Prayers & Picnic
“Our family is so different Aatreya” his Mom was in the middle of her daily brainwashing session
He made time for his parents despite being a single successful SVP at a large bank
They, instead misused their closeness to manipulate him in a gentle way
“Pa is going to Udupi and Chennakeshwa Koti Lingeshwara and Murudeshwara temples next week”
“That’s great”
“So you all can be healthy and happy, Apurva has been married for so long, no good news” she sighed
“You have a grand kid now quit harassing her” he scolded gently
“Yours child is 10, we never got to see any baby, the ceremonies…”
U are kidding right? We went through this Amma” he was disappointed
“Pa and I love you a lot, we want u to be happy only”
“Reminding me of what I denied you both to, is not a good way” he was sad
“Aatreya… just saying” Pramila was dejected
“I will call you in the morning as usual on the way to the bank”
“Don’t become upset”
He was clearly irritated
“I wont be if you two treat me as an adult… I should be allowed to choose who I want to marry”
“Pa and I did allow you… you”
“Amma… please I will go now”
***
Somesh tried calling him as he took work calls that night
He texted back politely to say he was busy
Then they commissioned Apurva to call him
Apurva pinged him at midnight as he lay in bed FT with Mrunalini… no not romancing… though he wished he was, she was trying to show him his “art”. They were chuckling over it
Jaidrith was asleep and she was stretched out on the divan
“Its not interpretive art, he is 10, he has no freaking clue what he drew” she growled
“IT IS… I am going to say it’s a flying man on a bicycle” he laughed
“Well then, you have a great future as a psycho therapist”
“I am happy… I love women on my couch anyway” he spoke boldly
“That sounds creepy” she growled
“It came out wrong… I am sorry” he laughed
“Gosh!” she sighed
They laughed heartily
“U are kind and generous toward him I appreciate that A”
“U are welcome, I am not doing him a favor… hes mine too”
She nodded her eyes shining
“Your parents did so great with you” she sighed
“No don’t say that” he immediately cut her off
She was stunned
“Why?”
“Umm.. I mean… I have my flaws”
“Oh u eat too healthy, and smile too much?” she mocked
“No actually, I am weak and have no spine” he said grimly
“OK” she lowered her gaze
“Look at me Mrunalini”
“Umm.. OK” she looked up at him
“Do u think I am a weirdo who has no flaws?” he questioned
“I mean… Ive never seen you been mean to Dhru, you are so good with your friends, your parents love u, u were a great student, have a fantastic job… I mean if u were looking for praise… there u got it!”
“No that’s not true..” he struggled to be honest about his parents
“Unless u collect hair and nails of women u date, or stalk them after u break up”
He looked at her astonished…. “Whoaaaa”
“U know I am so afraid of creeps… one of my work friends, married a guy, it was an arranged marriage, Nasik…. He started to beat her up within 3 months” Mrunalini’s voice trembled
“Oh” Aatreya gasped
“She left him and went to the US, Dakotas I think to study Pharmacy… he discovered her number and stalked her for years” Mrunalini shuddered
“That’s terrible”
“I wear my ring because I am afraid someone is going to do that to me”
“I am so sorry…”
I don’t have anyone to protect me, she has two brothers, they went to Nasik to beat him up”
“U could take him down” “U don’t need brothers” his tone was vicious
“Yeah sure… u are an optimist… a clueless one” she laughed
“I would dismember anyone who harmed u” he warned with passion
They stared at each other wordlessly
“I don’t like violence” she said somberly
“Thanks for sharing that incident… all ur fears makes sense to me” he sighed
“I am going to go on a zoo trip this Saturday with Dhru’s class”
“Am I invited?” he muttered
“U cud bring a picnic lunch” she laughed
“I could” he nodded eagerly
“No don’t… I think I need to apologize for giving you the impression I am stringing you along for money” she said seriously
He looked pissed
“Why? Did Lynn say something?”
“No? Did she?” Mrunalini questioned him back
“I am bringing a picnic” he smiled
“There is no place to eat at the zoo, this is not USA”
“Well we will find one” he said smugly
“Gingham blanket bhi la rahe ho?” she teased
“Oh? (registering the shock of Hindi) “Oh yeah… the whole deal”
“Wine and two glasses?” criss cross”
“That too”
Charcuterie board?”
“Everything” he chuckled
“I have this year’s coupons for food from my employer, you can buy there” “Or u can use my employee discount”
“Ur turn next”
Apurva called
“U are getting a call”
“Yeah annoying sisters” he laughed
Her expression was one of sadness
“She likes you Mrunalini”
“Sweet”
“Saturday at Noon?”
“I think 11?
“NP”
Why are u sad?” she asked quietly
He was taken aback at first but quickly recovered
“Just work…” he said
“Oh? Is ur job safe?”
“Why do u all ask that?”
“Who did?” she smiled
“Amma… its perfect… its my parents… they are old fashioned and selfish and cannot think beyond themselves” he said gruffly
Her turn to be stunned
“U are the.. I should say Jaidrith is the funnest thing in my life”
“Not me huh?” she caught the first part and chuckled
“U haven’t said yes… I cannot take that liberty” he smiled sadly
“I might become the most painful thing too”
“No”
“U need to break free Mrunalini I don’t know what it will take, but I am going to try”
“U don’t know how dangerous that could be”
“Try me…” he whispered
Apurva called again
She shifted… reluctant to end the call
“Can I call u tomorrow?” he begged
“What time?” she asked eagerly
“You tell me” he sat up
“1? I can go hide in a new spot I found, Sen doesn’t know”
“Are we doing this secretly?” he laughed
“ U know me… I do everything secretly” she smiled
“Good night Mrunalini”
She smiled at the whole name
“Good night Aatreya” she giggled
“Woww!” nodding
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“They think u are emotionally disturbed, they want me to reach out and talk to u” Apirva lamented
“After their stunt they have the nerve to send you as a therapist?” he was irritated already that he had to end the call with Mrunalini
He had people on his team who talked to their significant others until 4 or 5 AM
“Don’t be disheartened Attu” Apirva groaned
“I am doing everything right… I am in love with her I proposed formally, I told them respectfully I should not be treated this way. My first marriage was not a ploy to bring them shame… I thought I loved her, I didn’t… I know I shouldn’t have married her in a court, I know I shouldn’t have umm… u know… had Jaidrith at 23….”
“I will talk to them” she grit her teeth
“No don’t… I can fight my own battles”
“If she accepts ur proposal u cannot do it alone”
“Well we are not there yet…”
“I don’t even blame her… her instincts must be warning her”
“No… she has other fears” he sighed
“U should go back to the USA”
“Don’t be crazy…”
“No after u get married”
“That would be cruel… no Amma doesn’t deserve that, after her gall bladder, BP fainting spells, the head scan and stuff… I couldn’t do it to her”
“Well they are being selfish”
‘U want me to do the same”
“They don’t deserve that sweet girl”
“She is pretty sweet” he smiled
“U shud set rules”
“Like people in some other countries”
“Yes… they do so for in-laws, Attu u need to do so for our parents”
“I love ur protective side” he gushed
“I love u more than my life” Apurva choked up
“No… don’t”
“I am happy u are standing up to them”
“Not really…” he sighed, ashamed
Anupamaa
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