I was sitting on the lawn watching my kids playing, running here and there in the garden. Basically they were playing hide and seek. Mahi was as usual making Neel run a bit more. I could see him panting few times trying to catch Mahi. But she ran even faster. I smiled looking at them and poured somw juice for both of them.

Glancing at them I turned my head to see Bhabhi doing something in the lawn. She smiled at me and I smiled back.

And suddenly something I remembered "Bhabhi... Where's Aarush? He never misses the chance to play with them." I asked.

"Oh ha. School se aane ke baad he straight went to his room. Ye ladka bhi na! Main dekhti hu." She spoke and stood up to leave.

Strange, I have been noticing Aarush being quiet since yesterday. And what is it with locking up yourself in the bedroom?

Just then I felt something on my lap. I looked down to see Neel sleeping on the lawn with his head buried inside my lap. I smiled.

"Neel baby... Why are you here! See your sister is shouting. You don't want to play?" I asked caressing his hairs. He has same quality of hair as Manik. For being a four-year-old he has quite a good amount of hairs.

"Mamma... I am tired" he spoke in a meek voice.

I frowned immediately. "Why?"

And in just that moment Mahi came to us shouting and tried dragging Neel "Neel come na. You get tired to early. Mamma...."

I held her hands and stopped her because I saw Neel panting very hard. What is happening?

"Neel do you want to drink juice, come on. Ye dhoop me itna kheloge to phir aisa hi hoga." I complained and made him sit beside me handling juice glass to him. He drank slowly and breathed normally. I too breathed normally.

I handed a glass of juice to Mahi which he gulped down in just few seconds and I kept looking at her. Wow!

"Chalo Neel let's play" she stood up again and Neel too stood up to leave. And this time, Neel made her run behind him, slowly.

Just then my phone rang. I picked it up only to see my husband calling.

"Hey..." I spoke.

"How's my wife doing? What is my kids doing?" He asked flirting.

"I am seeing them play. Tum batao." I asked smilingly.

"Wahi same. Work work work work..." he hummed the Rihanna song. I giggled.

And I fell silent as I saw Neel stopping in between huffing and panting.

"What happened? Why so silent?" He asked.

"It's about Neel" I spoke.

"Neel? Kya hua hai usse?" Manik panicked.

"Hua kuch nahi hai. He's just... I don't know. I am observing him lately, He can't run so much just like Mahi, he gets tired very easily. I am worried. Ek bachhe ki immunity itni kam nahi hoti." I spoke worriedly.

"Nandini tum khamkha pareshan ho rahi ho. He's not eating well and that's what happening to him." He said.

"Ab aur kuch tension?" He asked while I sighed.

"Aarush..." I bit my lip.

"Ab usse kya hua?" He asked.

"I don't know. He's behaving strange from few days. Haven't you noticed chup chup sa rehta hai aaj kal." I informed.

"Nandini... tumhe ho kya gaya hai? Aarush humesha se aisa hi hai. Wo chup hi rehta hai unless and until it is important to speak." He said.

"I know but I am just... having negative vibes" i shook my head.

"Baby! There's nothing like that. Everything is fine. Hmm. Kuch bhi nahi hoga. So just shake those thoughts and ye batao raat ko khane main kya hai?" He asked while I smiled.

"I'll have to see" I shook my head. Foody husband is a big turn off.

"If nothing is good then we'll go out. That... that pavbhaji I want to eat. Oh my God! I am having such cravings." He spoke excitedly.

"Manik... we make our kids learn that we shouldn't eat outside food that is unhygienic. And look at you just last week you bought that pavbhaji home and it was only you and Mahi who finished that." I complained.

"That is why we will only go. Kids will stay home and eat ghar ka khana." I could literally feel him winking.

"Nahi. I'll make pavbhaji for you at home. Ghar ka khana khao tum" I scolded.

"Nandini tumhare hath ki nahi khani wahi khani hai." He nagged.

"Mr. Malhotra are you trying to say that you don't like pavbhaji that I make?" I asked coldly.

"Are maine aisa kab kaha? Aaj nahi. Aaj bahar. Please!" He begged.

"No... I am going to make pavbhaji and that only you have to eat. Agar bahar jane ke bare main socha bhi Manik I'll make sure you don't eat in this house anymore. Understood?" I yelled angrily.

