Who is back from hibernating?
Bonne lecture!

[ a surprise for mumma ]

"Thank you for having invited us. It's not often that our kids get to come out of the Home. Thank you for the warm welcome.", as the party guests were soon fading away, the Hoodas got busy bidding bye to the remaining few ones, right now the orphanage people.

"Please do not mention it ma'am, in fact thank you so much for coming here. We really appreciated your presence. Especially our little Diya.", Aditya smiled at the lady as they looked at the little one who silently waved bye at those waving her back.

"Thank you bhaiyaa for the tasty cake.", the kids said making them chuckle. "Happy you loved the cake kids. Hope you will love the gifts as well. See you soon everyone.", they sent them off before walking to the living room to relax, Anjana and Zoya gone to their kitchen department.

"Oh that was a long day. But it was fun. Wasn't it baby?", Aditya sat on the armchair and looked at the kid who was sitting on her naani's laps next to him, while her fingers were lazily playing with her long neck chain. Hearing her father's voice, she turned her head back to him and extended her arms for him to hold her.

"She must be very tired, she didn't even sleep well with the party arrangements the entire day. Where is Zoya? She has to have her food and get some rest.", Roshnaq asked caressing her head and she started crying, urging Aditya to hold her.

"Baby, here. Have some cake. You hungry? You want some cake, hai na?", she immediately stopped crying and looked at the little piece on the plate her uncle brought her. Aditya holding it for her, she slowly brushed the cream on the top feeling the soft thing with her fingertip and then crashed the dessert between her fingers before tasting her hand full of chocolate and cream. The strange texture of it was fun to touch and she had loved the taste too when they first fed her during the party, that she enjoyed having it instead of waiting for her usual homemade mashed food.

"You could have said that you wanted cake. Instead of being moody with us.", Harshvardhan chuckled.

"It seems that our little shehzaadi is really loving cakes. Look at her face.", Waseem laughed at their granddaughter's look.

"And when someone is going to see this—", Noor started pointing at her creamy dress and stopped seeing the figure by the dining table. "Too late!", she told quietly.

"What is going on here?", they all stopped laughing hearing the female voice and turned their head except for the little girl who was more into dipping her fingers in the smashed cake and sucking them. "Aditya, what are you doing? Look at her dress, oh dear!"

"She was feeling hungry so—", he started to get interrupted. "Go and get her clean right now.", he silently nodded his head, not able to say anything back to the fierce lady. As he stood up, he passed a glare hearing Arjun and Noor laughing next to him. Their elder sister was a real sherni, like he would call her.

​•••

"You just had some cake right? Maybe dirtied your dress a little, but we would have it cleaned like before. I tell you, your mumma can get too angry for nothing sometimes.", she was busy playing with her toy duck listening to his talks when he took her out of the bath covering her in her baby hooded towel.

She let him towel-dry her completely while she comfortably leaned her head on his shoulder, and feeling exhausted and sleepy after the shower she slowly drifted to deep slumber sucking her right thumb.

"Is she asleep?", as Zoya entered holding the hot feeding bottle, she saw Aditya rocking the baby in his arms, the little one changed into a midnight blue pair of pyjamas with little yellowish stars, and a pair of socks on her feet, for night felt colder. "Yeah, she was feeling too drowsy as I was changing her clothes."

She walked to them and caressing her soft back, she admired the kid, kissing her tiny fist that had a grip on his shirt. One year, it was still unbelievable for them, yet the beautiful memories made them emotional.

They were interrupted when they heard a knock on the door. "Ammi, abbu, Noor, why are you standing there? Please come.", she said as they welcomed the three inside.

"Just came to tell we were going back home.", Noor said with a huge smile.

"Ammi, you could have stayed back for the night and go back tomorrow. We could have talked and spent some time together. Don't know when we will be able to meet again all together.", Zoya said as she looked at her mother.

"That's all fine beta. Soon we will get all together again and have some nice family time. Mussoorie is just a few hours away from Mumbai.", Roshnaq reassured her daughter. "Everyone must be feeling tired following the party moreover, we wouldn't have been able to talk for long.", Waseem said as he observed the sleeping doll.

"Waise appi, why upset? Jeeju is bringing you and Diya to stay with us tomorrow. Then we will have a lot of fun, Siddiquis sty-.", Noor blurted before realizing what she said when Aditya glared at her. "Noor! Next time remind me to never share any surprise plannings with you.", he gritted his teeth.

"Really Aditya? Are we going to stay with abbu and ammi?", she asked getting thrilled like a child.

"I won't but you, I have a urgent schedule change for tomorrow, so I would be flying. And as I won't be home for a little while, thought to send you to Mussoorie to your parents' place. Since it's your free week.", he said.

