TILL INFINITIES END

1. AARUSHI

"Vyom, I am getting late, can't you see? Finish this off, I'll count till ten!" I shouted at him. What else to do? He sees that I am getting late, my clinic staff has called me endlessly, I have to pack Varun's tiffin, drop Tia and him at school, comb my wet hair, and still, he chooses to sit and show tantrums. I mean, come on! It's just a small glass of milk!

He didn't respond. He folded his arms and simply sat. He was proving that he is Varun's own blood. I called Suchi from my staff. I had a very critical and important surgery today for which I had to be calm and prepared. I just can't walk restlessly into the operation theatre and show up my anger on my staff or the already suffering patient. I fixed the phone between my shoulder and my ear, packed Varun's tiffin with my hands and my eyes still hovering if Vyom is drinking the milk or not. he was not. HE. WAS. NOT. It frustrated me even more in this hustling morning.

Hey it's you again! How have you been? I am Aarushi, Aarushi Nandi and I am 43 years old. Yes, i'm...I'm growing old. (Phew) I am a mother of 2 children and wife of Varun Malhotra. I have a daughter, Tia (15 years old) and a son, Vyom (8 years) who is completely like his father.

Suchi didn't pick up. WOW. Such a good morning. I called rachit, only to find that he was also not picking up. Wow, I mean... wow!

First this hustle and then on top of it, Vyom, sitting on my head with his never ending tantrums. i went near Vyom, sighed and asked "okay, Vyom, enough. I can't take this. My OT is waiting for me, my staff has been calling me endlessly, don't you realize how late I am! Don't you worry about Mumma?"

"I need one more scoop of chocolate powder!" he declared. I am shocked.  "Baba, I have already kept 2 big spoons of powder in it, not more than that! Okay? Then you will get cough and sneeze." I explained.

He shrugged and shook, "No, I need one more scoop." I sighed. Dealing with kids is not easy! Especially if you have kids like vyom, may your luck and patience better be good!
I wondered where Varun was, i needed him here, to handle his prince boy!

"Varun????" I shouted and removed the towel from my wet hair.

"Yes?" he opened the bedroom door and leaned back. There he was, rolling his sleeves and wearing his watch. "Could you please handle your prince boy?" I said as I rubbed my wet hair. "What happened?" he asked.

"Your prince wants one more scoop of chocolate powder." I said and rested my fists on my waist, waiting for him to come and explain it to Vyom that his demand was not valid.

But rather than explaining Vyom, he said "haan then give na" and casually shrugged. I mean, is he for real?

"Seriously? You're with him?" I yelled "3 scoops of chocolate powder in one glass of milk??? Are you mad or what? I am telling you to explain him and instead you are taking his side?" he gave me dumb expressions. kids loved Varun more because he always used to allow them to do everything they want.

"Ohh... I'm supposed to scold him?' he asks, and i just rest my hands on my waist and give him that look. 

"wait, I'll scold him!" he said. I looked at Vyom. He smiled at Varun. I know both of them very well, they always team up.

"Vyom, why are you harassing Mumma? Can't you see she's in a hurry? Huh? Come on, finish it off fast or else I'll get angry!" he said in a fake angry tone and gave such expressions. He then looked at me and said "dear, you go to bedroom and get ready. I'll handle them. They are MY kids." He winked at me and smiled.

I smiled and went to bedroom even after knowing what was about to happen. I entered in, closed the door, paused, waited for a second, turned back, opened the door again, and peeped out. There he was caught, red handed. i saw him standin in front of me, with the jar of the chocolate powder in his hands. i crossed my hands over my chest and watched both of them stare at me like a statue. Tia grinned.

'seriously Varun? You think you can outsmart me?' I asked "If you two think you can fool me just because I am in a hurry, don't even think. I saw you winking at each other. You're caught- RED HANDED" I looked at Varun and said "you are spoiling them!"

Varun quietly kept the  the jar back and lightly patted Vyom's shoulder. 

'You both can't outsmart mumma, she's smart!' Tia said and i winked at her.

My phone rang. I picked up.

"Suchi? All well?" I asked

"Yeah, where are you, Aarushi?"

"Nothing just stuck with two kids at home!" I sighed and looked at vyom and varun.

'what?' she asked

'nothing. get the OT ready i'm leaving in 5!' i said and kept the phone on the couch.

I was getting so freaking late and...ahh, i was glad that Vyom was finally finishing off the milk.

'tia, vyom! it's time, come on, hurry up!' i said as i opened the door and waited for them to come.

both of them got up. varun took vyom in his arms 'goodbye vyomie! take care!' and kissed his cheek.

he hugged tia and kissed her forehead 'bye tiaa! have fun! And take care.' Varun was fun with vyom, but with tia, he was always a little emotional and sensitive. I guess it's a common dad thing to be sensitive for their daughters.

'bye papa!' she hugged him back. varun took out his coat and rested it on the chair.

'should i drop you at your office?' i asked him while kids wore their shoes.

'no' he answered without looking at me 'you may leave. i'll get going by my car.'

i shrugged.

'let's go mumma.' vyom said.

'both of you,' i instructed 'your water bottles should be empty before you come home! you have to drink all of it, clear? Vyom you heard what i said?'

they gave an abrupt nod and we left.