Sometimes I have to think am I having twins or triplets? Manik is no less than a kid. I still have to scold him. His eating habits are worse than my kids.

"Okay. Fine. You are such an evil wife! Bye" he spoke angrily and kept the phone down. I smiled and shook my head.

Just then my kids ran towards me.

"Mamma... I again won. Boooooo Neel" Mahi spoke and giggled.

I smiled and gathered both of them in my arms.

"Now Playing time over, homework time on! Come on come on Drawing day today" I spoke excitedly and picked them both up.

I settled them on the floor of their room and gave them their respective drawing books and colours.

"I'll come in after half an hour to check okay? Mahi if you need help call Mamma and don't bully Neel" I spoke while she nodded already selecting Colours from her case.

I smiled and walked out of the room to prepare Pavbhaji for their father. Stubborn father.

******

I went back in their room after almost half an hour only to see both of them only paying attention to their drawings. Mahi usually hated studying but she was good at arts, she also loved colours since childhood. Colours always attracted her.

I saw her sticking her tongue out and concentrating on the drawing. I smiled and watched my son colouring his drawing humming a soft melody. Oh my babies! Who thought four years ago that they will become my whole life. It's like my life revolves around them and I cannot think of myself without them.

I sat beside them placing a glass of water just in between both of them.

"What my babies are doing show me." I spoke cocooning them in between me while they both giggled.

I watched Mahi's drawing first and appreciated her. She continued her work and then I looked in Neel's drawing book. She was not good at drawing but he was a great learner. He just has to learn everything and then he masters it.

"Mamma colour..." Neel spoke and extended his hand towards Mahi to take the colour still looking at his drawing and suddenly there was a splash....

The glass of water fell down straight on Mahi's drawing book.

I gasped hard and looked at Mahi. She was already fuming and crying.

"Fuck... my drawing" she wailed loudly and I frowned. Did she just say that?

"Mahi... what did you say?" I asked coldly while she flinched on my voice and stepped back a bit.

"Mamma... My drawing spoiled. Scold Neel" she was almost crying as she watched me with glassy eyes.

"It's just water, that'll dry out. You tell me what did you say? And where do you hear these bad words? Huh?" I scolded her more while she instantly cried.

"Mamma... No..." she cried more while Neel looked at me and then at Mahi.

"Mahi Malhotra... if you don't answer me I will slap you hard on your face... answer me" I yelled while she turned her back to me and sobbed in her palms.

"Nandini... chilla kyun rahi ho?" I heard Manik's panic voice as he entered in the room.

I rolled my eyes and looked away. Manik came in and took Mahi into hug and whispered few things in her ears. She kept shaking her head and I frowned.

"What is this Nandini? Were you going to hit her?" He angrily yelled at me.

"Ask your daughter what she just said" I glared him.

He huffed and then looked at Mahi "Princess... What is Mamma saying? Did you say something?"

She shook her head and hugged Manik again.

My heart suddenly melted seeing my daughter hiccupping in her father's hold. I was about to say something but Manik showed his hand to me.

"Mamma will scold me Papa... Main ne kuch ni kiya... Plomish!" She sobbed more in his embrace.

"Mahi... Listen to Mamma beta... Whatever you said is a bad word. No one should speak that word" I said with a calm tone while Manik glanced at me.

"What did you say Princess?" He asked her breaking the hug while I sighed.

"Uh... Yuck... something like that Papa..." Neel spoke and patted Mahi's shoulder.

Manik looked at me all confused and I mouthed 'fuck'.

His eyes widened and then sighed.

"Mahi princess...!" He cajoled her while she sniffed.

"See I got it what you said. Princess all those words are bad words. You cannot say that. Not in front of Mamma or anyone. Do you get it?" He spoke while I sat there silently.

I gestured Neel to continue his work and he obeyed me.

"Mahi Mamma jo sikhati hai beta wo..." I was speaking but she turned towards me angrily.

"I hate you Mamma... When Papa speaks, it's not wrong. When Dadu says it's not wrong so when Mahi speaks it's not wrong.... But you want to scold me... I hate you..." She yelled at me while I flinched.

"Mahi...." Manik roared while she turned towards him and glared at him also.

I almost had tear in my eyes. My daughter never speaks to me that way.

