Here's the next part! Even thought I split it to keep it short, it's quite long, so I would love if you left me long comments ❤️

Thank you Suppu for your help!

.....

Raavi sat down on the sofa, after clearing up the kitchen.

"Janu! Janhavi! Idhar aao, darling!"

Janhavi skipped her way from the bedroom to the hall, and stood on front of Raavi.

"Yes Mumma?"

Raavi kept her hands on her waist and pulled her to stand near her, "You remember what Mumma taught you the other day? Those 3 things?"

Janhavi nodded and began to count on her fingers, "1. No taking things from strangers. 2. My mumma and papa's name is Raavi Pandya and Shiva Pandya. 9234-" She began to recite their phone numbers, "And 3. If you get lost, find another Mumma to help you."

"Very good!" Raavi smiled, patting her cheek, "Aaj Mumma one more thing sikhaayegi, okay?"

Her little girl nodded, sitting down on the sofa.

"Janu," Raavi caressed her head, "You shouldn't let anyone touch you here, here and here, okay?" Raavi pointed to her chest, behind and her front.

"My tummy?" Janhavi asked, keeping a hand on her stomach.

"No, not tummy." Raavi chuckled, pointing a little lower. "Here. No one is allowed, okay? Only Mumma is allowed, because you are my small baby. And Mumma won't harm you. Okay?"

"Why?"

Raavi sighed, wondering how she'd explain to her little daughter what a messed up world this was, "Because sab acche log nahi hai, shona. And it's bad manners to touch anyone here. If anyone else does like that, you tell NO! Okay?"

"NO!" Janhavi imitated, raising her palm, and Raavi nodded her head approvingly.

"Maine kaha tha na, only go if you can see Mumma or Papa with that uncle aunty?" She explained, reminding her daughter of rule number 1, "Like that only, no allowing anyone except Mumma."

"Not even Papa?" Janhavi asked, trying to connect why her Mumma didn't allow her Papa.

Raavi simply patted her cheek, knowing her baby couldn't comprehend why her Papa wasn't allowed. "Papa won't ever harm you, you are safe with Papa. You can trust him."

"But not even Papa, okay?"

"Okay."

Janhavi twirled in her spot, just replying the same thing over and over again to each of Raavi's questions, and Raavi hoped she understood what she was trying to say, as her little butterfly skipped back to her books, her mind always wandering in her own imagination.

Few hours later

Shiva sat across the couch, with Raavi sprawled all over him, just like the name he had given her; chipkali.

"Chipkali, aaj kal bohot chipak rahi hai tu." He rubbed his hand across her back, secretly loving the weight of her on him.

"Mai apne bhoothnath pe chipak sakti hu. If you don't remember-" Raavi leaned up a bit, pinching her mangalsutra between her fingers, "pura haq hai mujhe."

Shiva simply stared, not at her chain, but the view she unknowingly was giving him, in that loose t-shirt and no bra.

"Stop looking down my shirt." She rolled her eyes, swatting his chest, lying back down on him, "Buddha ho gaya hai tu, tujhe suit nahi karta ye sab."

"Accha? Mujhe nahi suit karta?" Shiva whispered, his hands wandering down her back to her bottom, "Dikhaau tujhe kaun buddha aur kaun jawaan?"

Raavi tilted her head up from where she lay, her hands creeping under his vest to feel the warmth of his body. "Let's see."

Shiva cupped her jaw with his other palm, tilting her head grabbing her lips within his for a kiss, his other hand squeezing her bottom.

Raavi wiggled against him, and he groaned at the contact, which made Raavi giggle, not before she let out a soft moan, as Shiva kissed her deeper.

"Hands up, Papa!"

Shiva got so startled, that he accidentally pushed Raavi off the sofa, and she almost cursed before catching her breath and noticing the person in front of her.

Mission 'Romance-My-Biwi' failed.

"What the he-" Shiva almost yelled, but held back his tongue because he and Raavi had decided not to swear in front of Janhavi. "What is this, Janu? Aapne dara diya mujhe-"

"I said hands up, Papa!" Janhavi stood there, pointing her toy pistol at Shiva.

Shiva was taken aback, and simply raised his hands in the air.

"Okay but-"

"You are in arm rest, Shiva Papa!"

Shiva wracked his brains for a few seconds, "Arm rest?"

"I am police!"Janhavi said sternly, poking the pistol in Shiva's nose, and he figured she was in her police officer phase of the day.

"Officer Janhavi," Shiva played along, rubbing his nose, "It's under arrest, not arm rest."

"Same thing."

"May I know why I am under arrest?"

"Because you touched Mumma here!" Janhavi pointed at Raavi's bottom, who was now sitting on the sofa rubbing her back from the fall. "You can't touch Mumma here!"

Shiva tried to think what was so wrong in touching his own wife, and turned to Raavi with a confused nod, while Raavi shook her head and bit her lip to hide her laugh.

"Janu, come here." Raavi beckoned, and Janhavi poked the pistol in Shiva's nose again, before letting it hang to her sides. "Baby, Mumma is so proud of you for remembering what I taught you. Good job!"

"But, it's okay for Papa to touch." She explained, which confused Janhavi.

"But why? You said not to touch."

"Because I told Papa that it's okay. Papa has permission." Raavi explanation, "For Mumma, it's okay. I am a big girl. I know who is good and bad. But Janu is still a small girl right?"

Janhavi nodded, somewhat understanding Raavi point, and looked at Shiva, who was making some faces at Raavi.

"You are not in arm rest, Shiva Papa." She poked his hands, which he let down immediately.

"Under arrest, sweetheart." Shiva ruffled her hair, not being able to process that she was growing up so fast.

"Same thing." She skipped away to the corner of the room, to watch some TV.

"Waise," Raavi poked Shiva's chest, "I was thinking I'll put you under arrest."

"Accha?" Shiva smirked, peeking over to see if Janhavi was looking and swooping in for a kiss, liking where this conversation was going. "And what did I do, Officer Raavi?"

"You....." She trailed her finger from his forehead to his nose, "didn't...." she trailed it over his lips, lingering for a long time, as Shiva leaned in for another kiss-

"DO THE DISHES!"

"What the hell!" Shiva exclaimed, jumping apart.

"Bartan nahi kiye tune, aaj tera number tha!" Raavi fumed, wrinkling her nose in annoyance.

"Kabhi toh romantic ho jaa." Shiva grumbled, pushing her off him and going to do the dishes, followed by a pair of arms around his torso almost immediately.

"Romantic bacche ke saamne toh nahi ho sakti. Gun leke aa jaati hai." Raavi giggled, and Shiva smiled to himself, turning around and trapping her in his arms.

