Part 110
The next day the men had a nice early morning jog. On their way back they went to a Kerala Ayurvedic Massage Parlour, where Abhi and Rahul made an appointment for a massage in the afternoon. Armaan couldn't because of his injury.
Ra: Kyon na hum apne ladies ke liye bhi appointment kar le. It'll be a surprise for them. What say?
A: I think it's a good idea. Sunday dopehar ke liye kar lete hain.
Ra: Why Sunday? Why not tomorrow?
A: It is the second Sunday of May, it's 'Mother's Day'.
Ab: Mother's day ke liye we'll have a picnic or let them go for a movie or something.
A: Maybe they would prefer going to beauty parlour rather than a massage parlour.
Ra: ek kaam karte hain, tomorrow let them have a massage, Saturday appointment with the beautician and Sunday movie.
A: That'll be fantastic. We'll keep everything a surprise for them.
Ab: Nahi yaar baaki sab to theek hai, par massage ke liye ek baar pooch lete hai.
Ra: Theek hai pooch lete hain.
Ab: Ek 'mens day out' bhi hona chahiye.
A: Ok fine, I'll take you to the club this evening. I'll talk to Riddhima's beautician from her cell and make the appointment for Saturday also.
Ra: Lekin will the ladies allow us to go to the club without them?
Ab: Kuch idea sochna padega.
When they got home the ladies were out in the lawn having tea and the children were playing. This is how they found Ani among the pumpkins that the gardener had cut from their vegetable garden, to be sent with akka to her neighbours, who relished them.
Akshat was sitting with a sad face. Armaan noticed it and asked "kya hua beta? Tum itne sad kyon ho?"
Ak: Aap log sab maze karoge aur sirf mujhe hi school jaana hai.
A: Tum school se lautne tak hum kahin nahin jayenge. Bus doctor ke paas jaakar mera bandage nikalwana hai. Shyam ko hum ghoomne jayenge. Aur tumhe to bus sirf do din school jana hai, aaj aur kal . Phir Saturday se tumhari bhi summer vacation start ho jayegi.
Hearing his dad Akshat cheered up a bit. To make him happier Armaan said, "tum school ke liye tayyar ho jao main aur rohan tumhe drop karne chalenge." Rohan also became happy hearing that. He was excited to see Akshat's school. So both the boys ran indoors, talking among themselves.
A: Riddhima, did Bashir call?
R: No, I was thinking of calling and finding out when they were coming.
A: Yes, do that. And I've to go to the orthopedic today to remove the bandage.
R: Ya, I remember. The appointment is at 10 o'clock na? We'll leave at 9.30.
Ra: Don't bother Riddhima, I'll go with him. We couldn't come and help you when he was hospitalized. At least let us help now.
R: Ok fine. Let's go and freshen up. Then you can have your breakfast and leave.
When they were in their room Riddhima helped Armaan with his shave and bath. During that he told her that Abhi and Rahul wanted to have a Kerala Ayurvedic massage that afternoon and also enquired if the ladies would be interested. She said she would ask Nikki and Muskan and let him know. Then he told her about Abhi and Rahul wanting a men's day out, so he was planning to take them to the club that evening. He enquired if it was ok with her. When she said "ok, lekin zyaada mat peena."
A: I'll try to avoid drinks but the others may not agree.
R: It's ok once in a way.
Hesitatingly he said, "But they are afraid that Nikki and Muskaan might not agree to the men outing by themselves." Pulling his cheek she said, "Don't worry main un logonko aur bachchonko Blossom International park le jaoongi. Phir tumlog chale jaana.
A: Thank you sweetheart. You are so understanding.
R: I know.
A: I love you.
R: Ab itna maska lagane ki koi zaroorat nahi. Jao, jao, aish karo, tum bhi kya yaad rakhoge.
A: Come on Riddhima, you surely don't think I said that to butter you up?
Looking at his sad face, she felt sorry for him. So she stopped buttoning his shirt, put her arm around his neck, pulled his head down, said "I love you too" and kissed him on his lips. Right then Akshat and Rohan dashed in to say that they were ready. Akshat had seen them in that pose several times, so he didn't react. He knew hearing him, they would move apart. But Rohan couldn't control his excitement. So he ran outside where all wer gathered in the hall, shouting "Riddhima aunty ne Armaan uncle ko "I love you kaha" aur kissy kar rahe hain."
Rahul pulled him and said, "Abbey chup kar". But Rohan went on "Main jhoot nahi bol raha hoon, aap chahe to Akshat se pooch lo." At that everyone burst laughing. Armaan came out of the room along with Akshat while Riddhima just rushed into the washroom, as she knew her friends would tease her solid.
Rahul came up to him and whispered in his ears, "Yaar bachchon ke saamne to kuch sharm kar." Armaan looked him in the eye and boldly asked "Kyon sharm karoon? It's no crime for children to see their parents hugging or kissing lightly Even very young children pick up on the good feelings attached to their parents' natural affectionate touches and embraces.. On the contrary it's very comforting for them to know that Mom and Dad care about each other so much. It helps kids have a sense of security and learn appropriate ways to express affection in their own relationships. Even very young children pick up on the good feelings attached to their parents' natural affectionate touches and embraces."