"I don't want to talk to anyone" she cried and threw herself on the bed. Hiding herself in the quilt, she ignored me.

I stood up and picked up her drawing book and then her colours. I could feel tears streaming out of my eyes. I placed her book just under the fan so that it gets dry.

I left the room crying and I could feel Manik walking behind me.

I sat on the edge of the bed crying.

"Nandini...!" Manik called out and I sobbed hard.

He came from side and hugged me. I cried and sobbed in his hold.

"Manik... I... I didn't want to scold her but... She cannot speak such words. She is just four Manik...." I cried out while he kept patting my back.

"I know she cannot speak such words. It's okay." He tried to calm me down but suddenly anger came in me again. It was him. He must have spoken something which Mahi picked up from. He knows Mahi always tried to imitate him and tries to follow him.

"It was you. How many times I told you not to swore in front of my kids. They catch such words Manik. And don't you know how stubborn she is... it's all your fault." I yelled.

"Okay okay... I am sorry. Ho jata hai yaar." He was so casual about everything.

"Manik... chhodo... Main kitni bhi koshish karlu unhe achhi parwarish dene ki par iss ghar main mujhe kabhi koi kuch nahi karne dega." I yelled angrily and walked here and there.

"What do you mean by that now?" He asked getting up from the bed.

"That, don't pamper her so much that she forgets the difference between right and wrong." I said.

He rolled his eyes and looked at me "come on Nandini... it's not..."

"Manik... when was the last time she didn't misbehave with me? Manik daily main ghar pe hoti hu. I know how she behaves with me. I can't even correct her mistake cause then someone or the other is always present there to wipe her tears. She uses this against. Manik we are her parents, we need to teach her the right things and not wrong. And when she does something wrong then we should stop her and not let her do whatever she does. Yes, initially it might hurt her but eventually she will understand. If we keep on wiping her tears she'll think, there's the way out." I let it all out and sat on the bed again crying.

"Today she swore in front of me, kal kisi aur ke samne karegi. Manik wo abhi bachi hai. Log to yahi kahenge na ke maa ne kuch sikhaya nahi." I looked at him who was settled beside me again.

He sighed and then said "okay. I understand, it was her mistake but you cannot stop all of us from pampering her. And it's not like we only pamper her. We pamper Neel too."

"Manik... the fact is that she is the only girl child in this house. And I understand you all want to shower her with all the love and care and trust me I love it. I am her mother Manik. But do you want that bade hole she misbehaves with anyone?" I asked while he rolled his eyes.

"She won't misbehave" he stated.

I shook my head and wiped my tears "rehne do... I'll hear whatever she says. So what if she swears in front of me."

I heard him leaving a breath and then turned me around "what do you want to do about that?"

"I just need to talk to all of you. Gather everyone in the living room." I spoke.

He looked a bit unconvinced.

"Manik do you trust me? Do you think I am a good mother?" I asked placing my hand on his cheek.

"Of course Nandini. I trust you, I know whatever you'll do will be best for our kids." He spoke and smiled.

And soon he vanished from room to gather everyone in the hall.

I sat on the couch beside Manik while Mom-Dad, Bhaiya-Bhabhi and Chachu-Chachi were seated in front of us.

"Nandu beta kya hua?" Mom asked while I licked my lips and looked at Manik.

He gave me a nod.

"It's about Mahi..." I spoke while almost all of them gasped.

"What happened to my princess?" Chachi spoke while I shook my head.

"Kuch hua nahi hai... wo..." I tried speaking but couldn't. What should I say that my daughter swore in front of me? And then also spoke angrily in front of me not listening to me.

"Mahi swore today. In front of Nandini." Manik announced and I looked down.

Almost everyone was silent. When I looked up they all were waiting for me to say something.

"When she scolded her, she even spoke angrily in front of her. That much that Nandini cried." Manik let out a breath and looked at me.

"Nandini... you okay?" Bhabhi asked me.

"I am fine Bhabhi it's just...." I stopped and looked at every one of them.

"I know whatever I am going to say is a little shocking but... please try to understand my situation." I spoke while Manik held my hand.

"Dad... I am very sorry to say but... whatever she said, she told me that she heard that word from you and Manik both." I spoke while Dad looked down. Mom was already fuming.

"Anant?" She asked.

"Mom please let me finish!" I interrupted.

