Ram and Priya sat in the car. Ram started driving the car. Priya looked at him, he looked angry.
Priya: Are you angry with me?
Ram didn't answer, continued to drive.
Priya deeply sighed and looked outside the window.
Some moments later,
Ram: Kya sochke yeh kiya tumne?
Priya(confused): Kya?
Ram: Not taking the prescribed medication.
Priya: I already told why. Mr. Kapoor try to understand. Mujhe pata hai ke important hai medicines but that pill worked fine. I can take it whenever I need it. It doesn't make me a sloth. Pihu choti hai uske peeche peeche poora din bhagna padta hai mujhe. She's not that naughty but that doesn't mean I should sleep forgetting that she might pull off something that she shouldn't. Akele bahar chale jana, agar gir jaaye kahin, stove ke paas kuch na kare, scissors, knives se durr rakhna and so on. Tell me if is it possible for me to think about me when I know that she needs me?
Again tears started forming in her eyes. Ram stopped the car, parking it on the side of the road.
He held her right hand.
Ram: Priya I'm sorry. I should've understood your situation. But now you have me. I'll take care of you both. Others are also there. I can't see you suffering like this. We'll talk to the doctor and find something that suits you. Okay?
Priya looked into his eyes and saw concern in them for her. She nodded slightly.
Ram: Don't worry. Sab sort out kar lenge ek saath.
Priya nodded with a small smile.
Ram: And I'm sorry for leaving you on our wedding day. What I did was not for forgivable at all. You had to suffer a lot because of me. I'm sorry Priya. That was very very rude and insulting. I was so blind towards them that I lacked basic sensitivity towards you.
Priya(in almost inaudible voice): It's okay.
Ram: Mujhe tumhe kuch batana hai.
Priya: Kya?
Ram: Mujhe baad mein pata chala tha ke Shubham drive kar raha tha. (Priya's eyes widened in shock) I confronted him. He was very disrespectful towards you. But then....Nandini Kapoor ne mujhe woh prawns milane wala video dikhaya and she manipulated me again to break Shivi's marriage with Akki. I...I got really stressed because of that.
Priya: And woh sangeet night wali baat aap bhul gaye. Haina?
Ram lifted his hand from her hand and looked downwards feeling really shameful of himself.
Priya: Main galat thi Ishaan ko protect karne mein aur phir MS ka proof delete hone ke baad I didn't tell you. It was my mistake. Par aapne bhi sab kuch honestly nahi kia. Shubham ko aise hi jaane diya, Vedika ne aapke saamne kaha ke usne Anjali ko paise diye Akki ko fasane ko, you kept protecting Shubham in drink and drive cases for the last 5 years because he was grieving which is of course not true, ek criminal ko jail se nikalte hain jisne aapko marne ki koshish ki, jisko maine arrest karwaya. Aap unhe bail karane gaye because aapki pyaari meera ma ko unke abusive husband jisne unhe buri tarah se cheat kia unke saath vrat todna tha.
Maanti hoon ke inn sab mein kisiki zindagi khatre mein nahi thi par yeh sab bhi toh galat hi hai na!
Ram sighed loudly while Priya looked outside not looking at him. He also looked out of the window thinking about Sandy and how she was no less than Shivi to him. She should've protected her. Something really big could've happened to her that day because of Shubham. He was drunk that day also he remembered.
He picked up his phone and dialed the number of the criminal lawyer who was handling Nandini, Shubham and Vedika's cases.
Ram: Hello. Advocate Joshi? Ram Kapoor here.
Advocate: Yes Mr. Kapoor.
Ram: On 29th September, 2021 Shubham Kapoor got drunk and was driving his car and almost ran over my sister Sandy. CCTV footage bhi shayad mil jayega hume. Please add that too.
Advocate: Okay. Thank you for informing me.
Ram: Thank you so much.
He cut the call and looked outside the window. Priya heard everything looking at him.
Priya: He anyways is going to get lifetime imprisonment.
Ram(still looking outside the window): Doesn't matter. I still want this issue to be addressed in court. Sandy mere liye Shivi se kam nahi hai Priya. Meri galtiyon ki wajah se usko justice na mile aisa nahi hona chahiye. Mujhe apni galtiyan sudhaarni hai.
Priya looked at him sadly and felt guilty for giving him a list of fuckups he did in the past.
Priya: I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you all that.
