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ICE CREAM
Kunj sat at his desk, struggling to keep his attention focused on his work. Of course, that was an Olympian task, because his mind kept drifting away to the woman who was playing tag with his nephew in the garden downstairs. And because his desk was at his window to make the most of the natural light, he found himself doing less work and more watching.
She was beautiful, he thought, so carefree in the way she ran uninhibitedly, not the least bit bothered about what anyone would think about a twenty-one-year-old running around with a five-year-old.
As he watched, she caught Ishaan, grabbing him by his waist. The two of them collapsed into one giggling heap. They untangled themselves and lay down on the grass, with Ishaan to her right.
All of a sudden Kunj stood up. He wasn't getting any work done. He sighed. Maybe coffee would help. Coffee, and closing the blinds, he thought wryly, leaving the room.
He made his way to the kitchen, whistling a song that had somehow gotten stuck in his head.
He stopped in the kitchen, frowning as he realized he had no idea where the coffee was. Sighing, he proceeded to rummage around in the cupboards, looking for a mug, the coffee powder and the sugar. He figured the milk had to be in the refrigerator.
Kunj slowly became absorbed in his task, blocking out everything else around him. That was why a sudden crash made him jump out of his skin. He whirled around, grabbing the nearest thing he could use as a weapon: the rolling pin.
He was surprised to find her standing just behind a bunch of overturned pots, her brown eyes wide, and hands up in the air. She looked from the pots to him, and her eyes grew wider (which he hadn't thought possible). She took a step back, smiling nervously.
"Please don't hurt me," she stammered.
Kunj frowned, confused. "Kya?"
She gestured to the rolling pin. "Please don't hurt me," she repeated, her voice smaller and more nervous.
Kunj smiled sheepishly, putting the rolling pin down. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, looking around, at anywhere but her. He knew if he looked at her, he'd probably lose his tongue. He'd melt if he looked at her brown eyes, or at the way her hair fell over one shoulder, or at the way her black and pink salwar-suit showed off her curves. He figured it was safer to look at the floor.
They stood in silence, neither of them knowing quite what to do.
Then she bent down to pick up the pots.
"I'm sorry," she said, finally breaking the silence. "I didn't mean to scare you. Woh Ishaan ko pyaas lagi thi, toh mai usske liye ek drink lene aa rahi thi. I...I didn't know you'd be here."
Kunj glanced up at her. Her left profile was to him as she fiddled with the pots, meticulously making sure they stayed straight and didn't topple over to the sides. She tucked her hair behind her ear, glancing sideways at him. She blushed, looking away again.
"It's okay," Kunj told her.
They stood in more silence.
"Tum Ishaan ki babysitter ho, na?" Kunj asked for conversation's sakes, even though he knew the answer.
"Ji, haa," she replied quickly.
"I'm Kunj," he offered, waiting for her reaction. "I'm his chaachu."
She smiled, a dimple in her left cheek. "I know. I've heard a lot about you."
Kunj felt his ears heat up. If his nephew had said anything bad about him, he would face an unexpected attack from the Tickle Monster.
"Ishaan kehta hai tum Monopoly mei cheating karte ho." She turned her smile at him.
Kunj wished the floor would open up and swallow him. "Woh...baat kya hai na...mai...um..."
She bit her lip, holding back a laugh. "I'm not judging you," she informed him, amused at his flustered reaction.
He looked up at her, then broke into a sheepish grin. "Thanks."
There was more silence.
"Nikki Bhabhi ne tumhara naam nahi bataya," he said, subtly trying to get her to tell him her name.
As she opened her mouth, the kitchen door opened, and Ishaan ran in.
"Twinkle Didi! Twinkle Didi! Mujhe ice cream khana hai!" Ishaan screamed, wrapping himself around her legs, effectively restricting any movement she'd intended to make.
Twinkle, he thought, smiling triumphantly.
"Arrey, lekin Mamma ne kaha ki tum ice cream sirf dinner ke baad kha sakte ho!" Twinkle told them, desperately trying to unwrap the child. She looked helplessly at Kunj, silently begging him to help her.
He grinned, an idea popping into his head. "Tumhe ice cream khana hai na?"
Ishaan nodded eagerly, refusing to detach himself from Twinkle.
"Toh chalo, hum bahaar jaake khoob sari ice cream khate hain! Lekin Bhabhi ko nahi batana, theek hai?"
Cheering, Ishaan finally let go of Twinkle (who immediately gripped the kitchen counter to steady herself) and ran out the door, heading straight for Kunj's white Mercedes.
Twinkle stared at Kunj. "Lekin Nikki Bhabhi ne kahaa..."
Kunj interrupted her, moving to her and wrapping his arm around her as he led her outside. "Bhabhi ko kaun batayega? Tum bataaogi? Nahi, na? Toh kuch nahin hoga!" he promised her.
Twinkle looked up at him, then rolled her eyes. She knew she'd lost the battle, but she didn't mind. "Toh at least mujhe apna purse laane do!"
Kunj smiled in satisfaction as Twinkle hurried to get her things. He had never loved Ishaan more than he did at that very moment.
Anupamaa
