Desire ✔️

Part 74: Nazuk Yeh Dor Hai Kyun

Two weeks later - 16 July 2016. 7.45 am
Ruhi's bedroom - Bhalla House

"Ruhi, sit still, and be a good girl."

"Aap ko baal banana nahi aata papa."
(You don't know how to plait hair papa)

"Well, I think I've done a pretty good job."

Raman wound the barrette around Ruhi's plait and then turned her around, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. He grinned at the exasperated look his daughter was giving to him, wondering again at just how many of Ishita's mannerisms she was taking on.

He gave her a critical once over, and then, satisfied with what he saw, kissed her forehead and pushed her gently towards the door.

"Now go. Dadi breakfast ke liye bula rahi hai. Aur phir dadaji will drop you and Adi bhaiya to school."
(Now go. Dadi is calling you for breakfast and then dadaji will drop you Nd Adi bhaiya to school)

"Rinki bua ko kyun nahi?"
(Why not Rinki bua?)

"Because Rinki bua is working now beta. You know that Ruhi. She has already left for her office with Romi chachu and now papa has to go as well. Be a good girl at school, ok."

But instead of heading out into the kitchen as she was supposed to, Ruhi threw herself into her fathers arms.

"Papa, mumma ghar kab aayegi? I miss her."
(When will mumma come home? I miss her)

Raman scooped Ruhi into his arms and stood up, realizing as he did just how big his Ruhi was getting to be, and giving his not so little daughter another quick kiss.

"I miss her too beta, but you see her everyday, don't you?"

"Haan, lekin sirf thodi der ke liye. I want her to come home. Woh best tarhah se baal banati hai."
(Yes, but only for a little while, I want her to come home. She does my hair the best)

"She will, soon, I promise. Aur Mihika chitti ne bhi offer kiya tha na, aap ko ready karne ko. Woh bhi toh aachi tarah se baal banati hai."
(She will, soon, I promise. And Mihika chitthi offered to do your hair ever morning, and to get you ready. She knows how to make plaits nicely too)

"Haan, But not like mumma."

Raman sighed. Ishita had become such a huge part of their lives in these past two years. From being someone he couldn't stand, from being an absolute stranger to his daughter, she was now his greatest need, his reason for being, and for his daughter, the most loved person in her life.

The past two weeks, when she had been away in hospital, had reinforced like never before her place in their hearts and their home.

Raman had been walking towards the kitchen as he spoke with Ruhi, and he now dropped her into an empty chair at the dining table, where Adi was already having his breakfast of parathas lashed in ghee. His mother was certainly taking advantage of Ishita's absence to spoil the children, he reflected wryly, noting the absence of healthy cereals and fruits.

"Ma, zara ghee kam please" (Mum, a little less clarified butter please) he said by way of greeting, giving a mock frown to his mother and grinning at his son. He mussed up Adi's hair affectionately, before picking up his briefcase and heading for the door.

"Puttar, nashta toh karte ja."
(Son, have some breakfast before you go)

"Sorry ma, I'm running late already. Joseph neeche intezaar kar raha hai. Mein office mein hi kuch kha loonga."
(Sorry ma, I'm running late already. Joseph is waiting downstairs. I'll have breakfast in the office)