Ram(turned to her): Now you are feeling guilty for telling me where I went wrong? Yeh hi karte hain ab se roz....ek dusre ki galtiyan ginwayenge then sorry feel karenge for making each other go through that. Good plan! You know what we should make a list together ek taraf meri galtiyan, ek taraf tumhari then mathe pe chipka denge toh jab mirror dekhenga yaad aayega kya kya kiya hai.
Priya started laughing throwing her head on the head rest. Ram looked at her annoyed.
Ram: Ispe hasna nahi tha I'm genuinely irritated.
Priya(trying hard not to laugh but failing): I....am...sorry. I'm...imagining it. And it's....really...funny.
Ram was annoyed but seeing Priya's childish laugh, her hand on her mouth, eyes almost close just felt breathtaking to him.
"Tumhare pyaar mein roz roz aur girne ki aadat ho chuki hai ab toh. Tumhe aise hi haste huye dekhna chahta hoon Priya. Hamesha.", Ram thought with a small smile, looking at her dreamily.
Priya opened her eyes, still laughing and saw Ram staring at her. She stopped laughing and smiled at him. Ram smiled back at her.
Ram: Tum gussa ho na mujhpe?
Priya(shaking her head): Nahi.
Ram: Kyun?
Priya: Because every bad thing that happened to you is related to me.
Ram: Every good thing that happened to me is related to you also. Yes bad things happened and they're related to you but none of it is your fault. Pihu ko mujhse durr rakhne la blame bhi main tumhe nahi de sakta. She would've never been safe in KM in their presence.
Priya: Par woh galat tha. You missed out on a lot because of me.
Ram: I don't know what would've happened if you didn't lie to me that day. Pihu ussi ghar mein rehti unke saath aur pata nahi uske saath woh log kya kya karte! I don't even want to think about it now Priya. Mujhe darr lagta hai sochke bhi.
Yes I would give my everything to have that time back jahan tum jail mein nahi ho, main tumhara khayal rakh raha hoon, tumhari comfortable pregnancy, Pihu ko pehli baar dekhna, sab kuch! (Holding her hand) I wish we could have that all back Priya.
Priya kept her other hand over his hand and gave him a small sad smile. Ram smiled back at her.
Priya: Ghar chalein?
Ram(nodding): Hmmm.
Ram started driving the car.
Sometimes later,
Priya: Did you like our first session?
Ram: It was exhausting. And Tara is not scary as I assumed.
Priya chuckled lightly.
Ram: But you're not going to tell her about automatic geyser Priya! Main bol raha hoon tumhe!
Priya(smirking): Maine toh socha bhi nahi tha uske baare mein. Apne yaad dila dia ab toh batana hi padega.
Ram looked at her, open mouthed.
Ram: Nooooooo! Please yaar! Mat bolo! Meri izzat ka falooda mat banao tum. Ahhh! Falooda!
Priya shook her head in disbelief while he pouted at her.
Priya: Nahi hume ghar jana hai we don't have time to have Falooda. Pihu wait kar rahi hogi.
Ram(heart heartedly): Haaa woh toh hai let's go back.
"Of course tu bhi kya soch raha hai Ram! Hamari beti ghar pe hai, wait kar rahi hogi. Priya ne sahi kaha. 5 saal Pihu se durr raha hai. Par 5 saal Priya se bhi toh durr raha hoon. Pata nahi Priya yeh chahti hai bhi ya nahi. Usse bilkul pressurize nahi karna chahiye tujhe. Jab waqt tha jab kuch gutter mein de dia tune.", he chided himself and looked at Priya who was engrossed in her own thoughts, looking outside the window.
Soon they reached the farmhouse and got out of the car.
They both saw the main door open and looked at each other nervously then went inside.
Ram and Priya both got shocked seeing so much water and little muddy shoeprints on the floor. Priya looked at Ram looking heavily scared and saw the same expression on his face too. They started shouting Pihu's name.
Priya: Pihu!
Ram: Pihu bachhe! Kahan ho?
They entered living room but saw no one there.. He tightly held Priya so that she doesn't slip. They
Ram: Priya carefully.
Priya(teary eyed): Mr. Kapoor sab kahan gaye? (Shouting)Tarun! Brinda! Pawan! Yeh toh Pihu ke shoes ke nishaan hain.
Ram(shouting): Pihu? Princess? Hey bhagwan! Yeh kya ho gaya? Priya?
Priya(taking deep breaths): Kuch nahi hoga Pihu ko. Woh thik hogi. Mr. Kapoor let's go upstairs. Itna paani kahan se aaya?
