It was almost 4:30pm when Ram got out of his car with two bouquet of rose- one pink and another red, for both of his girls and entered the house. Tarun welcomed him with a soft smile.
Ram: Yeh dono hai kahan?
Tarun: Room mein hi honge Sir.
Ram: Okay.
He went upstairs and entered the room. But soon he noticed both Pihu and Priya were too engrossed in the TV to notice him. So he cleared his throat a little loudly. They both looked at him and was quite shocked to see him at that hour.
Pihu jumped off the bed and ran towards him.
Pihu: Papa!
Ram kneeled down and gave her a side hug and then handed her the pink rose bouquet. Pihu took a deep whiff of the fresh roses closing her eyes and then gave a kiss on his cheek.
Pihu: Thank you.
Ram: Your welcome. Bola tha na ke aa jayunga jaldi.
Pihu smiled and nodded.
Priya: Aap itni jaldi aa gaye? Sab thik hai na?
Ram: Haan haan sab thik hai. Aaj zyada kuch nahi rakkha tha schedule mein maine.
Priya: Oh. Aur aapka shoulder pain?
Ram: A lot better.
Priya nodded. Ram gave her the bouquet of red roses.
Priya(with a shy smile): Aap jaiye change kar lije. Main kuch snacks lekar aayi.
And she went out of the room.
"Priya ne toh kissie nahi diya. Apni choti si beti se kuch shikho tum.", Ram thought, pouting and went to freshen up.
When he came out of the washroom Pihu was ready with a movie for them to watch together.
Pihu: Papa jaldi aao. Movie dekhenge!
Ram(excitedly): Movie? Wahhh! Yeh na hui meri beti! Kaunsi movie dekhenge hum?
He sat beside her with a wide smile.
Pihu: Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses!
Ram(awkwardly): Okay...
Pihu: Aap dekhte ho Barbie movies?
Ram: Maine dekha toh kabhi nahi par dekhunga aaj.
Pihu(with a smile): Okayyy!
A little later Priya came with airfried french fries and orange juice.
Pihu: Mumma chalo hum movie dekhenge.
Priya: Par Pihu hume ready hoke Minister Uncle ke Ghar bhi jaana hai na.
Pihu: Nahi mujhe abhi dekhna hai. Papa bhi aa gaye. Please na Mumma! Papa aap bhi bolo na...Mumma pleaseeeeeee!
Ram: Haannnn Priya pleaseeeee! 1 hour ki movie hai. Khatam karke we can easily go.
Priya kept staring at them. As she didn't say NO, assuming it an Yes Pihu quickly jumped off the bed and went downstairs calling for Tarun.
Pihu: Tarunnnnnn! Mujhe please Popcorn bana dooooo!
Priya crossed her arms near her chest.
Priya: Dekha aap ne maine haan kaha bhi nahi aur chal padi yeh Tarun ko bulane. Aur Tarun bhi poora din sar pe chadhake rakhta hai.
Ram(giving her a glass of water): Tum baitho pehle Priya. Thoda paani piyo and calm down a little.
Letting out a sigh Priya sat down and took a sip of water.
Priya: Aur aap ko bolke toh kuch fayda nahi. Aap jis din Pihu ko na bol payenge sooraj Pashchim se uthega.
Ram controlled his laugh and silently listened to Priya's rant.
Priya: Poora din khelna hai Pihu ko. Aaj pata hai aapko gin gin ke 10 minutes padhayi ki hai usne. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha kaise sambhaloon usse main. Aise kaise chalega?
Priya looked at Ram and saw him gawking at her.
Priya: Mr. Kapoor?
Ram(dreamily): Yes Priya?
Priya: Mr. Kapoor?
Ram: Haan Priya?
Priya: Aap sunn bhi rahe hain main kya bol rahi hoon?
Ram: Haan tumhari baatein hi toh sunn raha hoon.
Priya pressed her lips together looking at Ram who became focused after he saw her expression.
Priya: Haan aap kyun kuch bolenge? Aapka Dil kare toh usko aur bigadenge.
Ram: Itni choti si pyaari si hai. Gaal dekhe hain tumne...(pulling Priya's cheeks) cute cute tumhare jaise. Kaise daant lagau usko yaar? Mere se nahi hoga.
Priya: Haan isiliye toh main Villain hoon uski life ki.
Ram caressed her hand and smiled.
