Chapter 5

Next day.

Aayushi ’s pov.

I woke up and saw my cute angel sleeping while keeping her head on my shoulder. I slowly adjusted her on the pillow and came out of bed. I took a quick shower and got ready in a red Anarkali dress. I don’t like to wear a saree, it's too difficult to handle it.

After few minutes I saw Aarohi moving on the bed and she slowly opened her eyes. I smiled and went near her. I kissed her forehead and said. “Good morning.” She looked at me with sleepy eyes, hugged me, and again slept. I caressed her soft hair. Her hairs were long till her mid-back, they were soft and beautiful. Everything about her was beautiful.

I think, even her mother must be very beautiful. I kept looking at her features when My phone started ringing. I looked at my phone and it was Ansh. Such a caring father he is! He can’t even stay away from Aarohi for a day. I picked up the call and went a little away from Aarohi so that she doesn’t get disturbed.

“Yes, Ansh,” I said.

“Is she okay?” Ansh asked. I can sense the tension in his voice.

“Ansh she is totally fine. She is sleeping.” I said softly to make him tension-free. I heard him sighing.

“Okay, then I am coming to pick my both girls.” He said bringing a small smile on my face.’. “I mean I am coming to pick you both.” He corrected himself.

“Okay,” I said. “Ansh, please bring some clothes for Aarohi, I mean she will need clothes after a shower,” I said.

“It's okay Aayushi, once we will come home. I will ask Priya to shower her. Don’t trouble yourself.” Ansh said. I rolled my eyes as he said that. But I seriously don’t want to have any debate right now. So I just said “yes.” And cut the call.

Soon, Aarohi woke up. After giving me soo many good morning kisses, we both went down to have breakfast. I took my seat and made Aarohi sit on another chair. While even others came and joined us for breakfast.

“Muma I walt (want) to sit on your godi.” Aarohi said with a small pout. ‘Godi’ means lap. I went all aww on her cuteness. I picked her up and adjusted her on my lap. I made her eat breakfast from my hand like last night. She ate without any tantrums. I think she liked this breakfast. I took one more bite and took it to her mouth.

But she turned her face away and said. “Bash muma.” I kissed her forehead and at that bite. I finished the rest of the breakfast while talking with mom. While dad was talking with Aarohi. She was cutely telling him about how much she liked this breakfast.

Dad smiled and said looking at me. “She is so cute Aayushi, she is just like you cute, bubbly.”

I smiled looking at her. I looked at dad “But I will never force her to marry someone whom she doesn’t want to.” I said taunting him.

Even if I love Aarohi but still I won’t forgive dad for forcing me into a Marriage that I never wanted. Dad’s smile vanished. Before he could say anything, I took Aarohi in my arms and went towards the living room. Dad, mom, and Abhi came towards the couch. Dad was going to say something but he stopped hearing Ansh’s voice who lovingly said. “Aaru.”

Aarohi looked at Ansh and she ran towards him. Ansh picked her up and hugged her tightly. “I misshed (missed) you daddy,” Aarohi said while hugging him tightly.

“Dady missed his baby more,” Ansh said while kissing her whole face. She giggled when Ansh kissed her neck. Ansh smiled seeing her baby.

Pov ends.

Writer’s pov.

Ansh came near the couch while Aarohi was in his hand. He came near Aayushi and asked. “You okay?” Aayushi nodded in yes with a small smile.

“Ansh please take a seat," Swara said. Ansh smiled and sat on the couch beside Aayushi with Aarohi in his lap. Swara went inside the kitchen to bring an aarti plate. While Abhimanyu went inside to bring all the shagun (jewelry for Aayushi and Ansh).

Swara came outside and did their Aarti while Abhimanyu kept all shagun things on the table. Swara took boxes of jewelry and gave them to Aayushi. Then she took more boxes and extended them to Ansh. Ansh looked at it and then at Swara.

“Aunty, there is no need of this.” He said politely. While Swara smiled and said. “This is shagun beta. And you shouldn't say no to it.”

Ansh looked at Aayushi and she nodded in yes with a smile. So he nodded and accepted it. Aarohi was all the while looking at the boxes.

Aarohi said. “Papa, today is muma’s happy birlthday (birthday)?”

“No why baby?” Ansh asked?

“Then why you both are getting shoooo maly (many) gifts?” Aarohi asked pointing towards all the gifts. Swara said. “Because it's a tradition beta.”

“Sho (so) well (where) is my gift?” Aarohi demanded while making a pout.

“Aarohi,” Ansh said in a stern tone. Aarohi looked at him and said. “Sorry, dady.” Saying this she kept her head on his shoulder.

She knows that whenever her dady says her name in a stern tone, that means she did something wrong and now her dady is angry with her. So she always tells him sorry.

Rajesh said. “Ansh why are you scolding her? We are her grandparents and demanding gifts from us is her right. So don’t scold my baby.” Saying this he slowly took Aarohi in his arms.

“What my baby wants?” Rajesh asked.

“Nothing.” She said in a low tone and sad face. She doesn’t want her dady to get angry with her. As she hates it when her dady is angry.

“Aare baby, you came here for the 1st time so how can we let you go without a gift?” Swara said and took a small box. She extended her hand to give it to Aarohi. But Aarohi looked at Ansh for permission. But before Ansh can say anything, Aayushi said. “Aarohi baby take it.”

Aarohi smiled getting permission from muma which was enough for her. She took that box with a big smile. Rajesh kept her on the ground. She went near Aayushi and gave it to her.

