Back To Life ✔

3 | A Kiss

Her tiny hands went firmer around her neck, nuzzling her hair as she sighed dreamily. It was in her dreams that she has been in her mother's arms, this closer. It was the first time she felt that warmth. Even though Shagun has given her all her love, the tenderness was never perceptible in her presence. Cocooning her completely into her embrace was all that Pihu wanted right then. She wanted to eat her mother up in happiness; she was on top of the world; she got her mother back when she thought she could be finding consolation in memories that her father imparted in her.

"I'm sorry, Ishima. Papa's angry on you. So I can't call you Ishima. I'll call you Ishima, only when papa permits me. Okay, Ishima?" She proved to be smarter than what Raman thought of. His eyeballs came out when he realized he had made his daughter so into her mother that she exactly knows how to please everyone at a time; definitive, Ishita Bhalla's quality.

When Pihu broke the hug, Ishita's eyes went to Raman. His eyes were not on them, but she could say his red ears are trying to collect their talks. She felt grateful, as she never thought he would tell Pihu about her. He could have hidden it counting the extent of disappointment and hatred he has for her. He could have made her invisible in their daughter's life after how he accused that they lost Ruhi because of her, illogical though. Love, irrevocable that she could feel in her daughter's vibrancy, towards her, she felt he never had told her anything bad about her. If he could make her an angel in their daughter's life, by those good old memories, why could not he consider talking to her normally at least?

"I missed you so much..." Ishita mumbled cupping her face, and relished the way Pihu closed her eyes in bliss. What could be that her daughter might be thinking about all the events? How could she react so normal? Is Raman okay with her being alive? No, he might not be happy about it; she thought as her heart wrecked in pain. He had thrown her out of his life, mercilessly; he was clear about his decision back then and she knows he would never change! "I'm so happy that you know me." She cried pecking her temple. "God, I love you so much, baby!" She managed to mumble before rushing back home.

Pihu stood dazed. Recollecting those fairytales her papa told her, she thought she is a lucky princess who got her mother back because she prays inside her blanket; she believed. She turned to her father, standing blank and empty as he stared the way she left. Entwining her fingers in his, she shook him out of his reverie; "I'm sorry, papa." Her free hand pinched her ear, as her lips curled down to a sad puppy face. He chuckled, picking her up, and pulled her nose. "Ishima ki chamchi!" He groused walking inside. "You know papa's happy that you love Ishima so much. But papa can't be sweet like Pihu, right?" He queried and saw her nodding. Before he could continue, she tittered, "Ravan Kumar!"

"Oye!" He rolled his eyes.

"Oye-oye!" She did the same.

Her hand rung around his neck, as she rubbed her nose on his, then keeping his head on his shoulder, she faked an adorable snore. "Nautanki baccha!" He muttered taking her to his bedroom.

Once he placed Pihu in the bed, again diverted to look up to the truth; she is not with them anymore; Ishita! Weaving his fingers through the long silky hair of his daughter, he harked back to the scene coursed a while ago. Pihu is right; her mother has become prettiest! He opened his laptop and surfed through some of his wife's pictures. She looked gorgeous and he used to deck her up the way he wished to ravish, and admired her in her sleep, every night. After seven years, she turned even more beautiful that he could not believe those years were there. Is it because of his absence or the other man's presence that she has become a breathtaking piece of work God has made?