Waiting Game
Gopal Kini was the guy, Sharanbir took her to, a Konkan family.
Like he had been looking for a family she could speak with in Konkani
They were generous and kind, she was introduced as Sharan's "young friend Trisha Shanbag"
the food was delicious and she was given flowers and fruits and stuff to take home
Our man was being skewered like her favorite food, fish, she had a 100 questions and he had answers for none nor patience.
Mandira had seen her leave with a polite wave to her
"Where is she off to?'
"To see a friend"
"Dressed up?"
"Umm.. yeah"
"Did you ask who?'
"Are u listening to yourself?"
He slumped on the couch
There was no plan to hang tonight everyone was busy
He had no choice but to spend it with his over bearing over protective suspicious mother
"Why? yes I am"
"You really want to worry about where she is going?"
"Yeah until she is here she is your responsibility"
"she knows that"
"And still you let her go?"
"What did you expect me to do? Imprison her?"
"Technically she is still married to you"
"You know what kind of marriage this is" he was pissed at his own self now
She looked gorgeous and he had let her get away
"oh there is no risk of us being sexually involved" he had told her conceitedly that afternoon at brunch
She had turned his world upside down with her innocence honesty and forthrightness, not to mention the mind numbing attractiveness
"He is mad right now but I hope I can make us patch up and go back to him, so sex is a bad idea" things were at this point now
He was being told off by the same person who he had arrogantly dismissed a month ago as not being "attractive or sexy enough for him"
"So you are OK with her seeing other people?" Mandira was outraged
"Umm.. I should be dont you think?" he looked at his mother with blazing eyes
"Two weeks ago Pari came on to me at the pub, you would have wanted me to carry it further wouldnt you?" "Unless you want her to operate under a separate set of rules"
In defending her he was pissing himself off some more.. he knew it was the "right" answer to his Mom but imagining such a scenario for her was abhorrent to him
Mandira froze in shock
"You know you are going to be responsible for anything that happens with her"
"U mean if she gets pregnant?"
"Well.. that too" she said primly
"We'll have to see wont we?"
That thought making him angrier about the whole situation
It had been two days since he had spoken to Osacr
He was running from him
After Oscar asked "So? Have you told her she is free to go?"
"Not yet"
"Why not?" "Man, dont screw it up any further dude"
"I am not ...I know what I am doing" Ashvin said defensively
"If you quit obsessing over the old man, you will realize what a schmuck youve been"
"Oz"
"Do it man!!"
It had been two? three days? since and he wasnt answering his phone
He wasnt even thinking about his grandpa anymore
He couldnt think about anything except her, he eagerly looked forward to seeing fleeting images of her
She was invisible and completely quiet like her cat she so loved
She was a fab room mate, the room looked like it was ready to move into, she was nowhere to be seen usually and everything smelled clean and crisp, except when she wore jasmine
"I am going to stay here as long as Dadu is in Bangalore"
Great!! He thought unethusiastically
"Dadu is in Bangalore until an entire freaking floor is erected or ceiling is completed or foundation is laid" he was incredulous
"So? Isnt it worth the effort? sooner or later I am going to convince him, and get through to him"
"Maybe you should try next time?" he mumbled
He knew he didnt have much time with her, she was avoiding Mandira like the plague, he wanted alone time with her, as insane as it sounded to his own ears
"You dont want me trying to fix this anyway so I dont doubt your negativity"
"I know only I can do this" "You think you can, and then you go do something like this, marry a girl out of nowhere"
"If you could have fixed it, it would be by NOW Ma... its not" he was imaptient
"Not for lack of trying"
"exactly!!! So... umm.. let it be for now"
"Talk to her when she comes back" Mandira yawned "Or I can. She doesnt seem very worldly"
"No... No... I can talk" "If I feel the need" he cut her off
"Boy are u crabby today"
"I am going to go to my room and watch some TV"
"We could watch Vikas and Vipul bhaisaab's grandkids' and the reunion at their homes?" she smiled joyously
"No... Mom... I will watch those later, thanks, I saw the files on the home network"
"This is in no way a subtle or not so subtle hint for grand babies BTW"
"gee thanks" he mumbled walking away
"You need to quit sulking, you need to be more visible and you need to be doing things that Dadu notices like your cousins
"Mom... I need to be left alone" he went into his room
She returned at 11:17
His mother was asleep, the scent of jasmine drew him to the living room
"Did u have a good time?" he asked hitting the recess lights to bathe the room in a soft glow
"It was very good"
"You went to a temple?" he asked shocked
"No to utsav"
"Oh?"
He was curious and nosy he wanted to know...
"Ganpati" she said
"Is it today?
"It starts today" she said
"Looks like you had a great time?"
"I did... did Prasad come?"
"Umm.. no"
"is your Mom here?" she whispered
The first sign of a smile appeared in one corner of his lips
"U wish she werent?"
she blushed
"I know she will say something" she mumbled
"what did you bring?" he asked
She raised her sack, it looked like it contained food
"Umm... Mrs Kini... I mean Lissie's friend, she gave me things to take home, I can only eat one time a day so for tomorrow"
He followed her to the kitchen, and watch her put everything away deftly like a restauretuer's daughter.
The kitchen looked spotless when she was done
"You did not go out?"
"Umm.. no"
He was still wearing jeans and a pale green shirt
"Then why are you wearing jeans?"
He grinned... "I am sorry.. I shud have changed"
She leaned on the fridge self consciously
"I mean, its OK.. but when you wear jeans you are not at home"
"Youve noticed?"
"There are not many people in the house" she said awkwardly
"Do you notice what my Mom wears at home?"
"No...uh... No" she bit her lower lip
"You should wear jeans"
"Thanks" he grinned
"I mean whenever you want" she waved a finger
"You should wear a saree" he said arms folded across his chest, ogling at her from across the dining room, leaning on the wall
"All the time!!" he said
"Gnite Trisha" he muttered softly.. walking away
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
