V- uff ballu....aacha lets stay home. Hide n' seek khelenge...okay

He pinches bani.

B- aah

V- haan? Haan bol rahi hai..vo bhi kitni excited.

Everyone agreed for Bani and Veer decided to find everyone. He purposely kept his eyes open and saw Bani hide in the kitchen. He ran towards her and picked her up. He took his cheel roop, threw the phone on the kitchen counter and left out of the winow...laughing with a surprised Bani in his arms.

Baby Bani: Aah! Ye kya kar rahe ho cheelu?

V: Cheelu? ...(smirks) I like the sound of that.

B: Uff, bolo na....ye tum cheating kr rahe ho?

V: I don't care. I am not sharing my wife, um...I mean you with any of them.

B: Kya bakwas hai...sb chuppe hue hai...unhe pata laga na ki hum nahi hai wahan to tumhari peetai hogi...phir mujhe mt kehna.

V: haan haan thik hai...waise bhi tumpr sirf mera haq hai....and itni cute dikh raho ho tum...bs 24 hours hai to ye to mujhe kissi ke saath nahi bantne...atleast kuch time to akele hi chahiye.

Bani rolled her eyes but then looked down. It was her first time flying like this. True, Shakura hai flown away with her first but that time she was too focused on everything to have enjoyed it. She squealed. Her happy sound was like music to veer.

B: Oh my god....neeche dekho...kitne chota lg raha hai sb kuch...pata hai plane crash ke baad me kabhi plane me nahi gayi...I was so scared...pehli baar aise udi hoon....I feel like a bird...

Veer suddenly halted. Plane crash?

V: What plane crash Ghar- um Bani?

B: Vo...um..

V: Bolo sweetheart.

B: Vo mai jb choti thi...iss age ke hi around tb ek plane crash hua tha...usme meri family bhi mar gayi thi.

Veer eyes popped up. He felt sad thinking how Bani must have been so alone but now he connected the dots. This is why her face was familiar. She was the girl! Was she? Bani confirmed his doubts.

B: It was me Veer. You saved me.

Her tiny hands moved to hug him. They couldn't cover his entire muscular frame but Veer understood her emotions. He hugged her close.

V: Mtlb humara connection bachpan se hai...is yug me bhi..

B: Hmm...waise do you know who else you saved?

Bani smirked.

V: Nahi..

B: Haan...(giggles)

V: No! Don't say it.

B: Yep...you saved your chutku bhai

Veer's flight faltered. He would have smacked his head had he not been holding Bani. He frowned.

B: Uff...chodo na vo sb cheelu boy...hum jaa kahan rahe hai...

V: hmmm..

B: arey baad me sochna, chidna...jo krna hai krna...pr I only have today.

V: Haan..haan...chalo..

B: Kahan?

V: Surprise!

..................

They landed near an amusement park and Veer got in line to get them tickets while Bani saw it all with amazement. Everything was new to her and she was a child. So, she felt all the excitement a kid would feel, plus she was very tiny so everything was big around her.

She looked around to see Veer was at the counter, he turned and gave her a smile. Bani returned the smile but it faltered when she saw the dreamy eyes of the girls around him.

B: (thinks) ek to mai bacchii hoon....jaakr dhamka bhi nahi skti ki mere Veer se door raho.

She stomped her feet and ran towards him.

V: Kya hua? Mai lata hoon na ticket?

B: godi! (she did the hand gesture of lifting both her hands high)

Veer was surprised and also full of awe at how cute she looked. He lifted her up and held her at his shoulder. Bani snaked both her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. He ruffled her hair.

Girl: Um, excuse me?

Veer turned.

V: Ji?

Girl: ye...I mean...apki sister bohot cute hai.

B: Aap cute nahi ho didi

The girl's mouth hung open and she looked like a fish. Veer chuckled at his possessive, tiny ladaku viman and got the amusement park bands on their hands.

