his best suits in brown her fav ;) and found the others busy with their breakfast. His eyes searched for his angel and saw her sitting beside her brother with a grumpy face. Her brother was trying all the ways to make her come out of her tantrum mode.

Just like her mom he thought and smiled inwardly. SHE always ignored him to gain his attention and he used to roam around her all day to woo her as she was mad at him. Though it's irritating, He loved to woo her always as it ended cutely with their hugs and kisses ;) ;)

He knew he was the reason of her tantrum mode and brushed his hair slightly. He sat beside her and pulled her into his lap.

Raman- Pihu kya hua. Why aren't you eating?

She turned her face away. He was very well ignoring the fact that he's going leaving her alone and asking what's wrong. Seriously? How can he do that?

He knew she would start crying any moment. Just like her mom used to when she found out he's going away without informing her straightly for which she had to find it out herself.

Raman- Pihu baccha. Papa is sorry. I didn't tell you. Actually Mihir mamu was to go there. But at the last moment the plan got changed. Not my fault.

Pihu- but still you didn't tell me. You're leaving today and I'm getting to know this now! Not fair papa. You're not even going to take me along.

He placed a soft kiss on her hair and hugged her tight which he always did to HER when SHE cried. And it worked out every time. She calmed down in her father's warmth.

Pihu- It's okay papa. But never do that again.

Raman- promise.

Pihu- and for compensation...

She scratched her forehead with her index finger cutely.

Adi- hmm back on track. Guys we can get back to our work. The greedy queen is back.

She playfully hit her brother's shoulder and he laughed hard.

Pihu- papa I want a beautiful princess gown just like in that movie. And also the shoes. papa I want all chose chocolates we saw in that shop and..

The motor mouth started working again which made everyone sigh in relief. He picked her in his arms and went to drop her in school along with Adi and later both went go to the office together. Was she compensating the punishment for her dad for hiding his departure or for the time she was mute from the morning? haha!

*****

03:00pm

He was seated in the plane and was surfing through his mobile. The air hostess instructed to switch off their gadgets. He closed the files and his screensaver appeared which had a pic of HER. Infinite moments flashed in front of his eyes when he was lively. He's still the same. Is that so? He was chirpy and a jolly guy. He smiles only in front of his kids who are the only reasons left for him to breathe. The air hostess requested him personally to switch off his mobile. He did the same and put it into his pocket and closed his eyes. Yeah! BOTH his angels who were his heartbeat had left him all alone. He was leading a life of heaven living with the love of his life, his jaan, his wife and his two lovely kids. That abominable night revamped the lives of all the five. He slowly drifted to sleep helplessly. Helplessly because of the guilt suppressed from the last 7 years. Convalescence of not saving them whom he'd loved to death. Not loved, he still loves them the most. Even though they are not beside him, they'll remain in his heart till eternity.

****

Sydney

08:30pm

Mumma.. Ishima..

Both the voices were music to her ears.

Ishita- coming babies.

She served them their dinner and sat down beside them. Both of them shifted their chairs and settled on the either side of her. She smiled seeing their cute act which HE always used to do just to sit beside her and hold her hand while having food. Being a lefty was HIS advantage but she was stuck and always gave weird explanations to others which ended at a huge teasing session. The sound of the spoons brought her out of it. She wiped her tears which didn't go unnoticed by her elder one. Her younger one was struggling to eat with the spoon bigger than the size of his palm. The elder one giggled seeing this. He pouted angrily hearing her giggles. He was hot-headed just like HIM. She saw the silent war slowly taking shape. She intruded in between and shifted him to her lap.

Ishita- Baby shall I help?

baby- no mumma I can manage. I'm a big boy now. You feed didi. She's still a baby not me. (giggles cutely)

Attitude was his signature or should I say it's in his blood. LIKE FATHER LIKE SON. She thought. Anyway she started feeding both of them and in the gap, they continued their banter when their mouths were empty.

didi- I'm not any baby unlike you. It's just that, I missed you Ishima.

Ishita- awww! I missed you too. And yes both of you will forever remain my babies.

baby- no mumma not me. didis' and bhaiya are your babies. I'm a big boy now.

didi- accha! How big are you? you're still in cockroach's size.

That word made the baby jump out from his mother's lap and climbed onto the next chair screaming and scared of the word COCKROACH!!

baby- cockroach! cockroach! mumma cockroach! shoo-shoo- cockroach! mumma didi shoo-shoo-shoo.

His didi laughed hard holding her stomach along with her Ishima who laughed recalling HIM. Her son is a complete replica of HIM.

didi- now where did the big boy go haahaahaa!

Ishita- rooh stop troubling your brother. baby there's no cockroach here come down.

baby- pakka na mumma?

He looked at his mother keenly pointing a finger at her. She assured him with her eyes. He slowly settled back in her lap checking down at equal intervels. All his acts including his walking style were just like HIM. A complete carbon copy which rooh always calls him.

baby- mumma don't believe didi. She's always the prankster just like papa.

PAPA. The word brought back countless memories for both of them. Yes, both of them have recalled a few things about HIM many times because of this BABY but never voiced out. But his verbal utter created a lump in their throat. They recalled the wretched night when all of them drifted away.

The tiny baby was missing their attention. His mom and his didi were oblivious to it.

baby- didi. mumma. what happened?

Both were back and wiped their tears.

baby- why are you both crying. Ohhoo. Missing papa?

Both of them nodded like small kids. The baby moved the plates aside and climbed onto the table and sat in front of them at a higher level. They looked up to see what was he up to.

baby- listen mumma didi. Even I miss papa. And I even miss Adi bhaiya, didi We don't even know her name, dadu,dadi,chachu,bua, ahh many more people. Think about me. I didn't even see them. Just in a few pics. Both of you have stayed with them at least for some time. But I never did. Should I also start crying along with you?

didi- noooooooooo please I wanna sleep tonight.

Baby smiled seeing them giggling. He jumped between them and they hugged him and pecked him on his cheeks. Cute and caring just like his DAD. Can never see HIS angels in tears!

baby- mumma. You're anyway going to India the next week for your work.

Her smile became fake listening to this. Ruhi sensed her Ishima's confusion.

Ruhi- yeah ISHAAN! But only if we behave good. And not to forget we shouldn't fight. Right Ishima?

Ishita- hmm Yes. But Rooh.

Ruhi- no Ishima not again. We'll be safe. I promise.

Ishaan- yes mumma. I'll look after didi. She's safe don't worry.

Ruhi(giggles)- See even he gave the confirmation. He'll look after ME!

She got the much needed assurance and moved to clean the table while Ruhi took Ishaan to make him sleep. After an hour Ishita went to them only to find them cuddled in their fluffy pj's. She kissed them good night and went to her room. HER ROOM! She always recalls it once she's all alone at this point of her day. NIGHT, when she cuddles with HIM all tired and he happily hides her in him. Now she cuddles with a pillow imagining it to be him and wetting the pillow as she used to wet his Tee's. But the difference is the hands are missing which were wrapped around her and soothed her pain away. The SOLACE was missing. The WARMTH was missing. HE was missing. NO! she's MISSING HIM. Of course. Is that even a question? 7 YEARS of separation. Still their love is afresh.

Ishita(st)- I'm going to India after 7 years. How will I face him? How will he react seeing me? Of course he'll be happy. But what if he's angry? What if.... Hupff! I can't even take Rooh and Ishu along. How will they stay without me? Even though they've assured me, how can I leave them alone?

***

How was it friends?

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Will they meet?

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Stay safe friends!