Ram and Priya sat in the car. Ram looked completely freezed to Priya. He didn't speak a word after they came out of the therapy room. Priya started getting really worried for him. He didn't look at her nor did he started the car. He just sat there with a clueless expression.
Priya(softly): Mr. Kapoor?
Ram didn't reply.
Priya: Mr. Kapoor?
Ram looked at her, slightly confused.
Ram: Haan?
Priya: Aap thik hain na?
Ram: Haan? Haan.
Priya hesitantly kept her hand on his. Ram felt her soft, warm touch on his hand and turned to look at her again with the same blank expression.
Priya: Kya soch rahe hain aap?
Ram: Pata nahi.
He turned his gaze from her and started looking outside.
Priya held his hand and entwined their fingers together. Ram looked at their hands and again looked at her with tears in his eyes.
Ram(softly, looking at their hands): Soch raha hoon ke main itna bewakoof kyun hoon.
He sighed deeply.
Priya wasn't able see him slipping into the ocean of sadness.
Priya: I have a theory.
Ram(looking at her): What?
Priya: Aap apna poora brain Office mein use karke ghar aate hain. Aap bewakoof hote toh aaj aap itne bade industrialist thodi hote.
Ram closed his eyes in annoyance.
Ram: Tum taana mar rahi ho ya compliment de rahi ho?
Priya: Of course compliment de rahi hoon.
Ram shook his head.
Ram: I wish I was like Neeraj.
Priya: KYAAAA?
Ram: Chillao mat Priya. Main kehna chahta hoon kaash main Neeraj ki tarah ek job karta hamari ek normal life hoti naki yeh properties leke problems hoti.
Priya(frowning): Really? You would have been happy with that? Satisfied hote aap?
Ram(looking away sadly): Shayad nahi par zindagi mein shanti toh hoti. I'm sorry tumhe mere jaise bewakoof se shaadi karni padi.
Priya: Mr. Kapoor! Meri baat suniye. Idhar dekhiye.
Ram slowly turned towards Priya.
Priya(caressing his hand): Galti hum sab se hui hai. Aap khudko mat koshiye iske liye. Aur jahan tak mujhe lagta hai maine ek aise insaan se shaadi ki hai jo dil se achhe hain. Haan thode se buddhu aap hain aur main bhi hoon. (With a smile) Shayad isiliye hamari shaadi hui hai.
Ram smiled slightly. Priya wiped off his tears with her fingers.
Priya: Pihu ke Papa smile karte huye bade achhe lagte hain.
Ram chuckled listening to her.
Ram: Pihu?
Priya: Haan main call kar rahi hoon. (A little sadly) Aapko Office jana hai na?
Ram: Nahi jaa raha. Ghar chalte hai.
Priya eyes twinkled knowing that they were going home together.
Priya: Okay.
She smiled widely and started calling Tarun. Ram was delighted to see her reaction.
Tarun picked the call.
Tarun: Haan Priya bhabhi Pihu baby thik hai. Hum ludo khel rahe hain. Pihu baby aapko baat karni hai Mumma se?
Pihu: No! Mujhe baat nahi karni hai. Mumma late hai. Unhone kaha tha jaldi aayenge.
Priya eyes widened. She pressed her forehead.
Priya: Tarun phone speaker pe do please.
Tarun did what he was told.
Priya: Pihu baby I'm sorry. Main aa rahi hoon ghar jaldi.
Pihu: Nahi mujhe baat nahi karni.
Ram: Kya hua Priya?
Priya put her phone on speaker.
Priya: Pihu gussa hai baat nahi karegi mujhse.
Ram asked for her phone.
Ram: Pihu bachhe aap mujhse bhi gussa ho?
Pihu: Papa! Aap bhi ho! Oh! Nahi aap se gussa nahi hoon.
Ram smirked at Priya who rolled her eyes.
Priya(muttering): Nautanki.
Ram: Pihu bachhe Mumma jaa rahi hai ghar jaldi aap tension mat lo.
Pihu: Mujhe nahi baat karni Mumma se. Main gussa hoon.
Ram: Haan Haan bilkul hona chahiye gussa aapko.
Priya's mouth fell open.
Pihu: Papa aap jaldi ghar aa jao please!
Ram: Achha cupcake I'm trying to go home soon. Okay?
Pihu: Okay. I love you Papa!
Ram: I love you too bachhe.
