Darkhaast

~ 8 ~

"I'm feeling good from my hat to my shoe"

"ooohoooo!", Naaz and Mahi harmonized behind Patti's soulful voice.

"Know where I am going and I know what to do

I've tidied up my point of view

I've got a new attitudeeeeee"

The aunt and niece duo bumped hips together, dancing while brushing their teeth. The title - aunt and niece - was a misnomer for their relationship. Since Mahi returned, they'd race to the washroom every morning and fight over the sink to brush first. An onlooker would think they were sisters.

"Mahi, bhaag ne ki koshish bhi maat karna," Mahi froze at the doorstep, her guess crossbody bag slinging in the air. "Bhindi bani hai, chup chap kaaho."

Mahi slowly retreated, trying not to tip the ticking time bomb off. Hands open in front of her like a criminal. Naaz chuckled at the dining table. If Mahi didn't know better, Ellie was snickering, too, from her seat at the window.

"Jab dekho bahar ka khaana bhukad ki tarah kahti rehti hai," Gurpreet muttered throughout breakfast.

"Mumma," Gurpreet looked back.

"I love you," Mahi's voice sang throughout the apartment.

Gurpreet beamed, "Love you too, beta."

Mahi's radiant smile turned into a devilish grin before sticking her tongue out like a viper. Gurpreet threatened to hurl the soapy saucepan she was washing, and Mahi scattered away with Naaz in tow.

Mahi didn't recognize it because Gurpreet's laughter hid behind Mahi and Naaz's chuckles.

"Looks like she rejected the job offer," Abhimanyu commented. "Oh well," he shrugged, smirking.

"Abhimanyu-" Aarohi forewarned, rolling her eyes.

"Or she's late, and you know how I feel about that."

Aarohi tapped her foot impatiently before stopping Meghna, the hospital's chief administrator, after Parth resigned, in her tracks.

"Meghna, has Dr. Mehra signed in to get her hospital badge or ID?" Aarohi asked Meghna. Ek paata bhi Meghna knowledge ke begair nahi hilta tha.

"Dr. Mehra ne toh kabka sign in kar liya." Meghna glanced at her watch. "She's been on-call for two hours now, why? Do you want me to page her?"

"Thanks, Meghna. There's no need to page her," Aarohi turned to Abhimanyu, "akhir kaam karte waqt kisi ko disturb nahi karna chahiye. Especially woh jo itna punctual and dedicated hai."

"I have files to see in my office," Abhimanyu excused himself.

If Akshara watched from above, her happiness would be infinite. When they got engaged the first time, Akshara dreamt of Aarohi and Abhimanyu having such a friendly, playful jiju-saali relationship. Like Neil was to Abhimanyu, Aarohi was to her; so close in age, yet was her ladli, her first baby. Aarohi and Akshara's relationship was toxic and complicated before Abhimanyu joined the picture, but now, juggling Roohi, Abhir, and Arya's responsibilities, they settled with mutual respect and understanding.

"Poppy!" Roohi hurled towards Abhimanyu, wrapping him in a surprise attack hug.

"Rooh!" Happiness radiated through his voice. "Aap yahan? Aap toh apni dost ke saath mall ja rahi thi?"

"Mall se hi aa rahein hain, Uncle," Naaz popped up behind Roohi. "Phir maine socha main Roohi ko apni Maasi se milaun."

"Aapki mausi yahan pe?"

"Haan, iski Maasi yahan pe kaam karti hai." She linked her arm with Abhimanyu. "Aap bhi chalo humare saath unse milne."

Abhimanyu racked his brain, 'kaun?' as Roohi dragged him along. Naaz giggles behind them.

"Maasi," the voice sounded familiar. "Maasi," it pressed on.

Yikes! Someone pinched Mahi's waist. "Who is-Naaz?"

Naaz nodded enthusiastically. "Hi, Maasi."

"Maasi?" The title dumbfounded Mahi. Go along with it, Naaz's eyes said.

"Meri dost se milo," Roohi waved. It was then that her eyes landed on Abhimanyu. Mahi failed to hold in her laugh, seeing his squandered appearance, Roohi pushing on his arm, chastising him to smile.

"Something funny, Dr. Mehra?" His breathy voice caused her to harden.

"Dr. Mehra? Yeh hai woh Dr. Mehra jo," Roohi jumped in excitement. "Did you like the flowers? Maine Poppy ki help ki pick karne mein."

"They were nice," Mahi's voice grew raspy under pressure.

"Be honest," Naaz chimed. Mahi shot daggers at her. Shayad Mumma sahi kehti hai, ye ladki kuch zyaada nahi mere jaise ban rahi hai, Mahi thought.

"Matlab?" Roohi's eyes darted between Mahi and Naaz.

"Mahi threw them away." A sheepish smile consumed Mahi's face, watching Naaz parody the brisk and impetuous flick of the wrist with which Mahi dropped the flowers into their building trash. Roohi's jaw slacked open.

"In my defence, the bouquet had hyacinths and lilies; they are poisonous to Ellie."

"Oh, you're allergic to them. That's okay, right, Poppy?" Roohi elbowed her Poppy, but Abhimanyu's didn't waver. The audacity to laugh at a superior, he fixated on her.

"Not Mahi, it's toxic for her cat Ellie."

"You threw away the flowers for a cat?" Abhimanyu spat out 'cat' as if the word was venomous.

"Ellie's family," Mahi moped. "Ek wohi toh hai mere paas."

"Mah-" Mahi's eyes grew misty as she fell into her thoughts.

"If you'll excuse me, mere kuch patient mera inteezar kar rahe hai. Roohi, it was nice meeting you, aur Naaz tumhe main ghar pe milungi."

She squeezed her ring finger as she walked away, hoping the touch would keep her present.

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