Aarushi hopped into the room with a huge smile adorning her small, cute face and stood at the side as her twin and her cousin played Wii and juggled around with the controllers in their hands.

Aarushi - Alshiiii, Bhaiiiii, all day u pay thish. Now we pay wid mah Barbie an Deam Haush?

She lovingly caressed her Barbie's tiny head and admired the princess costume she had just changed her into. With all her dolls changed, it was time to play with them in her big Dream House.

Akshay - I'm a boy. Boys don't play with doll houses.

Aarushi grimaced at him. She loved her big bro but she could never tolerate the fact that he didn't like her Barbies.

Aarushi - Why? Why no pay? Doll haush shoo fun. I pay wid uah caahsh (cars), neva shay no.

Arshi - Aalu, shide (side)!

Arshi jumped as her sister was standing beside her and hindering her movements. Aarushi moved back and then looked at both with a pout.

Aarushi - Peeeeesh, letsh pay.

Akshay - Ok, we will play with your dolls. But first you have to play with us. Done?

Aarushi beamed immediately and jumped in joy. This was a good compromise for all three of them. So she took her pink controller in her right hand, the left one gripping on her Barbie doll and jumped around with her siblings, enjoying and looking forward to playing with her Dream House.

After a while they were at the third game already, racing each other on their bikes and creating havoc in the hall. Arshi was the first one to cross the ribbon they had tied just before the entrance area and jumped victoriously. Akshay sulked as he lost and Aarushi, despite being the last had a huge smile set on her face.

Aarushi - Now we go up and pay wid Deam Haush.

Akshay - No no, let's race again. This time I'll win and you'll be loooooosah!!!

He stuck his tongue out at Arshi who smirked in response, not bothering the challenge and mounted back on her bike. Aarushi got off holding her Barbie and stared at the two as they rode back to the starting position. This was the third time they were doing that to her. They wanted to keep playing their own games and not come to play with her. She stood there with a saddened face and blinked as her eyes moistened.

Akshay and Arshi kept laughing and racing while Aarushi let her bike fall and slowly climbed the stairs, using one foot at a time. She ran inside her parents' bedroom but it was empty. So she sat down in a corner of the room where her medium sized dollhouse was kept, the bigger one was in her own room but she didn't want to go there. She sat down and placed her dolls in their respective rooms, all the while sobbing slowly.

Khushi was at the poolside, watering the plants. She had seen her baby come in but now her heart beat uneasily as she witnessed her sobs. The mother in her couldn't help but put the watercan down and run in to her daughter. She sat down and put Aarushi in her lap.

Khushi - Aaru, shona, what happened? Why is my jaan crying?

She held her closer to herself as her daughter broke into audible cries, hugging her mother with her small hands and wetting her kurti on her chest. But Khushi didn't care about it, she only cared about her crying baby.

Khushi - Aaru, my jaan, look at Mumma. Tell me why my loveliest baby is crying? You know Mumma can't see your tears.

She put a finger under her chin and made her look up. Her eyes continued to pour but she tried to put forward her reason.

Aarushi - Alshi, Bhai *sob* they, neva *sob* pay deam haush *sob* o-waysh, me *sob* no lishen *sob* vely bad *sob* they vely bad.

Khushi wiped her cheeks with her hand and let her blow her nose in her dupatta. She put her on her shoulder and rubbed her back.

Khushi - No shona, don't cry. You're Mumma's jaan, you know na? I'll scold those two bad people. You don't cry. You have Mumma, I'll play with you as much as you want. We'll play with your Dream House, all the Barbies and I'll order pizza for my jaan. You love pizza, isn't it?

Her sobs slowed down and she parted to look at her mother who kissed her face in the same manner she would often do to express her love, showering sweet long pecks on the whole face. That made her smile. Khushi cradled her in her arms, holding her in the lap as she would when she nursed them as babies. Now they had outgrown that need of nursing but surely not the need of the love and warmth of their mother's lap and arms.

Khushi - Let's go. We'll play with the big Dream House and have lots of fun.

She got up carrying her toddler towards the door but Aaru had not forgotten something her Mumma had already. She pointed to the phone kept on the table.

Aarushi - Mumma, piccha

Khushi looked at it and chuckled. Even now her foodie daughter wouldn't forget food.

*

Arnav had returned home earlier only to find his bedroom empty and his wife missing. But since he'd seen Akshay and Arshi down in the hall, with the other twin not be seen around he could safely assume his wife and baby to be in children's room. And that's where he found them too, playing with Aarushi's huge doll house.

