“Ansh drink it quickly” Anika told glaring at a seven year old Ansh as he sat in front of the glass of milk with a huge pout on his face.

“Mumma please. I don't want milk”

“Should I call papa?” She asked and Ansh pouted more.

“Who is troubling my Ansh early in the morning?” Shivaay asked as he sat beside Ansh.

“Papa I don't want milk” Ansh told pouting.

“Arre aise kaise? Don't you want to become big like papa?” Shivaay asked as he brought the glass of milk near Ansh's mouth who recoiled at the smell and pushed the glass making it fall directly on Shivaay's suit.

“Ansh what was that?” Anika asked making him stand and giving a beat on his arm quite hardly.

“Anika leave it” Shivaay told standing up from the chair.

“What was the need to push it like that?” She asked glaring at Ansh and Shivaay separated Ansh from her.

“Hogaya? It's ok” He told looking at Anika while she huffed. According to her, Shivaay was undoubtedly spoiling Ansh with his over pampering along with Ansh's grandparents.

Ansh looked down as big fat tears rolled down his eyes.

“Do everything and cry like this. You both do whatever you want. I'm not going to interfere in anything from today” She told walking to the room and Shivaay kneeled down in front of Ansh.

“Good boys don't cry” He told and Ansh pouted looking at him.

They heard a honk and Shivaay smiled.

“School bus came. Are you going to school with this sad-sad face?” Shivaay asked in childish voice while tickling Ansh who giggled.

“Papa, mumma is angry” He told pouting.

“Papa will handle that. Now my little Ansh go to school without any tension. Evening, Papa and mumma will come to pick you up. From there, we'll go to have ice cream together. What say?” He asked and Ansh's face lighted up.

“Done. Love you papa” He told and kissed Shivaay's cheek before rushing out after taking his school bag.

Shivaay smiled and walked to their room to see Anika sitting there with a grumpy face.

“Anika——”

“I don't want to listen to anything Shivaay” She told with a frown and he sat beside her before pulling her close to him.

“Ee milk. Go and change your dress. Smell of milk makes me vomit” Anika told and Shivaay raised his eyebrows.

“Anika, you admit it or not, he only looks like me. He's taken after you in each and every little thing. If milk makes you vomit, how can he be different?”

“I'm trying to change that habit of his. Milk is really necessary for strong bones. He'll turn weak” She told with a frown.

“Bas karo na! Why are you torturing him every morning like this? He can't drink milk” He told with a sigh.

“But Shivaay” She told whining.

“What Shivaay? He listens to each and everything you say. Why can't you listen to one thing he says?”

“I'm his mom” She told offended and he chuckled.

“So?” He asked in a teasing voice and she hit his chest.

“Fine!” She told and he chuckled looking at her grumpy face.

“I'll do something about milk. Now don't make that face” He told before going to washroom to change as she smiled.

He walked out after sometime as she was getting ready for office.

“Waise Anika, I was thinking” He told standing behind her and she raised her eyebrows.

“Ansh is growing up. I mean he is 7 now and don't you think he needs a sister. I mean——” She turned to him and looked at him with an amused expression..

“What do you mean Shivaay?” She asked snaking her arms around his neck and he played innocent.

“Our Ansh is always alone na? Nobody to play with? How boring!” He told sadly and she nodded.

“Mm hmm” she told intently.

“Don't you think Ansh needs a sister? I mean just for Ansh ha” He told and she she pinched his nose.

“ya ya just for Ansh” She told while he held her waist and pulled her closer to him.

“I miss the chubby you” He told nuzzling his face in the crook of her neck and she closed her eyes with a smile.

“Even I miss screaming at you in midnight for not getting ice cream for me” She told with a cheeky smile and he chuckled.

“Don't forget the kicking out of bed part. How many kicks did my spine survive” He told and she burst out laughing.

Shivaay's phone rang and he took the phone from the table while still smiling but whatever the person from the other side told, made his smile vanish and breath to hitch.

“I—I'm coming” He told and hanged the call to look at Anika.

“Anika—Ansh, he—he, the bus collided with a truck and——Our Ansh——hospital” He managed to say and Anika felt her whole world shattering in front of her.

“Shivaay—Who called? What are you even saying?” She asked holding both his arms and shaking him with wide eyes.

“Come” He told rushing out the room with the key and she ran behind him, her whole body going numb.

How they reached the hospital was still a mystery considering Shivaay's rash driving.

Ansh's bus-teacher was standing there with a cast on her hand while talking to doctor and both Shivaay and Anika rushed to her. On seeing them, her face grew tensed and eyes brimmed up with tears.

“Doctor, they're Ansh's parents” The teacher turned to doctor who nodded.

“Mr Oberoi I suppose” The doctor asked and Shivaay nodded.

“Is my son fine?” Anika asked impatiently as she looked around somewhere to spot Ansh between the mildly injured kids.

“Can I have a minute with you?” The doctor asked looking at Shivaay who nodded before walking a little far from Anika who was intently looking at the kids trying to his Ansh between them.

“Mr. Oberoi, Ansh had  a major injury on head while bringing here. We didn't have any hope but we tried our best to save him. I'm sorry” The doctor told with a deep sigh and Shivaay looked at him, trying to process what he just said.

“What do you mean?” Shivaay asked praying badly that let it not mean whatever he understood.

“I know it's difficult for you Mr Oberoi but that's the truth. Your son is no more” The doctor repeated and Shivaay felt a sharp pain erupt through his skull down towards his heart making his senses go numb.

He walked to Anika who was looking at him curiously. Pulling her hand, he made her sit on the bench which was far away from the hustling and bustling of the hospital.

“Where's Ansh? Did the doctor tell you? Is he in some other ward? I mean he might be tired. He didn't drink milk in the morning” She blabbered and he gulped as he tried to control his tears.

“Anika, he is fine. I mean——there's a slight injury. Doctors are tending. There's nothing to worry” He managed to say holding her palm in his shivering ones.

“Why are you sweating Shivaay? Why are you shivering like this? What happened to Ansh? Is he fine? Tell me something” She asked, her eyes wide in horror and he hugged her.

“Calm down. Our baby is fine. He is fine. Nothing happened to him” He whispered as he caressed her hairs.

“No! You're lying. What happened to my Ansh? Shivaay tell me the truth” She asked parting from the hug.

“Nothing! Nothing happened to him” He told as if he was assuring himself.

“You're lying. Jhoot bol raha hai aap Shivaay. Now tell me what happened to my Ansh” She asked holding his collars and he pulled her to his chest as he gritted his teeth, trying to control his tears.

••|To Be Continued|••