AWTBL-Someday!Chp12(A). pg75. Jan28. - Page 29

Thank You dear readers for such patience. Your love is making me write much more. Its 2000 + words long chapter...

The delay was because I have been writing long notes about the story. It has taken a special place in my head and moving way ahead than what I had expected. And I give all my ardent Kalpi-Raghav fans the credit.

Special shoutout for Rachufan, Ragna1302 for constantly demanding updates. I love you man!!!

Thank you so much and here is the next chapter. ps- I know you were waiting for Raghav to make HIS awesome entry. Promise he is right around the corner. 😉

Chapter 8

It was almost a week since their Board exams had got over. Nirmal's health was doing better and Kamla was busy taking rounds of the canning workshops. The accounts had been audited and the inevitable was stalled, at least for a while. Although the money shuffling had yet not been solved but at least the workers salaries, their festival bonus and the farm bills had somehow been paid off partially. Kamla had strictly asked Nirmal to stay out of the office for a while. And although Nirmal was still recovering he was itching to get back to the office. On the other hand, Kamla was adamant to keep him off the office premises. And that duty fell completely on her two children. Kalpana and Keshav.

With her board exams over Kalpi spent her mornings making breakfast and sending Keshav off to school, then she proceeded to clean the house, give Nirmal his medicines and freshen him up before going and checking on the farm animals. The chickens and goats were once again under her care. That part of the morning was infact therapeutic for Kalpi. She loved to tend to the little chickens and the vegetable garden. Her favorite fruit trees that she liked to talk to.

Kapli was an intelligent and intuitive girl far more mature than her age. But the most endearing aspect of her was her understand and caring nature. With her experience she had learned to judge situations, and assess what they needed without saying much she always made a presence. The whole point lay how many people understood this gift of hers?

""-

Paakhi was preparing for an impending trip to Delhi with her mother. My baccha needs some retail therapy time Neetu aunty had said as she came around to stand near Paakhi and bend to kiss the top of her forehead. Then she promptly came around and did the same to Kalpana. Kalpi was come to Kapoor's house in the afternoon after much insistence from Paakhi and was now lounging on the princess bed that was draped in all silk and candy orange across Paakhi. And they surrounded by piles of silk, chiffon, organza and handlooms; Thanks to Paakhi's indecisiveness.

'Kalpi, you must also come with us.' Neetu coaxed sweetly, Let me talk to Kamla. Your baba is doing much better and a day trip or a two, will not change the course of history for anyone.' She always felt Kali was burdened unnecessarily why her family and she glanced at her own daughter rubbing a soft silk against her cheek.

Mmm... tell me fast should I wear this right now or should I pack this one for Delhi? Zaldi!!!' she said in an exaggerated tone.

She was unable to decide what she wanted to wear for the evening out with friends as well as do some packing for the Delhi trip. But more importantly she wanted to convince Kalpi to come for the evening out with friends.

And anyways, we are only going till the IMA grounds for some eye candy, what is wrong in that?', Paakhi winked, 'then some ice cream. We will be back before dinner time, I promise.'

Kalpi nodded in disagreement, No, Paakhi, I spent all of my afternoon here. Keshav is with baba. I have to relive him so he can join his friends playing cricket.

Neetu came and sat beside them looking at both her girls adoringly. Kalpi was too kind and considerate for her own good and Paakhi was just so demanding, she sighed.

'Mom, she is not ready for an evening out with her girlfriends, you really think she will come to Delhi with us?'

Kalpi looked at both of then is confusion. What were they talking about? Delhi? When did that happened her mother would never allow that. But more importantly, she was never ever going to ask her mother for permission. Her amma would go ballistic as such outrageous demands.

'But then you do not know how influential your mom's' powers are, Paakhi.' Neetu winked at her two bewildered daughters. She knew exactly what was running through Kalpi's mind.

