Love your mother but never forget him, the one who held your finger when you fell-YOUR FATHER

(_thehijabiwrites)

People say that loving and taking care of your mother is one of the best deed that you can do. Very true, it is. A mother is that person who brought you to this world. Without her, you wouldn't have been anywhere but what about your father? Just because, he didn't carry you in a womb doesn't make him unworthy of your love. When you fell, he held your fingers and asked you to fight the demons of your life. When you cry, he asked you not to show your weakness to the world. And when you fight with someone, he asked you to be gentle so that none could point a finger at his blood. Don't you think he too deserves the same love that you have for your mother? Well, I believe in it.

Our Nest

Anjali: Acha bacho aaj Temple jaana hai.

And hearing her, the boys looked at each other in shock and shouted.

Boys: What??

Anjali: No arguments.

Mukti: Par yaha paas mein temple hai kya, Daadi?

Anjali: Hai na. Its only a 30 minutes distance from here. Manu isn't well so we need to do a pooja.

Prathik: How can you do a pooja? She's an innocent girl.

Anjali (sarcastically): Its okay. I'm getting her a Ram today in the temple.

Prathik: Oh please. You can do anything but match making.

Anjali: Excuse me? If you don't know then let me tell you I'm the one who made world's best pair 10 years back.

On this statement, Karthik smirked and looked at his parents who were looking at Anjali nervously as she might even tell others which was that world's best pair.

Manvik: Oh we don't care about it.

Anjali: But I do. Now, shut it and have your breakfast. We need to leave right after breakfast.

Manvik (sulked): This is so not fair. Mamma, why can't we stay back home?

In return, Nandini stuffed a piece of Chapati in his mouth.

Nandini: Jawab mila aapko?

Manvik made a bad face and started to chew it.

Karthik: Um Mamma. Who made these Chapattis? These aren't your hand-made food. Its different too. It actually tastes like Aalu Paratha too.

He spoke while relishing the food and Manik smiled at it.

Prathik: Well, that's true. Its not Mamma's food.

The boys looked at Mukti thinking it might be her who made it.

Naila: Its not Mamma who made it, either.

She said while seeing them gazing at Mukti.

Abhimanyu: Well, the chef was different for today.

Boys: Who was it?

Abhimanyu: Manik Malhotra naam hain unka!

Their pupils dilated which then gazed at Manik, who was busy glaring at Abhimanyu. He didn't want them to know it.

Prathik: You made it?

Anjali: Kyu? Can't he make Chapattis? Mera Guddu bohath achse se cook kartha hain.

She spoke while caressing Manik's hairs.

Manvik: But why?

He asked while looking at Manik, who looked at his sons to see them staring at him curiously.

Manik: Um...bas aise hi. I like to cook.

Saying it, he started to eat and the boys just stared at him.

Prathik (whispered): Did he cook because Manvik is ill?

He whispered to his brothers who looked at him to see him staring at Manik.

Karthik: Well, you have brains, fortunately.

He too started to eat.

Manvik: What? You too think the same?Then why are you all calm with it?

Karthik: Because, I'm being calm. You want me to ask him now why the hell would he cook for us?

Manvik/Prathik: Probably!

Karthik: I'm sorry I can't.

Manvik: Why so?

Karthik: Cause, I don't want to.

Manvik and Prathik gaped at him. He should be curious about it but he didn't look like that.

Prathik: Yesterday, he destroyed his room and now, he's being all cool with whatever Mr. Malhotra did for us. Did he lose his brain somewhere?

He whispered to Manvik who was studying Karthik's facial expressions.

Manvik: He's hiding something and I think..its related to Mr. Malhotra only. Maybe, that's the game he was talking about.

He spoke while staring at Karthik who was busy in eating.

Prathik: I'm so gonna win in it, then.

They smirked at each other and then started to eat.

Post Breakfast

Boys' Room

Karthik: These are the two levels of game and in those chits, its written what you need to do.

Karthik pointed at the chits that Manvik and Prathik had in their hands.

