This shot is dedicated to my lovely @ArShi_Angel Happy birthday Saruuu. May God bless you with all the happiness in the world. Have a heartfilled birthday. This update is your gift.

Khushi - Wake up my sleepy heads. It's quite late.

She opened the curtains to let the daylight enter through the windows and walked back to the bed to wake up her children with kisses and her husband by pulling the quilt off him.

Khushi - It's 10 O' Clock already Arnavji. Get up.

Arnav - Khushiii, let us sleep.

He rolled keeping his face away from the penetrating light and pulled the teddy bear in a hug lying between him and Aarushi.

Khushi giggled and shot a pic of him cropping out the twins sleeping right next to him amidst all the cuddly toys and Barbies. You can't have enough blackmail material.

Khushi - Who told you to play with them at 5 in the morning? If they woke up, then you should have made them sleep again and not play with them.

She stretched out on the bed taking both her dolls in her arms and rubbed her nose on their cheeks.

Khushi - Shona, wake up. I have a surprise for you.

They moved in her hold snuggling into her chest while Arnav grabbed her hand and put it under his cheek.

Arnav - What surprise?

He asked opening his eyes and she pulled her hand back grimacing.

Khushi - I said shona. Not you. The surprise is for them.

Arnav - So I'm not your shona?

Khushi - No. You are a Laad Governor. These two are my shona, my jaan, my dolls. My sweet Jalebis.

She kissed their noses smiling. He chuckled recognizing her typical my-babies-are-so-sweet-I-could-eat-them look.

Arnav - Khushi, I know you aren't into cannibalism but still just wanna say please don't eat them for real one day.

She shot daggers at him before smacking him lightly.

Khushi - Go and get ready. And this doesn't belong to you.

She drew the teddy out of his arms as he sat up finally yawning.

Arshi - Mum-ma

They opened their eyes slowly and Khushi smiled cooing with them.

Khushi - Good morning my sweeties.

Arshi, Aaru - Gud monig.

They weren't ready to get started into the day yet so stayed in their mother's embrace, trying to get more space than the other. Khushi chuckled and caressed their hair.

Khushi - Today is a special day. There is a surprise for you two.

They looked at her blinking blankly with little curiosity. They weren't fully awake yet to get excited and make assumptions.

Arnav - So what's the surprise? Tell now at least.

She turned behind at her husband standing there waiting for her to reveal it. She nodded in denial. Living amongst kids he too has started behaving like a kid sometimes.

Khushi - What are you still doing here? Go get ready!

Arnav - For what? You asked me to stay home today and now you're asking me to get ready!?

Khushi - Arnavji, you too na. You don't remember? Today is Kanya puja!

He opened his mouth in comprehension and then walked over to the cupboard.

Arnav - So that's the surprise?

He asked quite disinterested.

Khushi - Again. The surprise is not for you. It's for our daughters. Today many girls will come home for Kanya Puja. And my dolls will get to play with them and make new friends. Isn't it?

Aarushi smiled at the thought of making friends but Arshi just blinked blankly not able to fathom the look of excitement on her mother's face. She wasn't as fond of people and kids as her mother or sister.

*

The twins were ready in traditionals and made to eat when the kids arrived for Kanya Puja. The three Raizada offsprings were riding around in their electric cars and halting for their mothers sitting in the living room.

Aarushi - Mumma, when gul come?

Khushi - Any minute now Aaru. You're excited na?

Aarushi - Yesh. I show my Barbiesh. Then we all pay.

She pointed to the pink wheelbarrow with all her Barbies kept inside. Khushi giggled imagining all the washing and changing of Barbie dolls Aarushi will want them to do with her. Everyday it's her duty to do that with her but today she was let off.

Khushi - But you have way more toys than these Barbies.

Aarushi stopped her car and gasped cupping her own jaw. The whole family roaming and/or sitring there in the living room looked at her at the sudden outburst.