"""""-

And that is how Kalpi found herself walking around at the famous heritage monument, Jantar Mantar. This was her first trip to Delhi. It took less than six hours to reach here and yet Delhi had always seemed so far she wondered, as she stroked the red bricks of the structure. And this was the most wonderful place she had seen she grinned looking around. Completely at awe of the structure in front of her. Astronomy and stars it was all so fascinating reading the pamphlet in her hand and walk through the park.

The ice cream trip to India Gate had been so much fun last night even though all of them were so tired. Her thoughts traced back the events of the last couple of days and Neetu's antics in convincing Kamla. Paakhi's mom and her amma were like chalk and cheese, mused Kalpi but she loved her mother and would trade it for nothing. Ain't we suppose to love our parents whatever come may?

Well at least she was here and what a wonderful time she was having. It was so different from the quiet and slow moving valley life. Somehow she found some peace among the astro-structures of Jantar Mantar. The place that was surrounded by high end shops, street side hawkers, honking vehicles and still there was a certain solitude that she could feel and connect with; a certain calm that made her sit and think about home, her childhood and everything precious.

Her thoughts encircle upon dadi.

Dadi was the first person she had gone to as soon as the Delhi trip was confirmed. Kalpi had to tell her that she would not be there for the next few days and so would not be present for the evening paaths'. But Daadi's reactions had confused her. Was she happy to see her leave, Kalpi wondered.

"Oh! Is that so? So when will I see you next?" Daadi inquired.

"Daadi, if you say I will not go. Even amma does not look too happy with my absence." Kalpi shrugged.

"No on, you must go and have fun. Buy some nice clothes." she said as she shoved a roll of currency into Kalpi's hand.

"And this old lady will wait to see you on this very special occasion of Holi." He eyes twinkled like stars as she said this. And as an afterthoughts she added, "Actually, that will be even better!" And giggled naughtily at her own joke. All this did not go unnoticed by Kalpi. Now she sat and thought about it and wondered, what did Daadi meant.

Just then a dragging duffle jerked her back to reality An old man was peeking at het in an odd manner. His clothes were tatters and his slippers had broken straps which he was dragging on the cracked concrete. He kept moving towards her and she slid a little back to let him pass. Instead he stopped in front of her.

"Jee, do you need any help?" she asked.

"Beta, never spurn away from the affection that will come your way." He whispered gruffly as he glared at her. Why must he be so peeved at me, Kalpi wondered.

"Do you want money?" she asked even though she did not have much with her. She started looking at her purse.

"Never fight against your love, it will make your life even more difficult. Even more difficult than it is." And saying that he turned rudely and went off.

She was slightly piqued at the old man's affront behavior.

The cellphone rang and she immediately forgot about the old man's rude behavior and shuffled into her mirrored Jhola bag'. It was a call from Neetu aunty and she was asking her where she was.

"I walked to Jantar Mantar. Nahi, aunty its Okay, I got bored of looking at things and did not have much shopping to do... Yes! I can see ... Okay!! I will see you in a minute." Neetu aunty had insisted she take a cell phone whenever she walked alone around. They wear supposed to meet at Gaylord's for the best ever sundae cones according to Neetu Aunty.

"""""""""""

"Yuck mom, this is so pass... We could have gone to Haggen Daz' ice cream parlor instead. It's not far from here." Paakhi roiled in pretend disgust.

" No, baccha. I can't walk. My feet need some rest. And look at Kalpi she is getting bored with your shopping. I have called the driver here. We need to make this an early turn in. And tomorrow we have to leave early in the morning."

'Hmm... Can Kalpi and I watch a movie in the theatre tonight. It's right next to Raddisson mom.'

'Okay, but you girls better be ready by 5am. Remember we have to pickup Prem from the airport at 6am.'

Kalpi took a gulp of her ice cream in a hurry and tried to contain herself. When she had agreed for the Delhi trip she has no knowledge about Prem's home coming and later she could not back down wondering what the rest of the family would think about her.

