MPbGD thread # 2, part 70 on pg62 on 18/4/12 - Page 5

hey dear...

first get well soon and take care of urself... :)

coming to update its brilliant as usual...looking forward fr this trip to b most memorable fr every one...

get well soon

love

sania

Hi friends,

I seem to be apologizing for something or the other every time. And this time it's for making you people wait for so long. My hand is better now though not perfectly fine. Thanks to all of you for the love and concern you've shown and for your patient waiting too. Will try to update the next part as soon as possible.

Love, ssh57.

Part 49

They finished their security check and walked to the gate number mentioned in the boarding pass. Having found a couple of seats, Armaan asked her if she wanted water or coffee or anything else. Riddhima just shook her head. So excusing himself he went to the restroom. When he returned to the seat he saw Riddhima smiling to herself looking at her cell phone. Sitting next to her he peered to see what brought that smile. She was admiring a photo in which Priyam was carrying her little brother in her arms and trying to balance him with great.

Noticing him also looking at it she remarked "They look so cute na?" he nodded smiling at her and said "He's become roly poly now. Priyam can't even hold him." She pushed him aside saying "Don't cast eyes on him." Then out of the blue asked "Tomorrow is twelfth na?" Shaking his head Armaan said no tomorrow is 13^th. Today is 12^th.

She opened her mouth to contradict and then looking at her wrist watch and noticing that it was 15 minutes past 12 said, "Yes, that's what I meant. Today is 12^th. Today Surya has an appointment with the pediatrician, for his vaccination. Hope Suja and Prakash remember. When he saw her trying to call someone on her mobile, he pulled it out of her hand and cut the call saying "Riddhima it's past midnight. They must be in deep sleep."

"What if they don't remember? We can't call them once we are on the flight. We can talk to them only tomorrow evening after reaching US. Then it'll be too late." She said pulling her cell from his hand. Armaan caught her hand to stop her from making the call and said "Riddhima, they are his parents. How'll they forget such an important thing?"

"Ok at least let me send her a message," she said and started typing it. Having sent the sms she once again started looking at all the pics of Surya she had clicked on her cellphone. Then turning to her athaan she said "I'm already missing him sooo much. How will I stay so far for three months?" Putting his arms around her shoulder he said "Don't worry I'll make sure you don't get any time to miss anyone." She just scowled at him saying "You and your dirty mind." "You are the one with a dirty mind" came his retort. "I meant I'd take you around and keep you busy with sight-seeing and shopping." She couldn't help blushing at that.

Armaan had booked tickets in business class so that Riddhima could stretch herself conveniently. Even then they were dead tired by the time they walked out of the airport. Riddhima was on the wheel chair, much against her wishes, and Armaan was pushing their luggage trolley. "I feel like an invalid like this. I want to step on the American soil with my two feet not on a wheel chair" she grumbled.

"You can do that once you reach Karan's house." Armaan reassured her as he looked out for his son. Unlike the Indian airports there were just a handful of people seated in the waiting area. Karan spotted them as soon as they came out and came towards them waving his hand. He first bent down, touched his Perima's feet and then hugged her. Riddhima couldn't stop the tears from spilling over as she first touched his head to bless him saying "May your little girl fill your life with joy as you filled mine."

When he hugged her, she too hugged him saying "It's been so long. It seems like only yesterday you were sitting on my lap and today," she was choked with emotion to continue. "Come on Perima," Karan consoled her though his eyes were wet too. Finally she smiled between her tears. Next he hugged his father and asked "How are you dad?" Hugging him Armaan replied "Good, what about you?" Then holding him at arm's length said "You seem to have gained weight since I last saw you." "Naturally now he has someone to take take of him" Riddhima teased as Karan pushed her wheel chair towards the parking lot.

All through their drive, Riddhima who sat next to Karan kept asking questions and turned around angrily when Armaan 'sshhed' her. "I'm calling Suja" he said by way of explanation. The next few minutes passed in telling Suja about their flight including what was served in the meals too. Both the men were smiling hearing her talk. After cutting the call when she said "Since it was still very early in the morning there, I didn't talk much" the men couldn't control their laughter.

When she looked angrily at them Karan said "It's ok Perima, you can talk to her later in the night. Soon Karan drove the car into a garage with Riddhima wondering how the garage doors opened automatically when they arrived. She didn't hesitate to question Karan about it though it exhibited her ignorance. She believed in learning things she didn't know about and didn't feel it below her dignity to do so. Karan pointed to her the sensor fixed in his car which when touched opened the doors.

She pursed her lips in admiration of the technology. Karan came around and opened the car door and as soon as Riddhima stepped out he bent as if to pick her up. But she stopped him saying "I'm quite fine, I can walk." He led them indoors from the garage and when his father tried to get the luggage he stopped him saying "Let it be dad, I'll get them later."