Aarushi - Hello Shumma (Summer), how pool paaahty?

Khushi - Really fun Barbie. It's so much fun hanging out with you again.

Aarushi - Yesh. We meet sho long. One full week.

Arnav stood at the door, observing and admiring them with a smile on his face. Their dolls were sitting in the pool belonging to the set and they moved the doll which is supposed to be talking.

Aarushi - An Midge an Tisha (Teresa), we all go and pay wid shide(slide)?

Khushi - Yes sure Barbie, let's slide down into the pool. Will be so much fun.

And they got their dolls out and had them walk into the elevator. Aarushi didn't like if they were just placed anywhere. She liked to handle them as if they were real persons and walked and talked. She pushed the button which pulled the elevator up to the top most floor of the five storey house. It had been a limited edition and came with a lot of features and accessories. Khushi wasn't allowing her to have it. She argued she already had many doll houses but Aarushi had been stubborn and refused to eat or listen until Khushi allowed him to order it.

Aarushi - Hea I goooo, wuuuuiiii.

Arnav - Wow Barbie, what a jump.

The duo looked behind to see him approaching them with a smile. He greeted his darling daughter with a kiss on her head as she immediately pulled him down to sit and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Aarushi - Daddy, gudh u hea. Now u pay wid ush. Hea, u ah Shkippa (Skipper), Barbie'sh shishta. An Shtashi (Stacey).

She thrust two dolls in each of his hands.

Arnav - Doll, I just came from work. I'll play with you later, ok?

Aarushi pouted disappointedly. Khushi cupped her jaw and nodded in denial.

Khushi - Shona, Daddy just came from office. He didn't even change yet. Ok, fine. He will play with us, but just for a minute.

She looked at Arnav, sending him a silent plea. He agreed which brought a huge smile on Aarushi's face and earned a lot of kisses from her.

Aarushi - Ah luv u shooo much Daddy. Only me. Jush me. No elsh.

He chuckled raising his brows and already understood half of the matter. Whenever Aaru claimed to be the only one who loves them, she's having a feud with her sister.

Arnav - I know princess. And I love you too.

She pulled his cheek giggling then and walked her Barbie to the door to open the door for her sisters.

Arnav - Hi Barbie, we're home.

Aarushi - Daddy, Barbie big shishta. Shay Di!

Arnav - Oh, ok, sure. Uhm, Hi, Barbie Di!

Khushi giggled with a palm on her mouth and then straightened herself as Aaru gave her a look.

Arnav - Skipper and I-

Aarushi facepalmed herself exasperating and her parents stopped to look at her with frowns on their faces.

Aarushi - This no Shkippa. Thish Shtashi!

Arnav thinned his lips nodding as he had moved the wrong Barbie. His little princess was very serious about her Barbies.

Khushi - Your Daddy doesn't know all this. You need to teach him first, the names of aaall of your Barbies.

She smirked looking at him as his smile vanished that instance. Aarushi's dolls were uncountable and it would take him years to tell each and everyone apart and remember their names. He knew she was getting back at him for always buying all those Barbies.

Aarushi - Yesh. Gudh idhea. I teach Daddy evy-think. Ok Daddy?

Arnav - Yes Aaru, as you say. But first, can you get a chocolate for me?

She gasped in excitement and immediately ran off to get a bar from the snack cupboard which they aren't allowed to open unless specifically allowed to, especially her.

Khushi - Arnavji, you'll eat chocolate?

Arnav - No. Tell me, what's the matter?

Khushi stared him frowning and then understood his concern.

Khushi - The same as always. Aaru compromises but Arshi and Akshay still won't play with her doll house and keep fooling her. She was crying so much, my jaan.

Arnav - They definitely need a lesson.

Khushi - Of course they do. You always let them get through with anything. And that needs to stop. With all three. And I-

He leaned closer and pecked her lips to stop her from starting a lecture. She slapped him lightly but smiled going all red.

Aarushi - Daddy, I got chocate. Let'sh sheah (share)? U, me, Barbie.

She passed him a toothy grin, too adorable to handle. Khushi narrowed her eyes.

Khushi - Barbie can't eat- I mean, she, doesn't like chocolate.

Aarushi - Yesh, but I like. And Barbie shay I eat her chocate.

Arnav chuckled at his foodie daughter and Khushi nodded in denial but lovingly caressed her hair.

