ANNUPAM, I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW, I'M HAPPY.
“Mama! Mama! Munu is pulling my hair. It’s hurting. Aah!
Aah! Leave it.”
“No, I’ll not leave it. I will pull it more. Who asked you
to make fun of me in front of my friends? Mama, she called me stupid, loser and
useless in front of my friends.”
With a pile of files in my hand, I turned around. There were
Tunu and Munu. They were pulling each other’s hair. I put the pile of files on
the table and walked to them. I kneeled down just to match to their height.
“Stop! Leave each other’s hair.” I pulled their hands apart from
each other’s head.
“How many times should I have to tell you two, not to fight?
What are you fighting for?” I yelled.
Munu replied, “Mama, she called me an idiot and a loser in
front of my friends.”
Before I could say anything, “She always acts as one. I am
fed up of her silly acts.” Tunu said.
I sighed and said, “Tunu, It’s not how a good kid acts. You
two are sisters. You should act as a shield for each other instead of fighting
among yourselves. Do you know why God gave me twin daughters?”
Tunu and Munu both nodded their head “No.”
I embraced both of them in my arms and continued, “So that
you both will never be lonely. People have to find good friends but see you two
already have each other. Mama and Papa are always busy with their work. Wouldn’t
you both be lonely without each other? It’s such a blessing that you have each
other to live with, play with, eat with and sleep with. You don’t even have to
find anyone to share your Tiffin with. You can also share your secrets with
each other and share your stuffs as well. And very important thing, you can
encourage each other at your low times and learn good things from each other.
Do you understand what Mama is saying?”
Tunu said, “Yes, Mama. I was wrong. I will not repeat my act
again. Munu, I was wrong. I am sorry.” Tunu held her ears as she said that.
“That’s like my good daughters.” I kissed them on their
forehead.
“By the way, who brought you two, to my office? The driver
uncle was supposed to drop you guys home?” I asked them.
“I brought them here.” He entered the room with his bright
smile.
It was Aryan, the father of my kids and my better half. I am
very lucky to have a husband like him. He is caring and responsible. I don’t
ever remember shedding tears because of him. I know he will never stop trying
to make me happy.
“That was a surprise.” I stood up.
“There is another surprise for you, Mama.” Munu said.
“Another surprise?” I repeated.
“Papa is taking us to the Chinese restaurant for dinner
tonight.” Tunu replied.
I looked at Aryan. He blinked his eyes in agreement.
“See, your Papa only loves his kids, not Mama. He knows,
Mama doesn’t like Chinese food at all. And still, he is taking me there for the
sake of his kids.” I made faces like a kid, acting unsatisfied. After all, it
was always fun to act like a kid around him and the kids.
“Isn’t that unfair kids? Your Mama judges Papa without
knowing the whole fact. I ordered special Thai cuisine for her. But your Mama
never realizes how much Papa loves her. Mama is always unfair when it comes to
Papa.” He took the kids to his side.
“What do you say now, Mama?” Munu giggled as she asked that.
“Aww…That’s so sweet of Papa. It’s time for a family hug.”
We four hugged like we never wanted to let go of each other.
We reached the restaurant. Aryan had reserved a table for
us. The place was beautiful, totally relaxing after a long hectic day.
“Do you all like the place?” Aryan asked.
Both kids shouted, “Yes Papa. Love you, Papa.”
The world just seemed a little better with my kids so happy.
As Aryan was looking at me, I said, “Thank you, Aryan. You
have always been such a good father. Sometimes, I feel horrible for not being
able to give enough time to the kids. I feel like an irresponsible mother. And
yes, you have really picked a beautiful place.”
Aryan smiled. He hold my hands and said, “Don’t worry. I
understand you have a lot of pressure at work these days. I thought why not to
take the kids out to a dinner? We will be able to spend a quality time
together.”
I smiled. He has always been responsible.
“Your order is here, sir.” The waiter plated the table and
put the order on the table.
“Wow, everything looks yummy!” The children exclaimed.
“Wait. Papa needs a happy-happy snap of his daughters.” He
took few snaps and the kids were busy giving poses. “Wow! My daughters are so beautiful.” Aryan
said that as he looked at the snaps.
