Chapter 63: The Battle for Mumma

The haveli was filled with laughter that evening.

After dinner, Poornima sat with Aryan in her lap, patiently feeding him his food while listening to his endless stories about the day.

Aryan was at the age where everything was exciting.

The fields.

The animals.

The workers.

The tractors.

Everything fascinated him.

"And then the calf followed me, Mumma!"

Poornima smiled.

"Really?"

"Yes!"

He nodded seriously.

"It likes me more than Dad."

From the doorway, Veeresh immediately spoke.

"That's because the calf has poor judgment."

Aryan gasped dramatically.

"Mumma! Dad is insulting my friend."

Poornima laughed while Veeresh walked toward them.

The sight before him made his heart warm.

His wife.

His son.

Both sitting together happily.

Moments like these were his favorite.

After Aryan finished eating, Poornima wiped his face.

"Done."

Aryan smiled proudly.

Then suddenly Veeresh stepped forward, gently pulled Poornima to her feet, and before she could react, kissed her cheek.

Poornima looked at him in surprise.

"Thakur ji!"

But the smile on her face gave her away.

Veeresh wasn't satisfied.

He tilted her chin up and kissed her forehead.

Then her other cheek.

Poornima laughed softly and shook her head.

"You are impossible."

"And you love me."

Veeresh replied immediately.

Poornima's cheeks turned pink.

Before she could answer, a tiny outraged voice interrupted them.

"Dad!"

Both turned.

Aryan stood with his hands on his hips.

Looking absolutely offended.

"Leave Mumma."

Veeresh blinked.

"What?"

Aryan pointed accusingly.

"She is mine."

Poornima burst out laughing.

Veeresh looked at his son in disbelief.

"Excuse me?"

Aryan nodded.

"And I am warning you."

The tiny boy narrowed his eyes dramatically.

"I will put a frog in your shoes."

Poornima laughed so hard she had to sit down.

Veeresh stared at his son.

Then crossed his arms.

"Young man."

Aryan stood his ground.

"Yes?"

"She is my wife."

Aryan frowned.

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

Aryan looked at Poornima.

"Mumma, tell him."

Poornima was laughing too much to answer.

Veeresh shook his head.

"And you better not put a frog in my shoes."

Aryan grinned mischievously.

"Maybe."

Veeresh immediately pointed at him.

"Or else I will put you in the swimming pool."

Aryan gasped.

"Dad!"

"Fair warning."

Poornima finally managed to speak.

"Thakur ji, he is a child."

Veeresh looked at her.

"And he is trying to steal my wife."

Aryan nodded proudly.

"Correct."

The room erupted into laughter.

Even the servants nearby struggled not to laugh.

Veeresh dramatically placed a hand over his heart.

"See, Poons?"

"He openly admits it."

Aryan immediately hugged Poornima's leg.

"Mumma is mine."

Veeresh walked closer and lowered his voice.

"Today I will show you stars, Poornima."

Poornima's eyes widened.

"Thakur ji!"

Aryan immediately became suspicious.

"What stars?"

Veeresh smirked.

"Adult stars."

Poornima immediately hit his arm.

"Behave."

Aryan blinked.

Then looked at Poornima.

"Mumma."

"Hmm?"

"You come to my room."

Veeresh frowned.

Aryan smiled triumphantly.

"In my room you can also see stars."

Poornima couldn't stop laughing.

Aryan continued confidently.

"And don't go with Dada."

Veeresh placed a hand on his forehead.

"This child."

Then he suddenly had an idea.

"Fine."

Aryan looked up.

Veeresh casually said,

"Then I am not taking you to the fields tomorrow."

Aryan froze.

The fields were his favorite place.

"Dad."

"No fields."

"Dad."

"Nope."

"Dad, that's not fair."

Veeresh shrugged.

"Life is tough."

Aryan immediately looked at Poornima.

"Mumma!"

Poornima pulled him into her lap.

"Your Appa will take you tomorrow."

Aryan smiled instantly.

"Really?"

"Really."

Veeresh looked betrayed.

"Poons."

She smiled innocently.

"What?"

"You always take his side."

Aryan grinned.

"Because Mumma loves me more."

Veeresh pointed dramatically.

"There. Did you hear that?"

Poornima kissed Aryan's forehead.

Aryan immediately hugged her.

Looking extremely pleased with himself.

For a few moments Veeresh simply watched them.

The sight filled his heart with warmth.

Years ago he had thought life was over after losing Janaki.

Years later, he had found Poornima.

And now this little boy had entered their lives and turned the entire haveli upside down.

And somehow, he wouldn't change any of it.

Poornima stood up and held Aryan's hand.

"Come."

"Where?"

"Sleep."

Aryan groaned dramatically.

"I'm not sleepy."

A yawn escaped immediately afterward.

Everyone laughed.

Poornima kissed his head.

"Let's go."

As she started walking away, Aryan suddenly turned back and pointed at Veeresh.

"Don't touch my Mumma."

Veeresh stared.

Poornima nearly laughed herself breathless.

Veeresh finally replied,

"Go to sleep before I change my mind about those fields."

Aryan immediately ran behind Poornima.

"Good night!"

"Good night," Veeresh replied.

A few moments later, the house became quiet.

Poornima looked back once before disappearing down the corridor.

Their eyes met.

A smile passed between them.

A smile filled with years of understanding.

Of friendship.

Of respect.

Of love.

Veeresh watched his wife walk away with Aryan holding her hand and couldn't stop smiling.

For all his complaints, seeing them together was one of the greatest joys of his life.

And as the haveli settled into the peaceful silence of night, Veeresh thought the same thing he often did these days.

His life wasn't perfect.

It was better.

It was full.