Ashwin was sipping coffee in the hall when he saw Sindhya coming down the stairs, wearing a pink plazo suit. Her hair was wet, and she had left it loose. Ashwin's heart skipped a beat as he gazed at her.
Sindhya didn't find the kids and asked Ashwin, "Where are Ashwi and Idhu?"
Ashwin replied, "They're in the garden."
Sindhya nodded and headed towards the garden.
After Sindhya left, Ashwin told himself, "Control yourself, Ashwin. You can't be attracted to anyone like this." He then left for the office.
In the evening, Sindhya was staying at Oberoi Mansion for some time until Idhu recovered. She had brought her luggage and kept it in the guest room downstairs.
In the hall, Sindhya was teaching Ashwi and Idhu fruit and vegetable names. Ashwin returned from the office and found them studying together. He quietly watched them.
Sindhya pointed to an orange and asked, "What's this called?"
Idhu and Ashwi stared at the fruit, making Ashwin want to laugh, but he remained silent.
After a moment, they both said, "Olenz."
Sindhya happily gave them each an orange slice, saying, "Very good! Now finish this, and I'll give you apple."
Ashwin joined them, and Ashwika climbed onto his lap. Sindhya left for her room.
At 8 pm, everyone was at the dining table, except Sindhya. Dadi sent a maid to call her.
When Sindhya arrived, wearing a panda print night suit with a ponytail, Ashwin couldn't take his eyes off her.
Dadi asked Ashwika and Idhu about their day. As they shared their experiences, Dadi and Dada ji smiled, and their affection for Sindhya grew.
Sindhya fed the kids, and after dinner, everyone retired to their rooms.
Sindhya forgot to lock her door. She fell asleep soon, being an early sleeper.
In the middle of the night, two small figures entered her room - Ashwika and Idhu.
"Mommy's alone, let's sleep next to her," Ashwika whispered.
Idhu nodded, and they lay beside Sindhya.
Their conversation woke her slightly, but they soon fell asleep.
The next morning, Ashwin went to his kids' room but didn't find them.
"Where have they gone?" he wondered.
To be continued...
Ashwin hall mein coffee pi raha tha, tabhi uski nazar sidhiyon se utarti Sindhya par gayi, jo pink plazo suit mein bahut pyaari lag rahi thi. Uske baal geele the, jinhen usne khula chhod rakha tha.
Sindhya ne bachchon ko nahin dekha aur Ashwin se pucha, "Ashwi aur Idhu kahan hain?"
Ashwin bola, "Garden mein hain."
Sindhya ne apna sir hilaaya aur garden ki taraf chali gayi.
Sindhya ke jaane ke baad, Ashwin ne khud se kaha, "Control kar, Ashwin. Tere liye koi bhi ladki nahin hai."
Shaam ko, Sindhya Oberoi Mansion mein kuch samay ke liye rahne wali thi, jab tak Idhu theek nahin ho jata. Usne apna saman le aaya tha aur neeche ke guest room mein rakh diya tha.
Hall mein, Sindhya Ashwi aur Idhu ko phal aur sabziyon ke naam sikhane lagi thi. Ashwin office se aaya aur unhe saath mein padhte hue dekha.
Sindhya ne orange par ishaara kiya aur pucha, "Iska kya naam hai?"
Idhu aur Ashwi us phal ko dekhte rahe, Ashwin ko hansna aaya, lekin vah khamaas reh gaya.
Kuch der baad, dono ne saath mein kaha, "Olenz."
Sindhya khush hokar unhe orange ka tukda diya aur kaha, "Bahut accha! Ab isko khatam karo, main tumhe apple dunga."
Ashwin unke paas aaya, aur Ashwika uski god mein chad gayi. Sindhya apne room mein chali gayi.
Raatri 8 baje, sab log dining table par the, Sindhya ke alawa. Dadi ne maid ko bulaya aur usse Sindhya ko dinner ke liye bulane ko kaha.
Jab Sindhya aayi, toh vah panda print night suit mein thi, aur usne apne baal ponytail mein banaye the. Ashwin usse nahin dekhpaya.
Dadi ne Ashwika aur Idhu se unke din ke bare mein pucha. Jab ve apne anubhav sajha rahe the, Dadi aur Dada ji muskura rahe the, aur unka Sindhya ke prati pyar badh raha tha.
Sindhya ne bachchon ko khana khilaya, aur dinner ke baad sab apne room mein chale gaye.
Sindhya bhool gayi apna darwaza lock karna. Vah jaldi so gayi, kyunki vah early sleeper thi.
Raatri ke beech mein, do chhoti parchhaiyan uske room mein aayi - Ashwika aur Idhu.
"Mummy akeli hai, unke paas sona hai," Ashwika ne kaha.
Idhu ne apna sir hilaaya, aur ve Sindhya ke paas lage so gaye.
Unki baat se Sindhya thodi hil gayi, lekin ve jaldi so gaye.
Agli subah, Ashwin apne bachchon ke room mein gaya, lekin unhe nahin paya.
"Ye kahan gaye?" usne socha.
To be continued...