Chapter Eighteen: Silent Tears Speak

The door swung open, greeted by the excited squeals of both Vamika and Mumma Kohli."My babies!" Mumma Kohli exclaimed, pulling their faces down to plant kisses on their cheeks. Nehmat was surprised to see her mother, who usually complained about her backache, not minding the energetic 3-year-old toddler jumping into her arms.

"Mumma, you were just complaining about your backache, and now you're effortlessly catching a three-year-old?" Nehmat complained, narrowing her eyes.

"Oh, hush! You'll understand when you become a grandmother. Come inside," Mumma Kohli replied, pulling a giggling Vamika along, causing Nehmat to roll her eyes in response.

As they all settled in the living room, Vamika excitedly hugged her grandmother. "Dadi, I missed you!" she exclaimed with a big smile.

Unable to resist, Nehmat jumped into a hug, burying her face in the older Kohli's neck. "Missed you, Mumma," she whispered.

The older Kohli hugged them back tightly, kissing their foreheads affectionately. "Missed you too, puttar," she murmured softly.

Mumma Kohli, with a gentle smile, gently stroked Vamika's hair. "You've grown so much since I last saw you, my dear," she said, her voice filled with grandmotherly affection.

Nehmat leaned back slightly, her eyes sparkling with emotion as she looked at her mother. "It feels so good to be back home," she admitted, a sense of peace washing over her.

Mumma Kohli nodded, her expression softening. "Home is wherever our hearts are, and our hearts are always united, no matter where we are," she said, planting a gentle kiss on little Nehmat's nose, who was no longer so little.

Mumma Kohli looked at both with a smile and said, "Freshen up, I've made something special." Her eyes twinkled with anticipation as she watched Nehmat and Vamika exchange excited glances.

Nehmat's stomach rumbled at the thought of her mother's cooking, reminding her of the comforting meals she had missed while away. "What did you make, Mumma?" she asked eagerly, already imagining the delicious aroma filling the kitchen.

Vamika bounced on her toes, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Is it something with chocolate, Dadi?" she chimed in, her voice filled with hope.

Mumma Kohli chuckled warmly at their enthusiasm. "You'll have to wait and see," she teased, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "Now go on, freshen up, and then we'll all enjoy it together."

Nehmat couldn't contain her excitement, and with puppy dog eyes, she suggested, "Mumma, can't we freshen up later? Food first?" Vamika chimed in in agreement, pleading, "Yes, please, Dadi!"

But Mumma Kohli, with a wide-eyed stern look, interrupted firmly, "Go and freshen up first. Don't forget your manners, both of you."

Both of them gulped, feeling a tad embarrassed at their eagerness, and rushed upstairs to Nehmat's old room. Mumma Kohli chuckled warmly as she watched them scurry off.

Meanwhile, she busied herself in the kitchen, setting the plates and preparing the dining table for their special meal.

As Nehmat and Vamika returned downstairs, their mouths watered at the sight of the beautifully prepared dishes adorning the dining table. Unable to contain their excitement any longer, and without waiting, they both climbed onto their respective dining chairs and eagerly began digging into the delicious food.

The aroma of Mumma Kohli's cooking filled the room, tantalizing their taste buds even more as they savoured each bite. Nehmat couldn't help but let out a contented sigh as she tasted the flavours of home.

Vamika's eyes sparkled with delight with each mouthful, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "This is amazing, Dadi!" she exclaimed between bites, her enthusiasm contagious.

Mumma Kohli smiled warmly at her granddaughter's reaction, her heart swelling with joy at seeing her girls enjoy her cooking. "I'm glad you like it, my dear," she replied, her eyes twinkling with happiness.

Nehmat leaned forward and planted a kiss on her mother's cheeks, expressing her appreciation for the delicious meal in Punjabi Shayari:

"Makke di roti, Saarso da saag,

Mithe mein hawla aur ki chahiye mere yaar."

Mumma Kohli laughed at her dramatic daughter, bringing her face closer to pinch her cheeks, making her dimples appear. None of them had dimples in the Kohli family, which made Nehmat stand out, just like she always did.

With happy tummies and satisfied smiles, little Vamika was now getting a special treat from her Dadi. She sat comfortably, her eyes closing in relaxation as Mumma Kohli gently massaged her scalp, giving her a soothing champi. Meanwhile, her little feet received tender care from her Nini, who skillfully massaged them, sending waves of relaxation through her tiny frame.