Ram(very very tensed): Ha chalo uper chale. Sab gaye kahan? Haath mat chodna mera. Priya mujhe bohot darr lag...
Priya: Kuch nahi hoga Pihu ko. Bilkul thik hogi.
They were about to climb the stairs that's when they saw Punnu coming from the kitchen area, drying his hair with a towel.
Ram: Punnu what the hell is happening? Where's Pihu? Baki sab bhi kahan hai?
Punnu was a little startled by Ram's stern look. He stood stunned at his place, not moving a bit, with a baffled expression.
Priya(softly): Punnu please batao Pihu kahan hai?
Punnu started feeling less anxious.
Punnu: Woh....woh Bhabhi...woh...
Ram: Arreyy bataoge bhi tum kuch!
Punnu: Pihu baby uuuu...uper hai. Brinda ma'am ke saath.
Ram and Priya sighed in relief.
Ram(looking around him): Aur yeh itna sara paani aur yeh kichad kahan se aaya?
Punnu: Woh....woh...woh
Ram: Woh woh kya kar raha hai? Batana kya hua?
That's when they saw Tarun coming avoiding the water.
Tarun: Kuch nahi hua hai Ram sir. Hum saaf kar denge. Pihu baby uper hai.
Priya: Okay hum chalte hain uper.
Tarun(stopping them): Nahi nahi nahi. Uper...mat jaiye...abhi.
Ram: Kyun stairs pe toh paani nahi hai. Main jaa raha hoon Pihu ko dekhne.
Tarun: Nahi nahi. Main keh raha hoon na sir. Mat jaiye. Please.
Priya: Kuch toh garbad hai.
Priya turned and started going upstairs not wanting to spare another second talking to others. Ram followed her. Tarun also went behind them.
Priya: Tarun tum bataoge kya hua hai?
Tarun didn't dare to speak.
They reached at the door of their room and entered. They saw Brinda was drying Pihu's hair with the hairdryer.
Priya ran to Pihu and took her into her arms. Ram stood beside them.
Priya: Pihu aap ho na? Hua kya hai?
Ram: Bachhe hum darr gaye the kitna! Itni awaaz lagayi neeche se.
Pihu(looking around her): Ha...thik hoon.
Priya: Pihu aap aise kyun baat kar rahe ho? Aur aapke baal bheege kaise? Baarish toh nahi hui.
Pihu looked to the side, not wanting to tell them what happened.
Ram(looking at Brinda and Tarun): Bri Tarun! Hua kiya hai? Pihu kiya chipa rahi hai? Tum dono ke baal bhi bheege huye hain. Chal kya raha hai?
Brinda: Wohhh....
Pihu looked at Brinda, with a little pout.
Brinda: Main nahi bata sakti.
Priya: Tarun kya hua hai?
Pihu(forwarding her arms to Ram): Papa!
Ram took her in his arms and tried to look at her face but she hid her face in the crook of his neck, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Tarun(looked at Pihu sadly): Kuch nahi hua hai Bhabhi.
Priya(in a low but stern voice): Tarun main akhri baar ke liye pooch rahi hoon hua kya hai?
Tarun swallowed hard and looked at Brinda who turned her gaze to the other side.
Tarun: Woh hum garden mein khel rahe the. Bass...
Priya glared at Tarun knowing he's not telling the whole truth.
Priya: Poori baat batao. Right now!
Tarun(scratching the back of his neck, not wanting to look at Priya as she looked angry): Woh...Bhabhi...woh...Maali kaka poudo ko paani de rahe the. Main Pihu baby ko leke gaya tha phool dikhane. Toh Pihu baby ko khelne ka mann hua tha.
Priya(strictly): Paani se?
Tarun slightly nodded. Ram swallowed hard looking at Priya's firing mode.
Priya: Phir kya hua? Tarun poora sach batao.
Tarun: Toh Pihu baby nahi nahi humne, hum woh Pipe ke paani se khelne lage.
Priya: Sab?
Tarun again nodded slightly, looking downwards.
Priya looked at Pihu, open mouthed, understanding that she did it. She just couldn't believe her sweet, innocent daughter threw water on everyone, drenching them completely.
Pihu's hold on Ram got tighter. Ram looked at Priya's shocked face and decided to keep his mouth shut while caressing Pihu's back.
Priya(still not understanding fully): Pihu ne tum sab ko Pipe ke paani se bhigo diya? Aur woh shoe prints neeche Pihu ke! Brinda?