She sighed and gestured me to speak "Firstly I request everyone of this family to stop swearing in the house. At least in front of kids. We have three small kids to look after to. We cannot make a bad example in front of them. They are small so they will catch such words very easily but we have to make sure that we don't say it, however angry we are...." I sai and looked at Manik who nodded silently.

"I am sorry Nandu beta... I didn't mean to..." Dad tried speaking.

"Dad you don't have to be sorry. It's not your mistake. Aapko nahi pata tha ke wo aapko sun rahi hai ya kuch bhi." I spoke.

"Also there is something I want to say.... Actually request..." I said.

Every one of them nodded.

"I know whatever I am going to say will hurt every one of you but please try and understand. Please!" I requested.

"It's just that Mahi... Mahi is an over pampered child in this house. You all know she is a bit stubborn and cranky. She does mistakes. Not big ones but small small. I try to correct her and she... she cried her heart out and someone out of you is always there to protect her. I am just saying let her battle her problem herself. Let her be a little independent. Shower her with all the love and everything, I am so happy that my kids got you all as a family but... when I am trying to make her learn something good, it might hurt her in start but eventually she will understand. She will learn good things. Right now, situation is that she can't learn cause there's someone who is always ready to wipe her tears." I let it all out.

All of them looked at me for some time and then at Manik.

"Mom I thinks he is right. She is trying very hard to teach her all the morals and everything. It's us who just need to give her a little support. Even I have never witnessed Mahi like that. The wat she speaks to Nandini is..." Manik spoke and a sudden pain happened in my heart.

Does my daughter really hate me? No! She is my daughter; she is not a bad daughter. Maybe I am a bad mother. I didn't able to teach her good things. It's my fault.

Tears started to roll down my eyes as Manik took me in the side hug "hey... Shh... Baby..."

"She hates me Manik." I cried in the hug.

"No she doesn't. Nandini stop crying. Please!" He held my face and wiped all the tears.

"Nandu beta... thik keh rahi ho tum. Maybe we were too blinded with girl child. Mahi is not a bad kid she just needs to learn few things and I promise we will never come in between from now on. You can up bring her the way you want beta." Mom said and sat beside me.

"Haan Nandini. That's okay and I wonder why did you took so much of time in saying this." Bhabhi spoke.

"I was scared. What if you all misunderstand me?" I looked at Mom who smiled.

"We are a family Nandini. We understand." She spoke and kissed my forehead.

"Kaan khichke sidha kar use. Thik hai?" She spoke while I nodded smilingly.

She took me in the hug while I sighed.

Thank you for giving me such an understanding family.

******

At dinner table, I served food to everyone looking upstairs continuously.

I could feel everyone's eyes at me.

I placed food in Neel's plate and he looked up at me.

"Mahi ni aayegi. Usne bataya." Neel informed.

I looked at Manik who was looking at me only.

I ran inside the kitchen and prepared her dish fast. I made her favourite pasta just to cajole her. I knew she cannot resist pasta.

I was about to go upstairs but then I stopped in between. She won't eat if I will go. I bit my lip and sent a servant upstairs and continued serving food to all of them.

Manik looked at me and said "Nandini tum bhi khaalo."

I looked at him and then at upstairs. Meri beti ne khana nahi khaya main kaise khaalu?

He gestured me to sit but I declined politely. I could feel his sighing.

My eyes kept wandering upstairs and just then the servant returned. I smiled but soon my smiled got vanished as I saw him handling me the plate as it is. The past was not moved at all.

"I am sorry Mam I tried, but she said she doesn't want to eat anything." He informed and took the plate back to the kitchen.

Everyone looked at me while I had tear in my eye.

"Nandini.... Tum khaalo, main jaata hu uske pas. Main khila dunga." Manik spoke while I shook my head wiping my eye.

"Nahi mujhe bhookh nahi hai. Tum khaalo. Main uske liye pasta garam kar deti hu." I said and walked inside the kitchen.

I took the plate in my hand. She must be so hungry. She just had a glass of juice in the evening and nothing after that. Sab meri galati hai. Mujhe use utna nahi daatna chahiye tha. Ab usne khaana nahi khaya to? Knowing how stubborn she is.

I placed the plate on the counter again and cried.

I am sorry princess! Mamma is so sorry.

I could feel someone behind me, I turned around and hugged him tight.