Mumma Kohli and Nehmat couldn't help but smile as they watched Vamika bask in the attention, knowing that she deserved every bit of it.

Nehmat, with a grin on her face, teased Vamika, "Look at our little drama queen enjoying her royal treatment."

Mumma Kohli chuckled, shaking her head affectionately. "She sure knows how to indulge herself," she replied, sharing a knowing look with her daughter.

Meanwhile, Mumma Kohli continued to pamper Vamika with gentle strokes, her heart filled with love for her granddaughter. "You're such a precious little princess, Vamii," she cooed, planting a kiss on the top of her head.

Vamika giggled in response, her eyes still closed in bliss. "I love getting champi from Dadi," she murmured, her voice sleepy with contentment.

As Mumma Kohli continued to give Vamika a gentle champi, soft snores began to emit from the little girl, indicating that she was already drifting off into an afternoon nap. Nehmat looked up from her position and chuckled. "Looks like someone is already embracing the afternoon nap," she remarked with amusement.

Mumma Kohli glanced down at Vamika, her heart swelling with love at the sight of her granddaughter peacefully asleep.

With a tender touch, she began braiding Vamika's hair gently, ensuring that she could sleep peacefully without any disturbance.

As Nehmat gently lifted Vamika into her old bed, she carefully placed a cloth on the pillow to prevent the oil from staining it. With a soft kiss on Vanika's forehead, she ensured her niece was settled comfortably before turning to her mother.

"Nini, come, it's been a while since I've given you a champi too," Mumma Kohli called out with a warm smile, extending her hand in invitation. Nehmat heart melted at the loving gesture from her mother.

Nehmat sat in front of her mother, her long hair cascading down to her waist. Mumma Kohli smiled fondly at the sight, reaching out to kiss Nehmat's forehead before starting the massage.

With closed eyes, Nehmat let herself feel at ease, a soft sigh escaping her lips, which made her mother smile. As she massaged Nehmat's hair, Mumma Kohli couldn't resist asking a question she knew Nehmat wouldn't like, but it nagged at her nonetheless. "Mimi nu call kita?" she inquired gently.

Nehmat, surprisingly relaxed at the question, replied softly, "Yes."

Mumma Kohli's fingers paused for a moment in the midst of the massage, a mix of relief and concern evident in her expression. "Aur gal ki hui?" she asked, her tone filled with genuine interest and care.

Nehmat chuckled bitterly and replied, "Oh, gal oh hundi jadon oh call utha laindi." (Translation: "That would happen when she picks up the call.")

Mumma Kohli listened thoughtfully, then gently asked again, "Ki tu fer koshish kiti?" (Translation: "Did you try again?")

Nehmat turned around, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, as she replied, "Hazaar waar koshish kiti, te ik waar vi te sanmaan nahi milya, na hi ik message." (Translation: "Tried a thousand times, but not once did I receive acknowledgement, not even a message.")

Her voice choked with emotion as she continued, "It's just because..." Nehmat trailed off, her heart heavy with the weight of unspoken words, but before she could utter another syllable, Mumma Kohli interjected, her own eyes brimming with tears, warning Nehmat with a firm tone, "Dare you speak that."

Feeling overwhelmed, Nehmat cried, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. "Leave it, let go, and let things be as they are. Talking about it will only bring pain," she murmured, her voice muffled by her tears.

Feeling the weight of Nehmat's sorrow, Mumma Kohli gently pulled her daughter close, cradling her in her embrace as she cried in her lap. Nehmat clung to her mother's dress, reminiscent of the younger days when she sought comfort in her Mumma's lap during times of distress.

Mumma Kohli ran her fingers through Nehmat's hair, her own heart heavy with the pain of seeing her daughter suffer. "When will they accept it has been years, Mumma?" Nehmat whispered through her tears, her voice filled with a mix of longing and frustration.

Mumma Kohli, resting her head on her daughter's, murmured, "They're just a bit stubborn. But they will accept because my Nini has the most powerful thing in the world. And you know what it is."

Nehmat looked up at her mother, curiosity mixed with sorrow in her eyes. "What is it, Mumma?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

With a tender smile, Mumma Kohli replied, "Love, my dear. Your love is the most powerful force in the world. And in time, it will melt even the coldest hearts."