He leaned forward to kiss her, in hopes of trying to finish what they had started, when the sound of a loud stuck broke their kiss.

"Tum dono ko khulle rasoi mein ro-maans karna hai toh mere ghar mein nahi rehne ka. Ye budhi aankhein nahi dekh sakti ye sab." Suman grumbled, and Shiva sighed while Raavi hit her forehead against his chest.

Mission 'Romance-My-Biwi' failed again. Try again later.

.....

"Shiva, tujhse kitni baar kaha tha, ghar mein leakage ho rahi hai, plumber ko bula le! Bulaya ek bhi baar tune?" Raavi irritatedly said, walking behind Shiva.

"Maine suna. Aur maine kaha ki mai KAR DUNGA! 2 din mein 500 baar mere sarr pe baithne se jaadu se NAHI hoga kaam!" Shiva replied, loosening his tie.

"Aur uss din maine kaha tha hum bahar jaate hai, toh ignore kar diya mujhe! Tu sunta hi nahi hai kuch!"

"Shanti se office ke baad 2 minute insaan baith bhi nahi sakta kya, Raavi! Aate hi khich-khich karne lagti hai tu!"

"Khich-khich?!"

"Jabse shaadi hui hai, jeena haram kar diya hai tune, bilkul uss mami ki tarah! "

"Maasi ko beech mein mat laa, Shiva! Itni irritating lagti hoon na? Toh divorce dede! Saara tanta hi khatam, hai na!"

"Dedunga! Phir jaake baith jaana Mama ke ghar pe. Waise bhi jahanoom se kam nahi hai woh jagah!"

"Chali jaaungi, aur WAAPAS NAHI AAUNGI!"

"Toh JAA NA!" Shiva yelled back, slamming the door to the room shut, leaving Raavi in the living room.

Gadheda, sanki bhoothnath. Her eyes welled up with tears, as she sat down on the sofa. Jhagda hi kar bas tu mere saath.

Chipkali kahinki, itni si baat pe divorce beech mein laati hai. Shiva rubbed his face with his palms. Uske bina kaise rahunga, ye toh sochti hi nahi hai. Jo zubaan pe aaye, bak deti hai, gadhedi.

A few minutes later, the door clicked open and Janhavi returned home after her evening play-time, when she noticed Raavi sitting by the window, staring outside.

"Mumma!" She skipped towards Raavi, who immediately wiped her tears, and turned towards Janhavi with a small smile.

"Yes, Janu. Ho gaya khelke? Anu se jhagda toh nahi kiya na waapas-"

"Aap sad ho?" Janhavi asked, pointing towards her eyes. "Aapke eyes mein water hai. Aap sad kyu ho?"

"I'm not sad!" Raavi rubbed her eyes with her palms, "Woh meri eyes mein kuch chala gaya tha na."

"Don't be sad, Mumma." Her little girl hugged her, and Raavi froze for 2 seconds, before hugging her back. Her Janu gave quite comforting hugs.

"Then tell Papa not to fight with me." Raavi complained unknowingly, and Janhavi looked at her before dashing towards her parents' room.

"Papa?" She knocked, and Shiva looked up from his palms, his face giving away his sadness.

"Yes baby?"

"Are you also sad?" She asked, walking towards Shiva, and he sighed.

"No. I'm okay."

"Do you need a hug? Just one gentle hug?" Janhavi offered, raising her arms for a hug, and Shiva held her tiny body, letting her give him the most comforting cuddles.

"Don't cry, Papa. It's okay." She patted his back, and he caressed her hair, giving her a small smile.

"Thank you, my love. Papa feels better now."

"Mumma is also sad, come give mumma one huggie!" She said, and before he could refuse, she had held his hand and brought him to the living room where Raavi was sitting, making him stand in front of her.

The moment she saw Shiva, she stood up to leave, when Shiva's arms reached out to stop her.

"Kaha jaa rahi hai?" He asked softly, unlike his tone and temper before.

"Jahanoom. Oh sorry," Raavi replied curtly, "Mausapa ke paas jaa rahi hu. Jahanoom se kam thodi hai."

She moved to leave again, this time, his hands held her tightly and pulled him back towards her.

"Don't do this, chipkali. Please."

"Why?" Her lips trembled, her tears resurfacing. "Itna chillaya na mujhpe? Mujhe accha nahi laga. Ab jaa rahi hoon. Aur waapas nahi aaungi."

"Tune bhi toh kaha tha na divorce ke baare mein? Mujhe bhi accha nahi laga." Shiva whispered, cupping her face gently.

"Sorry.." Raavi up looked at him with teary eyes, before bursting into sobs.

Shiva sighed, wiping her tears, pulling her in for a tight hug and kissing her head. "Kyu bolti hai aise cheezein, sweetheart?"

"Tune bhi kaha ki maine jeena haram kar diya hai tera." She sniffled, wiping her nose on his shirt.

"Mujhe maaf kar de?"

"No."

"No?"

"Ice-cream khila, phir sochungi."

Shiva looked at Raavi, to see if she was being serious, and the annoyed pout across her face indicated that she was, in fact, quite serious.

"Okay, my chipkali." He whispered, kissing her pout, "Okay."

"Chee Papa! Again lip kissy!" Janhavi exclaimed, closing her eyes.

Shiva chuckled, scooping Janhavi up in his arms, "Aye meri choti masterni, sabko happy-happy kar diya."

"Mai toh pari hoon, Papa. Soan Pari!"

"Not Soan Pari, Janu. Soan Papdi."

"Same thing." She raised her collar, before Shiva grabbed his car keys, taking his favourite girls out for ice cream.

One, because she deserved it for being a darling. And the other, because his other darling demanded it and he couldn't say no.

....

Raavi tied Janhavi's hair into pigtails putting her lunchbox into her bag and tying her shoelaces.

"Excited?!"

Janhavi nodded glumly, picking up her bag. It was her first of day of school, after 2 years of being home-schooled at the aashram. She was very excited to go to school for the first time. Her 'Raavi Mumma' had told her how exciting it will be to meet new friends and teachers, and how she had to be a good girl and study well.

But her Papa wasn't there for her first day, because he had to leave early for some important meeting. And she was very upset with him for that.

"Why so pouty?" Raavi pinched her cheeks together, grabbing her handbag and the car keys.

"Papa is not coming. Mai gussa hoon unse." Janhavi folded her arms and looked away.

"Janu," She sat down at her level, "Papa said he's sorry, na? He had something important at office."

"No! He pinky-promised me!" Janhavi showed her pinky finger for effect.

"How about we tell Papa that it's not nice to break a promise, but AFTER school?" Raavi offered, and Janhavi nodded slowly, walking to the car.

