"Minno!Bas!Come it's time to sleep now!"I scolded Manahil who was busy dancing around in the room.Since when we have arrived home she is acting all crazy.I don't know what has made her so happy.

"Hals Mamu!"She squealed happily and ran towards Bhaiya who just came in the room.

"Ahaaaa my princess!"Bhaiya picked her up and twirled her in air making her laugh.I smiled at them,sitting on bed.

"I love you Hals Mamu!I love you vely vely much!"She cupped Bhaiya's face and kissed his both cheeks tightly.

"Just sometime back you were so angry with your Hals mamu?Aur ab achanak se kia hogya?"I squinted my eyes at them while walking in their direction.

Manahil glanced at Bhaiya with a cheeky grin and Bhaiya winked at her to which I frowned.

"What's cooking?"I spoke seriously and Manahil shrugged her shoulders.

"Nothing!Hum aapko kyon btaye!"She high fived with Bhaiya at last and I rolled my eyes.

.

Sighing in annoyance I raised my arms towards her.
"Chalo minno! It's time to sleep!"

"Nhi! I don't wanna sleep!"She hid her face in Bhaiya's neck and Bhaiya chuckled.

"Fine then!No ice-cream for a week!Kar lo jo aapko karna hai!"I wrapped my arms around my chest and looked sideways,a serious look casting my face.

Manahil looked at me with open mouth before raising her brows at Bhaiya asking what to do.

"Serious lag rahi hain aapki mama!"He spoke with fake horrified eyes and Manahil called me extremely sweetly,
"Mama jani!"

I turned my eyes towards her,
"Hmm?"I raised my brows,coldly.

"Mughe bohot neeni aa rahi hai!"She raised her arms while yawning widely and I looked at her with serious face before smiling and taking her in my embrace.

"Mera nautanki bacha!"Wrapping her thighs around my tummy I tickled her stomach and she giggled.

"Hagemaru!"
Harsh Bhaiya gestured me to come out after making her sleep and I nodded.

He went out after closing the door and I laid on bed with Manahil beside in my arms.

"Mama jani!Aap meli iscleem tou band nhi kalengi na?"She asked cutely with puppy eyes and I chuckled before wrapping my arm around her pulling her completely in my embrace.

"Nhi!"I whispered while rubbing my nose with hers and she grinned.

"I love you mama jani!"She pressed her pouty lips on my nose and I smiled pulling her more closer.
"And mama loves Manahil more!"

"Let's sleep now!"I pulled up quilt to cover us properly and Manahil clutched my hair string while sucking thumb of other hand.

I continued to tap her back lovingly while humming and she slept in no time.It was her habit to clutch my hair along with sucking her thumb before sleeping.

I glanced at her and finding her in deep sleep I tried to take my hair back but she frowned making me remember one of the beautiful memories of mine.

Main bhi tou aese hi soti thi! Inki baahon main,inki zulfon se khelte khelte!

My eyes got teary and I rested my head back at pillow allowing tears to roll down from the corner of my eyes in a stream.

Inn chaar salon main koi shab aesi nhi guzri jab mere hath un ghani zulfon ki talaash main bhatke na ho!

"Hagemaru!"Bhaiya's soft knock on door slammed me out of my thoughts and I wiped my tears hastily before he could catch me crying,once again.

"Did she sleep?"He whispered while coming towards bed and I nodded.
"Hmm sogayi!"

Tilting my head a little I tried to take my hair back from Manahil when she cried loudly making me take her in my arms hurriedly.

"Ssshh Minno!Acha so jao!"I tapped her back trying to calm her down.

"Baal chahiye!"She wailed loudly in my chest in her sleep and I grabbed my hair from back and gathered them infront on my shoulder letting her hold as much as she wants.

She clutched a handful of my hair and started sucking her thumb furiously still sniffing.I sighed shaking my head and looked at Bhaiya who was smiling affectionately.

"We'll talk in the morning bhaiya!Manahil ab zid main aagayi hai she wont leave me!"I glanced back at my stubborn daughter and she was still sniffing in her sleep,clutching my hair as tightly as she could.

"It's fine!"Bhaiya gave me a small smile and bent down to kiss my forehead.I smiled at him and he glanced at Manahil with a smirk,before I could gauge his mind state he pulled out her thumb from her mouth and my eyes widened as Manahil took out her lower lip to cry loudly.

"Bhaiya!"I pushed Bhaiya back with my palm and immediately pushed Manahils thumb in her mouth again before she could burst out in tears.She started sucking it again and I turned my horrified eyes at Bhaiya.

