It wasn’t easy to work with two little people surrounding you, sighing every other moment against your back, leaning in your lap and demanding your attention. Although there was important work to do, he wasn't really making any progress despite his best effort at concentrating. His three years old were adamant at not letting their Daddy dearest finish his work so he can much rather spend his time with them.

Arnav - Arshu, Aaru, I’ve told you to play with your guitar or whatever. I’ll just do this and then we’ll play together.

They both looked at each other, one standing behind his back on the couch and the other trying to stick as much to his chest as possible and push her head into his neck. They both sighed loudly and mutually for their father to notice their need of attention.

Arshi - Buh we no pay. We mish Mumma.

Aarushi - Yesh. Coh Mumma, lite now! Babiesh need Mumma.

They charged at him with puppy eyes and an innocent pout nobody can resist, definitely not their very own sweet Daddy.

Arnav - You know, Mumma is at your Nani Maa’s place. They need her. She’ll be back soon.

Khushi was gone to Laxmi Nagar. The three headed family were sick and Khushi had gone since morning to take care of them. They decided it was best to not take twins along since their immunity system was just like their mother’s, weak and prone to infections much more than of healthier kids. Besides, with them there Khushi wouldn't be able to really take care of the others for these two would demand all her attention and care.

Aarushi - U sho badh Daddy. Why no shtop Mumma? She go, u let. I no fo-give.

He raised a brow at her as his parrot scolded him, putting allegations on him. He looked over to Arshi, for she's the alpha usually. But she was suspiciously quiet, observing him but then swiftly rested her head on his shoulder, hugging his neck loosely with her arms.

He slid her to the front into his arms and caressed her hair. 

Arnav - Arsh, baby, what happened? Daddy is here. Everything alright?

He was genuinely worried. Arshi was a lot like him and he had been a very normal child like he used to be during his childhood, but sometimes she would be eerily silent and disinterested in things, like his adulthood. And now seeing her like that, he put his work aside and rather wanted to entertain his lil girls until Khushi came back, who was on her way back.

Arnav - Missing Mumma? Ok, let’s do whatever you want. I’ll work later.

He shut his laptop down and got up carrying his delicate twin while the other one stood there with mouth open wide, not liking being sidelined.

Aarushi - Mishta Laijada! No lishen me! Only Alshi. No luv me? Sho badh. I com-pain Mumma.

She looked up at him, pointing with a finger, smoke clearly visible exiting through her nostrils.

Arnav - Aaru, you too doll. C’mon, we’ll do whatever you two want. So tell me, what do you want to do?

He went to bed and kept Arshi there, helping Aarushi climb up afterwards who wouldn’t look at him. She was not pleased with him favoring her sister over herself.

Aarushi - No do wid u. U go, we pay.

Arshi - No. We shee Mumma Daddy video.

She spoke out finally, with a beam returning on her face. Arnav chuckled and nodded kissing her head. Aarushi’s mouth hung as low as possible. Never did she feel more an odd one out than at current and so, she missed her Mumma who would always love both equally.

Aarushi - I shee mah Mumma, buh no thish man.

He looked at her with thinned lips and then pecked her nose. She waved him off and rested against the headboard.

Aarushi - Alshi, tell thish man, ah need pop-kon.

Arshi smiled sitting beside her and looked at her father in silent order. He shook his head smiling and asked HP to get popcorn for them while he himself played the DVD of their wedding which they loved to watch whenever she's not around and they miss their Mumma.

And so they settled on the bed with popcorn, watching the video. Arshi was sitting in her father’s lap while the other was glaring the two enviously, yet refused his advances. So when the door opened and Khushi walked in with a content smile on her face, glad to see her babies, Aarushi was the first one to get up and jump on her mother. Khushi caught her just quick enough and laughed as she showered her face with kisses, a lot of kisses.

Aarushi - MAH Mumma! I missh u shoooooo much Mumma, only me. No elsh. I mish u sho much, I luv u sho much. No elsh. I luv only mah Mumma.

Khushi held her laughing and kissed her. Arshi and Arnav watched them with a crooked brow and twisted lips. Aarushi was sticking to her mother so tight, Khushi had to sit down on the bed holding her in her arms and kissed Arshi leaning to her, but was instantly pulled back.

Aaru - No no, only uah Aalu missh u, no elsh. Only kissh me. All luv foh me. Ok Mumma?

