After a quick shower, Aryan joined his Grandparents for breakfast.
"Where are my sweethearts Grandma?",Aryan asked looking around.
"Must be sleeping. Their vacation starts today.", Grandpa said, busy with his newspaper. As soon as Aryan turned to go upstairs to check on them, they heard pitter patter of steps coming down the stairs. Turning around Aryan saw two of the most important people in his life - Aarav and Aarushi.
As soon as they came into view, Aryan stood still holding his breathe, waiting for them to notice his presence. Aarav was the first one to notice Aryan, his whole face lightening up with happiness and a cute tiny smile on his face. Aarav pulled Aarushi and pointed towards Aryan. The instance she saw him, she froze for a moment, rubbing her eyes to confirm if she was dreaming, again.
Aryan, seeing her actions, felt a lump in his throat. He went on his knees, waiting for them with open arms. Aarushi ran towards him, wrapping her tiny arms tightly arund his neck as if afraid that he was not real. Aryan held her with an arm and looked at Aarav, waiting for him. Aryan knew Aarav was smart for his age and hence was even more scared of seeing the feeling of alienation or even worse hatred in his eyes. It did not mean he was not worried about Aarushi because he really was. Aarushi was a social butterfly who was still naive and innocent, though she had the knack to identify people's intention towards them. But at the end, even though Aarushi looked like the social butterfly but still she was protected from all sides. Soon Aarav walked slowly into his father's arms, both of the twins feeling the warmth, the sense of security and belonging in his embrace.
Aryan hugged them back tightly, his fear of them hating him slowly leaving him. He knew this was all thanks to his Grandparents and their efforts to keep everyone together after losing their son and daughter-in-law. He looked in their direction, only to notice his Grandma standing with tears in her eyes same as him and his Grandpa trying to comfort her.
After calming himself, Aryan realised that the kids would be hungry and wanted to take them to the dining hall, only to realise two rabbits burrowing their head on either sides in his shoulder not ready to let go and his shoulders wet. He realised both of them were crying. He moved them and noticed tears swimming in their identical grey eyes and his heart broke. He knew he needed to talk to them.
It was all new for him, Aarav and Aarushi becoming a part of his life, taking care of two six year olds. But he knew he wanted to do it right and that was enough to give him strength to move on. He didn't know how to do it but was sure he will slowly figure out but one thig of which he was sure was - The foundation of any relation depends on communication and that is what he intended to do.
"Grandma, Grandpa you guys go and have your breakfast and don't forget to take your medicines. We will come back soon.", saying this Aryan picked both of them, one on each arm and moved towards the garden. He desperately wanted to know what was going on in their heads. He was not there for them till now but he very well plans to be there for them, for his family now.
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In the garden he sat on the swing under the tree. He gave them time to calm down. Once he felt that they stopped crying, he made them sit on his either side.
"What happened Roo, Champ?"asked Aryan, resulting in silence. Aryan took out his handkerchief and cleaned the tears on Aarav's face and combed his ash blonde hair to one side so that he coud see his face clearly. Once satisfied with Aarav, he turned to Aarushi who had red rimmed eyes, red nose and chubby cheeks tinted pink due to crying. Aryan felt he was lucky to have them in his life. He cleaned her face with same carefulness and gentleness as before.
"Roo, Champ why were you crying ?", he asked them after making them sit, each one on his either leg, taking them into an embrace. Both of them remained silent. They found a comfortable position on his lap and placed their head on his chest covered in a White full sleeve t-shirt, stretching across his broad shoulder, sleeves pulled to his elbows with a watch on his left hand which was holding onto Aarushi who was busy tracing it.
Aryan waited patiently for them to respond.
"We miss you.", was the only thing Aarav said and Aryan understood everything. They were scared that he will leave them, stop loving them. They have been waiting for so long for him to come back, talking to him only via videocalls or phonecalls and now that he is here they are scared that he will leave them and go away. They are used to the virtual Aryan but now when the real him is infront of him, they were scared of losing him, the only thread of familiarity for them in their initial days with the Ahluwalia's. This realisation made him happy as well as angry at himself for making them so insecure and sad. Trying to get rid of the sad gloomy atmosphere, Aryan started speaking,
"You know when I was your age, I was very naughty.", said Aryan with a smile. Both the rabbits perked up, listening to what he was saying. "Your Grammy(Ajit) and Grandpa used to take me for adventures, picnics, amusements parks and any place which they thought would excite. They also used to strictly train me in martial arts so as to make sure I could always protect myself."
Aryan looked down to see two pairs of eyes curiously looking at him, twinkling, waiting for him to continue. Seeing this brought a beautiful genuine smile on Aryan's face. He continued,"I even used to get scolded for missing my lessons, running around. I want to do all those things with you both, I want to go to different places with you, I want to play with you, go for picnics and many more things. I want to become a part of your life the way you both have become mine. Will you allow me to be a part of your life ?", Asked Aryan, his voice full of sincerity, his eyes betraying his nervousness.
People may think that he was being too harsh talking in such a way with six year olds but Aryan knew that those two had seen the harsh reality of world before itself. Now what they want was control on their life, freedom to make choices and Aryan didn't want to steal that from them.
Aarav and Aarushi started asking him questions one after another.
"Will you come to our parent - teacher meet ?", Aryan nodded.
"Will you come with us to fairs ?", Aryan replied with a yes.
"Will you take us to the cafe close to the school ? Roo love the ice cream there."
"Whenever you want but within limits. I don't want you to get sick.",Aryan replied with a smile.
"Will you take us to science museum? ".
"Yes. I will take you wherever you want.",said Aryan, kissing their forehead.
"Will you always be with us? "
"Will you never leave us?"
Both of them asked together in sync.
"No, I will never leave you, not even if you want me to."saying this Aryan started a tickle war, rolling in the grass with them, their laughter echoing all around. This was the scene witnessed by Ajit and Manisha. All the servents, especially the old ones had tears in their eyes seeing their masters so happy, listening to their laughter.
"Stop it Dad, please stop it.", giggled Aarushi with a flushed face on Aryan's torso whereas Aarav was laying next to them breathing heavily, with a bright glow on his face. Listening to Aarushi calling him Dad, Aryan froze for a moment. Taking his silence as a rejection, Aarushi locked eyes with Aarav, twiddling her tiny thumbs together, said," I am sorry."
At this Aryan came back from his daydreaming. Looking at the guilty faces of the twins, he felt like smacking himself.
"Why are you sorry Darling?"
"You were angry and were quiet when Roo called you Dad.", mumbled Aarav, looking everywhere except for Aryan's eyes fearing rejection.
"I am not angry, shocked yes. I thought you both will not accept me as your father. I wanted to give you time to get used to the idea of calling me Dad. But now I am so happy. You two are the best kids anyone could ever have.", saying this Aryan kissed both their nose, making Aarushi giggle and leaving a blushing shy Aarav.
Aryan thought he can live his live like this, happily with his two little bundles of joy.