It was Yuvani and Ahan’s third birthday.
Function was at Kasyap’s house, both families were there and the function was grant.
Yuvani was disturbed with something and she was desperate to talk to Ahan, but others were making them busy and she was not able to. Suhani saw her and understood that she wanted to talk to Ahan, she smiled, for she saw herself in her daughter, she too used get desperate like this to talk to Kasyap, she smiled at Yuvan, whom she was carrying. She then went to Kasyap, who was carrying Ayan and showed him Yuvani. He too smiled seeing her. They fondly observed her and Suhani was in tears, tears of joy.
Finally, Yuvani got a chance to talk to Ahan.
Yuvani: Ahan, today we turned three!
Ahan: Yeah, so?
Yuvani: (frightened) Varsh Bhaiya was telling me that they would send us in play school when we turn three.
Ahan: (frightened) Oops, you are right, actually Ayush Bhaiya was telling the same.
Yuvani: He told that they would send us to somewhere and there won’t be anyone there, like Papa, Mumma, Dadi, Chachi, no one would be there.
Ahan: Yeah, then how would we be there?
Yuvani: I don’t know, I am scared.
Ahan: I too.
Suhani and Kasyap was hearing all these and they were smiling fondly at their kids, it was treat to watch them.
Kas: Come let us go to them, they are scared.
Suh: Wait; let us see what they do.
They waited.
Yuvani: But we have to know about play school.
Ahan: Yeah, whom will we ask?
Yuvani looked around, she saw her brothers and Ayush, Ayush was taller among the four and hence she understood that he was bigger.
Yuvani: We can ask Ayush Bhaiya.
Ahan agreed and they went to Ayush, Suhani and Kasyap followed them silently, Yuvan and Ayan were silent were supporting their parents.
Kids went to Ayush, they looked scared.
Ayush: Hello birthday babies,
Yuvani: (frightened) Bhaiya,
Ayush: What happened? Why are you scared?
Ahan: Will they send us to play school? Now we are three na.
Ayush understood that the kids were really scared, he thought to frightened them further, and he smirked. Suhani and Kasyap understood this; Kasyap was about to go them but Suhani stopped him.
Kas: What?
Suh: Wait, why are you interrupting them?
Kas: Don’t you see he would scare them more.
Suh: I know, but it would be fun!
Kas: What? Are you crazy?
Suh: What is wrong in that? Let him scare them.
Kasyap looked at her surprised.
Kas: You want them to be scared?
Suh: Why are you over acting? Weren’t you scared by your elders? Didn’t you scare anyone? Now it is their turn, both Ayush and kids’. Let them experience this, trust me, it would help them.
He smiled.
Kas: You are right.
Suh: I am always right!
He made face, teasing her, she beats him. Ayan looked at her angrily. He didn’t like his Dad being beaten.
Suh: What? Why are you looking at me like that? Because I beat your father? He became your after only an year before, he is my friend for ages and I will beat him!
Kas: (laughing) you have gone completely mad, you are fighting with a one year old? WHY??
Suh: One year old or anyone, if anyone tries to come between us I will fight them, no one can come between us.
She said this in a flow and only after a second they both realised what she said, they became emotional, but before the either could say something they heard Yuvani and Ahan cry.
Kas: Here you go, they started to cry. Shall we go to them now?
Before Suhani could say anything the kids ran from there, Yuvani was calling out for her Papa and Ahan, his Mumma.
Kasyap and Suhani smiled.
Suh: (excitedly) come; let us hear their conversation with those two.
Kas: Wait, there something to be done before that.
Suh: What?
Kas: Come.
He led her Ayush and then held his ear.
Ayush: Chachu, what did I do?
Kas: What did you do? Why did you scare kids?
Ayush: That Chachu, I ,
Suh: there is nothing wrong in it we have all done this. Chill man.
Kasyap fumed at her.
Suh: Ayush beta, you go and play.
Ayush: thank you aunty.
He leaves Suhani teases Kasyap and he beats her. Yuvan got angry and pulled his hair. Suhani laughed and somehow managed take Yuvan’s hand back.
Kasyap looked at him.
Kas: Oh hello, didn’t you hear your Mumma, I too have full right to beat her, and even your father didn’t interfere, so you definitely can’t. Both of you understand this.
Suhani laughs.
Kas: What?
Suh: Nothing, you have become like me, I mean, do you really think that one year old kids would understand what you said?
Kas: I know they don’t, but there is a fun in saying this.
Suh: Good, I am happy that you understand this. Come, let us go to them.
They went to Yuvani and Ahan, who were with Yuvi and Ria and were explaining the things Ayush told them and their fears.
Yuvi and Ria smiled fondly, hearing their kids’ innocent worries.
They calmed them down, Suhani and Kasyap joined them, and together they four explained their kids.
From the things Suhani told the kids, Yuvi understood that she was there when Ayush scared the kids. He looked at her and she looked back questioningly, he signed ‘nothing’.
Finally the kids were satisfied. They smile and their parents, Punkaj called them and the kids went to him.
Yuvi takes Yuvan and then led Suhani to a corner.
Suh: What?
Yuvi: You were there na, when Ayush scared kids?
Suh: Yeah.
Yuvi: You wanted them to experience fear and then fight with it,
Suh: They have to, that too alone, but I will always keep an eye on her but won’t go in front of her or help her directly.
Yuvi: Who said you are not helping her directly, you are making her independent by this and it is a big thing.
He looks at her proudly and she smiles, Yuvan too smile.
Suh: You don’t have to smile, when you grow bit older, we would leave you also like your di, and you too have fight and understand things by your own.
Yuvi: great thinking!
Suh: It is not mine, (looking at her Dad, who was with her daughter) it is his thinking, he did his daughters’ upbringing like this and now, it is our turn.
Her eyes were filled, Yuvi smiles and then gives her a side hug, they smile seeing Yuvani and Punkaj.