Heartbeats And Halos

Chapter 6

• a u t h o r •

As Palak left to meet Roshan on the terrace Ragini and Diya stared at the little boy in front of them. He was also looking at them with his big innocent doe eyes.

"Oh, aren't you a cutie?" Diya chirped pulling his cheeks a little too hard that he flinched.

"You're hurting him," Ragini said, pushing the plate of sweets to Diya followed by picking up the little boy in her arms. "I don't want him to cry unlike Palak I don't have such a reputation with kids. If he starts crying once I won't be able to make him stop."

"Me neither," Diya replied in a bored tone. She fed him the remaining half of gulab jamun which he ate gladly and then started playing with the chain in Ragini's neck.

"Alright good boy" Ragini patted his head after he finished eating and made him drink some water.

"Now what should we do with him?" Diya asked.

"Dada" the child mumbled rocking his arms in the air.

"Do you know who he belongs to?" Diya questioned again after washing her hands.

"Palak said she didn't know and she knows all our relative's kids. So if she doesn't know whose child he is how am I supposed to?" Ragini replied.

"Baby, what's your name?" Diya asked him but he didn't reply.

"Aww man he's awfully quiet," Ragini muttered looking at him. "Let's take him to Mom. She must know who he is."

"Good idea. Let's go." They both walked towards the exit of the kitchen and there was Atharv.

"Hey there ladies! Going somewhere?" He asked crossing his arms and leaning against the door frame. He was wearing a white kurta with trousers and this time glasses too. His hair was messy falling on his forehead and his smile was showing his dimples. Quite a heartthrob he was.

"And why should we tell you?" Ragini asked.

"Why shouldn't you?" He replied pulling her leg. He has always enjoyed it.

"Some other day Atharv we don't have time for this. Come on Diya." Ragini called out to Diya and started walking ahead. Diya gave Atharv a sly smile and was about to walk away but Atharv grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him. She kept a hand on his shoulder to balance herself.

"What are you doing?" She asked trying to get free from his grip and looking around to make sure no one was watching.

"Let her go. You come with me." He said to her and pulled her in the opposite direction. She giggled like a teenager and they walked hand in hand.

"By the way, you look breathtaking." He complimented.

"Well thank you. You don't look so bad yourself." She chuckled and he grinned sheepishly. "So where are we going?"

"To drink thandai." He replied.

"Today? But we can't..."

"Relax, it's the sacred thandai, we're supposed to drink it unless you have kept a fast without water..." He asked and she shook her head negatively.