Aarushi - They no toy Mumma. They mah babiesh. Mah shona.

Everyone laughed silently while Khushi rolled her eyes. Aarushi and her Barbies!

Khushi - Arshi, Akshay, you both too be nice to them and play with them. And share your toys. Ok?

Arshi - I no pomish.

Khushi - Why? That's very bad Arshi. You have so many toys I can't even count and won't share?

Arshi - They pay wid toysh. But if they bad I no pay wid them.

Akshay - Yes Massi. We'll first see and then decide if we'll play with them or not. What if they are naughty? You know I don't like naughty kids.

All the eyes present were narrowed at him as he declared it. He, the naughty one was saying he doesn't like naughty kids.

Akash - And since when is that? All your friends at school are quite naughty.

Akshay - They are boys. Mumma told girls are coming. So.

Payal - So what? Girls shouldn't be naughty?

Akshay - Yes.

Khushi - But twins are naughty.

He looked at them who were staring everyone disoriented.

Akshay - They are my little sisters! They can be naughty. They can do whatever they want. Nobody say anything.

Khushi knelt down laughing and pulled his cheeks.

Khushi - Ok your little sister's protective brother and Massi's jaan, be good to the girls ha. They may be naughty but they they are just children. They too are like your sisters.

Akshay - Sisters? No. Only Arshi and Aaru. They will be girlfriends.

Arnav - Excuse me?

Akash - What did you say?

Both the cousins looked at each other as they spoke simultaneously.

Khushi - Arnavji, a girl who is a friend!

She eyed them trying to imply the simple innocent mind of a child. A girlfriend isn't a lover, a girlfriend is a girl who is your friend.

Khushi - Accha, my good boy you are.

She got up kissing him and looked at the door as the girls were dropped there finally. All the ladies walked over to welcome them. The three on their cars too drove near the door all time honking and watching the girls being greeted and received.

Aarushi looked at the other two to stop as she was eager to get down and introduce herself but she wanted her counterparts beside.

Khushi - Ok you three, stop and come here.

Aarushi drove to her mother as soon they were called and the other two tagged along.

Khushi - Meet these three. This is Aarushi, that is Arshi and his name is Akshay. They would like to play with you.

Arshi - I no shay.

Khushi looked at Arshi showing her big eyes to shut her up.

Akshay - Massi, don't scare my sister. You always say we shall not lie. She's being honest.

Khushi - Alright, alright. But my Aaru here is too excited to play with you all. She has lots of dolls and toys she wants to share with you, haina Aaru?

Aarushi - Yesh Mumma. Come. I show.

She jumped into her car to drive back but Anjali stopped her.

Anjali - Aaru, they just arrived. Let's offer them some refreshments and sweets first. What would you all like to have? Juice, milk, sweets, chocolates. We have everything.

'CHOCOLATES.'

The girls screamed in unison and Payal sprinted away to get them. One of the girls smiled at Arshi and walked to her.

Girl - You have a pretty car. Is it fun?

Arshi just nodded looking at the girl as like an alien.

Girl - Can I drive it?

Arshi looked at the car and then at the girl. The other girls too formed around her with expectant eyes. She nodded fast and ran away to her mother, hugging her legs.

Arshi - Mumma

Khushi kept the plate of sweets on the table and carried Arshi caressing her cheek. Arshi was not rude, she was just a child but she has never liked crowds. And all the girls gathering around her may have become too much for her.

Khushi - Aww shona. Don't worry, they are all good girls. They want to play with you. You'll be Mumma's good baby and show them how to use your car, won't you?

She looked at everyone and hugged Khushi tightly. 

Arshi - I shtay wid Mumma.

She sighed then and walked over to Arnav.

Khushi - Handle her for a while. I need to attend the children.

He nodded taking her from Khushi and tried to divert her with some talk.

*

Aarushi - You know how to dive?

She kept a hand on the car as one of the girls sat in. The girl shrugged her shoulders and Aarushi smirked.

