*Nisha Pov*
“Oh, god! I can’t laugh anymore.” I said finally breathing and she too calmed down.
“So what do you want to do next?” I asked her smiling.
“Tom and Jerry.” She replied smiling.
“Again?” I asked her frowning, and she nodded.
“But this CD is over.” I replied frowning back.
I stared at the clock and saw that it is nearly lunch time, but I haven’t cooked anything. Will he come home for lunch? I thought, frowning.
“I will cook something for us.” I said, and she nodded.
I got up holding her hand, and we both walked inside the dining room. Like yesterday I made her sit on one chair and cooked for us.
While preparing it, I thought about morning’s breakfast. I immediately walked towards her and asked, “Did your Dad prepared the breakfast today morning?”
“Yes!” She replied, nodding.
I walked back inside the kitchen determining that I need to wake up early from tomorrow onwards.
After preparing the lunch, I placed them on the table. I mixed the rice with the curry properly and then walked towards her.
“Shall I feed you with my hand?” I asked her smiling.
She just looked straight at me and shook her head, taking a spoon from the table stand. I sighed, nodding and placed the bowl on the table to clean my hands.
“When your school starts?” I asked her while feeding with the help of a spoon.
“June 2nd!” She replied, and I nodded at her thinking that there is still more than one month.
“Do you love school?” I asked her, and she smiled nodding.
I slowly got to find out about her little by little. After her, I too had my lunch and waited for him, but looks like he is not going to come back.
Nonetheless, then I got a call on the land phone. I lifted it and said, “Hello!”
“Nisha? Hey Sudhir, wanted to check whether Ayesha had her lunch.” I heard too familiar voice.
“Sanju?” I asked to confirm it.
“Yes! It is me.” She replied.
“She had! Is he going to come here for lunch?” I asked her feeling little uncomfortable that she is like there as a mediator.
“No! He just ordered some food to be brought, so I guess he will have at the office itself.” She replied.
I nodded and immediately face palmed myself to which I heard a chuckle from my side. I narrowed my eyes at her and hung up the phone bidding bye.
“Were you laughing at me?” I asked her placing hands on my hips.
“Yes!” She replied and I lifted her in my arms, making her chuckle even more.
“Will you help me?” I asked her walking upstairs.
“I need to pack my clothes and bring them to here.” I added showing my room.
She nodded, and we both walked inside his room. I just threw all of them into the bags not with the patience to neatly put them and again neatly arrange again in another room.
When I was throwing them, she is pushing them inside smiling at them. Well, she really knows what fun is.
After arranging everything in my room, I turned towards her sighing. I yawned and said, “I am tired.”
“Me too.” She said, yawning back actually trying to copy me.
“Let’s sleep for some time.” I said, and she nodded.
She was about to walk outside, but I stopped her saying, “Let’s sleep here.”
She looked at me for a few minutes and shook her head. I nodded in understanding and walked inside her room. Tucking her inside the bed sheet, I walked inside my room and just plopped myself on the bed drifting off into sleep in minutes.
I woke up hearing the blazing door bell. I rushed towards the door and opened it to see Sudhir looking at me with a furious look.
“I have been ringing it for five minutes. Why did you bolt it?” He asked walking inside.
“I just thought it would be safer.” I replied closing the door.
“Just lock the door so that I can enter it when I return. Is she fine?” He asked, looking up towards her room.
“Yes! I was tired so went to sleep. I should have kept the check on the time...” I just started rambling not knowing what to say.
“Her safety is the only thing I need, and I don’t want to know about anything else.” Saying that he walked upstairs.
I sighed and started preparing snacks. I should ask the helper to bring some groceries. I thought looking around.
I heard their footsteps and walked outside with the snacks. I just smiled at her and said, “I just prepared some snacks.”
“I just have slight work. Will you be fine here?” He asked her, and she nodded walking towards me.
We both had snacks as he didn’t return for nearly ten minutes. When he returned, we both sat idle when he was having his.
“What do you want to eat for dinner?” I asked him, hoping he would talk little normal.
He shrugged for that. I know I should be little affected and all, but I just smiled, remembering how Ayesha did the same yesterday.
“How was work?” I asked him preparing the dinner.
I didn’t get any answer, so I glanced at the table to see both are not even at the table.
After it is done, I walked towards her room to see him reading a story to her, and she is listening to him calmly.
“Dinner is ready.” I said, looking at them.
She nodded, and they both walked outside the room. I talked with Ayesha a little, and he just sat calmly.
