Chapter 96

Rao House politics & Reps

He texted her around midnight, she saw the text and was about to respond but stopped

He called instead she didn’t answer, he called again

“What do u want?”

“So u are awake”

“So?”

“Just lock up and go to bed” he growled

“Its already locked” she grumbled

“I can ask Mendy to walk over and talk to the guard in ur society”

“NOOOO Don’t do that!” she jumped up and paced the living room

“The other choice is I can drive down”

“No thank u”

“Mrunalini, I assure u, you are going to be fine”

“I don’t need a pep talk”

“Its not a pep talk”

“U have my child”

“Its my turn to have him for the night… wait a minute the first time in his 10 year life”

“I am not arguing why did u call? Do u want to gloat?”

“Un (sigh) “Ugh… (grunt)You don’t make this easy”

“I … u didn’t have to call and tell me, you are entitled to Dhru’s time”

“Not until after you  told me he is your child”

“He IS”:

“He is OUR child”

Silence

“Why are you mad at me?”

“YOU were mad at me for buying her a saree” she shouted

“My Mum is his grandma, you cannot repay her favors”

“She is not related to me”

“She is related to him”

She nodded tearfully, really sad she didn’t want to hear this at all

Silence….

“If I say I am no longer upset will u go to sleep?”

“Its not a switch on and switch off” “I have trouble sleeping”

“I am sorry”

“I fall asleep quickly if Dhru is home”

“Oh? U shud have stayed back”

“Oh no…. that would be totally crazy A”

“I doubt my parents would care”

“They are lovely I don’t want to ruin that thing…” she didn’t want to utter the word friendship

“They like you”

“Because they know I am no threat to u”

“What do u mean?”

“U know… I mean, we share a coparenting arrangement and they are OK with that and know we have this connection because of Dhru”

He was very confused

“Isnt that what we want?”

“Oh yeah yeah… I mean it’s a good relationship”

She was wanting to say 

“Ur Mum knows and ur Mum wants it to be ONLY a coparenting relationship, so does ur Dad, they would probably never want to see me ever again if I were to express any interest in you, sleeping over at ur place would mean we are more than parents, it would mean we want something more and that would change my value in their eyes…. In a flying second!”

“I can drive over and bring u”

“No… don’t I am good”

“Its really not a problem

She imagined Pramila’s face if she spotted her stepping out of the 4th bedroom

She would no longer confide in her discuss the Rao house politics not be kind to her

“What did u mean by threat?”

“I only meant we have a good understanding a professional equation, and neither are trying to take away the kid” she explained

“Huh!”

“I am just overthinking, you should go to bed”

“I can stay up a while”

“I am good” she closed her eyes drowsy

“I can text u my shirt size”

“Oh good” she heard a text buzz

“Mrunalini?”

She felt light headed and relaxed

He was kind… willing and able to talk like this

“Is Dhru being good?” she woke herself up to ask

“He always great”

“Keep that up he can join politics when he is 21, you can be his rep” (You are constantly praising the kid)

“Would love that!” he laughed

“No its dangerous and creepy”

“He needs to choose entertainment then”

“He can already do that” she said shaking her head

“He hasn’t gotten into trouble so that’s good right? “At school?”

“Touch wood” she knocked on her head

“Are u going to be able to fall asleep?”

“I am going to try”

“Lock up, u will be fine”

“Hmm”

“Good night”

“Gnite” he hung up, she stretched out by the window and slept soundly until 8 AM missing her alarm

He knew she was struggling, he knew his Dad did not like him much or trust him at the moment, he had no idea how he could extend any help to Mrunalini without making it seem like umm..... ummm.. getting back together? his mind voice urged that line

"I am attracted to her no doubt, I went looking for her dude so shut the F up" he cursed it

"OK then go tell Dad u are wanting to hook up with her again"

"U know what? Its none of ur biz I will do it when time comes"

He felt his stomach muscles clench

He had no idea how he was going to approach this with his Ma... she was the one who emotionally understood him, through his divorce his return to India decision, the circumstances under which Dhru could have happened and he was left out of it... she got him

And Apurva

He checked her WhatsApp status, she was not online

He wanted to chat

If his parents didnt care he would be in Chembur again tonight

He had not told them he had stayed over 3 nights ago either

Simple middle class families dont do that s--t man!! his mind voice interrupted again

"Well they dont go to rich people's parties in Lonavala either, neither do they impregnate 23 year olds" he lashed back out at his inner conscience

"Go right ahead man... tell ur old man... and oh make sure I am overseas awright I dont want to watch him peel ur hide off"

"He hasnt laid a finger on me"

"Yep thats all gonna change sweetums... dude's gonna mess u up"

"Shut up its not the movies"

"It is"

"She likes Amma"

"Tell that to ur Dad and see how he feels" the voice continued to ridicule him

He walked the balcony back and forth

His Dad was awake, after going to the bathroom, he watched his son agonize alone, and sighed