Chapter 28

Imagining Imaginary

He was dressed for “success” she realized like the people that buzzed in and out of the resort hotel she worked at. In navy pants and a white and red bold stripe shirt

His damp hair was parted to the left side

“Hi” he muttered tentatively

The lady across the hall had her wood door open she stood behind the gate and watched with interest

“We are late for school” she whispered trying to be inaudible

“I understand… this will only take a minute” he whispered back he felt the eyes on his back

“Are you going to show me smiley faces?” Jaidrith was up like a rocket ship flying to the door

“Hi!” he nodded

“Aai… tu rahanara aahes ka?” (are u going to stay?) he asked his Mom instead

“Mala ase vaatat nahi” (I do not think so) Mrunal whispered

“’Just one time… one time?” he begged

Mrunal unlocked the creaky gate bolt in frustration

And stepped far back and shut the door when she felt the woman still standing

“Yes?”

Aatreya noticed she looked a little more composed and rested today

“I have a card of the place not too far from here, they will have the results in 3 days”

“Don’t you have your own family?” “U are so eager why?” she quizzed not taking the card

“I don’t” he said after a pause “If u have a husband you can let him know”

“Umm. “

“Or ur parents?”

She panicked the look of terror coming upon her face instantaneously

“I don’t want to go anywhere” she peeked at the card with a side eye

The flat smelled like him, fresh and clean, overpowering the feminine soap scent that wafted through the bathroom door and the astringent odor when she tried to kill a pimple under her left earlobe

“I have to keep coming back for this then” he said firmly but in a whisper again

Jaidrith appeared with two massive dart guns and a bag of about 100 darts

“Now?”

Aatreya went on his knees and took those from him

“I have to go to work… how about we do this in the evening?” he whispered feeling the boy’s cheek

“Today? Huh? Today? Aaai Malā śhaāḷētūna lavakara ucalatā yē'īla kā? (pick me up from school early?)

“Dhru… nakko Āpalyākaḍē vijñānāta dākhavā āṇi sāṅgā” (u have show and tell in science) SCIENCE she repeated that word in English

“I HATE school” his eyes immediately filled up with tears

“Can we do this in the weekend?” she begged

“Playdate or appointment?” he asked looking up at her

She swallowed “Neither”

“You… tumhala mulam aahet ka?” (do u have kids?) he asked in chaste Marathi to the stranger

Aatreya looked up at her again

“Can I play with your kids?” jaidrith explained cutely

“U can” Aatreya nodded happily

“They are my best friends?” Jaidrith wanted reassurance

He had zero friends. He wanted to be best friends with kids that did not exist

“I think so too” Aatreya held his tiny hands and squeezed them

Mrunal was on the verge of losing it

Aatreya was baffled how in the world such an adorable blue eyed boy… literally blue eyed boy had no friends?

Crazy!!

“Dhruuuu… apala nashta poorna kara (eat ur brkfast)

Mrunal broke the love fest

Jaidrith’s shoulders slumped as he ambled back to the bedroom to bring his plate

“The clinic is open Saturdays… u can bring ur parents or sibling” he said in a whisper

“Hmm” she reluctantly accepted the card

“I can give you my number” he waited

This was going to be yet another battle

He could have easily gotten it from Lynn but he played by the rules always

“Does your wife and kids know?” she asked earnestly

He tried not to smile, she didn’t remember anything… she didn’t relax she didn’t smile… she was never trusting

He had to remind himself so he didn’t get angry about it

“I am not married” he repeated

“Must be like me” she realized wondering how many half siblings Jaidrith was going to get

“Hope its two” “I bet they have no allergies and they are all well behaved and not naughty or mischievous and not socially awkward”

As she imagined his imaginary kids he let himself out