Bonne lecture!

[ missing you, mumma ]

A new day was starting, birds' constant morning singing and daylight trespassing through the shutters in the room were to wake up the sleeping city.

The light sleeper baby she was, the little girl moved her head before slowly blinking open her eyes, her arms and legs smoothly stretched and she yawned mouth-wide-open deliberately. She rolled and pushed her hands on the rigid ground to sit on her little buttocks, checking the surroundings through half-open eyes. She rubbed them and noticing the old white veil of her mother next to her, she took it in her tiny fist before crawling looking around, dragging the cloth in her tight grip. It was not her bed but something much smaller and round, and she was certainly not alone for the soft snores in the room, emitting a babyish sound as an answer to the person next to her.

Nothing seemed to reach his ears until he heard a loud cooing in the room. He stirred up and, sleeping on his front, he was to switch his position when he again heard the sound. He sighed and tapped his hand on the bed to find it awfully empty, and not being the same soft mattress. He slowly brushed the sleep off his eyes and opened them to fall on the pink doll staring at him in that seated position, before the thin bottom line on her precious face turned into a curve. "Pa—pa"

He smiled back. "Good morning, baby. Already awake?", he said sleepily as he turned his hand and she gleefully crawled to put her palm on it, babbling how happy she felt to wake up next to her father. He wrapped her soft hand and took it to kiss her soft fist as she was looking at his actions, first clueless but then smiling.

"Now Diya baby give a kissie to papa.", he asked and she leaned onto his cheek to drop a wet peck before hugging him by his neck as he pulled her down on the bed rest. She disagreed and standing up again on her fours, she roamed in the tent until he woke up. She wanted to get cleaned and have her breakfast, and yet mumma was not showing up.

He chuckled at her antics, knowing what exactly she needed right now. "Fine, let's wake up.", he said as he slowly sat straight, making her look at him keenly before crawling to his front, the old white cloth of her mother still in her claws.

She stopped on her way to play with the toy car midway, sitting on her legs when she felt something hovering her from behind as he kissed on the top of her head. Seeing her father also on his fours, she smiled wide and started the race crawling faster to the door.

"I am going to get you...", each time she heard him nearing closer, she giggled louder and louder trying to escape from his catch, and they kept running all over the room, him making sure she wouldn't bump into somewhere hard except his hold. "Run, run, run faster... or papa will catch you."

She was about to hit her head on the cupboard when he quickly moved and pulled her in his arms, dropping kisses all over her face and tickling her soft little tummy over her onesie, her laughter being the only sound to fill his ears and the room as he enjoyed it until she seemed to struggle with her breathing.

"Okay, stop. Now let's get this tummy filled, after having these dirty clothes and diaper changed.", he grimaced as she calmed, and carried her in his arm to their room.

•••

"I worked on the case last night and noted a few points, I think this should be helpful for the team, since the next hearing is just in four days.", Arjun handed over the file to his father as they were discussing at the dining table in their lawn area.

"Arjun, you've been working hard lately. Have a break, beta, it will make you feel better. Why don't we first have something to eat, then you go and pack your things, huh?", he said as the younger son looked confused.

"Packing? What for?", he asked back.

"Don't tell me you have already forgotten what you told to Zoya.", he chuckled and he smiled at his father. "Don't worry dad, I still have time for that. I should finish the pending work before going, at least.", he replied as the old man sighed.

"Morning, pa. Morning, Arjun.", both father and daughter entering the outdoor scene, they spotted the two men around the dining table waiting for them. The toddler greeting them with a squeal of excitement as she had had her drink first. She pushed herself down from his hold to her grandfather and he smilingly opened his arms wide for her, before she sat on the table facing the old man.

"Look at this beautiful baby. Seems like our pretty little woman is ready to hang out today, huh?", Harshvardhan cooed as she giggled at his expressions. She opted for a sweet navy blue summer dress with white spots and puff sleeves, a bow on the left front side by the waist matching the headband she was wearing ; along with black tiny sandals that could ease her steps. "Pwe—ly."

"Yes, you are the prettiest.", and he kissed on her chubby cheek, his day-old shaved chin rubbing on her skin as she pushed his face. "Oh, oh... what happened?"

