Anchored Tempest - Page 24

“Did u have a normal delivery?” he asked

“No, C section” she said reluctantly

It was too personal

This question was more out of wanting to know more what Mrunalini went through to have Dhru. It shows he cares for her as well.

so allergy is gift from Atty. Am sure Atty would have better idea how to deal with this.

Mendy is a kindred spirit. He got that Mru is afraid in no time.

Lynn doesn't understand the worries a parent has to go through if their kid is allergic to everything it seems.

So Atty does have allergies but only to a couple of things. Maybe Jai will grow out of many of his. He has that to look forward to.

Nisha, hope we are getting one!

These guys need to leave the party. Bichara bacha bhukha hai. He needs to be fed.

Waiting to see Dhrus reaction after finding out that Atty is his Dad.

Mrunalini’s parents did a number on her. She is so insecure 😟 Hope she is able to share her insecurities with someone. Atty is such cutie.

Ponies & Pools☺️

Jai did not participate, just attempted to knock the pinata feebly and didn’t succeed

But was mesmerized by the crowd and the kids

He stayed until the very last one left

Ira the birthday girl was curled up on a corner couch sleeping

Jai was wide awake

And absolutely refused to go home

Mrunal offered to bring him home, he hadn’t eaten, Mrunal was even too afraid him to feed him potato chips, she was carrying his epipen injection and Benadryl in her pocket as always but was too afraid

“Dhruu… chala jauya”

“Noooo Aaai… nakko” he began to cry loudly

Mendy walked over as guests were thinning out

“Ruk ja yaar its OK… abhi bacha bhi awake hai” he pointed to his girls running around a couch, Jai was not chasing but he wanted to watch

“Thanks, we did not bring any gift”

“Who koi problem nei, Atty hei na he will compensate” Mendy laughed

Mrunal did not like the sound of that

They were NOT a family

Mendy was not supposed to assume that

“I will bring something next weekend, I come from work really late”

“To ghar par aane ka… Lynn achha chicken banata hai”

“Umm.. thanks… I come really late”

“She only makes non veg haan?”

“Hmm” Mrunal didn’t care

“Aap invite karo mei aayega” Mendy laughed

“Sure” she nodded

“Kab?” Kal? Sunday hei” “Lynn mujhe 100 list dega yaar”

Lynn heard her name and came charging toward them

“I told her, she wont listen” Lynn accused

Mrunal squirmed

“Kya bola rey toone?”

“To leave him with us, we can drop him off in the morning” Lynn was so proud

“He is hurt, I give him pain killers after dinner he hasn’t eaten yet”

“Haan to main khila degi na isko” “He is SO cute, he looks exactly like our Atty”

Not a good way to make friends with Mrunal for sure

“He is still new rey, chhod na, he can come… tu laana isko baad mein haan?” Mendy cheered Mrunal up

Aatreya finished his call up and was pleasantly surprised to see her chatting with Mendy and Lynn

He walked over as Jaidrith dodged a girl as she chased him suddenly

“I better go” Mrunal whispered

“You did not eat na?”

“That’s OK” Mrunal smiled

“Dude isko bol rey”

Aatreya didn’t think he had any “ownership” over her, he smiled

“I am fine… really” Mrunal promised

Lynn watched, with a bit of irritation as they all left

“I am telling you, he should just take the kid, or make an agreement and just lose her man!!”

Mendy glared at her

“Koi tere ko leke aisa bolega tu khush hoyega?”

“Umm… I mean, I tried mann”

“Its not about you… 10 saal ke baad the guy shows up and wants to be the Dad” “Soch”

“Umm.. she had his kid” Lynn muttered breathlessly

“She didn’t trick him OK?” Mendy was irritated

“Tu mera side hai ya uska side Mendy?”

“Sun” Lynn walked off in a huff

Mendy visualized the dog house

Aatreya Rao dropped her off and waited patiently as she unlocked the door or struggled to, Kirti Sahasre peeked, curious as to which man was dropping the new neighbor off

Jaidrith watched their house with eagerness

His arm laden with the balloon animals, bags of pinata candy and his water gun return gift

“Can I play?” he asked Kirti

“Nakko” she mumbled and shut the door ashamed at being busted

“Dhruuu” Mrunal warned

“I can help” Aatreya offered

“No I got it” she said softly, her face reddening with embarrassment

Jaid dropped everything on the low divan and squirmed wanting to go to the bathroom

Aatreya noticed the weird expression on both faces, “U should have gone at the rec center” she whispered gently pulling her son

“Aaai ghostttt” Jai panicked

“Ata nahee” (not now)

Mrunal cautioned

She had hoped he would be gone, but he was still around

“Can I see him tomorrow?” he asked politely

“You want to see him everyday?” she whispered, bolting the front door so sounds don’t escape

Jai was going thru his gift bag

“Dhru… tumachi shirt badlaa” (change into ur night clothes)

Jai was very happy for some reason he agreed

“Do u want to see him everyday?” she asked

“Not when I am at the office” he tried hard not to be sarcastic

“U saw him today no”

“I would like to see him tomorrow please”

“Why?” she whispered inaudibly

“I have missed 10 years of his life?” he paused and held his breath

“I don’t want him to have a meltdown”

“He will not if you tell him who I am”

“Then will that be it? Will you want him to go to ur house?”

