Kayi din… kayi cheezen
He had returned to bed at 2 AM showered and with damp hair knowing fully well it irritated her
She opened her eyes to glare at him groggy and shut it not wanting to start a fight, he peeled the cotton shawl that lay half wrapped over her to mop the water off his head
“Kya kar rahe hoo Raanav” she whispered angrily as if they were sharing a room with the whole family
“Went for a run” he said provoking her
She turned to roll away from him
“Vi” he growled seeking her with his fingers
“Yeah when pigs fly” she mumbled groaning and let herself be dragged for spooning
They slept in, he woke at Noon and went off to make breakfast, she woke a little closer to 1 PM and went to the living-dining hall
Smrita gave her a dirty look as if she made breakfast for the whole family at 5 AM
“Aaaja beta”
“Is there any left?” she made a sad face, as the help cleaned up the dishes with a clatter off the dining table
“Ban jaayega” he said
“Raanav’s making ur breakfast I think,” Rakshit looked up from his PC
“Oh really? Kya ban raha hai?”
“He is jet lagged most likely I am hoping he doesn’t burn anything” Smrita was hopeful
Viveka sat on the cool red terracotta tile spreading multiple newspapers around her
“Aap to kha chuke ho let her speculate” Satyen knocked her gently
“He went for a run… I mean do we even know if the neighborhood is safe?”
“You have been asking that every visit the last 20 years” satyen laughed and laughed
“Why couldn’t he sleep” smriti didn’t look at Viveka but the tone was accusing
“Because I dragged him out kicking and screaming”
“Thak gaya hoga bhai so jaana chahiye tha”
“I think he wanted to” Rakshit winked at Viveka
“Umm.. yeah… we argued over why I should or should not accept an offer at PEI and then he left” Viveka said calmly with amusement
“Hamey laga aap soccer scores ko lekar lad rahe ho” satyen laughed
“U heard?”
“Kya karen… Smri ne jo master bedroom choose ki hai who aapke room ke bagal mein hai” he laughed
“Lekha and Rakshit are so compatible I have never heard them fighting”
“Because I find it exhausting I let her have her way” rakshit laughed
Satyen nodded “Good strategy, hamari tarah ho aap” he reached for a hifi
Rakshit and him laughed heartily and went off to have a work conversation, Satyen appeared to be more relaxed and more pleasant and less irritated in Aurangabad
Smrita fidgeted for a bit before she realized she had her best friend with her, her phone
“Saila badal?” A help approached Smrita
“What?” Smrita
“Umm.. change, tumchya mulaane mala mirchee ananyas sangitale”
She understood mushrooms
“Sabne kha liya breakfast… “ she said coolly then stood up anxious looking for Satyen
“I can bring change” Viveka looked up at her
“Umm.. no I don’t understand… I never pay anyone”
Raanav stepped out
“Yeh lo” he said
The helped went off in that direction ignoring Smrita
“What are you up to honey?”
“Capsicum Mum Vi will not have hers without them” Raanav was sure
“Sheesh!! Parashar kid! Thanks for throwing me under the bus” she whispered to herself
Raanav walked up lazily to where she was sitting, and grabbed the exact newspaper she was reading
“raanav” she growled
“U have six around u” he bend down and slid a finger in the front of her skinny tee purposefully
She slapped it off
“Raanav”
By now Smrita had squealed “Satya Satya multiple times”
Rakshit and him sauntered back in
“Hua kya” Satyen limped back with a big smile on his face
He did indeed look relaxed Viveka thought with relief
She went back to her newspaper
“The new help.. kya naam hai Satya… Dhaval? He wanted change” Smrita acted like he had asked her for a kidney
“I took care of it” Raanav winked at his Dad gesticulating with his hand
“For what?” satyen wondered why he was being dragged into worrying about house help requests
“I needed capsicum” Raanav explained texting going back into the kitchen or turning to
“Kiske liye, tumhe achhi nahi lagti capsicum” Smrita reminded her lovesick son
“Viveka doesn’t like omelettes without them” Raanav turned paused and explained
Viveka looked up in shock
“To THEEK HAI… she can eat one day without them” Smrita smiled condescendingly
“oh yeah totally” Viveka smiled gently agreeing
“Aise kaise beta” Satyen argued her
“Arey its not like she will totally not eat it” Smrita was being a cooing mumma bear now, “I mean Satya, u know growing up”…… pausing here (U were poor enough not to be able to afford every time)“ I am sure her Dad or Mum cudnt go to the store u know to aisa to hua hog ana beta?”
“Unko to shaayad yeh baat bhool bhi gayi hogi ki Shimla mirch ka swaad kya hai I agree” Satyen openly trolled his wife
“I did not say that Satya” Smrita scowled
“You JUST said she might not have had it growing up, mujhe laga u are talking about when Viveka was 8 or 10” Satyen continued laughing
“I DID NOT”
“Guys… guys guys… its fine I can eat without capsicum”
Viveka got up and sprinted into the kitchen
“Did u send someone already?” she demanded of her husband “I can eat whatever is leftover” she smiled
He was cooking up a storm
He turned to her, no cheesy apron or hat, just shorts and a tee with holes
“Ah! Benevolent, altruistic magnanimous Ms Mathur” he whispered standing inches from her
“YOU are showing off u are making breakfast” she accused
“I am glad we are continuing the combat” he whispered scoping her out
Outside…
Satyen was giving it to Smrita
“You don’t have to like her, but do not insult her” he said without a smile
“I was NOT u are over sensitive…” she said coldly shrugging
“You were SMRI…. I SAW IT, you paused after u said “Bachpan aise kayi din kayi cheeze khatam ho chuki hongi” or some damn thing” Satyen was livid