10 Lifetimes
His parents arrived a day and a half after Apoorva and Mihir did, his mother was anxious and happy all at the same time. Apoorva did not enjoy the extra attention. Aatreya had picked up Jaidrith the night before so everyone just fawned over him, wanted selfies with him. He texted Mrunalini in broken Marathi
“They think I am a celebrity”
“They don’t think”
He laughed
“No I mean they BELIEVE you are one” she sent a smiley
“Will you come get me tonight?”
The Sahasre boys had thrown him a bone, they wanted to go fly kites with their Dad and wanted him to go too. Mrunalini would go with them. She didn’t send him out with anyone usually
“Umm.. let me talk to Kirti aunty”
“But they said I could go”
“Your Dad said you should be there for two days”
“Noooo I want to come home tonight” his eyes filled up with tears
Apoorva leaned over and red his text and pulled away when he realized it was his mother
Pramila was curious she leaned over, and looked at Apoorva
‘Who is he talking to?” she whispered over the boy’s head
“His mother” Apoorva smiled
“Is she making him cry?” Pramila was not happy
“Please Amma she is his Mum”
“He has come here for a auspicious occasion” Pramila pointed out sulking
“She doesn’t know that” Apoorva lied
“Cmon now, your brother tells her everything”
“He wants to marry her”
“That’s what he says” she shrugged lowering her voice
Her husband read the newspaper across the living room
“He is going to do it”
“What language are you speaking in?” Dhru looked at Apoorva
“Kannada” she chuckled and then proceeded to to teach him
“He needs to learn I will speak with Aatreya
“CHILL Amma…” Apoorva was upset
“Going against your Pa’s wishes is his life’s hobby, don’t make it yours”
“What did “I” say”
“U are laughing when I said he needs to learn Kannada” “Do u know he is unable to learn”
“He speaks Marathi he is literally chatting with his mother in that language”
“Did you just say Marathi?” Dhru giggled looking at Apoorva and got up and walked over to the room he was going to share with his Dad since Apoorva Athya was going to be in his room
“I am having people over tomorrow, your cousins second cousins your father’s uncle and his whole family”
“Did u invite Mrunalini?
“No I did not” Pramila looked at her husband fearfully, his face still hid behind the newspaper
“Then please talk to Atty”
“Aatreya”
“Na Amma I call him Attu or Atty” Apoorva was beyond mad
“Let us all pray tomorrow”
“Amma please invite Mrunalini”
“I will talk to Pramila”
“What is your problem with her? She LITERALLY has birthed this familiy’s grandchild”
“He is a Rao”
“EXACTLY” Apoorva raised her voice
Somesh lowered his paper
“At some point you have to start acknowledging Mrunalini. She is a kind, affectionate, beautiful girl. Your son is crazily in love with her. You should see her place, the way she runs the place as a single parent. She is just… I mean… Atty would have had to wait 10 lifetimes to find a girl like her” Apoorva’s voice cracked as she ranted in Kannada
Somesh was in shock
“Pa, please, she is letting Dhru stay for me, she knows I am having the procedure, she offered to bring snacks that would help”
“We have many traditional Karnataka foods”
“Amma that’s not the point… I mean… I don’t know… you two are so mean”
“Apoorva” Somesh growled
“I am sorry… if Mrunalini will not be here tomorrow…”
“Then what?”
“Umm.. I don’t know I WILL be heartbroken” she whimpered
“You are watching too many movies”
“No Pa… I want her here, I want her in Atty’s life if you don’t allow it you will see Atty unhappy for ever”
She got up went into her room and shut the door
Mihir put his book down panicking and reached to hug her
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