"Dont go"
She took Nivi for a stroll after dinner, Pammi went with her too.
They were getting ready to leave
II was bummed, she was getting used to having people stay at MM
The house was huge with 10s of bedrooms and 4 people including a 1.25 year old
"My clinic is being run by Jr Docs" Pammi giggled
"U shud transfer ur practice to Delhi, Dad knows many Dentists" II said confidendtly
The kids began to snooze after trying to kill each other from their respective strollers
"Jaggi cant move" Pammi made a face
"Delhi is hot and muggy, and rains too much, but its magical" II said
Pammi nodded
"My in laws are there too... they are like Sam di's in laws" Pammi said quietly
II felt awful
"I like her FIL" II offered
"Mere to FIL bhi ainvayin hain
"I am sorry" II made face
"Its OK... its not going to change, Beeji is very good" Pammi smiled
Nitin snored...
"waapis chalen?" II offered
"This is like Chandigarh Cantt, mere parents hai waha... I love Chanakyapuri" Pammi said with longing
"then move here, u can live with us"
"Chachi will feel bad" pammi said
II's face fell
Chachi was everywhere, into everything, now she was stealing II's fave people too?
CHACHI 420
II cursed
"Do u go to ur parents house when R&B travels?" Pammi asked
II was startled
"Umm... no..." she said
"Beeji said Mamaji (Ranjan) was by himself" Pammi said harmlessly
"My Appa hasa bad knee, Amma meri teacher hain KV mein... she goes early and comes home late, Gurgaon is closer to Rohini by Metro so I stayed" II ended up explaining herself
"Mamaji must be alone nahi?" Pammi insisted
I KNOW DAD IS ALL ALONE
I DIDNT CHOOSE THE SEPARATION
UMM... WELL... HE DIDNT CARE IF I RETURNED OR NOT
I WENT TO MY PARENTS HOUSE AS A DARE
HE NEVER BOTHERED TO CALL OR CONNECT
YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT IS TO BE MARRIED TO A ALOOF MAN
IF WE DIDNT SHARE A CHILD
I WOULD STILL NOT BE HERE
WHO KNOWS?
"I LOVE Dad" II said defensively
"Woh aapko both chahte hain" Pammi smiled gently
II nodded selfconsiously
"And Sam" II said, not mentioning Manya cautiously
"They are all good , Jaggi was saying he was shocked R&B married a South Indian" Pammi chuckled
"They thought he would marry a French woman?" Ii asked quietly
Pammi froze
"U know?" she asked
HE LIVED WITH HER FOR YEARS
HOW WILL NOT?
"Umm... haan" II nodded akwardly
"I am happy he chose an Indian girl"Pammi was all nationalistic
"His French girlfriend is going to angry"II giggled
They turned around, talking about movies and TV shows and actors
Jaggi and Beeji and Ranjan were outside the swamp cooler was running
R&B was upstairs... not in the balcony...
Too hot for that...
II was tearful, she wanted Beeji to stay
She was hoping to throw a tantrum to make her stay
"So gayi gudiya?" Beeji asked longingly
"Nitin ki cheli hai Beeji" II warned
Ranjan laughed hysterically and breathlessly narrated a bunch of things she did during the day
Ranjan didnt care if the people he was narrating to, happened to be watching Nivi do the antic
"Le jaayegi beta?" Ranjan asked
II nodded
She went up and lay her down on her crib
The house was cold and scented
There was no air outside, it was still and smoky and 40C
II showered and changed and wandered to the office he straightened upon seeing her lowering his book
Beeji had scolded R&B, earlier that evening in the kitchen...
"Araam naal puttar, kudiyan phoolan varga hondi ney" spotting a bruise on II's neck
Embarrassing II HUGELY
Thankfully Ranjan or Jaggi were not around
PAMMI WAS
She smiled mischievoulsy and slithered away
"Jee" R&B had nodded
"Mainnu dass... gudiya" Beeji had blown air kisses like Ranjan
"Jee"II nodded selfconsciously quickly covering up the love bite with her dupatta
"Did u know they are leaving?" Ii asked fighting tears
"I did" he said softly
"Nobody told me" II began to cry
"what happened?" he was shocked
"Umm... nothing..." she sniffled and laughed and wept all at the same time
"II?" he insisted
"I was getting used to them I guess" she said, wandering into the office and leaning on the giant oak desk
He nodded
"Its like the house is so huge... there is only 4 people... woh bhi... umm" II paused
She didnt wantt o bring up the separation
"Thats not very many I agree" he nodded
"Now dont say even YOU have to go soon" II sniffled, pretending to joke and yet bringing up her greatest fear
"i wont" he said quietly
"Wont what? she challenged "wont say it? or wont go?" she asked
TWO MONTHS OF SEPARATION
IS ALL IT TOOK FOR YOU TO REALIZE HOW MUCH YOU ARE OBSESSED WITH HIM
JEEZ II!!
HOW WILL YOU EVER...
DO U HAVE THE COURAGE TO ASK HIM WHAT PISSED HIM OFF SO MUCH?
YOU TWO CANT GROW APART ALL OF A SUDDEN COULD YOU?
"Its very hot outside" she said
"I wondered... it doesnt look great" he said trying to look past her toward the giant French windows leading to the study's balcony
"What time do u want to go?" he asked
"Kahan?" she asked
"To Rohini" he reminded
"Oh haan... um... 8 baje?" she said
He nodded and smiled.. pleasantly
II went to bed after checking her email...