Chapter Twenty: Three Feet of Promise

Nehmat smiled as she listened to Vamika and Shubman engage in conversation about random topics. "So, Vamii, what's your favourite cartoon?" Shubman asked, glancing down at Vamika with interest

Vamika's eyes lit up with excitement as she replied, "I love watching 'Doraemon'! He has so many cool gadgets!"

Shubman chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, 'Doraemon' is pretty awesome. I used to watch it when I was younger too."

Nehmat couldn't help but join in the conversation. "Vamii, do you remember the time we binge-watched 'Doraemon' together during summer vacation?"

Vamika nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Nini! That was so much fun!"

Shubman chuckled, his eyes twinkling mischievously as he addressed Vamika but indirectly teased Nehmat. "Ohh, I see where you get the cartoon love from," he remarked with a playful grin.

Vamika giggled at Shubman's comment, her eyes darting between him and Nehmat. "Nini always says she's too old for cartoons, but I know she secretly enjoys them too!" she exclaimed with a knowing smile.

Shubman grinned mischievously at Nehmat and said, "You know, Vamika made me binge-watch cartoons on our movie night."

Nehmat blushed and stifled her smile, trying to maintain her composure, as Vamika laughed loudly. "Caught you, Nini! Accept it, you're as childish as a three-year-old," she teased with a playful grin.

Shubman chuckled at the banter between Vamika and Nehmat, enjoying the playful atmosphere. "Looks like we all have our inner child," he remarked, joining in on the light-hearted teasing.

Nehmat rolled her eyes playfully, unable to suppress a smile any longer. "Alright, alright, maybe I do enjoy cartoons more than I let on," she admitted with a playful shrug.

Vamika grinned triumphantly, nudging Nehmat teasingly. "See, I told you there's no shame in it! Cartoons are timeless," she declared with a playful wink.

Shubman chuckled before turning to Nehmat with a curious grin. "So, where are we going?" he asked.

As Nehmat drove through a hotel, she replied, "I've ordered food for Vamii, then we'll go for some street food."

Vamika blew her cheeks out in a pout, looking at Nehmat. "Why can't I have street food with you?" she asked with a hint of disappointment in her voice.

Nehmat parked the car and glanced at Vamika. "If Bhabhi finds out, then I am done," she joked, shaking her head.

As the delivery boy handed Nehmat the packet, she reached for her wallet to pay, but before she could, Shubman had already handed the boy some money. Nehmat let out a whine. "Don't! I will pay for that," she protested, trying to grab the money from Shubman's hand.

"Because you paid for the last date, now I will pay for this one. So shh," Shubman said, placing a finger on Nehmat's lips, causing her to blush. She then gestured towards Vanika, who was sitting blowing her cheeks and looking ahead.

"Because you paid for the last date, now I will pay for this one. So shh," Shubman said, placing a finger on Nehmat's lips, causing her to blush.

Nehmat chuckled softly at Shubman's playful gesture and nodded in agreement. "Alright, alright, you win this time," she whispered back, her cheeks still tinged with pink. 

As Nehmat started driving to her favourite street food spot in Delhi, she attempted to engage Vamika in conversation, hoping to make her understand. "Vamika, you know, street food isn't really the healthiest option, especially for someone as young as you," Nehmat gently explained, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.

Vamika listened to Nehmat's explanation but then countered, "But Nini, it's not healthy for you either, right? So why should you have it?"

Nehmat chuckled softly, appreciating Vamika's concern. "You're right, Vamika. It's not the healthiest option for anyone. But sometimes, a little treat can be okay as long as we don't make it a habit."

Vamika paused, considering Nehmat's words, but then countered again, "Then sometimes it's okay for me too." Her eyes sparkled with a mix of determination and a desire for fairness.

Nehmat stopped her car in front of the stalls and turned to Vamika with a stern expression. "I said no means no. I don't want to have any further arguments about this," she scolded gently but firmly. Taking a deep breath to compose herself, she then turned to Shubman, who had been silently listening to their conversation with surprise at Vamika's argumentative skills, his eyebrows raised in amusement.

