Chapter 21 (18/04/07)
Jai then kissed her once again, more fiercely and longingly than the last time as Bani responded too. Ending it, Jai held Bani's face between his palms, looked into her eyes and whispered "Drive safely sweetheart and think about my proposal."
*************************************
Friday - Day 1
From a dead sleep Jai shot straight up in bed with a start, and in the bargain fell off it, banging his elbow on the floor.
The baby alarm had gone off.
Throwing back the covers that had landed on the floor along with him, Jai grabbed the flannel bottoms he wore around the house in the winter, glancing at the clock as he pulled them on. It was three o'clock in the morning.
He headed downstairs to the nursery in a jiffy. When he entered the room, the cow-jumping-over-the-moon night-light revealed Kabir standing in his new crib, looking all around. His small fists were wrapped tightly around two bars, his tearstained face squeezed between the bars as if he was trying to escape.
When Kabir saw Jai, he stopped crying to stare suspiciously. "Man" he blurted out.
"Hey, slugger, what do you need? Your diaper changed? A bottle? Did you see a bad dream?
"Mama" said Kabir with his pouty trembling lips as he plopped down on his butt and began to cry again, deep wrenching sobs this time.
"You will feel better when you're dry" said Jai. He scooped the kid up and carried him to the changing table.
Kabir fought him the whole way, pushing against Jai's chest, kicking his stomach and demanding Bani.
"Mama, mama," Kabir pleaded.
"Sorry, kid, no mama, it's just you and me" replied Jai.
Jai wanted Kabir to feel welcome and comfortable in his new home, but he believed discipline and routine were necessary in raising a child. Kids pushed against boundaries, it helped them to know where they stood.
"No man…….man go……..Mama" screamed Kabir. From the look on Kabir's face, he didn't appreciate Jai's part in the scheme of things. He did more than just push and kick. The boy shoved, twisted, turned, hit, mooning Jai.
Twice.
And he screamed, loud enough for Jai's neighbors to suspect him of murder.
Finally, holding Kabir down with one hand, Jai got the diaper in place and the tapes tacked down. Thank God for modern conveniences.
In a challenge of wills, Jai knew he had the advantage, though this little guy was no less than him. My son after all, Jai thought to himself.
Jai had a double master's degree in education and child development, he'd taught ten years in the classroom and he dealt daily with discipline issues at the high-school level.
But this wasn't a matter of Kabir being stubborn. His distress came from confusion with his unfamiliar surroundings and from fear of being with an unfamiliar man. When Kabir call Jai "man" it wasn't because he thought Jai was "The Man," it was because he didn't know Jai from Ranveer or then Veer.
Kabir wanted his mama, so did Jai. He didn't blame the kid; he just wished Bani were here too.
"Ma-ma." Kabir hiccupped and his little body shuddered. With his favorite stuffed bunny, Mr. Hops, under his arms, Kabir settled down on the trip to the kitchen and while Jai fixed him a bottle, but when Jai laid him back in his crib, Kabir erupted into a frenzy once again.
He threw his bottle out of the bed and crawled into the corner. Nothing Jai did would console the child. Jai tried rocking him, walking with him and, in desperation, he even tried singing to him.
"You are my sunshine….my only sunshine……you make me happy, while skies are grey……………"
Kabir only ended up crying louder.
"Hey kiddo, I know I can't sing like your Mama, but I ain't that bad also, just give me a chance buddy….." pleaded Jai.
"Here, let me try again. You are my sunshine………"
"No……no……….bad man…….gunda" cried Kabir. "Mama……..mama sing."
Frustrated and tired, Jai nearly joined him.
"How does your damn mama manage a brat like you, got to hand it to her. Let me tell you buddy, I have no bloody doubt that you are my son………stubborn…….loud……angry………I never realized I was this difficult, but thanks to you, it is no longer a mystery" said a demoralized Jai.
So much for discipline and routine. After three hours of dealing with a fussy baby, Jai would have given his left arm for a few minutes of peace and quiet.
Exhaustion eventually wore the little guy down and as the sun began to rise on the horizon, Kabir finally cried himself to sleep.
Hardly daring to breathe, Jai tucked the blanket around Kabir and Mr. Hops. He ended up sleeping near the crib too. So much for his son's first night under his roof.
What a memory………or what a misery…..only time would tell.
Both father and son slept till almost three o'clock in the afternoon. On waking up, Kabir threw a fit again. He refused to eat or drink, just kept pointing towards the door and crying out "Mama……….go mama."
Jai was in no mood to call in for reinforcements. He wanted to do this alone, no Masi, no Karuna and definitely no Bani. He couldn't stand the thought of hearing "I told you……" This was his battle and he was going to give it his best shot.
