Part 13:
Sumo hid in Sahil's room as he slept. Shravan would go after her, no doubt. She knew he was looking for her right now. Sumo brushed Sahil's hair as he napped, his curved little lips slightly open as he breathed in and out. Sumo playfully closed his lips so that he could breathe through his nose. Sahil adjusted and grabbed her thumb in his sleep to suck on.
Sumo smiled: Mera baccha (she pulled away her thumb and kissed his head).
Shravan spoke up behind her, making her jump: If you like him so much, why don't you want any?
Sumo softly: Isska pyaar bat jayega, iss liye.
Shravan came up and pulled her up, holding her close in his locked arms: Nehi hoga, you made space for 60 kids in this little heart of yours. Yeh bahot bara hai. What's a few more? (He wiggled his nose at her) Ours.
Sumo looked away and shook her head: Nehi.
Sharavan's face fell: I am sorry, phir se haadth par kar diya na meine? I got carried away. I thought Papa gave in and now no one was in our way. I could have asked you before kissing you like that.
Sumo smiled sadly, playing with his shirt lapel: Then, it wouldn't be as romantic.
Shravan was silent for a bit: So it was romantic?
Sumo, annoyed: Shravan, please!
Shravan: I know I am rushing you. But we have lost so much time already, why stay away from each other any longer? If you don't want to have kids right now, that is okay, but marry me, please...
Sumo looked up at him, his eyes were deep pools of soft chocolaty love, they were scared too. No doubt. He was not sure of her answer.
Shravan tried again when she just stared back at him, looking hesitant: I love you, Sumo. I have for 17 years. What can I do to make you believe it?
Sumo: You don't have to do anything.
Shravan: Then, what can I do to make you say yes?
Sumo shook her head: Kuch nehi.
Shravan, feeling harrassed: Sumo, please. Don't deny it any longer. Haven't we been through this enough times?
Sumo softly said, looking down at his chest: I know.
Shravan: Know what?
Sumo: That you love me. I have always...known.
Shravan sighed in relief: And?
Sumo: And...
Shravan: Do you love me!?
Sumo nodded and smiled: For just as long.
Shravan: Pata hai mujhe. Preeti told me.
Sumo playfully slapped him: Preeti ne bataya. How romantic. Khud nehi samajh sakte the?
Shravan softened: Nehi samajha. Gadha tha mein.
Sumo fidgeted.
Shravan: Toh ab? Shaadi nehi karni, bacche nehi chahiye, toh kya kare?
Sumo: Kuch karna zaroori hai? Can't we just admit it and think practically? (She pleaded earnestly) I don't want you to leave everything in Delhi for me, Shravan. Please understand. I cannot leave. It's best if we part (he put a finger on her lips).
Shravan, adamantly: Nehi. (She tried to speak) Keep quiet, Sumo. I have had enough of your practicality. You see me unhappy to leave Delhi? Nehi na? If I am not suffering a loss, why are you worried!? This is what I want. I like being here, besides you, I love working here. This life is perfect for me. I don't particularly care for the law anyway.
Sumo: Please Shravan, your family is there.
Shravan: And it's here too. You are here...M-mm...she's here. The children are here...
Sumo smiled hopefully: Mama kehne wale the?
Shravan pouted, despite his best efforts to hide it: Nehi!
Sumo: Admit it, tum Aunty ke naam lene wale the.
Shravan: Mein bhala Nirmala Ahuja ka naam kyun lunga?
Sumo: Then, who's "she?" Preeta!?
Shravan squeezed his eyes shut: Fine! Unhi ka naam le raha tha.
Sumo: Toh bolo (she tugged him), Mamaaa. Say it.
Shravan let her go: Stop it, Sumo. I am not a little kid like Sahil. Usse sikhao tum.
He turned away.
Sumo: There's no shame in wanting to call your own mom, Mama, Shravan. You know you want to, why do you keep holding on to that hate?
Shravan: Because she left me! She left me and Papa for another man.
Sumo: No, she didn't. She never left you. Just like Ramnath Uncle pushed me away from you, he pushed her away too. At least now, believe me. You have had proof.
Shravan turned to her: Why would Papa push away my own mother from me? Don't be ridiculous, Sumo.
Sumo: Fine. Ask your mom next time she visits. Don't believe me.
Shravan stormed out.
They existed in limbo like this for a few days.
Now they have both admitted their feelings for each other and still that crazy girl would not say yes.
Sumo snapped at him over breakfast one morning: Tum jate kyun nehi ho?
Shravan munched on his sandwich: Kyun ke tumhe agar nun banna hai na, toh mujhe bhi padre banna hai. Hum dono yaha reh jayenge, bhrat rakh ke, thik hai? Lifelong partners in doing nothing.
Sumo snapped: Kya karna hai tumhe jo itna chir rahe ho!?
Shravan's mocking look made her go beet red.
Sumo: Keep dreaming!
Shravan scowled and went back to his karwi black coffee.
Shravan: Marie, tell your head-mistress that she's being irrational.
Marie smiled good-naturedly: Now what happened?
Sumo: Marie, tell your colleague that he needs to go back to Delhi to his career and family rather than lolling about here.
Shravan: I am hardly lolling about! I teach 5 classes a day!
Sumo rolled her eyes and went back to feeding Sahil who was tugging at her hem.
Shravan, bitterly: Crazy, headstrong woman.
Marie conspire-ingly: So what are you going to do now?
Shravan smiled slowly: I am going to wear her out. One thing you should know about your headmistress, Marie, patience is not her strong-suit.
Thoughts?
Edited by Marybarton - 9 years ago
Cricket
