Three years Later:
Rishi buttoned up his shirt and squeezed gel onto his palm, he raked his fingers through his hair in a hurry and sprayed the cologne before rushing out of the room. He stood on the last stair and watched his princess smiling at him. He placed his hands on his hip and took a breathe before he sauntered to his daughter who had her body rested on the couch, her legs placed on the head rest and her head hanging down the couch and looking at him with a smile.
Rishi: Ridha, You aren’t you ready yet ? Come on lets go… we shouldn’t be late.
Ridha: Papa, I dont want to go school… pleech papa. I will be a good girl.
Rishi: Princess, you know ? your mamma, Chaitu and Malini aunty became friends from school. Don’t you want to have friends like them ? If you stay home how will you make friends ?
Ridha: I don’t want one… I have Evan and Jivi, we will be best friends and now Malu aunty will also have baby. Only we will be friends and no one else.
Rishi: Your neck might hurt baby so sit straight .
Rishi carried Ridha and made her sit on his lap. He moved the hair from her face and kissed her forehead.
Rishi: You can always be friends Evan, Jivi and Malu aunty’s baby but it would be good to have friends from school who will be with you all the time. You will learn lot of things at school, you will play with children, you can dance and it would be lot of fun princess.
Aadhi walked out of the kitchen with a snacks box and water bottle and placed it on the teapoy before she rushed to their room and returned with the uniform and school bag. Ridha saw Aadhi glaring at her and immediately sunk into Rishi’s embrace closing her face in her palm and peeked at her mother through her fingers.
Rishi: Stop scaring her Aadhu, she is a good girl and will get ready.
Aadhi: Dad’s little princess, get ready if you want to join me in the evening to visit Malu aunty.
Ridha immediately jumped out Rishi’s embrace and clung on to Aadhi’s leg with a sheepish smile. Aadhi pinched her cheek and carried her to the couch. Rishi started dressing up Ridha and Aadhi tied her hair into pony tails with a butterfly scrunchie.
Rishi placed the snacks box and water bottle in her bag and carried Ridha in his arms ready to leave. They kissed Aadhi’s cheek and Aadhi kissed them back.
Rishi/Ridha: Bye mommyyyyy
Rishi drove to Ridha’s school and his princess kissed him before rushing inside. He watched her until she was gone from his sight before he drove back home. Aadhi was dancing to a song and Rishi plopped on the couch watching her move gracefully. With a mischief he changed the song into a romantic one.
Vaseegara en nenjinikka…
Un pon madiyil thoonginaal podhum…
Adhe kanam en kannurangaa…
Mun jenmangalin aekangal theerum…
“Oh enchanter of my heart…
It’s enough if I sleep on your golden lap…
That very moment, even if my eyes don’t close…
The yearning of many past lives will be fulfilled…”
Aadhi smirked on seeing him waiting for her to put on a show and tossed the top giving him a view of her body in a tank top and track pant. She swayed her hip and Rishi gulped on watching her palm tracing her neck and between her bosoms.
Rishi Mv: Why am I sitting back and watch her hands do that while it could be mine ? I could do more than just tracing ?
Naan nesippadhum suvaasippadhum…
Un dhayavaalthaane…
Yaengugiren thaengugiren…
Un ninaivaal naane naan…
“The reason I love and breathe…
Is only because of your grace…
I long, I wither…
It’s your memory that makes me who I am…”
Aadhi saw Rishi was drooling over her and moving towards him she placed her right foot on his lap. Rishi placed his palm on her thigh and caressed sensually while their eyes were locked perfectly.
Adai mazhai varum, adhil nanaivoame…
Kulir kaaychchalodu sinēgam…
Oru poarvaikkul iru thookkam…
“Let the pouring rain come, we’ll get drenched in it…
With chills and fevers wrapped in affection…
Two sleeps under one blanket…”
Before Rishi knew Aadhi twisted her body and landed on his lap wrapping her arms around his neck. Rishi instantly caught her holding her waist with one hand and he caught her neck and traced her lips with his thumb.
Kulu kulu poygal solli ennai velvaay…
Adhu therindhum kooda anbe…
Manam athaiyethaan edhirpaarkkum…
“You’ll win me over with playful little lies…
And even knowing that, my love…
My heart still longs for exactly that…”
Rishi: Awww, how lucky I m to have such a seductress as wife ? I would be considered a sinner and god might punish me if I don’t worship the goddess of beauty in my arms. Am I right love ?