Manvik opened his chit and read "Conversation with Anjali Dhawan during breakfast". While Prathik opened his chit and read "Manik Mlahotra's conversation with Anjali Dhawan post breakfast".

Manvik/Prathik: What the f*** is this?

Karthik: Your game.

Manvik: Elaboration big brother.

Karthik: All you need to do is just rewind these conversations happened today and get the riddle behind it. Once you get the riddle, go to the main person to know the truth.

And he walked out leaving the boys to curse him behind.

Prathik: How am I supposed to rewind a conversation when I forget what would have happened 10 minutes ago?!

Manvik: Well, we will have to. Its the game and we need to win in it.

Prathik: Yours is at least a good topic but mine is difficult.

Manvik: What's so difficult in it. We saw DJ and Mr.Malhotra talking after breakfast and it was such a small topic and lasted only for a minute.

Prathik: Don't you know that the shortest makes the most difficult task?

Manvik: Whatever! Let's rewind them first.

They closed their eyes and tried to remember but they found nothing unusual in it.

Manvik: I still don't get it. What's so big deal in speaking about going to Temple?

Prathik: Exactly. Wait..wasn't it my topic?

Manvik: Excuse me? The breakfast conversation was mine.

Prathik: So? When did I even say that it was mine? I was talking about the post-breakfast coversation.

Manvik: What the f*** is wrong with you? You just told that it was your topic when I spoke about going to temple.

Prathik: What k...

Suddenly, he remembered Manik's face when he was speaking to Anjali after they were done with breakfast.

"Daadi, mujhe ek important meeting hain. Mein baad mein aatha hun. You all can leave together." Manik said to Anjali while grinning sweetly and Anjali smiled while caressing his cheeks.

"Awe, mera bacha kithna kaam kartha hain. Ithna kaam kartha hai ki usseeko hi bahana banadiya thaaki temple na ja sake, hai na?" Anjali spoke in a sweet dripping tone and Manik made a grumpy face.

"Jaldhi hi taiyar hoke aa. Hum saath mein hi jayenge." Anjali said and walked away making Manik to stomp his feet on the floor.

"Bechara Malhotra." Abhimanyu spoke from behind and Manik glared at him. "Waise, bete tho tujhpe hi gaye hain." he added while walking out making Manik to smile.

Prathik: What did he mean by that?

Manvik: Whom are you talking about?

Prathik opened his eyes and then walked out making Manvik to open his eyes too.

Manvik: Weird brothers I've got! Anyhow, let me concentrate on my topic.

He started to ponder over his topic with his eyes closed again.

Downstairs

Naila: Wow! Handsome!

Alishka and Naila stared at Manik and Abhimanyu who were in their traditional attire.

Alishka whistled making them to sigh at her.

Manik: Ye bhi apna Bhai ne sikhaya hoga, kyu?

He asked sarcastically and Alishka grinned.

Alishka: Nope. Dad taught me how to whistle, Bhai said its not a good habit for girls to whistle.

Abhimanyu: Chalo, kuch tho acha kiya tumhara Bhai ne.

But Manik ignored it.

Manik: Acha? And why did they say that its not a good habit?

Alishka: I don't know but they said its a boy's right to whistle at girls.

Hearing it Abhimanyu widened his eyes while Manik nodded with a tight lipped smile plastered on his face.

Manik: Like expected!

He gave a scowl to Abhimanyu as there was none nearby to receive his scowl.

Mukti: Kya baath hai! Aaj tho traditional attire mein ho?

Mukti joined the girls while admiring her brother and her husband.

Abhimanyu: Waise tum bhi buri nahi dikhthi ho.

Mukti: Jaise ki aap bade acha lagthe hain.

Abhimanyu: Mrs. Thakkar, if you don't remember, I had a huge fangirl list back in college.

Mukti: Right. Back in college because ab tho tum budha hochuke ho.