In 20 minutes, they reached her new school: Rainbow International in the more urban half of Somnath.

Janhavi got down, as Raavi grabbed her bag and walked her to the gate of school, where all kids were crying and making a fuss.

"Janu, be a good honest girl, eat everything in your dabba, and be nice to your teacher and friends, okay?" Raavi rested her palm on her cheek, fixing her pigtails. "Mumma aapka yahi wait karegi, theek hai?"

My baby is growing up so fast.

"Okay, Mumma." Janhavi smiled brilliantly, before it visibly dimmed. "But Papa said he'll come."

Raavi sighed, mentally cursing Shiva for making Janhavi sad on her first day of school. He knew exactly how attached she was to him, and yet he couldn't postpone one stupid meeting for 45 minutes for one day!

"Janu, my darling-" Raavi began to console her, but peeked behind her daughter and held back her smile. "Look behind."

Janhavi frowned and looked behind her, her frown turning into the brightest smile, as she registered the person walking towards her.

Shiva paced himself across the lawn of the school, bag in one hand, roses and chocolates in another, clad in his formal suit, making all the mothers turn around for second looks.

"Hi, my love." Shiva sat down on his knees, and let out a rushed breath, steadying his breathing.

"Papa, aap aa gaye!" Janhavi clapped, putting her tiny chubby arms around his neck.

"Of course! Meri soan papdi ka pehle din hai! Papa ne pinky-promise kiya tha na!" He entangled his pinky finger in hers, her smile knowing no bounds.

"You are the BESTEST PAPA!" His baby girl cheered, drawing attention of nearby people, her attention drawn towards the items in his hand. "What is this?"

Shiva looked at his hand, before taking out one of the roses from the bouquet and smaller chocolate, "This is for my soan papdi, because she's going to school like a brave girl!"

He handed over the single rose and her favourite chocolate to her, and Janhavi hugged them to her chest.

"Thank you!"

"Now enjoy in school, okay?" Shiva caressed her head, as her teacher began to ask the children to form a line, eventually entering the gates with a bright smile and happy waves.

"Tujhe office jaana hoga na?" She asked, and Shiva nodded.

"Tch." He replied, confusing Raavi. "Aaj ke saare meetings cancel kar diye."

Raavi stared at him in surprise, as he continued, "Meri beti ka pehla din tha, I promised her I'll be here when her school is over. So all meetings cancelled!"

"Cancel karne diya tujhe?"

"I run a very successful start-up, I think I'm the only one who's allowed to cancel meetings, sweetheart." Shiva teased, as Raavi rolled her eyes and looked towards the gate.

"My baby is going to school now." Raavi chuckled tearfully, and Shiva pulled her into a hug.

"Janu ne ek aansu nahi bahaya, toh uske hisse ke aansu bhi tu hi bahaayegi? Rotudu chipkali!"

"Aye gunda boy, that's our baby. I'm allowed to cry." Raavi punched his arm, which barely fazed Shiva, her eyes drifting towards the remaining roses and chocolates.

"Ye baaki roses kiske liye hai?"

"Woh pados waali Mrs. Sharma ki beti? Bas unke liye laaya hoon." Shiva teased, knowing how much Raavi hated that woman.

"Accha! Ab tujhe mein hot toh lagti nahi hoon, toh dusro ki hot betiyon ke liye phool layega tu, gandha bhoothnath." She muttered angrily, suddenly feeling his lips on her cheek.

"Of course, tere liye laaya hoon. Gussa naak pe hota hai meri chipkali ke!" Shiva handed over the bouquet and chocolates within it, as Raavi hid her smile.

"Tu aaj kal kuch zyaada sweet nahi banna raha hai?"

"Mazaakiya banne ki koshish ki thi, par koi toh bohot bura maan gaya. Kaun ho sakta hai bhala?" Shiva pondered dramatically, as he got another punch from Raavi.

"Violence!"

"Shut up. Dramebaaz."

.....

Raavi straightened her kurta and checked the time, rushing to the front door hearing the honk of the bus. 

It had been a month since Janhavi had joined school, and while Shiva had already been going to work, Raavi had resumed her job just a few days after that. Since the timings didn't match, Raavi decided on dropping Janhavi to school on her way to work, and applied for the school bus to drop her home. Shiva and her switched the task of packing her lunch box and feeding her breakfast before leaving. 

The school had a policy of dropping off children to only their guardian, so Raavi rushed to the gate as she heard the bus approaching. 

But when she reached the gate, Janhavi wasn't there. 

"Kaki," Raavi peeked into the bus, "Janhavi so gayi kya? Dikh nahi rahi." 

"Madam, woh bus mein nahi chadhi." 

Raavi felt like the ground had been swept from under her feet, her heart dropping to the floor. 

"Nahi chadhi?!" She yelled, as passersby looked her way, "KYA MATLAB nahi chadhi! Aapki zimmedari hoti hai bacche ko safely ghar pohochana. Aise kaise nahi chadhi bus mein, maine KHUD usse school drop kiya hai aaj subah!" 

"Madam, woh nahi aayi thi. Hum sab bacchon ko bus mein chadha rahe the, par woh nahi thi." 

"Toh aapko confirm karna chahiyhe tha uske teacher se k woh school aayi thi ya nhi. Ya PHONE KARNA CHAHIYE THA! Ye KYA BAAT HUI?! 4 saal ki bacchi hai woh!" Raavi panicked, running inside to grab the house keys and hailed a taxi, rushing towards school. 

Pakka susu jaane ke liye chali gayi hogi, bina maushi ko bataye, aur school mein choot gayi hogi. Koi baat nahi, I'll bring her home safely.

She settled herself a bit, knowing that the panic might lead her to completely lose her mind and she couldn’t afford that right now.

Raavi sped up, barging through the gates even though the watchman walked behind her, telling her that all the kids had left for the day. 

"Janhavi!" She called, running through the classrooms, the washrooms locked for the day. 

"Janu, mumma aa gayi hai, darling!" She called a little louder, but there was no response. 

"Madam, sab bacche ghar gaye hai." The watchman said, reaching up to her. 

"Par meri beti ghar nahi aayi hai, bhai sahab!" Raavi panicked, her eyes growing moist. 

The watchman softened a bit, as Raavi showed him a picture of Janhavi. "Aapne isse dekha hai?" 

"Nahi madam ji." He shook his head, and Raavi was almost in tears. "Hum sirf tabhi gate bandh karte hai jab hume pakka pata ho koi baccha reh nahi gaya. Aap yakeen kijiye, yaha koi baccha nahi hai." 

Raavi pressed her palm to her forehead, lines creasing over as she left through the gates, reaching for her phone. This was her worst nightmare coming to life and she’d never felt helplessness as today. But she powered through, knowing that she had to find her baby, her Janhavi. She unlocked her phone and got to work.

