“Oh! And who is this little princess? Hello Princess Misha. Kaise ho aap?”

(How are you?)

She asked in a childish tone, bending down to the girl’s height. Misha blushed and hid herself behind her chachu’s leg. She peeked at Monami and then hid again when Monami smiled at her, making everyone laugh at her cute antics.

“Mishu! Say hello!”

Shalini said making Misha peek out again. Monami offered her hand for a hand shake. She shook it with a shy smile and mumbled something that shocked everyone. Well, except for one person, who looked away trying to hide his embarrassment at being caught.

“Hello chachi.”

Monami looked at Misha surprised. Karan looked at his niece wide eyed. Shit! He hadn’t thought of them meeting before his confession when he taught that to her. Shalini looked at her daughter open mouthed and Mithilesh looked at Karan, knowing very well that it was his doing.

“Misha! Kisne sikhaya ye?”

(Who taught you this?)

Shalini asked. Although her voice was stern, there was a hint of amusement and teasing behind it. Monami got up but couldn’t get herself to look into anyone’s eyes. She was sure her cheeks were the deepest shade of pink and it was just because of the blush.

“Chachu.”

The little girl provided innocently not knowing that it was going to create a hurricane inside Monami. Her eyes darted towards Karan, who closed his eyes trying to hide himself.

She bit her lip as a shy smile formed on her lips. A hope blossomed in her heart like a beautiful flower. He too loved her. Teaching his niece to call her chachi meant only this.

And suddenly, every worry about him not feeling the same for her vanished and she bloomed with happiness.

Karan cleared his throat trying to deflect the situation and picked Misha up in his arms again.

“Princess! Maine kabhi sikhaya?”

(When did I teach you?)

Misha gave him a cute smile and said.

“Jab aapne mujhe chachi ki photo dikhai thi aur maine puchha tha ki ye kaun hai aur aapne kaha tha ki ye chachi aur phir maine puchha tha ki chachi kya hota hai aur phir aapne kaha tha ki Krish mamu ki wife Vaani mami waise aapki wife meri cha-”

(When you showed me chachi’s photo and I asked you who is she and then you said chachi and then I asked what does chachi mean and then you said that just like Krish mamu’s wife is Vaani mami, your wife would be my cha-)

She started rambling the entire event and Karan’s eyes widened. He quickly placed a hand over her mouth and chuckled nervously. 

“K-kuch bhi kahani bana leti hai ye. Don’t mind her guys.”

(She makes w-whatever story.)

He said as if two of the people in the room weren’t her parents. Shalini laughed and Mithilesh chuckled while shaking his head. Monami couldn’t help but smile. Her happiness knew no bounds today.

“Uhh… I guess aapko baithna chahiye. Hum sab ko baithna chahiye. Chai? Coffee? Aur snacks mai kya? I’ll order jab tak chai ya coffee banegi.”

(Uhh…I guess you people should sit. All of us should sit. Tea? Coffee? And what in snacks? I’ll order till the time tea or coffee is made.)

He quickly deflected the topic. His brother and bhabhi sat on the couch and Monami followed him to the kitchen.

“I’ll help. Aap tab tak order kro sabse puchhke ki kya khaayenge. Mai chai aur coffee bana dungi.”

(You order what everyone will eat. I will make the tea and coffee.)

“Ummm… yeah. Ok. Bhabhi aur mai chai lenge. Bhaiya coffee peete hai. You can have whatever you want. Misha ke liye mai usse puchhke uska milkshake order kr dunga. What will you have? Snacks mai?”

(Bhabhi and me will have tea. Bhaiya drinks coffee….I will order a milkshake for Misha after asking her….In snacks?)

They finally shared an eye contact after the whole chachi incident. Karan had a soft smile on his face. Them, in the same house, attending to guests like this felt so homey. As if she really was his wife.

“Jo sab khaa le. I eat everything. Bas vegetarian ho.”

(Whatever everyone eats. I eat everything. Just vegetarian.)

“All of us are vegetarian. Mai sabse puchhke batata hu phir.”

(I will tell you after asking everyone.)

She nodded and started searching for pans to make tea and coffee. The day was well spent. Her brother and bhabhi were such a cute couple. The chemistry that they had between them was so beautiful and Misha was the cutest little baby she had ever met.

“Umm… bhaiya, bhabhi, ye aap dono ke liye hai.”

(This is for both of you.)

Monami handed over the bag bearing both of their gifts to them. Shalini gave her a mock glare.

“Ab tum ye formality krogi?”

(Now you will do this formality?)

“Formality nhi hai bhabhi. Bas mera mann tha. Please!”

(Not formality Bhabhi. I just wanted to.)

She made a cute face and Shalini chuckled, taking the bag from her.

“Thank you. I hope dobara jaldi milenge. Right Karan?”

(I hope we will meet again soon.)

Karan looked at her bhabhi and smiled sheepishly. Monami blushed and tucked her hair behind her ear.

Monami felt a tug on her suit and looked down to see Misha looking at her expectantly. 

“Mera gift?”

(My gift?)

She asked in a hopeful tone and Monami awed at her. She retrieved the small bag with Misha’s clips and bent down to give it to her.

“Princess Misha ke liye special gift.”

(Special gift for Princess Misha.)

She quickly peeked inside and then her wide, overjoyed eyes met Monami’s, making her laugh. She then turned to her mother and bounced on her feet.

“Mumma! Unicorn clips! Aur butterfly bhi hai! Aur flower bhi hai! Aur aur-”

(And butterfly also! And flower also! And and-)

She gushed excitedly and Shalini smiled.

“Haan haan bas! Samajh gyi mumma. Now give it to me. Ghar jaake lagana ok? Say thank you.”

(Yes yes ok! Mumma got it….Take it when we reach home, ok?)

Misha launched herself into Monami’s arms and squeezed her tight in her little arms.

“Thank you chachi!”

Monami smiled and hugged her securely.

“Your welcome princess.”

She placed a kiss on the side of her head, making Misha kiss her cheek. 

“Mai aata hu neeche tak.”

(I will come to drop you.)

Karan said but Mithilesh stopped him.

“Bache thodi na hai hum ki kho jaayenge. Baitho tum aaram se. I’m sure you guys have a lot to talk about.”

(We are not kids that we would get lost. You sit here.)

He teased and they took their leave, leaving the two alone. Monami now felt her hands get clammy and heart beat race in nervousness.

“Aaj rooftop pr aaogi?”

(Will you come to the rooftop today?)

He asked in a soft voice. She shook her head. She had planned on doing her pending office work but since she couldn’t, she would have to complete it now. Which would leave her with no time to go to the rooftop.

“I have some pending work. 12 baje se pehle submit krna hai.”

(I have to submit it before 12.)

She explained and he nodded. They shared another eye contact. No words. Just pure, raw emotions in their eyes.

“I… ummm… I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She whispered, feeling too much from his gaze.