After having some heart-to-heart talk with Aarav and Aarushi, Aryan held both their hands and went to the dining hall only to find the breakfast table same as when he left. He chuckled and made both the kids to sit on his either side.
"Grandma, Grandpa shall we have breakfast now. By the way I saw someone peeping from the door. Do you have any idea who was there, Grandma?", asked Aryan teasing them. Grandpa casually put his newspaper to the side and started having his breakfast, avoiding eye contact with anyone while Grandma replied righteously, "Who dares to peep on my children in their own house? Who dares other than us.", her voice trailing to a whisper giving the impression of a child caught with his hand in the cookie container. Seeing this Aarav and Aarushi burst into a fit of giggles, their eyes shining with happiness.
"Granny,Grampy you both are so cute.", resulting in laughter from Aryan and Manisha while a smile hung on Ajit's face. He was glad to have his family back together with him.
All of them had a harmonious breakfast, filled with chatter and laughter. There was Aryan trying to remember the habits, likes and dislikes of the twins, there was Grandma loading their plates with food even when they said they were full, there was Aarushi who hates milk was drinking it on being coaxed by Aryan and there was the man to man talk going on between Aryan, Grandpa and Aarav exploring Aarav's field of interest which they came to know was focussed on computers and gadgets. He was exited to find Aryan having similar interests and immediately wanted to show him his works but Aryan managed to convince him that they'll go after spending some time with their Granny and Grampy.
"They are getting old and we need to spend time with them take care of everyone since we are the men of the house. What say Champ?"
Aarav nodded and finished his milk obediently. Aryan cleaned his milk moustache with napkin,"We need to take care of them. But only Grampy is old, my Granny is beautiful as ever.",said Aarav mischeiviously.
"No, my Grampy is not old, he is handsome as ever. Hmphhhh....", said Aarushi puffing out her cheeks, with a pout on her lips and hands crossed across her chest. Seeing this, Aarav immediately took back his words.
"Yes, Yes whatever Roo says is right.", said Aarav nodding his head, causing another burst of laughter. Aryan was happy to see the twins coming out of their shell in front of him.
All of them moved to Manisha's Parlour. It was more of a Piano room to relax. It had a fireplace built in a light green wall with cushions infront of it for people to sit, two walls were white with one side made up of glass covered in curtains - a mix of transparent, white and light green. There were two L-shaped sofa, facing the piano at one end and fireplace at the other. The room had a theme.
Ajit called for tea and sat with Manisha. Aarav moved to the cushions and sat down with a book. Aarushi pulled his hand to get his attention. Aryan got down on his knees in front of her.
"What happened Roo? You need something."
After hesitating for a while, Aarushi whispered hesitating,"Grampy told me that you .....you also play piano...will you....will you play with me."
Aryan found her so cute with her doe-like silver eyes same as Aarav, her long hair tied in a pony with a light blue ribbon matching perfectly with her dress and light blue ballerina shoes.
"Of course princess, lets go.", saying this Aryan lifted her in his arms and took her to the piano leaving behind the excited older Ahluwalia couple. It has been so long since they saw him playing piano. Even Aarav closed his book to listen their duet and seperating Aarav and his books is no easy feat.
Ajit and Manisha knew that Aryan was a prodigy in piano and also knew how to play flute pretty well. There was even a time when they thought he would choose it as a career option but alas he and his best friend Karan wanted to explore the unchartered territory of Army where none of their families had a sphere of influence. They wanted to acheive whatever they want with their own efforts and that they did.
Aryan and Aarushi sat side by side and placed their fingers on the piano. He asked her to start and he would follow her lead. He knew in duets, there is a huge chance of assertion of dominance unknowingly and he did not want anything such to happen. He wanted to do many more duets with Aarushi, wanted to teach them whatever he knew. It seemed every moment he was learning something new about the twins, it seemed as if they were trying to open themselves in front of him and this effort made him so happy, as if he was moving on clouds.
Aarushi started slow. Aryan noticed she was nervous. He patted her shoulder and started playing slowly with her. He was shocked seeing how well his princess was playing considering her age and cute little fingers. Soon they fell into sync once Aarushi was confident that she could match with Aryan. Soon they finished their song. Everyone even the maids couldn'
"Aaru, come.",she called Aarav to join them. Aarav slowly walked to them. Aryan shifted a little making place for him next to him. Aarav and Aarushi started playing together leaving everyone mesmerised. Aarav nudged him to play while concentrating on keys. All three of them started playing in harmony, all three of them lost in a world where only they exist leaving the rest in tears, tears of joy, tears of happiness.
What happened that these simple moments of life became the most cherished moments of life?
Why does it feel as if they crossed a long period of darkness to reach this happiness?
Well we will find out later.....