B: Mujhe ye blue wala kyu lagaya hai...tumhe to green hai.

V: Because tum ek bacchi ho....certain rides are not open for you.

B: Haw...kyu...mujhe sb krna hai..

V: Pr bani, sbke liye tum bachi hi ho...

B: kya musibat hai...anyways...let's have fun!!!

She screamed and ran. Her tiny feet took her far and she quickly made her way through the crowd. Veer struggled to follow her and he could not make his way through the crowd the same way.

V: Bani! Kahan ho...uff...Bani ruko mere liye!

Veer started to worry. He looked around for a while and spotted her arguing with a man.

B: Kyu?

Man: Beta apki height is bar se upar nahi hai na...aap ye ride nahi kr skte...

V: Kya hua?

Man: Thank god! Sir aap apni beti ko samjhaiye...ye ride baccho ke liye nahi hai.

B/V: Kya?

V: Ye meri beti nahi hai...

B: Aur nahi to kya.

Man: oh sorry sir...actually ye pata nahi kiski baachi zid kr rahi hai is ride ke liye pr we cannot allow a child.

V: Mai samjhata hoon.. (to bani, in her ears) kya sweetheart, thodi badi bacchii banti to chalta...ab lets go to the child safe rides...okay...jb tum badi ho jaogi tb mai tumhe phir launga...okay?

B: Pinky promise?

V: Pinky promise..

Bani skipped away happily and Veer tailed behind.

......................

Multiple rounds at the merry-go-round, the kids' mickey-trampoline and ice-creams later, Bani was still very energetic and danced around. Veer was just so happy to see her like this that every pore of him was radiating joy. He did not care what anyone would think. He too sat with her at the merry-go-rounds' pony while many parents/adults stood away embarrassed when their kids requested them to join. He never cared what anyone thought of him. His worst enemy could see him enjoying like this with a kid and make fun of him, still he wouldn't bat an eye. His Bani was living a childhood for the first time and it was his personal duty to make her live it to the fullest.

B: Veeeeeeer

V: Bolo...

B: Mujhe kandhe pr bithao...

V: Jo hukum!

They went around the amusement park like this. Bani sitting on Veers shoulders. They ate cotton candy and Veer got her helium balloons. He tied it around her wrist and she ran around with it. He won her plush toy unicorn at the games section and Bani was on cloud nine.

He then went to call from a booth. They went to the food court to eat. Few girls approached Veer to talk but Bani shooed them all away.

Girl: Aapki sister rude hai bohot!

V: Oye! Zuban sambhal kr...she is not my sister and she can do what she wants.

Veer had had enough of all these woman assuming she was his sister! He was not feeling any lust, passion and naughty thoughts that always plagued his mind around his wife. No, she was a child for today and he was only filled with love for her but that did not mean he saw her like a sister. Chi!

Bani got down her chair and climbed his lap. She eased his frown with her finger.

B: Chill cheelu! It our day. I know what I am to you. Logon ka rehne do!

Veer smiled and they left the food court. They exited the park and saw a bike and car waiting for them along with two of Veer's drivers.

B: Veer! Bike!

V: No Bani! It is not safe. Hum car lenge...and phir saman bhi ho jayega..

Bani pouted but got in the car. Veer took the keys from the driver and asked them to have a half day and leave. He didn't want everyone to know about them yet.

Veer drove Bani around the city and they stopped at a mall. They got out and began shopping. First, Veer guided her to a kid's store.

B: Yahan kyu...aaj ke baad kuch kaam thodi ayega?

V: Haan pr aaj ke liye kuch le lo...

B: I am okay with these clothes.

V: hmm....Phir bhi...

B: waste ho jayega...

V: Waste kyu? Hum Vani ke liye rakh lenge..

B: Vani?

V: Haan...humari future beti!