Ram: Tum itni tension mat lo. 4 saal ki hai bass thodi badmaashi ab nahi karegi toh kab karegi?
Priya started massaging her forehead in annoyance that's when Pihu entered the room with a big bowl of Popcorn.
Pihu: Chalo chalo Movie lagao. Jaldi jaldi!
Priya looked at Ram pressing her lips while Ram pouted.
Pihu(looking at her parents): Kya hua chalao jaldi Papa!
Ram: Ji ji Madam bilkul. Ek...ek second.
Ram started the movie and the trio began to watch the movie together.
A little later,
Ram: Yeh Barbie movie mein Barbie toh nahi hai.
Pihu: Hai na Barbie! Woh hi toh hai.
Ram: Kahan?
Priya: Genevieve hi Barbie hai Mr. Kapoor.
Ram: Ohh...toh yeh bol dena chahiye na. Confuse kyun karte hain.
Ram made a face while Priya and Pihu chuckled.
Halfway through the movie Priya noticed how Ram and Pihu were watching it without blinking their eyes for so long while eating popcorns simultaneously. She chuckled silently.
As they finished the movie, Pihu turned to Ram.
Pihu: Achhi lagi movie?
Ram: Bohot achhi lagi.
Pihu(with a smile): Okay. Phir ek din ek aur dekhenge.
Ram: Thik hai.
Seeing both Priya and Pihu's happy faces Ram smiled as nothing gave him more joy than seeing them living a life they deserved.
Priya: Mr. Kapoor chaliye ready ho jaiye.
Ram turned to the other side.
Ram: 5 mins Priya.
Priya: Isiliye kaha tha maine. Par meri baat toh sunni hai nahi. Ab tak acche se rest leke hum jaa sakte the.
Priya saw his tired face and stopped scolding him and decided to let him sleep for some time.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
After helping Pihu get ready, Priya decided to wake Ram up. She caressed his hair softly.
Priya: Mr. Kapoor? Mr. Kapoor?
Ram: Mmm...
Priya: Uthiye ab nahi toh late ho jayega.
Ram: Hmm...
He slowly opened his eyes and seeing Priya's smily face made him feel blessed.
Ram(groggily): Tum ready ho gayi?
Priya: Nahi. Pihu ko ready kar diya maine. Jaa hi rahi hoon main ab. Aap bhi uthiye.
Ram: Hmm. Time kya ho raha hai?
He sat up rubbing his eyes.
Priya: Almost 7.
Ram: Oho...jaldi taiyaar hoke nikalte hain.
Priya: Shoulder pe zyada dard nahi hai na ab? Sach bataiye.
Ram smiled seeing her concern for him.
Ram: Nahi. Main bilkul thik hoon ab. Tum tension mat lo.
Priya gave him a soft smile and went to get ready.
10 minutes later Ram came out fully ready and saw Pihu pulling Priya's dupatta.
Pihu: Mumma pleaseeeee let me do it... makeup karne do naaaaaa...pleaseeeee.
Priya: Nahi Pihu mujhe accha nahi lagta. Tumhe pata hai na baba.
Pihu still kept pulling her dupatta.
Priya: Pihu yeh dupatta khichna bandh karo.
She saw Ram standing behind them.
Priya: Mr. Kapoor! Please Pihu ko neeche leke jaiye. Mujhe ready tak hone nahi de rahi.
Ram: Haan haan. Cupcake chalo niche chalte hain. Aa jao.
Pihu: No...please Mumma. Thoda sa.
Priya: Bilkul nahi. Mr. Kapoor kya kaha maine? Lekar jaiye na please.
Ram(gently pulling her hand): Pihu aa jao.
Pihu: No....
Resting her hand on her waist Priya glared at Ram who finally scooped Pihu up in his arms and went out of the room. Priya could hear her high pitched whine from the room and let out a deep sigh.
Ram got too worked up as Pihu started crying, throwing her arms and legs, accidentally kicking him multiple times.
Ram(caressing her back): Bachhe it's okay. It's okay. Aapki Mumma ko nahi pasand hai yeh makeup vakeup. Chorh do na. Aise rote nahi.
But her cries didn't lessen and it was pretty annoying even for Ram who loved kids.
"No doubt Priya gets irritated. Pihu ko poore din tackle karna is a task. Mujhe bol toh diya niche lane ko par chup kaise karayun yeh toh nahi bataya.", Ram thought, still trying to calm her down by caressing her hair.