"It would have been nice if you were able to come as well beta.", Roshnaq said as Aditya smiled looking at Zoya's face. "Next time ammi, for sure."

•••

He walked out of the bathroom wearing his usual light-sky-blue pair of night shirt and trousers when he saw Zoya, already in her nightdress, feeding milk to the baby laying in the cot. He walked from behind and hugged her when he heard her sigh.

"I thought sending you to your abbu jaan would make up for my sudden departure, but you seem to be angrier about the same.", he said snuggling into her neck and she jerked him off her. "Stop disturbing! Can't you see I am feeding her?"

"Disturbing... or maybe distracting?", he asked teasingly, trying to hold her waist again but she pushed it off her. "Whatever! I don't want to talk to you. Go and sleep.", she said, her angry pout an adorable sight for him.

"You look so much cuter while angry, did you know?", he kissed her cheek, his arms around her neck as she put the empty bottle on the night stand before pulling away from him.

"Be serious Aditya! Why didn't you tell me you were flying tomorrow? You said you'd be free for a couple of days more. We also planned to go out right? To have some 'we three only' time on her birthday.", she whined.

"Yeah... I know. But I got a call from the airlines that one colleague had a sudden emergency and that they needed a substitute immediately. And then, like scheduled earlier, I would follow with my flight to Dehradun on Friday before coming back to Mumbai next Sunday.", he said.

"And I thought we would be spending some time together. Wait... did you say Dehradun?", she asked reminiscing his words and he nodded in yes smiling. "Means we would still spend the weekend together? That too in Mussoorie?"

"I even planned our short family time there. Do you know there is a beautiful place where we could admire the clouds' end? Then the Lal Tibba, Mall Road, all the walking areas. And then the falls for baby to enjoy watch—", he was listing the places when he got interrupted feeling her embrace.

"Thank you thank you thank you. You're the best.", she squealed excitedly and kissed his cheeks hugging him tight.

"Oh, if I knew I would be this much appreciated, I would have planned such surprise trips more often.", she rolled her eyes hitting his arm playfully.

"I can't wait for Friday to come. And for now, let's have some coffee and chips. I know it's already late, but I want to compensate for the four-days separation until Friday.", she asked holding his hands, and he entwined his fingers into hers agreeing even to her smallest wishes as they walked out to the kitchen area, leaving the nightlight turned on for the sleeping princess.

•••

Zoya woke up earlier and got ready for the day packing Diya's travel bag with all her needed things for the week, along with her own suitcase when she heard him moaning lazily.

"Hmmm good morning my beautiful sunshine.", he fell back on the bed and smiled looking at his morning sight, his wife standing by the wall-length window while the sun highlighted her features.

"Good morning janaab. Now will you do the honours and get up from the bed quickly? I think you've said there is a long flight waiting for you today. Or I will have to do it my way again.", she said closing the bag.

"Kiss?", his eyes twinkled waiting for a nod of hers. "Oh, well something much cooler than that."

The little Diya stirred up from her peaceful sleep hearing a loud scream before it got muffled. She slowly opened her eyes, frowning as her sleep was broken. She yawned discretely stretching her arms, when she heard some familiar voices and giggles not so far away. She turned her head on the side but the sight was hidden behind the white sheet separating her from the cradle's slats. She moved her hands on the cloth but to no avail, no one noticed her.

"Aditya, lea—leave me. Baby uth jayegi kabhi b— no sto—op please. You're all dr—drenched. I have already had my shower, please.", she heard her mother's voice and had an innocent smile on her face.

(Baby may wake up anytime)

"No! See, she's sound asleep. Nothing will disturb her, and us for a while.", even papa was there, she smiled wider. "It's just you and me here. Now give me a beautiful kiss meri ja—"

A loud squeal of happiness broke their moment, and with his attention away from her, she gently pushed him off her and stood up. She ironed the creases off her saree, noticing the wet traces as he tried to get close, and walked to the cot where baby was already sitting on her buttocks, holding Mr. Bearie —her newly gifted teddy bear— in her hand.

Feeling a dark shadow towering her, she looked up and her toothy smile melted Zoya's heart while she extended her little arms up.

"Good morning to you too my little munchkin.", she caught her in her arms and planted multiple kisses on her cheeks. "Oh yesh, how I wish I could eat up this cutiepie.", she giggled hearing her mother, not at all caring of what her words meant but just adoring the attention.

"Hey! She didn't even ask and she is getting big ones. I asked politely, and I got a 'na' as an answer. Not fair.", he sat up on the bed pouting like a kid while the two ladies enjoyed their moment.