Nehmat turned to Shubman and asked, "What will you have?"

Shaking his head with a smile, he answered, "I'll have whatever you recommend. Surprise me!"

Nehmat noticed Vamika's anger as she saw her with her head turned around. "Vamii, go sit in the backseat and have your food," she instructed gently but firmly. Exiting the car, Nehmat made her way to the food stall to place the order.

As Vamika watched Nehmat head towards the stall with side eyes, she swiftly stood on the seat between Shubman's legs. Holding his face with her little hands and wearing a serious expression, Vamika caught Shubman off guard.

"Listen, I want to talk about something important," Vamika said, her tone unusually serious for her age, surprising Shubman.

Vamika's sudden seriousness took aback Shubman, but he nodded, intrigued by what she had to say. "Of course, Vamii, what's on your mind?" he asked, giving her his full attention.

Vamika's eyes briefly darted towards the stall where Nehmat was debating about food options before she refocused her attention on Shubman. "Your impression so far has been good, but you gotta treat my Nini like a princess like she deserves to be," Vamika said with a seriousness beyond her years, her words carrying a protective tone for Nehmat.

Shubman chuckled at Vamika's sudden shift in demeanor. "Weren't you just fighting with your Nini a few seconds ago?" he teased lightly, amused by the contrast in Vamika's behaviour.

Vamika maintained her serious expression, unaffected by Shubman's teasing remark. "That's different," she replied firmly, her tone indicating that she was not going to be swayed from her point.

Shubman raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "How is it different?" he inquired, genuinely intrigued by Vamika's perspective.

Vamika took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding. "Because," she began, her serious expression softening slightly, "even if we argue sometimes, Nini always takes care of me and makes sure I'm okay. She's the best, and she deserves the best," she explained earnestly, emphasizing her deep affection for Nehmat.

Vamika maintained her hold on Shubman's face as she continued, her gaze unwavering. "So, do you promise to treat her like her princess?" she asked with a solemnity that belied her age. "And I'm not even joking about this," she added, her tone leaving no room for doubt about the seriousness of her warning.

Shubman gently held Vamika's little fingers, caressing them with a tender smile. "I promise," he affirmed, his voice filled with sincerity as he pledged to honour Vamika's request and treat Nehmat with the utmost care and respect.

"I'll keep an eye on you. One mistake, and you'll have to face me," Vamika declared, placing her little fist on her waist in a determined stance. Shubman couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the three-foot-tall figure attempting to intimidate him. Her seriousness mixed with her small stature was both adorable and amusing.

Shubman leaned down and gently kissed Vanika's forehead, a gesture filled with warmth and reassurance. "I promise to always look out for Nehmat and to be the best I can be," he said sincerely, his voice soft yet resolute.

Shubman felt Vamika's eyes scanning him for a minute before she nodded, breaking out into a grin. Just then, they heard Nehmat's voice from outside the car window. Leaning closer to the window, Nehmat asked, "What are you two promising about?" Her curious tone hinted at her amusement at the exchange happening between Shubman and Vamika.

Both Shubman and Vamika exchanged a glance, their nervousness evident. Shubman cleared his throat before laughing lightly. "Oh, we're just promising each other to share our food, aren't we, Vamika?" he replied, trying to brush off the seriousness of their previous conversation with a lighthearted explanation.

Vamika nodded enthusiastically, her laughter joining Shubman's. "Yes, exactly! Sharing is caring, right?" she chimed in, playing along with Shubman's explanation as they shared a moment of shared laughter.

Nehmat narrowed her eyes, smiling knowingly, fully aware of what was actually going on. However, she decided to play along, wanting to hear it from them. She sensed a new form of bonding between Shubman and Vamika, and she found it heartwarming.

Unbeknownst to them, a flash from a camera went off in the distance, capturing the moment. Little did they know that this photograph would mark the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

On the other end, the woman who received the image smirked, "Just a year, and I'll be there."