At the ice cream parlour.

Harsha settled on a chair with Khushi and Ruhi beside her.

Vidyut: Order batao. (Tell me your order)

Khushi (giggling): All...

Vidyut (narrowing his eyes): Itni sari ice cream ye chote se tummy me jayegi? (Your little tummy will have all the ice cream?)

He patted her stomach.

Khushi (excitedly): Yesshhh...

Harsha: Ruhi baby, which one do you want?

Ruhi's eyes twitched, remembering her mother.

Ruhi (with a sad smile): Mumma ko strawberry Acha lagta hai. (Mumma liked Strawberry)

Harsha (small smile): Aur Ruhi ko? (And Ruhi?)

Ruhi: Mango.

Harsha (nodded): Mango?

Ruhi (shook her head in no): Strawberry.

Vidyut was staring at Ruhi with a deep emotion in his eyes. He understood how it feels when your mother is no longer with you. Often, people develop a taste for things they didn't like before, just to feel a connection to their loved ones. Trying her mother’s favourite flavour was Ruhi's way of wanting to feel her presence, even if she was too young to understand it.

Vidyut couldn't resist reaching out to pat her head gently.

Harsha: Ruhi ke liye Strawberry and mere liye Mango leke aao. (Get a Strawberry for Ruhi and Mango for me)

Vidyut nodded and left to fetch ice cream for them.

In a few minutes, He came back with ice cream.

He placed the tray on the table. Khushi gushed looking at Ice-cream.

Harsha: Your flavour?

Vidyut: Malai Kulfi.

Harsha: Come babies. I will feed you all.

Vidyut sat beside Harsha and took Khushi on his lap. Harsha took the first bite and forwarded it to Khushi.

Khushi (pointing at Ruhi): Yuhiii...

She asked Harsha to feed Ruhi first, which was what her family had taught her—to share everything. Before taking her first bite, Khushi always fed everyone at the table.

Grinning with pride, Harsha offered the first bite to Ruhi.

Ruhi ate it. She then feeds Vidyut and last Khushi.

They had ice cream and left for home.

As night fell, Everyone sat quietly at dinner.
After eating, they went off to their respective rooms, calling it a night.

Harsha took Ruhi too in her room with Khushi.

Harsha: Ani dono bacho ko sath me done dete hai. Tum Saurav ke sath room share karoge? (Ani, can we let both the kids sleep together? You can share a room with Saurav)

Anirudh nodded in understanding and left.

Harsha made Ruhi and Khushi sleep first. Before sleeping, She went to check if everyone slept or not.

She first went to check on Saurav and Anirudh. Both were sleeping. She sighed, realising they must be so stressed and tired that they dozed off in a few minutes.

Next, She entered Vidyut's room. He was awake, turning on and off the light lamp while he was lost in thought.

Harsha: Vidu?

She called him. Breaking his train of thought broke. He looked up to her.

She walked towards his bed and sat beside him.

Harsha (massaging his scalp): What's wrong?

Vidyut shook his head.

Harsha: Say!

She said trying to coax him.

Vidyut (sighed): I was thinking about Ruhi. She is too young to understand some feelings. She must be feeling lonely and can't express herself. I know how that feels bhabhi. But there is a difference. I had Bhai and Dadi around, as well as you and your parents. But in her case, everyone is a stranger to her

Harsha (small smile): We can try to give her that comfort, right?

Vidyut: Bhabhi, to be honest, I want to but I don't know how to!

Harsha: Why do you want to?

Vidyut (confused): This is what Mumma taught us?

Harsha: Hmm... then why you don't know how to?

Vidyut: Whenever I try to. I remember that's a man's deed then I can't.

Harsha: Alright! Now, tell me what is more important in your life- Your mother's teachings or a hatred for a person?

Vidyut: Of course, Mumma.

Harsha: Then how is hatred for someone more influential for you than your mother?

This is it. She perfectly hit his nerve. He was quiet thinking deeply about her words.

Harsha (pecking his forehead): Maybe things are a bit difficult but give it a try. Everything will heal with time then.

Vidyut (nodded): One more thing.

Harsha: Haa bol (Yes, tell me)

Vidyut: Her school. I mean she must be having school. With everything happening, we can skip her studies. Whatever Bhai will decide. Wherever she will live. Her studies are a priority for the future.

Harsha nodded, considering his words. Everyone had forgotten about her studies. He is right.

Harsha: Now relax and take a rest. I will speak with Dadi.

He nodded.

Harsha (squeezing his cheeks like he is a little boy with puffy cheeks): Mumma would be so proud of her little kiddo.

Since his birthday, Harsha always squeezes his cheeks whenever she feels proud of him. Her way is to show her love for her youngest brother. He feels happy with her actions, especially, after his mother's death. He feels content whenever he sees pride in his elder sister's eyes for him.

Harsha: Now sleep and don't overthink. Everything needs time to settle down. So, give yourself time, too.

He kissed her hands and nodded. She left to check on Dadi.

After she left. Vidyut reflected on the conversation he had with Harsha just a few minutes before.

She is right. How can hatred for someone be stronger than a mother's teachings? He decided to give it a chance. If he tried to be friends with Ruhi, he could make his mother and sister happy and proud of him. This could bring him peace. He was more than willing to do it. However, as she mentioned, everything takes time.

With these thoughts in mind, he finally drifted off to sleep.

To be continued...

I know, I am updating too late but it's bit difficult to manage time. So, please bare it. I will try to post as soon as possible.