"Oh oh! Stop complaining like a baby, and get ready. You will drop us before going to the airport you said. Get fast! I will have to change my clothes moreover.", she walked into the bathroom to get the baby a shower, while Aditya took the time to brush his teeth. She noticed his grumpy face as she turned back and felt quite bad. Soon later she took her out from the bath covering her in a towel, the toddler having a conversation with herself and Zoya giving her childish replies.

Later, he came out all dressed up and saw Zoya packing his bag. He took the ironed clothes of his from her and sorted them on his own. "Leave it, I don't need your help. Main baccha thodi na hoon? I will do it myself."

(I am not a child)

"Of course you are. My big baby boy in the disguise of a man—", she walked to him as he was bent down and hugged him sideways when he stood straight breaking her embrace.

"I am going to be late. Make it fast!", he walked away, ignoring her loud sigh as he stood in front of the mirror. "Such an angry bird.", she shook her head chuckling.

•••

"Daadi will miss you so much, come soon huh!", Anjana kissed her granddaughter as the Hoodas saw the three off, and hugged her tightly calming her tears while Aditya was putting the bags in the trunk.

"Mom, bhabhi and baby are going to stay in Mumbai at her parents' flat until tomorrow night. You can go and see her before they take the flight. Please don't cry!", Arjun consoled his mother and softly caressed her baby cheek as she pecked her temple one last time.

"Aditya, we can go.", Zoya came out holding baby's cleaned feeding bottle and put it in the baby bag. He nodded and taking blessings before bidding bye, the three of them started their ride to the Siddiquis'. All the way remained noisy as Aditya drove carefully, while giving their replies to the kid's blabbering.

Zoya smiled feeling excited to be spending the next few days at her maternal place, though she would certainly miss her little home. She was looking out of the window and soon turned her head to look at her man feeling him holding her hand and kissed the back of it. She brought their entwined hands closer to her mouth and was to kiss it back when he suddenly dropped them down so as to change the gear, pulling her down abruptly by the sudden movement. She pouted at him while he awkwardly smiled and excused himself. And within a half a hour, they stood in front of the flat where resided the Siddiquis until their departure for Mussoorie the next day.

"So... see you back in four days.", she said with a thin smile. "Four long days.", he sighed and leaned his head on the seat turning his face to her. "Awww I will be missing this cute handsome boy so much as well.", her eyes became smaller as she smiled wide, pinching his cheeks.

He got out of the car and opening the door for her, they both walked out to take their bags out, while baby was left to stay inside, the back seat window open so that to keep an eye. The latter, tied in the car alone, the silence of a turned-off engine and a no-more-in-movement atmosphere obvious to her, looked around to find none of her parents in the front seats until she turned her head towards the voices outside.

"Four days... without you... I think I deserve something very big as a compensation.", she heard her father speaking at least, and she felt relieved, still wondering why she was there alone.

"Aditya, what are you doing? Someone could see us.", she uncontrollably whispered while he neared her slowly pinning her to the car. "What ar—", she got stopped as he held her waist, his palm brushing her bare skin through her anarkali's cut. The proximity, his heartthrob look, the masculine scent. That was all needed to make her lose it, even in a wide parking lot at this early morning time.

"I will miss you. I have started missing you from now on already.", he huskily said as he leaned his forehead on hers, their eyes closed as they lived the last few minutes of their closeness before parting ways for a few days. When he was about to seal the lips, a loud voice broke their intimate moment making him step back.

"Arey Zoya, Aditya. You guys have arrived already? And where is my little shehzaadi?", Aditya reluctantly stood far from her and turned back to see the man, heat still apparent on their cheeks as they were trying to clear the embarrassment off their faces. "Abbu!"

"Good morning a—abbu.", Aditya politely smiled and finally turned to open the door to get the tied baby out. As she saw her father unfastening the seatbelt, she immediately extended her arms around his neck and hugged him to get out as soon as possible. He slowly removed her arms from him and taking the straps off her, he carried her smiling at her as she replied the same way.

"Look who has come! Hamare choti si shehzaadi apne naanu ke saath rehne ke liye aayi hai, hai na?", he said as he made her smile and she was about to grab his glasses when he lifted her in his arms.

(Our little princess has come to stay with her grandfather, hasn't she?)

"Alright! I think I shall leave as well.", Aditya said as he looked at his wristwatch.

"Aren't you coming inside beta? Just have a cup of coffee.", Waseem suggested as he held the little girl carefully.

"Thank you for inviting abbu, but I am running late. And there is this Mumbai traffic to get through. Next time, for sure.", he smiled.

"Abbu, I will see him off and come.", Zoya suggested as Waseem smiled and walked in with the baby girl who was busy admiring his glasses, that helped them not struggle sending him to work for once.

"Take care of yourself and everyone. See you on Friday.", he smiled as he kissed her forehead. He was about to go when she held the man back by his wrist. "Are you not forgetting to finish something?", he looked at her confused. "What?"