Ram handed her favourite bunny to her, sang Ringa Ringa Roses, gave her a toffee but nothing helped. Finally he saw Priya coming downstairs with her hair still tied up with a claw clip. She sat beside them and made Pihu sit on her lap. She wiped her tears and her whole face with a wet wipe.
Priya: Pihu look at me please.
Pihu looked up at her, still sniffling.
Priya: Baby I understand that you wanted to do my makeup and it's okay to want that. Par meri bhi toh koi choice hai na. Mujhe nahi pasand yeh sab.
Priya pulled Pihu's cheeks gently and a frown came on her forehead.
Pihu: Uhh! Mere gaal mat khicho Mumma.
Priya: Dekha? I don't want to do this Pihu. Tumhe accha nahi lagta jab koi tumhare gaal khichta hai aur mujhe bhi accha nahi lagta jab koi mere face pe kuch lagane aata hai. Mujhe bhi bura lagta hai jab aap zabardasti yeh sab karne aate ho. Samajh aa rahi hai meri baat?
Pihu nodded looking at her.
Priya(making her to drink some water): Aap toh mere achhe bachhe ho Pihu. Meri baat mante ho. Good girl ho. Aise nahi rote. Haan mera makeup nahi kar sakte but yeh laga sakte ho.
She handed Pihu her tinted lipbalm. Pihu applied that onto her lips with her tiny hands with a smile. Ram who expected everything to end up in a full blown fight between the duo saw how Priya stood her ground while not making Pihu sad.
Priya: Accha lagg raha hai?
Pihu: Haan.
Priya(kissing her hand): Thank you. Aap baitho yahan Papa ke saath main 5 min mein ready hoke aayi.
Pihu nodded and went to sit on Ram's lap. Priya again went upstairs to get ready.
. . . . . . . . . . .
When Priya came down to the living room Ram and Pihu wasn't there. She started searching for them and found them in the kitchen, munching on the sweets they're supposed to take to the Minister's house.
Priya(glaring at them both): Yeh kya chal raha hai?
Ram and Pihu both couldn't answer as both their mouths were full.
Priya(slapping her forehead): Yeh khaane ke liye nahi lekar jaane ke liye tha! Main kya karoon inn dono ko lekar! Niklo dono yahan se abhi!
Ram and Pihu went out of the kitchen still chewing while Tarun came running listening to Priya's angry voice.
Tarun: Bhabhi kya hua?
Priya showes the sweet Box with 3 of them missing.
Priya: Mujhse nahi ho raha aur Tarun! Ek toh choti hai aur ek usse bhi zyada choti. Ab kya hoga? Already hum late hain.
Tarun let out a sigh and took out another packet of sweets from the fridge.
Tarun: Yeh lije emergency mithai ka packet.
Priya smiled looking at him.
Priya: Tumhe bhi bharosa nahi hai unn dono pe?
Tarun smiled looking at the floor.
Priya: Thank you Tarun.
Tarun nodded and gave her a soft smile and they went to the living room where Pihu and Ram were looking at each other sideways as if to do some thinking on whose fault it was.
Priya started walking towards the main door while Ram and Pihu ran behind her.
Pihu: I'm sorry Mumma....
Ram: I'm also sorry Mumma...Mera matlab Pri...Pri...Priya. I'm sorry Priya.
Priya turned around and gestured them to sit in the car. They did what they're told. After they all sat on their respective seats, both Ram and Pihu turned towards Priya holding their ears.
Ram & Pihu(together): Sorry.
Priya's anger melted in seconds seeing them apologizing and she smiled.
Priya: It's okay. Ab chaliye. Late ho raha hai.
Ram and Pihu smiled at each other and Ram started driving.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Ram turned on the music system and played "Jaadui" from Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar and that made both of his girls happy.
Ram finally got to see how Priya was looking after he over the scolding. She was wearing the navy blue salwar suit that he gifted her with little silver jhumkas looking absolutely gorgeous. He smiled knowing that she accepted those gifts wholeheartedly.
He stopped the car to buy some flowers and they all got out of the car. They stood in front of a store looking at the variety of flowers.
Ram: Kaunsa le?
Pihu: White Carnations. Minister Uncle ka favourite hai woh.
Priya(caressing her hair): Wah! Itne se time mein yeh bhi jann liya me unke favourite flowers kaunse hain.
Pihu: Haan maine poocha tha.
