Part 4: A step in the right direction
'I felt complete. It was strange, what a little sense of belonging can do to you. Ever since I got engaged to Vaibhavji, I had felt a part of this house with respect to all my relationships... whether it was with mummijy, Rajvi bhabhi, or for that matter even Pappaji.. I was in fact at peace with being Vaibhavji's friend, I reckoned. But it was different now.. I felt like I had rediscovered my wings, I could dare to dream... I felt like wishing for more.. asking for more.. because he was willing to give it to me.. He completed me, by sharing himself.. by bestowing that place in his life..' I smiled and placed the quilt on the tea pot and kept it in the cart alongside its set …
As I turned to push it.. Mummijy entered the kitchen, to make arrangements for pappaji's morning tea and give instructions for breakfast thereafter. I bent down and touched her feet… She blessed me and as I looked up, she kissed my forehead.. enveloping me in her warm embrace.. Breaking apart, she confessed "I have waited to see this glint in your eyes, beta.. I can't begin to express how happy I am.. I feel satiated.. complete"
I couldn't help but feel that connection.. the karmic connection that I felt with her from day one.. as I held her hand.. and she beamed "I would pray for this joy of fulfillment to embrace you and my son always". I blushed.
*********
It was our usual morning ritual, as I sat on the couch reading the paper and she poured tea for both of us. Extending the tea-cup, she whispered "Vaibhavji" as I looked up… it was the same; yet different.. Whatever it was, felt good.. like this was for keeps- the little moments we shared in our day together were going to stay the same.. I was beginning to cherish this stability, this peace that had eluded me for a while. I took the first sip, breaking the silence
"I forgot to tell you last night" I began in my usual matter of fact tone, but she turned crimson red… I was amused till it dawned on me, she was on some other page.. I fought the urge to mess with her and continued in my corporate tone "Pappa wants me to talk on Vaibhav Infra's vision for economic growth in the near future, highlighting on Mumbai floats in the business convention in England next week". Her expression changed in a second. I didn't really see any hint of disappointment, the businesswoman took precedence in no time.. I smiled.
"Oh wow! I can definitely help you make the presentation.. Can we discuss it tonight, if you don't mind.. I am busy with the final meetings regarding the film distribution. When is the convention?"
"In 4 days"
"Oh ok! In that case as early as this evening I can chalk out a draft on the things you can talk about".
I interrupted, "WE". She shot me a look.
"We are going to jointly present it. I need you up there with me fielding the questions, given you are more in command of the logistic details.. Pappa thinks so too" I added as a perk. "I hope you can make the time, can you"
She smiled, chiding in her typical mode "But of course Vaibhavji, most definitely I will.. "
How could I have been blind to nature of her affection before, I wondered yet again.
"Great" I finished the tea and rose up.. picked up my coat and before heading to the door, I walked to her as she stood up as well.. Coming close to her, I continued "I was also hoping as its London, you could show me around.. give me a peek into your past life". As she met my gaze, her face lit up. I dropped a peck on her cheek; she blushed, her fingers teasing my shirt button. I whispered "I asked Manjusha to book the return tickets leaving us 2 days after the convention. Work on the itinerary details with her?" She nodded as I gazed at her fiddling fingers. She stopped pronto.
I held them, caressing "Should I drop you on the way, after breakfast?"
Interlocking her fingers with mine, she whispered "maybe".
*********
By dinnertime the news had spread in the entire family; of us going to London together for all of 4 days.. And that was reason enough for festivities in the Virani clan.. I sat amidst Dadaji, Rajvi bhabhi and Nirali's not-so subtle love advices for what they had conveniently assumed was our honeymoon as extremely uncomfortable as it was.. Devki was as usual better at fielding her discomfort by merely blushing… I just made faces while kaka and my siblings took pleasure in making me the butt of their jokes, relating my stint at cooking to mamma.. I could so see them write 'chronicles of our romantic rendezvous'.. God they were embarrassing! I shot Devki a look, as she meekly smiled sharing my sentiment somewhere, albeit with more tolerance. I half-smiled at her as the agile team lead, Rupal caught it to rant away further.. I held my head.. Pits! At this point, I hoped for divine intervention as Pappa walked in.. and SILENCE.. I grinned.. scanning each of their faces.. the changed expressions with ultimate sadism..
Pappa had wanted to talk to me after dinner.. I headed to the study with far more ease knowing it would be anything but uncomfortable.. and trust him! to get straight to the point..
"Vaibhav.. I am happy Devki is invested in the Mumbai floats project.. You know I have always thought Vaibhav Industries could use her skills.. "
"Yes Pappa" I elaborated, "sometimes merging with your competitor is one way to end the competition" I smiled..
He regarded me, twisting the corner of his lips.. in his usual manner of contemplating on a statement.. before he refuted it.. I awaited the inevitable
"Not by sponsoring a film distribution". I shrugged as he completed his statement with his characteristic finality "I will never approve of that".
I avoided his gaze, as he elaborated "Remember beta- man's unique reward is, while animals survived by adjusting themselves to the background, man survives by adjusting his background to himself" (credit- Ayn Rand)..
Nevertheless, as is with Pappa, unpredictability is the key. He changed the course of the conversation in a matter of seconds.. "Anyhow that's not what I wanted to talk about". I looked up.. curious..
"While you are in London, may be you could meet Kunal Rajput and get re-acquainted, given we are soon entering into an alliance"
I smiled, approving "Sure Pappa, In fact I am thinking I may run into him at the convention"
"Don't rely on chances Vaibhav.. you know better than that.. I have trained you to know that the ladder of success is best climbed by stepping on the rungs of opportunity". (again credit-Ayn Rand). He rose up and walked across, tapping my shoulder as I stood up he concluded.. "And.. We create opportunities"
I couldn't help but look at him with awe.. as he continued.. "Meet Kunal not just as his future brother in law.. but as a business partner.. discuss the new merger project I gifted you.. and make sure you involve Devki" He smirked..
Much like himself, his advices were redolent with layers.. I nodded confidently, "Sure Pappa.. I will cover all grounds.. "
And this time won his genuine response "That's my boy.. All the best.. You should get going now.. Devki must be waiting.." he ended softly with his approving smile.. to my step in the right direction..
I walked out, musing.. This trip would sure be interesting…
Little did I know.. What was in store…
Anupamaa
