Vaani:- "Ye kya kar rahe aap, hum gir jaayenge! Niche utaariye humein. Aan, put me down." In a surprise turn of events, she didn't even realised what she called him.
Aanvik:- "Don't ever call me that, only my family members are allowed to call me by...
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After completing the Aarti, we both seek blessings from Maa and Papa. Papa gazes at Aanvik with a blank expression, while Aanvik returns the look with a stoic demeanor. "What are you doing, Mr. Shekhawat? Go and initiate a conversation with your father. Don't remain indifferent like this; go and resolve any issues with Papa, please." Oh my God, I have gone crazy thinking and talking to myself.
"Bhai... aap papa se baat kyu nahi kar rahe... aur papa aise kyu dekh rahe hai aapko... Bhai kal kuch hua hai kya, bolo na bhai kuch hua kya kal" Anvi asks Aanvik with a worried tone Aanvik looks at me then again at Papa and goes away from the mandir.
Maa grabs Papa's hand and takes him away while Aanvik stands there in the distance probably calming himself down. Rudra and Anvi look at me in confusion and they come to me pouting and with a confused expression. I smile at their childlike expression pull them towards me and make them sit on the stairs of the mandir.
"Beta, you're both very young to fully grasp the complexities of family dynamics, so don't let your innocent and beautiful minds dwell on such trivial matters. Even if our family isn't perfect, remember that you'll always find serenity amidst the chaos, always. So, there's no need to fret over these things. How about both of you do something for me? Today marks my 'pehli rasoi' ritual, so create a list of everyone's favourite dishes and note down your preferences in a separate column. Stick it on the refrigerator, and then ask the house help to gather all the necessary ingredients for each dish, alright?" Upon hearing this, their faces light up with enthusiasm, and in high spirits, they rush towards the living area to get started on their task. Aanvik is still looking at me intensely. I know he is going to be mad at me for interfering in his family matters, but I did not do anything wrong and I will not take his taunts because of some good thing that I did.
I stand and go towards him and look at him for a complete minute. I sigh deeply hold his hand and make him sit at the same spot where the kids were sitting a moment ago.
"Listen, Mr Shekhawat, I understand that I don't have a right to meddle in your family matters, but I can't stand to see Maa this distraught. She's been worrying incessantly since morning, and it's taking a toll on her health. The burden of our troubles is weighing heavily on her, and I simply can't bear to witness her like this. Please, go and talk to your father. He's in a lot of pain, and I know you believe he slapped you because of me. But, no, he slapped you because he expected better from you, and he raised you to be a person far above the hurtful words you uttered yesterday. Aanvik... not everyone is fortunate enough to have a family like yours, and you're blessed to have one. So please, safeguard it and apologize to Papa." With those words, I head into the kitchen to check on the breakfast arrangements.
I go into the kitchen to see Rudy and Anvi bickering and the chefs of the home looking at them with wide eyes. Oh, God! Did I do wrong, by giving them the task? I look around panicking because I don't know how to stop their fight and they are getting louder minute by minute.
