Chapter 5

Knock on the door!

“Majhyakade society cha patra aahe” Sagar Ghatge texted Mrunal one morning

Amltas sent him notifications, he texted his daughter, she tried not to be home when the work was being done or when Sagar wanted to come by to check the work

She got ready, put him on the bus this morning since he was happy to get gluten free jam sandwich for lunch, it was too sugary and the only thing he liked was SUGAR

Oh and he also had frosted cornflakes with almond milk for breakfast

She had attentive, present, responsive Jaidrith

She stared at him while he ate breakfast

Thankfully, no kid in school had figured out Jai’s maternal grandpa’s name was also ghatge

Kids can be mean, they would then want to know how his mother with a maiden name had a child with the same last name

She had attempted to change her last name when she suspected Sagar was upto something fishy when she was pregnant

But never got around to it

She wanted to, but didn’t know what name she would choose

Rao? Dadu was not like him yeah maybe Mrunalini Rao… sure go right ahead Mrunal

Aatreya will like that

She got up nervously and filled up her coffee mug

There was nothing holding her to either parent

“Can we go to my soccer game?” he asked smiling

He had her beautiful eyes, she smiled, not the hair though the thick luscious silky hair was definitely Aatreya’s

“When have I not?”

This was his FIRST, a kind coach had included him, he would most likely be benched but what the heck

The school was expensive so it was about time they put him in some activity and it would give her something to do on a Saturday.

“Do I have any cousins?” he asked curiously

Her heart lurched

She was an only child

Her Aai and baba were not

But she was somewhat decommissioned from the family for being an unwed mother. In a family where the man takes on a 23 year old GF!!

She looked at her text again

“I have soccer game…” she erased it

“I had a Saturday appointment” she typed in  English, she refused to give in to the familiarity of Marathi

She didn’t know if Sagar was visiting the school to watch Jai, he didn’t tell her, he probably knew where he went

Her mother didn’t really care

Yep!

She sighed

Sagar tried to call her

He always did!

She did not answer

“Mee 8 wajat aaoo shakata” Sagar offered hoping to see her

“I can leave key with Mrs Sawant” she cut off

Didn’t respond

Got up and packed up every picture from the wall, and chest of drawer, she didn’t want her Baba to get a hold of anything

Jai was hers

Sagar was the only parent that wanted a connection, Mrunal didn’t want any groveling attempts from him

The grandma didn’t give a damn… she could send pictures Falguni would shred them immediately.

She put him on the bus, and walked to the local station

She asked Sai “Do you want to go out for lunch?”

Might as well thank the few kind people in her life, will also give her a chance to flee her apartment”

Sooner or later Sagar was going to be standing at her front door, where would she go?”

I need to move out soon

Sigh!

She had tried to move out, but most of the times the money she saved up went in fridge or TV repairs, or school trips, or allergist visits

Her down payment got depleted

The hotel health plan was a joke.

I will figure it out soon

She jumped on a Ladies Special and sat down and began to take a nap

When they returned in the evening, the security guard at the lobby of the posh Amaltas intercepted.

“Ma’am there was visitor” he said

She made a face.

“Saga..” she began”

“No Ma’am it was Mr Rao”

“Who?” she was confused

“Aatreya Rao he said”

She froze in shock

“Did .. oh… did…”

“I told him we are not allowed to say who lives in building”… as if that was going to deter Aatreya

The young guard was proud of himself

Mrunal rarely cried, but she was moved to tears