MPbGD Part 46 posted on pg 150 on 16/1/12 - Page 73

hey dear

awesome update as always ... looking forward for happy armaan riddhimaz life...

update next part soon

love

sania

Part 33

A: I think that's the Indian way of thinking. I don't believe in becoming a doormat, for my sons to walk over me. If they don't need me I don't need them either.

R: Athaan, that's not like you at all. You doted on those kids while you were here. Why did that change after you went to America?

He just shrugged his shoulder saying "I didn't come here to talk about them. Maybe I shouldn't have even mentioned about Karan's wedding. Ok now, can we discuss about our future?"

R: What's there to discuss?

A: Did you honestly mean what you said the other day, about living with me, when go back home?

She hung her head down and just nodded. Lifting up her face with his finger under her chin he said "Look at me Riddhima." When she shyly raised her eyes to his he asked "And everything else that you said about taking care of all my needs as a wife should?" Once again she lowered her eyes and nodded, while he chuckled looking at her blush and said "At least some colour has come back to your pale cheeks." She also giggled and rested her head on his shoulder.

After a few minutes he said "I'd better go back to my room. Prakash will be coming soon."

R: What if he does?

"Oh oh, someone's getting to be very bold here" he teased her. And then said "It's not that I'm ashamed of our relationship or want to hide it from the world, but I don't want to seem desperate. He had asked me to wait a couple of days more before I visit you, just as a precaution, so that you don't catch the infection. So I'll make a move now, but I'll come again soon." Then patting her cheeks he said "Take rest and get well soon, so that we can go back home." She nodded and said "You also take care." As he got up to leave he said "I'm fit as a fiddle. The day doctor gives you clearance, we can go home." Then once again kissing her forehead, he left.

When he went back to his room and lay on the bed, her words kept coming back to him. Though he had evaded answering her, his mind was searching for an answer. As she had rightly pointed out, he had been really close to his sons. Even Karuna would often complain that the boys loved their their Perima the most and next their daddy. they loved their mummy the least. But the initial period in the US, that he had spent away from his family, had distanced them from him. And after they joined him, he had been so busy with his course and job that he never bonded with them again.

As a consequence the boys got closer to their mummy and grandma. When Karuna's mother died, not only Karuna. but the boys also must have felt a void in their lives, which he should have filled, but hadn't. That had been his fault and that was when the boys went astray. Karuna was into her shell to care about anyone else, but he should have been there for them and her, in their time of need. It was perhaps his dislike for his MIL which stopped him from sympathizing with them. "Anyways no use crying over spilt milk," he said to himself, "What cannot be cured has to be endured." His sons couldn't forgive him. But he was thankful that he had found a new family here, consisting of Riddhima, Balu chitappa, Suja, Prakash and Priyam.

Lying in her bed Riddhima was thinking she had to somehow bring father and son together. When Prakash came back she expressed her wish to talk to Karan. He was surprised to hear that.

P: Why athai? Why did you think of him all of a sudden? If I know you haven't been in touch with him for the last twenty years.

He had nearly told her about Karan's phone call but had thought that was uncle's wish, whether he wanted her to know about Karan's marriage or not. Then why did she think about him all of a sudden? he wondered. She managed to cover up her blunder saying that she had dreamt about him the previous night and hence wanted to talk to him.

P: What do you want me to do athai? I don't have his number or anything.

R: Surely athaan must have the number saved in his cell. I want you to get it, but without athaan's knowledge.

Prakash promised to get it at the first available opportunity.

When the doctor came on his rounds, he was quite pleased with her progress and said that she could be discharged in 2 or 3 days. She was really happy to hear that. She was given liquids that day and was told that she could start taking light solids like idli or kanji from the next day.

After an hour or so, Prakash woke her up saying that he had got Karan's number. They calculated the time difference and found that it would be late evening in the US. She handed her mobile to her SIL and asked him to dial Karan's number.

P: Athai it might be quite late there and he's got married only 2 days ago. He may be on his honeymoon. Do you think we should disturb him?

R: Let's try.

On their first try Karan didn't pick the call, but Riddhima was not a person to give up so easily. She called again after a few minutes when Prakash had gone to sit with Armaan. "Hello" an accented voice came over the line. Riddhima couldn't believe her ears. The baby voice calling "pema, pema," from the foot of the stairs as he was scared of climbing up having had a fall once, echoed in her mind. Choking with tears she asked "How are you my chellam?(my pet). At once his accented voice bounced back "Is that you Perima? How are you Perima?"

R: I'm ok kanna, how are you? Oh first of all, Heartiest Congratulations! I got to know that you got married a few days back.