Aarushi - No woly. I show. Shee and then dive.

She hopped into her own car and pressed on the pedal. It started moving and Aarushi steered the wheel.

Aarushi - U pesh thish and then do thish. Vely eazy.

Khushi - So kids, here you got-

Aarushi - Mumma, no dishtub!

She flared her nose who interrupted her teaching lesson. Khushi raised her brows and knelt down to show the contents on the plate to everyone.

Khushi - Ok, then I suppose nobody wants these chocolates.

Aarushi's eyes sprang out and pressing the pedal she reached her mother at first grabbing two chocolate bars at once.

Aarushi - Mmmm, chocate.

Khushi shook her head at the foodie and then distributed to the other kids.

Akshay - Massi, aren't you forgetting someone?😩

Arshi - Mumma😕

They both reminded her of themselves while sitting with Arnav and Akash in the living room. Khushi strode to them and gave both a chocolate each.

Khushi - Akshay, why are you sitting here? Why won't you play with them?

Akshay - Aaru is playing. If I too go play with them, Arshi will be all alone.

Arnav - I'm with her.

Akshay - Are you a child?

Arnav raised a brow at him who tried to copy his action but could raise only both of his brows together.

Khushi rolled her eyes at the two and knelt down to her baby.

Khushi - Arshi, beta you try and play with them. Mumma will be with you. And bhai too. See, how much fun Aaru is having.

Arshi looked over to her sister running around with the girls now. She blinked and clutched Arnav again who rubbed her back holding her.

Arnav - Let her be Khushi. You know she isn't comfortable with crowds and strangers.

Khushi - Yes she isn't. But I want her to be. She's a child Arnavji and soon she'll go to school. There will be many children, stranger teachers and crowdy playgrounds. Will you go and stand holding her there too?

He passed her a look to which she smiled at him.

Khushi - Come, Arshi is my jaan. Akshay, let's go. We'll make new friends and play with them.

Khushi picked her daughter up and went back to the running kids with Akshay following her.

Khushi - So girls, see who wants to play with you.

She placed Arshi down and placed her hand on Akshay's shoulder.

Khushi - Arshi and Akshay too want to play. Can you take them in?

Aarushi - Yesh yesh. Come. We pay.

It was Aarushi who grabbed Arshi's hand and pulled her into the circle. Akshay grimaced as nobody asked him.

Akshay - Hey, I'm here too.

He jumped in envious and Khushi stood there only watching Arshi slowly but steadily warm up to the other kids. Arnav watched his wife in satisfaction. She did it. She made Arshi befriend the other girls.

Anjali - Come here everybody. It's time for the puja.

Manorama, Anjali and Payal prepared everything in home temple while Khushi busied kiss and got them there now.

Anjali - Chote, Akash, you two also come here.

They kept their business talk aside and joined the ladies.

Khushi - Now everyone sit down.

Sheets were kept down for the girls to sit and everyone except of one did as told. Arshi ran to her father standing in a corner.

Khushi - Arshi, you too come and sit here.

Arshi - No. I shtay Daddy.

The ladies straightened and looked at her. Why wouldn't she sit with the other girls? She's befriended them now.

There Akshay looked around at the girls and then Arshi. He took seat with them and is confused if to remain seated or join Arshi.

Khushi - What happened Arshi? Why won't you sit here with everyone?

Aarushi - Mumma, no wolly. I hea. Give Jebi na.

Her eyes were all time on the plate of Jalebis kept there. The family laughed for a second at her impatience. But Khushi stood up.

Khushi - Arshi, tell Mumma. What happened shona?

Arshi - I no like Mumma. I good hea, wid Daddy.

Khushi narrowed her eyes at Arnav and flared her nose. Her three and a half years old was too innocent. She had no reason to dislike sitting down for puja.

Khushi - Arnavji, you taught her something. Didn't You?

