Chapter 51

Raos

They disagreed on everything, pick up times, drop off times, what activity he can do what he cannot do, how he would spend the weekends, how long he can sleep or stay up

Aatreya’s parenting style was very chill laid back kind where he was always the good cop, maybe because of the novelty of the situation, Jaidrith seemed to be enjoying it as well

Though every night he questioned her about why he needed to see Aatreya at all

She had a hard time explaining this man had suddenly appeared claiming his rights.

Mendy brought chips one time, and a rice snack some time, he could not eat the rice snack as it was made with peanut oil

Lynn crossed her path multiple times and barely nodded each time

Mrunalini was afraid of awkward questions, she didn’t really want to talk, cementing Lynn’s opinion that she was a “crazy chick”

She made it a point to tell Mendy about it each time, she took the return of rice snack personally

She then texted Aatreya “don’t tell me I did not try because I DID Dude, she is not very nice” she told him

“I am sorry” he apologized

“She doesn’t even make eye contact, she is gorgeous, she probably thinks she is a superstar, agar mere ku bhi blue eyes rahega to main bhi ekdum style dikhayegi”

She told him at another time

“Single parent bolke main usko invite kiya rey she never comes only man! Must be busy with movie stars and all OK?” she insinuated

He did not buy that but had to give Lynn the benefit of doubt

Mrunalini was always home after work according to Jaidrith

She didn’t ask anything about his personal life

Just argued about pick up and drop off times incessantly

It was two weeks since suspension and things were only getting worse

She reminded him that “You can see Jaidrith but you don’t have to include him in anything you do” implying that he need not be included in his work socials and family events

He only shared things on a need to know basis

He had a bunch of relatives in Mumbai on his Mom’s side, there was housewarming invites and random poojas he was invited to

“Don’t feel obligated to bring him with you” Mrunal told him

She believed sooner or later the novelty of being a new parent was going to wear off and he was going to go away

She didn’t thank him for fixing whatever was wrong in the toilet

She appeared to like Mendy a LITTLE bit overall

Sameena, found her stressing and more agitated

The fear that at some point Aatreya’s niceness was going to crack and she was going to find Jaidrith missing one Sunday or Saturday afternoon

Jaidrith was facing a firestorm from his parents when he facetimed them the week of suspension

Second day of suspension…

His father was absolutely shocked he had almost a 10 year old (though he knew already based on Aatreya’s revelation)

Jaidrith was really tall for his age

When he was introduced to his Ajji and Thatha, his eyes turned big like saucers

Aatreya’s mother had wept seeing him

“can you even imagine how gorgeous he might have been as a baby?” she accused Atty

He hung his head in remorse

“He is just a replica of you, Aatreya” his mother gasped between tears

“I see that too” he nodded in pain

His father asked him a question in Kannada and he just stared blankly

Aatreya had to translate for him “What is your favorite subject in school”

“Math & computers” Jaidrith said softly looking at them in wonderment

Then his father asked him “Do you know Ganesha Stotra?”

Jaidrith looked at Aatreya confused

“Avanige gothila Pa” (he does not know)

“You know all that…  Nīvu antaha kelasavannu māḍiddīri (but look at what you have done)

His father switched to Kannada so as to not humiliate his son in front of his own son

Mr Rao was a dignified mature man unlike the Ghatges

“Phōṭōgaḷu n'yāyavannu nīḍuvudilla magu (photos do not do justice) Apūrva nanage nācike endu hēḷidaḷu (She told me he is shy)

Nīvu avana neccina viṣayagaḷa bagge avanondige mātanāḍuttīri (talk to him about his fave subjects) he smiled mischievously

Anime and super heroes…

“I want to see him” she whispered in Kannada

He nodded respectfully

“can you keep him now?” his father asked also in Kannada

“Umm.. working it all out” he said walking to another room allowing Jaidrith to finish his lunch

“I am disappointed… no doubt, we are a family of temple priests, society has relied on my forefathers to show them the right way maga, this has disappointed me” his father nodded choking

“I am sorry”

“Would you have rather he not found out? A RAO is born and we never come to know?” his mother raised her voice agitatedly

They rarely fought or argued

This was BIG

Aatreya sat on a lounger near some windows in his bedroom and placed the phone on a ledge

“Apoorva was feisty I expected her to do this” Somesh Rao mumbled

“You don’t have a high opinion of your kids”

“I do, but this is beyond any such thing”

“Would you have rather he went into hiding and separated from the whole family?”

There was complete silence

“Are you teaching him Kannada, shlokas, mantras… and other necessary things to lead a Vedic life?”

“Not yet” he said softly

“is he a Rao?” his father questioned

“No” he said and swallowed “Not yet”

“How can she just give up the name she has raised the boy bravely for 10 years”  Pramila Rao displayed powerful allyship toward Mrunalini

Aatreya was unprepared, he stared at her dumbfounded

“He is mine… too” he said with a bit of irritation

His parents were silent… for different reasons though

His father unsure of how to assimilate a 10 year old child into their scholarly low key dignified family, his mother was afraid her son was going to do something inappropriate in order to reclaim his rights

“can I meet the mother?” Pramila Rao asked softly

His father shifted uncomfortably he noticed

She turned to her husband and spoke softly

“We have to meet her! The journey of this event does not end at finding the grandson” she said with a sigh

“can we meet her?” she turned to the laptop camera and asked Aatreya again in Kannada

“amma….”

Take ur time” she insisted

Jaidrith went back home that suspension evening and told Mrunalini, he met his Ajji and Thatha

Her belly churned noisily in terror she had to go throw up as the bile rose rapidly

An hour later

She texted him

“Thank you for watching him I can take the day off tomorrow”

“there is no need I can work from home”

She had stalked him all day giving herself more anxiety, worrying what Aatreya was doing to Jai

“he seems to have met your… “ she began and erased not knowing how to bring up the topic

“He met my parents… over FT” Aatreya announced

She didn’t answer, just cried

There was no weapon left in her arsenal to fight this battle!

“they would like to meet you” he said