Chapter 4.5
A RAY OF SUNSHINE
Annika woke up and checked the time to see that it was past midday. She rose to freshen up and get some food before deciding what to do for the rest of the day. A little white later as she was at the dining table about to serve herself some food, she saw a girl walk in with a giant suitcase and a laptop bag. Thinking it was only polite to greet her, she went up to the door and got a closer look. She had cut off baggy jeans and an off shoulder printed top, and some funky chokers, what was more important was bright smile she had on her face.
"Hi, I'm Annika" "Hi Didi, I'm Soumya, Dadi's friends granddaughter. My Dadi is going on a pilgrimage and she did not want me staying by myself in Mumbai for the holidays so here I am" "Oh! that's great! I'm here spending my holidays as well, all thanks to Dadi again! Did you have some lunch? I was going to eat some food, why don't you join me and we can chat?" "Ohh! I'm starving, I was planning to eat on the train, but the food looked gross. Let's go." Both the girls headed for the dining table. Annika served some parathas to Soumya and herself. She had found out that Soumya was a mass communications student with a journalism major and was initially interested in Forensics, but her mum and grandmother were too apprehensive about the dangers in that career, so that got dropped. Now the only sort of forensics she associated to were the shows on the TV. The girls bonded over their education, their love for careers, Shahrukh Khan and aloo. A major part of their bonding happened when they both agreed that Aloo ke parathe were the king of their kind. Gobi and lauki and especially paneer were pretentious wannabees. After full stomachs, fulfilling conversation and hearty laughs, they were headed to Annika's room, when Dadi and rest of the clan walked toward them. "Ohh Soumya is here, with Annika, Soumya and Prinku here this time, this house is definitely going to be a parade these holidays." Jhanvi mused. "Definitely Jethaniji! We are finally gathering numbers, we only had mummyji and Prinku all these days, now we have a little girls team! How exciting! I might actually enjoy the kid's holidays this time." Pinky agreed. Rudra scoffed "You guys are so mean! Choti Mom, do we look boring to you, you don't want to spend time with your favorite nephew, I'm hurt." Pinky laughed "Awww look at him jethaniji! When we used to beg this idiot to go to a movie together, he was busy doing mata know what with his girlfriends, now when we have plans; he feels left out! How tragic."
The group collectively moved towards the living room and board games were brought out, it was decided that a few games of Ludo, then scrabble and finally the ultimate snakes and ladders. Shivaay had gone to Portugal for a meeting and saw the biggest Snakes and Ladders board he had ever seen, without any snakes getting you or a shortcut with the ladders, the game took 2 hours to complete. In addition to the usual board with numbers, ladders and snakes, this one had little task wheels, particular numbers landed you on these wheels and the person with the lowest score could turn the wheel and choose a task depending on the colour it landed on. The task wheels were game changing - if the person that landed on the wheel was unable to complete the task, the assignee (lowest scorer) would move ahead 50 spaces, without getting affected by the snakes. Rudra had yet not played, as it was usually only him and Prinku and the game needed atleast 4 to 6 people for it to be fun.
With that schedule in mind, the games started. Despite initial reservation about playing, Pinky turned out to be a real foe, Rudra regretted pestering her to join the game, he was going to be a pauper at this rate. Because the Oberoi's not only played to win, they played with money and household tasks. It was a ritual started by Jhanvi when all the kids were younger, to ensure they all did their household chores. The person that lost had to complete a favor ordered by the person that won. When the kids were younger it was all about chores and homework. As they grew and found ways (to cheat) it was about asking for things from their parents, started with chocolates, to video games and Rudra proudly states that his new sports bike was a result of their family's legendary Ludo game. Pinky was having the time of her life, it was between her and Rudra for now and she was going to beat him for sure. Her mata was obviously kind to her today and all the luck was on her side, with a healthy dash of Annika's enthusiastic cheering, Pinky was pumped.
Shivaay had left work early, he had promised Rudra he would be home early. Apprently Soumya was coming in today as well, he did not want to imagine the riot that house was going to be right now, Soumya and Rudra's bickering was known to one and all, with the over enthusiasm of Prinku due to Annika, the chaos was going to be unparalleled. Shivaay had just rung Om to let him know that he had left early and can pick him up from the realtor's office. Together, the brothers headed home and discussed the cyclone they needed to face once they got there. Nothing prepared them for the sight that awaited them inside though, Shivaay was shocked. His mother was jumping up and down like a little kid in a candy store and doing some sort of bro code handshake with Annika. He had never seen his mother so excited about anything in life. If he wasn't aware of their financial status, he would think his mother won the lottery!
Upon further investigation it seemed, that Rudra was very badly defeated in a game of Ludo, that too by his dear Choti Ma. Pinky literally ran up and relayed the entire incident with such gusto that Shivaay was warmed. Pinky was ecstatic! It might seem really silly but she was never a part of these board games, always only watched from the sidelines and almost always rooting for her Jethani. She was never confident enough and always felt she would embarrass everyone due to her lack of fluency in English. Forget Scrabble! She never even played Ludo, thinking that she was only going to embarrass herself. She would not have today as well, unless Annika and Rudra had not pestered her as much. She gave in at the end. She was very conscious in the beginning and contributed all her good moves to beginners luck! As the game went on, she realized she had a knack for it and actually got a kick out of seeing Rudra's funny expressions. Admist all the chaos, Annika had proclaimed her to be the Ludo Queen for the week, and Om joined in asking what the task for Rudy was. Pinky had put that on hold as she couldn't think of anything at that moment. She had won for the first time and wanted take full advantage of the situation.