"Hello, Shashank?" She asked, the creases of worry on her forehead deepening. 

"Bol." 

"Janu tere saath ghar aayi kya? Tu Vinu ko pick up karne aaya hoga, toh woh chali toh nahi aayi tere saath?" Raavi asked, referring to Rohan's nephew that they had fostered. 

"Nahi, Raavi. Aaj Vinu ko half day tha, vaccinations the uske. Toh woh recess ke baad ghar aa gaya tha." Shashank said, and Raavi whimpered. "Kyu, kya hua?" 

"Kuch nahi, rakhti hoon." She disconnected the call, looking here and there.

Kaha chali gayi hai ye ladki. 2 baje aana chahiye tha usse. Abhi 3 baj gaye. Pata nahi kaha hogi, kaise hogi. Raavi thought, picking on the skin around her fingernails. 

"Shiva...." She whispered, immediately dialing his number.

.....

"What's up, darling?" Shiva answered the call, slipping the phone between his ear and shoulder. 

"Shiva, Janu ghar nahi aayi hai." Raavi said over the phone, the panic in her voice evident. 

He stood up immediately, holding the phone properly, "Kya matlab ghar nahi aayi hai?" 

"Woh bus mein thi hi nahi, Shiva. School mein bhi nahi hai. Pata nahi kaha dhundhu usse, kuch samajh nahi aa raha-" Raavi choked on her own voice, and Shiva felt his heart tug. 

His daughter was missing. 

"Tu tension mat le, mai aa raha hoon!" He announced, packing his bag and leaving immediately. 

Zooming past the vehicles and traffic, every minute felt like eternity. He had to reach as soon as he could, Lord knew where he was going to search for his baby, but he had to start somewhere 

Hastily parking his car by the side of the school gate, he ran towards Raavi who was going around the area screaming their daughter’s name.

"Shiva!" Raavi grabbed his arms in fear, "Janu nahi hai school mein. Pata nahi-" 

"Shaant ho jaa, Raavi." Shiva rubbed her arms in consolidation, looking here and there. "Hum ek kaam karte hai, woh school group pe uske class waalo ka number hai na? Hum unko phone karke puch lete hai. Shaayad unke ghar chali gayi hogi?" 

Raavi nodded, and they both dialed the numbers on their phones over and over. But, with every phone call, their heart sank further, because she wasn't there. 

"Gaadi mein baith. Kitna hi door gayi hogi! Dhundh lenge usko. Chal." Shiva quickly sat in the driver's seat, snapping their belts on and driving around the area, expanding the search parameter that Raavi had already looked around. 

Shiva and Raavi showed passers-by her picture, enquiring about her whereabouts, but it didn't seem like anyone had noticed a small 4-year old in a school uniform roaming all alone in this city. 

Shiva sighed, his worry and tension building up into panic, as Raavi turned towards him. 

"Shiva," Her eyes welled up with tears, and he cupped her face, "Agar mai usse roz school se pick up karne aati, toh aaj woh aise chali nahi gayi hoti na?" 

"Pagal hai kya, Raavi?" Shiva scolded her, wiping her tears, "Teri koi galti nahi hai!"

Shiva quickly dialed his friend's number, who was the sub-division officer of the district, enquiring about an FIR, which brought up Raavi's hopes a little. 

"We can't file an FIR before 24 hours, Shiva. But if you want, I can send an order to dispatch a team to search."

"That would be great, Arun. Thank you." Shiva sighed, and turned towards Raavi, who had heard the entire conversation, and it brought her hopes crashing down instead. 

"Pata nahi kaha chali gayi hai, Shiva. Andhera hone waala hai. Mujhe bohot darr lag raha hai." She cried, finally letting her tears trickle down her face. 

Shiva wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close, not wanting to worry her with the fact that he was scared, too. Scared, because he didn't have a clue where Janhavi could have gone. He was worried and anxious to know where she was, if she was okay. 

"Kuch nahi hoga, Raavi. Hum dhundh lenge."

Raavi looked up from his embrace, her eyes glistening with fresh tears, her voice dropping to a mere whisper, "Usse kuch ho gaya toh?" 

"KUCH NAHI hoga usse! Tu KYU aise ulti seedhi baatein bol rahi hai!" Shiva scolded her, tensed at the mere thought of it, which only made Raavi sob harder. 

He kissed the top of her head, asking her to take deep breaths and rubbed her back, trying to calm himself down as well, "Dhundh lenge, chipkali. Humari choti chipkali ko kuch nahi hua hoga." 

Raavi wiped her tears against his shirt, and let the warmth of his arms calmed her down, not leaving the comfort it usually gave her in this trying time. 

A few minutes later, Raavi's phone rang, and she answered it slowly, her mind hazy and not processing anything yet. 

"Hello?" 

"Is this Raavi Pandya?" 

"Speaking. Who's this?" 

"Mamta Sharma. I found this number on your daughter's ID card-" 

Raavi's heart stopped, before racing faster than her thoughts as she proceeded to hear the person on the line. 

"Yes.....Alright.....Yes, we'll be there!" 

Shiva looked at her, not wanting his worst fears to come true. "Kya hua? Mili Janhavi?!" 

"Mil gayi!" Raavi sobbed, tears of happiness streaming down her face. "Ek aurat ne phone kiya tha. Palm Beach pe hai."

Shiva and Raavi sped towards the beach and on reaching  ran across the sandy shore, calling out for Janhavi. 

"Janu!" 

"Janhavi, darling!" 

They ran between the dispersing crowds, looking everywhere, until they spotted her printed skirt uniform with an unknown lady. 

"Janhavi!" Raavi called out frantically, rushing towards her, her heart picking its broken pieces again. Shiva almost cried in relief, following Raavi and kneeling on the sand next to Janhavi. 

Janhavi looked pale and tired, and Shiva knew she hadn't eaten anything. She'd been missing after lunch, his baby was definitely hungry and scared. 

"Janu, my baby!" Raavi cried, holding Janhavi by her arms. "Kaha chale gaye the aap? Mumma papa kitne darr gaye the, pata hai?" 

She sobbed, touching her face, head and arms to make sure she wasn't hurt, hugging her closely to her chest and kissing her multiple times to make sure she really was here. "Aise bina bole koi jaata hai, haa?" 

"Mumma," Janhavi's feeble voice echoed in Raavi's ears, and she wiped her tears before cupping Janu's face, "Mujhe ghar jaana hai." 

"Ghar jaayenge na, baby. Jaayenge." Raavi caressed her hair, and Shiva tugged Janhavi towards himself. 

