Naam

4

The next day, Prerna woke up in the middle of the night. Habitually, she turned and rose to kiss her husband on the cheek. While doing so, she saw a heart pulling sight.

"Rishabh," Prerna gently shook his shoulder. "Rishabh!"

"Hmm?" Rishabh groggily mumbled, still asleep.

"Aankhein kholein."

"Accha, accha. One second," Rishabh slowly opened his tired eyes. "What's up?"

Prerna nodded beside him and he turned to find Krish sitting on the floor beside him, sleeping with his head on the bed. Rishabh placed his hand on his head, gently stroking him. He turned to look back at his wife.

"Have I told you I love you?"

Prerna leaned down to kiss him. "Yeh toh mujhe aap se kehna chahiye. Jis tarha aap Krish ko pyaar krte hain, bacchon ko bhi pata hai," she had tears in her eyes.

Rishabh cupped her face with his free hand, wiping her tears. "Mere bete se main nahi pyaar karun ga toh kon kare ga?" He rose up to kiss her and scootch back.

Rishabh placed an arm over Krish's shoulders, his other hand on his head. "Krishy," Rishabh whispered, while pulling him up on the bed.

Krish suddenly woke up. "Did I wake you?"

Rishabh smiled. "Nahi toh. You can come on the bed any time, you know that, right?"

Krish yawned and nodded his head, smiling tired.

"Aa jao," Rishabh invited him on the bed, letting him settle on the pillow.

Krish wrapped his hands around Rishabh's arm mid sleep. "Mujhe chorde ke nahi jaana."

Rishabh kissed his head. "Kabhi nahi."

In the morning, Kukki and Addi came over at breakfast. Pari and Arsh told them they were going to get a car for Krish today. Everyone had their own suggestions to give; which car to get, what features it should have, and everything in between.

"Baba, you don't say anything!" Kukki warned Rishabh.

"Kyun bhai? Mere bolne mein kya hai?"

"Agar aap boleinge ke the sky is green, toh Krish bhi bole ga sky toh green hi hota hai," Addi said. "Meaning, aap jo kaheinge Krish wohi kare ga."

Rishabh laughed. "Okay, okay. Main kuch nahi kehta. Krish, you should make your own decision. Whichever car you want."

The whole breakfast continued talking about different cars. The conversation continued even after Rishabh, Addi, and Krish went to the office. Rishabh wanted to take him to give him a more formal introduction around the business. Of course, Krish had been coming since he was born, but now he would be getting shares on his birthday, and officially joining work.

Rishabh only had a few meetings that day, so he left the office early with Krish. They went home to pick up everyone else, swapping the sedan with their luxury SUV so everyone could fit.

They spent a few hours at Rishabh's go to dealership, checking out different cars and test driving them. Finally they settled on a mid class sedan in Krish's favorite color. By habit, Rishabh went up to pay, but Krish argued and insisted to pay himself. It took persuasion from Prerna for Rishabh to relent.

"Congratulations, Krishy! Abh new car ki treat kon de ga?" Kukki teased him.

"Aap ne kahan jaana hai, di?"

"Hmm," Kukki faked thought as she looked at her younger siblings. They came up with one answer. "Mall!"

Krish drove them to the mall in his new car. Pari was excited to take her big sister to her favorite stores and they ran in. Arsh waited for Krish and then the brothers went ahead too. Rishabh escorted his wife and they took their time strolling into the mall. They went to a fancy clothing store, picking outfits for their anniversary party. Then they went to get a gift for Krish's birthday.