Early afternoon — Mahi was at work.
He’s barely been gone three hours, but at home, it’s already chaos. Yuvi’s pacing the living room, phone wedged between shoulder and ear, gently bouncing a red-faced, wailing one-month-old Rohit.
Yuvi (pleading): Ro, buddy, we’ve talked about this. You just ate. You just burped. You— okay, fine, cry then. Sure. I give up.
Virat’s sprawled dramatically on the couch, hands over his ears.
Virat (muffled groan): He been crying forever, Yuuvi!
Yuvi: Fifteen minutes, Viru.
Virat (glaring): That’s forever in kid time!
Rohit lets out another piercing wail. Virat flops down flat, face buried in a pillow.
Virat: I no nap! I no quiet! My ears tired!
Yuvi snorts, still bouncing Rohit awkwardly.
Yuvi: Tell that to Ro. He’s got a lot of opinions for someone under five kilos.
Virat sits up suddenly, serious face on.
Virat: Where’s his remote?
Yuvi (blinking): His… what?
Virat (exasperated): Remote! For Ro! To stop cry! Mahi always make him quiet— maybe Mahi hide remote!
Yuvi chokes on a laugh, trying to keep a straight face.
Yuvi: Oh, kiddo, if Mahi had that remote, he’d be rich.
Virat: I call Mahi! He know where remote!
Before Yuvi can stop him, Virat snatches up the house phone and dials with tiny furious fingers.
Mahi was in a meeting, tie slightly crooked, trying to look composed while his phone buzzes. He glances down, sees “Virat 🧸,” and excuses himself immediately.
Mahi (answering, smiling): Hey, champ. Everything okay?
Virat (dead serious): No! Ro broken! He cry all day! You hide remote?
Mahi pauses, then sits back, suppressing laughter.
Mahi: Remote?
Virat: For Ro! You press and he stop! I no nap! My ears go boom!
Mahi pinches the bridge of his nose, smiling softly even as exhaustion hits him.
Mahi: Sorry, sunshine, no remote for Ro. Just cuddles and patience.
Virat (dramatic gasp): Cuddles don’t work! Yuvi try already! He bounce Ro like ball! Ro still cry!
In the background, Yuvi yells:
Yuvi: I heard that!
Virat (ignoring him): Mahi, come home fast! Ro too loud! Virat sleepy!
Mahi: I’ll be home soon, buddy. Promise. Can you be my little helper? Try sing to him.
Virat (grimacing): Sing? But I sing loud! Ro cry more!
Mahi (softly): Then hum. He likes your voice.
There’s a pause, then a suspicious sniffle from Virat’s end.
Virat (small voice): Mahi, you come soon? I miss you.
Mahi’s heart squeezes painfully.
Mahi (gentle): I miss you too, champ. Just a few more hours, okay? You’re doing great. I love you.
Virat (quiet): I love you too. But bring remote next time.
Mahi chuckles, shaking his head.
Mahi: I’ll see what I can do, little boss.