Pihu: Okay bye ab meri turn hai.
Ram: Okay bye.
Priya kept staring at Ram open mouthed.
Priya: Yeh kya tha? Why did you do that?
Ram(pretending to be innocent): Maine kya kiya!
Priya: Pata hai Pihu ke saamne hero banna hai! Aur yahan bhole bann rahe hain!
Ram: Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha tum keh kya rahi ho.
Priya(turning her face, sulking): Huh! Aap bohot bade chant hain!
Ram pressed his lips together, smiling as he annoyed Priya. He quickly started the car because his little munchkin wanted him to come home soon.
Priya turned to look at Ram and saw a little smile playing on his face.
"Pihu baby you're my rockstar. Pal mein kaise Mr. Kapoor ke chehre pe smile la di aapne. I know you're angry at me because I'm late but I also know that you expressed your anger knowing that you have options now.", Priya thought and chuckled softly.
Ram(frowning): Tumhari beti tumse gussa hai aur tum yahan baithke hass rahi ho?
Priya: Aap ko pata hai Pihu kabhi gussa hoti bhi hai toh bhi zaheer nahi karti but now she knows that she has options. She can get angry on one parent yet have the other ones' attention. Very calculative and smart.
Ram(laughing): How did our daughter become this smart?
Priya: Yeh toh 5 crore rupay ka sawaal hai.
They both started laughing heartily.
After some time their car was standing on a signal that's when a man came with balloons and knocked on Ram's window. He opened the window.
The man: Sir le lijiye na Balloon.
Ram looked at Priya who nodded.
Ram: Saare de dije.
Priya: Hein?
Ram: What? Pihu ko pasand aayega.
Priya shook her head. Ram opened the back door and the man put all the balloons at the back.
Ram: Ooppsss...
Priya(pressing her lips together): Cash nahi hai aapke paas right? Pata hai mujhe! Kitna hua hai bhaiya?
The man: Ji 600.
Priya gave the money to the Balloon seller and he went away with a happy face. Ram started driving again.
Ram(scratching the back of his neck): Ab se rakkhunga cash.
Priya: Nahi koi zaroorat nahi hai. Main hoon na aapki cashier. Aapke liye cash carry karna toh crime hai. Aap wallet carry hi kyun karte hain. Phenk dije.
Ram: Aarreyy yaar wallet kaise phenk doon. Mere credit cards, debit cards sab rehte hain!
Priya: Inn sab jaga mein cash chalta hai card nahi. Pihu ke liye balloons ho ya Vedika ke liye White Lilies aapko stress lene ki zaroorat nahi hai. Main hoon na cash payment kar dungi.
Ram: Priya yaar!
Priya: Yeh 5 saal aapke liye cash kisne carry kiya? Adi ne?
Ram: Zaroorat nahi thi mujhe cash ki. Kyunki mujhe pata hi nahi tha ke meri ek beti hai jisko balloons pasand honge! Aur nahi maine kisi ke liye flowers liye!
They both looked away from each other, angrily.
Some times later,
Ram and Priya(together, softly): I'm sorry.
They looked at each other nervously. Ram focused on driving again while Priya looked downwards feeling sad.
Ram sighed deeply and turning on the music system, played "Bezubaan" from Piku.
Priya looked outside, resting her head on the window, listening to the song.
As the song ended, Priya played "Ankahee" from Lootera.
They both started reminiscing their sweet memories, moments when they felt loved, cared deeply.
Ram: I hate it when we fight.
Priya: Me too.
They again looked at each other and smiled sadly.
Soon they reached home and rang the calling bell. Punnu opened the door with a big smile.
Ram: Kya hua Punnu tu itna kyun smile kar raha hai?
Punnu: Woh Sir Pihu baby ke saath hum sab khel rahe the uper. Meri turn hai main chalta hoon nahi toh abhi daant padegi.
Ram and Priya chuckled as they saw Punnu going upstairs. They followed him.
As they entered Pihu's playroom, they saw Pihu was throwing the small balls at Tarun, Mohan and Pawan who were holding 3 baskets in their hands. Pihu was throwing the ball and they were collecting it, who had the most numbers of balls at the end of the game would win.
Pihu: Pawan uncle thoda right mein aao.
Priya looked around the whole room. The floor was covered with balls and the ball pit was completely empty. Ram laughed looking at the situation.