"Janu, aisa kyu kiya aapne? Papa Mumma kabse dhundh rahe the aapko. Kuch ho jaata toh?" He said, his voice getting stuck in his throat, pulling her in for a hug, her tiny arms going around his neck, not a word escaping her mouth. "Meri choti chipkali aisa waapas nahi karegi na?" 

Janhavi just nodded, as Raavi grabbed a bottle of water from a nearby shop and made Janhavi sip it, washing her face lightly before moving towards the lady who stood by the side. 

Only then did Raavi notice the 2 children that were with the lady, who had to be Mamta, who had called her. 

Janhavi had remembered her rule. 

"Thank you so much." Raavi choked, shaking the lady's hand. "Aap nahi jaante, aapne humari jaan-" 

"Koi baat nahi." Mamta smiled, caressing her children's head, "Mere baccho ne isse side mein akele sote hue dekha, toh maine iske mumma ka naam pucha aur ID card se aapka number leke phone kar diya. Itni choti bacchi aise akele ghumegi toh nahi."

"Thank you so much. Thank you!" Raavi thanked her profusely, and the lady just hugged Raavi, before leaving with her children. 

"Let's go home, baby." Raavi said, as Shiva dusted Janhavi's clothes. "Papa ko bag dedo." 

Janhavi handed over her bag to Shiva and raised her arms limply to be carried by Raavi, as they made their way towards the car. 

"Janhavi, baby," Raavi caressed her head and spoke gently, once they were seated and on the way home. "Why did you leave school all alone like this?" 

Janhavi simply wrapped her arms tighter around Raavi's neck, and she sighed. "Mumma won't shout at you, baby. God promise." 

But Janhavi didn't reply, and Raavi looked at Shiva with a worried expression, a look that he mimicked as well, as Raavi silently asked him to talk to her later. 

Soon, they reached home, and once Raavi had freshened up Janhavi, changing her into her favorite unicorn pajamas for the night and setting up dinner, she signaled Shiva to talk to Janhavi. 

"Janu, my love," Shiva beckoned for her, and she walked towards him, leaning against his knees. "Aapne kaha tha ki Papa is your best friend, hai na?" 

His baby girl nodded, and he gently made her sit on his lap, her arms immediately going around his shoulders. "Toh Papa ko bataao na, aap aise kyu chale gaye? Papa aapko bilkul nahi daatenge. But, please bataao na, baby." 

Janhavi just shook her head, hugging him tighter and burying her head in his neck, sniffling, but did not respond to his question. 

Shiva sighed and rubbed her back, kissing her head. "Papa ko nahi batana? It's okay. Koi baat nahi. Dinner kar le? I'll feed khaana aaj?" 

Janhavi nodded, and Shiva carried her to the table, feeding her dinner. His baby girl, who always chattered about her day at the dining table, had gone weirdly silent, refusing to speak a word or answer their questions. 

"Mujhe bohot darr lag raha hai, Shiva." Raavi whispered from across the table, and Shiva motioned for her to keep quiet, telling her that they'll talk about this later. 

When Raavi and Shiva had retired to their room after putting Janhavi to sleep, they were in utter confusion and shock. Janhavi never behaved like this; this quiet, this closed-off. Something must have happened to make her shut down like this. 

"Shiva," Raavi whispered, the fear in her voice evident, "Woh itni chup kabhi nahi rehti. Mujhe darr lag raha hai. Uske saath kuch galat toh nahi-" 

"Shhh. Chup!" Shiva refused to hear a word of the phrase she was about to utter. "Khabardar jo aise manhoos baatein waapas ki toh! Main ye bakwaas nahi sununga, Raavi!" 

"Kya hua hai usko Shiva par?" Her voice wobbled, and he pulled Raavi in for a hug, he could feel the tension and worry in the lack of warmth and stiffness of their bodies. 

"Mai jaanta hoon tu pareshaan hai, darr rahi hai. Tu maa hai uski, kyu nahi daregi?" Shiva rubbed her arms in consolidation, "Par abhi kuch nahi keh sakte. Hum kal pata karte hai, chipkali. Aaj bohot kuch hua hai." He replied, and Raavi nodded against his chest, their conversation interrupted by a knock on their door. 

Janhavi stood at the door, her bunny soft toy in one hand, rubbing her eyes with the other. 

"Neend nahi aa rahi, Janu?" Shiva asked, and she nodded. "Aajao, yaha so jaao." He patted at the space between him and Raavi. 

Instead of settling in the space, Janhavi climbed directly onto Shiva's lap, resting her entire body against his chest, her tiny arms going around his neck and her head nestled at his shoulder. 

Shiva exchanged a look with Raavi, before wrapping his arms around her, waiting for her to talk, her tiny voice quipping a few minutes later. 

"Papa, you don't love me?" 

Shiva looked down at Janhavi, who was looking up at him with her teary, innocent doe-eyes. 

"Of course I love you, baby." He caressed her hair and kissed her forehead. 

"Toh aap mujhe school se pick karne kyu nahi aate?" Janhavi innocently asked, in a tiny voice. 

Shiva sighed, "Papa ka office hota hai na, Janu? Jab tak Papa reach karenge, aap ghar bhi aa jaaoge." 

Janhavi's eyes welled up with tears, and Shiva felt like someone was twisting a knife into his heart. 

"Sabke Papa aate hai. Bas mere Papa nahi aate hai." She complained, and Shiva felt guilt seep in. 

"Aaj na," Janhavi hiccuped, her tears streaming down her cheeks, unable to hold to her thoughts now that the barrage was open,  "Vinu ne class mein sabko bataya hum dono adopted hai."

Shiva and Raavi’s hearts stopped. Among all the things that they thought must have been wrong for her to act like this, it was clear neither had thought this would be a topic they would be visiting today.

Shiva wiped her tears gently and she continued tearfully, "Sabne mera mazaak udaya, Papa. Unhone-," She cried, "Unhone kaha ki mai adopted hu, main aapki real baby nhi hoon, isliye mere Papa mujhse pyaar nahi karte aur school se pick karne nahi aate." 

Janhavi cried and cried against him, his shirt stained with her tears, and in that moment, Shiva wanted to find the kids that were mean enough to make her cry and run away from home, and teach them all a lesson. 

"Papa," She continued, tears streaming down her cheeks, "Aap mere real Mumma Papa kyu nahi ho sakte?" 

"I don't want to be adopted, Papa." Janhavi sobbed, her face turning red, "Please, Papa?"

Oh, my baby. 

Shiva held back the tears that were brimming his eyes, pulling Janhavi closer to him, hugging her as close as possible, kissing her head as she cried and cried against him, pleading for them to be her 'real mumma' and 'papa'.

