Choti Si Duniya - ArShi FF

19. Lions, Tigers and Rabbits

Finally, the Raizada house was in celebration mode for Karva Chauth. This year Payal couldn't fast due to pregnancy but finally Khushi could. She had missed this last year as she was breastfeeding the twins and also the year before that as she was pregnant with them. So this year she enthusiastically took charge of the pooja basking in glory of her Arnavji's love and surrounded by their family.

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After the kidnapping threat incident, Arnav had taken every possible security precaution in and around the Raizada mansion. Numerous CCTv cameras, hordes of armed security guards, 24*7 surveillance of the area around their house and always having 2 personal bodyguards accompany Khushi, kids and everyone in the family whenever they stepped out. It was still not enough for him! Something was missing, like something essential and something more he should do. That is when he overheard the conversation going on in Payal-Akash's room where everyone was huddled for the evening,

"I agree with nani ji. Its time we get someone as pleasant as our Laksmiji" Payal was saying. They had lost their pet goat Lakshmi 3 years ago due to her age. Everyone except the twins knew Lakshmi, but twins had never seen her, neither they knew what the concept of having a pet was

"But Payal, who has time to look after it? You are supposed to take rest, Bhai and Khushi bhabhi are busy with the kids and dadi (arnav's Nani) needs to rest too. I dont think maate (manorama) or papa can find time either" Akash put forward his concerns

"so you're saying no Akash? i just asked one thing and you cant even manage that?" Payal asked, her eyes already watering. Khushi held her smile, obviously amused at her otherwise docile jiji confronting her jiju in front of everyone. While arnav on the other side of the room was openly smirking at his cousin's plight, having faced that emotional turmoil at the hands of khushi twice in their lives already!

"No no no Payal, thats not what I meant. alright, lets get a pet. should we get another goat then?" Akash asked looking at everyone, already wrapping the debate, lest his pregnant wife started the waterworks

"What? No, papa, let's get a cat now" Piya said jumping in the discussion

"but cat scratches Piya didi. We should get a fish tank like Rucha has, fishes are friendly" Kavish suggested, making everyone laugh at his reference to Rucha. Piya liked this suggestion too.

"Aru, which animal should we get?" Khushi asked Aru who was sitting in her lap playing with khushi's phone, for a change! Khushi had become lenient to Aru after the kidnap fiasco...

But Aru who had no idea about domestic and wild animals blurted her favorite animal's name-

"Mamma let's get lion. Like Simba, sho cute" she said clapping her hands and everyone laughed. She had watched the animation movie Simba with Kavish and Piya and used to adore the lion cub in it.

That's when Arnav decided to make an entry in the room,

"So mere chote sher ko sher chahiye (so my small lion wants a lion)? But princess, what if the lion got scared of a brave lioness like you?" he said tickling her stomach earning fits of giggles from her

"I would say let's get a cow" Dadi who had extended her stay till Diwali added her opinion.

"But we will need additional people to take care of her" Akash skeptically said, who had Pari in his arms. Pari was looking intently at her animal-book, not saying a word as usual.

"what about a Rabbit?" Payal suggested, "but they are not easy to pet, they tend to feel lonely soon" Mamaji informed this time and payal didnt argue,

"let's get peacockwa, I like mor" Mami ji suggested to which everyone told her peacocks weren't legally allowed to be pets and just like that everyone kept throwing options around without any consensus, until Arnav saw Pari tugging his shirt and showing him an animal on her 'animal book'. It was a puppy! So his silent kid understood what was going on around her and also had an opinion! Arnav felt very happy as he realized that.

And suddenly arnav knew what they should get! A dog! It would not only be a pet the family wanted but also add in the security measures he was taking.

When he told this to everyone, everyone whole heartedly agreed though again they all had different opinions on which one they should get a Pomeranian, a Chihuahua, or a husky and Arnav sighed in exasperation for another lengthy discussion

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A/N – I had got a lot of amazing leads for the 'pet project' from you guys. To name a few, thanks rkala1524, hajoonissy, happyy_me , MahimaAhmed for your awesome ideas 🤗  I have tried to include all of them with a spin of my own. Hope you all like it.  happyy_me on your demand, payal went against akash 😛  Also, i love ALL pets, its just i am more experienced with dogs 😛 thanks again, although I can't tag everyone here, all of your responses mean a lot!

Next chapter 'Pari's new friend – Mr. Pet', although i might add a bonus chapter about all 4 kids' character inspirations in between 😎 lets see.

Don't forget to vote and review, they help me update sooner 😊 and Happy Diwali in advance!