So the rest of the evening passed with Jai struggling to bathe Kabir, dress him up and leave the house. He took Kabir to the pond to feed ducks, which kept him busy and quiet for a while, but the smarty pants never forgot to mention his Mama, every chance he got.
They then went to the park…….two parks……..a playground……a super market………and when both were too tired to stay out anymore, they returned home.
Kabir barely nibbled on his food or his bottle while watching Bob the Builder, and before long he was asleep on the couch. Too afraid just in case he wakes up, Jai left Kabir sleeping on the couch itself. He had no appetite himself, his head ached, his eyes burned, and once again he ended up sleeping next to Kabir.
One day gone………a whole life time to go………sighed Jai. Who said being a single parent was easy.
********************************
Bani had restrained herself from calling Jai and checking on Kabir. She almost dialed his number so many times, but did not follow through. His kisses still lingered on her lips, making it impossible for her to sleep through the night. Well, if he hasn't called, means things are going alright. I shouldn't interfere and make things difficult for Kabir and Jai too, she reasoned.
As it is she was out of town on a training course for three days, she had pleaded and begged her supervisor to elect her. Bani needed to keep away, keep herself occupied with things other than Kabir, hanging around in such close proximity after Kabir moved out was going to make it very difficult to stay away. Best was to be far away, at least till she got used to the idea, like somebody once said……out of sight means out of mind……..hopefully that would work for her too.
Back in the guesthouse, Bani glanced at her mobile, no messages, no missed calls. Strange. She felt bad, why she didn't know…….maybe he couldn't get through, maybe my battery is low, excuses kept pouring in. She looked at the watch………..it showed 11.50 pm, in another ten minutes, one whole day without Kabir would have passed.
How the day passed so quickly was a mystery to her. She was miserable through the night, the house coming to haunt her, she longed to hear Kabir call out to her……but come early morning, she was up and on her way to San Diego. The afternoon and evening had passed sitting through two lectures and a slide show. Dinner was a casual affair, where she got to meet other people from her profession. Talking to them, discussing issues, helped keep her mind occupied.
But now retiring in her room, she was back to square one………Wonder what Kabir is………..stop it Bani, she reprimanded herself. Try to get some sleep instead.
Saturday – Day 2
A repeat performance of Day 1……….no sleep, lots of crying, no eating….the works.
Masi and Karuna step in, but it gets worse. Kabir just won't stay in anybody's arms.
Ranveer and Veer take turns in driving junior Walia all around.
All possible playgrounds have been covered. Each and every park, supermarket, fairs, zoo, aquarium, other kiddy places, even the ducks were losing their hold on Kabir.
New toys, blocks, Bob the builder tools……..no use. Jai ended up playing with the hammer and screws instead. He banged the plastic hammer on his own head in frustration.
Seeing nothing was changing, Jai requested the family to go back, he had to learn to deal with this, he said to Masi, hopefully Kabir would settle down soon.
8.00pm – TV time, yes Jai thought to himself. Watching Bob the builder at the same time yesterday had calmed Kabir down a bit, let's try it again.
Unfortunately, Kabir was in no mood for Bob the Builder, he wanted Noddy.
"No Bob………Noddy….." he said to Jai, when he switched the TV on.
"You like Bob, Bob is good, just look at his truck……" said Jai.
"No Bob……….no, no……….Noddy…." Kabir screamed, eyes brimming with tears.
Jai realized it was more out of exhaustion, but where the hell could he produce Noddy from now. The TV guide showed Noddy was aired at 6.00pm, this was Bob's slot.
"Noddy's over buddy, we will catch it tomorrow, I promise, you watch Bob now…….." reasoned Jai.
"No………Mama, Noddy………." cried Kabir.
Jai could not take it anymore, he had to swallow his pride and do what he had been avoiding. He picks up the phone and dials a number.
Bani was having dinner with her colleagues, her phone starts vibrating. Her heart skips a beat as she sees Jai's name flashing. She excuses herself and takes the call.
"Where the hell are you, I have been trying your number for so long" screamed Jai.
"Well hello to you too. It's so nice to hear your pleasant voice" replied Bani.
Silence.
"Grouchy aren't we" said Bani, trying to get Jai to talk.
"Easy for you to say that…." replied Jai.
"What happened Jai, is Kabir…….."
"He's fine" blurted Jai, he didn't want to show her how helpless he was.
"Good" replied Bani.
"How about asking about me?" said Jai.
"You seem ok, your usual self, nothing's changed" teased Bani.
"So, tell me, what's happening, how is the father son bonding coming along" asked Bani.
A big sighhhhhhhhh. "He wants to watch Noddy when Bob the builder is going on …….. yesterday he was fine with Bob, but today he wants Noddy. The kid has too many wants Bani. How the hell do I manufacture the program for him at this hour. He just won't listen" complained Jai.
