Chapter 106: The Return of the Arabian Nights
"Are we really doing this?" Nayana asked for the third time and Nirosha looked at her in annoyance. "Anya! Stop asking the same thing again and again!"
"Arey, stop fighting yaar." Geet said as she walked over to Tara's side to lay Jaan down next to her. She took Indu from Tara's arms before walking over to the window to burp her.
"Geet, I'll do that. You need to get ready." Tara remarked as she took Jaan in her arms for his feeding.
"Then what am I here for?" Dadi asked as she walked into the room and went to Geet to take Indu from her.
Geet gave the baby over reluctantly and only because it was Dadi asking.
"Get dressed Geet. You're going to be late." Tara reminded her again.
Geet walked over to the bed and climbed onto it, scooting closer to Tara. "I think I will skip it and stay here."
"Then I'll stay too." Nayana said immediately and before Nirosha could open to mouth to affirm or deny, Tara spoke up, "No, you'll not! Neither of you will let poor Ni do everything on her own like I need to be waited on hand and foot all the time. Dadi and I can handle the twins for a few hours before they sleep for the night. Dev will be home soon too. There is no reason for you both to decline all invitations that come your way." Tara said in her typically calm fashion before settling back on the pillow with Jaan still in her arms.
Everyone was quiet for a beat, but then Geet leaned in and whispered, "Tara, it's not like we really have an invitation, you know."
"All the more reason that you should go." Tara answered with a smile before adding in a whisper for only Geet's ears. "Besides, I would pay money to see Maan's reaction when he sees you in that harem outfit."
Geet's face flushed and when Tara added, "Maybe we will have a repeat performance of Enter the Dragon" she turned redder.
Tara's smile widened now before she gave a last reminder, "Gauri, Thalia, and Neela will be here soon. Hurry… and let me see you all in that before you go."
Finally, Geet got off the bed to join the twins to change.
"Hayee…" Tara said once they were ready and lined up in front of her.
And before that moment could be enjoyed even more thoroughly, they had all donned their jackets to cover the baadshah outfits that Thalia and Gauri had sent over.
"Well, good that those coats are so long. Otherwise, I would have to worry about a mass kidnapping." Dadi piped in, getting into bed on the same spot that Geet had vacated. "And then Maan would tear this city apart and we all know what a perfect nuisance Maan is when he is ripping a city apart!"
They heard the doorbell just as Geet and the twins laughed at Dadi's proclamation.
"That must be Thalia and Gauri."
"Neela is here too." Nirosha called out.
"Will someone tape this?" Tara couldn't help but ask.
"Oh, God no!" Nayana said, her eyes widening. "The last thing I want are any video-graphic memories of this night!"
"Killjoy!' Nirosha called out to Nayana from her post at the window even as she looked out to see Geet opening the door for the guests.
"And then there were Six…" Tara said dramatically as the entire cast of the Arabian Nights lined up.
"Godspeed. And knock 'em dead" Dadi added with a smile.
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