Bani blushed red. Bani got a night suit pyajama set as that was the only thing she thought she needed. Veer was so fascinated by everything  at the kid's store that Bani had to kick him on the leg and run out so that he would come out of the store as well.

B: Veeeer

V: Kya hua?

B: Ghar chalte hai na...

V: Tumhe accha nahi lg raha...

B: haan but yahan to mai bade hokr bhi aa skti hoon na, plus abhi mai choti bani ke liye shopping kru to koi sense nahi hai and badi bani ke kapde try nahi kr paungi...tumhare saath bhi nahi jaan mujhe...sb mujhe bachi bolte hai and ladkiyan mere samne hi flirt krti hai...

V: Haha...jal rahi ho tum sweetheart!

B: Jale dushman humare...mujhe pata hai tum kissi aur ko bhav nahi doge but I don't like it!

Veer smiled and they started to leave when they saw a child's train. (The ones that circle around the mall for kids). Bani was smiling at it and Veer understood that she was fascinated. He stopped it and made her sit as well.

V: Mai washroom ho aata hoon. Bhaiya ek circle me kitna time lagega?

Man: Sir, 10 minutes me wapis isi spot pr aa jayenge.

V: Okay.

Veer left for the washroom while Bani sat with kids, really happy. Veer came out soon and began watching her. She was looking at everything. The boy sitting next to her was saying something but she was too busy looking around. Veer clicked a few candid pictures. The train came to its spot and Bani got down and looked around for Veer. The kid was following her.

B: (Thinks) Ye veer kahan reh gaya...aur iss chuze ke maa baap kahan hai?

Veer saw her irked expression and came her way.

V: Maza aya Bani...

B: Haan!

She rushed to his side and jumped. Veer was caught by surprise but his reflexes were strong! He caught her and adjusted her to his one side.

The kid looked at her and tried to ask her to get down. He offered her candy.

Lady- jai! Beta...we were looking for you!

V- (to bani) saare chipku logon ka naam jai hi hota hai.

Lady- oh! You made a new friend? Hello Beta!

B: hello! But I am not his friend.

V: Excuse me!

Veer laughed and left with Bani. On their way out, they got some pictures clicked at a booth. They looked at them and smiled. He lifted her up again and they left for home.

.......................

V: Arey maaf kr do mujhe...bachao Bani.

His saviour Bani was busy unwrapping her candies and eating them while Balwant and other singhanias chased him as he ran around the hall.

Balwant: Himmat kaise hui teri Veer?

Daksh: Hum kitni der tk chupe hue they bhai

Ponky: Aur nahi to kya?!

Tapish: Sahi me...

Meera: tumhe aise nahi krna chahiye tha Veer

Ballu: Arey beshrm hai ye ladka...jiss baap ne pal pos kr bada kiya, ussi ke sath chalaki krta hai...ruk tu

V: Bani!

B: Kya bani! Maine pehle hi kaha tha...sb daantenge tb mujhe mt kehna..

Veer looked her and mouthed traitor. Bani shrugged and continued her candy attack. She laughed as Balwant finally caught hold of his bidga hua beta and smacked the back of his head. Suddenly she began coughing as she was laughing loudly while eating and the candy got stuck. Just like that, everyone forgot hitting Veer and began fussing around her.

Ballu: arey koi pani lao.

Ponky rushed to the kitchen.

Daksh: Bewakoof, dining table pr pani hai toh..

Meera was patting her back while Veer was rubbing her hands worried.

Tapish: upar dekho Bani...sabash!...

Ballu: chinta ki baat nahi hai...thik ho jayega

Bani calmed down but had tears in her eyes. As a child she does not remember receiving this much care. She hardly remembered her birth parents and even though her 'papa' loved her, he was not around during the day. Bani slaved around the Sharma household. Meera treated her with love but she herself was a child and couldn't much to help her. Bani felt emotional and hugged Balwant.

Balwant's face swelled with a lot of emotions. He welcomed the tiny arms around his neck and hugged Bani close. They looked so good, Tapish clicked a picture sneakily.

