Sparkle in a Speck - Page 75

Hope the guy comes out in open with his apprehensions. If not, how will he know she has fallen for him.

Who?

She woke up startled, he was still in the living room, it was after 5 PM, her siblings had texted saying they were going to friends’ homes, they were not allowed to until the friend’s parent texted her back

Those texts were lined up as well, Ajji wanted to know if she will be OK if she got a ride after dinner from her friend’s. She told Punky her friend didn’t want Ajji to take an auto late in the evening

But in reality Ajji was waiting for the distant nephew of the friend to show up so she could size him up as a suitable match for Punky

She couldn’t tell Punky that

Neither could she say she was going to sell the orchard

While Ajji sympathized with the kind of upbringing Punky had received, she was quite upset with Punky’s spending habits. In order to give Prateek and Prajakta the best life possible Punky had gone above and beyond

There was no excuses

Ajji couldn’t pamper Punky because Punky was too duty bound taking care of her own siblings

Plus Ajji herself never expected to be a care giver at 70, she expected to retire in Ratnagiri and be cared for by her own sons

They were now angry that Ajji had no time for them or their kids

Her grand daughter was dialing up her errant ways with spending money, she wanted vacations, nice things for the house, large sums of pocket money to her siblings, designer reading glasses for Ajji

Just too much….

Ajji had in some way failed to rein her in, now is the time…. If she got married and left, then the orchard sale will fund the kids remaining education and Praju’s wedding

Her friend fed her a hearty meal, she was ready to fall asleep

She called her grand daughter

No response

She texted Prajakta, the girl child always worried her

“Where are you?”

“At Poorvi Gokhale’s”

“Did u ask for permission?” Ajji bristled

“I asked Punky Tai”

“And?”

“She said yes”

“Why wont she answer the phone?”

“She has cramps, she is resting”

“Oh no… I better go” Ajji looked around for her friend

“She is sleeping Ajji, she just texted Poorvi’s Aai” Praju texted

“Hmm… this girl does so much for everyone”

“Its period Ajji don’t guilt trip me, I washed all clothes by hand yesterday”

“Because YOU broke the washing machine by washing your heavy shawl”

“Because the room is very cold at night”

“You don’t want AC? I can ask Punky to sell it”

“No… no no no”

“Then don’t complain”

“Sheesh… can you make your love for Tai any more obvious?” Prajakta called

“You think I love her more?”

“I mean…. YEAH”

“Do u know how much she does?”

“She also enjoys na? Have you seen her closet?”

“U want to do 10 tuitions a week?”

“NO… I want a corporate job… I don’t want to be poor”

Ajji groaned

All young people seemed to want more and more money

“U have to be happy u know”

“Money will make me happy” “Tai also agrees”

“Your Tai is wasting away chasing after money”

“she is not, she is nicely sleeping in AC, Purvi’s AC is not working” complaining

“Go home…. No ask to be taken home”

Praju hung up in a huff

Ajji leaned back and closed here eyes

Punky stepped out after hours, and found Indy on his laptop

“Why are u here?”

“Alpana’s orders”

“I know how to heat food”

“She thot u were in grave danger” he mocked

“I am standing na?” she waved her arms questioning in Marathi

“Barely”

“Jao Indy”

“Lets eat”

“U wont get ,,,,,,,,,,but be my guest” she muttered to herself

She heated the delicious food, the rotis were soft like butter

He ate with her

“How is summer”

“Fabulous” she nodded

“Busy?”

“How can summer be busy?”

“I mean funzees” he reminded

“Oh yeah… busy having a good time” she lied

“Going to the Pune match next weekend?”

She looked at him startled, she didn’t even realize

Too busy crying over her broken heart

“U didn’t know” he said grimly

She froze him off with a stare

“Ur anger doesn’t even make sense Vyas”

She looked at him like she was going to throw something at him……..

Meanwhile their neighbors were getting curious as to who was visiting the Vyas house, for 67 hours now…

“Kone aale?” they texted Ajji just as she was bring it on thick for the new prospective groom

Does the guy realise he has stayed alone with girl for almost three days in absence of her family???
The amount of nonsense will go around is too bad for punky 😢.

Will she admit why she is so angry???

Banda admant hai jinke only want to enjoy the physical aspect. He is unable to see why he can’t let her go.

Why would he care for her if he doesn’t have genuine feelings for her?

Forget anyone else I am not sure if her Ajji will spare her.

Sibling also can be nasty at times, hope Pankaja doesn’t have to face unnecessary questions from her own family atleast.

67 hours??????

Ajji is always on the hunt for a potential groom. Who can blame her? She wants her grandchild to have a family of her own.

Do the siblings really appreciate what Punky does for them? Praju seems to think if she buys things for herself, she is not really sacrificing that much.