Ram: Okay then woh hi lenge.
He asked the shopkeeper to prepare a bouquet of white carnations and they resumed their journey after receiving it.
Suddenly Priya's phone rang and it was Adi. She picked up the call.
Priya: Haan Adi bataiye.
Adi: Aap log ho kahan? Aur Ram ka phone nahi lagg raha.
Priya: Haan haan hum raaste mein hi hain. Ek minute...
She put the phone on speaker.
Ram: Adi hum bass 5-10 minutes mein pohoch jayenge. Tum log pohoch gaye kya?
Adi: Haan 10 mins pehle. Minister sahab pooch rahe hain tum logon ke baare mein.
Ram: Achha achha hum aa rahe hain.
Priya cut the call.
. . . . . . . . . . .
A little later Ram stopped the car in front of a huge metal gate and the security asked for an ID. They got done with the security procedures and entered inside.
Ram parked the car and they got out of it. Pihu held both of her parents' hands and they walked towards the main door and rang the bell.
A househelp greeted them and they entered the house. Pihu looked at her Mumma as she heard the tune of "Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon" playing somewhere in the house. Priya gave her a smile nodding at her.
The househelp directed them towards the living room where everyone else were. The Minister saw them and started walking towards them.
Minister: Arreyy come come.
He shook hands with both Ram and Priya and then bending a little shook hands with Pihu too. Pihu gave him the flower bouquet which brought a wide smile on his face.
Minister: White Carnations! So beautiful Thank you so much!
Pihu: Your welcome.
Ram: Thank you for inviting us Sir.
Minister(with a smile): Aap log aaye mujhe achha laga. Aaiye aaiye baithiye.
He gestured them to sit but before they could even move a big sized Golden Retriever came jumping towards them, wagging it's tail. He made a huge jump and stood in front of Pihu who froze in her place. Her eyes got wider with fear. Ram and Priya both became alert and extremely scared. Adi, Brinda, Vikrant and Kunal stood up from their seats. The minister grabbed the dog's collar and tried to pull him backwards but the dog stood there, eyes completely focused on Pihu. Priya's protective hands came in front Pihu while Ram looked at her once and scooped Pihu up in his arms in a moment.
The dog let out soft woofing sounds and that made Pihu get out of her stupor state and she let out a high-pitched cry.
Priya: Sir please aapne dog ko hataiye. Pihu darr gayi hai. (Caressing Pihu's hair) Baby it's all right. Darro mat. Hum hain na yahan.
Priya saw Ram's face and he looked like he was about to burst out on the Minister.
Minister: Yes Yes. (Loudly) Karim! Karim! Come here right now! Bruno ko yahan se lekar jao! (Turning towards Ram) I'm so sorry Mr. Kapoor. Bruno aisa toh kabhi nahi karta. Shant rehta hai hamesha. Aaj kya hua...
A househelp named Karim came running towards them and following him a little boy also stood there.
The boy(angrily): Bruno! What is this! Kyun darra rahe ho sabko? I told you not to do all this! Bad manners!
(Introducing "Bruno")
Bruno's face fell but the grabbed that boy's t-shirt gently with his teeth and made him look at Pihu.
The boy: What are you doing? Chalo yahan se! Bruno! I said right now! Karim Chacha isse lekar jao.
This time Bruno listened and let Karim took him away but not before glancing at Pihu once more who still didn't look at him.
The boy turned to Ram and Priya. Pihu was still crying, hiding her face in the crook of Ram's neck.
The boy(softly): I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. Is she okay?
Ram made a huge effort to not shout at the boy.
Ram: No she's not. (Patting Pihu's back) Cupcake it's okay. The dog is gone. Darne ki koi baat nahi.
That boy looked at the Minister who looked pretty angry at that point.
The boy: Dadai I'm sorry. Mujhe nahi pata tha woh aise aa jayega.
Minister: Bete isiliye bolta hoon usse aise khula mat chorho.
The boy: But he was not violent at all. I think he just came to say Hi to that little girl.
Minister: Thik hai. Karim ko bol dena woh idher na aaye.
The boy nodded and looked at Priya mouthing a 'sorry' who gave him a small but assuring smile and he turned to go inside. Pihu, who kind of got a grip on herself by then, looked around her and got a view of that boy's side face and her eyes grew wider in surprise.
Pihu: Abhi?