"Someone is being the sensible drama queen.", Arjun leaned closer and playfully pulled her cheek, her little mouth stretched open as she turned to face him. "Diya baby doesn't like when Cha does this to you, do you?", he said earning a whine from her side, her nose scrunching making him chuckle.

"Don't make her cry, Arjun. Her mother is also not here to control her.", the old man said bringing the little one on his laps while the latter played her own music hitting her hands on the table.

"Mumma... mumma...", biting her lips, she repeated asking for her mother as she hadn't got to see her since she was awake. She looked at her father who was having his breakfast seated two chairs away from them and standing on her grandfather's laps, she leaned closer to him. "Mam... mumma...", she continued reminding him.

"Baby, mumma is at work now, far from home, away from us. But we will get to meet her in three days. Three, promise.", saying so, he peeled the banana in his hands off and tore it in small pieces to feed the now-upset girl who first refused ; yet seeing him eating the fruit, she looked at him and forwarded her tiny hand palm. He smiled and gave a piece that she immediately gobbled up, chewing it slow with her few tiny teeth.

"Did you call her this morning?", the father asked keeping the moving doll in his arm safe.

"Not yet, pa, not since I talked to her last night as I came back from my flight. Thought to do it in a while, she might just be getting ready.", he said and they all finished their breakfast, men talking while the kid attended the moment in silence.

When suddenly his phone rang on the table, her name and picture flashing on the locked screen. Hearing the loud sound, the little girl looked at the vibrating device on the table and was to get it when she saw her mother's picture. She widely smiled and squealed as he was to answer the call.

"Alright Arjun, let's leave to office as well. Have a good day, you two.", pecking one last time on the infant's head, he passed her back to Aditya and she comfortably settled on his laps.

"Hey begum, how is work going on? All good?", he talked and she looked at her father's face brightening listening to the unaudible speaker on the other line, while she had to wait patiently, mumbling 'mumma' loud enough out of her mouth. He looked down at her already staring at him, and smiled. "Yeah, she is here. Hold on."

Her eyes followed his actions as she saw him keep the talking device on the table, before pressing something and holding her protectively in his arms.

"Talk to your mother.", he gently kissed on her head and she suddenly saw her face appearing on the screen, smiling at her.

"Hi, my love. How is my little girl doing?", the woman asked eager to listen to her kid's talks. Her mother's squeak made her smile wider and she giggled shyly holding her hands in front of her mouth in surprise. "Mumma... mumma...", pointing at her.

"Yes, baby, it's mumma. Has my Diya had khaa—na?", as she understood her hand gesture, she neared the phone and showed the rest of smashed banana in her hand. "Diya... khe—ya... dhoo..."

"Accha? Diya had dhoodhoo and khela, did she?", and the child giggled at her babyish reply, before she kept talking.

"Baby, promise until mumma doesn't come back, you will be a very good girl and you will not disturb papa, okay?", she said while the kid kept babbling in her own language about herself. "Aahaan?! My baby also gave a kissie to papa? When I will be there, you will have to give me plenty of them too. Okay? Now mumma has to go work. I will talk to you later, hmm? Bye!"

Saying so, she waved at her screen, keenly noticing her little disappointment, as she was having her fists before her mouth. She didn't want the woman to go and wished she actually came out of the little thing to hug her.

"Baby, mumma will be back soon. Now say babye.", he whispered in her ear and held her arm up to wave back. "Ba—ba", she sweetly said wishing her a good day.

"Mumma misses you too. Come soon!", and she hung the call as the screen got dark, making her surprised. "Mumma...", her mouth turned into a sad pout as she tried to tap the screen.

"Don't worry, we will meet mumma soon. Now, let's go out, okay baby?", he immediately scooped her in his arms and discretely keeping his phone in his pocket, they walked back in the house.

•••

"Akansha, where are the extra flowers we asked for?", she walked around checking.

"Ma'am, I just called them, they would be here in fifteen.", the employee replied checking her pad.

"Okay, what about the sound system for day after tomorrow's sangeet, Shawn?", she turned to look at the man standing next to his colleagues. "All settled, ma'am. They would be available and brought by four tomorrow afternoon and someone is to take them back the next day."