Tej and Shakti had come back to a chaotic house as well. Not two seconds in and they were dragged to a board game session. "Bhai Saab, I only do board meetings, what am I going to do with a board game?" Shakti whined. No excuses were taken. They were insisted to join. Apparently there was a Boys vs Girls team going on, no surprises where they went. It was then decided that scrabble and ludo were too silly for this major battle and Rudra special board was brought out. After setting up and taking up their respective seats, the game had started. Priyanka was refeering. The boys team had Tej, Shakti, Rudra and Om. The girls team had Jhanvi, Pinky, Annika and Soumya. Dadi and Shivaay were silent players.
The game had started, as promised it was nothing short of a thriller movie, though Tej had dismissed it as a silly game of Snakes and Ladders he was involved now. Tej Singh Oberoi was a sight to see right now, with his jacket carelessly tossed at the side, sleeves rolled up messily sans tie, messy hair and sprouting a furrowed brow, he was praying to the board game gods above to let his wife, who was currently rolling the dice to land on a wheel. The boys team was doing well, until they landed on three consecutive wheels and currently were on number 7. The girls team were on 62 with a giant ladder in sight that took them straight to 98. Rudra and Tej with fisted hands were silently screaming Wheel! Wheel! Wheel! "aaand SHE GOT A WHEEL!!!! HA HA HA JHANVI!! Your team is going to lose now." Tej guffawed. "Damn it Tej! Why did you have to jinx it? Alright Pinky your up first for the task." Jhanvi gritted out. Rudra spun the wheel and it landed on white, which was medium - difficult. So the task was to 'Arm wrestle with a person of the assignee's choosing; winner moves 10 spaces, loser goes to the start'. The boys team had huddled, the obvious choice was Rudra; but Rudra refused. He was being smart, his Choti Mom was yet to give him a task for the Ludo game, he did not want to verse her now and get something really hard. So being cheeky, he said "Chote Papa! you have to do it! You know how Choti Ma's brain works, only you can defeat her." Om whacked his little brother on his head, he knew was Rudy boy was upto, he looked at Rudra's pleading eyes and relented. Being in the spirit of the game he encouraged his chote papa ahead as well.
Pinky was expecting Rudra and already whispered to her team to be prepared to lose 10 spaces. He Mata could only help her so far with getting lucky. After morose thumps of good luck she straightened herself for the inevitable defeat, got shocked when boys announced Shakti ji as her partner. No way! She could not arm wrestle her husband, she never..they never had this sort of social intimacy in their 30 odd years of marriage. Now Pinky was nervous, forget winning and losing, this was nerve wracking. She was rubbing her sweaty palms as the boys team wear cheering out. Shivaay had finished his call and finally rejoined the game, looks like he was in good time as both his parents were getting ready for what looked like arm wrestling. What is happening?! Shaking his head he went and joined his brothers, who filled him in.
Shakti was confident that he was going to win, the game would not even last for 2 minutes. He knew Pinky there was no way she would put up a fight. Jhanvi oversaw the situation and whispered to Pinky "this is your chance Pinky! Don't be shy! Go give it your all! Come on! Don't let him win." Pinky nervously grasped her husband's arm, refusing to meet his eyes, she was forced to when Prinku blew the whistle and something sparked in her, he husband was looking on with dismissiveness and over confidence. Pinky grabbed on tighter and decided to give it a shot. Oberoi household was watching with complete concentration, neither party was giving up. Jhanvi had gotten up to get some water, Pinky was running out of energy, she was giving it her all. She looked up for a fraction to see her Jethani signaling something, without losing focus on her game, she tried to decipher what was going on. She heard Annika gasp behind her, Annika realized what was happening. She want over to Jaanu aunty and signaled to Pinky as well. Om looked at the two ladies that suddenly got up and turned around to see what was happening, looked like they were trying to convey something to Choti ma.
Pinky tried hard to figure what she was being told, they were doing something with their eyes. Blink? I am blinking she thought, then Annika covered one eye and she realized, WINK! They wanted her to wink at Shakti ji, it was cheating wasn't it. Pinky contemplated, her shoulder was really starting to cramp and she wanted end this soon. Composing herself, she made eye contact again - cringing internally and praying to her Mata to forgive her for cheating. She winked. Shakti froze, Pinky slammed his hand on the other side and jumped up victoriously. Jhanvi and Annika joined in. Om was trying to control his hysterics, he had seen that entire exchange. He was far more than amused. There was no way his Chote papa would have expected his wife to put up a fight let alone win. He was still staring at his wife wordlessly until a cushion hit him on the back of his head. "Get back here Shakti! What is wrong with you? I was worried that we were too slow now we are back at the start' Tej bellowed and started hitting Shakti with all sorts of cushions.
Shivaay looked around to see the chaos around him, his house was lively today! He knew deep down that there was only one person that could be credited for this. Annika! She truly was a ray of sunshine that's swept the entire family into a bright and bubbly mood. The usually serious elder Oberoi's were laid back, relaxed and teasing each other. His mother - there was no word to describe her right now. She was glowing! Shivaay had always only seen his mother watch from the sidelines. Being in the limelight was sure doing her wonders. Glancing over to the object of his reflection, he let out a small smile. She truly was one of a kind. Before he could reflect anymore, he was dragged on to join in the game. Settling himself near the board, he looked across to see Annika opposite him!
The game had really gotten interesting now!.
Chapter 5 next guys!!
Do let me know your thoughts! Hopefully the game was not too complicated.
Much Love
Vinu xx
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
