First Impressions

Here we go, this was a real challenge so hope it gets many likes and comments.

First Impressions  

“Mommmm” said Kuki as she looked over this weeks set of spellings and got to something she struggled with.

“Hmm” replied Prerna who was making chocolate milkshake for the girls. Pausing the blender to hear Kuki better.

“What does first im… Im  ..Im pre session s  mean?”

“Prerna smiled at the way Kuki very cutely managed to say the words. “It’s the first thing you thought about somone the very first time you met them” explains her mother.

“The ‘very’first time?” Asked Kuki 

Yes nodded Prerna.

“What if you don’t remember?” Added Kuki curiously with crunched up eyebrows 

“Well you might not you’re only little” said Prerna

“I see, what were your first im…pressions of me? Mom” Said Kuki.

“That you’re very sweet like just like candy floss” smiled Prerna.

Kuki liked that. Her  little smile went from ear to ear on hearing that compliment.

She’d found something she liked and was going to have fun with it.

“Pa what were your first impressions of me?” asked Kuki looking out to her father  who was sat in front of his chessboard staring at it with all his concentration from under his reading glasses like they were magically going to show him the next move. 

He lifted his eyes to his daughter who he saw sliding off her stool and making her way to his chair. Kuki had a way of climbing her fathers chair and landing straight in his lap.

When she did Rishabh stopped to give her his undivided attention. “hmm now let me think” he answered and Kuki waited patiently.

“Meeting you was like love at first sight. Innocent and adorable, precious and beautiful.” Described Rishabh thinking back to his memories of little Kuki.

Prerna who listened from a distance smiled. Mr Bajajs conversation filled the air with sweetness.  There was nothing more beautiful in the world then him with his daughters. 

“Okay?”asked Rishabh tapping The tip of Kukis nose adorably which always made her smile. 

“Yes” nodded Kuki but of course she had yet another question 

“What about mom …?”

Prerna paused for a moment having head Kuki. She’d no idea what Mr Bajaj would say and pretend to take no notice all the while listening to every word. 

“Loving & loyal, unpredictable & a tad difficult” he said eyeing Mrs Bajaj from a far particularly at that last comment which made Prerna smile.

..”but …most of all fragile.” He added after a little silence and Prerna raised her eyes.

His reference to fragile could not have been more accurate. They shared a intimate gaze before Kuki interrupted it.

“Pa  I don’t know what some of those words mean !” complain Kuki. Rishabh smiled down at his daughter. “Some day I’ll explain what they mean.” 

“Mom what were your first impressions of Pa?” And Prerna looked up in surprise.

Now that was  a question she didn’t know how  to answer, especially not in front of their daughter.” Kuki may have not noticed but Rishabh could see the hesitancy  in his wife’s eyes as she avoided the matter.

“I… I don’t remember sorry” she replied to avoid the question with Mr Bajajs eyes lingering with her a little longer. 

…

That evening as Rishabh took his evening shower Prerna took into the wash room his nightrobe. This was something of a ritual these days. Of course all intentional of Mr Bajaj.

As Rishabh towel dried his chest and face in front of the bathroom mirror Prerna held out his nightrobe from behind which he would either accept or refuse depending on his mood. Using it as a excuse to make love to her in one way or another.

 Some evenings were like this one others very different all at the pretence of a misplaced nightrobe. 

“What were your first impressions Prerna “he asked putting his arms into the silk sleeves and watching his wife adjust the collar through the mirror in front of him.

Prerna looked up into the mirror for a second at Rishabh . What started as a eye lock soon became eyes that looked anywhere but at him. Eyes that watched  his turning posture towards her or focused on the  buttons of his robe she  fastened or the drawstring she tied together. Just not into his eyes.

Rishabh on the other hand kept his eyes upon Prerna as he listened carefully. He wished to know.

“I thought you were.. ruthless..relentless, a little Intimidating but somehow still chivalrous and honest which confused me at the time. Her words ended with her hands on Rishabhs chest playing with the material of his robe.

“Aur ab” (and now ?) He asked wanting to hear more.

“I think I know why” replied Prerna looking up into his eyes with a intimate understanding of him nobody else had ever showed. 

Watching her walk away into their room Rishabh breaths a sigh of satisfaction.