She nodded with a sigh and sent them to their positions, trying to get some relief at the smoothly-happening work, but nothing seemed to calm her nervousness. She was engrossed in her work since the day before, focusing on the job she needed to complete successful and on time, but something had been disturbing her.

Done with the first day's work and the family dinner with her parents, sister and relatives, Zoya got freshened up and sat in her bedroom. Picking her phone from the night stand, she immediately dialled her husband's contact number. Spending the time with her relatives, she missed her own family terribly and noted in her mind to call them once back to the room.

"Hi ba— hey, what happened? Why is she crying? Hasn't she eaten anything yet?", she inquired looking at the cranky child whimpering in her father's arms, putting her fists before her mouth while tears kept rolling down her chubby face.

Hearing her mother's voice by miracle, she turned her head all around before seeing the camera in his hand and whimpered innocently moving to the device.

"She didn't even let me feed her, nor she had her nap. She has been all stubborn calling for you since that park visit. She was being so sweet all day, I don't know what happened to her all by sudden.", he tried to handle the moving toddler but adamant as she was, he gave her the phone. She neared the phone to her face, rubbing her runny nose, and looked at her mother's face she had been looking for since morning.

"Why are you crying, huh? Why is my baby sad?", she bit and sucked her lower lip listening to the lady through the call while leaning back on her father, tired of all the crying drama. She wasn't even strong enough to reply anything except for her small mumbles calling her mumma. "I am so sorry, jaan. I made you sad leaving you, didn't I?"

The latter still talking, her heavy lids slowly closed on their own, the toddler falling into slumber on his chest. He smoothly took the phone off her tight grip and leaning it against the night lamp, he comfortably laid the little one in the centre bed before covering with the sheet. Still half conscious, she groaned at the movements and turned to a relaxing position herself.

"You stay online, I will get her milk."

Saying so, he left the two ladies alone in the room while he walked to the kitchen. Zoya looked at the tired kid in slumber, her arms on each pillow. She started humming a lullaby looking at the little doll, feeling quite guilty for her sadness. She just wished to rush to her baby and hug her to sleep in her tiny arms.

"Ma'am, you asked for me?", Mona came in her sight of view, breaking her moment of trance.

"Huh? Oh... yes, sorry Mona. I wanted to tell you we must check the boathouse for the nuptial night the soonest possible, so that we can set it up on time. Have you had the owner on the phone yet?", she asked as she was going through the to-do list. "Shahana said her uncle had some contact in the country, any news from him?"

"Ma'am, I have contacted the person, he said we could go and meet him to his place tomorrow morning. Shawn, Vinodji and I are going to talk to him.", she answered.

"Alright. Make it fast. I want everything planned before the functions start trailing one after the other from tomorrow. And yes, we should remind the contractor for the decorations for tomorrow's haldi.", she ordered and walked to check on the few guests already present.

"Appi, here. Have this juice, at least.", Noor walked in and offered her a glass of drink as her sister was busy talking to the decorators.

"Thanks, could you keep it on the table, please? I will have it in a while.", she said still focused in her work.

"No, appi. I won't let you go so easily. You haven't eaten anything since morning. Ammi herself ordered me to give you this. If you won't drink this juice now, I will tell ammi and give you some extra lect...", she was cut off in between her lesson.

"Okay, okay. Fine. I will have the juice now, happy?", she finally took the glass and shook her head at her sister.

"Good. Now sit here, and relax. I will replace you for a while. You please don't come back before finishing this.", saying so, she went away to check on the work while she sighed. She was sipping the drink when her daughter's thoughts came back to her mind.

I hope she's doing fine, there.

•••

"Baby. Baby, please have th...", on his fours following the kid, Aditya was about to bring the silicon spoon to her lips but she immediately pushed his arm away, not willing to be disturbed while playing with her toys. "Mumma..."

"Your mumma is not here, my love. We will meet her soon. For now, have this, please?", however his pleas went in vain as she didn't look up. As if she even understood of his words.