Pihu, who was too concentrated towards the game, turned her head listening to the laugh and saw the her parents standing at the door. She came running towards them.
Pihu: Mumma! Papa!
Priya: Pihu dheere dheere aao. Gir jaogi.
Pihu forgot that she was angry at Priya some times ago and went to her arms first, making Ram pout. Pihu gave Priya some wet kisses on her cheeks making her giggle.
Ram: Cupcake this is not fair! Aap toh aapki Mumma se gussa the na! Ab?
Pihu(cheekily): Ab nahi hoon.
Priya(kissing her forehead): Pihu ka gussa fatafat thanda ho jaata hai. Haina Pihu?
Pihu: Haan!
She forwarded her arms to Ram and wrapped her arms around his neck and then gave him a cheek on his cheek.
Pihu: Thank you jaldi aane ke liye.
Ram: How can I say no my princess! Mujhe toh aana hi tha jaldi.
Pihu giggled merrily.
Ram also started throwing balls while Tarun, Mohan, Punnu collected them.
Ram, Priya and Pihu sat in the bedroom with snacks.
Ram: Pihu bacche do you want your room in the new house?
Pihu looked at him cluelessly then turned to Priya who smiled at her.
Pihu: My room? Yahan pe jo playroom hai waisa?
Ram: Nahi playroom toh of course rahega. I'm talking about your own room where you'll have your own bed, study table, your own wardrobe. You can choose the color of the room, aapko kya kya rakhna hai kya nahi sab kuch. If you don't want it, it's okay.
Pihu listened to Ram patiently, nodding her head.
"Mera room! Mera apna room! Hmmm. Achha hai. Mumma toh bed pe mere teddy bears rakhne nahi deti. Wahan rakh sakti hoon.", Pihu thought.
Pihu(smiling cheekily): Okay.
Ram and Priya smiled seeing her excitement.
Ram: Okay. Then 1st floor mein jo 3 bedrooms hain you can choose from them. Kaunsa wala?
He started showing Priya and Pihu the pictures of the rooms from which she could choose.
Pihu looked at them, putting her palm on her cheeks. Ram looked at Priya smiling widely. Priya smiled back.
Priya: Pihu baby achhe se soch lo you can't change your choice later.
That made Pihu think more.
Ram was having fun seeing Priya pulling Pihu's leg.
Pihu(pointing at a picture after sometime): This one.
Ram: Okay. Can I decorate your room?
Pihu nodded with a huge smile.
Ram picked her up in his arms and kissed her cheek.
Ram: Okay then tell me what do you want in your room?
Pihu: A pink bed.
Ram: Niceee! Aur kya?
Pihu: Umm...aap karoge toh decorate.
Ram: Haan toh?
Pihu: Aap hi choose karo.
Ram: Okay koi baat nahi main choose kar lunga.
Ram opened a catalogue.
Ram: Ab yeh batao tum dono ke living room ka sofa set ka color kya hoga? Priya?
Priya: Main kya batayun. Aap choose kije.
Ram: Nahi main kyun sab kaam karoon! Tumhe bhi help karni hai.
Priya: Okay fine.
All three started looking at the colors. It had solid colors, printed ones, textured ones.
Pihu pointed towards a pink sofa.
Priya: No Pihu please living room mein koi Pink sofa nahi rakhta.
Pihu: But it's pretty.
Pihu pouted looking at Ram.
Ram: Your Mumma is right cupcake. Pink nahi kuch aur dekho.
Some time later Priya pointed towards a nice light teal color.
Ram(smiling): Hmmmm...yeh achha hai. Woh peeche jo wooden panel rahega uske saath achha lagega. It's a really good one Priya! Iske saath Orange cushions for a pop-up color.
Priya: Haan orange achha lagega. Haina Pihu?
Pihu: Haan yeh achha hai. Par woh pink bhi achha tha!
Ram and Priya(together): Nahi Pihu sab Pink nahi karna hai.
Ram and Priya looked at each other and started laughing together.
They chose the color of kitchen cabinets, wallpapers, finalized some of the decor items after a lot of speculation.
Ram: This is fun!
Pihu: Uff! Thak gayi main.
Priya: Abhi toh bohot kuch bacha hua hai.
Ram: Haan abhi thoda sa hi huya hai.
Pihu hit her forehead with her palm.
