Choti Si Duniya - ArShi FF

3. Baby Shark

Dedicated to all the parents whose electronic gadgets are always in custody of their kids. 😎

--*--

Arnav was late for the meeting already. With covid restrictions slowly lifting in India, lockdowns almost coming to an end everywhere, his work had resumed in full speed. And today's meeting was for upcoming festive season collection that AR was working on with Namish Malhotra's team. Namish Malhotra (a/n-if his name sounds too familiar, but not so familiar, that's deliberated to make it a fictional character) was a prominent fashion designer in India who worked on celebrities' wardrobes. And he had agreed to work with AR's team for this year's Diwali collection.

"All the best Arnav ji" Khushi wished him smilingly. But for him, the real best luck was when she kissed him on his cheek a moment later. His belief that he would ace the meeting was further strengthened when his kids also wished him luck

"Good luck papa, rock it!" Kavish said in his new 'cool' language that he had picked up from somewhere. He returned his son's hug and kiss lovingly.

"Dada, all the beshh (best)" Arohi said from Khushi's arms and jumped in his arms when he extended them to take her. He pecked her on her lips.

"Thank you, princess," he said which made the little girl giggle. He put her on her stroller.

Pari was sitting in nani's lap as nani was trying to feed her mashed bananas. Arnav went to her and sat on his knees to reach her level

"Pari, papa ko wish karo" Khushi told her from behind

Pari did not understand much and she was still not able to speak as many words as her twin sister Arohi did. But as Arnav took her in his arms and kissed her lovingly on her forehead, she gave her brightest smile. For Arnav, that was enough.

'When will she speak more, like her sister?' Khushi could not help wondering. This thought had been disturbing her for quite a while now. And when she talked about it to Arnav once, he brushed it off saying they always knew Pari was different than Arohi and they shouldn't compare both the kids. True, but Khushi was not comparing, she was worrying for her daughter's growth and progress which seemed to be lagging than normal kids her age.

"I will call you once the meeting is over" Arnav said moving out of dining area. Khushi followed with a bowl of curd

"have this, having curd -"Khushi extended a spoon filled with curd to his mouth

"Ensures good luck, I know" Arnav completed the sentence for her as he took the spoonful curd she was feeding. He had got used to all this in last 9-10 years

--*--

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen" Arnav greeted them all, as Namish and his team of 3 people took a seat in AR conference room. Arnav found himself conscious, wondering whether it was because he was leading a face-to-face meeting after long time or because it was a coveted one.

"Our head designer Rachna and creative head Gaurav will present our plan for this year's Diwali collection. Post that we'll open it to Q&A and then we can discuss further. Will that be ok Mr. Malhotra?" Arnav set the agenda

"Namish is fine, and yes that sounds good Mr. Raizada" Namish said giving a warm smile

"Likewise, Arnav is ok" Arnav said giving him a genuine smile and took his seat

The lights deemed as they started the projector and Rachna and Gaurav took over

--*--

It had been 10 minutes since the presentation began. Everyone seemed to be engrossed in what was being shown on the screen and suddenly

'Baby shark, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo - At first even Arnav started looking around wondering from where the sound was coming.

Baby shark, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo - Then he remembered that was a familiar tone

Baby shark, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo - Then it occurred to him, it was his kids', specifically arohi's favorite nursery rhyme these days!

Baby shark' continued in a loud tone. Utterly embarrassed Arnav took out his cell phone from his pocket, murmuring a quick 'sorry' switched it off without even looking at the screen. In his 15 years of professional life, this had NEVER happened. He always had his cellphone on silent mode and or vibrate mode and expected the same from his employees and colleagues.

But today, it had to happen to him and how!

Everyone seemed to move past it and went back to the presentation, but Arnav's mind was distracted. How could this happen? He was sure his phone was on 'silent' mode until this morning. And then he remembered, as he was getting ready, Arohi was playing nearby. And then she had demanded-no-commanded that he gives his mobile to her and play her favorite song (you guessed it) 'baby shark'. Not wanting to spoil his baby's mood early morning and neither his, he gave into her demand and gave her the phone. Usually, he or Khushi would always stay on her side when she had the phone but today, he was focused on getting ready for the meeting while Khushi was with Pari, and that must be when that little devil of his changed his phone's setting including ringtone!!

--*--

The meeting was over and by the looks of it, went well (despite the shark incident). Namish and his team were satisfied with the answers to their questions and the discussion that followed. As they were being led to the canteen for refreshments, Arnav stayed behind powering his phone back to life, when Namish approached him

"Arnav, interesting ringtone there" Namish said tongue-in-cheek. Arnav laughed heartily and spoke

"yeah, my baby likes that song but I have started to like it too. Much better than most movie songs these days" to which Namish also joined the laughter and they both proceeded out of the room. The bond between two fashion giants already seemed to be forming.

--*--

A/N – This song is my favorite (don't judge me). I first heard it when a baby cousin of mine made me listen it and I found it funny. But then the song grew on me, and I keep listening it so many times. It is such a stress buster! In case you want to listen too, here you go – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqZsoesa55w

we have hit 100 votes 😎. thanks everyone who voted till now and is voting. Its going to help this story reach more people and me to write more. thanks ya all 🤩