Choti Si Duniya - ArShi FF

118. Pari is special!

Dedicated to all the amazing, brave and strong parents who have kids with special needs ♥

Also, please note, even though I've done a fair amount of reading before writing on Pari over the years, I still take creative liberties and I'm not a child specialist.

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Khushi kept her head on her baby's chest and closed her eyes listening to the steady, rhythmic 'dhak dhak' of a tiny heart beneath her ear. The euphoric feeling that this tiny heart was her creation- her and Arnavji's- never ceased to amaze her.

Pari lifted her little arms- too little for a 4.5-year-old- and lightly caressed her beloved maa's soft hair. She had just lightly rested her head on Pari's chest, careful enough to not put too much weight on her fragile baby's body.

Khushi looked up when she felt Pari's soft, love-filled caress on her head and got overwhelmed seeing the innocent chocolate-brown eyes that were just like Arnav's- look into hers, with love and curiosity. Obviously, her perceptive child was curious as to why her maa and dada were at home with her, at this time of the day, 11 in the morning, instead of her being in the school with Aru and them being in their workplaces.

Khushi wrapped her own hands around her daughter's and then turning her head, kissed Pari's wrists one by one, earning a joyous giggle from her. Khushi smiled, feeling lucky that all her 3 kids loved getting cuddles and kisses from her (well, Chiku had recently started objecting but at least Aru and Pari still let her envelope them in her embrace to her heart's content).

Arnav's lips automatically curved in a small smile seeing his child and the mother of his child sharing a tender moment of pure affection! Just like Khushi, their children too were so delicate, so precious to him that he often felt like never letting them step away from his eyesight.

And after today's event, it looked like he might have to do just that. At least for Pari.

Because today, their daughter, Pari was removed from the school!

At the age of little over 4 years, Arnav and Khushi's daughter Pari aka Shriya was a puzzle not many were able to solve! Born with weak health, she spent the first 2 days after her birth in NICU and was eventually raised with a lot of care. People often admired Khushi as a mother for the patience and love she had and Arnav for the safeguarding he provided for his child. And then there were a few who pointed fingers at Khushi that during pregnancy, Pari wasn't properly nourished in her womb or Arnav who was negligent towards his pregnant wife and kids. And that's why Pari's growth was hindered...

However, for onlookers, they had no idea that neither during the pregnancy, nor after her birth, Pari's parents ever were ignorant towards her. The outsiders had no understanding of the actual amount of patience, love and strength Pari's parents needed until now and from here onwards.

It so happened that Khushi had got a call from Pari and Aru's school's principal yesterday, asking her and Arnav to come to meet personally. Apparently, she and Arnav also got emails, but Arnav had somehow missed it until Khushi told him. Since all the Raizada kids (including Palash who recently started kindergarten) studied in the same school, the teachers at the school knew Arnav-Khushi, as well as Payal-Aakash quite well. Moreover, Arnav-khushi were well known not because they were a power-couple but because they were Kavish's parents! Their son had been a star in his school right from playschool! Super active in all school functions, always keen on taking the stage with no stage fright unlike kids his age, and always very friendly with other kids, he was adored by his class teachers and fellow students alike!

Thus, when Pari and Arohi were inducted into the same school 2 years ago, they had expected a similar if not exactly the same situation. Arohi quickly became known for her mischievous antics, though she was never a troublemaker. However, Pari was still not able to adjust. Initially, her limited verbal communication was a minor concern, as the doctor they were consulting back then, Dr. Sahni, had reassured them that some children develop speech skills at their own pace, However, over the last two years, Pari's struggle to speak properly—or at all—became a concern for her teachers.