Abhimanyu: Excuse me? Baap banne se koi budha nahi banajatha. If that was the case, how many times will you ladies become budhi for being pregnant with a big belly and then delivering a baby!

Mukti: I was talking about Budha not budhi, also, nobody gets pregnant with a big belly in the beginning. It takes time to grow.

Abhimanyu: Why would I even care about pregnant ladies?

Manik: Will you guys shut up? We have kids in here.

He glared at the duo who were busy in glaring at each other.

Alishka: Your parents seem to be the typical mother-in-law and daughter-in-law drama couple.

Alishka whispered to Naila.

Naila (confused): Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law drama?

Alishka: Yeah. Dad used to say it in Hindi whenever he sees our neighbor couple fighting.

Naila frowned more but then it struck her.

Naila: Idiot, its saas-bahu drama.

Alishka: Whatever it is! Meaning is same.

Naila giggled and Alishka concentrated in the fight going ahead.

"Sab aagaye kya?" they turned to find Navya walking down the stairs followed by Cabir but what they didn't notice were the stares given by Mukti, Manik and Abhimanyu.

Cabir and Navya used to be that couple who always wore color-coordinated outfits for every function that they attended together. Whenever they visited Temple with Anjali, they used to be that eye-catchy couple. But now, nothing seems to be right between them.

Navya: Kya hua? Where are you guys lost?

She waved her hand at her friends and brother who nodded in No at her while Cabir walked out without saying anything. He still didn't want to be around Manik for whatever done by himself.

Boys' Room

Manvik: Mamma. I'm not wearing it, again.

Instead, Nandini made him wear it.

Nandini: Pehenna tho padega hi. Your DJ wants us in Traditional attire whenever we visit temple.

Karthik: That's one reason I hate going to temple.

He spoke while styling his hair style with his hands.

Nandini: Offo! What's so bad in it? Dekh na tum theeno kithne ache lag rahe hai. Hayee! My babies are the most handsome.

She spoke while kissing all their heads.

Prathik: Yeah right. This long shirt with a balloon trousers make us handsome.

He looked at himself and then made a crying face.

Prathik: For God's sake Mamma, I look ugly.

KNOCK KNOCK

Their crying session was brought to an end by Manik who entered inside.

Karthik: You don't need to knock.

He said while being still busy in getting his hair style done and hearing him, Manvik and Prathik stared at him with their jaws dropped down.

Nandini too was surprised at it. They hates someone entering inside their room without their permission and here Karthik is asking Manik to enter their room without knocking. That was a first!

Manik: You guys look good!

He spoke while adoring his sons who were clad up in Kurta-pajama just like him.

Boys: Thanks!

They muttered while looking here and there making him to chuckle silently.

Manik: Waise, why are you guys in same designs?

Nandini: Well, that's something interesting, now.

Manik: Why so?

Nandini: They hate to wear traditional attire so when they hate something, they want all three of them to have the same thing if at all one is getting it. Isiliye, design bhi ek hi hoga, meri wajah se se hi color different hai warna wo bhi same hoga.

She said while drying Prathik's hairs.

Prathik: Mamma, let it be. I need to style my hair too.

Nandini: When did I even stop you? Before styling, you need to get your hair dried, warna beemar padoge.

She moved towards the closet and took the sandals for the boys out.

Nandini: Chalo, mein taiyar hoke aathi hun. Manik.

She turned to him who raised his eyebrows at her.

Nandini: You will have to carry Manu downstairs.

Manvik and Prathik stared at Nandini in shock seeing her ordering Manik. Is Manik just a friend? Friends do order around but she never had such a close friend, at least according to their knowledge. While Karthik hid his smile.

Manik: Of course, that's why I'm here.

Now, they were annoyed. Karthik's game have gotten them mad but now this have gotten them more crazier.

Nandini walked out while Manik stared at the boys.

Manik: So..all done?

Karthik: Nope. I need to get my hairs done.

Manik turned to look at Karthik who was still in front of the mirror. He could see himself in his son. He turned to Manvik who was busy in studying his face.