Brinda looked at Priya with a small smile confirming her assumptions to be true.
Pihu(whispering into Ram's ears): Papa please bachalo. Mumma bohot daantegi.
"Ram beta tu toh gaya aj. Pihu ko bachaya toh Priya gussa. Priya ko support kiya toh shayad 2-3 din baat nahi karegi tujhse. Hey bhagwan! Madat Karo meri please. Bura phaassa aj toh main"
Priya(with a straight face): Kab hua yeh sab?
Tarun: Kuch der pehle.
Priya: Okay. Brinda Tarun tum dono please niche jao. Mujhe Pihu se baat karni hai.
Brinda: Priya Pihu ki koi galti nahi hai. Bachhi hai yaar. Chod do. Mann hua tha khelne ka.
Priya: Paani se? Aur tum logone roka nahi?
Brinda: We tried but....
Priya: But she showered everyone right?
Brinda bit her tongue.
Tarun: Bhabhi please mat daanto Pihu baby ko. Uski koi galti nahi hai.
Priya: Tum dono neeche jao. Please.
Brinda and Tarun went downstairs not wanting to enrage her further.
Priya looked at Ram who also looked as scared as Pihu.
Priya: Mr. Kapoor Pihu ko bed pe utariye.
Pihu tightly hugged Ram.
Ram: Priya chod do na yaar....bachhi hai.
Priya: Mr. Kapoor put her down on the bed right now.
Having no other choice Ram sat on the edge of the bed, making Pihu sit on his lap. Priya folded her arms seeing that.
She handed Ram the hairdryer and gestured him to dry Pihu's hair while she stood there folding her arms with a stern face.
Ram started drying Pihu's hair while she fidgeted with her fingers, still not making eye contact with Priya.
Ram finished his work and kept the hairdryer on the side and held Pihu gently yet tightly and looked at Priya, shaking his head.
Priya(in her normal voice): Pihu look at me.
Pihu looked at Ram.
Priya: Mr. Kapoor ki taraf nahi meri taraf dekho.
Pihu finally looked at Priya, with a little pout.
Priya: Batao mujhe kya kiya hai tumne. Woh bhi sach sach. Poora ka poora.
Pihu again looked at Ram who caressed her back. Pihu again looked at Priya.
Pihu: Mumma I'm sorry.
Priya: Mujhe sunna hai aapne kya kiya hai. Sorry bad mein bolna.
Pihu: Woh garden mein bohot pretty pretty flowers the. Tarun mujhe lekar gaye dikhane. Maali dadu paani de rahe the, mujhe bhi dena tha. Toh maine bhi diya. Phir mujhe laga uss paani se baarish karwa sakti hoon. Toh maine uss Pipe ko pakda uper karke aur shooo karke baarish hone lagi. Toh hum bheeg gaye. Jaan aur Tarun ko mat daanto unhone mana kiya tha mujhe. Maine nahi suna. Aur Punnu uncle, Pawan uncle, Mohan uncle aur Kamal uncle ne bhi mana kia tha par maine unko bhi bheego dia. I'm sorry Mumma. I'm sorry.
Ram's heart melted in a second for the way Pihu said what she did and how she apologized.
Priya: Aur aapko laga yeh fun hai?
Pihu nodded.
Priya: Maine aapko mana kiya hai na paani se nahi khelne ko. Kiya hai ya nahi?
Pihu again nodded.
Priya: Phir bhi Pihu aap ne meri baat nahi maani. Baap beti dono ko baarish karwane ka bada shawkh hai.
Ram bit his tongue then smiled sheepishly.
Pihu: I'm sorry Mumma.
Ram: Priya bass ho gaya yaar. Chod do ab. Sunn liya kya hua hai. Bachhi hai yaar. Khelna tha usse.
Priya: Mr. Kapoor! Aapko bhi daantna chahiye Pihu ko! Kya hai yeh sab? Itni badmaashi!
Ram: Main nahi daantunga! (Looking at Pihu) Par Pihu bachhe aap phisal toh nahi gaye na? Chot nahi aayi na kahin?
Pihu(shaking her head): No. I'm okay.
Ram kissed her forehead.
Priya: Ab agar sab ko fever aaya toh? Tab kya hoga?
Pihu: Main sabko thandi patti kar dungi aur meri tablet de dungi kuch nahi hoga Mumma.
Ram pouted seeing her cuteness and care for everyone.
