Dheere Se Kho Gaye!

[4]

Both of them fell asleep, stealing soft glances at each other. It was the middle of the night when Shrinkhal suddenly started coughing. Ishi woke up immediately, alarmed, and looked at him. Seeing him struggle, he rushed to the kitchen to get some water, and Ishi followed right behind.

She quickly made him sit on a chair and handed him the glass.

"Are you okay, Sinku? Haan? Please say something... Don't just sit quietly like this. Do you need medicine?" she asked, panic evident in her voice.

Shrinkhal took a deep breath, now feeling better, but he still didn't say anything for a moment.

"Relax, relax. I'm fine. Just couldn't sleep because of the rain outside, and this must be because of the weather change. Nothing serious, okay? Don't worry so much, Ishi Pishi. Chill."

Ishi swallowed hard, still worried, her eyes scanning him from head to toe. As he stood up, he pulled her into a tight hug. She almost teared up.

"I swear I'm perfectly fine, my love. Please don't stress over nothing. Where would I even go, leaving you behind, huh?"

Ishi whispered, "I really got scared..."

Shrinkhal pressed a soft kiss on her forehead. "I know... but don't worry. I love you."

Ishi lifted her face to look at him. He wiped her tears and cupped her cheeks.

"I love you so, so, so, so much."

She blushed and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "Now let's go to sleep before Dadi wakes up. If she catches us, we both know what's going to happen."

"So what? I'm not scared of anyone's Dadi! Let her come."

"Stop it and come to bed now!"

Shrinkhal didn't want to let go of her, but he sighed and lay back down. The moment his head hit the pillow, he fell asleep, but Ishi stayed awake the whole night, unable to shake off her worry.

Dadi stayed with them for two more days, and in that time, they all got along wonderfully.

That afternoon, Ishi was in the kitchen, learning how to make besan ke ladoo—Shrinkhal and Guru's favorite—under Dadi's guidance.

"See, just shape them properly with your hands like this. It's so easy!" Dadi explained.

Ishi clapped her hands excitedly. "This was way easier than I thought! Thank you, Dadi! Next time you visit, I'll make Arsa for you!"

Just then, Guru and Shrinkhal entered the kitchen.

"Wow, my favorite sweet!" Shrinkhal grinned and quickly grabbed the whole plate. "Guru isn't getting even one ladoo!"

"Dadi, see how he's behaving!" Guru whined dramatically.

Dadi chuckled. "So what? Ishi will make more for my grandson!"

"Of course, you only love him! I don't matter to you at all," Shrinkhal pouted.

"My dear, I love both of you equally. But now, I have my daughter-in-law to balance things out. Honestly, I like her more now," Dadi teased.

Ishi blushed, her eyes glistening. "Dadi, I wish you were my real grandmother... I don't have one."

Dadi pulled her into a warm hug. "Beta, I am just as much yours as I am theirs. You don't need to wish for it; I already am your Dadi."

Ishi pouted. "I'm going to miss you, Dadi."

Dadi held her hand. "Wait, I have something for you."

She turned to Guru. "Go bring my bag."