The sun reflecting off the garden of Gill Mansion made the winter morning feel more serene than cold. Well, the off-white Gill mansion is reflecting itself with all the decorations going around. People are working on the garden to make it ready for the evening. Everyone is busy in their own work, be it cooking, decorating, cleaning, and what not. And busy they will be because it's Lohri today.
Lohri, a harvest festival, celebrated in Punjab and other parts of North India. Lohri marks the end of winter and winter crop sowing season, and the beginning of the harvest season.
"Lakhwinder ji! Tusi ithe ki kara rahe ho? Jao ate vekho ki baga vica ki ho riha hai... Jao!", Keart Gill said (ordered) her husband when she saw him sitting casually on the sofa and reading newspaper with his tea, actually 3rd or 4th tea from the morning.
[Lakhwinder ji! What are you doing here? Go and see what is happening in the garden... Go!]
"Ithe bahuta kama hai ate tusi arama nala baithe ho", Keart Gill lightly glared at her husband who immediately stood up and gave her a nervous smile.
[There is so much work here and you are sitting comfortably]
"Meri sajni, cita na karo, mai sabha kujha dekhana aia ha", Lakhwinder Gill coaxed his wife and then literally ran from there to save himself from his wife's wrath.
[My loved one, don't worry, I'll take care of everything]
Keart Gill shook her head, a small smile adoring her face, at her husband's antics and went back to the kitchen. She was looking after all the preparations for dinner. Though they have cooks but on special occasions, Keart Gill herself make and look over the dishes. Her daughter and son also help her in preparing the delicacies.
°°°°°°°°°°
The sunlight rays are coming into the room through the closed glass window. The rays disturbed Shubman's sleep, his eyes fluttered for a moment and then slowly he opened his eyes. The first thing he saw is the enchanting face of his husband, Ishan Kishan Gill. Even while sleeping, his husband is looking ethereal. Shubman tenderly removed a strand of hair from Ishan's face.
"C'mon sleepy head, wakey wakey", Shubman lightly shook Ishan's shoulder to wake him up.
Ishan whined and buried his face more into Shubman's embrace. Shubman chuckled at his husband's cute antics and tightened his hand which were already on Ishan's waist.
With a mischievous smile playing on his lips, Shubman sweetly said, "Aji sunte ho... ab uth bhi jaao mere hone wale bacchon ke papa". Even with Ishan's face hidden on his chest, Shubman could still see the faint pink hue on Ishan's cheek.
[Hey, do you listen... now wake up already my soon be children's father]
"Jaan, aaj Lohri ke din bhi hum late neeche jayenge toh kaisa lagega, hmm?", Shubman teased Ishan.
[Love, today also on the day of Lohri, how will they feel if we go down late, hmm?]
It felt like a switch had been turned on, Ishan bolted up. He looked towards Shubman with wide eyes.
"Shubi! Mujhe pehle kyu nahi uthaya? Aaj Lohri hai itna sara kaam baaki hai. Mummy aur Papa ji ki help bhi karni hai. Hamari shaadi ke baad ye pehli festival hai aur hum yaha so rahe hai. Tum bhi na!"
[Shubi! Why didn't you woke me up? Today is Lohri and there are so many work left. We have to help mom and dad too. It's the first festival after our marriage and we are sleeping here. You!]
Saying this Ishan dashed to the bathroom and here Shubman was left sitting on the bed, looking at his husband in disbelief.
"Bhalai ka jamana hi nahi raha" , Shubman murmured.
[No well-being era now]
After 30 minutes, both Ishan and Shubman went down towards the living room where their family were. Both were donned up in kurta and pajama, Ishan in peach and Shubman in dark red kurta.