Arnav - I said nothing Khushi. Um, she asked me what's all this and I told her plain and simple this is all nonsense.

The ladies gasped at his choice of words. Arnav didn't believe in God but was he teaching his kids the same too?

Anjali - Chote, how can you say that? This is not nonsense. Little innocent girls are forms of Goddess Dugra.

Khushi - See Di, my Arshi is an innocent three years old but he is feeding all this into her mind.

Arnav - I am feeding it into her mind? You too feed your beliefs into their mind. Do I ever object?

She widened her mouth astounded and rested her hands on her hips.

Khushi - So what if I am adding some values into them? They are not your children only. They are mine too and I too have rights on them.

Arnav - Khushi, kids are watching. Do the pooja. See, Aarushi wants Jalebi.

Khushi - You just keep quiet Arnavji. Don't eat my head. Arshi, baby, don't you want to listen to your Mumma? Your Daddy says it's nonsense. Then be it. But you'll sit with your new friends and eat na?

She pointed to the numerous food made for kids and Arshi stared at her mother blinking.

Arshi - Mumma, why do thish? No non-she?

Khushi carried her gladly and smiled keeping her down next to Aarushi.

Khushi - We do this for fun. So will you be with Mumma in this fun?

She smiled now shaking her head in positive.

Arshi - Yesh. Mah Mumma shoooo fun.

Khushi passed Arnav a look before turning back. Twins were too small to understand all these things yet so Khushi let it be about fun for now.

Anjali motioned Arnav and Akash who then on their sister and wives' demand washed and wiped the girls feet and at the end of the line found Akshay too sitting there happily. He was an innocent child and had been joining this puja every year now even if he doesn't remember.

Payal put on tilak, rice grains and vermilion on them. Aarushi grimaced at that and got up.

Payal - What happened Aaru?

Aarushi - No good Masshi. Mah desh no match thish.

Khushi - Aaru, your dress is perfectly matching it. Don't worry.

Aarushi - No lie?

Khushi chuckled now and nodded. Payal moved ahead and Arshi raised her hand.

Arshi - No. I good. No coloh mah fash (face).

Payal - I'll keep it small Arshi. Let Massi do it, just a little bit.

She kept her palm down but kept her eyes on the amount of vermilion Payal was taking. Khushi shot daggers at her Laad Governor. Each time Arshi protested Arnav had to bear her angry glares.

Anjali handed everyone a wrapped gift including twins and Akshay. They were already at opening it but we're stopped by Khushi

Khushi - First you will eat and then only open the gifts.

Aarushi - Sho shad, mah new Barbie wait.

Arshi - What in thish? Barbie? Then take back.

Akshay - I wanted a football. This doesn't look like football.

Khushi - You three keep the gifts away and eat. See, it's puri halwa, Jalebi and Kheer. Everything you love.

Khushi served the girls played who thanked her with kisses on cheeks for the fun time and for being so nice. But the two identical little persons fumed watching the scenes. So as soon Khushi got them with their plates they pulled her down to themselves and leaned hugging her neck.

Arshi - Mumma, u mine😠! No kisshie huggie elsh.

Aarushi - Mine too. Kisshie huggie me.

Khushi stared her jealous and possessive little Laad Governors as they pecked her lips.

Arshi - They no do thish. Only I😋.

Aarushi - I too Alshi. No fo-get me.

Khushi - Ok yes yes, only you two can do this. You have all my love, you are my babies.

She hugged them smiling as they passes proud looks to other kids claiming their mother back fully for themselves.

Akshay - Arshi, Aaru, I too do.😝

Arshi, Aarushi - U dale😠 (dare)!

And laughter echoed in temple as they got up and started chasing Akshay. The little girls enjoyed the full on drama of the pair as they ate.

The prompt was given by @mist_and_myth. It may not be the way you may have imagined but I was in pressure to draft it till Saru's bday 😁. Hope you still liked and enjoyed.