Standing on her toes, she sealed the pairs of lips for a delicate kiss, her arms encircling his neck for support, and the both stood in that position until he held her waist in his arms deepening the kiss. She gasped as his grip tightened, encouraging him to kiss her more intensely, the world around them having no more of their attention. They soon broke it breathless and looked at each other pulling a little their faces away, his hands cupping her soft one softly while she smiled and pecked his lips again. "Take care, and come back soon! I will miss you too.", she whispered before letting him move from there.

As she waved him bye, his car drove out the residence and she walked inside, unaware they have been watched.

•••

Zoya entered the house and was welcomed by her sister wholeheartedly while Waseem was busy with the little one.

"I am so happy appi. We are finally going to have you and Diya for a few days. We are going to have so much of fun.", Noor pulled her elder sister and made her sit on the sofa. "By the way, what took you so long to come up appi? Busy 'talking' with jeeju alone?"

Zoya looked at Noor and the mischievous smile on her face made her raise her brow.

"I was just sending him off Noor.", she said casually remembering the kiss she initiated in that same wide, open space she feared anyone would come out of and saw them. "Hmmm I saw that. That was a sweet —and romantic— 'bidding bye' scene indeed.", Zoya's cheeks heated up as she realized they didn't go any discrete and playfully slapped her arm blushing. "Kohinoor, you are being too naughty. Need to tell ammi about this."

"What should you tell me Zoya?", their mother's voice nearing them broke their bubble. "And Noor beta, your appi is going nowhere. Now let her have a seat, will you!", Roshnaq chuckled walking out of the kitchen with a tray. "Zoya, here some water. Shall I bring you some coffee?"

"Ammi, are we any outsiders? That you have to welcome us with so many formalities? Come and sit. I only have a week to spend it with you.", Zoya held their mother's hand and asked her to sit next to her. "Today is a day off for you as well."

Roshnaq chuckled at her childish antics. "There is no day off in a mother's life. I guess you would have understood it by now."

Seeing her mother chitchatting with her own mother on the opposite couch, the little Diya tried to get out of the old man's hold.

"Arey, what happened to my shehzaadi? What do you want?", Zoya looked back at her doll who extended her arms towards her, calling for her in her sweetest voice. "Mam—mam—", her upper lip eating her lower one.

"Arey re! Baby is playing with her naanu. Mazaa aa raha hai na naanu ke saath?", she told in her babyish voice to convince but the little one wanted her mother only. Papa has disappeared again, at least mumma should be there.

(Having fun with grandpa, aren't you?)

"You come with me. Today khala and baby will play.", Noor took the kid in her arms and sat on the warm mat between the couches, the coffee table removed, distracting her with some old toys she brought for her.

"Appi do you remember when we used to play together with these as kids?", Noor said as they all adoringly observed Diya quietly playing with the plastic farm animal toys the way her Noonoo khala taught. She would bump their heads against each other and laugh when Noor would make animal noises.

"There was a time where we used to adore watching you both playing together like this. And now, we are watching our own little granddaughter.", Roshnaq smiled widely as she caressed her hair, sending her blessings.

"I suggest you to get her a little brother or sister, so that she will have a companion to play with.", Noor smirked at her sister's red cheeks. "Sach mein bahut besharam ho gaye hain aap kohinoor.", she whispered to her sister while their parents smiled.

(You have truly become very naughty Noor)

"Ma—mma—ma", she talked to her mother as she shook the cow and the dog, one in each of her hand, bringing her out of their conversation. "Yes my baby. You like playing with these toys?"

She continued her baby talks and hit them against the floor, trying to do like her aunt.

"Ya Allah, poor cow is going to hurt its legs.", they all laughed at her while she continued ignoring their teasing. She crawled towards her mother and sat by her feet, pulling Zoya to join them both on the floor. "Mumma also play with baby?"

Holding the toy horse up in the air, she imitated the sound of the animal galloping, and the little girl was looking at the flying thing mesmerized that she started clapping while giggling. She jumped on her diaper-covered buttocks and tried to catch it in her hand as her mother playfully pulled it upper each time. She turned back and slowly managed to stand on her feet climbing up her mother, while the others looked at her astonished. Zoya safely wrapped an arm around her as she stood finally on her feet.

"She's standing on her legs on her own, mashallah.", Waseem exclaimed happily looking at the little girl still struggling with her mother. "Soon she would be walking, and running all around."

"Nazar na lage. Our child is growing up fast.", Roshnaq cracked her fingers breaking the evil eye and they all chuckled as she finally took the horse from her naughty mumma making her fall backwards, with a proud smile.

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End of Chapter 10

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