“I will”

“Whyyy?” she was close to tears

“I am sorry this is causing you so much distress but that is not my intention” he said calmly stepping back so he doesn’t reach out to comfort her spontaneously

She was the only woman in the whole community center who was nervous and quiet he had noticed

Of course she didn’t know anyone

And Lynn had already judged her as being a “beautiful arrogant snot”

He was reminded of how cheerful and friendly she was 10 years ago

Eyes followed her wherever she went and she had followed HIM instead

“If you see him for a few times will that be enough? After that can he be mine?” she asked seriously

He almost burst out laughing

He was reminded of Iris

“Uncle Atty if I give you my Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle (her two fave My Lil ponies) will you give them back in 1 hour?”

Acc to Iris one hours = 5 minutes or less

He would nod and return them

Except Iris was 5 and Mrunalini was 30+? Or he hoped she was, he had to check the DNA paperwork

I hope she wasn’t 17…

Godd!! Hope not…

His Pa was already ready to skewer him

“This is all just too much for me” her shoulders slumped as her nose turned bright red with suppressed tears

“I understand”

“So u will be OK if we don’t see each other?”

He smiled

She was actually FIVE or less in emotional state he realized

“No I did not say that, I said I am willing to be patient, but… not sure how”

She heard video game playing inside

“I have to feed him dinner”

“I am sorry, (nod) I will leave now, will call in the morning”

“Thank you for the drive… driving us”

“Of course”

They would be seeing each other now… soon… she didn’t want to

She wanted to say “Bye now… be gone”

He wanted to say “See you then?”

They just looked at each other saying those things in their mind

She struggled to open the bolt on the steel door, he took over and did it in one twist

She sat on the divan and let out an inaudible scream

Sunday morning dawned after spirit action was noticed at night after Jai had fallen asleep and she was tidying the flat

She ran and hid in the bedroom, shutting and bolting the door

He texted around 1 PM

“Hello, Good afternoon, I was wanting to bring him with me to check out a swimming pool”

“He is afraid of the pool” she said immediately feeling relieved

“We don’t need to enter the pool”

“Where is the pool?”

He wanted to say “No not in Lonavala” 😊

He said “Khar, where my flat is… the one I am renting”

She didn’t respond, until 4ish when he sent a ?

She wanted to do office work, but what if he vanished?

Lynn sent Mendy with some fruit treats and cake for her

“U can send him with me if you want, I am going to Khar, Atty ka pool dekhne ja raha hai mein” “the girls will swim”

“He is afraid of water she explained

“I can watch him rey don’t worry” Mendy promised

Something about the way Mendy spoke was comforting to her

She knew where they lived

She was exhausted, though afraid for Jaidrith

“You are going today?”

“Hmm”

“Lynn is too?”

“No she is going to hair salon, bolne ka nai haan full aaj relax madam” he winked

He was a sweet man, gentle giant she thought with twinkling eyes

Mendy realized she was struggling to trust him

“I am Atty’s best friend, he lives in my house practically when he comes to Mumbai, he returned to India after his divorce” “His parents are the nicest people” he promised

Mrunal wanted it all to be true badly

She had NEVER ever sent Jaidrith with a stranger before

“Hmm”

“Your choice bata raha hai mei”

She decided to go

Mendy told her he could drive them all

Aatreya was not surprised to see her, he secretly had hoped she would accompany

Jai was confused as to why he was supposed to meet Ira and Iris two days in a row, she packed a bag with his comic books, ipad Switch and snacks

She wore her sun glasses to mask her tearful eyes from Aatreya

It was a large beautiful flat , bigger than hers… her Baba’s… with a wrap around balcony and tree limbs rustling into the rails

She stood by the door clutching Jaid’s wrist

Ira anD Iris were swung around hoisted and passed around between Mendy and Aatty as they contemplated what bevy to drink

“I don’t drink in front of my son” she uttered nervously

Atty lowered Ira and nodded

“Wont u sit?”

“Where is the pool?”

“Two buildings down”

“baithne ka..” Mendy urged

“Does he have a my lil pony?” Iris wanted to know of Jaidrith

“Eeeww” he gagged

Atty watched Mrunal laughed out loud

Wow 🤩

Happy family.

Thank you Mendy.

Aatreya was not surprised to see her, he secretly had hoped she would accompany 😍

bhai when will you do something about it?