Leftover
They didnt see each othera ll Monday morning, or afternoon
He saw her cross the road when he turned out of the parking garage in the basement on towards Barakhamba
There were too many people and too much traffic
She wore a white chikan suit with a flowing purple dupatta
The kohl lined eyes, crinkled fighting exhaust fumes
She held her flying dupatta down, and clutched her laptop bag, as she snaked between cars to get to the other side in order to get to the Metro station
A guy behind him honked, he pressed on the gas pedal on his silver Toyota Camry while he stood parked to indicate he cant move an inch
She turned when the noise jolted her
And their gaze met, he waved a Hi!
She looked like the car in front moved, he let go of her eyes and crawled forward
He couldnt go to her house to sort it out because he had to go get Nihar from after school activity
He fixed them both, leftovers from the party, Nihar made a face, and refused to eat the rock hard clumpy jeera rice, and the now sour karhi
"Can I just have a jam sandwich?"
"What was Mom's rules about eating bread for dinner?" he quizzed
"No bread after breakfast" he moaned
"Thats right..." Neel spoke confidently
"I really dont like left overs Daddy" he began to cry
Neel set the serving ladle down and gathered him up
"The house doesnt smell like food when I come home from school" he sobbed uncontrollably
"I agree" Neel choked up
"And this house is weird... there is no" he struggled to come up with what all it was missing
"Its not going to make you feel so bad when u get done with 5th standard" Neel cooed
They sat on the family room couch
"I am thrilled you got a 10/10 on your Math test" he said kissing the top of his head
"It was too easy"
"U are like Mom... she knew her numbers... MONEYYY!" Neel spoke comically
Nihar giggled
"How about I call your friend Maneet next door and ask his Mom if she can share some dal chawal? or ask for a take out place that will cook like your Mom?"
"Only she can" he said angrily
Neel nodded, and dialed Gurpreet's number
She was happy to bring over dinner she said
She said she would email him a list of places SHE liked, she offered to even bring samples from each one starting tomorrow
He thanked her, her husband Gagan brought dinner over around 9:30 Nihar ate like a starved person
Gagan brought home made ice cream again, and insisted they come over to dinner until they can set everything up
He assured him, he will have someone helping Neel ASAP
Neel had dropped the ball on that one
He had cleaning help, Gagan had the house keys, the clothes were washed, the house was swept and mopped the dishes done, grocery was done too
But food, continued to offer a big reason grieve Nupur's absence
Gurpreet came by later to check on Nihar
He was asleep by then
Neel walked the drive way and the tiny patch of lawn
Burglaries and break ins were rampant in NOIDA, he was afraid to leave Nihar alone in the house
Never at this time
He couldnt walk outside the gates
The house was brand new it looked like, despite its fancy glass fixtures, it was almost fortified
He made way more than he could ever spend
His parents were well off as well
He was dirt poor since Nupur was gone
Like the soul fled the body
He dialed Suvechha
She answered
"Hello" she said deeply
"Baat karengi aap?" he asked
"Did u have a question?" she asked preoccupied
"We need to talk Suvechha" he said firmly
"I am sorry... mujhe jaldi thi isliye main chali gayi" she spoke in third person
"I didnt mean to kiss you like that I am sorry" he said boldly
She exhaled
"Thats OK... it does not matter"
"I want you to know its not an expectation of employment. I dont do this routinely" he spoke agitated
"Main bhi nahi... Neel" she said sadly
"I wasnt even drunk" he said gruffly
"When u are drunk, u kiss women?" she asked tad bit amused
"No... that came out wrong as well" he said angrily
"I wasnt drunk..." she offered him some compassion
"Thanks for showing Nihar all that concern" he expressed warmly
"Mujhe uski bahut yaad aati hai" she said honestly
"I kissed you because you looked pretty" he said firmly
She blushed a deep red, and her insides spun
"U are my boss"
"I know that Suvechha... hence the apology"
There was a loong pause
"Thanks
"Can we go back to exchanging daily happenings like we did?" he asked softly
... mera nishchay, English mein jo conviction kehte hain woh nahi hai Neel" she said almost holding back on the quiver in her voice
"You have enough" he his turn to return the compassion
"Pata nahi aapko maloom chala ke nai, I married a married man Neel" she spoke firmly, unemotionally
He was startled by her honesty
Rendered speechless in fact
"Agar usne raat ko neend mein apni bete ko nai pukaara tha, mere ko khabarich nai hota" she spoke, as if she was sharing sordid Bollywood gossip
"Suvechha I am sorry" he said softly
"Main bhi sorry nai hoon Neel.. aapko nai honey ka" she approved of his indifference. "what was left over (after the relationship with Rutwik ended ) is precious to me (she meant Aadhya).
She did not pry, asking him if he knew of it already
Like it did not matter to her
"I care for Nihar... but dosti galat hoyega" she spoke clearly
His Amma was calling him...
"Good night, Neel" she said
I love the way you say my name he wanted to tell her
But he wont now...
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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