"Agar ab ye uth gayi na tou aap sambhaalenge ise!"I spoke sternly and Bhaiya who was grinning,widened his eyes before sprinting off the room.

Resting my head back on pillow i cuddled my little daughter in my arms and closed my eyes letting past memories awake in my mind.Salty streams kept desceneding down my cheeks and didnt know when i fall asleep,thinking all about habibi.

.......

Next morning 9:00 am

"Mama jani aaj meri do do ponies bnayega!"Manahil wished while coming towards me as i sat on bed with comb and her hair accessories kit.

"Wese aaj minno kahin ja rahi hai kia mamu k sath?"I asked parting her front hair to make two little ponies of her silky hazel brown hair.

"Haan ji!" She grinned and i smiled while tieing her one pony.

"Sirf minno nhi minno ki mama bhi aa rahi hain!"Bhaiya came in the room with breakfast tray in his hands and i looked at him with plain empty eyes.

"Aloo ka palatha!"Manahil cheered rubbing her hands seeing the breakfast tray which bhaiya kept on bed.I chuckled tieing her another pony and she opened her watering mouth as bhaiya fed her paratha sitting infront of us.

"Bhaiya im not coming anywhere!You can take Manahil out but im not coming anywhere!"I tried to be as nonchalant as i could and walked towards cupboard to fold Manahil's dishveled clothes.

He sighed coming towards me after making Manahil hold the paratha roll.

"Hagemaru!I need you for arrangements!Engagement tou kal hai!Poora farmhouse ulta para hai!"He stood beside me and i turned my eyes at him.

"Have i ever gone out in these four years?"I stated more than asking.He looked in my eyes which were ready to cry.

"Kab tak Hagemaru?Till when you'll hide yourself from world!Abhi tou Manahil choti hai jab ye bari hojaegi tab ye bhi sawaal karegi tujhse!" He tried to make me understand softly but i shook my head.

"Nhi bhaiya!I dont wanna come!"Tears escaped from my eyes.

"Ohk fine!Tu mere sath aaj chal hum farmhouse set kar lete hain and after that I'll drop you at home again!"He spoke softly wiping my tears and i looked at him,my eyes asking him only one question.

"Nobody would come there today!"Reading my eyes he spoke firmly and i nodded licking my lips.

"Mama jani!See i finisd milksake!" Manahil's chirped and our attention diverted towards her.She wiped her white moustache above her lips with her tongue and burped loudly making us giggle.

"Haww!Ye tia hogya!"Being embarrassed she palmed her mouth and i giggled walking towards her.

"Meri humpty dumpty!" Kneeling on floor i punched her round tummy before nuzzling in it and she giggled.

This, her laugh was the only thing which soothed me after that incident.

......

"Bhaiya! I think we should go for white and pink roses instead of red as its engagement occasion!"I put forth my suggestion regarding floral decoration and bhaiya who was talking to the decoration manager on call noded in approval.Its been two hours since we came to our farmhouse.I was in room till the cleaners cleaned the farmhouse now when they were outside to go through the condition of swimming pool and garden i came out from my room.

"Minno kiya kar rahe ho aap?"My eyes fell on Manahil who was dancing with broom.

She was indulge in her activity so much that she didnt hear my voice even.
Suddenly she held the broom from both hands and then moved it back and forth between her legs doing Salman Khan's famous towel step.
A smile broke on my lips seeing her so happy.

For the first time in these three years ive found her so happy!

"Minno bas its dirty!Give it to me!" Walking towards her i took away that broom and she frowned at the sudden disturbance.

"Mama jani!" She whined tapping her foot on floor and i gave her a stern look.

"Aaj main baba jani se aapki sali chikayatein(shikayatein) kalungi!" She spoke angrily.

Listening her words i stood there stiffened,the broom fell from my hand.

"Hals mamu ye tou seclet tha!"Manahil bit her tongue and then slapped her forehead while i was still in shock.

baba jani!

habibi!

Tears pooled in my eyes and i tilted my head over my shoulder,
"Come Manahil! Yahan koi nhi hai hamara!"
The hurt was evident in my voice.Wiping my tears harshly i held Manahil's hand who looked confused.

Holding her hand firmly i took a step towards the main exit when the people standing on doorstep took my breath away.

"Baba Jani!" Manahil shouted and removed my palm from her wrist before running towards the tall man standing between other four people.

I was numb.My heart had stopped beating.

"Melay baba jani!" Manahil shouted happily as he fell on his knees and wrapped his arms around her.

........

Until next time! 😉
Buh-bye!

New Wanderer!