Raavi rubbed her back, trying to sooth her down, her brain going into an overdrive just thinking about the amount of hurt she must have felt to run away like this.

She simply couldn't understand why she had to be adopted, and why everyone made fun of her for it, and this hurt them because there was nothing they could do about it. Shiva looked over at Raavi, who was in more tears than she had ever been. 

He put an arm around her and pulled her closer, whispering in her ear that they had to be strong for Janhavi, but Raavi had started to cry even harder. Shiva held both his girls closer, Raavi's arm went around Janhavi and she kissed her head. 

"Mera baccha." Raavi whispered, peppering Janhavi with kisses and hugs, wanting to take all her pain away. 

Shiva pecked their foreheads and faced Janhavi towards him fully, wiping her tears, and asked, "Janu, aap Papa ko sacchi sacchi answer karoge?" 

Janhavi nodded, and Shiva continued, "Aapko Mumma aur Papa nahi pasand?" 

She shook her head. 

"Mumma aur Papa ne aapko hurt kiya? Humse mistake hui?" 

She nodded her head slowly, getting teary once again. 

"Papa aapko school se pick nahi karte, uske alawa?" 

She shook her head again. 

"Humne kabhi bhi aapko aisa feel karaya ki aap humari real Janu nahi ho?" 

Janhavi shook her head yet again, and Shiva sighed. "Then what's the matter, sweetheart?" 

"I don't know." Janhavi burst into tears again, and Shiva calmed her down. 

"Okay, wipe your eyes. I want you to listen to what I'm saying. Sunoge,” he asked gently, and she followed, sitting straighter in his lap. 

"Janu, Somnath ji is so busy and although he is God, sometimes he makes mistakes like everyone else, like mummy papa too" Shiva said, and Janhavi blinked, drinking in every word he said. 

"Kabhi kabhi, Somnath ji makes a mistake, and mixes up babies, so he sends the babies to another Mumma Papa."

"So," Shiva wiped her tears tenderly, "to fix Somnath ji's mistake, the Mumma Papa go and adopt their baby, and bring their baby home!"

"Aap toh Papa ka sabse pyaara baby ho, hai na? Janu, meri jaan," Shiva began, and Raavi chuckled through her tears at the Bollywood song reference, and he glared at her for laughing at a serious moment. 

"Janu, aap Papa ki jaan ho. Papa loves you so much." He explained, and Janhavi pondered at his words, keeping her palms on his shoulder. 

"Toh kya hua agar aap adopted ho? It's not a bad thing. Papa and Mumma wanted you, we chose to bring you home, baby. Hum bohot lucky aap humari baby ho. Hai na, Mumma?" Shiva looked at Raavi, and she nodded immediately, much to Janhavi's content. 

Janhavi considered Shiva's words, before resting her head against his shoulders once again. 

"I love you, Papa." 

"I love you too, meri soan papdi." 

"I love you, Mumma." Janhavi turned to look at her and placed her palm on Raavi's cheek. 

"I love you too, mera baccha." She kissed her baby's palms. 

Realization set in, that Janhavi had run away from home because she was made to believe that they didn't love her as she was not their real baby. She tried to go away from them because she was made to feel like they didn't want her. 

And Shiva was never going to forgive the people that made her feel this way. Ever. 

"Accha," Shiva held Janhavi by her waist and brushed away the wisps of her hair, "Aapki complaint ye hai, ki Papa aapko pick nahi karte, hai na?" 

Janhavi pouted, nodding in agreement. 

"Papa pick toh nahi kar sakte, but Papa apni soan papdi ko roz school drop karenge. Is that okay?" 

Her eyes lit up in happiness, and she hugged Shiva with the brightest smile on her face, which warmed Shiva's heart. 

"But you need to promise Mumma and Papa one thing," He asked, and Janhavi looked at him curiously. 

"Don't ever go away alone like this without Mumma and Papa. Aapko pata hai Mumma kitna darr gayi thi?" Shiva pointed at Raavi, and Janhavi pouted. 

"Sorry Mumma. I made you sad." Janhavi stretched her arms out for a hug, and Raavi picked her up and settled her in own lap, giving her the warmest hug. 

"It's okay, my baby. It's okay." Raavi whispered, "But you still have to promise Papa." 

Janhavi turned towards Shiva and extended her little finger, "Promise. I'm sorry, Papa." 

Shiva entangled his little finger with hers, and kissed her hands, before getting up, "Abhi Papa aapke liye choco milk laayenge, Janu jaldi se peeke so jaayegi, okay?" 

"I don't waaannnttttt!" Janhavi whined, and Shiva clicked his tongue. 

"Warm dhoodhu peene se, neend acchi aati hai. Peena padega." He explained and walked off towards the kitchen, and Janhavi settled in Raavi's arms. 

"Mumma, mujhe dhoodhu nahi chahiye." 

"Papa ne keh diya na," Raavi sifted her fingers through her baby's curly locks, "Toh peena padega. Galat nahi keh rahe hai Papa. It will also make you strong!"

Janhavi pouted, and Raavi let the silence go on for sometime, before tipping Janhavi's chin. 

"Janu, you know, I don't have real Mumma Papa either." 

Janhavi looked up curiously at Raavi, surprised at the revelation. "Really?" 

"Really." She replied, caressing her cheekbone with the pad of her thumb. 

"Then Nani and Nanu-pa?" 

"You know, how Mahi Maasi is your Maasi?" Raavi explained, and her daughter nodded. "Same way, Nani-ma is my Maasi." 

"Then where is real Nani and Nanu?" 

"They're with God now." Raavi pointed towards the sky. 

"Oh." 

Janhavi considered the thought, before hugging Raavi. "It's okay, Mumma. Don't be sad, okay?" 

Raavi smiled and kissed her daughter's head, answering her endless questions about her 'real' Nani-ma and Nanu-pa, soon drifting off into a comfortable slumber of warm snuggles and kisses, just as Shiva entered with a glass. 

"Ye toh so gayi! Ab ye doodh kaun peeyega?!" Shiva exclaimed, and Raavi shushed him. 

"Khud peele! Itne chain se so rahi hai meri bacchi, chup baith, daanavo ke Sonu Nigam." Raavi exclaimed in a hushed voice and he made faces at her, before keeping the glass back in the fridge and settling in for the night. 

One thing was certain; the school authorities were going to get their behinds handed to them, left right and center. And Raavi Pandya and Shiva Pandya would make sure of it. 

Shiva had once promised himself to never let Raavi feel like she was all alone in this world. Today, after many years, he made that promise again. 

This time, for Janhavi. 
.....

The aangan of Pandya Nivaas had been decorated in colourful balloons and party strings, cardboard cutouts of Sofia the Princess all around the open space, the music system securely put off to the side, playing filler beats for the party.

