Odds & Us ✔️

Chapter 34: What a Mess!

#7,038

" Oh! Dear God! What a Mess!" All four of us guilty as charged looked at that voice coming from the other side of our kitchen counter. Three pairs of surprised-looking eyes had not expected their father to return so early and one pair of tired ones was the most pleased to see her husband back. Earlier than expected. 

" Papaaa..." It was a shout of excitement. 

" Ansh..." This was more of a relief. But as Mumma saw her kids receiving the first embrace of their father she patiently waited for her turn. But, her husband did have the most loving look as he saw his wife after two long weeks of being away. 

" What is happening, guys? I've told you a million times not to trouble your mother with your snacks demands while I'm away, have I not?" Papa reasoned with us. The mess around us was not a pretty sight. There were plenty of ingredients for a variety of things spread proudly on the display. 

" Papa, we did not. Mumma offered and we were only helping. " Aman narrated. 

Papa looked questioningly at Mumma who accepted defeat. 

" I just thought I'll cheer them up. They were missing you terribly. " She replied.

" A million things you could do and you decided upon cooking. How intelligent is that?" Papa broke into a smile as we watched our parents smitten. 

" Papa, I was this close to baking the perfect cake had Ayan not jumbled up the oven setting," Aman complained. 

" Hey, I did not, Aavya did. She knows nothing. She even spilled the milk over. " Ayan protested. 

" No, Papa. I was only trying to help. "

" Oh, I know sweetie." Papa kissed me. 

" Besides, both of them pushed me out of their room the other day. Even Aurum was let in but not me..." I added quickly. 

" Heyy.." Now there was chaos. 

" See, what I've to deal with every time you go away," Mumma spoke in between. 

" Kids! Let's talk over dinner after I clear this mess. I might even surprise you if I could salvage something from this disaster. Till then promise me you won't fight and find something to do." We agreed and ran away only before I was about to walk in again to collect my unicorn I see my parents. I don't remember much from that night as I was only about 6 but I do remember that if someday I found what my parents had it would be a blessing. 

" How do you do all this?" Mumma asked as Papa started rolling up his sleeve to get going. It wasn't the first time we had made such a mess in his absence and it won't be the last time he would do it for us. 

" It's simple, Ahana... I love you. " He said and if I knew what blushing was back then I would have known that Mumma blushed into the brightest hues of pink. 

" You can't imagine how much I missed you. How much I missed our kids." 

" Now half as much I did you or they did. " She replied and closed the gap between them as finally for their time to hug. 

" I wish I didn't have to go. " 

" It's work, honey. Anyway, we were doing just okay." She grinned. 

" Oh! I see that. But, trust me this is the only mess I truly love cleaning. " I quickly saw him give Mumma a kiss. 

" Aavya, sweetie, get in here. Stop spying on your parents and take your unicorn. " Mumma called and I jumped in happily only to receive another set of warm hugs. In your face, Aman and Ayan.