Scoops of ice cream
Daughter and son in law were nowhere in sight, he called her on the phone..
he had turned East out of the suite he should have, West they were standing by the elevator until he turned and got in and were gone
His shoulders slumped he walked back into Vandu's suite, Ranjan was talking with his wife, Appa was not in the mood he went back to the
elevator and took it down, hoping to catch the Ferrari as it roared off the parking lot. But missed it again
He knew Ranjan would wait until he went up so he went up to receive his goodbyes, he tried called II
Ranjan was warm and friendly offering all his resources and help, Appa was beginning to feel envy yet again,
his pregnant daughter lay bed ridden he couldnt argue with his son in law over letting her go on loss of pay, when his daughter boldly asked Bala he told her off and hurt her deeply
He wondered if Sam had been in this situation how Ranjan would have been
He didnt have to wonder, Ranjan offered the exact choices for Vandita as well, with no distinction or discrimination, there was an earnestness in his offer that was unmistakable
He did not insult or humiliate Bala, yet he managed to convey how deeply he cared for Vandita
"she brought Ishita to my house. I have to take care of her" he choked up slightly, clearing his throat immediately
Amma was already hurt by Appa's actions watching Ranjan cry gave her license to let her tears flow, Appa secretly tried II again
"They care deeply for each other Mr Bhalla, Ishita is more than a sibling to her Vandita is more than a Akka to her, like a mother daughter" Mrs Iyer choked up
"I see that Ishita is playful and caring Vandita is stern and caring" Ranjan agreed
"She is taking a few weeks off correct?" he enquired
Amma squirmed "yes Bala will talk to her HOD"
"These days youngsters dont listen, I bet you and Bala suggested she quit her job and I bet she didnt agree" Ranjan explained comfortingly
Amma nodded speechlessly
"Mr Iyer, let me know if I should advise Vandita I will be happy to do that. My daughter in law is banking on building an army of kids there will be four only after the August birth" Ranjan laughed
"Yes yes Ishita should have children, R&B must consider it" Appa returned to his favorite punching bag
"I agree Mr Iyer" Ranjan nodded kindly
"If he is jet setting from city to city how can he?" Appa asked
Ranjan nodded quietly
Amma gripped Appa's hand not so gently "Ishita is very caring" Appa grumbled as if telling himslef
"She always checks on me, makes sure I eat or gets something made so I can, she checks with the laundry guy, the iron guy all for me" Ranjan said in awe
"Thats nice because at D II she wouldnt even put her ironed clothes in the Godrej" Amma teased
"She is a very busy career girl" Appa scolded sternly
"She takes care of my son like anything... she will take tea upstairs every weekend, he will usually drink b(eer?)" Ranjan checked himself quickly
"He drinks tea now" he mumbled
"He gives her a good fight they argue a lot," Ranjan reminisced
"Yes yes my daughter is very bold" Appa said threteningly
"He knows that Mr Iyer he just teases her now and then and watches her, u know youngsters" Ranjan smiled happily
"She looks very happy" Amma acknowledged softly
"I think so too" Ranjan nodded, letting out a long deep breath
"Achha jee ab main chalta hoon, please tell Bala" Appa nodded "Tan texted he is on his way with dinner for all" "Aaj Lasya pareshan kar rahi hai so Sam cant come she apologizes"
"No no hospital is not good for babies" Amma agreed
~~~~~~~~
"I want ice cream" she said looking out the window at the Kwality Walls guy at the Malai Mandir gates "can u please stop?" she asked politely
He noticed there was no "HEY STOP DA... QUICK I WANT ICE CREAM... AYYYO U WENT TOO FAR AHEAD" she will squeal if she were her usual self
He U turned into Malai Mandir and stopped... her phone was in the cup holder multiple calls were ignored... from Appa
Her stuff was in the trunk, she waited by the trunk to get her purse out, he gave her a "look" like "u are already upset about something you want to fight with me to top it off?"
She bought 4 kinds, he had 6 in all, he asked the guy to place the other two kind as well "I dont like mint choc chip" she shook her head
He nodded, and refused that one
Handed her the bag tucking the wallet in his cargos
A dozen street urchins surrounded the Ferrari, outside the temple gates, being evening darshan time...
He unlocked it from a distance they watched in awe as they opened it and the headlights turned on, without igniting.. he handed her some coin change, and sat down
gassed it and pulled away...
Dinner was ready, Minion waited for them... she gave him the ice cream to put away, "Dad aa gaye kya?"
He shook his head
"Aapne kya banaya?" she asked
"Bhindi, tinda aur chaney ki dal... aur dono Sir ke liye fish"
If it was fish she ate by herself... it was good that it was tonite...
