The sun streamed through the curtains of the cozy bedroom as little Aashi, a bubbly three-year-old, hopped on the bed to wake her father, Sameer.
"Papa, papa, utho na... subah ho gayi hai! Mummy ne aaj meli favolite Flench toast banayi hai!" she chirped enthusiastically, tugging at his arm.
Sameer, who slept late at night yesterday, simply groaned, pulling his daughter onto his chest and patting her head lazily.
"Let papa sleep for five more minutes, princess...aap bhi so jao mere sath" he murmured, his voice muffled in the pillow.
Aashi, determined and mischievous, pushed against his heavy arm.
"Ufff oo papa! Utho na!" she pouted, shaking her head dramatically. But her father remained stubbornly still, making her tiny efforts futile.
Suddenly, a mischievous idea lit up her eyes. With a sly grin, Aashi climbed off the bed and tiptoed to her mother's dressing table. She opened the drawer, fishing out a bright red lipstick. Holding it like a prized possession, she climbed back onto the bed, giggling at the genius plan forming in her head.
Downstairs in the kitchen, Saina was busy flipping French toasts on the pan while her mother-in-law stirred the chai. The aroma of breakfast filled the air as her mother-in-law asked, "Beta, Sameer uth gaye kya?"
Saina, shaking her head with a smile, replied, "Nahi maa, aap ki laadli unhe utha rahi hai. Mujhe lagta hai, ab toh Sameer ki neend poori nahi hone wali."
Both women chuckled knowingly.
After a few minutes, they could hear Sameer calling Saina while coming downstairs, his voice filled with irritation.
"Saina, water is not coming from the bathroom!" he whined, his steps hurried as he descended the staircase.
Saina stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. "Haan, mein batana bhool gayi thi... plumber ka kaam chal raha hai-" Her words froze mid-sentence as her gaze fell on him.
'Kya hua tum aise kyu dekh rahe ho mujhe ?' he asked with a frown.
By then, his mother had also stepped out of her room, catching sight of her son. She immediately burst into laughter, her eyes twinkling with mischief. She gave a knowing look to Saina, who stood frozen, her cheeks flushed.
"Meine kuch nahi kiya, Mom! Aap galat samaj rahi hain," Saina stammered, her awkwardness betraying her as she nervously played with the corner of her dupatta.
"Koi mujhe bataye ga kya?Aap log aise kyun dekh rahe ho?" Sameer's frustration grew as he scratched his head, clueless about what was so amusing.
His mother wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, still chuckling, and grabbed his hand. " Chal, dikhata hoon tujhe."
She dragged him toward the wall mirror in the living room. As Sameer looked at his reflection, his eyes widened in pure horror. His entire face was covered in red lipstick marks-on his cheeks, forehead, nose and even his chin.
"M-Mom, yeh kya...?" Sameer stammered, his horrified gaze fixed on the mirror before shifting to Saina.
Saina immediately shook her head, raising her hands in defense. "Yeh maine nahi kiya! Main bilkul innocent hoon!" she protested, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment.
Before anyone could say more, a series of cute giggles broke the silence. The sound came from behind the sofa.
Suddenly, a tiny figure emerged from behind the sofa. It was their mischievous little daughter, her face and hands smudged with red lipstick. She grinned from ear to ear, looking thoroughly pleased with herself.
"Papa, aap bahut clute lag rahe ho!" she exclaimed, her innocent voice dripping with pride at her handiwork.
The trio gasped in unison, utterly shocked yet amused by the little one's cheeky antics.
"Kab kiya, beta, tumne yeh sab?" Sameer asked, lifting his daughter into his arms, his voice a mix of surprise and amusement.
The little girl giggled mischievously, her big eyes sparkling with pride. "Jab aap so rahe the, Papa," she admitted with a naughty grin, making everyone laugh at her honesty.
Her dadi shook her head, though her face softened with affection. "Par beta, aapko aisa nahi karna chahiye na," she said in a sweet scolding tone, trying to keep a straight face but failing miserably.
The little one tilted her head, her tiny lips forming an adorable pout. "Kyun?" she asked innocently, looking up at her dadi.
Then, with the innocence only a child could muster, she pointed her little finger at Saina. "Mumma bhi toh aise hi karti hain na... main toh Mumma se hi sikhi hoon!"
The room fell silent for a moment before erupting into laughter. Saina's jaw dropped as her cheeks turned crimson. "Main? Kab?"
Her little daughter didn't miss a beat, innocently adding, "Mumma aise hi kiye thein kal Papa ke saath!"
The laughter only grew louder. Sameer choked on his words, his face now as red as Saina's. He glanced at his wife, their eyes meeting briefly in mutual horror before quickly looking away.
Saina's mother-in-law covered her mouth, trying to hide her amusement but failing miserably. "Arey wah, Saina beta, tum toh badi romantic nikli!" she teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Saina, unable to meet anyone's gaze, quickly picked up a tray of dishes and rushed back to the kitchen. "Mujhe kaam hai!" she mumbled, her voice barely audible.
Sameer followed suit, muttering something about needing to check an important email. Within seconds, both had disappeared into their respective corners, leaving the little one standing in the middle of the room with her dadi, grinning triumphantly.
Whereas inside the room,
'Chodiye mujhe kya kar rahe aap ... .ahh chodiye na Aashi kabhi bhi a sakti hain' she tried to push him but ended up getting pulled more in his arms.
'Sab aap ki galti hai...apne hi bole thein na ki yeh lipstick sha-de iss dre-ss k sath match na-hi ho ' she tries to complain angrily but fails miserably due to his continuous war of kisses on her neck..
In return he just chuckles..
'Yeh hasna band kijiye aur chodiye samee-' she moans feeling his lips on her earlobe.
'Kaise chod du?? Chodne ka man nahi karta ....pyaar jo karne laga hoon tumhe' he whispers taking her lips into a sensual kiss.
In return she just wrapped her hand around him kissing him deeper as usual.
With a last peck she pushed him, 'Acha ab jaiye ..you are getting late for your office's
'Saina !!!' he whines
She signals him to the door teasingly, 'Jaiye nahi toh kal se I will not tie the knot'
He gave a look at her and just about to go sadly and in return she just grabbed his tie pulling him and kissed his cheek deeply..
A smile broke out on his lips.
'Ab jaiye, byee!!' she scrunched her face in shyness, her cheeks flushing.
'Byee,' he replies with a grin, stepping out of the door.
She watches his retreating figure, a soft sigh escaping her lips as her heart swells with affection. In that moment, she couldn't help but think, he is the same person who has seen all her flaws, yet chooses to love her with all his heart, every single day. With each passing moment, he was becoming more than just her husband-he was her home.
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