Priya sighed and took a deep breath.
Priya: Pihu yeh bohot galat tha aaj. Aapko aisa bilkul nahi karna chahiye tha.
Pihu looked downwards, tears were about to fall from her eyes.
Ram: Priya! Aur nahi.
Priya: Masti karna ek side aur yeh ek side! Hum thodi der ke liye bahar gaye ke nahi aapki beti ka toh "Home 'Not So' Alone" chalu ho gaya. Daantenge toh aap nahi.
Ram: Please.
Priya went to the chest drawer and pulled out Pihu's Maths notebook, pencil, a maths book and handed them to her.
Priya: Write 1-50 in words; The table of 5, 6, 7; and (opening the maths book) do these 10 addition problems on page no. 15. You will only get toilet breaks. Yahan se bilkul nahi uthna hai, khelna bhi nahi hai. Yeh complete karke uthna hai. Samjhi?
Pihu reluctantly nodded, pouting.
Priya: Fine. Start writing.
Priya went to the wardrobe, pulled out a set of cloths and went to the washroom. Ram couldn't even say anything as Priya didn't really scold Pihu that much, just made her study.
Ram and Pihu sighed in relief.
Ram: Bach gaye.
Pihu: Nahi! Mujhe punishment mil gayi. Aapne meri help nahi ki.
Pihu got out of Ram's hold, sat on the bed, and started writing 1-50 in words.
"Ram gir gaya khai mein. Dono gussa hai tujhse. Maine koshish ki Pihu ko bachane ki par fully nahi hua. Oh God! Ab kya karun?", he thought.
Ram looked at Pihu, and saw her writing for the first time. Her handwriting looked okayish to him when he remembered how Shivi and Shubham used to write, one letter looked small then the next one looked big. He noticed how focused she looked and remembered Ishaan and felt bad thinking how he couldn't go back to abroad to study now at least for some time.
Ram got out of his chain of thoughts.
Ram: Pihu bachhe I'm sorry.
Pihu looked at him with an annoyed expression.
Pihu: Aap toh khud Mumma se darte ho. Main hi buddhu hoon. Aisa koi hai jisse Mumma darti hai?
Ram: Haan haan hai na...Choo...
Ram stopped himself from saying 'Chooha' at the right time.
Pihu: What?
Ram: Koi nahi hai actually jisse aapki Mumma darti hai. Wonder Woman hai. Sab usse darte hain.
Pihu giggled listening to him then looked at the washroom door.
Ram: Maaf kar dia na mujhe?
Pihu thought for a moment, narrowing her eyes.
Pihu: Thik hai maaf kia.
Pihu gestured him to come near her and placed a wet kiss on his cheek. Ram smiled cheekily at her.
Ram: Thank you. Waise mazze aaye na bohot?
Pihu(cheekily): Bohottttt zyada. Aap dono thodi der baad aate toh kuch pata nahi chalta.
Ram(smirking): Achha bachhu! Yeh irada tha aapka!
Pihu(nodding with a pout): Haan. But punishment mil gayi na!
Ram: Koi nahi. Thoda sa hi hai. Do it fast fast then we can play again nahi toh you know your Mumma.
Pihu again pouted.
Pihu(eyes shining): Ekdum baarish jaise shuuushhh hoke paani gir raha tha. Plants ko bhi paani mil gaya aur hume bhi. Humne toh dance bhi kiya Papa!
Ram: Achha? Dance bhi kiya?
Pihu: Haaa!
Ram: Aapko baarish bohot pasand hai na?
Pihu: Bohottttt! Kitna mazza aata hai jab baarish aati hai, trees kitne pretty lagte hain baarish hone ke baad, phir baarish ki tapak tapak awaaz! I love it!
Ram chuckled listening to Pihu and remembered those days when he used to love it like her.
Pihu: Aapko baarish pasand nahi hai?
Ram: Ummm....hai thoda thoda.
Pihu: Aapko mere aur Mumma ke saath baarish mein bheegna chahiye tab aayega mazza. Aapko bhi bohottt mazza aayega meri tarah.
Ram smiled at her.
Just then they heard the bathroom door open. Pihu swiftly shifted her focus to her maths book. Priya came out of the washroom, looked at them both, checked how far Pihu went with her work then went out of the room saying nothing.
Ram looked around him and then went to the washroom not wanting to get scolded too.
When Priya went to the living room area saw all the house staff there while Brinda sat there on the sofa.
Brinda stood up seeing Priya.
