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"I am sorry my babies. You father won't come back"

Ayra opened her eyes breathing heavily, she looked at her children who were awake, probably by her scream.

Shanya walked out of the bed and came back grabbing a glass of water and passed it to Ayra.

"Mom, please relax yourself. You are so much stressed these days" Shirin said turning on the lamps which gave a little light to the room.

"First time ever, but he is right Mom. You are too much stressed. Now you have two options. Either get stressed for work or for us. We have told you always that we are doing good...no awesome!" Shanya said in a breath.

"It's midnight you should sleep." Ayra said switching the lamps off.

"Tomorrow is Sunday" Shirin said laying back on the bed.

"So it's our time" Shanya said pulling the duvet on her.

"Good night kids" Ayra said turning to other side, trying to gather some sleep for herself.

Her alarm rang making her realise it was morning, and she hasn't slept a bit the whole night. Getting up from the bed, she went up to the washroom.

Her face, had nothing but sorrow. Would anyone believe it is the same cheery face everyone loved to see jumping with her kids 3 years ago?

Splashing some water on her face, she brushed and moved out to the hall with a broom. Wiping up the dust from the kitchen and hall, she switched off the fan of the bedroom and both the kids stuttered by the sudden warmth.

"Gosh your duvet! How can you sleep like this in such a hot weather?" Shirin said irritated in his half asleep mode.

"Shutupandsleep" Shanya muttered, fully asleep.

A smile curved in Ayra's face hearing her kids debating even being asleep. Turning the fan again she went to take the mop to give a cheeky shine to the floor the whole next week.

"Good morning Mumma" Shirin squealed hugging Ayra while she hugged him back.

"Good morning son, brush and get a bath we are leaving in an hour." Ayra said ruffling his hairs.

"Where mumma? Good morning" Shanya said rubbing her hairs with a towel, she was already ready.

"I have made some plans for both of you." Ayra said moving onto the kitchen to make something for her kids.

"Please don't say we are going for shopping. I am already ti..I mean I don't want to go." Shirin said with an annoying face.

"Yuck! How can you speak without brushing?"  Shanya said hitting his arms.

"Yuck! How can such an ugly girl be my sister?" Shirin mocked Shanya while she whined like a baby.

"Shirinn" Ayra said in a stern tone and he huffed moving to the washroom.

"Tell no mumma...where are we going?" Shanya asked smiling sheepishly.

"Tell na Shan..why are you tired of shopping?" Ayra said in the same tone, pinching her nose.

"Nothing serious...I am trying to save my money." Shirin said with a smile.

Helping Ayra with the breakfast, all took seat on the dining table to eat..

"What's for breakfast?" Shirin asked.

"Pancakes" Ayra replied.

"Finally.... I thought I will never get to eat mom's favourite made my mom only." Shanya said rubbing her hands as Ayra served in into plates.

"Here is the chocolate dip...and here is honey for my sweetiepies" Ayra said pulling cheeks of both of them.

__________

"Come fast we have to leave!" Ayra shouted shutting the boot of the car. And the kids came running with their backpacks.

"Wow mom! You look beautiful!" Both of them said.

"You too my dear" Ayra replied smiling.

The kids felt weird, there mom was never like this. She is a simple casual person who works hard day and night for them, cared for them and remained serious, strict for herself.

"Where are we going mom?" The duo asked.

"Old age home" Ayra said looking at the driver Jacob, who nodded starting tue car.

"I am so excited to meet Meena Ma! Last time she gave us so many blessings" Shirin said excitedly.

"Yes! And Mr. Jones gave me many treats too. That's different that I refused to take them." Shanya also exclaimed.

Connecting the radio with her phone, Shanya stjumpine way Ayra liked, soft and moreover with lovely lyrics.

As soon as they reached, the duo jumped out of the car and didn't even wait for the gates to open and jumped over them.

"Meena Ma!!" Shirin rushed and hugged an old lady, probably in her late 80's.

"How is my son doing? Saw you after a long time" Meena's trembling voice stuttered as she ruffled his hairs.

"I am good. Sorry for being late..exams were going on so we didn't go anywhere." Shirin replied and Meena smiled.

"Namaste Meena Ma." Ayra said and touched her feet in order to take her blessings.

"May God fulfill all your wishes." Meena blessed Ayra, who smiled sadly.

"And you know Mr. Jones my exams went so well!" Shanya kept talking and talking to the old man who smiled and listened to her.

Every single person in the old age home knew the Malik family. The trio made sure to come here once a month.

Playing, talking and eating. No one understood how the three hours passed so fast. It was time for them to leave. Bidding a bye to everyone they were back into the car.

"Uhm...mumma can I ask something?" Shirin said a little hesitantly.

"Sure" Ayra replied trying to figure out what they want to ask.

"Why do we come here?" Shanya asked, their heads bowed down. They wanted to hurt their mother by questions..

"Because I want you both to learn, the importance of elders in our life. Kids, the people you like to meet with, are away from their loved ones even being alive. So let's not let them be sad and try to cheer up their mood?" Ayra asked and the twins nodded.

"Mam... We have to head back to the Mansion?" Jacob asked.

"Actually no. We have to move towards the head office for sometime." Ayra replied and Jacob nodded, turning the car to the other side.

The kids frowned, they never l liked to go to any offices. And the head office, they hated it.

"Why mumma.." Shanya whinned

"Just an hour kids, then we will leave. Ok?" Ayra too frowned and they nodded.

Jacob opened the gate for Arya, as she took her serious face on and entered the office. Shirin and Shanya followed her silently as everyone in the office stood up to wish their 'boss'.

"After his death she completely took over everything... without even knowing what he did. She is the same, the lady version of him." The colleagues whispered to each other.

Shanya squeezed her eyes looking st them with disbelief. Their father was never like her. She was totally different from him!

Before she could say anything Shirin pulled her with him as they sat I side the office looking at their mother checking files and typing something in the laptop.

There was a knock at the door and the kids looked towards and shouted.

🙈 What do you think about this story?
Thanks for reading 😊
Tanvi 💫