A big banner that read 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANHAVI' hung on the wall, the number 5 standing out against it all. The room look fit for a baby girl who would be turning 5 today, in the middle of October.

Raavi had just cleaned up the living room, checking on the decorations and arrangements for the fifth time, expecting their friends to arrive any second, when Shiva walked in.

"Janu kaha hai?"

"Usko Mahi Maasi ke car mein aana tha." Shiva sank into the sofa, tired from his day out.

"Did she meet Julie's puppies?" Raavi smiled, resting her head against his chest.

"Oh, she loved them. Poor Julie was so freaked out about Janu handling the babies," Shiva chuckled, running his fingers through her hair. "Par maine Julie ko shaant kar liya, bechari. Abhi abhi toh puppies hue hai uski. Janu ko rokna pada, she was stressing out Julie. Kuch zyaada hi excite ho gayi. She kept saying, 'Papa, I want one baby puppy.' "

Raavi nodded, pondering in silence within his arms for a few minutes, looking up at Shiva, "What about our 2.5 babies, Shiva?"

Shiva looked down at Raavi, quirking his eyebrows. "What about them?"

"If she wants a puppy, we'll get her one." She looked up at him, and he sighed.

"Not everything has to be for Janu, you're allowed to do things for yourself, sweetheart." Shiva explained, brushing her hair away from her forehead, "Janu choti hai. Woh dhyaan nahi rakhegi puppy ka. Usse nahi aata. That puppy will be a baby, too. Jab tak hum Janu aur puppy, dono ko saath mein na sambhal sake, tab tak nahi laayenge usse ghar pe."

"But, I want my puppy." Raavi pouted, and Shiva kissed her lips.

"Le. Tera pappi."

Shiva gave her a lopsided smile, and she punched his arm with a smile playing on her own lips, which barely fazed him.

"Ye wala pappi tu mujhe humesha deta hai. Mujhe P-U-P-P-Y wala puppy chahiye."

"Maine mana kiya kya?" He asked, and Raavi nodded. "Toh phir?"

"Aur mere dusre baby ka kya?" Raavi challenged, raising her chin.

"Abhi banau kya tera baby?" Shiva wriggled his eyebrows, which made Raavi laugh. "Dekh, tu challenge mat kar. I'll hoist you over my shoulders and take you against the wall."

Shiva dropped his voice to a low whisper, which gave Raavi the tingles across her body.

"But we have a birthday party to host. And we can't have the hosts scarring their child now, can we?" Shiva placed a soft kiss against her neck, and Raavi sighed.

"Shiva-"

"I know." He kissed her nose, hearing the sounds of the vehicles outside the house, and disentangling himself from Raavi. "I've booked us a week off for Shimla. Just you, and me. I'll be all yours." Shiva patted her cheek, and Raavi smiled.

"But-"

"Janhavi won't mind staying at her favourite Maasi's house."

"Uska school-"

"Mahi aur Gaurav bhej denge usse."

"Par Maa-"

"Dev Rishita ke saath rukengi."

"Aur-"

"Tujhe nahi jaana kya! Sau sawaal hai tere!" Shiva got up, irritated at her million questions, walking away and fixing the decorations that needed no fixing whatsoever. "Mushkil se ek hafta mila hai akele. Nahi jaana toh bol de pehle hi! Mera dimaag mat khaa baadme."

"Sorry." Raavi wrapped her arms around his torso and resting her cheek against his back, "Mera woh matlab nahi tha. Of course, I want to go! Par baaki sab bhi dekhna padega na mujhe?"

"Kya maine nahi socha hoga uske baare mein, Raavi?" Shiva asked, a frown settling on his face.

Raavi moved towards him and wriggled herself between the wall and Shiva, kissing his chin. "Accha, sorry."

"Sorry."

"Sorry."

"Sorry."

Raavi pressed kissed all over his face, and Shiva grumbled, the frown on his face disappearing as he tried to maintain his facade of a sakht launda.

"Theek hai. Maaf kiya. Ab ye lipstick hata mere muh se." Shiva pointed at his face, and Raavi stuck her tongue out at him.

"No way."

Shiva grabbed her waist, and rubbed the lipstick marks on his face, all over her cheeks, making them giggle.

"Bacchi ka birthday hai. Sharam kar lo!"

Raavi pushed Shiva off, clearly expecting their friends but still taken aback, as Shashank tried to hide Janhavi behind him from the view in front.

"Mumma always does kissy-kissy  to Papa when I'm not there." Janhavi said from behind Shashank, and everyone laughed, the sounds of yipping of a tiny animal echoing between them.

"What was that?" Raavi asked, widening her eyes, and Janhavi emerged from behind, holding something in her arms.

Shiva and Raavi watched closely, as a tiny golden retriever puppy peeked its head above from Janhavi's arms, before snuggling back into the warmth she provided.

"Papa, Mumma. See! It's a baby!" Janhavi proudly showed her new puppy to Raavi, who was giving angry looks at Shiva for an explanation.

"Maine nahi laake diya hai!" Shiva exclaimed, looking at his friends. "Wait, isn't this Julie's puppy?"

"Yes! Mahi Maasi said I can take him home. It's a boy, Papa!" Janhavi held the puppy and stretched her arms forward, handing the puppy over to Shiva.

"No." Shiva shook his head, which immediately wiped the smile off of Janhavi's face. "Give the puppy back to Mahi, Janhavi. That is Julie's baby. You can't just TAKE the puppy like this."

"Shiva, rula mat usse. Aaj uska birthday hai." Raavi tried to stop him before he made his daughter cry on her birthday.

"Toh? Tere jaan pe aayi na, jab Janu ghum ho gayi thi? Julie ko nahi lagega aise?" He argued, and Raavi had no counter argument to that.

"Please, Papa. He's so cute." Janhavi squeaked, the disappointment in her voice reflecting in her teary eyes, hugging the puppy close to herself to elaborate how cute the puppy was.

"Janhavi. No means no. I don't want any arguments." Shiva steeled himself against his daughter's tears, knowing fully well he will give in to anything to stop her tears.

Janhavi looked at Raavi, and she knew her daughter was ready to burst into tears any second. She looked over at Mahi, and she signalled Raavi to take care of Janhavi.

"Shiva," Mahi grabbed his arm and pulled him to the side. "Maine hi kaha tha Janu se."

"Par Mahi-"

"The puppy is not doing well." Mahi explained, and Shiva looked back at the little tot, who sitting in Janhavi's lap, wagging his tiny tail. "Julie had 9 puppies, and he has not been keeping well from the start. Animals tend to.....sideline the baby that won't make it. Kaise taise I took care of him for 8 weeks, but without his mother's love, he'll fall sick again."