*

Akshay and Arshi ran into the lounge, quite excited. Akshay bumped into his uncle and then grinned before pushing Arshi forward.

Akshay - Big Daddy, Arshi has something to say.

Arshi - Daaaaddy, we go eish keem?

She approached him as he sat there on the couch watching TV.

Arnav - Yes, sure. But before that I'll watch the news.

Arshi grimaced and looked at her brother who poked his big Daddy with much impatience.

Akshay - We don't want to watch news. Let's go eat ice cream first and then you can watch the news.

Arnav - Nope. I'll watch news first.

The two weren't happy with not being prioritized but busied themselves in a quick race while waiting for him to come down afterwards.

Few news programmes later...

The two little Raizadas returned to take their father on an ice cream trip. Aarushi was there too and fiddling with a box kept down which contained all her Barbie dolls.

Arshi - Now we go?

She pulled his hand in order to get him up from the sofa. He did get up but not with a shared intention.

Arnav - Yes, right after we change each and every Barbie doll. I promised Aarushi.

The latter jumped in excitement as her Daddy knelt beside her and embraced her in his arms. Her Barbie dolls were going to get her Daddy dear's attention, she was too happy.

Arnav looked at the two duo eyeing him enviously and motioned them to join him. They were quick to reject the notion.

Akshay - Nooo. You do that. I'll watch you.

Arnav - If you wanna go, you gotta help me. We'll be done earlier.

With his shoulders slumped down and a grumpy smile on his face, Akshay nodded at Arshi before joining the Barbie force. At times, Arshi was highly influenced by her dear bro and Arnav was aware of that.

After changing Aarushi's whole collection of Barbie...

Akshay - Now we go?

Arnav - Yeah, right after me and Aaru watch this episode of Barbie's Dreamhouse. It just started.

Akshay and Arshi exchanged a look with each other, disappointed they put down the Barbies they just changed.

Arshi - Daddy, u keep shay we go lait aftah, but no go. U shay n no do.

The way she complained with her lips formed into an 'O' at last, she looked too cute to not give in and take her for ice cream but the act wasn't to last long. They had been pushed to the edge and were definitely not going further.

Akshay - I see what you doing and I'm not liking it. You are a bad bad Daddy. I'll complain to Massi, then she'll show you.

Arnav - Go ahead.

Just as if it was her cue, Khushi entered the area where all four had been and was immediately attended by her outraged twin.

Arshi - Mumma, shee Daddy. No go eish keem.

Akshay - He keeps saying he'll take us right after bla bla bla. Your husband is sooo bad.

He pointed at him and grimaced not even wanting to see his face. Arnav rolled his eyes at that dramatic boy and looked at Khushi with a smile. She knelt down to them and held their hands in her own.

Khushi - So you feel bad for what he did to you?

They nod innocently at her question. By now both were enraged and gritted their teeth at him which didn't earn them any sympathy from Khushi.

Khushi - Then musn't your sister feel bad too? You do this to her over and over again. Don't you always tell her you'll play with her doll house but never do?

Arshi - No laik doll-haush.

She quickly defended herself. Now it was time for Aarushi to flare her nose and show her sister a fist.

Aaru - N I no laik u, shtill I pay. Mah do-haush so gudh.

Khushi - Aaru, let me talk.

She calmed her little parrot and then turned back to the two rebels as they eyed their sister in displeasure.

Khushi - Akshay, Arshi, you've been behaving so bad and unfair towards your sister. She was crying, you know that?

That softened up both their eyes. Aarushi pouted and hid her face in her father's chest, not wanting to show them her weak side.

Arshi - No. Aalu kai (cry)? Sho shoy Aalu.

Akshay - O my poor baby sister. I'm sorry too.

But the two were at her side in no time and hugged her nonetheless. Khushi smiled in relief. She knows they love Aarushi a lot but sometimes, but sometimes when the two alikes mix too much, they forget to consider her fragile self and their love for her. Otherwise these three share a lovable bond.

Arshi - We pay doll-haush. Come. We pay wat u shay.

Akshay - Yes, am in.

That was enough to win her back and lift her mood. Aarushi loved her Barbies and couldn't wait to play with them but there was something else she loved even more and couldn't wait for anymore.

Aaru - Lait aftah eish keem.

Arnav nodded in denial chuckling as the three laughed and looked at him with their toothy grins. He got up to obey and get back to being the spoiling Daddy he is.