Baby’s Day Out

oh nakhrewaali

@oh_nakhrewaali

#9: Baby’s Day Out

It was a peaceful evening at Baked with Love. At least as peaceful as Mumbai could get when Priya’s mobile rang, shattering it.

“Is it Neeraj?” Ram asked, looking up from his laptop, much to Priya’s annoyance. She made a face at him and answered the call. After about ten minutes, she hung up and sank down on the chair opposite him, sighing.

“Is everything ok?” Ram asked in concern.

“Yes, my friend, Riddhima is dropping her kid, Ayaan, here for an hour. She needs to go shopping, and he is very whiny.”

“Oh, goody, I love kids,” Ram said with an excitement that could almost rival a child’s. Priya wasn’t too fond of kids but seeing Ram smile after a long, tiring day made her smile and a part of her couldn’t help but wonder why his emotions affected her so much.

About thirty minutes later, the bakery’s doorbell chimed, followed by a loud childish scream, “Priya maasi!”

Priya smiled at Ayaan and introduced Ram to Riddhima, who thanked them, gave Ayaan a few instructions that seemed like multiple iterations of  “Don’t eat too many sweets” and left.

“So, Ayaan, what do you want to do?” Ram asked.

Ayaan looked at Ram and then at his laptop.

“Does your laptop have movies?”

“Yeah, what do you want to watch?” Ram said, assuming that Ayaan would suggest some cartoon, but his answer made both Priya and Ram gulp.

“I want to watch Go Goa Gone,” he said innocently.

Priya struggled for words, and Ram gaped at him in shock.

“But kiddo, that movie isn’t for kids.” Priya tried to explain to Ayaan.

“But why? Dadda was watching it last night, and I want to watch it too,” he whined.

“Umm, there are some things that are just not appropriate for children,” Priya said hastily.

“How about I get you some pizza?” Ram offered quickly when he saw the kid wasn’t satisfied with Priya’s explanation and was preparing to argue.

“No, I don’t want a pizza. Mumma does this too whenever I ask her for a baby. She offers me chocolate or something. Why can’t she give me a baby? Why can’t I watch the movie?” Ayaan said rebelliously. Priya jumped at the opportunity to change the topic.

“A baby takes some time to be ready,” she explained.

Ayaan looked thoughtful for a moment, and then,

“Does sex take time?” he asked innocently, and Priya and Ram almost had a heart attack. 

“Er..ummm,” began Ram lamely.

“I heard Mumma say to Dadda the other day, it’s that time of the month for sex, I’m ovu..ovu….something.”

“Ovulating,” Priya prompted and Ram gaped at her.

“Yeah!” said the little boy, his eyes brightening. “That’s the word. What does it mean?”

Priya cursed herself, and before she could reply, Ram said,

“Hell, imagine our kid asking us something like that. If they inherit your sharp tongue, we are done for!” Priya gaped at him and struggled to find words to rebuke him while a blush crept up her cheeks.

“Mr. Kapoor, you can’t swear in front of a kid,” she said and covered Ayaan’s ears.

“Oh, sorry,” he said, and then his eyes widened, realizing what he had just said.

“Oh please, Priya maasi, you should have a baby. I’ll have someone to play with. Maybe it won’t take as much time to come as it’s taking Mumma,” Ayaan said with a cheeky grin.

Priya flushed as she exchanged a quick glance with Ram who was looking at her with an equally cheeky grin on his face, probably enjoying her agitation.

“Umm, Ayaan, that’s for me and your Maasi to decide, okay?” he spoke up, much to Priya’s surprise.

“But babies come from their Mumma’s tummies right? Then why do you get to decide anything?” he said looking pointedly at Ram.

Ram groaned. This kid was asking too many uncomfortable questions!

“Ayaan, let’s go into the kitchen and perhaps you can help me bake some cookies? And decorate them! How does that sound?”

Priya suggested and extended her hand, avoiding any eye contact with her husband. She prayed Ayaan would take the bait.

“Yes! Mumma never lets me in the kitchen. She says I make too much mess!”

Priya rolled her eyes, realizing she’d signed up for an extra hour of cleaning up, but it would be worth it just to get this kid to stop talking.

Ayaan stood up and followed Priya to the kitchen.

At that moment, Ram realized he wanted to see his child trotting next to Priya, with his blue eyes and her chubby cheeks. That image made his heart beat fast. At that moment, Priya turned to look at him and he couldn't help but wonder if she wanted the same thing.