Brinda: I'm so sorry Priya. Pihu ki galti nahi hai. Woh toh bachhi hai.
Priya: It's okay Brinda. Pihu kabhi kabhi bohot zidd karti hai. Galti hai uski Brinda.
Brinda: Daanta usse tumne?
Priya: Thoda. Don't worry I never raise my voice at her. That's not the problem. I still can't believe Pihu did this. (looking at Tarun and others) I'm so sorry to you all. Main bahar jayungi aur Pihu aisa karegi kabhi nahi socha tha.
Tarun and Others: Bhabhi please aap aise mat boliye.
Pawan: Hum sab ne enjoy kiya Pihu baby ke saath. Woh toh bass hum sabke saath khelna chahti thi. Baarish karwana chahti thi.
Tarun: Bhabhi hum sab bohot khush hai uski wajah se. Ram sir ka gussa 5 saal dekhke ab toh yeh jannat lagti hai. Pihu baby aur aapke ke aane se poore ghar ka mahol hi badal gaya hai.
Haan hum ne usse mana kiya tha usne nahi suna par bachhe aisa hi toh karte hain.
Priya: Pihu ne kabhi pehle aisa kuch nahi kiya.
Brinda(chuckling): Priya Pihu Ram ki beti hai. He's such a mischief! Shayad tumhe pareshan nahi karna chahti thi isiliye pehle aisa kuch nahi kia. Ab shayad badmaash mode activate ho gaya hai uska. She was so happy that we couldn't stop her after a point.
Priya(pressing her forehead): Brinda yeh mat bolo. Mujhe darr lag raha hai sochke. Maali kaka bhi bheeg gaye the na?
Tarun: Bhabhi aap tension mat kije. Unko maine kapde de diye the.
Priya(shaking her head): Yeh ladki bhi na....
Tarun: Bachhi hai Bhabhi woh shararat nahi karegi toh kya hum karenge?
Priya: Haan samajh aa raha hai mujhe. Tum sab ke sab Team Pihu ho...ek baat bhi bolungi toh uski poori army as jayegi bachane. Par Tarun aise support mat karo usse. She'll get the idea that she can do anything. Tum sab ko thoda strict hona padega uske saath. Pihu choti hai usko sahi galat ka farq hume batana padega. Samjhe tum log?
All smiled sheepishly and nodded at Priya.
Priya shook her head and went to the kitchen.
Priya made Kadha for everyone who got drenched in water and coffee for Ram and herself.
She handed everyone the Kadha.
Priya: Yeh peelo please. I don't want any of you to fall sick.
They all smiled at Priya and thanked her.
Priya then went upstairs and saw Ram and Brinda sitting on the one seaters in their room while Pihu was doing her work. Priya handed Brinda the glass of Kadha.
Brinda: Priya yaar! Main theek hoon.
Priya: Nahi Brinda please yeh pee lo you'll feel good aur cold hone ke chances kam honge.
Brinda: Okay fine.
Then she handed Ram a cup of coffee and went to sit beside Pihu.
Priya(forwarding the glass to Pihu): Pihu yeh kadha pee lo nahi toh thand lag jayegi.
Pihu held the glass in her hand and took a sip.
Pihu: Bakiyon ko bhi de dena Mumma! Main nahi chahti koi bimaar ho.
Priya(softly): Sab ne pee li hai kadha. Main dekar aayi hoon.
Pihu: Okk.
Ram and Brinda were smiling seeing Pihu's concern.
Brinda: Main chalti hoon ab. Pihu baby chalti hoon haan? Wapas as jayungi milne.
Pihu(with a smile): Okk...bye!
Priya: Bye Brinda.
Brinda hugged Pihu then Ram and Priya.
Ram went with Brinda to the main door then went back to their room.
Ram sat beside Pihu and saw that she was writing the table of 7. He smiled seeing all the right answers and felt proud of his little munchkin. He then looked at Priya and saw that he was watching his expression. He smiled at her widely while Priya smiled back.
Then Pihu started doing the addition problems using her little fingers. Ram was watching her with wonder in his eyes. Priya smiled seeing his expression.
20 mins later Pihu completed everything and handed her notebook and the maths book to Priya.
Pihu: Yeh lo. Complete kar dia!
She went near Ram and sat on his lap who kissed her hair.
Priya started checking the answers making a straight face. She was feeling happy that Pihu remembered everything even though she didn't sit to study for many days.