Aadhu: No, I just wanted to relax by dancing and you were watching like a poor fellow so thought of showing some mercy.
Rishi: Yes, I love your kindness and now be generous to feed this poor husband who is starving for you. He carried her in bridal style and made way to their bed room. Aadhi tried to jump out of his arms but Rishi held her closer and bit her cheek.
Aadhi: Rishu, Latha aunty would arrive anytime now and Ridha wanted me to bake cake for her.
Rishi: We have 3 hours time and I will buy ice cream for our princess on way back home. Latha aunty will be busy in kitchen before she start the cleaning work so be a good girl and co-operate with your handsome husband.
Aadhi: Ok uncle..
Rishi: This fucking little mouth needs to be punished seriously.
Rishi kicked the door to close and Aadhi latched it before they were busy in their world. An hour later they walked out of the wash room and Aadhi stood before the mirror applying concealer on the marks while Rishi bit his lips from smiling and helped her cover the marks.
Aadhi: Next time you dare to leave any visible marks then I swear Rishu, you will never step in our bedroom.
Rishi: Ok, I swear, no more visible marks, baby.
He dried her hair and they quickly got dressed and walked out of the room. Latha had started cooking lunch and Rishi entered his home office to look after the business he started three years ago and was running successfully.
Aadhi pulled out the ingredients and started to bake a cake for Ridha. On seeing the time Rishi picked his keys to pick up Ridha from school. He waited leaning on his car ignoring the gazes of the female staffs until Ridha came running to him. Rishi carried her and they shared kisses before they drove home.
On reaching home Ridha entered inside screaming for her mother and Aadhi smiled on his energy ball running towards her. Aadhi carried Ridha and kissed her cheek.
Aadhi: My baby looks so happy. Did something happened today ?
Ridha: Yes mamma, Preethi agreed to be my friend. We shared our snacks.
Aadhi and Ridha hified and Rishi smiled on seeing his wife and daughter. Aadhi showed the cake to Ridha who immediately started tasting it.
Ridha: Papa, mamma, its boring. When will grandpa, grandma come back from their trip ?
Rishi: They will be back next week princess. Vimal mamu, Chaitu aunty, Evan and Jivi will be back in three days. Now tell me what shall we do that our princess won’t feel bored ?
Ridha: Beach ?
Rishi: Alright then beach it is. Lunch, nap and beach in the evening. Does it sound good ?
Ridha: Yessss papa…I love you.
She kissed Rishi and Latha served them lunch. Half way through Aadhi received a call from Yuvraj. She spoke to him and cut the call screaming in happiness.
Aadhi: Rishu, baby is born. We need to leave now.
Rishi: What ? Why didn’t he call us already ?
Aadhi: We shall confront later, now lets go. Its a girl… our dreams have come true.
Ridha: Mamma, baby has come ?
Aadhi: Yes baby… you have a little sister now. Another friend to your gang.
Ridha: Ohhhh, I need to pack the gifts for my new friend.
She jumped down the chair and rushed to her room. She pulled a little trolley and stuffed some toys in it and a greeting card she painting for the baby with help of Aadhi. Rishi entered the room and got her dressed up and they arrived at the living with Ridha pulling the little trolley.
Rishi placed the trolley in the back seat and Aadhi sat in the passenger seat with Ridha on her lap. They arrived at the hospital and Rishi carried Ridha while Aadhi carried the trolley. They entered the room and saw Malini was asleep and the Yuvraj was holding the baby in his arms.
Aadhi took the baby in her arms and smiled on seeing the chubby baby and sat on the couch to let Ridha to have a look at the baby.
Rishi: Yuvi, why didn’t you call us when you left from home ?
Yuvraj: She was feeling restless and hard to breathe so I rushed her to hospital. Doctor had to carry out and emergency C-section. I was so lost and couldn’t call anyone.
Ridha: Mamma, she is beautiful, can we take her home please ?
Rishi: Princess, she is too small to stay with us. Once she grows into a big girl like our Ridha we shall take her home.
Ridha pouted and looked at Aadhi and received same reaction from her. Giving up she opened the trolley and showed the greeting card and toys to the baby.
Ridha: Baby, look I got all these for you. Evan and Jivi will be back and we shall play together. We will be friends ok ?
Malini woke up hearing Ridha’s voice and Aadhi gaved the baby to Rishi before she sat next to Malini.
Aadhi: Our dream came true Malu.. Let me call Chaitu, she must be impatient to see you and the baby.