Manik: Yeah?

He raised his eyebrows at Manvik who seemed to be lost in thoughts.

Manvik: Nothing. You just look good in traditional attire.

Manik nodded with a smile and then turned to Prathik who was applying gel on his hair but couldn't get a proper design.

Manik: Wait up!

He stood behind Prathik and made him turn to face him.

Manik: Aisa nahi karna hain. I'll get it done.

He started to style Prathik's hair using his own hands which is now filled with gel.

Prathik: Don't you think your hands could get spoiled by gel. You're all ready in your outfit.

Manik: Doesn't matter to me!

His reply was so instant that Prathik kept staring at him.

Manik: Ye sab karna..it kinda makes me happy.

Manik stared in Prathik's eyes whose was stuck at his face.

Manik: You're done.

He made Prathik to see himself in the mirror who wasn't looking at himself but Manik. There was something different in Prathik's eyes now which couldn't be read by any.

Prathik: Should I thank you?

Manik stared at him for a while and nodded in No.

Manik: I won't like it.

Manik turned to Manvik who was staring at Prathik confusedly.

Manik: Chale?

He asked Manvik whose concentration now was on Manik.

Manvik: Yeah.

Manik picked Manvik in his arms and walked out.

Manik: Acha lag rahe ho, ab tho mirror ko chod.

He spoke to Karthik and Prathik while walking out who were busy in their own thoughts. Karthik looked at Prathik and smiled.

Karthik (thought): He's getting it!

Karthik: Shall we leave, Malhotra?

Prathik nodded and they both walked out.

Downstairs

Anjali: Sab taiyar hai kya?

Abhimanyu: Sab ka tho patha nahi, par aap bilkul taiyar hain.

He winked at Anjali who blushed at it.

Anjali: Pehle apni beewi pe line maarna seekho phir mere jaise beautiful ladkiyon pe maar.

Abhimanyu pouted sadly while Mukti giggled.

Adyant: Aur tum kaha se ladki dikhthi ho? Budhi ho chuki ho.

Anjali: Aapko agar ithna hi jalan ho rahe hai mujhse tho bathay kyun nahi?

Adyant: Why would I be jealous of you? FYI, our genders are different to be jealous of each other.

Anjali: Genders don't matter when it comes to jealousy. Waise bhi, aap har kisise jaltha hai, yaha thak ki ice-cream vendor se bhi jalthe hai aap ye kehke he can eat more ice-cream than you.

Adyant looked pissed to which Anjali paid no heeds while others looked at them in shock except fro Dhawans and little Malhotras.

Karthik: Big Naanu, who asked you to fight with her?

Adyant: Haa tho wo mere beizati kar rahi hai na.

Anjali: Izzat hi kaha hai aap mein beizati karne keliye!

Adyant grew more angry.

Adyant: Tum mujhse baath math kar.

"Ab kya hua?" Nandini walked down the stairs with a horrified look on her face after hearing Adyant's loud tone.

But what she didn't notice was his stare. Manik. He was staring at her the same way like he stared at her 10 years back when she wore saree for the first time in his insistence.

This time the entire little's gang whistled including Naila who learnt to whistle from Alishka.

"Jach rahe ho." the kids echoed and they were surprised on hearing the same thing from Naila too.

Naila: What? Daddy taught me.

Alishka: Hey, that's a coincidence. Dad taught us too.

Both Cabir and Abhimanyu looked at each other before looking away. It was their thing. Whenever their favorite ladies dress up for any occasion, they use the same dialogue together and now they taught the same to their kids too.

Anjali: Hona hi tha. Meri bachi jo hain.

She flipped her hairs backwards and took hold of Nandini's arm.

Anjali: Nandu, tujhe bade guddu ke saath aana padega.

Nandini widened her eyes at Anjali who had a very casual expression on her face.

Adyant (muttered): Ab tho zaroor jaanke hi rahoonga mein!

Adyant: Haa Nandu, come with Manik.