Pihu: Oh! Main toh bhool hi gayi. Ek cake banaya tha Tarun ne, maine help kiya. Main leke aati hoon.
She quickly went downstairs.
Ram: Priya hamare room ke liye bhi toh sab kuch choose karna hai. Ab yeh mat bolna ke aap choose kije. Hum dono ko choose karna hai. Okay?
Priya nodded.
They started selecting a color for their bedroom.
Ram: Yeh pista green achha hai.
Priya: Yeh light beige and deep beige ka combination achha lag raha hai.
Ram: Wow! Haan! Yeh achha lagega. You are good at this Priya.
Ram forwarded his hand upwards and Priya happily did a high-five with him.
Pihu came with Tarun who was holding a tray. Ram's eyes sparkled as he saw the piece of Vanilla Cake with whipped cream and strawberry, chocochips, rainbow sprinkles on top.
Ram: Aa aa Tarun jaldi aa. Pehle dena chahiye tha yeh. Bula raha hai yeh cake mujhe.
Priya didn't like the idea but she knew that if she denied, Ram would get angry as Pihu helped Tarun in making the cake. So she decided to let him eat it.
Ram took a bite of the cake closing his eyes.
Ram: Ahhh! Bohot yummy hai! Tarun Pihu it's amazing!
Priya: Haan bohot zyada yummy hai.
Pihu giggled.
Tarun: Pihu baby ne cake decorate karne mein help kiya hai.
Ram: Arreyy wahh! Meri cupcake toh all-rounder hai.
Pihu: Matlab?
Ram: Matlab aapko bohot kuch karna aata hai woh bhi achhe se. Jaise aap padhai mein achhe ho, aapko puzzles solve karna aata hai, aapko maps read karna aata hai, aur cake decorate karna bhi aata hai. Isiliye aap all-rounder ho like your Mumma.
Pihu: Oho...thank you.
Pihu kissed Ram's cheek. Priya kissed Pihu's cheek.
Priya: Waise yeh kiya kaise Pihu?
Pihu: Tarun ne dia aur maine sab daal dia.
Priya: Sabbaasshh!
Tarun went downstairs.
Ram: Waise Pihu bachhe yeh talent aapko aapki Mumma se mila hai.
Ram smiled at Priya.
Ram(softly): Unhone mere birthday pe ek bohot pyaara cake banaya tha.
Ram quickly opened the gallery and showed the picture of the cake to Pihu.
Pihu: Haan! Yeh gems wala cake toh bohot tasty hai. Mumma banati hai yeh new years mein.
Ram looked at Priya who was staring at the whole room except him.
Ram(slightly teary, with a small smile): Oh.
"Yeh Pihu bhi na sab batana hai isko. Yeh bhi bata dia.", Priya mentally face palmed herself.
Ram again looked at her and this time Priya looked at him and then turned her gaze towards the window. Ram shook his head seeing her antics.
After Pihu fell asleep at night, Priya went to the balcony to breathe into some fresh air. She closed her eyes and let the wind slowly touch her face.
She heard the door open and turned. It was Ram. He walked towards her with a smile and stood by her.
Ram(clearing his throat): Your medicines.
He forwarded 3 strips towards Priya. She made a face seeing those and kept staring at them.
Ram(softly): Please.
Priya pursed her lips and then forward her hand. Ram opened the pills one by one and handed them to her. She took those pills and then sighed loudly.
Ram came close and wrapped his arms around her gently. Priya hugged him back with a small smile.
Ram: Thank you.
Priya(confused): Yeh medicines khane ke liye?
Ram: Ha woh bhi hai aur mere favorite cake ke liye.
Priya: Oh.
She didn't know what else to say. She knew it meant the world to him that she made that cake every year on his birthday.
Ram craved for that love all those years and there was no one who would make him feel that special other than Priya.
Priya caressed his back softly.
Ram: Priya?
Priya: Hmm?
Ram: Next year mujhe chahiye woh gems wala cake.
Priya: Okay.
Ram: Next to next year mein bhi. Aur uske baad wale mein bhi. Mere har birthday pe chahiye.
Priya softly chuckled.
Priya(with a smile): Okay.
Ram smiled, resting his chin on Priya's shoulder, smelling the fragrance of her hair which always mesmerized him.
They broke the hug after sometime.
Ram: Umm...kal toh Sunday hai. Toh main soch raha tha hum teeno shopping pe chalein?
