FF: Bruised Hearts II - Chapter 42, 43.1 pg 39; Updated 4/8/14 - Page 25

Delhi - Shantivan

Silence reigns throughout the massive mansion. With everyone else either moved out or on extended vacation, only three residents haunt the place. Though Naniji and Mamiji are morose that none of their children are in residence, it suits dadi just fine. Dadi was tired of playing nice sweet grandmother to her step-grandchildren. She no longer feels restricted and can do as she pleases.

Good that Deviyani has decided to be more devoted and spends most of her time in prayers. Stupid woman...she's so easy to convince. I don't care about her spirit, salvaging her soul. No...I don't care at all. I just wanted her out of my way. And that stupid hello hi bye bye...Manorama? She's so vain and self-centered, always putting on her makeupwa, taking care of her bootiful facewa. The idiotic, self-absorbed woman wouldn't even notice if an elephant comes stomping into the room!

Hari Prakash is serving tea to Dadi in the family room, as she pretends to watch a spiritual program on TV. Her mobile starts ringing and she wait for HP to move away before answering.

Dadi (whispering into the phone): Call me in 5 minutes. Let me get to my room first.

She quickly hangs up the phone and nonchalantly takes a few sips of her tea. Then Dadi proceeds to turn off the TV, walks up the stairs to her bedroom. She looks left and right before entering her room and softly closing the door. Though she is confident that none of the remaining residents would notice any of her actions, Dadi still does not want to take a chance. She would much rather handle her important business behind closed doors.

Unbeknowest to Dadi, Mamiji was about to join her at the couch when she got the phone call. Mamiji instantly transformed to Mami Bond and she ducked and hid behind the sofa.

Hello hi bye bye! Dadiji ij being bhery checretive. Hmm...who ij callingz hers? Inbhestigation karne padegi!

She lay in wait behind the sofa till Dadi stands up to go to her room. Mami Bond stealthily follows her and notices Dadi being very cautious before entering her room.

Hello hi bye bye! Yeh phone callwa mucht be bhery importantwa. Findoutwa karne padegi!

Mami Bond tip toes into her room, conveniently located next to Dadi's. As she considers herself a spymaster, she opens up her secret cabinet and pulls out a sound amplifier listening device. She puts it against the wall to listen in on Dadi's conversation.

Dadi (on the other side answers the phone): Yes. Tell me how's our plan going? ... (Angrily) What do you mean? How could that have happened?!? ... Accha. So they were involved? No problem, we will answer back to them. ... I will send you instructions on what to do next. ... Try to lay low and not get much attention.

Dadi ends the phone conversation. Mami Bond puts away her listening device, the wheels in her brain churning at wicked speed.

Dadiji aur planwa? What ij shes up tos? Kuch toh hain! Hello hi bye bye! I mucht tellz Arnav bitwa.

Mami Bond ponders many possibilities for the next few hours. Who was Dadi speaking to in such a secretive, cryptic manner? Could she actually be so evil as to plan against Arnav and Phati Saree? Is she reading way too into it? Who are they and what did they do to piss off Dadi? In her quest to solve the mysterious nature of the call, Mami Bond forgot to touch up her make up. Spy or not, she must take care of her bootiful facewa.

Malik House Next Evening

Dark is the night and cold wind is blowing, rather like Arnav's temper. He rings the door bell impatiently and storms in when Nargis answers the door. Khushi and Madhu invited him and RK over for dinner at his baby girl's insistence. Arnav is in a foul mood and does not think will be good company. But he can't disappoint his princess and bail out.

Arnav walks in to the family room and listens to Tara regale her mama and mima with RK's performance with her friends. He smiles at her animation which is just like her mother. Arnav's grin widens at RK's pained expression. Count on his baby girl to significantly improve his mood.

Arnav (calls out to Tara): Princess I hope you will repeat the story for your daddy.

RK groans in despair as Tara squeals in delight and runs up to Arnav. He picks her up and she showers him with kisses.

Tara: Daddy you're late!

Arnav (kisses her forehead and puts her back down): Sorry kiddo. Are you going to punish me and not let me eat dinner?

Khushi (twinkle in her eyes): No our baby girl will just serve you milk for dinner.

Tara (frowns): Mama...of course my daddy gets dinner. He's a good boy. Ok? (To Arnav) But I will make you drink milk too along with Superstar.

RK (groans): Not tonight twerp! Let your Superstar off the hook for one night.

Madhu (giggles): Babyta don't let your Superstar off the hook. We'll force the milk down his throat.