(Introducing Shreyansh Kaurav as "Abhimanyu Roy"
• Aditi's Son
• Vivek's Grandson)
The boy turned listening to his name being uttered and got astonished seeing that girl he made friends with at the park somedays ago.
Abhi: Tum?
Ram and Priya looked at each other with the same shocked expression.
(Introducing Rakesh Bedi as "Vivek Roy".
• Aditi's father
• Abhi's grandfather)
Vivek: Tum dono jante ho ek dusre ko?
Abhi(nodding): Haan Dadai that's Pihu. Meri friend. Bataya tha aapko ke hum park mein mile the.
"Oh toh yeh hai woh Abhimanyu", Ram thought while Priya smiled as finally she met Pihu's friend about whom she talked about.
Abhi turned to Pihu again.
Abhi: Are you okay? I'm sorry. Mujhe nahi pata tha Bruno aisa karega.
Pihu just nodded.
Abhi: Main aaya.
And he ran inside while others finally relaxed. Ram and Priya checked Pihu arms and legs for the 100th time as to see if there's any scratches and fortunately there's none.
Vivek: Pihu beta tum thik ho na?
Pihu: Hmm.
Vivek: Mujhe nahi pata main kaise maafi maangu. Aap log aaye aur aisa ho gaya.
Priya: It's okay Sir. Pihu thik hai and that's what matters.
Vivek: Aap log please baithiye.
Priya patted Ram's shoulder and they all sat down. Pihu finally began to relax in Ram's arms. Adi and others made sure Pihu was fine.
A little later,
Abhi: Aao aao jaldi aao Mumma!
All could hear a woman who was asking Abhi what was the matter.
Abhi: Aao na dikhata hoon.
And finally Priya saw Abhi's mother Aditi who scanned all the people for a couple of seconds before her eyes fell on a familiar face. A soft smile came onto her lips.
(Introducing Sanaya Irani as "Aditi Roy"
•Abhi's Mother
• Vivek's Daughter)
Aditi: OMG! Pihu tum? Yahan?
Then her eyes fell on two more familiar face Ram and Priya's. She read about their wedding a few years ago and knew about them a little bit. She realised that Pihu was their daughter seeing Pihu's eyes.
Pihu(with a little wave): Hello.
Aditi: Hi. What a pleasant surprise!
Then a frown came on her forehead as she noticed some dried tears on her cheeks.
Aditi: Pihu beta tum thik ho na? Ro rahi thi kya?
Pihu stayed silent as she didn't want Bruno to get scolded again. But Abhi spoke up and told what had happened.
Aditi: Oh no! I'm sorry my dear. Mujhe lagta hai Bruno ne tumhe pehchan liya isiliye bass hello bolne aaya tha. I'm sorry tumhe darr laga.
Pihu(softly): It's okay. Main thik hoon.
All let out a sigh of relief seeing Pihu finally talking.
Aditi made a hearty apology to both Ram and Priya. Although Ram was still pissed he accepted the apology and Priya of course assured that everything was fine.
Vivek did a formal introduction with all present there.
Priya: Umm...can I take Pihu to the restroom?
Aditi: Yeah yeah sure. Come with me.
Priya took Pihu in her arms and after giving Ram an assuring nod, followed Aditi.
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I have some things to say.
1. I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart. I made a mistake on "Chapter 38- Pihu's New Friend". I forgot to add a portion where Bruno played with Pihu. Sometimes I write in bits and pieces and here's the result. I should stop doing that. What a forgetful brain I have! Noice!
Anyways I've added that portion there you can go read it if you want. It won't make a huge difference but still. It's in the 'flashback' where Pihu first mets Abhi.
Again I'm deeply sorry for the inconvenience.
2. What a coincidence! I had no idea about Shreyansh playing "Abhi" on Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai". I was searching for a little man who would be a match to my Abhi. I was shocked when I got to know this. Hahahahhhh...
3. I remember AvgWriter1o1 asking me to post Aditi's picture. At that point of time I thought what's the need but later I realised it would be a wiser choice to do that so that introduced all the characters. I'm no good at casting. Mujhe kuch nahi pata uske baare mein. But the moment I started thinking about Aditi, Sanaya's face came on my mind. So that's the reason to choose her.
Hope you all like their characters.
4. I hope Bruno made all of you smile.
5. And heyyyyyy! BALH3 from tomorrow! OMG! Finally I'll have something to be obsessed with. Lol🙈
And that's about it. Hope you guys liked the chapter!