K: Yes, Perima. That was when I got to know about your surgery.

R: Yes, your daddy donated his kidney and gave me a new life.

K: That's the least he could do after all that he put you through.

R: No Karan, please don't talk like that about athaan. You were too small then to know the entire truth.

K: Right Perima, I was too small and came to know of it only much later. I could never forgive him for leaving you like that. He should have had the decency to at least divorce you. Then you could have got on with your life. Who gave him the right to have two wives? Legally, according to Indian law, mummy wasn't his wife at all. Only you were.

R: Kanna that's all in the past. What's the use of digging it up? Let's begin on a new note from today. You can't imagine what a treat it is to be hearing your voice after so many years, though it sounds so different. And to know that my little angel is married, is just unbelievable. I want to see you; can you send me some photos?

K: I keep uploading pics on facebook. Just today I've uploaded our wedding pics.

R: Kanna I don't know about these social network sites. I'm still ancient so I believe in hard copy only. I'll give you my postal address. If you can send some photos of you and you wife, it'll make me very happy.

K: Perima, there's a special news which will make you even happier. I haven't even told dad about it. You are going to be a grandma in a few months.

Riddhima was shocked. "What?" was all that she could say.

K: It made you speechless didn't it?

R: Yes, yes. Convey my blessings to your wife.

K: Perima why do keep saying your wife, your wife, it's Linda. Here talk to her.

R: Karan she might not even know who I am.

L: I know you aunty. Karan has told me a lot about you.

R: Oh that's very nice.

After enquiring about each other's health etc. she came to know that she was in the third month of her pregnancy. Riddhima adviced her to be careful etc. but still couldn't digest the fact which was very strange to her. Then when Karan came back on the line she enquired about Arun, but Karan didn't have much information about him except that he was touring somewhere in the west coast of US.

R: Didn't he attend your wedding?

K: No, it was all decided quite suddenly. I couldn't give him sufficient notice. He already had a performance fixed for that day, so he couldn't make it.

She wished she could get them all back together. After giving Karan her address, she cut the call and he promised to call her again soon.

That afternoon when Suja called her as usual, she told her about her health and that she had started liquids that day and would start on soft solids from the next day. Then she told her about her talk with Karan. Suja was glad to hear her amma's voice so happy and excited. But when Riddhima expressed her shock over the fact that Karan's wife was already pregnant, Suja teased her saying "Amma, you are outdated. You are talking about it happening in the US? Now-a-days that's becoming common even in Chennai." After chatting with her daughter and granddaughter for sometime, Riddhima felt relaxed and took a nap.

In the evening she was given a few sips of coffee. Then Prakash walked in announcing "Athai see who has come to visit you?" and she saw Armaan following him. Armaan came near and sitting on the chair next to her asked, "How are you Riddhima?" Smiling coyly at him she replied "I'm ok."


A: I'm sorry I couldn't come to see you before. I didn't want you to catch the infection, that's all.

She couldn't control her laughter, so she didn't open her mouth but just nodded. Seeing them Prakash felt perhaps they were feeling awkward because of his presence. So he left them saying that he was going to get himself some coffee. When he asked them if they wanted, both of them said "no". As soon as he left both of them burst out laughing.

Armaan caught her hand in his and kissed it. When she said "Congrats grandpa" he looked up and asked "For what?"

R: You are going to become a grandpa soon.

A: I already am and know that I'm going to have another grandchild soon.

R: I don't mean Suja's kids but your own flesh and blood.

A: My own? You mean, Karan?

R: Yes.

A: how do you know?

She couldn't look him in the eye, so looking down she said "I phoned him."

A: did you have his number?

She confessed how she had got it. Actually she hadn't meant to tell him about her talk with Karan, but she couldn't keep back such important and happy news from him. She felt if anything could bring more happiness than the news that you are going to become a parent, it was the news that you are going to become a grandparent. And she didn't want to keep such wonderful news from him.

A: Oh that's why all the rush for the marriage. I was wondering why after having lived together for 5 years they suddenly decided to get married. Thank God at least my grandchild won't be a b*****d!

R: Athaan, please,

A: You feel so bad just hearing it. Imagine my condition.

R: I understand. But what's the use of raking the past? Let bygones be bygones. It's never too late to rectify our mistakes. If our children are at fault, it's our duty to correct them, as that article says.

A: Riddhima, you don't know the whole story.

R: Ok, ok, let's drop the matter now. I couldn't contain the happiness to myself, when I heard the good news. I wanted to share it with you, that's all.