All over…. In love
A beautiful large snow white and black terrier flew up to hug Raanav as they were greeted into the Dhamija home in Chelmsford, a Victorian grand elegant villa built in the 1840s and renovated with indoor plumbing and electricity in the early 20th century and updated many times over until the 21st century sat on lush English grounds with original cherub sculptures and stone water fountains
“Cleao meet Viveka”
“Viveka Mathur meet Cleo”
Cleo was like a wound up toy, running in circles around Raanav, sniffing, skidding, falling, getting up to leap on top of him
“I love you you girl” he buried his face in her neck
The butler brought Nupur
She looked a bit startled to see Viveka
“Oh hello” she extended a hand instead of the rich people hug
As she quickly glanced at the young girl
She did look different
In jeans, and a plush burgundy jacket and a huge silk scarf and her curly hair in a messy bun, and winter boots
“You look great” she said politely
“My hair you mean” Viveka laughed feeling it
“You did something to it?”
“he made me cut it”
“You gave yourself a haircut?”
THAT’S a new ghetto habit she had not heard of, she needed to call Smrita Di to discuss she thought
“Oh no, at the salon, Mum goes to in Kensington” Viveka felt her messy bun again
“they are booked for months” Nupur reminded her
“What can I say? I just charmed them into opening up a slot for me”
She had actually called using Raanav’s phone because hers was missing and the salon had fit her in as Mrs Parashar was a “favorite”
“WOWW” Nupur was in shock
“Kaise?” she wondered
Cleo and Raanav were outside in the beautifully manicured velvety lawn
“It’s a beautiful house” Viveka muttered
“Oh yeah its over 150 years old, 175 maybe?”
“That’s quite a range” Viveka smiled
Nupur didn’t get that joke
Economists found humor in number ranges
“Yeah IKR?” Nupur smiled
The butler hovered
“Lets do snacks” Nupur told him dismissively
“My son is in india” she mumbled
“Hmm” Viveka wanted to run outside and be with raanav
He turned around as if he sensed it and walked over with Cleo following him
“they love each other a lot”
“SHE is his first and ONLY love” Nupur reminded Viveka
“She would be mine too” Viveka’s eyes twinkled as they met Raanav
He got the joke
“Willing to switch sides (choose a different s---l orientation?) he laughed
“Oh yeah” she nodded
“Cleo is his aapko doosri laa dete hain” Nupur was generous
“Mamiji can she go with me while I am here?”
“Sid was out on a road trip with her, he only brought her back a few hours ago”
“is SID HERE?” Viveka was excited
“Tum jaanti ho?” Nupur acted clueless
“Ive met him” Viveka nodded
“Oh”
“WHERE CAN I SEND HIM OFF NOW?” Nupur wondered
“This is a different look for you” Nupur told her again
“When in Chelmsford you know….” Viveka laughed
Cleao liked her now, no barking no spazzing, she walked beside Viveka as she went for a plush overstuffed Louis XIV chair with a tall back
Raanav sprawled on the rug near her feet and Cleo settled down wagging her tail
“Ready to go with me?” he whispered
She cocked up her ears and barked
“Of course darling!”
He turned to look at her
“An obedient woman” he laughed
“Now I know why you love her” Viveka muttered
Nupur was Smrita’s twin she did not like the quiet intimacy Raanav and Viveka shared
They seemed like they were in love
Her face was chubby and real no, steroids or surgery or Botox, she wore lipstick and makeup but this was not who she would have imagined Raanav with
He seemed smitten
He gently pointed Cleo to Viveka’s boot clad toes, she sniffed and looked up at Viveka
“I can take them off if you want?” she smiled at the dog
She immediately slobbered all over Viveka
Knocking off a silver figurine on a stool Raanav caught it almost
Sid walked out in shock
“You are HERE?”
“Yep”
Raanav stood up for a hug”
“Who is this gorgeous woman”
“Viveka Mathur, and thanks I do like you” she laughed
“Good Raanav needs some competition” Sid gave her a warm hug and dragged her to a couch
Raanav sprawled on the rug again
“What brings you home?” he asked Viveka
“I think the man wanted to meet his love”
Nupur was texting Smrita
“I am told I cannot leave the country without visiting” Raanav turned to inform Sid
“I know if I have her I will see YOU, I meant her” Sid tilted his head and pointed his thumb
“They were tearing down our bedroom back home, she hated the upstairs bedroom so I brought her over”
“that’s not true, Dad insisted”
“I heard your Dad hurt his finger?”
Viveka was shocked
“Aapko kaise pata?”
“I am telling you u are famous”
Viveka looked at Nupur
Nupur grunted and turned sideways as politely as she could
“Inder is in Delhi” Sid said embarrassed
Viveka didn’t respond
“Must be a big deal” Raanav remarked sarcastically
Cricket
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