Khushi - Oh my jaan, I know you love me and missed me a lot. But Arshi too did. Don’t undermine her love. I know you both love me a lot and I love you both a lot.

She lovingly caressed their hair, Arshi feeling quite contented and at ease now, having her mother in front of her. She got up and hugged her from behind with a huge smile though Aarushi tried to shoo her away.

Khushi - Aaru, don’t shona. Let your sister hug me, I need you both, close with me. I need her as much as I need you. And you both need me too, don’t you?

Arshi nodded in satisfaction, still hugging her mother who kissed her hands. Aarushi grimaced at Arshi but she knew she couldn't do much there. Her mother loved Arshi too, unfortunately.

Aarushi - Shee Mumma, we shee video. U sho buti-ful.

Arnav watched them glue to their mother, their faces lightening up as if their life returned to them and Aarushi being the possessive parrot she is.
Not wanting Khushi to even interact with Arshi, she tried to engulf her in her own sweet nothings. But a mother couldn’t possibly forget either of her babies and leave out one.

Khushi - Yes I know jaan. Let Mumma get fresh, then I’ll join you two and your Daddy. Ok?

Aarushi - Ok jaan. I come hep mah jaan!?

Khushi lightly made them leave her, still smiling and then lovingly cupped their jaws with each hand.

Khushi - Thank you my jaan, but I can manage. I’ll just be right back. Till then, save some popcorn for me.

She looked at Arnav once before walking into the washroom with a fresh pair of clothes. Arnav wanted to ask about the Guptas, how they were, but knew he had to wait. They had been devoid of her love and affection since morning and needed her full attention right now.

In no time were they all settled on the bed with Arshi acting mature for her age and letting Aarushi demand Khushi’s full lap and arms. She herself continued to stay in her Daddy’s arms and didn’t react at Aarushi’s provoking grimaces and tongue stretching.

Aarushi - Shee. MAH Mumma shoo buti-ful, like me.

Arshi - MAH Mumma too!

Arshi declared with gritted teeth, her patience slipping away. Khushi glared at them both, Arnav held Arshi in control, lest she attacks her sister. So he tried to distract them from their erupting fight.

Arnav - And I saw your beautiful Mumma in that attire, live. I was there!

Khushi hit him lightly, blushing like a newlywed all over again. He winked at her. But soon he will be regretting the way he distracted them.

Arshi - Yesh. And, why we no theah?

Aarushi - Yesh yesh, I no shee mah-shelf. Whea I am? Why no theah?

And the parents looked at each other, their smiles and color vanished off their faces as realization dawned upon them. But the devilish brain of ASRs worked in many ways, so while Khushi focused on coming up with some excuse, her satanic husband used the opportunity to tease her.

Arnav - Cause you weren't born then. Your Mumma delayed. If on Diwali night it would have happened, there were high chances you two could have been in this video.

Khushi couldn't help but gasp at his boldness and blush, though angrily.

Khushi - You too na!

They looked at her and understanding that somehow their Mumma is at fault for they are not in the video (thanks to their Daddy), they look at her narrowing their eyes stubbornly.

Aarushi - Kuchi, I wan be thea. 

Arshi - Yesh, Daddy tell Mumma, do what need sho we in video.

She showed him big eyes for doing this. They are stubborn, now they won’t let go of this easily. All his fault. And he knew he had to mend things for her.

Arnav - Baby, I'm afraid we can't go back in the past.

Aarushi - Wat pash-t?

She stared at them in confusion, unaware of the meaning of that word. Khushi lovingly caressed her cheek as she tried to offer a comprehensible explanation.

Khushi - Past, everything that has happened is past. That Diwali night your Daddy is talking about, it is past. We can’t go back into the past and stop Aman from calling.

Arnav looked at her raising a brow, as she mentioned Aman in the flow, not herself comprehending what she just uttered.

Arshi - Buh, why we no in video?

But his little girl, who’s usually the most clever one out of both, seemed to have slipped to notice what her Mumma just said. And Arnav, the devil he is, thought it better to distract them and have them let go of the topic.

Arnav - Because Aman called, else there were high chances.

Arshi, Aarushi - Aman✊

They both gritted their teeth and fisted in anger, for that man had hindered them being in the wedding movie of their parents.

Arshi - I talk to Aman. 

The obstinate junior ASR takes Arnav’s phone and dials Aman’s number, ready to scold him left and right. How dare he mess with them!?

