Chapter 95

Shirts for Thanks

“Aatreya” “Aaatreya” Pramila was calling out

Thankfully Mrunal was on the inside of the bathroom he was leaning on the door with his back to the bathroom entrance

His hand was on her waist, but he released her lips and breathed audibly on them, as if blowing little kisses and then bend down and grabbed them one last time before letting go

“What do u recommend in place of a quick cold shower…. Based on ur Internet experience”

She staggered back weakly and tried to pull away, his hand stayed on the waist

“Aaatreya illi nodu putta”

His mother was calling and the voice was approaching closer

She pushed his hand off, and they ended up holding hands

“Actually I have not tried any of THESE settings” he punched random keys on the LED display of the washer placed in the bath annex

“I mainly use” he was pressing keys with his left hand, while his right held hers in the folds of her saree’s pallu

“Inu jaaru tarabekendu nanage tilidilla” (I don’t know how to open this jar) she held a jar

He turned casually toward his mother and reluctantly let go of her hand as she stepped back further putting a couple feet between them

“I only know one setting” his mother giggled

He unlocked the jar in a second and handed it back to her

“Yeah this has more settings than my computer” Mrunal nodded, pusring her lips to hide the signs

“I will show u” Pramila lingered much to Aatreya’s chagrin

Lunch was served soon after, sumptuous simple meal, Dhru ate almost all of it, he loved the banana leaf concept

“Yesterday we ordered we got it today” Somesh laughed

“Great job bud” Aatreya encouraged his son

“very good habit… yes” Somesh approved gently

“He loves anything I make in south Indian style” Pramila was pleased

“That’s great”

“I don’t use sesame seeds, so its easy”

“His coconut allergy count is not that high”

“He told me” Pramila smiled at her son “So I put little bit in snake gourd” she smiled

Dhru would not touch anything she made with cocnut at home

“She brought me a saree” Pramila told her son

“Wow… nice” he smiled and nodded at Mrunalini

“She told me thank u for taking care of the child…. I told her you don’t have to buy a saree every month” Pramila laughed at her own joke

Aatreya was not happy

He rarely seldom, hardly every got mad but this did not sit well with him

Somesh began talking to her about Hindu rituals and practices and explained Vedas and scriptures

He quizzed Dhru about it, Dhru got 6 out of 10 right to her utter shock

All in the space of two visits they were able to teach the kids so many good things

She tried to recollect what her Baba had last said to Dhru and when in the occasional accidental meetings they had in Amaltas Bandra

“You should eat here when we are in town” Pramila urged as she loaded the dishwasher when Pramila rinsed them off after lunch

“I will try”

“I want you to be comfortable” Pramila said

She nodded

“These days nobody is awkward, sometimes God chooses different path for different people if there are kids then you have to make adjustment no?” Pramila explained

“Aatreya’s tandeya sahodari, u know his aunt?”

Mrunalini nodded

“He has 3, one of them one daughter divorced” she whispered and paused turning off the faucet and turning to Mrunalini

“The parents have to meet, they have two girls”

Mrunalini nodded

His sister, (Somesh’s sister) Bhagya and I talk about it” “Nobody is at fault” Pramila was gently

“I knew what I was doing” Mrunalini whispered

“No you did the right thing, you wanted a child” Pramila said slowly and sighed

“Thank you for trying to be supportive” Mrunal sighed

“Life is not black and white” Pramila whispered

Mrunal realized she was talking about her husband

“We are married for 30, 35 years we just learn to adjust” she sighed

Mrunal nodded

“In those days my MIL….”

Mrunalini got a good 25 minutes of stories and anecdotes and general banter

This woman was phenomenal she realized

She had never in her lifetime stood in the kitchen and chatted with her mother

NOT ONCE

When she stepped out, Somesh was asleep, Dhru was in his room reading anime and Aatreya was snoozing

She picked up her purse and the bags of stuff, she quickly sprinted to Pramila’s room to say her goodbyes, she gave her paan and betel nut and fruits and flowers again

She looked sad? Mrunal wanted to think so

“Take a nap I will make mysore filter coffee”

“No I have to go”

“Will u come to the airport?” she asked fondly

“When are you leaving?”

“3 days”

“Tuesday evening”

“I have to work”

Pramila hugged her and went into her room

She went into Aatreya’s open room

“Hey there, I am heading out, I brought some clothes for him” she just spoke without reaching up to wake him

He sat up first and then got off the bed

“What?”

They both stared at each other, his eyes conveyed a “This whole thing is absolutely ridiculous”

Hers received the message but didn’t respond

“I am heading out, let me know if I should be picking him up Monday or Tuesday?”

“Are u leaving?”

She nodded, overwhelmed trying not to cry

This was a good family

“Did u thank my Mum for the food?” he asked seriously

She realized he was giving her a dose for the saree

“No I will buy her a saree when I see her next” she mumbled

He picked up his keys and phone

“I have my car”

He just followed her

Dhru didn’t even want to go downstairs to see her off

They hugged and kissed and he asked her to tell the Sahasre boys he has two new games

She nodded sadly

He walked with her to her car

“Where are u sleeping tonight?”

“Home” she said quietly

“Thanks” she nodded before getting in the car

“I will take a shirt or jeans” he said breaking into a half smile

“Text me the size” she nodded pulling out