Khushi wiped her tears. Avneet side hug her. Simran finally understood everything.

Simran: But wait!! You said he don't had anyone for him. Remember, in icecream parlour he got a call that person was your chachi.
Khushi: That... Umm... see his life is also messy like yours. So, I think he will share about his life with you by his own.
Simran: Khushi thank you so much.
Khushi: Your welcome.
Simran: Also, say thanks to your mom on my behalf. Daal chawal was amazing.

Avneet smiled.

Khushi: Okay! I will. It's too late now. We should sleep. Good night.
Simran: Hnn... Night.

They hang up the call.

Avneet (side hugging khushi): You are my brave daughter.
Khushi (hugging her back): You are my strong chachi.

Both giggle.

Avneet: Go and sleep.

Khushi nodded and left. Avneet sat there thinking everything. After sometime she went to sleep. Same with Simran.

Next day....

In morning. As it was Sunday. Khushi decided to bake cookies. Ruhi helping her.

Abhishek and Siddharth were busy in match. Avneet and Vaishnavi were in their talks.

Vaishnavi: Abhi... go and warn your daughter to be careful while cooking. If I will ask her you both are gonna behave like I am strict mommy and all.
Abhishek: Duh!! Anyways, that's a fact.

He quickly ran away before she could react. Avneet and Siddharth chuckled.

Abhishek (knocking door of kitchen): May I come in?
Khushi (raising her eyebrow): What if I will say no?
Abhishek: Huh!!
Khushi (giggle): Papa.....
Abhishek: I just came to inform you both be careful while preparing or baking. Be alert while using knife in case if you are doing so. Also, khushi be careful while using oven. You guys may get hurt and khushi you be more careful as you are elder one and she is your responsibility.
Khushi (saluting): Aye Aye captain.
Abhishek (little sternly): If you guys spoiled kitchen I don't think anyone can save you this time.

He chuckled walking away. Khushi giggle on his words but Ruhi got scared because of his stern voice and words he used in last. Though, he was just joking but this little girl have gone through so much to understand his joke.

Ruhi (nervous): Di, don't cook. Let's drop this idea.
Khushi (shocked at her sudden change in behave): But why?
Ruhi (scared): Di.... uncle... uncle said he will punish us if we will make mistake. Di, I don't want punishment please. Let's stop this. I don't want anything. I will eat whatever aunty will give me.
Khushi (trying to calm Ruhi): Don't worry papa just said those words as joke. He is not at all serious. Don't worry.
Ruhi (scared): No di.. All.. All fathers are same di. Please di let's cancel it.
Khushi (cupping her face): Who told you all the fathers are same. My papa is not at all like others. Don't worry.
Ruhi: Di please... You know mumma's papa killed mamu and did wrong mumma. My papa did same. Please di all papa are same. Please stop it.

Vaishnavi walked in as she noticed Ruhi crying.

Vaishnavi (sitting on knees beside Ruhi): What happened? Why you are crying?

Ruhi quickly hug her and started sobbing. Vaishnavi looked at khushi. Khushi explained her everything.

Vaishnavi (sighed): Calm down. He will not harm you or scold you. Calm down.

She said rubbing Ruhi's back.

Vaishnavi: If you don't want to bake cookies. It's okay. But don't worry. He won't harm you. Come let's go out.

Ruhi nodded mumbling sorry. Khushi too has tears in eyes, looking at Ruhi's condition. Vaishnavi broke the hug and stood up.

Vaishnavi: Come...

Vaishnavi and Ruhi started walking but Ruhi stopped in mid.

Ruhi: Di come... Please... I don't want to see you like I used to see mumma. Please di.
Vaishnavi (looking at Ruhi): Come khushi. We will ask him properly if he will allow you to bake cookies then you can. Is it okay?

Ruhi nodded. Vaishnavi gesture Khushi and trio walked out.

Vaishnavi: Umm... Abhishek, Khushi wants to bake cookies for all of us. She will clean kitchen by herself in last. She want your permission.

Abhishek gave her confused look.

Abhishek (confused): My permission? Why?

Vaishnavi gesture him to look at Ruhi. Everyone got shock to after looking at her face. Avneet was about to speak something but Vaishnavi gesture her to be quiet.

Abhishek: Yes, she can cook. Be careful but Okay?

Khushi nodded.

Abhishek stood in front of Ruhi but she moved back. He held her hand.

Abhishek: Calm down... I won't harm. We will just have a talk. Calm down.

She stood silently because of fear. She clutched on Vaishnavi's hand.

Abhishek (sighed): You don't have to be scared of us. We will not harm you. Calm down.
Khushi: Papa... Ruhi can join me?
Abhishek: Yes Ofcourse. Go and enjoy.

He kissed on Ruhi's forehead. She stiffened more. Abhishek sighed knowing. She needs alot of love and care. Avneet was quiet, letting her adjust with others.

Siddharth: Ruhi... Do you believe me?

Ruhi nodded little.

Siddharth: Great!! Trust me... He won't harm you. I am here. For your safety, okay? Go and bake cookies for me. I am hungry.

He acted last line to calm her.

Khushi (pulling Ruhi with her): Come Ruhi chuhi let's bake cookies. Come...

She took her in kitchen and both then started preparing cookies. Khushi was trying her best to make her feel relax and comfortable. In between Abhishek and Vaishnavi went in kitchen to check her and talk with her, trying to make her comfortable. By the end. She felt happy when they finally made yummy cookies.

TBC......