She went up, showered and changed, and picked up the 10s of books he somehow left on the swing everyday
he was in the balcony with a Sam Adams talking with Mihir about Sat poker
It was supposed to be at Bala's but since Vandu is in the hospital it wouldnt be, Tan's parents were arriving Friday night
"We could do it here" he offered
They finished up talking...
"I could go be with Akka " (Sat night if u want to play poker)
He tucked his hands in his pockets turned and leaned crossing his feet
"this house is not big enough for 6 guys?" he wanted to ask
"Its fish, so I will bring mine up" she muttered
He stepped forward, and joined her as she turned away by the curtains, she shut the twin doors, he always left the air conditioning on and leaft the doors
open she was bound by the middle class habit of shutting all doors promptly to save energy costs
However upset she was, she had to do that...
"Do u have to shower?" she asked
"I could do it later" he said
They walked down, Ranjan was in the kitchen's dining area,Minion served him
"He was JUST going to hit the intercom you guys showed" he smiled
II nodded weakly
"Dad I will take mine upstairs" she said
"Fish hai kya?" he asked MInion
"Jee sir" he nodded
"Beta... this is not right... jab yeh ghar par khaaye to fish na banaye" he ordered
"that would be silly" II argued
II served herself from the kitchen, and turned to walk away
R&B picked his plate up "Ill go eat with her" he said to his Dad
Ranjan smiled joyously any word, every word that came out of that mouth was precious to him
Minion:aap bahar (formal dining) kha lo ya oopar main roti laata hoon
II:Arey nahi... hai mere paas do
He followed her, she walked to the swing oustide and sat down
"Ek beer laayenge please?" he asked
Minion scampered "Maam?"
"Mujhe kuch nahi bhaiya" she smiled
"Would you be mad if I spoke out of turn to someone?" she asked softly... her eyes glistening with tears
"Most certainly" he teased
She giggled sniffling
"II" he gently cajoled her to open up
She ate quietly and didnt
"I only planted SOME, I hope the others are living" she chuckled thinking of her plants
"What did u say?" he went back to the topic
"Umm.. to Athim" she said
Minion brought back rotis subzi and beer
"Main le loongi" she smiled kindly to him
"Arey nahi Maam sir daat rahe hain" he said smugly
"Sir akele kha rahe hain" she pointed out
"U shud go" she told her husband
He didnt
"Akka has to go back to work Monday" II said softly after Minion left
"I heard" he nodded
"You think she should?" she asked looking at him with accusing eyes
"No" he said coolly and calmly
She let out a long... audible breath... relieved? She wasnt fighting for a wrong cause
They finished up and sat down to eat ice cream together
Ranjan told her about how she didnt put away press waala clothes
She was shocked, but smiled later
"I like to wear them ironed I hate putting them away" she giggled
"Yaha hai na puttar tell them"
"Oh no... I mostly do it by myself at D II Amma was just making a story" II lied
II never did anything much at D II she did a lot here... forcing herself to not get used to certain luxuries
Her husband noticed that... and he knew
"U dont have to lift a finger puttarji" Ranjan offered
"I know that Dad" she began to cry
"AREYYY!! Kya hua?"
"I am just overwhelmed I guess I am sorry"
"I told Amma and Appa we will help Vandita EVERY way beta" Ranjan got up and hugged her
She leaned on his shoulder and shed a few
"Maine unko kaha tumhari army mein kewal chaar hain abhi, u need 8 or 10, 4 is not an army" Ranjan chuckled
"I agree" II giggled
"This means YOu need to contribute to that number too" Ranjan reminded
"Umm.." she stumbled
"Bilkul aapki tarah, sundar... aur bold... aur sabse pyaar karne waali" Ranjan soothed her, patting her head
"Aur ladne waali" she offered
"Beshaq betaji... ghar par shor hona chahiye...3 betiyan to mere liye, isko jitni chahiye woh alag" Ranjan pointed out to his son
II laughed heartily at her father in law's demand, like it were scoops of ice cream
He made her sit by him and finish up her scoops...
"U shud not cry" he choked up
"I dont... I make him cry" she sniffled chuckling
Ranjan looked at his son "yeh baat hai kya?" he asked gently
R&B smiled a half smile
Ranjan's phone rang
She got up and waved
R&B followed... went to take a shower, returned, she washed up for the night...
stood in the balcony starting out at the ridge, as if it was a conclusion to her muddled thoughts
and self recriminations and justifications
she turned and quickly hugged him, he held her tight... rocking gently... "I just want to be with you"...
"here I mean" she said quickly correcting herself
"Sounds like a plan" he said
"
Rules & Announcements
Cricket