As usual, like yesterday they both left again, and I walked in my room after the dishes are cleaned.
I then remembered that I put my phone on silent mode. I walked towards it and lifted it to see there are few missed calls from Bhai.
I called him and talked to him saying I am fine, and he not worry. Then I told him to pass the phone to Bhabhi.
“Bhabhi! How can I wake up early?” I asked her.
“You wake up normally early right?” She asked completely confused.
“Yes! But Ayesha and Sudhir get up super early.” I replied sighing.
“Oh! There are not that many tips or something, but you are keeping alarm, right?” She asked.
“Yeah! But I don’t know why the sound is not reaching my ears.” I replied chuckling.
“Then, before going to sleep just chant to yourself that you need to get up early.” She said.
“Will it work?” I asked her frowning.
“Hope so!” She replied, and we both hung up.
Before lying on my bed, I walked near her and placed a small kiss on her forehead whispering ‘Good night’.
After lying on the bed, I closed my eyes and chanted ‘I need to wake up early’. With that chant I drifted off into sleep hoping that I will get up early.
Nevertheless, all hopes vanished when I wake up to see even though I was earlier than yesterday, but he still managed to finish making breakfast.
And he was waking up Ayesha when I walked inside her room. I cleared my throat, hoping to be able to get his attention.
When he stilled, I calmly said, “I will get her ready.”
“It’s ok!” he mumbled.
I sighed and rushed towards the kitchen to prepare some lunch for him to be taken to his office.
I worked as fast as I can and finished it, by the time they walked downstairs. I packed it in a carriage and walked outside.
The breakfast was the same like yesterday and after that he went to his room to be ready.
“Carriage!” I said, walking towards him holding it when he started to go.
“I don’t like to eat cold food.” He said not looking at me.
“It will be little hot.” I said, moving along with him.
“I don’t want it.” Saying that he walked outside the house, and I just sighed.
*Nisha Pov* Sigh, Sigh and Sigh! That’s all I have been doing for a number of times like every day. I didn’t lose hope, but I never thought it would be like this. Even as normal housemates, he can have a conversation right? But no! I am worse than a stranger to him. I started getting up a little early by passing each day and first for a few days prepared lunch for him, but he didn’t take it with him for a few days no matter how much I have tried. So I decided to send it to his company, but it returned not at all touched. Today I got up and walked inside Ayesha’s room to see that she is still sleeping. I smiled and walked towards her. I sat beside her and said, “Ayesha! Wake up.” Caressing her hair. After a few minutes, she woke up with a smile, and I just smiled at her back. Walking near the cupboard, I opened it and showed her all the dresses so that she can select what she wants to wear. “You choose.” She said frowning. “No! What do you want to wear?” I asked her and she fin
*Sudhir Pov* I am sitting at the dining table and started checking the letters I got yesterday and Ayesha is drawing sitting beside me. “So how is the new school?” I asked her as she has been going to school for nearly one month. “It’s new!” She replied, making me smile at her. “Do you like it?” I asked, and she looked at me nodding. “Ayesha! What do you want to eat today?” She asked and looked up to see her leaning outside of the gap like usual. Ayesha just shrugged to which she smiled, shaking her head. She walked outside and said, “I will make chicken today as it is Sunday right.” I shrugged continuing to check my letters, and she walked inside. Ayesha got up yawning, and I think she needs more sleep. “Ayesha! Why don’t you go and take a small nap?” She said before I can tell my daughter making me frown. “Ok!” Ayesha said, rushing to her room. “Careful!” She said again before I can. I shook my head and saw that a few letters are on her name. I cleared my throat and said,
*Nisha Pov* “Excuse me?” I said, standing before the receptionist. “Yes?” she asked, smiling. “Are admissions still open?” I asked her, hoping they are. “Yes! Here is the application form.” She replied giving me one. I thanked her and started filling the form. I finished it and was in the process of submitting it, but someone called me. I turned to look at a girl my age standing and asked, “Yes?” “Can you pass me your pen? I forgot mine.” She replied, and I nodded giving her. “You may get a call by the evening regarding your admission miss.” Receptionist said, and I nodded at her. “Excuse me?” Someone called me again when I started walking towards the entrance. “Yes?” I asked, turning around to see the same girl. “Your pen! Thank you.” She replied. “No problem!” I said and was about to turn, but she stopped me again. “Hey! I am Pavani.” She said and then, I face palmed myself for not introducing myself. “I am Nisha Meh... Arora.” I said shaking her hand. “Pretty weird s