At the moment, the doorbell rang and one of the helpers walked to the door while both father and daughter held their heads up towards the little noise.

"Mah?", and he slowly stood up to welcome the mother as the toddler left her playtime in middle to follow him. Seeing her grandmother again boosted her mood as she crawled faster and caught her legs.

"Arey re re! Look who is here to welcome her old granny?", leaving her bag to Marcus, she bent down and lifted the toddler before kissing on her head, as she comfortably took her place on her hip. "You're looking so dull. What happened, huh?"

"Mom, you are back? So good to see you.", Arjun climbed down the stairs hearing the sounds in the living area, and welcomed his mother hugging her, when the baby, lazily laying on her shoulder, pushed him.

"Oyy, little princess. She's my mom. Can't I hug her?", he asked faking annoyance and she was about to hit him making him step back. Smiling at his shocked expression, she tried to hit him again calling for him and he backed away at her violent game. "Alright, alright. She's yours. Now please don't hit your sweetest uncle, it hurts.", he said as he faked tears.

The kid stopped hearing his cry and looking at his act, she got scared. Immediately, she dropped her head on the woman's shoulder, holding her chain in her fist whimpering.

"Arjun, why are you doing so? See, now she's upset.", Anjana whisper yelled at her son and rubbed her back to calm her as Diya turned her head, showing her back to him.

"That's because she hasn't had her lunch yet, mah. She's giving attitude.", Aditya explained as he leaned against the back of the couch watching the trio, exhausted after following the kid everywhere. He wondered how Zoya was used to managing her stubbornness.

A stubborn person could handle another one.

"Adi! Don't say like that. She's a kid.", Anjana supported her granddaughter making him roll his eyes.

"Hey... baby, I was just joking. Look...", Arjun moved to her back to look at the kid's face. "Look at me, I am smiling.", he said as he showed a wide smile. She slowly brought a hand to his face and tapped him lovingly. Before going to his specs as she was to take them when he stepped back. "Anything but these, my doll."

"Look at her dull face, though. She must be tired.", said Arjun as he turned to his brother. The latter walked to them and showed the bowl of mashed rice and vegetables. "I have been running behind her for a while. The dish got colder by now. I am also tired.", he complained.

"Give it to me, I will heat it and feed her. You take rest. By the way, where is Zoya? Is she gone to office?", she inquired as she took the plastic dish.

"Mom, bhabhi has gone for her cousin's wedding preparations to Kochi. We are also to leave tonight, we told you, right?", Arjun reminded her.

"Oh, yeah. I forgot, or I'd have come earlier from my trip.", she shook her head as she missed the thing.

"How is mausi doing, by the way? Feeling better?", asked Aditya while his baby played pulling on his open shirt collar.

"Yeah, just struggling to breathe a little more, but she's doing better. Priya and her family came to visit her, to take care of her parents since the kids are on holidays. They won't be able to this time, so I asked them to pass by our place next time they would come to India.", she informed them with a smile. "Anyways, I need to fresh up and then give her food. Are you both done with packing?"

Suddenly remembering the little detail, Aditya slapped his head while the others looked at him confused. "Oh shoot. Handling her, I totally forgot I had to get a wedding gift and Zoya's and my dresses from the dry cleaner. I should rush now, or I am screwed."

Saying so, he ran to the door when he realized he forgot his wallet and keys in the room. He raced back to the room under their amused gaze and, getting his stuff, he kissed bye on the kid's head and stepped out to reach his car.

"Bhai is incredible.", and they chuckled at the retreating figure while the baby remained confused of the whole scenario.

•••

The carry-on bags put in the overhead compartment, they finally settled on their seats, Arjun by the window seat with the baby on his laps observing the little people moving here and there outside in awe. She was busy tapping on the glass calling them but her calls went in vain.

Dropping that, she looked up at her uncle and then turned to her father who was busy in his phone tapping something on the screen. With the whole aerial atmosphere, she forgot she was upset with her father and standing on Arjun's legs, she hugged the man next to them by his neck. Making Aditya smile at the attention-seeking baby.