This time, Anjali too had a shocked expression on his face.

Adyant: What? Madir jaa rahe hai hum. Saare couples ko ek saath aana hain aur Manik aur Nandu ke alawa baaki sab couples hain so she can't tag along with them, right. Kyu Nandu, tujhe koi problem hai kya?

Nandini nodded in No.

Adyant: Phir teek. Sab chal saath!

He walked out and others followed him.

Prathik: Mr. Thakkar!

Prathik called out for Abhimanyu when Manik was busy in adjusting Manvik on the backseat.

Abhimanyu (glared): Aur kithne baar bolun Mamu bulane keliye?

Prathik ignored his glares and walked towards Abhimanyu's car making others to frown.

Abhimanyu: Oh, hello? Where to?

Prathik opened the back seat and got to see Naila sitting on the other side.

Prathik: Can I?

He pointed at the seat beside her and she narrowed her eyebrows at him. She still was angry at him.

Naila: Why? Weren't you going with my Mamu?

Prathik: I was. But can't I change my plans? Now, can I sit here or not?

Mukti: Of course, you can Prathik. Usse kya poochna, tum beitho.

Mukti who was sitting on the front seat smiled at him warmly and gave a look to Naila. Prathik smiled back at her but then turned towards Naila again.

Naila: Maybe, you can add a word called 'please'!

Prathik took a deep breath and then shook his head while blowing air out and then looked up at Naila.

Prathik: Can I...sit here....pl..please?

Naila smiled in victory and nodded in Yes curtly making him sigh in relief and got inside the car to occupy a seat beside her before closing the door.

Prathik: Mamma! I'm leaving with Mr. Thakkar!

He said to Nandini while rolling the window down, who was standing beside Manik outside Manik's car.

Manik: Why so?

Prathik: Because, I want to. Is that a problem?

Manik shrugged his shoulders/

Abhimanyu: Excuse me? Aap kisse poochke yaha beithe ho?

Prathik gave him a hard look.

Prathik: Who is she?

He pointed at Mukti making Abhimanyu to frown.

Abhimanyu: My wife. Kyu? Ithni badi doubt kaha se aaya ab tumhe?

Prathik (grinned): I thought husband and wife share equal power in making decisions but I didn't know Mrs. Thakkar didn't hold any power in making decision. After all, she permitted me to sit in this car.

Abhimanyu gaped at Prathik before looking at Mukti who was already staring at him sternly. He grinned and got inside the car's driving seat.

Abhimanyu: Tu mera family life hi barbad karega.

He glared at Manik for having such sons who could make his life upside down before driving towards the temple.

Manik: Achanak kya hua?

Nandini: Jo bhi ho. Uske dimaag mein kuch chal rahe hain.

Manik: Wo kaise?

Nandini (sighed): Fortunately or unfortunately, he has some of your traits too, like having a sharp brain.

She got inside the passenger seat and Manik looked confused.

Manik: Ab kya ho raha hai uske dimaag mein. Oh God, Manik, why did you have to give all your traits to your sons. Tum khud confused insaan jo ho.

He too got inside the car and drove away.

Abhimanyu's Car

Prathik: Who listens to music while driving?

Abhimanyu: I do.

Prathik looked displeased.

Prathik: Don't you think it would distract your from driving?

Abhimanyu: Music will never distract you from anything you love. Because you love music and whatever you love can only distract you from something bad. I have a craze for driving too. So, music mere liye distraction nahi.

Prathik had to smile at it.

Prathik: You love music?

Naila: Love? Music is everything for him. Acoustic Guitarist hai mera Daddy.

Abhimanyu smiled faintly at it. Mukti held his hand and entwined it while looking outside as they knew it would be difficult for them to look at each other when the topic is music which is been discussed.

Prathik (amazed): Really? You're a guitarist? I can't believe that a man like you interested in music.

Abhimanyu (pissed): And may I know why it is.