Priya: Oh...umm...Sandy ne call kiya tha. Woh Maitri se milne jaa rahi hai kal. Mujhe poocha toh maine haan bol dia.
Ram(sadly): Oh...
Priya: It's okay aap Pihu ko lekar jaiye. Waise bhi mujhe bilkul pasand nahi hai shopping par jaana.
Ram: No it's fine. Tum jao. Hum kisi aur din chalenge.
Priya: Mr. Kapoor main nahi gayi toh kya hua? Sunday hi toh break milta hai aapko. Pihu ke saath time spend bhi ho jayega.
Ram: Par...
Priya: Par war kuch nahi. Aap dono jaiye.
Ram: Main....Pihu ke saath...akele?
Priya: Haan. Toh?
Ram: Main usse thik se sambhal nahi paaya toh?
Priya smiled at him sweetly.
Priya: Mr. Kapoor aap Pihu ke Papa hain. She loves to spend time with you. Koi problem nahi hogi. Aap achhe se sambhal lenge usse.
Ram: Par Pihu mere saath kabhi akele nahi rahi hai. What if she starts crying?
Priya: Aise kuch nahi hoga aur hua bhi toh aap achhe se handle karna jante hain usse.
Ram looked too unsure.
Priya: She'll be alright. Aap tension mat lije.
Ram: Are you sure?
Priya: 100% sure. Par woh reporters and all?
Ram: Bhad mein jaaye. Pihu ko koi kuch nahi bolega aur nahi poochega I'll take care of it. Uski chinta mat karo.
Priya(smiling): Kar bhi nahi rahi. I know aap Pihu ko lekar kitna protective hain.
Ram smiled at her and then held her hand gently. Priya shyly smiled and looked at the starry sky.
Next morning-
It was almost 8am when Ram's sleep broke. He opened his eyes and saw Priya and Pihu sleeping peacefully. He smiled and saw the time. He sat up and kissed Pihu's forehead and then caressed Priya's face. She smiled in her sleep which made Ram smile.
"Priya toh itni der soti nahi kabhi. Oh! Medicines ki wajah se. Utha doon kya? Nahin. Nahin. Usse neend ki zaroorat hai. Par Pihu ne utha dia toh?", he thought.
He stood up and went to sit near Priya. He patted her head lovingly, admiring her pretty face. He sat there for some moments holding her hand and then picked up Pihu in his arms and sat beside Priya.
He smiled thinking how much his life had changed in just a few days. The hollow in his life was filled with joy. He gently caressed Pihu's cheek who rubbed her nose in his kurta in her sleep. He chuckled softly. Priya turned towards them in her sleep and held Ram's arms.
"I don't think I appreciate you enough for what you've done. Pihu ko iss duniya mein laana, itna bada karna woh bhi akele. Meri sabse badi galti thi tumhe wahan chordke aa jana. Nahi karna chahiye tha Priya. Pata nahi kya kya sehna pada hoga tumhe. Tumne toh mujhe maaf kar dia par main khudko kabhi iss wajah maaf nahi kar payunga.", he thought, tearfully.
Pihu suddenly stirred in her sleep and slowly opened her eyes. Ram blinked back his tears in a hurry and then smiled.
Ram(in a low voice): Good morning Cupcake.
Pihu rubbed her eyes and looked around her.
Pihu: Morning. Mumma!
Ram: Ssshhuuusshh! Pihu bachhe apni Mumma ko sone do. She's tired.
Pihu made a face as she wanted Priya to hold her but she didn't want to disturb her so she nodded slightly.
Ram(kissing her hair): Did you have a good sleep?
Pihu(wrapping her arms around his neck): Hmmm.
Ram: Main help karoon brush karne mein?
Pihu: Okay.
Pihu went near Priya and caressed her forehead and placed a wet kiss on her cheek.
Ram slowly removed Priya's hand from his arms and took Pihu to the washroom. He helped her brush her teeth and then wash her face. Then he completed his own morning chores and picked up Pihu in his arms and went to the room. Priya was still sleeping.
Pihu(frowning): Papa Mumma thik hai na?
Ram: Kyun?
Pihu: Woh itni der kabhi nahi soti.
Ram started contemplating on what to tell her.
Ram: Hum bahar chalein? Garden mein?
Pihu: Okay but Mumma?