Bani laughs. "He has got his own DVD's Jai……..Bob, Noddy, Barney, Sesame Street, Blues Clues, you don't have to manufacture anything, just take the disc out of the box, switch on your DVD player, place the disc in there and that's it……….easy peezy…." explained Bani
"He does……..where, why didn't you tell me…" asked Jai.
"I did Jai, maybe you weren't listening. You haven't unpacked have you? It is in the bag near the dresser…….all his essentials are in it. Is everything alright……." asked Bani, she did not have a good feeling about all this.
Jai hits himself on the head. "Yeah things are okay……..we have just been too busy, I will unpack that bag right away. Can you hold a minute, while I put on his program, he is a bit cranky."
"Sure" replied Bani.
Jai goes to Kabir's room, opens the bag, takes out his DVDs, puts Noddy on. Kabir starts clapping "Noddy………Noddy………" he says. Jai picks his up bottle and gives it to him, he starts sucking slowly, while watching. Eyes are droopy, but the brat won't give in.
Back on the phone. "Thanks, he is fine now."
"Told you, it was easy, he just likes watching a different DVD everyday, it is a kind of routine, before he goes to sleep" explained Bani.
"Why didn't you call?" asked Jai suddenly.
"Sorry"
"I asked why didn't you call before, don't you want to find out how Kabir is doing?" said Jai.
"I did, and you know that. It's just that I did not want to make things difficult for you, if he sees me, he will stick to me, so………….anyway you didn't call too, so I figured things were okay" replied Bani.
"I was expecting you to come over" whispered Jai.
Silence.
"I can't, am in San Diego on a training program" said Bani.
"What?"
"Yes, I needed to get away, and the program will really help me, so I……"
"You just had to leave didn't you……." said Jai.
Silence.
"Jaiii…..it's not easy for me, don't you understand."
"Good night Bani"
Click. End of conversation.
Few minutes later Jai receives a SMS message "Sorry. I'll be back on Monday morning. Hugs to Kabir and you. Sweet dreams." Bani
Jai reads it and smiles. Sweet dreams, sure, I need to sleep first so that I can dream, he said to himself.
He walks towards Kabir, lifts him up. He starts wiggling and kicking again. "No…..man, no….."
"Ok slugger, Mama sends you a hug, let's get you clean and changed now" says Jai.
"Mama..." repeats Kabir on hearing Jai mention Bani. He stops his fussing and keeps looking at Jai with a confused expression on his face.
"Yes….Mama, she asked me to hug you" said Jai and pats Kabir lovingly on the back. They walk towards the bathroom to get ready for another torturous night.
Sunday – Day 3
Does Jai even need to tell you…………….you all know the 'exciting' routine by now.
Jai takes Kabir to McDreamy's clinic. He was just worried about Kabir's constant crying, not eating etc. etc. Derek conducts a routine check up and assures Jai that it is normal, Kabir will take time to get used to this new life of his. There is nothing much that could be done about his eating and crying, Jai had tried almost everything. "Just hang in there buddy" was Derek's parting remark.
Towards early evening, Bani's cell phone rings once again. She is in the midst of a presentation, seeing the name that is flashing on the screen, she smiles and walks out to answer the call.
"Hi handsome" she greets Jai.
"Hello Ms. Dixit…..how are you today…….did you sleep well…….are you enjoying yourself…..there, were the pleasantries good enough for you" asked Jai very politely.
Bani just starts giggling. "Excuse me, do I know you, your voice sounds very very familiar, but this definitely can't be you. Who are you, and what have you done to my grouchy old man."
"Very funny" remarks Jai.
"Then laugh Jai, it does wonders to that…that….that….face of yours" said Bani.
"That…that……..what" teased Jai.
"Nothing" replied Bani.
"Chicken………" retorted Jai.
"How's Kabir……….and you also" asked Bani.
"Oh so you do remember me, nice to know that……..we are fine" said Jai.
"Whatever………..I got to go back now, was there something you needed" asked Bani.
"Oh yeah………..now what the hell is oooooosssss" snapped Jai.
"What?" asked Bani, completely confused.
"Ooosssss, that kid has been saying oooos oosssssss and pointing towards the kitchen, what is he talking about" asked Jai, extremely frustrated with the lack of understanding his own son.
Bani starts laughing. "Oh that, oosssss, means juice Jai, Kabir is asking for some juice. He likes drinking apple juice at times, gets bored of milk."
"Why can't he just say juice then, what does oooooossssss mean, it is not even close" complained Jai.
"Jaiiiiiiiii, he has just started forming words, sometimes they can't pronounce certain alphabets, give him time, he is only one. How did you become the principal of a school with such an attitude" asked Bani.
"Well I handle high school kids, they know how to talk, if they want juice, they say juice…………not oooooossss" snapped Jai.
