Heyy Baby

Part 27

Santu was passing by the nursery when she saw Karu lying in her crib, awake, chewing on her blanket again.

Santu's heart twisted. "Arey! Karu! Yeh kya kar rahi hai? Shi shi beta." She quickly took the blanket away.

Karu blinked up at her.

Santu felt a deep guilt settle in her chest. "Oh, beta... bhook lagi thi?"

Karu just nodded, happy to get some food. She just looked at her with big, trusting eyes.

Santu sighed, carrying her to the kitchen. "Main tumhe khila deti hoon."

She fed Karu a small bowl of mashed fruits, kissing her forehead. "Sorry, baby. Hum sab tujhe bhool hi gaye the."

But before the guilt could fully settle, Naina shrieked from the living room. "Santu bua! Mujhe bhi kuch khana hai!"

Santu hesitated. She looked at Karu, who was still eating, then at the door.

Sheetal entered, smiling. "Aap jao na. Main baby ko dekh lungi."

Santu hesitated but eventually nodded, putting Karu back in her crib.

Karu watched as her choti maa walked away.

It had been days since Amar, Anubhav, and Cheetah had left for their business trip, and the house had settled into its new rhythm—one where Karu was nothing more than an afterthought. But today, two of the three men, Cheetah and Amar, were finally returning. Anubhav was still needed for an important meeting.

As the car pulled into the driveway, Karu sat silently on the floor, hugging her plush toy tightly. Her tiny heart fluttered with hope. Bade papa and Roarrr were back! Maybe now... maybe now someone would finally hold her, love her, and not just forget about her.

The front door burst open, and the two men walked in with grins.

"Helloooo!" Amar called out, his voice ringing through the house.

Before Karu could even stretch her arms towards them, a loud squeal echoed through the hall.

"Chachu!!" Naina shrieked in delight, her tiny arms wide open as she ran towards them.

Cheetah laughed, scooping her up effortlessly. "Arre meri jaan! Kitni badi ho gayi tu!"

Amar showered her with kisses, spinning her around as she giggled. "Miss kiya humein?"

"A lotttt!" Naina declared, tightening her hug around his neck.

Karu, who had started crawling towards them in excitement, stopped midway, her small fingers curling around the carpet. Her lips wobbled as she watched the scene unfold, her arms still slightly raised in expectation.

Maybe... maybe they hadn't seen her yet?

She tried again, "Aaa...aahhh... Roarrrrrrr" her tiny voice strained in an attempt to call them.

But neither of them heard. They were too busy pulling out chocolates and gifts for Naina, laughing as they listened to her endless chatter.

Karu's hands slowly dropped to her lap. Her big, round eyes filled with unshed tears. Another hope... broken.

She lowered her head and stared at her plush toy, hugging it tightly to her chest, as the voices around her turned into mere background noise.

"Naina beta, dekho tumhare liye kya laaye hain hum!" Amar grinned, pulling out a pink dress with frilly sleeves.

"Wow! It's sooo pretty!" Naina clapped her hands excitedly.

"Aur yeh dekho, tumhara favorite chocolate set," Cheetah added, showing her a box full of imported candies.