Choti Si Duniya - ArShi FF

122. Arnav: the shopping assistant

This one for my dear Reneeshah's request. Hope you like it ♥

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She was dear to him. Very dear. He wouldn't exaggerate if he said she won his heart at the first sight itself! The way she bestowed her unconditional love and trust on him, he was indebted.

She was the first baby of their house, the first one to introduce him to the magnitude of love he could have for kids.

Then again, she wasn't just any kid, she was his beloved brother Akash's baby.

Thus, Piya was quite special to her Arnav Chachu.

When she was born, Arnav and Khushi were nearly healed from the trauma of loss of their first pregnancy. And it was also the time when Khushi had broached the topic of trying for a baby to him. Arnav had relented but he hadn't really 'picturized' what he was signing up for. But when he and Khushi visited Payal in the hospital when Piya was born and Khushi held the delicate baby in her own delicate arms, Arnav felt a new sense of warmth seep into his heart. Then Khushi helped him hold a 2-day old Piya in his arms and the baby snuggled into his chest, Arnav's heart swelled with love and protectiveness of this little one.

Until then he hadn't given much thought to whether he would like to have a son or a daughter. But seeing Piya's tender affection for her Papa, Akash, made Arnav also wish for being a girl-dad. Of course, when Kavish was born and had his own unique albeit mischievous ways to shower his love for Arnav, he was content with his life. A few years later when Aru and Pari were born, his long-suppressed wish was fulfilled too.

But amidst all this, his shy and sweet niece Piya held a very special place in Arnav's heart.

And that was why Arnav couldn't deny her when Piya came to him asking for his help with shopping.

Payal and Khushi were occupied with settling and looking after their Amma-babuji and buaji who had stayed in Shantivan for a few weeks. Payal and Khushi had refused to let them stay in their Lakshmi nagar house this time unlike their previous visits to Delhi and they had reluctantly budged. But that meant Payal couldn't go with Piya to help her shop for her Papa's birthday gift. While Akash's birthday was still good 10 days away, Piya wanted to be ready in advance. And thus, she had come to her Arnav Chachu.

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 Usually either Aakash or Arnav would go to pick Piya and Chiku from their schools in the evenings. Depending on who got free to leave first. Occasionally both would go together. Aru and Pari's school still ended in the afternoon, so it was Khushi's duty to pick them up.

That evening Arnav carefully planned his meetings to end early so he could leave for the kids' school. But to his dismay, Aakash also wrapped up his work and knocked on his office door,

"Bhai? Are you ready to leave? I am done. So, I am heading to Piya's school."

"No!" Arnav exclaimed, getting up.

Aakash looked at him puzzled, "Bhai? Are you alright? Kya hua (What happened)?"

Arnav was slightly embarrassed and tried to make up an excuse, "Akash why don't you head home? I will get Piya and Kavish, don't worry."

"But bhai, we can go together."

"Koi zarurart nahi hai (There's no need)!" he sharply exclaimed and once again realized his folly. "I mean- Akash, go home and spend time with your in-laws. They must be wanting to meet their daamad (son-in-law) also, right?"