Prathik: Because, you seem to be a person who is a lot interested in chilling. Like, you wanna listen to music when you drive but then I feel like, you can never do anything when you listen to music. Its like, you're in another world when you listen to music so how can you do something else but in here, you can even drive when you're a guitarist. Fascinating!

Abhimanyu (softly): You have..knowledge in music?

Prathik (shrugged): I'm a musician.

Mukti/Abhimanyu: You're what.

Abhimanyu for a second, lost his control on driving in happiness. His best friend's son being a musician would be a happy news for him as his daughter herself is a musician. It was the FAB 5's dream to see their children being musicians one day in future.

Prathik (surprised): Chill! Why are you getting so hyper?

Mukti (excitedly): Tum musician ho? Mathlab, kya karthe ho? Gaathe ho ya koi instrument bajathe ho? Kaunsa instrument bajathe ho? Guitar, keyboard, violin or..

Naila: Mamma, relax. I don't think he's being honest in here.

Prathik (rolled his eyes): I don't have any interest in making you believe in it, Miss Thakkar. And Mrs. Thakkar, I do sing and a guitarist in our band.

Abhimanyu: Wait..a band? Like, you have a band?

Prathik: Yeah. In our school.

Abhimanyu (happily): Awesome, it is. Kya naam hai band ka? And what do you do in that? Lead singer?

Prathik: Um, there's no lead singer in our band. THE HACKERS-that's our band or group name. I'm a Guitarist along with my siblings.

Mukti: Siblings? Mathlab tumhara brothers aur Ashu bhi?

Prathik: Yup. Karthik is the lead guitarist, Manvik is acoustic guitarist and I'm the electric guitarist. All 3 of us sing, while Ashu is on drums.

"Drums?" the Thakkars asked out of shock making Prathik to chuckle.

Prathik: Yeah. We've no idea how come she's having a lot of energy in her to beat drums but yeah, she's one of the wonderful drummer.

Mukti: Hona bhi tha!

She looked out of the window while controlling her tears and Abhimanyu let out a faint chuckle.

Abhimanyu (muttered): You're a proud father now, Bira!

Prathik: Um..why was Mr. Malhotra nagging to DJ? Doesn't he believe in God?

Abhimanyu: Of course, he does. Its just he's not good at praying.

Prathik (softly): What do you mean?

Mukti (chuckled): Long story hai but short karthi hun. Manik ko God mein belief hai but its just, he never learnt how to pray to God. Its not like he never tried. He did try a lot but he seems to be not knowing about it. When he's asked about it, he says that it looks like he's talking to God and how come God is hearing his talks when he's just praying in his mind. Such a stupid he was and he still is. Isiliye aaj bhi usko pray karna nahi aatha. Aur kehtha hai, agar sirf baath karna hai tho mandir hi kyun, kahi se bhi tho kar sakthe hai na!

Abhimanyu and Naila too chuckled along while listening about Manik's childishness but Prathik was lost, lost in thoughts.

He clenched his fists and opened it again while taking deep breaths. He closed his eyes only to remember it.

"Mamma, I don't wanna pray. I mean, why are you calling it a prayer? How am I talking to you? In words right, I'm doing the same thing with God, then how can you call that a prayer and this a talk? I don't get this thing." I shrugged my shoulders at her.

"Prathi, how many times should I tell you? Aise nahi bolthe. Prayer isiliye karthe hain kyunki God is different and humans are different. Whatever you're having with me is just a face to face conversation but whatever you're having with God can also be a conversation but a prayer too. Kyunki tum unse kuch maang rahe ho. Jo maangthe hai wo dethe hain God, chahe kuch bhi hojaye." Mamma said while folding my palms in front of God's idol.

"I ask for many things from you too, so does it count as a prayer too?" I asked confusedly and she gave me a look. A look which had a sad smile mixed with it.

"You're a lot like him in it." she said and I frowned.

"Him? Who him?" I asked.

"Your Dad" she said and I smiled at it.

"Dad." Prathik muttered to himself with tears pooled in his eyes.

To be continued..