"Neha, wakeup. It's already seven. Everyone is waiting for us at the dining table. Get up.....Arghh...",groaned Avantika, trying to pull her blanket. Neha was always a deep sleeper, huddled inside the blanket such that even her head was covered by the quilt. Avantika knew this but also the fact that no one else will be able to wake her up peacefully, hence the daily trial of waking her up. She somehow managed to pull the quilt a little bit, making Neha come out of her cocoon, even if it was just her face.
"Avi please let me sleep, just five minute, no...no, just two minutes is also fine.", mumbling this Neha tried to go back into her safe heaven - her blanket burrito, leaving Avantika flabbergasted even though it was a daily occurance. She thought how can someone sleep so much.
"Neha, if you don't wake up now then...".
Neha waited for Avantika to complete her statement, but after sometime there was no response. She peeked out from her blanket, slowly sitting against the headrest.
"Where did she go?", whispered Neha in her hoarse morning voice. The moment she turned around, she was splashed with water. After her coughing fit, she glared at a sheepish looking Avantika and pounces on her from her bed, making Avantika run for her life.
"Avi....", shouted Neha at the top of her voice standing at the door of their room, the room which she and Avantika shared. Neha heard Avantika's giggles and smiled to herself. Avantika is like a lifeline for Neha, without which she can't even imagine her life. Sighing to herself, shaking her head, she took her clothes and went for bath.
..............
"Your Daughter is awake. Her morning starts whenever Avi manages to wake her up.", said Smita rolling her eyes and smiling softly to Adarsh on hearing Neha's signature good morning. She passed her husband a cup of tea, strong just as she knew would like, waiting for Neha to come down. Smita and Adarsh have been married for more than twenty five years yet their love is sweet as ever. They have three children - Avantika, Neha who are a year apart with Avantika being the older one and the eldest brother,Varun Singh.
"Dad, Good Morning.",Neha came down the stairs in black jeans and white top, matching with Avantika's black leggings and white kurti.
"Good Morning Beta.",answered Adarsh, pretending to be busy with his newspaper, teasing Neha. Neha has been the most pampered and spoilt member of the family of five. She is the kid of the family whom everyone spoils and pampers even Avantika inspite of their same age.
"Daaad...", whined Neha.
"Beta...", her dad whined back.
'Who would think that the retired army officer , who was known for his discipline and toughness would become such a kid after retiring from the army.',thought Smita, exasperated.
"Hmphhh.....Dad since you don't want to eat breakfast prepared by Avantika then fine. You read newspaper, I'll console her and even eat your share. Come Mom we will have the delicious breakfast ", Neha said cheekily. She went and hugged her Mom, dragging her to the dining table at the same time, leaving her horrified Dad behind which made her Mom sigh at the childish banter between the two.
Smita was a professor in the University of Literature,Capital City popular for her elegance and gracefulness even though she was a considered old with her being mother of three. Students admired her and her colleagues repected her. She was used to dealing with students and the little kid inside her husband was not hidden to her. Though she looked calm and serene on outside, like nothing could affect her composure but inside having such a beautiful family full of happiness never failed to make her smile, especially Avantika.
Adarsh immediately abandoned his newspaper and followed the mother-daughter duo to the dining table.
...............
Avantika was busy, bringing food from kitchen to the dining table. They had a cook, a middle aged sweet lady but she loved to cook specially knowing her family loved her cooking, so once in a while she took it upon herself to prepare meals for them.
"Avantika, I am very hungry. Don't know why people are walking so slow .",saying this Adarsh sat down at the head of the table with a proud expression, leaving the two ladies flabbergasted at his shamelessness, even though it was nothing new. Everyone adored Avantika. She was mature, kind but at the same time very soft spoken, very quiet.
Neha and Smita were standing at the door,stunned. It was still unexpected that her father would side step them and run to the dining table while at the same time look so smug.
"Okay Dad, you win. Wait and watch my time will also come, just wait.", saying this Neha sat down next to her Dad on one side while Smita went to the kitchen. She dragged Avantika out saying the servents will bring out the rest.
"Avantika, come and sit. No more work.", ordered Smita.
"Yes Mom.", Avantika kissed Adarsh on his cheek, wishing him good morning and sat beside Smita.
They all enjoyed the meal, laughing and talking all along. They were not very stern on the rules of dining specially that of being quiet while eating. According to them it was a bonding time for the family. Though it do not mean that they dont follow the necessary ettiquettes when in front of others.
While deserts were being served, anyone could notice the twinkle of expectation in Adarsh's eyes. However, the servent only got three bowls of desert and gave them to the three ladies, leaving Adarsh. The speed of change of Adarsh's expression made all three of them burst out laughing. They continues talking and enjoying desert, ignoring the sulking Adarsh.
"This desert is the same yet different, good different. Did you do something?", asked Neha curiously.
"Yes, even I agree, it's even better than before.", said Smita.
Adarsh was sad that no one paid attention to him and was about to leave so that he could sulk alone, when a bowl was placed before him. He looked at the hand holding the bowl only to find Avantika in front of him.
"Dad, how could I forget about you. But your sugar levels are higher than needed and hence I made sugarfree one for you. I was just teasing you.", said Avatika laughing.
Adarsh wanted to pretend to be angry but his temptation for sweets won over and he also started laughing along with everyone enjoying the desert.