Four pairs of eyes looked at him trying to digest his reply. Anyone else in his place might have been embarrassed, they thought, but not Armaan. He had an explanation for everything.
"Chalo driverji, pehle nashta karte hain, phir Akshat ko school chodna hai aur wahin se hospital chalte hai. On the way we have to stop at the market, kaka has asked for some vegetables, masala etc." Armaan called out to Rahul. All of them proceeded towards the dining room and were glad to see steaming hot idlis, medu vada, drumstick Sambhar and puttu-kadlai. (a special keralite breakfast of steamed rice flour with salt and coconut scrapings with chana gravy as accompaniment). As all of them served themselves, Muskaan asked "Yeh Ridzi kahan reha gayi?"
Ak: Mama nahane gayi hai. Main unko bulata hoon.
He ran in and banged on the washroom door to tell his mama that all of them were waiting for her at the breakfast table.
R: Tum log start karo main aa rahi hoon. Nahi to tumhe school ke liye late ho jaayega.
Akshat conveyed the message and all of them started with their breakfast. Akka walked with Ani twisting out of her arms, crying. When Armaan enquired what was the matter she explained that he was not prepared to be seperated from the dogs. So tried to feed him idli as he played with them, but he didn't want to eat the idli. He wanted to eat the biscuits the dogs were eating.
Riddhima walked in hearing the last part of the conversation and burst out laughing. Everyone including akka turned towards her. She picked up Ani and came to the table saying, "Like father, like son," a nd sat on the empty chair next to Armaan. When all of them including Armaan looked puzzled she narrated the Lonavala incident when Armaan had picked up and eaten some dog biscuits. The dogs had chased him and he had climbed up the tree to escape from them. All of them were holding their sides and laughing uncontrollably.
Armaan, the nautankibaaz, made a sad face and said "Dekha Ani beta sab log hamara mazak uda rahe hain. Humse by mistake galti ho gayi na?" Ani was looking at everybody strangely wondering why they were laughing so much. Then he also started laughing with them. Seeing that Rahul commented "Armaan, your son is more sporting than you. Seeing he's also laughing." Riddhima was feeding Ani and herself simultaneously and automatically her hand went towards Armaan's mouth though he was eating with a spoon with his left hand. He opened his mouth took the piece of vada and gently bit her hand. When she jerked it out of his mouth saying "Ah", he whispered that's for teasing me so much in front of my friends.
This didn't go unnoticed by Abhi abd Nikki who were sitting right opposite them. They looked at each other and smiled. Riddhima twitched her lips and whispered back "Theek hai phir tum khud kha lo. I'm not going to feed you." Before he could reply she picked up Ani and the plate, and walked towards the window to feed him showing him the birds outside. After Kaka served the tea and coffee Rahul looked at Armaan and asked "chale." Armaan had stopped eating and was looking in Riddhima's direction, sorry for having made her angry. Hearing Rahul, he turned towards him and picking the coffee said "haan."
A: Akshat, apna tiffin lelo. Nashta ho gaya ho to doodh peelo aur shoes pehenlo.
Ra: Rohan tum bhi chal rahe ho na? Chalo tum bhi doodh peelo.
Ro: Papa, maine bahut kha liya, doodh nahin peeoonga.
Ak: Agar doodh nahi peeoge to strong nahi ban paoge. Phir baar baar bimaar hote rahoge. Tumm bimaar hina chahte ho kya?
Ro: Nahi par
Ak: chalo dekhte hain hum dono mein kaun first finish karta hai.
While everyone at the table was watching how akshat was manipulating Rohan to drink the milk, Armaan slipped away and went to Riddhima. Standing behind her, he put his arm around her waist. When she drew in her breath in surprise, he asked "Mujse naraaz ho? Sorry." Riddhima pretended to be angry and said "Ani apne dad se kaho bhai ko school ke liye late ho rahi hai, unhe abhi nikalna chahiye." Armaan retorted "Ani apni mama se kaho, jab tak woh humey maaf karke pa nahi karegi hum kahin nahi jaayenge. Hospital bhi nahi." Hearing the word pa Ani bent towards Armaan with his mouth open to kiss him. Armaan bent towards him and took the kiss. Riddhima left Ani with his dad and moved to keep the plate and went into their room to wash her hands. Armaan left Ani on the floor and quietly followed her.
Ani crawled and made his way to the table where Akshat and Rohan were having a milk drinking race.
M: He's learned all Armaan's tactics to convince people.
Ra: Absolutely.
In their Armaan closed the door and as Riddhima came out of the washroom wiping her hands, caught hold of her with one arm and said "Please Riddhima speak to me. When she didn't reply but kept looking down, he pulled her chin up and made her look into his eyes. Seeing his eyes filled with tears, she was shocked. "Armaan main to sirf jhoot moot ka gussa kar rahi thi," she said holding his face in her palms. "Tum mujse jhoot moot ka gussa bhi mat karo. I don't like it," he said hugging her. She put her arms around his waist and hugging him tight said "ok I won't".
They stood like this for a minute and by then both were in a better mood. She slowly moved away from him and kissing his cheek said "jao, nahi to Akshat ko school ke liye der ho jaayega."
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
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