Night of 25TH

CHAP 6: Unveiling Shadows of the Past

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As the evening sun gradually descended, the warm breeze of late December transitioned into a chilling one. The house enveloped itself in serene silence, with only the gentle tinkling of wind chimes adorning the balconies of each room. The melodic clinking of the wind chimes added a soothing ambience, further lulling Shubman in his bed into a state of tranquillity. For the first time in years, he found solace, escaping the torment of nightmares, as he sensed the comforting presence of her warmth within the house. However, his tranquillity was abruptly shattered by the piercing sound of his ringtone. Groaning, he buried his face deeper into the pillow, reluctant to part with the blissful dreamland that held their cherished moments. The incessant ringing, though, refused to grant him relief. Filled with frustration, he reached for his phone, prepared to unleash his wrath on the person who dared to disturb his precious reverie. Without glancing at the caller ID, he angrily began to speak, "Kon hai bey hai bhen...," but his voice trailed off as he heard, "Shubman Lakhwinder Didar Singh Gill! ", a voice exclaimed at the other end. "If you complete that word, I am going to kick you out of the house," his mother's voice boomed. "Mumma aap," he muttered, stuttering, his drowsy eyes widening. His mother only resorted to using his full name when she was truly furious, and that thought sent a shiver down his spine, causing his words to stumble.

Shubman

"App kaise, mm, Mumma, mm," I stammered, hearing the wrathful voice of Lady Gill on the other end.

"That's how you talk to your mother, Mr..." his mother's voice thundered through the phone. Her words echoed with fury. I could almost hear her flaring nostrils through the phone.

"Sorry, Mumma, apko nhi bolna chahta tha," I apologized, my words stumbling. "Mujhe koi dost laga, milne keliye pareshan karega," I tried to reassure my mother. If it were within her power, she would burst through the phone and ensure that I spent the night sleeping in the car.

"It doesn't matter who you mistook me for, Shubman; such words should never be used for anyone," she asserted firmly.

"I apologize, Mumma, and I promise it won't happen again," I reassured her once again.

Shahneel couldn't help but interject with a chuckle, "It's always amusing to witness you getting scolded."

"You, too, are on the line," I retorted, scrunching my nose in annoyance.

"Now, now, don't take offence." "Haal chaal puchne keliye kia hai," she said, her giggles blending with her words. My scrunched nose relaxed, and a smile spread across my face as I realized how well she understood and cared for me. However, the smile quickly faded as she finished her sentence, giggling, "Bacho ka."

"Mumma," I exclaimed, feeling a sense of exclusion from the conversation.

"Can you two stop acting like kids?" "Even Ahaan and Ahaana are more mature." My mother chastised us for our antics.

"And yes, bacho mein tum bhi aye, because you've always been our family's baby," my mother reassured me, her words offering comfort and reassurance.

"I love you, Mumma," I expressed, my voice filled with genuine affection upon hearing her words.

"I love you too, Shubi," she reciprocated, her love resonating warmly through the phone.

"Now, if the touching moment between mother and son has concluded, may I have a moment with my beloved little ones?" "I haven't seen them in 24 hours, the longest I have been separated." Shahneel eagerly requested her longing to see the twins evident.