Comforting Kiss

7. Back To Reality

Ram checked on the drinks, the dishes and the other arrangement for the last time. This was the first time he was inviting his friends home and he needed everything to be perfect.

After almost 45 minutes, he heard Pihu's bedroom door open. She made her way out of the room, rubbing her eyes and yawning at the same time. Her eyes had gotten smaller as she tried to get a clearer vision in front of her.

"Papa. I am hungry " she said making her way towards him. He had no time to make anything for Pihu, he carried her and made her sit on the kitchen counter.

"Baby, will the morning pancake do? I actually have no time, Vikram uncle and Neha aunty might be here anytime" Pihu nodded and flashed him a smile still rubbing her eyes. He handed her a glass of juice and a pancake and went back to check on the arrangements.

After a while again he turned to glance at Pihu , she was still half way to her pancake; he laughed looking at her, how had he gotten so lucky he thought to himself. His thought was suddenly broken by the ringing of his phone.

He smiled looking at the name "Yes Vikram"

Vikram informed him that they would be a little late for dinner. Well, he was cool with it. He told them to take their time and after exchanging some more words they hung up. Ram breathed in relief; that meant he still had an hour left to prepare before they arrived. He slowly made his way to where Pihu was seated, that was when he realised that Priya was no where to be seen.

"Princess, where is Priya aunty??"

**********

She failed to open her eyes as drowsiness took over, her eyes felt heavy but she could hear some faint noises around. She slowly opened her eyes and found herself in a complete different environment. It took her sometime to realise that she was not in her room, she was at Pihu's room. She hurriedly turned to look at Pihu at the other side of the bed but she was not there.

Priya slowly approached the door. Opening it she saw the cutest scene that immediately brought a smile to her face. Ram was trying to tie Pihu's hair in a ponytail while Pihu was moving way too much. From far it looked like Pihu was doing it decisively to irritate Ram and she could tell it was working. She stood there smiling and enjoying the cutest banter between the father and daughter.

"Priya aunty!!!" Priya heard Pihu call her name. Ram turned to look at her and flashed her his brightest smile. Returning the smile she moved towards the couch.

"Slept well? " He asked.

"Yeah.
It's already 7:30, you should have woke me up, Ram." He scratched his temple "That's okay and I came to check on you but you seemed to be in deep sleep so I didn't want to disturb you"

He was still struggling with Pihu's hair so Priya offered to help while Ram went to change for the evening.

"Somebody is looking very beautiful today." she said helping Pihu with her hair. Pihu didn't reply but Priya heard her giggle "You know what Pihu? You are going to give complex to Rapunzel today" saying this she lightly kissed her forehead.

"My mom never told me I was pretty" she said making a sad face.

Priya made her sit on her lap "Don't you believe me, Pihu? --- You know what, your father has been a great figure for you and it reflects in your manners that is what makes you very beautiful and very special, okay?" Pihu gave her the cutest smile which melted her heart right then and there "Now come on, don't be sad and give me a tight hug" she demanded. Without giving much thought Pihu hugged her and tangled her tiny fingers behind Priya's neck. Priya didn't know how to handle this kind of situation but in this little time she spent with her, she got very attached and she couldn't see her this way.