“Open it, muma,” Aarohi said as it was difficult for her to open the box. Aayushi took that box and opened it. There was payal (anklet) kept in it. Aayushi took Aarohi in her arms and made her wore that payal. Aarohi smiled seeing it as it was looking beautiful on her legs. Aarohi stood up and that payal made a sweet noise. Her smile widens listening to that noise. She jumped at her place causing noise again.

“Thank you, grandpa,” Aarohi said and hugged Rajesh’s leg. He smiled and kissed her cheeks.

“Okay dad and mom, I think now we should leave.” Said Ansh.

Swara said. “Take care of yourself Nandu.”

“Mom, don’t worry I will take care of myself,” Aayushi said with a smile.

They said goodbye to each other and left in a car. Ansh was driving while Aayushi was sitting in the passenger seat. And Aarohi was sitting on her lap as she wanted to sit there. And Aayushi didn’t have any problem with Aarohi sitting on her lap.

Aarohi was continuously talking with Ansh while Ansh was answering her all questions. Aayushi was looking outside the window, not knowing what to say. She felt a little left out as the bond of Aarohi and Ansh was very strong. It will take time for Aayushi to make that strong bond.

Ansh parked the car and they came out. Aarohi held Aayushi and Ansh’s fingers and they went inside the Mansion.

Nyonika smiled seeing them coming inside. “Welcome back home, Aayushi .” Nyonika said. Aayushi smiled and murmured a “thank you."

“Mom, I will leave for office,” Ansh said and Nyonika nodded in yes.

“Take care my Aaru,” Ansh said leaning down to her. He kissed her cheeks and Aarohi kissed him back. He looked at Aayushi and said. ”Bye, Aayushi take care.” Ansh said and turned around to leave.

Aayushi thought. “Today he won’t kiss my forehead?” She thought looking at him. He stopped and turned around. He came near Aayushi. Till now Nyonika left taking Aarohi with her.

“I forgot something,” Ansh said.

“What Ansh?” Aayushi asked. Ansh leaned forwards and kissed her forehead. He said. “This.” Saying this he left. While a small smile wrapped on her lips.

At night.

Aarohi was playing with toys while Aayushi was sitting on the couch watching tv. Nyonika was in her room. They heard a bell, Aayushi stood up and opened the door only to see a dead tired Ansh standing there with a blazer kept on his shoulder, loose tie and 1st button opened.

He came inside and sat on the couch closing his eyes. Aayushi went and took his bag and kept it at its place. While Aarohi came near Ansh and Ansh smiled looking at her. They kept talking with each other. While Aayushi sat on the couch and again watched tv.

After sometimes everyone sat at the dining table and ate their food. After having food, Ansh went to the terrace, while Aayushi went to the room taking Aarohi. Aarohi started playing with her teddy while Aayushi went on the terrace.

Pov ends.

Aayushi ’s pov.

I wanted to talk with Ansh. SO I came to the terrace. Ansh was sitting on the swing while looking at the stars. I think he is missing Soha. I went near the swing.

“Missing her?” I asked. He looked at her with a confused face.

“Missing whom?” Ansh asked and went a little aside to give me a place to sit. I sat there and said. “Soha?“.

“And why will I miss her?” Ansh asked in a confused tone.

“You love her right?” I asked.

“Who said? I never loved Soha.” Ansh said in a matter-of-fact tone. I widen my eyes as he said that.

“I thought you love her,” I said in a shocked tone. I was so shocked to know that he doesn’t love her.

“She never gave me any reason to love her,” Ansh said looking at me. “Every day she was busy with her friends, parties. She never had time for talk.”

“Oh,” I said nodding her head.

“If she was never interested in you then why did she ask for a child?” I asked.

“I think because she wanted me to trust her enough to change my properties on her name. And she was successful.” Ansh said in a low tone.

“I am sorry, I know I shouldn’t ask you all this. As this must be hurting you.” I said making him chuckle.

“No Aayushi. It isn’t hurting me at all. So chill. And you are my present, my future so you have all the rights to know about me and my past. So ask me anything.” Ansh said while looking into my eyes.

“One last question. If ever Soha will come again in your life then will you accept her?” I asked with the fear that what if I start accepting him but she comes back and he leaves me.

“Why will I accept a girl who betrayed me and my child?” Ansh asked. I nodded in yes. I smiled.

“What are you thinking?” Ansh asked.

“Nothing, about my future,” I said.

“I have already told you Aayushi, take your time. If you want then I will free you from this relationship. But till the time we are in this relationship, I just need one thing from u, Aayushi .” He said.

I looked at him and asked “what?”

“Your loyalty. I want that we stay loyal to each other. No betraying, nothing. If you love someone then do tell me. Because now I just hate this word called ‘betray’. I don’t want to hate you. So no betraying.” He said looking at me.

“Of course not Ansh. I don’t have this betraying thing in my values.” I said ensuring him that I am not going to betray him.

Our talk was interrupted by Aarohi who can near us. Ansh stopped the swing and took her in his arms. He adjusted her on his lap. She hugged him tightly. I smiled seeing their love for each other which can’t be measured or compared.

After few minutes Aarohi broke the hug and looked at me. She extended her hand asking me to come near her. I smiled and came near her. I kissed her both cheeks and she hugged me tightly

I broke the hug and look upwards to see Ansh so near me. I looked around as he was never so near to me. I tried to go a little away but his hand stopped me. As he wrapped his arm around my shoulder. He pulled me near him and I kept my head on his shoulder.

While Aarohi wrapped her one arm on Ansh’s waist and another arm on my waist.

I got a different feeling being so close to Ansh. I don’t know what are those feelings but I didn’t felt bad about this action.

To be continued...

BY J.