Arnav Goes to School – I

Yeah, so well after Moonshine I seem to be in a sort of limbo and haven’t been posting or writing half as much as I would like to. Even this story has been simmering on the back-burner for weeks now. I thought that perhaps if I began posting it, I might get the necessary impetus to finish it. Look forward to your (vocal) support in this 6 part (completed) story.

A quick word (or two) of clarification for those who are not familiar with the characters. This story is about Arnav Singh Raizada also known as ASR and his wife (kam eternal sparring partner zyada) Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada (KKGSR) and their two children – Devansh aka Deva, Da, Guddu and Angelika aka Angel, Chotti. Thanks for reading πŸ™‚

Painting and Drawing Tools Set
Photo from Pexels

Part I

β€œDaddeeee!” Ponytail and skirt flying Chotti ran out of the school gates and into her father’s arms.

β€œWhoa!” Arnav’s face softened and creased as he gathered her into his arms. β€œWhere’s Deva?”

β€œMust have sneaked off to the playground for a bit of football,” Chotti sniffed disparagingly.

β€œGo and call him.” Arnav was uncomfortable among the milling crowd of children and mothers. β€œWe are getting late.”

β€œYou know him right Daddy?” Chotti spread her hands expressively and in a manner belying her age. β€œHe won’t come before he’s scored at least 3 goals. Even Mamma can’t…” she paused, β€œwhere’s Mamma?”

Arnav cleared his throat and passed a finger around his neck, feeling rather hot under his trademark three-piece suit. β€œShe’s busy.”

β€œHey Da!” she waved frantically.

Deva dragged his feet and satchel, shirttail sticking out of his shorts. β€œWhere’s Mom?”

β€œShe’s busy. Come on now hurry.” He hustled them, feeling a bit put out at Deva’s lack of reaction. After all ASR had cancelled his meeting just to…oh well at least Angel was happy to see him.

β€œWhy isn’t there anybody at home?” Deva asked. β€œNot even Nani?”

β€œI told you. They are busy. Wash up quick and come for lunch.” He waved his hand at the lunch laid out on the table.

Chotti took a sneak preview and backed off. β€œI’m not hungry.”

β€œAngel!” Arnav called sternly.

Chastened, she came back. β€œOnly if you tell me a story.” she bargained

β€œI don’t want this goop,” Deva stirred the hornet’s nest.

Predictably Arnav’s brow darkened. β€œExcuse me?”

Deva excused himself.

β€œDa is a bad boy.” Angel crowed, β€œIsnt he Daddy?” She sidled close to him.

Arnav patted her head distractedly. Now what? He was getting late dammit.

Chotti tugged ASR’s hand. β€œForget him Daddy. He’ll come down when he’s hungry. No need to pamper him like Mamma does.”

Arnav grunted.

β€œWhich story are you going to tell me Daddy?” She shook him. β€œDon’t worry about him Daddy, he always does this! I won’t eat this I won’t eat that,” expressive hand gestures accompanied her passable imitation of her sibling, β€œand then Mamma always has to bribe him with something special.”

β€œSomething special?!” Arnav asked. β€œLike what?”

Chotti shrugged. β€œThis and that. Sometimes Maggi, sometimes burger, sometimes mango shake,” she turned to him struck, β€œDaddy can I have a mango shake?”

β€œNo Angel.” Arnav was firm. β€œYou’ve got to eat this.” He quickly served her and placed her on the chair. β€œNow be a good little girl and eat up. I’ll just go and check up on….”

Chotti’s lower lip trembled. β€œAren’t you going to tell me a story?”

β€œAhh Angel,” An increasingly frazzled Arnav cast a helpless glance upstairs, β€œI don’t know any story…”

β€œDon’t worry about that!” Chotti was all smiles as she beckoned him and pointed to the chair in front of her. β€œYou can tell me about how Grandmamaji went to Mars and set up shop there.”

ASR hissed in frustration as he disconnected Aman’s phone for the nth time. β€œSweetheart, why don’t you start eating? I’ll just go and get Devansh,” his voice hardened.

Devansh!

Daddy was mad.

Chotti nodded angelically and delicately tore off a tiny piece of the roti, dipped it in the rajma and popped it into her mouth. β€œDaddy can I come and watch while you get Da?” she asked with morbid pleasure.

