Chapter 108

1.5 Maharashtrians

“Is it OK if I call you at 8 PM?” Aatreya asked his Dad reverentially

“Umm.. yes… you can call me any time” chuckling

“Oh yeah I know” nervous laugh

“Your mother says we are strangers” laughing

“She is funny” more nervous laughter

“Is everything OK?”

“Umm.. yes… sir… yes… Pa”

“How is the boy?” smiling

“Very good” “Very good”

“Did he tell you?”

“I am sorry… umm.. about what?”

“On his birthday and New Year yesterday I taught him, his first mantra” proud

“Oh? That’s great”

“He did not tell you?’

“Actually it was a busy day… he must have forgotten”

“That’s OK” smiling

“I am sure he will learn it quick”

“He already chanted this morning”

“Oh he did?” astonished

“Yes, even I asked him if he is looking at the computer”

“U can never be sure”

“He is a very disciplined boy” proud

“Yes… umm.. (Thanks?) “ Aatreya stopped short of expressing pride

“I told him mother has sent him some snacks”

“Oh great”

“When we come end of January we will take him for outing”

“Yes Pa”

“You sound distracted”

I AM SH---G IN MY PANTS he swallowed

“Umm.. I have my 6 month performance evaluation next week” he muttered nervously

“They hired you to manage 400 people they must know what they are doing”

“Thank you, but banking is so volatile, even if I was their favorite guy yesterday I may not be… tomorrow” nervous laugh

“You have good education putta (dear)”

“Thanks Pa”

“You wake up in the morning, you should say that stotra” (Reminds him of the name and the first few verses)

“Eh.. um..”

“You are not religious, as parents we can instill good values, we cannot watch you every day…. You are a father now, you should realize”

“Yes” he nodded

“I will pray for you” protectively

“Thank u”

“If the review is not upto your expectation just remember what Lord Krishna said to Arjuna”

“Yes”

Somesh Rao chanted some Gita verses

“I will talk to you at 8 PM”

Aatreya hung up and buried his face in his palms and groaned

A part of him wanted to elope… again

He had done that one in the US, with the wealthy heiress

Everyone knew that aged like milk

He went to his phone and texted Mrunalini

“Would you mind seeing me for dinner?”

No response for two hours

“Can you pick up Dhru?”

“Yes” smiley

“Why dinner?”

“I have to talk to my Dad I will feel safer with you” he said honestly

Her heart thudded furiously

He was relying on HER?

No one ever relied on HER

I mean… c’mon

“U need my protection?” smiley

“All of it” smiley

“Do u like Maharashtrian food?”

“I do like Maharashtrians” smiley

“All of them?”

“Just one… and oh! 1.5 actually” smiley

“Half a human?”

“Yes” smiley

“Dhru?”

Smiley

“OK”

He burst out laughing

She could make him feel so much better just by being herself he realized

Sigh!