*Nisha Pov* Finishing the preparing of breakfast, I walked inside Ayesha’s room to see that she is already up. “Wow, Ayesha! You already got up?” I asked her sitting in front of her. “We need to wish Dad.” She replied looking at me. “For what?” I asked her confused. “Birthday!” She replied excitedly. “Really? And you remember it?” I asked her thinking what we can do today for him. “Yes! Let’s go!” She said, holding my hand and dragged me outside her room. I knocked on his door, and he opened it rubbing his eyes. Ayesha immediately went near him and said, “Happy birthday!” “Thank you, Ayesha.” He said, kissing her cheek. “Happy birthday!” I said, smiling at him, and he nodded mumbling “Thanks!” “I will get her ready.” I said, holding her and went inside her room when we three just stood there for a few minutes in silence. “When is yours Ayesha?” I asked, brushing her hair. She showed me the calendar, and I saw the date where it was noted. There are still two months for her
*Sudhir Pov* “Promise me that you will Marry my cousin Nisha.” Indu said. “What? Are you mad?” I asked her getting up. “Look you do not have to worry about her. My Mom really loves Ayesha and doesn’t want her away from the family.” Indu replied. “So? That doesn’t answer why you want me to marry again and that too with your cousin.” I said completely confused. “I don’t know! She wants this and I too don’t want to stress Mom with Ayesha.” She said. “Look, I can take care of my daughter and don’t want anyone to do anything for her.” I said shaking my head. “That just means you will take her away from my family.” She said glaring at me. “They can meet her whenever they want.” I said, trying to make her understand. “No! You made a decision to shift to Mumbai on your own taking me away from my family. I will not let you take Ayesha away from them.” She said. “Calm down, Indu! No one is taking anyone away from you or your family. Just sleep.” I said. “Promise me! Then I will meet
*Nisha Pov* “Happy birthday! Happy birthday! Happy birthday to you.” I whispered in her ears, and she got up smiling at me. “Happy birthday dear.” I said hugging her. “Thank you!” She said kissing my cheek. “Do you want a gift?” I asked her, and she nodded jumping on her bed. “Here you go!” I said giving her gift. She started opening it, and I helped her. She just looked at it and then glanced at me. “You didn’t like it?” I asked her frowning while biting my nail. “Thank you!” she said, placing it aside and hugged me. “I want to call you Mom.” She suddenly said making tears start their way. “No, Ayesha! Please don’t ask me that again.” I said, brushing my tears away so that she will not see them and then released her from the hug. “Get ready! I even bought chocolates to give to all the children in your class and teachers.” I said, taking out her dress which Sudhir bought for her. “Ok!” She said and started getting ready when I went downstairs to check everything. I again
*Nisha Pov* It is exams time for both of us and I am sitting beside Ayesha while she is studying. I am also doing the same but opened my mobile when I saw that I got a message from Pavani. ‘I am scared!’ that’s what she messaged with terrified emotions. “Study now!” I messaged back. “Study!” I heard Ayesha said patting my book. “Sure Madam!” I said bowing and continued to read. “What are you doing?” I heard him asking and looked up to see him standing near the door. “Studying!” We both replied but I just did in a whisper. “Dinner?” He asked, walking towards her. “I had!” She replied nodding. “Go to sleep.” He said looking at her. “Exam!” She said whining. “So? Write how much you know. No need to study this much.” He said closing her books. “I want to!” She said, opening the book. “Sleep, Ayesha!” He said, shaking his head. “No! I want to study.” She said stubbornly. Wow! She definitely has my qualities. I thought and stopped myself from smiling. “Ayesha!” He said in a
*Nisha Pov* “We are going to a party and you are not saying ‘No’.” Pavani said rushing towards me walking out of her exam room. “No!” I said smiling and then turned to walk. “Oh, come on! You need to come.” She pleaded. “Did you forget about Ayesha?” I asked her frowning. “No! But you said your Mom was in the town right. So she will take care of her.” She replied. “They will return today evening sharp at 9.” I said, shaking my head and smiled when Rajeev walked towards us. “9 right! Then I promise you that you will be at home before 9.” She said pleading more. “Pavani! Don’t ask like that.” I said groaning. “Please… please...” She continued to plead, and I finally said, “Ok!” “Yes!” She said shouted, and few people glanced at us with funny looks. “She is just happy that she wrote the exam well.” Rajeev said, and the stares reduced. “I wrote today’s exam worst.” She said, rolling her eyes. “Who cares? This was our last exam for this year, and we should just look forward to