"How did you bring your brothers up? I pity them you know" teased Bani.
"Am just out of practice okay, and anyway they were not as difficult as this kid………..he is a terror" said Jai.
"Like father, like son" remarked Bani. "Anyway, make sure you dilute the juice a bit before you give it to him, or else he tends to get constipated."
"Oh okay, I can handle that, but he better learn to form his words fast, at this rate I will start talking like him" said Jai.
"Gosh Jai, you are such a grouch……….Give the juice to him in a glass, not his bottle, you are trying to wean him off the bottle, so he needs to get used to holding and drinking from a glass" instructed Bani.
"I am….." questioned Jai.
"What am I going to do with you……………yes you are Jai, you don't want him to be drinking from a bottle for the rest of his childhood, do you?" sighed Bani.
"In case you have unpacked, you will notice, he has two glasses, Bob the Builder is his water glass, and Barney is his juice glass" explained Bani.
"What difference does it make, a glass is a glass" asked Jai.
"Jaiiiiiii……."
"Whattttttt………"
"He is just a kid dammit, it makes him feel good" said Bani.
"Well I was a kid too. I don't remember having different glasses………you have just pampered him a bit too much Bani" argued Jai.
"Too bad you did not have a mother like me" blurted Bani.
Silence.
"Jai……Jai, are you there, what happened?"
"Nothing, was just thinking about what you said. Well you know, it is not too late to start pampering me. I can be a good baby too……Mamaaaa" said Jai and then he started laughing.
"Firstly you don't want meeeeeee as your mother, the perks involved are different, not what you are interested in. Secondly you are definitely not a baby, you are a bully and don't deserve pampering, you should be whacked" said Bani.
"Mmmmmmmm, that sounds like fun………..depends where" teased Jai.
"Jai, you are just impossible……….I give up" sighed Bani.
"Good. Then say ………." replied Jai.
"No………….." Bani answered without giving him a chance to complete.
"No what……..you didn't let me finish" said Jai.
"I know what you are going to say, and my answer is still no" replied Bani.
"Baniiiiiiiii…….."
"Which part of 'No' don't you understand Jai."
"Not fair Bani……..and what is it with this word 'No' and you two, all I hear Kabir say is No No………."
Bani giggles. "Everything is fair in love and war. And right now we are at war."
"Not funny at all, you can be as stubborn as an oaf at times Bani………"
"Look who's talking……..don't you like a taste of your own medicine" asked Bani.
"Okay, okay then why don't you change me…………"
"I like you just the way you are, without that arrogant and grouchy side to you, you would be too boring for…….."
"For…….." stressed Jai.
"For any woman. Now go and give Kabir his juice" said Bani.
"Yeah yeah, but I'll get you for this, just remember, I will make you pay" warned Jai.
"Sure daddy, anytime, I'll be right here waiting for you" teased Bani.
"You are liking this plight of mine aren't you, I can picture you smiling" whined Jai.
'No, how could you think that way……" replied Bani seriously.
"You don't, thank god you understand……"
"Ah ah........you didn't let me finish daddy………..I am loving it, thoroughly enjoying it in fact………" said Bani, and she starts laughing
"Baniiiiiiiii"
"Byeeeeeeeee I'll be back tomorrow morning. Gotta go now."
Click, end of conversation.
"Okay kiddo, juice, no sorry, ooooossssss time. Let's get you some apple oooosss now, in the Barney glass" said Jai as he lifted Kabir, perched him on his shoulders and walked towards the kitchen.
Kabir giggles and then starts bouncing on Jai's shoulders. "Barney…..ooos……appy ooosssssss."
"Yes appy oooosssssss" confirms Jai, as he makes Kabir sit on the counter and gets his Barney glass and pours some juice and water into it and gives it to him.
"You better learn how to say juice from now on......no ooooossss" said Jai.
Kabir just keeps smiling, while enjoying his juice.
"Go on, laugh at your old man, both Mother and son seem to be enjoying that of late."
Then taking a stool and sitting down in front of Kabir, sipping his own glass of juice Jai says "You know buddy, this is just between you and me, man to man."
Kabir repeats "Man………" and points at Jai.
"Yes man………like I was saying, these chat sessions that you have with your Mama, where she understands what you are saying and you seem to understand everything she is saying, why don't you take up your man's cause with her ah. I mean it is more for you than me after all. You want your Mama don't you?" asked Jai.
Kabir repeats "Mama……..Mama."
"Yes exactly…………….Mama, so why don't you tell your Mama to say yes to your Daddy…………Mama and Man."
Kabir blurts out "No."
"What No….." asks Jai. "You see if Mama and Man get together…….."
"No……….." insists Kabir.
"Are you my son or my enemy?"
Edited by sabsj - 18 years ago
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