Heyy Baby

Part 26

Haseena's phone buzzed as she sat in the living room, sipping tea with Shivani, Santu, and the men. The moment she saw the name "Sheetal" flashing on the screen, her face lit up like a child seeing a long-lost favorite toy.

"Sheetal! Arrey, kitne din baad yaad kiya?" Haseena gushed, putting the call on speaker.

A sweet yet slightly dramatic voice responded, "Haseena! Bas yaad aa gayi aapki. Socha kuch din aapke paas aa jaaun. Naina bhi aapse milne ke liye bohot excited hai!"

Haseena gasped in excitement. "Sach? Arrey, bilkul aana! Naina meri jaan hai! Jaldi aao, main wait nahi kar sakti!"

Everyone in the room smiled, used to Haseena's obsession with her little niece. But in the midst of this, no one noticed the tiny figure sitting on the floor—Karu. She looked up at her mother with big, curious eyes, her small hands holding onto her plush elephant toy. Her lips pursed as she watched Haseena's beaming expression.

"Chalo, sab log sun lo!" Haseena turned to everyone. "Mere cousin Sheetal aur niece Naina kuch din ke liye aa rahe hain! Sab milke unka welcome karenge, okay?"

Anubhav chuckled. "Haan, haan, tumhe toh bas Naina chahiye."

Haseena rolled her eyes. "Of course! Itni pyaari bachhi hai, itnusi 5 saal saal ki cutie, tum log nahi samjhoge!"

Karu, still seated quietly, clutched her toy a little tighter.

The next morning, the three men were getting ready for their business trip. Miracle—their startup—was thriving, and they had to attend an important function.

Amar adjusted his blazer and crouched down beside Karu, who was sitting on the carpet with her bottle. "Beta, bade papa jaa rahe hain. Jaldi wapas aayenge, thik hai?"

Anubhav patted her tiny head. "Humare bina bohot shararatein mat karna, samjhi?"

Cheetah tickled her foot lightly. "Aur koi bhi pareshaan kare na, toh mujhe call karna!"

Karu giggled softly but didn't fully understand. She just blinked up at them, drinking her milk.

Haseena, meanwhile, was too busy on another call with Sheetal to notice the farewell. Shivani and Santu were distracted helping the men pack. The only one who looked at Karu properly was Amar, who kissed her forehead before leaving.

As the front door shut behind them, Karu blinked at the sudden silence.

The atmosphere at home shifted the moment Sheetal and Naina entered.

Naina, a bubbly five-year-old with mischievous eyes, ran straight into Haseena's arms. "Mausi!!!" she squealed, clinging to her.

Haseena's face lit up with pure joy. "Meri jaan! Kitni badi ho gayi ho tum!" She kissed Naina's cheeks again and again, making the little girl giggle.

Sheetal smiled smugly. "Haseena, tumse milke bohot accha lag raha hai. Naina kitni excited thi tumse milne ke liye."

Haseena hugged her cousin. "Tum dono jitne din chaho yahan raho! Yeh tumhara hi ghar hai!"

Meanwhile, Karu sat on the floor, watching everything with her big, curious eyes. She blinked, staring at how tightly her mother was hugging and kissing Naina, something she usually did to her.

For the first time, Karu felt something odd.

She crawled toward Haseena, her tiny hands reaching for her. "Mmm! Mama!" she babbled softly.

But Haseena didn't notice. She was too busy talking to Naina, holding her, playing with her curls.

Sheetal did notice, though. She smirked but said nothing.