But Khushi couldn’t let that happen. She gasped and snatched the phone out of her hands. 

Khushi - Arshi, shona, good girls don’t do that. It’s nobody’s fault. The video is already made. I’m sorry we couldn’t have you in it, but it’s not possible.

She pulled her closer in her arms and kissed her little Laad Governor. But apparently, Laad Governors are proven to be too smart for her and not to be easily tamable.

Arshi - Poshi-bal! Make noo video.

Khushi facepalmed herself and Arnav passed her a sardonic look, having known his sharp twins. And so he couldn’t help but remark.

Arnav - Ya Khushi, make new video. That’s clearly easier than them calling and scolding Aman. You still don’t know their minds, don’t you?

Khushi - But Arnavji-

He cut her off instantly, ready with an advice.

Arnav - Always go for letting them scold Aman! He doesn’t mind. But this demand of theirs, this is difficult to tackle.

She rolled her eyes at his suggestion, shaking her head.

Khushi - Why do you have to take the most convenient way? Teach them to respect1 elders, not scold them. And stop giving in to their demands. Because of you they’re growing stubborn.

Arshi - Talking badh about ush, in font of ush. Shee Aalu!

She had been watching them, taking in their argument and now flared her nose, getting both their parents attention. And at her signal, Aarushi - who hadn’t really taken any offense, till yet - immediately followed her sister’s lead, forgetting her jealousy.

Aaru - Sho sho dish-apoin. Vely badh. Tch tch.

She got off her mother’s lap and turned to face her, shaking her head vigorously. Khushi chuckled and pulled both of them to stand in her arms.

Khushi - Awww my jaan, nobody is talking about you. Let us play? Whatever you want!

Arshi - I know wat u do. No dish-tak ush. We wan noo video with ush. Unda-shtan?

Her jaw dropped at little Arnav’s comment. Of course, too clever to handle. And parrot Aaru agreeing with her wordlessly.

Aarushi - Yesh yesh. Lishen Alshi!

Khushi - Arshi, Aaru, stop acting stubborn! There won’t be a new video with you two.

And as their mother wasn’t easily persistable, they turned to the ultimate pillar of their spoiledness, their Daddy dearest, who wouldn’t deny them anything.

Arshi - Daddy!

Aarushi - Elsh we leave housh. Fol-eva. U hea?

Even Arshi looked at her with a crooked brow, quite drastic measures when Daddy is easy to get to their side.

Arnav - Aaru-

Khushi - Ok, go on. Leave house. I’ll see where you go.

Khushi didn’t let Arnav sweet talk her into changing her mind, she’d rather challenge her three years old.
And indeed, not having expected that response, Aaru’s face hung so low it almost touched the floor.

Aaru - Sho badh. Tch tch. No gudh. Me shmall baby, Mumma tell leave housh. Shee Daddy.

She pouted and crawled to him now, hugging him and resting her head on his shoulder. He rubbed her back and looked over at his wife.

Arnav - Khushi, stop it now. Don’t bother my princesses.

Khushi - You’re spoiling your princesses.

Arshi blinked at her mother, sighing in anger. Khushi narrowed her eyes at her daughter who then leaned back into her father’s arms.

Arshi - Mah Daddy noo video.

Khushi - Enough Arshi! No means no. Stop being so stubborn. Once again I hear you say that, you'll see the worst of me.

She got off the bed while Arnav whispered something into their ears. They nodded and grabbed her kurti to stop her. She turned and saw them, tugging on her kurti and  looking g at her with their innocent eyes that make you melt like ice cream in summer.

Arshi - No angy Mumma. Shoy. We luv u.

Khushi - I love you too, and I won't be angry anymore but you both have to stop with your stubbornness. You won't always get whatever you want. Not even from Daddy! 

He protested immediately. His babies shan't believe there's anything he can't lay in their feet.

Arnav - Hey!

Khushi - Yes! I mean it. Not even from Daddy. He will try, I will try but we won't always be able to fulfill each and every wish of yours. And you have to learn that

They listened to her, nodding with toothy grin as she lectured them. Arnav suppressed a laugh.
Least did she know, the very reason they had apologized and were listening to her calmly was because their Daddy had promised to convince her later and recreate a video with them. 
Because, that's how it worked. She tried to discipline them while he did whatever would bring a smile on their face and make them happy.