β€œNo!”

Angel’s eyes swam with tears.

Arnav hastily softened his tone. β€œI’ll be right back sweetie. Finish your food.” He dropped a kiss on her head. Satisfied, Chotti stayed put her eyes glued to the stairs.

She could imagine Daddy dragging a kicking and screaming Da by the ears. She shivered with dreadful anticipation and gory relish.

β€œDevansh,” Arnav cracked the whip, β€œcome on now and eat your lunch. I am late for my meeting.”

β€œI’m not hungry.” Devansh said sullenly.

β€œOf course you are.” Arnav was starving. This was not how he had imagined he would be spending Monday. A fun-filled afternoon, with adoring grateful children hanging on to his words with each of them vying to do his command was how he had visualized it.

And bragged about it to Khushi as well.

β€œWhy are you always in the kitchen?” He had grumbled. β€œWhat do you pay HP for?”

β€œTo run errands while I stir the pot and whip up stuff on the that ever growing list,” Khushi wiped the sweat off her brow with the back of her wrist.

β€œYou spoil the kids rotten.” Arnav frowned. β€œYou shouldn’t pamper them so much. Give them one thing and that’s it. How many days won’t they eat? One day, two days? Sooner or later they will come to the table and eat whatever is served.”

β€œYeah right.” Khushi rolled her eyes. β€œBeen there done that,” she sighed resignedly, β€œand got my head chewed off for being such a lazy slacker of a mother.”

Arnav frowned. β€œWhat the…! Who dare say such a thing to you?”

β€œYou my darling laad governor,” she flicked his nose with her floury hands before running them under the tap.

β€œNonsense!” Arnav denied hotly. β€œI never said such a thing to you.”

β€œYes you did.” Khushi insisted wiping her hands, β€œWhen Chotti was having repeated chest infections and the doctor said she was malnourished….” Khushi watched with satisfaction as a dull color suffused ASR cheeks.

β€œOh that?” He looked away.

β€œYes that.” Khushi crossed her arms and nodded.

β€œThat was ages ago,” Arnav dismissed, β€œChotti was just 6….”

β€œβ€¦.and now she’s just 8 and Guddu is underweight…”

β€œWhatever,” Arnav waved his hand impatiently, β€œall I am saying is that the children are becoming spoiled brats and need to learn some discipline. You shouldn’t give into their demands so much.”

*** to be continued ***

 

A/N Next update is tomorrow. Do let me know your thoughts and if you would like to take more sneak peeks into their lives click here – From DM’s Desk

Click here for Part II

Published by

Dahlia

Email me at mysilverstreaks@gmail.com or tweet me @mysilverstreaks

45 thoughts on “Arnav Goes to School – I”

  1. Ghar Ghar ki Kahani. Mum runs around trying to coax her kids to eat something and gives in to their demands. Arnav thinks he can manage better. So Khushi has left him to deal with his lovely kids. Enjoying the story and welcome back. Missed you. Looking forward to more of Arnav/Khushi saga beyond IPK.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Thanks for the update, Dahlia. We were missing you.

    Arnav always thought he could be the better parent, but his idea of parenthood is very selfish (obedient children waiting to serve him?). He seems to love the child that loves him more (Angel) and is not a very understanding or mature father. Sadly, a lot of parents have children for the wrong reasons (to take over business, to make their lives less lonely etc.)

    I love your Arnav and Khushi and now Angel and Guddu, Dahlia. Please share more on them!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Lovely take to their relationship, loved their bonding and an undercurrent bonding can be felt in all arenas they share with each other, IPKKND is like a past and silver streaks is like a time capsule..

    Liked by 1 person

  4. These little hellions are a delight to read just like their parents. I am so glad you are writing about them and oh, I love reading the younger version of Chotti as much as I love reading the older. She has her own place in my heart.

    Reading ASR as a dad is just ❀

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Arnav ko kaha kuchh yaad rahata hain? Biwi jo itini jaldee maaf kar detee hein.
    Loving these munchkins. I know, Deva is about 10 years old, but, still, Arshi ka beta hein, to hamesha cute lagega. Angel is angel. Does Arnav ever get mad at his angel?
    Is Arnav doing this to prove a point?
    Cheers………

    Liked by 1 person

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