Tara (hands on her hips and glares at RK): Superstar you gots to drink milk. It's good for you. You have to be a strong boy. (To Arnav) You too daddy. You gots to drink milk too.

RK and Arnav (resignedly): Ohhkayy. We'll drink milk.

Tara (nods approvingly): Good boys. (To Khushi and Madhu) Mama and Mima when are we eating dinner?

Khushi (smiles indulgently): When your Nargis maasi is ready to serve.

Arnav settles down on the armed chair next to RK's and tries to relax.

RK (looks at him carefully): You alrite dude?

Arnav is surprised by the question. He thought he had done a good job of hiding his frustration. RK noticing his surprise, he smirks.

RK: You forget I am quite observant. You can't seem to relax on the chair and holding your shoulders quite rigidly. Your knuckles are clenched tightly on the chair handles. And you're clenching your jaw. So what's up? Spill the beans bro.

Tara stomps over, stands in the middle of Arnav and RK and puts her hands on her hips.

Tara (glares): What are you two phish phishing about? (Stomps her feet) Tara wants to know!

Khushi (inquires): I would like to know too.

Madhu (raises her brow): I hope it's nothing inappropriate.

RK (quickly): Not at all! I was telling Arnav that my little star is looking very cute in her green and white polka dot dress and matching hair accessories.

Tara (beams): Thank you Superstar!

Arnav (nods his head vigorously): Well my baby girl always looks cute.

RK (nods sagely): Of course! She's the cutest little girl in the world.

Arnav: Exactly. But today she's looking extra cute. (To Tara) Baby did you pick out your own outfit?

Khushi (murmurs to Madhu): Waah...look at how they are covering their tracks.

Tara (nods in assent): Yes daddy. (Proudly) Tara picked out her own outfit. (She twirls to show off her dress) I really look cute daddy?

Madhu (replies back to Khushi in a low whisper): Well we know they were discussing something else, most likely serious. I guess we should be glad they covered their tracks well.

Arnav: Very cute...the cutest!

Khushi (whispers back to Madhu): Yes. No need for my baby to think their focus was some where else. She's enjoying hosting her dinner party. No need to ruin it.

Tara: Thank you daddy. (Earnestly) But do I look pretty enough for my RK?

RK (loyally): I say you look too pretty for your RK.

Tara (giggles): Superstar...you're silly. I can never look too pretty for my RK.

Khushi (interrupts): Alrite...alrite...stop monopolizing the conversation with the only pretty girl in the room.

Tara giggles in delight. She is loving the abundance of compliments she is receiving tonight.

Arnav (to RK): Methinks the girls are jealous.

RK (loudly to Madhu and Khushi): You're looking pretty too ladies.

Arnav (in assent): Yes but just not as pretty as my princess.

Madhu (nods her head gravely): Babyta is the prettiest. Next to her, we look like the Snow White's wicked stepmother.

Tara (walks up to Madhu and shakes her head vigorously): No mima...you're just as pretty as Tara.

Arnav (responds to RK's earlier question in a whisper): You're right I am bothered.

Madhu (pulls Tara into her arms and kisses her forehead): Thank you babyta. But you're still the prettiest in my book.

RK (whispers to Arnav): Bothered about what?

Khushi (teases Tara): What about mama? So do I look like Snow White's wicked stepmother?

Arnav (whispers to RK): Mami called...it's about dadi. We'll talk about it after dinner when baby girl goes to bed.

Tara (runs to Khushi and kisses her cheeks): No mama. You're also very pretty too...just like Tara.

RK (whispers back to Arnav): Agreed. Let's not ruin the moment now with serious topics. My little star will be upset if we don't give her undivided attention.

Khushi (pulls Tara into her arms and kisses her cheeks): Thank you prettiest girl in the whole wide world.

Arnav (loudly): Great. Now that we have established that everyone is pretty. (To Tara) Baby girl...start your story from the beginning about your Superstar's meet and greet with your friends.

RK groans at Arnav's request. He fears that his encounter with Tara's friends and her teacher will be retold several more times. Before Tara could get a chance to retell her story, Nargis enters the room.

Nargis: Dinner is served. Now come to eat boys and girls.

They all stand up and exit the family room. As they take their seats at the dining table, Arnav pats Tara's hand who is sitting right in between him and RK.

Arnav (smirks at RK and speaks to Tara): Baby girl...don't worry. You can entertain us all with your story while we dine.

It was a special moment for them. For the first time, they all are sitting on the same table and eating dinner. Almost like a picture perfect family.