Priya(pointing out a mistake): Look here. Forty five ke baad there's no Forty Six! Seedha Forty Seven.
Pihu(pouting): Ooppppsssss!
Ram smiled sticking his tongue out a little bit at the corner of his mouth.
Priya focused on checking other answers and a little later saw another mistake.
Priya: Pihu 22+30 kitna hota hai?
Pihu started calculating using her fingers.
Pihu: 52.
Priya: Then why did you write 42?
She made Pihu see the notebook. Pihu looked at Priya sadly.
Pihu: Galti se likh dia.
Priya: Dhyaan bohot hatt raha hai Pihu!
Pihu let out a little sigh.
Ram(hugging her from behind): Koi baat nahi Princess bass kuch chote chote mistakes hain. Next time se thik honge. Don't be sad okay?
Pihu nodded and smiled at him.
Priya completed checking all the answers and closed the book.
Pihu: Mere stars?
Ram: Kaunse stars?
Priya opened the book and showed him that she gave her stars after checking Pihu's notebook.
Pihu: Bass 2 hi mistakes hai. 5 se zyada ho tab nahi milte.
Priya: But aaj apne shararat ki hai.
Pihu: Sorry bhi toh bola Mumma.
Ram: Ah! Priya! De do na stars! Ab bohot hua!
Priya sighed and took her yellow marker and drew 3 stars on her notebook. Ram took the marker from her and drew 3 more stars.
Ram: Yeh lo aapke stars.
Pihu(clapping in utter happiness): Yayyy! 6 stars!!! Thank you!
She kissed both Ram and Priya on the cheeks and got a lot of kisses in return from them both.
Priya: Aur ab mujhe aapse bohot important baat karni hai Pihu!
Pihu sat straight looking at her mother.
Priya: Main aapko daant nahi rahi. Samjha rahi hoon. Aaj jo hua mazze ke liye kiya aapne I know. But Pihu aise cheezein aapko nahi karni chahiye jisse baaki logon ko problem ho. Aapne pooncha tha sab se ke unko bheegna hai bhi ya nahi?
Pihu shook her head.
Pihu: No.
Priya: Aisa bhi toh ho sakta hai na ke unhe bheegna achha na lagta ho par aapki khusi ke liye woh bheege? Aisa bhi toh ho sakta hai ke sab bimaar pad jao ek saath? Aap yeh batao ho sakta hai na? Aapko yeh nahi pasand ke koi aapke cheeks pull kare waise hi afternoon mein bheegna kisiko pasand nahi bhi ho sakta hai.
Pihu: Ohh...ha....
Priya: Aj ho kiya aapne mazze ke liye tha par aise paani se nahi khelte Pihu. Bimaar pad sakte ho, poore ghar mein paani tha koi gir jaata toh? Aap samajh rahe ho meri baat?
Pihu nodded.
Priya: Pihu aapko sab ne mana kia phir bhi aapne baat nahi maani. Yeh bhi galat hai. Hum aapko yeh bilkul nahi keh rahe ke aap fun mat karo but aapke fun karne se aapko ya kisi aur ko problem nahi honi chahiye okay?
Pihu nodded.
Pihu: I'm sorry. Phir nahi karungi. Sab gussa hai mujhse?
Priya: It's okay and nahi koi aapse gussa nahi hai par aage se aisa nahi karna hai aapko.
Pihu: Main sorry bol dungi sab ko. (Looking at Ram) Papa aap gussa ho mujhse?
Ram: Nahi bachhe bilkul nahi. Par aapki mumma ne jo kaha woh sahi tha. Aur aap toh samajh bhi gaye. Aap toh achhe bachhe ho na! Hum gussa nahi hain cupcake. Bass aapko thoda dhyaan rakhke masti karni hai.
Pihu nodded with a smile.
Some time later,
Ram: Achha Pihu bachhe aapko kuch batana hai.
Pihu: Kya?
Ram(clearing his throat a little): Ummm...main soch raha tha ke hum na ek new house mein shift karein.
Pihu looked visibly anxious. Priya's heart broke seeing her reaction.
Pihu: Hum yahan nahi reh sakte?
Ram: Of course reh sakte hain. But yeh ghar na bohot durr hai mere office se.
Priya: Baby aapke Papa ka office bohot durr hoga toh unhe aane jaane mein time lagega na?
Pihu nodded.
Pihu: Par yahan toh itnaaa accha lagta hai.