"Manik usane dopahar se kuch nahi khaya hai. Sirf lunch kiya tha. Aur juice. Wo mujhse nahi khayegi. I am such a bad mother." I cried.

"Nandini... Wo khayegi. Main hu na. And you will only make her eat. Come" he dragged me but I stopped him.

"No... ye lo plate, tum use khila do. Please!" I requested.

"Aur phir tum keh rahi thi ke hum sab use pamper karte hai.... aur tum? You are scared of her?" He asked.

"I am not scared. I am just worried agar mujhe dekhegi to khayegi nahi." I said and looked down.

"Haan to nahi khaayen. She doesn't have any right to behave like this. Tum aa rahi ho yaa hum sab aaj bhukhe hi so jaye?" He glared at me.

I nodded and we walked upstairs towards her room.

Manik silently opened the room door and called "Princess!"

"I don't want to talk to anyone" she hiccupped a bit and I bit my lip.

"Mahi..." I called out while she froze.

"Mahi Mamma is..."

"I said na... mujhe kisi se baat ni krni." She spoke angrily.

Manik was about to snap her but I stopped him.

I took the plate in my hand and hummed a tune before singing "Laal Laal Gaal jaise Tamatar"

Manik looked at me and I looked at him.

He smiled and continued while walking inside "Mahi ka Gussa Chad Gaya Sir par"

I giggled and continued walking towards her bed "Kaise Manao Use lagta hai Dar"

"Kahun Kuch to royegi wo Balti Bhar Bhar." Manik completed and picked her up from the bed and twirled her around.

"Papa... put me down... Papa...." she yelled while Manik kept twirling her.

"No... I will not... smile first. Aise... Papa ke Princess wali" Manik gave her a cheeky smile.

She firstly struggled but then adjusted in his arms and refused to look at me.

"Mahi dekho Mamma ne aapka favourite pasta banaya hai. Kaun khayega pasta?" He sat beside me.

Mahi looked at me and then looked at the plate in my hand.

I tried to take her from Manik's hand but she snuggles more into him.

"Mahi... Mamma says sorry. Mamma shouldn't have scolded you. Khaana khalo please! Aapne lunch ke baad kuch nahi khaya" I said touching her hairs.

"Papa aap inse keh dijiye ke main inse baat ni karungi." She spoke looking away from me.

Manik looked at me and then at her.

"Mahi listen to me now" he spoke and made her sit beside me while he sat on the floor in front of us.

"Mahi... Galati to aapki bhi thi. Aapne bad words ko use kiya Mamma ke samne. Aur phir unse gusse se baat bhi ki. Kya aapne kabhi bhi Pap ko Dadi se aise baat karte dekha hai?" He spoke while she kept looking at him.

"Mamma jab aapko daante bhi to use bura nahi mante hai beta. Wo aapki Mamma hai, jo bhi kahegi aapke achhe ke liye hi kahegi." He spoke.

"No... She doesn't love me. She always scolds me. And I hate her" She spoke while I stood up to leave.

"Nandini ruko." Manik spoke and made me sit beside her again.

"Mahi... you hate Mamma? Really? Aapko pata bhi hai aapki Mamma ne aapko iss world me lane ke liye kitna pain sehen kiya hai? Aaj bhi galati aapki thi phir bhi aapko manane ke liye unhone pasta banaya. Kyun? Kyunki wo aapse pyaar nahi karti? Huh?" He scolded her.

I could see her flinching at Manik's tone.

I shook my head and tried stopping him.

"Nahi let me speak. Bahot ho gaya iska." He spoke angrily while I cried.

"Aap ek kaam batado jo aap khud kar loge without Mamma's help. Teeth ko brush kar loge na khud? Bath bhi khud kar loge na? Hairs bhi apne khud comb kar loge na? Aapka lunch box bhi khud hi bana loge na? Aur homework? Sab kar loge na? Kyunki aapki Mamma to aapse pyaar nahi karti tou wo ye sab kyun karen? Nahi!" He spoke while I sobbed hard looking down.

"Aaj bhi... hum sab ne niche khana khaya par aapki Mamma ne nahi khaya. Aapko pata hai kyun?" He asked while I looked at him and shook my head.

I heard Mahi sobbing beside me. I looked at her and Oh my Baby! She is so fragile.