He asked the waiter to take a family snap. He said, “Here we
go..1..2…and 3…say cheese everyone.” And
within a second, we were on his phone with all our teeth shown.
As we were having dinner, there was an announcement. The
restaurant had organized for a couple dance contest for all the couples present
there.
I don’t know why, but Tunu and Munu were very excited about
it. Munu said, “Mama, Please you two take part in it.”
I knew they were excited because they were thinking Aryan
and I would take part in it.
I replied, “I would love to, Munu, but your Papa really
doesn’t know how to dance.”
“And who says that?” replied Aryan immediately.
I was confused. I thought he would say no to dance.
“Can I have the pleasure of dancing with my wife?” Aryan asked.
Tunu and Munu were hooting, “Say yes Mama… Say yes.”
And I had to go to the dance floor.
As we were on the dance floor, he put his hands around my
waist and my hands were around his shoulders. A romantic song started in the
background.
“I guess, the competition is for the younger couples, right?”
I said.
“Are we that old?” Aryan asked.
I smiled and nodded my head, “Not at all.”
“I didn’t mean to say that. By the way, I must admit, you
dance well. I said.
“I used to dance when I was in school. I even took part in
some competitions in my high school.” He replied.
“Wow, there are so many things that I still don’t know about
you. I guess I have a multitalented husband.” I smiled.
“You are not bad at all too.” Aryan said.
“Oh..this.. I have seen few people doing this in my zumba
classes so I just know few steps.”
“Zumba classes, huh? Is that the class you go for early
every morning? That’s why my wife is so fit and fine. I wonder if I look old in
front of you.” Aryan said this making a sad face.
“Old? Who said that?
I overheard some young girls talking about you at the office today. And haven’t
you heard the proverb, “Men and horse never get old.”
“Really?” He tried to act surprised and we both laughed
together. The music stopped and we went back to our table.
“Mama, Papa, you both were awesome on the floor.” Both kids
said this at once. I just played with their hair and Aryan said, “Thank you for
the compliments, kids.”
The winner was going to be announced. I was shocked when the
anchor called our name as the winner. Well, that was unexpected. We went to
take the gift hampers that were for the winners.
I could see Tunu and Munu saying to other people, “They’re
our Mama and Papa.” I was so happy to make my kids proud.
After dinner, we went back home. It was already late. I made Tunu
and Munu change their clothes and made their bed. But they insisted on sleeping
with their Mama and Papa. They jumped on our bed. Aryan was already there. Tunu
asked Aryan to tell them some stories but he started to make random stories as
he didn’t know one. I just quietly slept beside them. I looked at the other
side so that I would be able to sleep. I reminded them to turn off the lights
before sleeping.
I set the alarm on my phone. As I was doing that, I took a
look at the photo that was so precious to me. It was of Annupam and me. Tears
rolled down from my eyes as I saw it. “Annupam, you must be looking at me from
somewhere right? See, I’m happy with Tunu and Munu as you wanted, though you
couldn’t be their father. Aryan has always been a perfect dad and a perfect
better half. He takes care of me and the kids. He is responsible and he
understands me so well. What more could I have asked for in a husband? Since we
got married, he has always kept me happy. But you know what, it was only you
who could see through me. I had never been able to share my pains and sorrows
with him, that pain that you had once seen on my face. You were my soul mate.
How I wish, God had given me a chance to say how much I loved you and what you
meant to me.” I couldn’t control my tears as I talked that to myself.
Suddenly, Tunu came in front of me. She saw tears in my eyes
and asked, “Why are you crying, Mama?” Aryan just looked at me to confirm and
asked, “What happened?”
I nodded my head,
“Nothing. It’s just that sometimes I feel that, Tunu and Munu are so happy with
their Papa that they will forget me if I disappear.” I winked at them.
Aryan said,” Don’t say that.”
Munu said, “Yes, don’t say that Mama. Papa always makes us
happy. We always have a good time with Papa but it’s you who teach us good aspects
of life. If it wasn’t for you, how will we learn to be a good person?”
After Munu completed her words, I realized my daughters have
grown up. Those words from that small mouth, it was surprising and pleasing at
the same time. I felt guilty. I was lying to my angels and my better half.