Ram: Bachhe hum yahan kabhi bhi aa sakte hain. Ghar toh hamara hi hai. Bass thoda durr hai city se.
Pihu pouted.
Ram: Okay. We can go tomorrow and see some houses. Agar aapko pasand nahi aaya toh hum yeh hi rahenge. (Forwarding his right hand) Deal?
Pihu thought for a moment.
Pihu(shaking Ram's hand): Deal.
Ram smiled cheekily at her.
Pihu(looking at Priya): Mujhe cartoon dekhna hai.
Ram: Mujhe bhi. Mujhe bhi.
Priya: Thik hai. But zyada nahi.
Ram and Pihu(doing a high five): Okay.
Ram: Princess aaj chalo Dora the explorer dekhenge.
Pihu: Woh kya hota hai? Maine nahi dekha.
Ram: Arreyyyy tumhe adventure itne pasand hai aur Dora nahi dekha! Chalo aaj ek new cartoon dekhogi! Mast hai Dora toh!
Pihu: Okay!
Ram took the TV remote in his hand and played an episode of Dora. Ram and Pihu started watching it, laughing heartily.
"Yeh cartoon vartoon dekhke sar dukhta hai mera. Kitne boring hai! Aur yeh Mr. Kapoor aisa lagta hai ke yeh hi karna chahte hai poori zindagi itna khush hain", Priya thought.
Priya went to the balcony and made a call to Krish.
Krish: Heyyy! How are you all?
Priya: We are fine. Tum theek ho?
Krish: Main toh mast hoon Priya. Pihu se baat hui hai meri Brinda ke phone se call kiya tha aaj.
Priya: Oh okay okay.
Krish: Priya? Thik ho na? Sach batao.
Priya: I'm okay Krish. But...
Krish: But?
Priya: I'm tensed about the case. Krish Pihu ki admission ko leke mujhe tension hai. Schools mein sirf bachho ki nahi parents ki bhi interviews hote hain! I don't know. Agar meri wajah se usse...
Priya couldn't say further.
Krish: Priya. Take a deep breath.
Priya took a deep breath.
Krish: Now listen to me. Yes they take interviews of parents also. But I really don't think that anything would stop Pihu's education. Priya she is a very bright kid, well mannered, sweet. And I would say you guys wait until you get court's verdict and your interview. You'll have something to counter if anything like that happens jo mujhe nahi lagta ke hoga.
Priya: Hmmm...you are right about that.
Krish: Priya itne dino baad ghar lauti ho. Ek saath ho sab. I know the situation is still not very well but I know you'll get through this.
Priya: Thank you Krish. It means a lot.
Krish: My pleasure.
Priya: Achha main poochna bhool gayi. Woh Abhi Pihu ka new friend. Uski Mumma ka number chahiye tha. Pata bhi nahi mujhe toh. Main bhi mil leti. Dost banaya hai Pihu ne yahan 1st time.
Krish: Ummm....woh...phone number toh nahi liya....
Priya: Arrreyyyy! Krish yaar! Phone number lena chahiye tha. Ab kahan se dhoondoon usko?
Krish: Arreyyy uski Mumma kya sochti mere baare mein agar phone number mangta toh?
Priya: Woh kya sochti bachhe ki Friend hai Pihu....Ek second! Tumne toh kabhi aisa awkward feel nahi kiya? Pehle bhi if you met Pihu's friend's parents tumne number liya hai. KRISH! BAAT KYA HAI?
Krish: Ku...ku...kuch nahi hai! Tum faltu mein soch rahi ho!
Priya: No I'm not! Krish! Tumhe aur koi nahi mila duniya mein? She's married, has a child also!
Krish: Main jaanta hoon aur tum na baat ko aur ghumao mat.
Priya(smirking): Maine kuch nahi kiya.
Krish: Ugh! Priya! Don't do that! Aisi koi baat nahi hai. Mujhe yaad nahi raha bass!
Priya: Haan sab samajh rahi hoon.
Krish: Mujhe kaam hai kuch okay bye.
Priya(laughing): Achha thik hai bye!
Krish cut the call.
Priya chuckled thinking about Krish's situation.
Priya: Krish yaar! Tum bhi na! But I really really wish tumhe bhi koi mile jiske saath tum apni life share kar sako. You deserve it all. Sabke liye itna sochte ho. Apne baare mein bhi sochna chahiye tumhe.
Priya smiled and went inside to sit with Ram and Pihu who were really enjoying the cartoon laughing their heart out.
Hope you all liked the chapter!