Another Parud FF - Clear blue skies I(upto Chapter 50) - Page 63

Sumer and Shatabdi exchanged a look seeing the blank look on Paro's face. Laila led them to the chairs folded out infront of the stall. Rudra wanted to stop his wife but she was giving him the cold shoulder. "Leela, why don't you to a break. I'll attend to Officersa," said Mohan, her husband. Rudra breathed at the small blessing. Paro would relax a little now. He brought them all glasses of icy lassi which was very refreshing in the sweltering heat. They sipped it gratefully. "Shall I bring you Parathas with Sabzi like last time or would you like to try something else," he politely asked looking at Rudra. Paro's eyes flickered to his face before returning to her empty glass. She didn't know how to act around the woman who asked her to step away from Rudra's life. She slowly turned about to see if Laila was still around. She spotted her at the cash counter looking their way. "Mohan runs a dhabha in Jetpur with his wife, Leela. I had lunch there once during border duty," he explained. Mohan added that they offered to deliver food to his post the next time. But he never sent word. "I haven't pbeen back to the Jetpur post in awhile, Mohan. And now that I have a sweet wife who packs my meals, I'm afraid I won't have the opportunity," he said holding Paro's hand. Mohan understood. He was thoroughly fascinated with his new wife too. "Maybe sometimes you can bring memsaab there," he said retrieving their glasses. She smiled at him, "I'd like that." He smiled back and said that if she liked their food. She could convince him to let us do our bit. "Your bit?" Sumer asked puzzled. "The villagers near the border were always high risk areas. Kidnapping, dacoitry were all so common as the perpetrators just slip across to the other side. But since Officersa has been transferred here. The border patrol is more vigilant and crimes have come down," he replied. Rudra blushed. He wasn't used to honest praise for the work he did. Especially when his methods caused his seniors a lot of frustration. Mohan realised that he was feeling awkward and went to get their meal.

The service was quick and soon their table was filled with every kind of paratha along with delicious vegetables. As Sumer wolfed down his meal, he noticed everyone else in a very pensive mood. He nudged Shatabdi, "It's good isn't it?" She wondered why he was suddenly asking when she saw her friends eat with a long face. "It's good. But would have been better with the pickles Paro's jeeja makes," she said. Paro gave her a small smile. "Bhabhisa is the best. Wah! Her cooking is something else. Everyone at home is a big fan of her cooking," Sumer prompted. He realised that Paro's mood took a nose dive because of Leela, whom he knew as Laila. She was the one danced at Rudra's sangeet before fainting in his arms. He had then taken her to his room. By the looks of it, Paro knew about a past indiscretion and was upset about it. This was the point where Rudra should have spoken about his wife's cooking. Paro would then smile and they would make up. He knew this well watching his father for years. Whenever he does something to annoy his mother, he would make her realise that no one compared to her, her talents and her accomplishments. This method worked for Samrat bhaisa too. Why was Rudra blind to the golden opportunity he just provided?

Shatabdi knew Sumer efforts were fruitless. They make have worked better on other wives. But Rudra doesn't see Paro as his wife. She was his whole world. The only thing that mattered to him apart from his work. That gave her another idea to break the silence. "Rudra, Paro and I were talking about the Birpur brides," she said. Rudra shot a glare at her, he wasn't supposed to discuss it with Paro yet. Both the general and his wife felt that the girls should be allowed to settle down before meeting their niece. He didn't agree as Paro's account would inspire them to forget everything and make a fresh start. They felt that since Paro was rescued, Fate had been kinder to her and might resent her for it. Rudra hated to admit that it was possible. So the decision was to let Paro interact with them once their psychological state was accessed. "I know I'm not supposed to interact with them yet and that you had promised to keep things quiet. But I needed to know if they are alright. So I asked Shatabdi," his wife confessed. "They are relieved to be back and eager for to go home," he said. She thanked Bholenath and turned to him. "Thank you for bringing them back. They must be anxious to go home. Let them settle down like Maasiji says. I can meet them afterwards," she said with hope in her eyes. But those girls could never go home. He wasn't ready to share that yet. Maybe he should let her aunt break it to her at the right time. He had fulfilled his part. Now they were the NGOs responsiblity. He passed a bowl, "Try this Bhindi ki sabzi. It's very good," he suggested as passed it.

Laila watched sullenly from the cash counter. She had seen Rudra drive up and followed him for nearly an hour. To her dismay someone was always with him. Either his wife, his friend or his cousin. It was annoying. At one point she was close enough for him to actually notice. But he didn't. It was almost as if she ceased to exist for him. She returned to her husband's stall before he suspected anything. To her luck, Rudra and his group came in for lunch. She hoped she could wait on them and get a quiet minute with her former love. But her husband had to be his usual considerate self and send her on a break. Now she sat scheming how to steal his attention for five minutes from his bride.

Sumer smiled at the satisfied group. He usually got this reaction from his clients who place a few hours of theirs in his hands and enjoy being entertained and taken care of. He knew by the looks on their faces that whatever problem was causing tension was now diffused. He signalled for the bill. Rudra's eyes met Laila's after nearly a year. Her heart still skipped her beat at the penetrating glance. She knew this was her chance. She wrote on the back of the bill and gave it to a server, "Give it to the man with a moustache." Rudra received it, pulled some cash from his wallet and crushed the paper. "Wait, there is something written on the back too," Paro pointed out. He shrugged. He had to be concerned only with the amount to be paid. Whatever else is on the bill wasn't his business. Laila slumped back in her chair. Why was he being so stubborn? If he doesn't agree to meet her alone how would she warn him?

Shatabdi was glad that her friend were in better spirits. It was now time for some fun. "Come Paro, let's go up the Ferris wheel," she suggested pulling her along. Sumer stepped back and Rudra punched his shoulder. He then got the tickets and handed it to her. "But there are only two tickets," Shatabdi exclaimed. "Yes, Paro is scared of heights and I don't want her to wait down alone for the next ride," he said looking at Paro. His wife understood what he was upto. If they could enjoy a nice meal together, a ride would do them good too. And if they are alone, they could get speak more freely. "Yes, besides I just ate," Paro said. Sumer looked at Rudra. Then at Paro. Then again at Rudra. He didn't like the sound of that. He liked spending time with Shatabdi but without a buffer. What of he says something stupid? He really missed his mother.

Shatabdi felt like the first day of kindergarten where Rudra and Paro were acting like her parents. Beta, Mama has to go to the office and Papa has to drive her. Why don't you play with that girl for awhile? She wasn't a child anymore. She wanted companions of her choosing. Sumer was a nice guy. But he was around only because his mother wanted a bahu. Even today, he probably got dragged along because he noticed his cousin tricked him into making sure she is occupied. Rudra would do anything to monopolize Paro's time. But she would be fine on her own. Why did Rudra have get two tickets? It was probably for Sumer and her. But he had been keeping a polite distance from her. Who with she go with now? She couldn't ask him. Even if it was the 21st century, she was a lady. He had to take the first step. She would take care of the rest of their lives.