Ram: Mumma uth jayegi thodi der mein aur nahi uthi toh hum utha denge okay?
Pihu nodded.
They went downstairs and Tarun handed Pihu a glass of water that she had to drink every morning after she wakes up.
Ram saw that she was awfully silent, looking at the flowers and he knew that she was concerned for her Mumma. It was difficult for her understand the situation but Ram didn't want to keep lying to her.
Ram(clearing his throat): Pihu bacche mujhe ek baat kehni hai aap se. Aap sunoge?
Pihu turned to Ram and nodded. Ram held her hand gently.
Ram: Aap ko pata hai na aapki Mumma ki tabiyat kharab ho jaati hai kabhi kabhi. Woh thik se saans nahi le pati aur unko koi cheez hold karne mein problem hoti hai?
Pihu's eyes widened.
Pihu: Mumma ko phirse waisa hua?
Ram(shaking his head): Nahi nahi. Toh aapne help ki thi na pehle jab unhe waisa hua tha? Breath in breath out karne mein?
Pihu nodded.
Ram: Haan toh hum na doctor ke paas gaye the. Mumma ka checkup karane ke liye. Doctor ke unhe kuch medicines diye hain jisse woh pehle se thoda zyada so jayegi.
Pihu: Mumma sick hai?
Ram: Pihu bachhe aap thode chote ho na toh aapko achhe se samajh nahi aayega.
Pihu: Nahi main toh big girl hoon. Mujhe sab samajh aata hai.
Ram softly chuckled.
Ram: Okay toh humein jaise fever hota hai, sardi zukham hota hai na waise hi kabhi kabhi hamare dil ko bhi bimaari hoti hai. Hum zyada sad feel karte hain. Kabhi kabhi uski wajah se aapki Mumma ko jaisa hota hai na waisa feel karte hain log.
Pihu(teary-eyed): Mumma sad hai?
Ram: Umm...thoda thoda.
Pihu: Kyun?
Ram: Bachhe maine aapko bataya tha na Mother Gothel ke baare mein.
Pihu: Unki wajah se?
Ram: Haan aur main jaldi nahi dhoond paaya aap dono ko. Uss wajah se bhi. I'm sorry bachhe mujhe bohot pehle aap dono ke paas chale jaana chahiye tha.
Tears started forming in Ram's eyes.
Pihu: Mother Gothel ne toh aapko hurt kiya tha na Papa toh aap kaise aate?
Ram was astonished to see how Pihu thought of the whole scenario.
Ram: Haan par mujhe jaldi samajhna chahiye tha ke woh bad hai.
Pihu(nodding): Hmm...Papa?
Ram: Haan bachhe?
Pihu(tears falling down her eyes): Mumma thik ho jayegi na?
Ram quickly pulled out a tissue from his pocket and started wiping off her tears.
Ram: Pihu baby please ro mat. Aapki Mumma bilkul thik ho jayegi. Doctor ne kaha hai ke humein unhe happy happy rakhna hai aur thode medicines unko khaane padenge and she'll be fine. Thoda time lagega. Aap toh mere strong bachhe ho na...aise rote nahin.
He caressed her hair, trying very hard to not start crying.
Pihu stopped crying after sometime and looked at Ram teary-eyed.
Pihu: Humein Mumma ko happy rakhna hai?
Ram nodded with a smile.
Pihu: Okay toh hum Mumma ko dher saara pyaar denge toh Mumma thik ho jayegi. Hai na?
Ram(kissing her forehead): Haan bilkul. Aap ho sachme sab samajhte ho. Big girl ho bilkul.
Pihu giggled then suddenly stopped and looked at Ram, frowning deeply.
Pihu: Aap bhi sad ho na Papa because Mother Gothel ne aapko hurt kiya?
Ram was speechless. He didn't know what to say, how to respond to her question.
Pihu kissed his cheek, nose, forehead and then hugged him tightly.
Pihu: Papa aap sad mat ho. Mother Gothel bad hai. Main aur Mumma hai na, phir Adi uncle, jaan.....(taking everyone's name like a bullet train) sab hai aapke saath. Main kabhi mother Gothel ko aapko hurt karne nahi dungi aur nahi Mumma ko.
Tears started flowing down Ram's eyes that he had been holding onto for the longest time.
Pihu pulled a tissue from his pocket and started dabbing it on his face.
Pihu: Papa aap mat ro. Please.