Balwant: accha jo hua so hua...ab hum time waste nahi karenge.

Ponky: Haan! Mission Veer bhai ki dhulai, post-poned.

V: Accha bacchu!

Ponky: Mtlb abort...abort bhai!

Bani smiled at her family and they spent the rest of the evening eating and playing various games. Bani played hide n' seek and different board games. She even played dark room but when it was becoming difficult for her to catch everyone as all of them had excellent night vision whereas she was a human. Her soft target Meera was busy in the kitchen so she pretended to hit herself and gave out a sob and again, Balwant and Veer went full protect mode and got her to sit.

As soon as they stopped playing, Bani ran upstairs saying she wants to freshen up.

V: Isse lagi thi na...

Ballu: aram se bani...lagi hui hai..

D: jhutt bolla hoga..

Meera: (coming from the kitchen) nahi...baccho ka aisa hi hota hai...thodi der me sb dard bhool jate hai.

Bani came downstairs. Her hair out of her two buns and now in pony tails. She wore a yellow night suit and climbed Balwant's lap.

V: Bani...idhr aao...dad ko kyu pareshan krti ho.

Ballu: seedha seedha bol tujhe chahiye hi tujhe attention de sirf. Mujhe koi problem nahi hai.

Tapish: dekho aap dono ki tarah mai lad nahi raha lekin bani thodi attention idhr bhi...

Daksh/ponky: hume bhi

Meera: mera tera rishta sbse pehle se hai bani...mera soch pehle

V: accha ji? Aisa h to hum to satyug se jaante hai...kissi ka number nahi lagega tb.

Bani giggled her family's banter and hopped down Ballu's lap and went for the dining table.

Ballu: mill gayi sbko shanti?

He left after her, sulking.

.................

Everyone had had their dinner. Balwant and Tara left after a while. Daksh, Ponky and Vani played a movie, Bani's pick- frozen. They complained at first but because of Bani they agreed. She made pillow fort with Veer and sat on it while other took another couch. A while later, Veer saw Bani was sleeping with her head on his lap and smiled. He lifted her up and went to shut the movie when he saw that Daksh and Ponky were actually hooked onto the movie! He laughed.

Donky: Shhh...shut up bhai

Veer took a picture of them so hooked on the movie to tease them later and left with a sleeping Bani. He set her on the bed and kissed her forehead. Veer freshened up and got into his own side when Bani climbed on top of his stomach and laid there.

V: Sweetheart?

B: (sleepy) mujhe yahin sona hai...

V: as you wish ma'am.

.....................

Next morning

Bani woke up first and laid there. She recalled the past day and smiled. She had lived a day as a child. She touched her face and looked at her hands. Yes, she was finally back to normal. She snuggled into her pillow with a smile only to realise it was too hard to be a pillow. She looked up to see her man, peacefully sleeping with his lips parted slightly. She gave him a quick peck and was about to get up when her held her hand.

V: (eyes still closed) mere neend me hone ka faida utha rahi thi gharwali? Uff...taras gaya tha ye bulane ke liye.

B: ek hi din me taras gaye sweetheart?

V: I like it when you call me that.

Bani smiled and got up. Veer rubbed his eyes and was getting up when he saw a yellow fabric on top of his black pants. He frowned and looked up, his eyes popped out of his sockets as he licked his lips.

V: Sweetheart? Oh god I am dead!

B: Kya hua?

She asked, pulling her hair out of the two pony tails and putting them to bun. She was sitting on her knees on the bed.

V: You are naked love!

Bani's shrill scream ran through the house followed by Veer's laughter as Bani quickly hid herself and ran towards the washroom. Well, not quick enough because Veer got in with her as well. ;)

...........Fin.................

Loads of love

A quick question! How many of you feel Veer will remember things this weekend and this amnesia/curse track will not be continued into february?