Stepping into his house Riddhima looked around. It was an apartment with two bedrooms. The kitchen though was very small consisting of just a platform. Having made them sit on the sofa, Karan offered them some cool drinks but Riddhima refused saying it wasn't good for her health. She refused the coffee also asking if he had any buttermilk. Karan shook his head negatively saying we rarely have curd. Flavored yogurt maybe, but no curd. Then suddenly remembering something he opened the fridge and took out two cups. Handing it to them he said "This is Greek yogurt with no sugar added." Armaan shook his head saying "It's very good, but your Perima is not allowed so much protein. Just get us some water."

Karan showed them to their room and then brought in their luggage too. Armaan asked Riddhima to lie down for a bit but she insisted on having a bath first. Karan explained to her how to operate the tap and shower. When she asked "where is the bucket and mug to have bath?" he showed her the hand shower. Hearing her questions Armaan walked in telling Karan he'd explain things to her. He didn't want Karan thinking his Perima to be ignorant of even such basic things.

Riddhima stood looking at the bathroom floor with a rug around the WC and looked up questioningly at Armaan. He very patiently explained that area was supposed to be kept dry and that she should use the shower curtain while having a bath to prevent the water from spilling over. She cautiously stepped into the tub and once again looked up at Armaan for guidance. Pulling the hand shower and showing her how to adjust the water temperature and speed, handed it to her. But she just stood there even scared to move.

When he asked "What happened Riddhima?" She very innocently replied, "I'm scared I might slip and fall." He pointed out to the railing on the wall and said "hold on to that if you are scared." She nodded and stepped out. Armaan could see she was still very skeptical when she walked into the washroom carrying her clothes and soap. So he said "Don't latch the door and call me if you need help. She looked up to see if he was teasing her, but the serious expression on his face told her otherwise. So she nodded and walked in.

He waited for a few minutes outside, to ensure that she was ok. But when he heard the water running he slipped away into the kitchen. He saw Karan chopping some vegetables. When Armaan enquired he said he was making a veg casserole and salad for the evening. And added that there were some packets of ready to eat Indian vegetables which they could microwave and eat alongwith bread, if they liked.

A: Would it be ok if I cooked some rice and rasam?

"Of course dad, you can. Here's some basmati rice," said Karan handing him a tin. "But what would you need for making rasam? I might not have the ingredients needed." His dad assured him that they had carried some pastes from India which just needed to be mixed with water and boiled to make rasam. So both the males set about their jobs in the kitchen and stopped to look up only when they heard Riddhima's remark "What are you men doing in the kitchen." "Preparing dinner" both of them chorused. "Couldn't you wait? I was planning to do it after my bath. Come on out both of you, I'll see to it."

K: Don't bother Perima. It's my usual routine.

When she looked at him surprised he explained "Linda usually comes home after 7 and is quite hungry then. I get home by half past 5. So I have time to prepare dinner before she comes. She makes all the preparations for it before leaving in the morning. Today she overslept and hence couldn't do so."

A: Yes, you go and lie down for a bit and we'll have dinner when Linda gets home.

When Riddhima was about to open her mouth in protest Armaan said "Come, I'm done. The rasam is ready and rice cooker will also beep soon." He led her to their room and making her rest on the bed said "Rest while I have a bath." Then picking his clothes went into the washroom. The first thing he noticed was the wet rug on the floor. He went and asked Karan where he could leave it to dry as it would otherwise start stinking. Karan asked him to put it in the balcony outside their drawing room.

They were all sitting and watching some comedy show on TV when Linda walked in with a "Hi everyone!" First Karan hugged and kissed her. Then she went and hugged Armaan saying "Hi Uncle, how are you?" Armaan smiled and replied "I'm good. How are you and my granddaughter?" "We are both very fine" she replied patting her stomach.

By then Riddhima had gone into the kitchen and got her a glass of water. When Linda turned towards her she handed her the glass and said "You must be tired. First sit down and have a sip of water." When she took the glass and sat on the sofa, Riddhima sat beside her and side hugging her said "It's so nice to meet you in person." she also side hugged her saying "Welcome to the US Perima."

After Linda had had her bath, all of them had dinner together. Riddhima couldn't eat much of what Karan had prepared as the flavours were new to her. She stuck to her rice, rasam and chips. Even Linda had the rasam like a soup and liked it a lot. Seeing the proud smile on Armaan face, Riddhima teasingly said "Honestly athaan, even I never knew you could cook so well." Then turning to Linda and Karan said "He's out to impress you both. In India he never ever stepped into the kitchen."

L: Is it true uncle? Haven't you ever prepared a meal for Perima?

"I would have if Prakash had let me into the secret of these pastes earlier." Armaan laughingly said. Then turning to Riddhima confessed "I never could learn to operate your pressure cooker. Whereas here, I'm familiar with this electric rice cooker. Hence I could cook here." Then winking slyly and putting his arm over her shoulder asked "What do I stand to gain by impressing Linda and Karan? Of course if you are impressed, it'll be to my advantage." Riddhima blushed and slapped his arm saying "Behave yourself at least in front of the children."

A: They aren't children anymore. They themselves are going to be parents soon.

R: That doesn't make any difference. They'll always be our children only.

Thus they enjoyed dinner amidst all the banter and teasing.

Originally posted by: teenorchid

oyyeee take care fo ur handdd...and nyc part. Finally AR flew to americaaa