Seema: paunch gaye Jiju
Seema parked the car as they pulled up in front of the office.
Shivaay: thank you Seema
Seema: Jiju iski kohi zaroorat nahi hai. Apna thank you apne paas hi rakhle
Shivaay turned to his daughter, who was patiently sat in the back seat of the car
Shivaay: Masi ko pareshaan maat kar, behave okay?
Chutki swayed her head, agreeing to whatever he was saying.
Shivaay: if there's anything then call me, it doesn't have to be important. Aur agar call nahi lagta toh phir message kar dena
Seema: okay, jab voh agli baar saans leti, toh zaroor message kar dungi
She sarcastically said whilst chuckling as Shivaay got out of the car
Shivaay: Tum naa, bilkul Anika ki tarah. Sagge behn kese nahi ho tum dono? Acha bye
He gave a flying kiss to his daughter before leaving
Seema: toh batao Rajkumari, humare paas 2 ghante hai. Kya karna hai tujhe?
Chutki: DisneyLand
Seema: vaha jaayenge jab tere Papa aata, tab tak kya karna, bolo
Tapping her small fingers on her chin, chutki thought long and hard before shouting her answer
Chutki: khidkitodh dress and photo Masi
Seema: okay Ma'am
There was no doubt that the little one had inherited her mother's language. Some of the words Anika used, Chutki couldn't quite pronounce, but it was always cute to see her try.
They first visited clothing stores to purchase a few more outfits for Chutki, before heading out to some main attractions to take pictures. Seema then sent the images they took to Anika's phone.
Whilst on the chat, she scrolled up to see that Anika hadn't viewed any of the photos or replied. This was very weird and unusual of her, since she would generally reply so quickly.
Seema: kuch toh theek nahi hai
Chutki pointed out to the park nearby, and Seema took her to it. She made her sit on one of the swings, and gently pushed her. She also took this moment to call Anika, see what she was up to.
Meanwhile in India, Om and Gauri were in Anika's room when they noticed Anika's phone ringing again. Seeing the caller, they looked at each other, almost confirming they had to pick it up
Om: Bhaabi Seema ka phone hai
Anika: mujhe baat nahi karna
Ignoring what she said, he answered the call
Seema: Di hum sab me kitni baar call kiya aur aapne uthaya nahi? Kuch hua kya?
Om: Seema, mein Om bolra
Seema paused, confused as to why Anika didn't pick up the phone. Nevertheless, she greeted him as she continued to keep and eye on Chutki
Seema: sorry Bhaaiya, aap kese ho?
Om: bilkul theek, tu batao. Shivaay aur choti kese hai?
Seema: Chutki toh mere saath hai, playground mein. Shivaay Jiju meeting mein hai aab
Om: I see
Om inferred from following moment of silence that she was definitely going to ask about Anika. He was right, as that was her next question
Seema: Anika Didi apne phone kyu nahi uthari hai? Aur meine pictures bhi bejha, ek bhi nahi dekhi usne
Om: bohot kaam hai yaha, actually Anika Bhaabi bohot stressed bhi hai. She hardly has her phone with her, abhi abhi Gauri ne phone dhoond liya
Seema: acha, yeh baat hai
Working in the academy, she was able to easily spot lies. It was evident that something wasn't right. His voice itself was shaky, and that was no proper reason that he gave either.
Seema: let her know that her princess is missing her, aur agar voh call kar sakti toh please
Om: of course
He kept the phone down, and on the other hand Seema kept her mobile back in her pocket.
Seema: Chutki baba, Papa is probably finished with his work. Hum jaake unhe pick up karle?
Chutki: Papa
She smiled on hearing about her dad. The excited girl jumped up into her Masi's arms, then got carried till the car. When they reached back to the office, Shivaay was already outside waiting for them.
Shivaay: hey
Seema: kese challa?
Shivaay: we'll sign the deal day after tomorrow, so by the end of the week we'll go back to India
Seema: good
As she started the car, Chutki called out to grab her dad's attention
Shivaay: tujhe kaha jaana hai bachu?
Chutki: DisneyLand
Seema: subhe se yehi bolri hai
Shivaay laughed at his daughter's excitement.
Shivaay: after lunch hum jaayenge, okay?
Chutki: okay
She got back to posing in the mirror that was in the backseat.
Shivaay: was she fine?
Seema: very well behaved
On the way, Seema's phone rang. It was one of her colleague's that worked in her branch. The call was on loudspeaker as she was driving.