Ram closed his eyes, took a deep breath and held himself from breaking down in front of Pihu as that might scare her. It's already too much for her to handle.
Ram(wiping his tears): I'm sorry. Mujhe rona nahi chahiye tha.
Pihu: No aapne kaha hai na it's okay to cry. Toh it's okay.
Ram smiled and hugged her close to his heart.
Pihu: Toh Mumma woh medicines ki wajah se so rahi hai?
Ram: Oh.
Pihu: Okay. Toh Mumma ko sona chahiye hai na?
Ram: Haan bachhe.
He broke the hug and made her look at him.
Ram: Bachhe aapko aapki Mumma ko nahi batana hai ke maine aapko yeh bataya thik hai? Nahi toh unhe bura lagega ke aap iss wajah se sad ho. Aur aapko sad hone hi bilkul zaroorat nahi hai. Hum dono hai na aapki Mumma ko itna happy rakkhenge ke woh fatafat se thik ho jaaye. Okay?
Pihu(with a little smile): Okay.
Ram kissed her forehead.
Ram: Bilkul stress mat lo okay? Mumma already bohot thik ho gayi hai. Unhe woh saans nahi le paani wali problem bhi zyada nahi hoti aur woh ab happy happy bhi rehti hai. Humein bass aur happy rehna hai.
Pihu: Hmm. Samjhi.
Tarun came with a glass of flavored milk for Pihu and a cup of coffee for Ram.
They both started sipping on them silently. Ram felt a little relieved as he cleared some things to Pihu which would have made her confused.
Priya came down after sometime, rubbing her eyes, in search of Ram and Pihu and saw them sitting on the green grass. She smiled and walked towards them. Pihu saw her and ran towards her. Priya scooped up Pihu in her arms.
Pihu(with a wide smile): Good morning Mumma!
Priya: Morning mera bachha. Aap kab uthke chale aaye? Sorry main zyada so gayi.
Pihu(giggled): It's okay. Main toh roz late uthti hoon.
Pihu smothered Priya with a lot of kisses making Priya chuckle.
Priya: Aarreeyy baba aaj toh Pihu bohot pyaar de rahi hai subah subah.
Pihu smiled at her.
Priya: Good morning Mr. Kapoor.
Ram(smiling): Morning Priya.
Priya smiled at him.
Pihu: Mumma maine paani pee liya aur milk bhi. Aur Papa ne bhi toh brown brown kadwi si drink pee liye. Toh hum achhe bachhe hain na?
Priya started laughing heartily listening to Pihu.
Priya: Haan bilkul aap dono iss world ke best bachhe ho.
Pihu giggled.
Priya: Okay main brush karke aati hoon.
Pihu: Okay.
Pihu sat on Ram's lap and Priya went inside.
Pihu: Mumma happy hai.
Ram: Haan maine kaha na aap aapki Mumma ko dher saara pyaar denge toh woh happy rahengi.
Pihu nodded with a smile.
Ram: Accha aaj toh sunday hai toh maine socha hai ke hum dono shopping ke liye jayenge. Priya nahi chalegi kyunki usse aapki Maitri Maasi se milne jaana hai. Aap chaloge na mere saath?
Pihu(clapping her hands): Shopping yayy! Haan jaana hai. Par Mumma nahi jayegi?
Ram: Nahi unhe aapki maasi se milna hai. Aapko mere saath jaana hai na?
Pihu: Haan. Thik hai.
Ram: Okay phir aaj Pihu aur Papa ka Shopping Date hai. Yayyy!
Pihu giggled in excitement.
Ram was beyond happy to spend the rest of the day with his little munchkin.
We often think that children don't understand a lot of things. It's true that they don't have that capacity to understand these situations to a greater extent like us, Adults. But they can feel that something is not right when their parents don't behave the same way suddenly and it can make them really confused at times. Pihu has seen Priya closely almost all her life till now. So it's normal for her to feel like her Mumma isn't feeling well.
It's okay sometimes to tell them what is happening around them so that they can understand the situation better. At times they may feel like it's their fault which is of course not the case. Telling Pihu in a way she understands would make things easier to handle in my opinion.
I feel so heartbroken for Pihu in the show. No children should go through abuse. But here they've crossed each and every limit there was. Can't believe she'll grow up with that much trauma and nothing will be done for that of course.
Hope you all liked the chapter. Let me know in the comment section.