Chapter 24

Note: Flashback in blue 

~24~

"It's all your fault, Mummy..."

"It's all your fault, Mummy..."

A 7 year old Toshu stormed inside their house.

"What happened, son?"

"You woke me up 5 minutes late... see I got the 2nd rank..."

"But..."

"He is right. It's all your fault, Anupama. Can't you be diligent?" echoed his father.

"It's all your fault, Mummy..."

A 17 year old Tohu screamed

"What did I...?"

"Who told you to talk to Rohan... Now he doesn't want to do anything with me because you are not educated enough..."

"But..."

"He is right. It's all your fault, Anupama. Can't you stay away from his friends for once?" echoed his father.

She shut her eyes, and took a deep breath to control her temper that had flared up at the tone of his voice. She looked up from her desk to see her 27 year old son walking in and stand before her with his cheeks all puffed up and angry. Successfully reigning in her temper, she said in a calm voice

"What's wrong?"

"What's wrong..... everything is wrong... I lost the deal..."

"The one you went to present today...?"

"Oh... you remember...? I thought you had forgotten we exist after your marriage with..."

"Paritosh..."

Toshu looked at the direction of the stern voice. Sitting behind his mother in the shadows was Anuj Kapadia. He stood up and walked to her side. With eyes fixed at him, he said

"Apologize to your mother at once... I will not have you talking in that tone to her..."

"Why should I apologize... she is the one at fault... Had she been here early today I wouldn't have gotten late and I would have been able to present before Ishaan did and I would have won the deal... she..."

"Didn't you hear what I said, boy? Apologize..."

"But... she..."

"Paritosh... Apologize... now..."

The stern command made him understand that unless he apologizes, he wouldn't be able to talk any further. So, he mumbled half heartedly 

"Sorry..."

"I can't hear you... you are 27. Be a man... look at her when you speak."

Anu held his hand to calm him down

"Anuj..."

"Not now, Anu... I am speaking to you, Paritosh..."

With no one to support his outburst as usual, he looked around before dejectedly deciding to obey Anuj. He looked up at his mother.

"I am sorry, Mummy. I shouldn't have talked to you like that."

He turned around to leave when Anuj’s voice stopped him.

"Where are you going?"

"Home..."

"I want to see your presentation."

Toshu looked at him surprised. He gave a smile and grabbed a chair. 

"Now... let's see what we can do to get you the deal next time."

An hour later, Anu entered the academy with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate to see them still bent over work.

"See... this is where you went wrong... if you just present the figures like this and the points like this... people would find it easier to trust you..."

"Oh... I really didn't know that... this deal would have been mine, if I had consulted with you while making this presentation..."

"No use crying over spilt milk, son... these losses teach us something... with experience you will become better... now, forget about this deal... think ahead... you still have plenty of companies who would be willing to pay for your proposal. Keep trying... I know you would get there soon..."

"Thank you, Papa.... uh Mummy... when did you come?"

"Few minutes back... here have some hot chocolate..."

"Sorry Mummy, it's already late... Kinjal would be waiting for me... see you soon. And Mummy... really sorry for today... I was frustrated with the deal and took it out on you... won't do that again... promise..."

Pecking his mother's cheeks as a token of his apology, he left them alone. She turned to him, her eyes full

"He called you Papa..."

He shrugged his shoulders, but there was a hint of pride in his voice when he said

"He did, didn't he? I didn't notice"

"How did you do that...?"

"Do what?"

"I don't remember the last time Toshu kissed me affectionately. I was always the clumsy, good for nothing one for him... I..."

She looked for words to fit in the flood of emotions that had made way to her parched motherly soul. He gently took the cups from her, placed them on the table and held her close to his heart. After what seemed like eternity, she pulled away from him looking and feeling much cheerful.

"Huh... finally I got my Anu back..."

She playfully hit his hands and turned around when he pulled her back. As her back hit his chest, he rested his head on her shoulders 

"Dear wifey... don't you think we should get back to what we were doing before our son interrupted...?"

She blushed and pushed him away. Grabbing a mug of the hot chocolate she thrust it in his arms.

"Have the chocolate before it gets cold..."

"Oh I know how to have my chocolate all nice and hot..."

Saying so he pulled her into the shadows again.

****

A/N: Yup I don't know what happened before Toshu came or how to keep the chocolate all nice and warm🙈. You need to ask Mr. Kapadia for those tips

Hope u like this

Oh forgot to add

PS: Dearest writers if you are lurking here please please let this scene come on screen... I am sure these three would nail it