Chapter 26

Deb’s overtures & DNA

“Both your cases, have all the dox ready and I don’t see any proposal or or any details of what was charged back and why” Sen mumbled flipping through the edge of the sheaf of papers

“Everything has been loaded digitally to your sharepoint folder Sen”

He looked up at her irritated

“So no copies required huh?”

“Didn’t u say last month during the Nigam case we need to do one or the other?”

“But when you had 100s of receipts… not in straight forward cases like this one” he tapped distractedly looking into his phone

“So u want paper dox for straight forward and dox loaded to sharepoint for where the dispute is more than just room billing?”

She was subtly mocking him

There was 500 manuals for every step

Everything was written by lawyers they were just the backroom coolies for disputes

“Umm” he looked up

“We have process documents, I have to pull in legal if you change form”

“U know what? Forget it” he smiled nervously

“OK”

“How is your child?” he bat his eyelid conciliatorily

“Hes umm.. hes OK”

“How do u like the new flat?” he smiled again much to her shock

“Small win Mrunal don’t fight it le le yaar” her mind warned

“Its good” she mumbled inaudibly

She didn’t go into detail of literally running into the father of her child, 10 years since the romp in the hay

“Arey u shud be happy” he chuckled

“Umm..” she looked out the room

She needed to inform him for the housing loan, she had requested him to keep it confidential

She didn’t need any drama from her coworkers

It was a large department of over 100

She couldn’t invite everyone… and who knows who knew Amruta and Sagar

Her phone buzzed as if on cue

She pressed down on it with her fingers

“Is it a new house?” Deb was curious

“Yeah like I can afford a new demolished-reconstructed Chembur penthouse” she thought

There were many all over the city, the price was usually in multiple crores

“No… no” she said shifting uneasily hoping to leave the torture chamber

“Let me know what house warming gift u want” he smiled again

“OK NOW this is creepy” she thought

He was married with two kids

Why all of a sudden such interest in my life?

Did he spot me without contacts someplace?”

“Umm.. he probably saw your original badge picture u idiot”

“I have everything” she lied

This was a rough morning for her, Jai wanted to return to Bandra

She did too

The furniture delivery was going to be delayed

They felt just as terrified with the wind whistling in the toilet like they did the nights before, Friday and Sat

He didn’t want to go to school

CanyonOak wanted more documentation of financial stability

Best of all Aatreya Rao had told her yesterday (in yet another unannounced visit) that he preferred a “no lawyer path”

She had tried to argue as she fought a headache

Sleeping on dhurries and blankets was no fun at all, and fearing for your life was no fun either, …………….. Plus the monster fears

neck hurt brain hurt… Jaidrith knocked out usually around 11 AM or Noon both days, Sat and Sunday. He was asleep when Lynn showed up after her text

Lynn had laughed when she had texted her on Sunday AM “Is there paranormal activity in the flat”

She had stopped by after oiling her hair and told her in person there was no ghosts

She would later mention it to Aatreya and he would be puzzled by it

“Why would she say that?” he questioned

“Who knows man!!” “She always seems jumpy and nervous” “I have never ever seen her smile or laugh”

“How many times have u met her?” he asked amused hiding his irritation

“Chhod na” Mendy signaled his wife to let go

“U want to go see my place?” he invited Lynn

“If its big and beautiful I don’t want to see it” she whined

“Isko aas paas koi jhopar patti dikhaane ka” Mendy suggested

“Its not big but its comfy”

“U sound like the SM influencers in the US who live on 10K sq ft ranches and say its comfy” Lynn accused

“K” “I am not gonna say a word” “Zipp”

He was going to lease a really nice 1,500 sq ft apartment, in Khar West, overlooking the gymkhana and had a wrap around balcony and a pocket terrace

“Three bedroom Mendyyy” Lynn scowled longingly

“Chal tujhe le deta hai, next month” Mendy laughed

He worked for some Retail Consumer Research company, did not make much

The flat was left to him by his parents when they moved to South Maharashtra

Lynn sighed audibly

“I could switch with you” Aatreya offered

“Yeh to kar lega bheedu” Mendy waved the spatula as he stirred the chicken gravy

“Did u prove u are the Dad?” Lynn accused

“Umm.. no… I read a lot about it” Aaatreya nodded

“Sunday lunch ke baad main aur atty lawyer search mein jaayega” Mendy laughed

“Tell her no” Lynn urged

“She is right don’t spring a lawyer notice on her mannn”

Aatreya nodded thoughtfully

He walked over to Mrunalini Ghatge’s apartment

She was in the shower, Jai had learned how to open the door and he did and invited Aatreya in and Aatreya was showing him how to do a smiley face with darts on the wall and a frowny face

Mrunalini was scared out of her wits when she saw him sprawled on the floor having a dart gun fight with Jaidrith

“DHRUUU” she jumped

Aatreya sat up his eyes roving over her fully clad form

A towel wrapped snugly around her head

“You should ring the bell”

“U think I broke in?” he got up

“Aai 

Tyānē malā FACES kasē banavāyacē tē dākhavalē” (He showed me how to make faces)

“OK… can u go finish homework” she ordered

“Aaaiii”

“Tō anōḷakhī āhē” she whispered in his ear (he is a stranger) Punhā kadhīhī dwāra ughaḍū nakā (never ever open the door again)

She gently guided him to the bedroom

She looked fearful and agitated when she came out

“Was the door open?” she panicked

“He opened it”

“Unbolted it?” she was almost in tears

“He has seen me yesterday”

“Why are you here”

“To tell you I am NOT going to seek legal help, we need to talk” he said with a sigh

He looked great she noticed in his Sunday “casuals” jeans and some striped cotton shirt folded at the elbows

“I have to change… I don’t want to talk about it”

“I can wait outside u can shut the door, but we need to talk when I come back in later” he said reasonably

This was just too much for her

“I don’t know who you are, I don’t know if you are legit, I am not going to accept you are the Dad because you are saying so” she said in spurts

“That’s exactly what I wanted to talk about… there are 100s of DNA labs in Mumbai we can… I can volunteer for a paternity test”

She stared blankly

“We need Jaidrith… for it” he continued

Then saw the jolt of terror in her eyes

“WHYYY?” she demanded

“To prove he is mine”

“Not expecting financial compensation should make you happy, why do you need…”

“You shouldn’t decide what makes me happy” he said trying not to lose his cool

“He is MINE” “I will” she stood her ground