Back To Life ✔

10 | A Massage

"Papa...," Pihu's voice would always seem extremely adorable, only if she wants her father to do something for her. She would lie calmly on him, on her stomach, animatedly moving her head as if his heartbeats are throwing her back and yanking her closer; a game! "Hmm...?" He was lost in thoughts. Aditya was there, doing his works for college, beforehand, as if he has to involve in some other errand next day; he peaked at his busy figure; so like his father. "I love you." She yawned keeping her head back on his chest. She has something very important to share with him, he grasped from her gesture. She was like her mother, hiding things by those three words of magic!

Her brother should also listen to her; Pihu got up when Raman insisted. He was curious now. It must be something about Ishita; he concluded when they sat in a circle, on the bed. "Why Shagun mamma is with us?" There came an unexpected question. Even he does not know why she is staying with them; Raman felt like trapped as he sought Aditya's help to escape such a troubling interrogation. Uneasy, he looked everywhere but her. "Peeehooo!" He took her in his arms, making her sit in his lap; her eyes blinking expectantly at him. "It's because Shagun mamma is my mamma. So, she can live here. Right papa?" He needed Raman to agree and convince Pihu.

"Of course...! Shagun mamma is so sweet...! She looks after Pihu and Adi bhayya. She takes care of daadi-daadu...! She does everything for everyone. So why not she stays here...!" Raman forced a smile, to convince his daughter, mentally taking a decision for the first time to get rid of Shagun somehow before things would go overboard and complicated. "Then why not Neelu aunty also stay with us?" Pihu fumed; she loves Neelu more after all. "Neelu aunty is not my mamma! Simple!" Aditya quipped. "Oh yesss!" She was thoughtful. "Now, we should sleep!" Raman tried putting an end to the discussion; he should not have insisted Pihu to blurt out her doubts at all!

"Again...!" She clicked her fingers. "Why don't we bring my mamma home?" Raman and Aditya's eyeballs popped out by her suggestion; the latter's was pretension; he doubted. Did not he ask her not to broach this topic? Well, did she ever listen to him? She did always do what she thinks are right, and she feel like doing; typical of her mother. "If Adi bhayya's mamma could be here, why not mine?" She made a puppy face. No please! He is not going to look at her; Raman closed his eyes tight. "Why, papa?" She started scratching his chest with her soft nails, playfully, grizzling to get her demand done. "Why not, papa?" Aditya joined.

It was all a plan! Raman glared his son; he could understand where this talk is leading. Otherwise, Aditya would not tolerate being called the son of Shagun Arora! They want Shagun out of this house, so does he. However, Ishita's name should not have been bringing, making the scene awkward and weary for him. Uneasy; he caressed his chest. It was not because he does not want her back, or call her back, but because she does not want to live with him at all. Then, do his kids hinting on them getting back together? He could not figure out. As if Pihu could see his confusion, she jumped in. "Let's bring Ishima and make both mommies roommates!"

"NO WAYS!" Raman screamed. "Meri madrasan woh chudail ke saath!" He could not help yell in horror, as he got down the bed and shot daggers at his kids! "Pihu! Let's go sleep! Enough for the day!" Aditya picked up Pihu safe, looking cautiously at his father and moved out of there before getting scolded. Pihu bellowed; "I want my mamma back! Papa...! Why only my mamma can't stay with us? I want her baaackkk!!! Bad night papa! Shagun mamma dreams!" She cursed him crying on Aditya's shoulder. That was not one of her drama. Until she was in front of him, he knows she was playing everything as per her brother's instructions but the last words; heartfelt and longing, the way he was in. He wanted her back! "We want you back, Ishita. I want you back." He sunk in the floor, crying uncontrollably.