"Kyunki aapne khana nahi khaya Mahi. Abhi tak Mamma bhukhi hai kyunki unki princess ne abhi tak nahi khaya. Aur aap kehte ho aapke Mamma aapse love nahi karte?" Manik said disappointed.

Mahi cried loud and hugged me instantly. I held her near me and pulled her in my lap. We both cried in each other's embrace while Manik sighed.

"Mamma.... I love you.... I am sorry. Mahi is bad princess" she sobbed in my hairs.

Oh no my baby!

"No Mahi... Mahi is Mamma's princess. Mahi Mamma loves you so much beta. Aap aisa na bole ke aap mujhe hate karte ho. Dard hota hai beta." I sobbed while she sniffed.

"I won't speak bad words Mamma. Not in front of you or anyone. Mahi will be a good girl. I plomish Mamma." She pinched the skin on her neck and looked at me with teary eyes.

I wiped her tears away from her face and kissed her whole face. I threw back her blonde hairs behind and kissed deep on her forehead.

"Mera bacha.... Mera achha bacha.... I love you Princess" I spoke while she smiled.

Finally!

"Chalo chalo now dinner time" Manik spoke.

I took the plate in my hand and made her eat. It was easy as it was her favourite.

"Mahi... Aarush Bhaiya is showing me something. Tum nahi aaogi?" Neel came running to the room and stood in front of us.

"Mere bina? How bad.... Main Aarush Bhaiya se bat hi nahi karungi." Mahi spoke from beside me and I giggled.

"Okay.... I am going. Bye..." Neel shrugging ran outside.

"Neel wait for me... are Neel...." Mahi jumped out of the bed and ran behind him.

"Mahi dinner...." I yelled while she shouted back "Pet bhar gaya Mamma..."

I sighed and looked at Manik who was smiling at me.

"Come now Tum khaa lo please!" He spoke while I faintly nodded.

And just then we stood up I saw Mahi standing on the door panting.

I rushed towards her and kneeled in front of her "kya hua baby? Aap to khelne gaye the na?"

"Mamma... Aap khaana kha lenge na? Main bad main khelugi" She spoke while my eyes teared up again.

"Nahi Mahi Aap khelo. Mamma kha lenge beta" I spoke kissing her face.

"Pakka Plomish! I wil ask Papa, agar nahi khaya to punishment! Deal Papa?" She scolded me and looked at Manik.

Manik chuckled and said "done deal Princess"

"Okay... Main jaa rhi hi bye Mamma... I love you" she spoke while I smiled.

"I love you too. Run but dheere se okay?" I warned and she nodded before running to the full speed.

I stood up and held my mouth trying not to sob.

"Bas karo ab... kitna royegi ab?" Manik held me sideways.

"Bilkul tum par gayi hai... Care to karti hai par gussail hai." He spoke in my ears while I punched him in stomach.

"Ab khaan khalo... Maine bhi thoda sa hi khaya hai. Chale?" He pouted while I smiled and nodded.

And we both husband and wife walked down and ate together from one plate.

******

It was almost afternoon and I put the plate in the sink washing my hands.

I glanced at the watch and in just one hour my babies will be here. So I arranged the food for them and juice also.

Just then I heard Mom calling me from living room.

"Haan Mom." I wiped my hands with the dress which I was wearing.

"Beta tumhara phone.!" She said and handed me my phone.

I looked at the caller ID only to see it was from the school. Ab Mahi ne kya kar diya?

"Ab iss ladki ne kya kar diya?" I asked worriedly while Bhabhi giggled beside me.

I picked up the call hurriedly and the first thing I heard was my baby wailing.

"Princess!!!" I spoke getting a panic attack already. Did she got hurt?

"Mamma.... Wo..." She tried speaking but words never came out.

And there was another voice suddenly "Mrs. Malhotra... I am Miss Sushmita, Neel and Mahi's class teacher." A feminine voice came.

I nodded already getting jitters "Yes yes miss.... Kya hua?"

"Can you please come over... actually..." She stopped and I almost was about to faint.

"Actually Neel... Neel fainted" She spoke and I held the couch for support.

Neel fainted? Why? How?

******

Thank You for all the support and love...! We are 8K now..!! Happy family....

And also, What do you think of Neel fainting?

Do tell me what do you think of it....