Aashiyaan

PROMISES

Abhinav came back with a plate full of Bhey and Siddhu and saw the other two giggling in each other's ears.

"Ahem uhmmm..." Abhinav cleared his throat startling the other two.

"Arey aara... Itni bhook thi kya mere bina hi kichdi pakare ho dono, " laughed Abhinav at his own joke making Akshara and Abhir face palm.

"PJs and papa best combination,"

"Abhir betu!! Who will save us from your papa's PJs," said Akshara sticking out a tongue to Abhinav.

Abhir calmly went hugged Abhinav putting his head on his tummy and looking upto him, "Mumma, you are very lucky, you hear papa PJs every day, but i can't. I miss them a lot Papa"

Abhinav kneeled in front of Abhir cupped his face and spoke soothingly, "Nikkiji, we miss you too. Areyy I don't even know what to do without you. But aara remember I promised you that I'll never leave you and we'll always be together. I'll never fail that promise aara, I'm a tad bit late but I'll make sure that our happy family will be together forever."

Abhir looked back at Akshara worried, Akshara smiled assuring him, although there was a turmoil within herself. Abhir looked back at Abhinav and smiled rubbing his tiny hands on Abhinav's cheeks.

"Abhir, baccha we are sorry. All those things we spoke that day, were to just send you to Bhai ji's house. And we are really sorry baccha that we hurt you with those words. But we felt so helpless at that point and i got this stupid idea. But i realised later how much our words would have hurt my aara. Maaf krde papa ko, " said Abhinav holding his ears in apology. Akshara slowly came from behind and kneeled in front of Abhir doing the same.

"Sorry Abhir, WARS, " said both of them.

"Ok ok... apology not accepted, " said Abhir huffing dramatically.

"Papa!! I want a big chocolate chip cake with so many ice creams, pizzas, burgers, and... "

"Thappad chahiye toh bol, " said Akshara chasing Abhir all through the room.

The trio spent the rest of the day playing board games, eating Himachali food, and loads of fun. They never realised when the sun descended and it was already late in the night.

"Mumma mumma mumma!! "

"Your mother is here itself, not in kasauli that you're calling her out so loud, " said Abhinav.

Abhir got up from the bed pulled Abhinav down too and pushed him out of the room.

"Abhir!! What are you doing, " asked a quizzed Akshara.

"Mumma!! I have to study na. Just cuz I met you after 7 days doesn't mean that I don't study. And mumma I have so many doubts, I bought my book also, help me na mumma. Papa will not let me study and crack stupid PJs. Last time, he was making me learn a story of a tiger and cow, and replaced the tiger with your name and cow with himself, and at last he said this is how "The cow" taught "The tiger " a good lesson for lifetime, " said Abhir in a single breath.

"Aara!! Why do you want to get your papa murdered? " Abhinav pleaded Abhir and just then saw Akshara standing behind Abhir with hands on her waist staring at him in anger.

"Akshara, Akshara please, I was just joking Akshara, please please, you do know that I'm very jokey right.." pleaded Abhinav.

Akshara closed the door on Abhinav's face with angry squinted eyes.

"Chalo tell me what do you wanna study, " said Akshara pulling out book from Abhir's bag.

"Offoo mumma, I was just joking. I made this all up so that we can decorate the room for papa.