For some reason, Chutki found the fact they were speaking in French very amusing. This wasn't a language she recognised of course, but she giggled whenever her Masi spoke. Shivaay was trying to make her quiet through actions in the front mirror.
After ending the call, Seema huffed in anger
Shivaay: sab theek hai?
Seema: yes, just a client wanted some last minute changes, nothing big. Actually Jiju, can you make another call for me?
She instructed him which person to phone, and he did as she said. After that call, Shivaay caught a glimpse at her recent calls, and notices Anika's name on the list.
Shivaay: you spoke to Anika? Looks like she's not returning only my calls
Seema: nahi Jiju esa nahi hai. She's very very busy, kohi time nahi mila
Very convincingly she told him, and he went along with it.
They soon reached, and Shivaay took his daughter from the car seat. Moving towards the boot of the car, Shivaay was shocked to see a few shopping bags in the back.
Shivaay: excuse me Madam, yeh saare bags mein kya hai?
Seema: meri rajkumari ke liye kuch gifts
Shivaay: itne saare?
Seema: no, kuch doosre ke liye bhi hai, small gifts from my side.
Shivaay: tu bhi naa
Seema giggled and rushed to open the door.
All the laughter and fun times they were having contradicted how the members of the Oberoi parivaar were feeling. Dadi was helping Bhavya with the twins, and Pinky was trying to bring back their Khidkitodh Anika.
However, all efforts went in vain as she continuously refused to step out of her room.
Pinky decided it was enough. Even if her next actions would upset Anika, it had to be done.
She burst into the room where Anika was sat on the bed.
Pinky: Anika utho aab, bohot ho gaya
Her voice still held a little sweetness in it, but was certainly more stern.
Anika: nahi Mom, mujhe nahi jaana
Pinky: dekh Anika bohot ho gaya. Joh ho gaya voh ho gaya, kuch badal nahi sakta. Ese apna yeh halat banake bacha vaapis nahi aayenga
It was less of a shout and more of a scolding that she gave her. But what hit Anika the most was the kast words she said. "Bacha vaapis nahi aayenga"
Pinky was right, Anika had just been there in bed all day doing nothing, expecting what, for her baby to magically come back? For how long will she hide her face in the blankets and pillows? For how long does she expect to keep herself in these four walls?
Sooner or later, she had to leave the room. She had to tell Shivaay, but maybe when he came back.
Anika didn't know when tears slowly began to fall from her eyes. She was unaware of it, and Pinky caressed her face
Anika: aap bilkul sahi bolre Maa, mein humesha ese chup nahi sakti.
Pinky: Anika, aapko aage dekhna hai. Aur yaad rakhna ki tumhare paas Chutki hai. Shayad bhagwaan nahi chaahta tha ki yeh bacha ho, aur tujhe pata hai ki sab kuch ek vajhe ke liye hota, okay?
Anika nodded and leaned into her warm embrace.
When Pinky came out of the room, Gauri was eagerly waiting for her
Pinky: Gauri shaant ho jao, voh theek hai.
Gauri: thank you Choti Maa, humne bohot koshish ki samjhane ke liye
Pinky: Shivaay kab vaapis aara hai?
Gauri: end of the week I think, Om ne abhi abhi bataya
Pinky: acha, mein jaake kaana banati
Gauri nodded. When she knocked on the door, Anika took time to open it. She was finally dressed in something other than a plain black or white night dress that she'd been wearing.
A slight smile adorned her face, well it was quite weak, but at least it was there. She wasn't her old Khidkitodh form yet, everyone knew Shivaay was the only one who could unveil that again.
Her sister was out of her room and trying to be happier, it was certainly an improvement.
Back in Paris, Shivaay was feeling uncertain. The way Khannah was behaving made him suspicious from morning, but the fact that Anika answered the other's calls and not his upset him. Did he do something wrong?
He clearly remembered her saying she wanted to FaceTime her princess daily, but not once did she call, nor pick up his attempts. The little one was also missing her Mumma, not speaking to her for this many days was unusual.
Thankfully his trip had been shortened to the end of the week, hence he could return quickly.
Chutki: Papa?
He was brought out of his thoughts when he felt a tug on his blazer
Shivaay: yes my princess
Chutki: DisneyLand?
Shivaay: haan, challo. Teri Seema Masi ready hai?
Chutki: yes Papa, jaldi jaldi
They had a splendid time, and sent many pictures to the family. Anika did open and view them all, admiring each one. Her smile grew and grew, seeing the happy faces in the picture. It's true, a smile can be so contagious