Saurav made Ruhi sit on the bike and then sat on the front.
Saurav: Sit properly and hold me tight.
Ruhi nodded and wrapped her arms around his torso.
He started the engine and drove off.
They both went to the Mall. Saurav took her in the game zone. They were buying coins and tickets.
Ruhi (confused): Ice cream?
Saurav: You just had milk. We will enjoy here then will buy ice cream.
Ruhi (excitedly): Games?? Yes...
Saurav first took her for the ice skating. They were getting ready.
Ruhi (nervously): Ice skating no... I don't like it.
Saurav (smiling): But I love it.
Ruhi (pout): I don't know skating.
Saurav (teasing smile): I do know...
Ruhi (whining): Dadi ne mujhe bola tang karne, aapko nahi. (Dadi told me to trouble, not you)
Saurav (chuckle): I will teach you skating. Don't worry.
Ruhi (whining): No...
Saurav (smiling): Yes... Now come!
He took her hands in his and made her stand.
Saurav: Come come... We will enjoy it. I will teach you.
He pulled her for skating as he was doing so. For a minute or two, Ruhi was nervous.
Saurav giggled, looking at her expressions.
Saurav (calmly): Stand straight and hold my hands tight.
Ruhi pouted, following his instructions. He pulled her as he moved forward. She held his hands more tightly.
Saurav (sighed): Calm down... Calm down. Try it once. If you won't be able to do it. We will go back but first try it.
Ruhi nodded, being scared. Saurav hugged her and asked her to wrap her arms around him. She did as he said.
Saurav: Now, you are holding me. You won't fall, okay? See, you have to move your legs and push yourself. Follow me and my legs as I move, hmm?
Ruhi nodded. She started to follow him. Within a few minutes, her fear and nervousness turned into her smile and enjoyment.
Saurav (tapping her head): Good?
Ruhi nodded.
Saurav (standing near the railing): Hold this.
He asked her to hold the railing. She did as he said. He moved a little away from her as she was standing with the support of the railing. He held her hands and guided her again.
Following him and his instructions. Ruhi slowly started to enjoy ice skating. Till last, at least his one hand she held but she was skating on her own and enjoying it. Saurav smiled, looking at her and enjoying it.
As the time ended... they heard a whistle.
Saurav: Times up... Let's go.
Ruhi (frown): No no...
Saurav: Time ended... See, he is whistling.
Ruhi (frowning): To bolo unko aur time de hume. (Then ask him for some more time).
Saurav (chuckle): But if we play only one game, then how will we enjoy other games?
Ruhi (whining): No...
Saurav: Come Ruhi... We will come again some other day. Now, let's go. We have to play more games.
Without will, she nodded and they moved out. Saurav then took her towards the bumping car.
Both sat in one car and enjoyed it.
Going towards another game. Ruhi's eyes fell on the claw machine.
Ruhi (dragging Saurav): Come come...
She took him near the Claw machine.
Saurav (pointing at claw machine): You want to play this?
Ruhi nodded with a smile.
Saurav: Okay...
Ruhi (cutely): But I don't know how to play this.
Saurav couldn't control himself from pecking her cheeks for her being too cute.
Saurav (pointing coin in the machine): I will teach you.
He made her stand in front and held her hand to help her.
Within a few seconds, they won a teddy.
Saurav (cooing): See, I am a pro in games, after all...
He said raising his collar. Ruhi giggled at his acting
Saurav: Last game. Let's go.
He took her towards the last game.
Trampoline park.
Ruhi was looking around with surprise.
Ruhi: I don't know how to play this.
Saurav: I will teach you.
He took her towards the wall to climb. She saw kids around her age group, climbing it.
Ruhi (nervously): Main gir jaugi (I will fall down)
Saurav: No worries. You won't get hurt. See, these are so soft.
He took a block in hand to show her.
Ruhi (nervously): I don't know how to climb.