Aadhi made a video call and the friends talked for a while and Chaitu, Vimal and their kids watched the baby through video.
Aadhi and Rishi decided to leave but Ridha wasn’t ready to leave the baby. Rishi convinced her to meet the baby next day as well and they left the hospital. All the way home Ridha was awfully quite despite Rishi and Aadhi’s attempt to cheer her.
On reaching home Ridha was asleep and Rishi carried her to their bedroom and laid her on the bed.
Rishi: I hate when either of you give me this silent treatment. Now I should wait until she wakes up to know the reason that has started disturbing her.
Aadhi: What if I say that she would be asking for a baby sister ?
Rishi: Not again Aadhu, Its been a year we spoke this and I still stand my ground so we are not having this discussion anymore.
Aadhi: Really Rishu ? I thought you love me.
Rishi glared at her and walked out of the room while Aadhi closed her face in her palm. Its been a year they fought over the topic and Rishi stood stubborn in his decision. Its been six months Manjari commited suicide in the prison and from then on Aadhi knew it would be a sour topic for Rishi especially after he had gone through so much because of his own sister so she stopped any discussion about having a second baby. Aadhi covered Ridha with a comforter and walked out search of Rishi. He was in his study trying to distract himself.
Aadhi: Rishu….
Rishi: hmmm
Aadhi knew his mood had turned sour and she definitely didn’t want a fight over so she simply yanked the file from his hand and sat on his lap. Rishi closed his eyes for fleeting moment and held her but didn’t speak a word knowing her plans.
Aadhi: Rishu, please don’t be upset with me. Just be patient and listen to me, please.
Rishi hated aruging with her and he couldn’t deny listening to her so he bobed his head though he knew what was coming.
Aadhi: Rishu, do you think we would be bad parents to our Ridha ?
Rishi: What nonsense is this Aadhu ? Why would we be bad parents ?
Aadhi: Exactly, if you are sure that we would be the best parents to Ridha then why are you scared of having a sibling for our Ridha ? We would not let down our children Rishu.
Rishi: You only mean to say thay not all siblings could be like me and her but this is not about just parenting Aadhu. Why don’t you understand that a gene runs in my family, which was the reason we had to suffer, not only us… Vimal, Chaitu, Evan and Jivi. What if we have a baby and he or she carries the gene of my grandma ?
Aadhi: Rishu, What if our baby has our genes alone or even if he or she does inherit those genes we would take care and handle things in a better way.
Rishi: Certain things would not be in our control Aadhu. What if we have a baby and our Ridha feels she is being left out or what if she had inherited the genes already ? I don’t want our Ridha to go through anything. I don’t want to risk. I failed once as a husband to you but I don’t want to fail as father to our daughter. We have Chaitu and Malu as examples, they were single child and they are happy in their life, they have so many friends. Now our Ridha will have friends and siblings from her aunts. She will be happy and we shall make sure of that. I hate when we fight over this, and I m really tired of this. I could do anything you ask for Aadhu but just not this please. I love you Aadhu, please lets not fight.
Aadhi saw the vulnearability behind his eyes and she hated seeing him like that. True to his words he had never refused to anything she asked for except on having a second baby. Cupping his face she kissed his eyes and Rishi visibly relaxed as he sought the solace from her.
Aadhi: Ok, you win. Lets convince Ridha if she ask for a sibling.
Rishi: Don’t worry, I will make sure she won’t even start the topic. We shall love her so much that she will never feel being a lone child and thank you for understanding though it hurts that I denied the only thing you asked for but I will compensate to you too.
Rishi hugged her and kissed her, slowly until they heard the little feet padding towards the room. Aadhi moved out of his lap and the door opened right in time. Little Ridha walked in with a yawn and showed her hands to Rishi to carry her. Rishi carried her to his lap and kissed her crown.
Rishi: Princess, you wanted to visit the beach but we couldn’t since we left to meet Malu aunty and your new friend so how about we go on a vacation to an island ? You could play as long as you want in the beach.
Ridha: Yessss papa… I love you so much.
Aadhi: And what about mamma ?
Ridha: Love you mamma….
Rishi pulled Aadhi for a family hug and Ridha kissed both their cheeks. Rishi looked at Aadhi and winked at her before he leaned close to her ear and mumbled ” Fourth honeymoon”. Aadhi blushed to his words and mouthed ” Ok daddy “
Rishi wrapped squeezed her waist while he listened to Ridha rant about her plans on vacation.
