Unadulterated Love

Part 29

SHEHNAAZ'S POV

We left Shukla mansion after being instructed by Rita aunty, for like a hundred times. To stay alert. To stay together. To keep a count on the kids. To stay hydrated. To eat something during break. To take care of ourselves and each-other. To have fun.

While on the way to Essel World, Sidharth kept listing 'his set of rules' for me.

'Buying ice creams for kids-banned. Using phone during the ride, even for making snaps-banned. Snacks from down the street- banned. Giving into the demand of the children -banned, the kids are allowed to go for four rides only. I have to inform him before going to the washroom, restroom or canteen.'

We're being accompanied by Riya, the manager from Ashiyaana and two guards.

"Ye le..." he gave me a watch. Smart watch.

"Oh.. Thank you!" I happily hugged him.

"Wait a sec.." he didn't hug back, working on the settings of that device.

"This is connected to my phone.. So that you don't get lost inside.." he says.

"Mai bacchi nahi hu okay..! Get that in your mind.." I said, getting inside the mini bus with the kids. 30 of them to take care of.

"Excited ho..?" I asked.

"Yessss... Maammm!!" they shouted.

"Bas tum saare mere sath rehna... Koi bina bataye kahi nahi jayega.. Aur kisi bhi stranger ka diya hua kuch nahi khayega.. Okay..?" I remind them. They all nod their heads obediently.

My phone ringed, a call from home.
"Ha Shehbaz.. Han.. Essel world.. Koi naah! Jab tu ayega toh..tujhe lekar aungi yaha.." I promised him a trip.

When he handed the call to Papa. There was another round of have fun and be careful. And then came my mother's turn.

"Hanji Mummy.. Tussi tension na lo... Mai sambhal lungi bacho ko.. " I assure when she asked if I would be able to handle these many children.

"Tujhe zarurat hi kya thi.. Bacho ki zimmedari lene ki..?" she asked. I wish for once, if she could not question my decision.

"Uffoo.. Bache hai ye mere..! Mera mann lagta hai unke sath isiliye le kar jaa rahi park me.. Abhi aap fir na shuru ho jana.." I requested. To which she began ranting.

"Ha.. Mai kuch na hi bolu.. Tujhe meri fikar hi nahi hai..Devi banne chali hai unn bacho ki.."

"Maa pleease..!"

Before I could say any further, Sidharth came to me.  "Chal baby.. We've got the tickets.." he said.

"Kon tha yeh..? Baby kisne bola tujhe..?" she asked. Oh shit.

"Thik hai Mummy..Byee.. Mai photos bhejungi aapko ha.." I ended the call immediately.

This is India's largest amusement park, with freaking amazing rides. Luckily, the children aren't old enough to persist us for elderly drives.  We took them to their section. They have a bundle of joyrides. Different kinds of trains, a small race track to ride bikes, a boat ride, a fighter plane ride and many carousels. They loved it. They so loved it.

Simmi, a 6 year old girl came forward. Tugging my hand. "Sana mam! Mujhe uspe baithna hai.." she pointed towards a unicorn seat.

"Okay.. Let's get you there.." I picked her up and helped in sitting properly.

"Isko ache se pakdo.. And don't leave you're hands.. Mai yahi par hu.. Okay.." I came back to see Sidharth was helping a boy with the same.

"Yeh dekho.. Your friends are here too.. Kuch nahi hoga baba.." he assured the scared Rahul, a 5 year old. But he was crying thinking he would fall down his seat.