Raizada's house was bustling early the next day.
Khushi's chirpiness and Anjali's giggles were refreshing, Arav's irritation with homework was old and Arnav's typing away on the laptop was boring. But whatever it was, it looked the same but felt different.
The atmosphere looked like it was anticipating. Waiting for something big.
"Di, where are they? Are they coming or not?" Khushi asked getting impatient.
"Khushi, they are coming for lunch, not breakfast," Arnav replied before Anjali could even open her mouth.
"And why are you wearing this red sari? They are coming for simple lunch ." Arnav showed how annoyed he was seeing her in his favorite color but the tragedy of the situation, she was not ready for him but that dimple guy whom she was waiting eagerly.
"Don't worry Khushiji, they will come in time. Please have your breakfast." Anjali replied completely ignoring the glare she was receiving from her Chote.
"Di, why are you not ready yet? You know we will not get time later on." Khushi asked Anjali who was still in her nightdress.
"Don't worry about that Khushiji. After breakfast, I'll get ready. Till that time, you please look after preparation. " Anjali replied signaling something through her eyes making Khushi nod in return.
Arav who was sitting opposite his mother and Mami was a little suspicious about their behavior. Ok, he knew that weirdness came naturally to them. But, the way they were behaving was a bit undigestable.
"Mom, is something special today?" Arav asked making every head turn towards him.
"Arav, I need your help. Please come with me." Khushi interrupted Arav before he could ask any more questions.
"But Mami," Arav tried saying something but was stopped by a little annoyed Arnav.
"Khushi, what help do you need from a child? I'm there, I'll help you." Arnav said eyeing Arav from head to toe.
"I didn't expect this from you mamu," Arav said in a hurt tone. Out of all, he never expected his mamu to say that.
"Come Mami, I'll help you." Arav dragged Khushi along with him throwing daggers in Arnav's direction.
"Do you also think I'm a child Mami? " Arav asked in a childish tone as soon as they reached Arnav and Khusi's room making Khushi chuckle at his behavior.
"Oh come on Arav, why are you taking that one sentence so seriously. " Khushi replied rolling her eyes.
"So you also think I'm a child," Arav said. His expression was one of hurt.
"Oh my baccha.No, you are not a child. You are a very mature person. But again, for us, no matter how big you become, you will always be that small Arav who used to hide behind his Mami to save himself from his mamma's scolding." Khushi pulled his cheek making Arav pout and smile at the same time.
"Leave all that Arav. I have called you to discuss something very important." Khushi said in a serious tone.
"What is it Mami that you called me instead of mamu?" Arav asked in a suspicious tone trying to raise his eyebrows like Arnav.
"You little devil. To become like Arnavji, you don't need to do whatever he does." Khushi slapped him playfully making him grin.
"And now, listen carefully." Khushi took her time sharing the plan and ideas with her nephew.
Arav was more excited with every word of his Mami.
"Oh my god Mami, It's great. I never knew you two are such good actors." Arav exclaimed excited after listening to his Mami.
"But how did I forget such an important day," Arav added with little remorse.
"It's ok Arav. No need to feel bad. Now you know what you need to do right?" Khushi asked smiling slightly looking at his expression.
"Yes, Mami you don't have to worry now. Do Aashi know about this?" Arav asked getting suspicious.
"Unfortunately, yes. Such a devil she is." Khushi said making faces.
"Okay...." Arav drawled, " Why did you say like that Mami?" Arav asked seeing her expression.
"She heard di and I accidentally. And when we tried including her in the plan instead of agreeing with us she blackmailed us. Can you believe that?" Khushi showed her disbelief.
I can, Arav thought but didn't dare voice out. His mami didn't need to learn how much her little daughter is like her dad in business mode.
"Mami, what did she do?" Arav asked patentiely.
"Don't ask Arav, don't ask. She is becoming unbelievable these days." Khushi continued with her banter completely missing that irritated look on Arav face.
"Ok, I'll not ask," Arav said irritated.
"What do you mean by you'll not ask? You should ask. You are her big brother you should know about her." Khushi continued again about his responsibilities.
"Mami, are you saying what she did or not?" his voice a little on edge.
"Hey, why are you getting angry? I'm telling. You only keep on disturbing me." Khushi stopped when a deadly glare was thrown at her.
Wasnot's he a mini Raizada ? she thought proudly.
"Fine fine, listen. When di and I were talking, she heard our talk accidentally and..."
