"Advantage in"
(Tennis: When a score is tied at 40-40 you must play a tie breaker to decide who wins. If the person serving wins the first point than it is Advantage in)
Amma Appa arrived at 8, the couple returned from Ma's friend's at 7ish, Ranjan was back too
It was too hot to be in the front patio, he was in the "Monet lounge"
"Did u step out for the first time today?" he asked smiling
"Jee Dad... umm... a friend's Gayatri Aunty's" II said hesitantly
Looking at R&B's face for approval
He nodded
Ranjan sat up energized "gayatri ke ghar?" "is she back?" he was delighted to hear that
R&B nodded, "she texted me yesterday" he said softly
"SHE WAS YOUR MA'S BEST FRIEND BETAJI" he said very proudly as if Savvy was the US President
II smiled sitting down softly
"Unka ek group bhi tha tennis ka Spring Cart, something..." he was embarrassed
"String Courtette?" II offered
"Yes yes... u know? He told you? They played every weekend, she would even blow off appointments she had with Samyukta for her game" Ranjan's eyes were teary
"She rarely plays now" R&B supplied
"KAHA USNE?" "Did she say?" Ranjan was over whelmed
II nodded
"What did she say when she looked at you?' Ranjan was curious, he looked at II's face longingly
"She said I have long hair like Ma and the nose ring... and how tall I am" she muttered embarrassed
"I KNEW IT" Ranjan was overjoyed!!
He walked over and patted her head fondly
"I knew it" "Puttar ji" He repeated
"She was in credibly beautiful though" II said sheepishly
"Aap jao aur apni shaqal dekho" he ordered with pride
She smiled "U are too kind"
"Is se to saari ummeed chhod di thi maine" he pointed to R&B he returned with a drink for himself and sat by her before his Dad could claim that spot
"When did u return?" she asked Ranjan
"Abhi 10 min hue, Harish hai oopar" he looked towards the grand staircase
II immediately stiffened, so did R&B...
"Will you be in town the week of May 24th?" he asked R&B
He nodded
"Mostly all day meetings hain, some days we can be done by Noon"
"Mercedes dealership, yeh software ka..ta (tamasha?) he arrested his speech) kissa, Bihar... Jharkhand showrooms... whether u plan to be here or return to Paris. Samar and Trehaan's role definition
I am functioning without an admin and without a Program/Projects person, woh baatein... if we can formalize your role or strip things out" Ranjan spoke for a few minutes
ALL II heard was "Return to Paris"
"I should be in town" R&B said softly
"We should talk work now, but betaji, I am not sure I remember did they hire Baldev's replacement?'
"Umm... no... not yet Dad" she said
"Oh! so who will do bi weekly project meetings now?" "My gold last weekend with Bansal was cancelled, I was hoping kuch maloom chale"
II saw a shrewed, intelligent.. judicious bizman... juggling priorities, delegating tasks setting expectations
Harish walked down
'Main jaaoon?" she whispered to him as Ranjan took a call
"You AND ME" he whispered back
"U stay here da.. I am goingt o get dinner started... and get a few hours of work done" he held her hand tight
"Like u need my help" she mocked giggling
Harish: Hello betaji how are u?
"I am fine chachu" she said
"Bhaisaab keh rahe the aap bimar ho" he said trying to be concerned
"Ek din" "Haan" she nodded "thanks"
"Samar Trehaan's wife dono ke bache sabko flu hai... the house is full of beemar people." he laughed "I was evening thinking Chachi and I should move here" he chuckled
"Aaa jaate aap" II offered
"No no... we are fine... this house is too big... and has too few people, us ghar ka dugna size hai yeh... 3 log ho aap" Harish did math for something that was none of his business
"I tell Bhaisaab u should just move in with us, we could rent this, we could get 7-10 crores a month from a embassy... I mean 24 kamre 3 logon ke liye" he demanded
"Umm... I ... main" II fumbled
R&B just read email on his phone
"Chachi wants us all to be together u know" Chachi declared
"No wonder she hasnt visited once voluntarily in the last 30 years of MY life" R&B thought derisively
"When I told her you were sick she insisted I must bring food today, she is at some charity event with Seema tonight, so she couldnt come"
"How nice, kahan hai yeh event" II asked in awe
"Arey she keeps going almost every week, GK, VV, Gurgaon... Jor Bagh... all over town" Harish said
"I am glad u feel better otherwise I wud have asked for food to be sent" Harish waved a finger
"thank you" she said kindly
"Thank you Why puttar, u are my bahu" he said
"Aur jee baadshaho, kee haal hai" (hey emproror how goes it) he turned to R&B
"Vaddiya" R&B muttered (Great)
"Dad ne baat ki WEEK OF may 24th puttar... rubber meets the road... kya kehte hain bahar log THAT" he chuckled smugly
"I am going" she muttered to R&B
He yanked
"Chupke se Paris nahi chale jaana aap pehle ki tarah" he chuckled mocking
R&B looked at him blankly
"Ur husband is very sneaky, every year the night before or the week before HE WOULD LEAVE. If he is here and involved then only Bhai saab will get support right What will running away do?"
"I telling him puttar ji MUQABLA kariye bhaagiye mat" Chachu's sermons continued
II was afriad her husband was going to punch the man
"Taqleef kisnu nahi ha, rab ka banaya har insaan taqleef mein hai" (who is happy, so many are stressed) Seema ko offers mil rahe hain but hum Dilli baithe hain"
"Bhaisaab wants Samar's help, but he is being pulled by his partner into a new venture" Chachu went on and on...
"Bhaagoge to kabhi masla hal nahi hona hai puttar... saamna karne se masle hal hotey hain... yeh meri aapko seekh hai" (face it then problems will be solved, not by running away, this is my advice)
R&B was back on his phone on his right, holding her hand with his left...
Securely...
"Agar aap jaogey bhi lautkar Paris Daddyji ko SATTLE (finish up) karke jao beshaq, kisne roka aapko...
is garmi mein poltiks mein kaun rahna chahta hai, aap khush kismat ho aapke paas choice hai" he gently began to inject his agenda of having R&B think about selling his shares
Amma Appa were brought it by Hari Prasad...
"
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