"Janu felt very sad when she saw him sitting all alone away from his mumma, so she went and pet him. He's looking so much better than I've ever seen him. So I told Janu she could have him. If something happens to him, at least he'll go a happy pup."

Mahi explained, and Shiva sighed, looking back at his daughter, who was now lulling the pup back to sleep, just like she would with her doll babies.

Shiva nodded at Mahi, and sat down next to Janhavi, who looked up at Shiva. "Please can we keep him, Papa? He's so small baby. I'm also small baby. 2-2 small babies-"

He looked at his baby girl, and he never wanted to dim the shimmer in her eyes, the sparkle of happiness that she always carried. And the puppy was quite adorable, he could not deny.

"Okay. We can keep him." Shiva smiled and Janhavi yelled in happiness, startling the puppy who started to whimper.

"Hey champ!" Shiva cooed gently, taking the baby from Janhavi's arms, "It's alright. You're okay. You are home now."

The puppy sniffed Shiva, raising his chin to lick Shiva several times, before snuggling himself in the crook of his arm and falling asleep.

"He went to sleep." Janhavi whispered to Raavi, who was sitting right in front of them.

"Papa, aapne toh kaha tha jab ready honge, tab aayega puppy?" Raavi teased him, and he sighed.

"Janhavi itna zidd kar rahi thi-"

"Not everything has to be about Janhavi, you're allowed to-" Raavi imitated his dialogue from a few moments ago, and he shushed her, showing her the sleeping puppy.

"Brand new Mumma to a cute, brand new baby?" Shiva asked, and Raavi bent down slightly to kiss the puppy's head.

"I don't mind, brand new Papa." Raavi smiled, as Shiva put the puppy to sleep in a small basket, gathering everyone for the birthday celebrations and cake cutting, followed by an afternoon of happy celebrations.

Later that evening, Shiva took Janhavi and Raavi out for shopping, because he was yet to buy Janhavi her birthday gift, along with a hundred different essentials for their new baby.

The trio roamed the mall for something Janhavi might like, but she didn't want anymore dresses or shoes, so they proceeded towards the toy store, as usual.

But this time, Raavi didn't reprimand Shiva for it, owing to the neighbour's dog dashing into their house and ruining all her toys, which had made Janhavi cry 2 days before her birthday. All those toys were gifts from her Raavi Mumma and Shiva Papa, and she hated that she didn't have them anymore.

She was adamant that didn't want to celebrate her birthday, because all her Mumma and Papa's love was ruined, until Shiva explained that their love wasn't just in those toys, and promised to get her whatever she asks for on her birthday.

Shiva kept his palm lovingly on Janhavi's head, "Janu, you can go pick up anything you want."

"Anything Papa?"

"Anything, my love."

Janhavi walked around the store, looking at the kitchen sets, soft toys, clay sets, barbie dolls and card games, taking her time looking at the items.

Shiva noticed Janhavi fixate on a particular life-like doll baby, which had a bottle, a feeding bowl and spoon, and a set of diapers along with it.

"Do you want this, sweetheart?" Shiva pointed, and Janhavi shook her head.

"No."

"Why? You seem to like it!"

"Papa, it's 4 5 9 9 money."

Shiva frowned in confusion, as Janhavi pointed out to the price of the doll, which read ₹4599.

"See, 1....2...3...4. It's 4 money, Papa. Too much. I don't want."

"Baby, since when do you look at price tags? Koi zaroorat nahi hai. Aap papa ko bas bol do-" Shiva began to explain, but Janhavi skitted off to find another gift, and he looked back at Raavi in confusion.

"Tune kuch kaha isse?"

"Maa ki baatein suni hogi isne." Raavi thought, suddenly striking her.

"Kaunsi?"

"Keh rahi thi Gaumbi se, bohot kharche ho rahe hai bacchi ke aane ke baad." She explained and Shiva frowned, before Raavi quickly corrected herself. "Unka aisa matlab nahi tha. Bacche ke aane baad kharche hote hai, unhe pata hai. Bas Gaumbi se keh rahi thi, Janu ne sunn liya hoga."

"Maa bhi na." Shiva shook his head, as Janhavi kept rejecting the items in the shore, because they were '3 money, 4 money and 5 money.'

Shiva tried to hold her, and tell her she didn't need to see the price, but his baby girl skipped back towards him with the brightest smile on her face.

"Papa, I want this!" She forwarded her palms, and Shiva sat down, taking the box from her hands.

It was a small box of 12 wax crayons. Just like his father had once bought him for his birthday.

A warmth spread across his chest, remembering his father and how he knew exactly what Shiva would like. Even when they were short of money, Darshan Pandya never failed to get Shiva a gift for his birthday.

Shiva's fingers caressed his ring, kissing the initials, before turning to Raavi, who had a knowing smile on her face.

"It was only 2 money, Shiva Papa!" Janhavi happily pointed at the price, which read ₹50.

"Are you sure you want this, baby?" Shiva placed a palm on her cheek.

"Yes."

"Pakka nothing else?"

Janhavi's eyes fluttered to the doll in the corner, but she looked back at Shiva with the same smile she had earlier. "Nothing else."

Shiva ruffled her hair, as Raavi brought the doll she was eyeing towards Shiva, who nodded in approval.

As they billed the gifts, Shiva didn't let Janhavi know he had billed the doll for her, that would be a surprise for later.

But when they reached home, the moment he handed her the box of crayons, she hugged them to her chest.

"When I do drawing with these crayons, I will give my first drawing to you, Shiva Papa. Promise."

Shiva's eyes misted, the nostalgia of him making this promise to his father many years ago hitting him all of a sudden today, and he looked up at the sky, thanking his father for always looking after him, before pulling Janhavi into a hug.

"I love you."

"I love you more, more and more, Shiva Papa."

"But no one loves me." Raavi looked away dramatically, looking at them from the corner of her eye, bursting out into fits of giggles as Shiva pulled Raavi into their family hug, calling her a 'nautanki chipkali', their little puppy munchkin trotting his way into their laps for some cuddles and kisses.

Shiva and Raavi never realised how it had almost been a year since Janhavi had entered their lives, with her bubbly talks and curly hair, her innocent questions, always fluttering here and there.

Love; they didn't know it was possible to love someone this much, enough to hold them close to their hearts forever. To watch them grow in front of your eyes, everyday for the rest of your lives. If there was one thing they wanted, it was to bubble wrap their baby girl and protect her from all sorts of evil in this world.

Janhavi coloured their lives with colours they couldn't have possibly imagined.

There was nothing more Shiva and Raavi could be grateful for. They had everything they ever wanted.

....