The shopping, eating, and movie watching was only a way to keep herself occupied and calm. Prem had given her such hard times when she was a kid that it had left a sour taste for her. But kalpi was also not one to carry grudges against someone. She hoped Prem had also out grown his childish and bully behaviour. And fretting over his actions when she had no knowledge or control over them was not worth it. She was in Delhi for the first time and better make best use of it she assured herself. Didn't she have much more to be grateful for she looked at Paakhi and Neetu with a smile.

After dinner Paakhi and Kalpi went for the latest Varun Dhawan and Shraddha kappor movie.

"I always look at Shraddha Kapoor and wonder about her villainous background." Paakhi giggled at her own joke.

"And have you ever wondered about Varun's abs turning into David's flabs?" Kalpi couldn't help retorting back.

"Ahhaa!! Delhi air is doing some good here, I see." Paakhi volleyed back at Kalpi with a grin.

Kalpi grinned back at Paakhi. It was Better to forget the inevitable tomorrow and enjoy some downtime while it lasts she decided.

The next morning Neetu found the girls ready and sipping on double cappucino.

"Delhi and Prem are turning Paakhi into a new leaf." Neetu exclaimed suspiciously. It had been Paakhi's idea that they should skip sleeping and gossip till dawn.

"Why risk being late and face a mother's wrath."

So they selected dresses, did make up kits and gossiped about boys especially Raghav till Neetu showed up in their room.

Kalpi was the first one to spot Prem but she kept quite and shifted behind paakhi. Neetu gave a loud shriek and ran to hug Prem.

" Mom, mom. I am here. Its Okay. The plane did not crash. Why are you crying?... Paakhi don't just stand there where is your phone?"

"Why Bhai?" she asked dumbly.

"Well, at least take a picture of mom. That will make her stop crying?" Prem looked down at Neetu as he moved closer and hugged her.

"What sense of humor! Is that what London did to you? Made a comedian out of you?" Paakhi jumped at him.

"Come here you rogue. When will you grow up?" He hugged Paakhi and Neetu tightly.

Kalpi stood right in front of his line of eye staring at the trio. She looked in surprise and awe at Prem. At six feet tow inched he made a striking image.

Prem looked at her and his expression changed in such a manner that it made Kalpi blush.

"Is this the same Kalpi?" Was he smiling?

Kalpi stiffened for the volley of harsh words but non came. So she looked up at him again. He gave her a once over but said nothing about her dress.

When he said nothing more and stood there hugging Paakhi and Neetu.

"Hello, Prem how are you?" she stammered and tried to smile.

"You look nice." he smiled back at her and turned to Neetu, "Let's go home fast, mom"

Kalpi felt a warmth of relieve and happiness at that moment that she could not explain.

""""""

Kamla was relived to see Kalpi.

"Your baba has missed you." That was her way of saying that she was glad to see her back.

"What did you get for me jiji?" Keshav jumped.

It was nice to see her family together and happy, Kalpi grinned.

She had got a small incense stand and chandan stick for Daadi as well as Kamla. But right now she did not want to leave her happy family.

At night Paakhi called her on the cell phone. "tomorrow make time to come over. Your dresses are with me. And mom has special gifts for Holi Purnima."

"Oh! And I have to return this phone back too. Or else you will not let me sleep." Kalpi pulled Paakhi's leg.

"That phone is now yours. Prem Bhai is getting a new phone. Accha see you tomorrow."

Kalpi lay still on her bed for a while. This is the phone that Prem used before he left for London. Times when he had made calls his friends to bully her at school.

But he was changed, she could sense the difference. But what did that mean? Yes, it meant nothing to her. Within a minute she was fast asleep.

ps- So there it is. Pardon the grammar mistakes or typos. Seriously, I am turning blind when it comes to editing.

If you like it. plz send me buddy requests, so I can let you know about the next update.

Thank You.

😊