"Come here, you naughty.", he caught her in his arms and made her stand on his laps. "Papa should be angry at you. You didn't even talk to me properly today, you know that? And you didn't even kiss me more than five times. You're a bad baby.", saying so in a childish tone, he rubbed his nose on her tummy over her t-shirt, making her laugh ticklish. "Very naughty baby, you're.", he continued as he blew warm air on her tummy area, her laughter getting louder.

"And stubborn.", added Arjun looking at the girl laughing mouth wide open as her father didn't seem to stop. "Yes, you're very stubborn, too.", agreed Aditya childishly.

As she was going to put her fist in her mouth, her Cha took it out grimacing at her. "Bad habit, Diya.", and he held her fisted hand in his palm kissing on her tiny fingers. She playfully tapped his mouth with her hand for more kisshie and he helped her by holding her palm open and pecking himself, the little girl giggling at the funny sensation.

The captain's call for departure broke their moment and they fastened their seatbelt while the kid looked at the grey thing in amusement. She was made to sit down on his laps and Aditya kept her safely against his chest, enlarging the belt for her to get in.

"Adi sir, do you want something for the baby to sit comfortably?", noticing the kid with the men on the first row, the flight attendant asked Aditya.

"That's fine, she's good. Thank you, Mary.", he smiled at the woman reassuringly when the kid shouted in happiness before clapping her hands. She didn't stop showing how excited she was with the whole trip thing.

"Hi, there. You also like flying, like your father?", she asked and the girl giggled shyly at her. "You know what? You're too cute. I like you already. Let's go up in the air, then we can talk and play together. Okay?"

Saying so, she walked to check the other passengers leaving Diya follow her retreating figure with her eyes. Seeing, not one, but many of those attendants at the back of the plane, she giggled louder catching the whole compartment's attention.

Aditya pulled her to sit down and held her in his arms not to let her move until the flight was in the air. She whined at him for holding her and looked up at the man.

"Just a few minutes more, baby. Then I will let you go. Here, let's watch the television", and as he said so, he switched on the screen in front of him and started a random cartoon movie for her to stay silent for the time being. As she saw the video playing on the little screen, she comfortably leaned back on his chest and watched the cartoon while sucking her thumb.

"Hey, have this dummy instead.", he pulled out her finger and put the pacifier in her mouth, cleaning her wet finger with her kerchief.

"Anyways, I am feeling sleepy. I am going to take a nap. Wake me up when we will be there.", Arjun said as he opened the bag of sheet and pillow and spread it on him before leaning as comfortably as possible on the seat.

Seeing the cover on her uncle and wanting it, she held and pulled it to her when Aditya bent down to take the bag under the seat.

"Wait, Diya. Here is ours. Leave that for chachu.", and taking the sheet out the packet, he tucked themselves in. Once satisfied, the little one carried on with her interesting show while Aditya looked at her and smiled.

"You really are so cute, my baby angel.", he whispered to himself and kissed the top of her head embracing her in his arms, before joining her to watch the movie as she talked to him about it at times. Him nodding at her random talks and laughing at her giggles watching.

~•~•~•~

End of Chapter 15

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© a shrucreationsx' pen work

~•~•~•~

Hello, there!

It has been looooong I haven't updated this story, and since I was kinda bored doing nothing (though I am supposed to but ugh...), I thought 'why not finishing that incomplete chapter I have started months ago?'

It was nothing much, but since it's about the kid, I thought to show her spending the couple of days at home without her mother. Honestly, I don't know if it's actually happening so but since it's her first time without her mumma, baby boo got sad.

Personally, I once cried and stayed upset when my mom went on a trip alone for the first time for a couple of weeks, and I was already in secondary school. Thinking about it now, I feel so childish but then, I also hated going on school trips as a kid too. Anyways, when I tell you that I am an annoying kid, I am.

Now, question to you guys.
Have you ever felt home sick or sad that one of your parents (or maybe both, or someone else) left you at home and went on a trip?

For those reaching this line, a big 'HIP HIP HIP HOURRAAAAA!' Thank you for having read the whole page. Give your views about this 'blah' chapter, and stay tuned for the upcoming events.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and keep following the given instructions. It's for your own and the whole world's goodness. Peace!

Until next time,

With love,

Shush.