Saurav (pointing at pebbles on the wall): Look, by holding these and keeping your feet on it. (Pointing at children) they are climbing right. I will guide you.
Ruhi (nervously): No.
Saurav (sighed): Ruhi, don't be scared. See, you were scared of ice skating too but you learnt it and enjoyed it. Now, try this as well. Saurav Bhaiya is here. I will take care of you. Go and try.
Ruhi (smiling a little): Yes.
She hugged him and mumbled
Ruhi (mumbling): My Saurav Bhaiya is here. I will try it, Bhaiya.
Her work touched his heart. The Innocence her eyes hold, the trust her heart holds for her Saurav Bhaiya. He wrapped his arms around her with a small smile.
Saurav (breaking the hug): Let's go.
He guided her and made her stand on pebbles. She held two pebbles carefully as well told her. She started to climb but as she was wearing a frock. She was having a bit of difficulty climbing. Saurav noticed her struggling with a frock and made a mental to make her wear shorts when she visits here in future.
She successfully climbed the wall and stood on top. Saurav clapped cheering her.
Ruhi (looking around): How will I come down now?
Saurav (chuckle): Jump...
Ruhi (frown): No!!
Saurav: Turn around and jump. These blocks are so soft. You won't get hurt.
Ruhi nodded but was scared. She turned back and jumped. Flying in the air, she fell on the block. Though Everything went smoothly, she was still shocked as she fell on blocks. Saurav laughed at her reaction.
Ruhi quickly stood up, listening to Saurav's laugh.
Ruhi (ordering): Don't laugh...
Saurav quickly kept his finger on his lips, controlling his laughter.
Ruhi again started to climb on pebbles. This time she did well. Saurav quickly took his phone, recording her climbing on pebbles and jumping back.
Once, she came back.
Saurav: Let's go over there.
Ruhi nodded, holding his hand. They went towards blocks and bouncers.
Both quickly went on jumping and bouncing, throwing blocks at each other. After a lot of enjoyment, they finally came out.
Saurav: Ice cream?
Ruhi: Yes... we will have it at home.
Saurav: Okay! What you want to eat?
Ruhi: We will eat at home.
Saurav: You are not hungry?
Ruhi: Itu itu... Ice cream leke ghar chale? Khushi loves ice cream. (Little bit... Will pack ice cream for home.)
Saurav: Okay! But Khushi will have ice cream with Anirudh Bhaiya. She went out with her parents. She and Bhaiya will have ice cream on her demand.
Ruhi (with glistening eyes): Khushi enjoys with her papa.
Saurav nodded, but his main focus was on her eyes, which were glistening. He bought ice cream for everyone.
Saurav (with a heavy heart): You used to enjoy yourself with your Papa?
Ruhi: No... Papa didn't like girls. He used to shout Mumma. I have three boys. I don't want a girl.
Listening to her words, Saurav, who was driving, lost his control and was about to fall but quickly took control back. They both were safe. But Ruhi was shocked.
Saurav parked his bike at the side.
Saurav (checking on Ruhi): You okay?
Ruhi (nodding): Yes Yes... My Saurav Bhaiya is here na.
She said smiling. Tears brimmed in his eyes. He quickly embraces her in a hug. Ruhi giggled, pecking his cheek.
Saurav smiled and wiped his tears. He broke the hug.
Ruhi (with an innocent pout): Every Saturday, we will go to the Mall, okay?
Saurav (pinching her nose): Only Mall? You don't want to try other adventures?
Ruhi (with sparkling eyes): You will take me?
Saurav (smiling): Yes...
Ruhi (happily clapping): Yes Yes Yes...
Saurav: Hmm... Now, let's go home.
He made her sit properly and sat in front. She held him tight from his back. They drove off to home.
Slowly, she started to take her place in his heart. His simple gestures start to make her feel safe and protective.
A sibling bond may start to blossom here...
To be continued...
Hope you guys love to see how Saurav and Ruhi are bonding... Do share your review.