Flashback
"Mamma... bua..." Aashi called interrupting Khusi and Anjali.
"Aashi. what are you doing here? " Khushi asked shocked as well as suspicious with her daughter's sudden entry.
"Nothing much," Aashi grinned, "Just listening to your planning."
Overcoming the shock, Khusi thought, Just like Arnavji.
"Aashi baccha now since you know the plan you will support us right? " Anjali asked hopefully.
"Yes." aashi agreed, smiling widely.
"Oh, my baccha." Khushi pulled aashi in her arm feeling happy that she agreed without any fuss.
"But I have one condition," Aashi said smirking like her father looking at how her mamma was twisting her lips.
This little ASR, Khusi grumbled inaudibly.
"Look di, she is becoming just like Arnavji. She puts forward her condition even if the work to be done is hers." Khushi complained glaring at aashi who was smiling sweetly at her mother.
"What do you want?" Khushi asked knowing very well that she will not do anything until her wish is fulfilled.
"I want the latest iPhone," Aashi said clapping her hand.
"What the? Aashi have you gone mad. You are just seven for God's sake." Khushi tried putting some sense in her crazy daughter.
"Khushiji, Relax. And Aashi, you know it's not your age to use a phone. Ask something else," Anjali's tone was polite yet warning. This mini version of her Chote was so difficult to handle.
"No bua. All my friends have iPhones." Aashi said. Her eyes already forming tears.
"Aashi ki Bacchi, don' lie," Khushi warned. She was not going to fall for those crocodile tears.
"Mamma, I'm Khusiki Bacchi. Not aashi ki." Aashi said rolling her eyes. Her tears were all gone.
"And I'm not lying. They have." Aashi said referring to her friends. Her tone defending.
"Accha?" Khushi said narrowing her eyes. Her daughter was avoiding looking at her eyes yet nodded at her innocently. Khushi knew how to handle her daughter.
She turned to Anjali, "Di let's cancel bringing that Barbie house. After all, our aashi is a big girl now. She wants iPhone. What will she do with Barbie's house? " Khushi winked at Anjali who just shake her head looking at this crazy mother-daughter duo.
As expected, the reaction was fast, "No no don't cancel that. I want it. I don't want iPhone."
"And?" Khushi asked raising her eyebrows.
"And my friends too don't have iPhones. " Aashi accepted her lie bending her head suddenly feeling bad for lying.
"I knew it. We all mother had a meeting about this topic only and I had strictly denied the use of a phone. They all agreed." Khushi said proudly.
"But... I'm very disappointed with you. I never expected you'll lie to your mamma." Khushi said. Though not hurt, she had been displeased and she had to make sure her daughter understood otherwise she will keep repeating the same.
"I am sorry Mamma." This time the voice was meek. The tears are too real.
Good, Khusi though determined not to let herself get affected and give in easily.
"Oh mera sona. No need to feel bad. And don't cry. Mamma is not angry, she is just upset." Anjali soothed hugging aashi who was ready to burst into tears looking at Khushi.
"Sorry, mamma. Please don't be upset. For today, I'll never lie. I promise." Aashi promised. The cuteness and innocent sincerity made Khusi give in.
"Oh mera sona. Don't cry." Khushi pulled her in her arms, "Kep your promise, okay"
Aashi nodded clutching her mom tightly.
"Now now..." Anjali said, all excited," Ready to surprise papa?"
"Yes..." Aashi grinned making Khusi smile.
Present
"Can you believe that? She was asking for iPhone? Even I, Khushi Kumai GuptaSingh Raizada, don't use iPhone and aashi ki Bacchi ko iPhone chahiye," Khushi stated in an annoyed tone.
"Aashi ki Nahi, Khushi ki Bacchi." Arav corrected her earning a glare from Khushi.
"You know when I asked Arnavji to bring me iPhone, he said that I'm still a child to use iPhone. Can you believe that? He had the audacity. How dare he...." Khushi would have strangled Arnav if he was in front of her.
"So, You're not angry with aashi but with mamu. " Arav pointed out.
"Are you getting quite observant Mr. Jha?" Khushi teased making Arav blush.
"Anyway, " Khusi started," Arav, you understand everything right?" Her tone was serious.
"Yes mami. Don't worry, I will keep them away from the terrace." Arav agreed.
"This shall be fun," Khushi said clapping her hands and smiling widely.
It was going to be just wonderful.
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