Chapter 3: Fresh
Wounds
Kritika
was eagerly waiting near the main entrance of her pre-school and as soon as she
saw a faint figure walking down the street towards her school, she instantly
ran to the huge glass window to get a better view of her mother. Geet rushed
through the main entrance and knelt as Kritika came dashing to her and gave her
a huge kiss on her cheeks. Geet was pleased to respond back and kissed her
little angel all over her face.
After the initial hugging and
kissing Geet tucked Kritika's hair back and lifted Kritika and asked, "So, how
was your day Kriti kannamma (darling)?"
"You know Amma today was one of the
best days," Kritika squeaked excitedly, "We celebrated Chandu's birthday today
in our class and each of us made a birthday card for him."
"Appadiya (oh really)?" Geet said while
she walked down the block heading towards their apartment and listened to her
angel describe what all she did in pre-school and how she enjoyed celebrating
her friend's birthday. "I hope you stayed out of trouble today?" she asked
knowing it would be impossible for Kriti to stay out of one. Keeping Kritika out
of trouble meant keeping the wind from blowing; the wind cannot stop blowing
and so cannot Kritika keep away from trouble. She was always up to some
mischief! Whether it be as little as mixing up the labels of sugar and salt or
as big as setting the neighbor's dog free, she was always up to something. Although
Geet constantly scolded her lightly for her mischief, she secretly admired and
loved her little nakhras. Those were the little things that always kept her day
going. Although she would scold her when she found out what she was up to, the
next instant she would feel guilty looking at those large brown eyes and run to
cajole her. Geet knew she was spoiling her but Kriti would learn eventually to
behave but now it was her time to enjoy. They reached their apartment and Geet
carefully let Kritika down so that she could take out the apartment keys from
her bag and open the door.
Kritika, as she entered the living
room, heard her mother question her about her behavior in school and instantly
switched to the sweet talking mode. That was her secret weapon to convince her
mother of her innocence in her act. "Illa (no) ma," she said widening her eyes,
"I was at my best behavior today" she said trying hard to suppress a giggle
while her eyes clearly spoke that she certainly got into trouble even today. Dropping
off her bad on the table Geet walked towards the couch where Kritika was
sitting and started removing her shoes.
"Oi kutty ponne (little girl) do
not try that trick with me," Geet said tickling Kritika a little, "I certainly
know you were up to something, so uzhunga chollu (tell me properly) before I
find out myself" she finished, laughing out at the way Kritika was enjoying
being tickled.
"Amma please stop! Don't kichu
kichu mootify me (don't tickle me) please!" Kritika half laughed and half screamed
as she tried to wiggle out of Geet's embrace. "Really I didn't do anything, I
was really a good girl today," she argued while trying to stop Geet from
tickling her further.
"Cheri (ok) it better be true but if
I come to know otherwise, you will be in trouble young lady" Geet said as she
slightly flicked her finger on Kritika's nose. Happy that she was finally
relieved of the tickling, Kritika dashed to the bedroom to play with her toys
as she heard Geet screaming, "Go wash your hands kannama I am going to make
your favorite murugal nei dosai (crispy ghee dosa) for dinner!" Geet sighed and
thought what would she do without her Kriti and walked towards the bathroom to
change her clothes and freshen up and prepare dinner for the two of them.
In half hour she prepared Kritika's
favorite dosas and fed her while she played with her new puzzle that Geet had
brought her few weeks ago. Having fed Kritika, Geet went and had a few bites
herself before cleaning the kitchen and putting the dishes in the dishwasher.
She walked out of the kitchen and switched on the TV and called out to Kritika
to watch their favorite show, Airtel Junior Super Singer on StarVijay. Both
mother and daughter cuddled comfortably on the couch and Geet tried to reach
for the remote that was near her bag to increase the volume a little. Reaching
for the remote she slightly knocked off her bag on the table and the booklet
fell. She instantly got up to put the bag back in place when her eyes fell on
the booklet. Even before she could bend to pick it up the phone rang. She
quickly shoved back the booklet and rushed to attend the phone.
She wondered who would call and
looked at the caller ID and a wide grin crept on her face. She switched on the
phone and said, "Hello pappa! Kaise ho aap?" She was greeted with a gruff yet
friendly voice from the other side.
"Haan Geet bas abhi abhi tumahri
maa ki khane se bhaag kar aaya hoon" Arvind sighed a sigh of relief. "Healthy
khaaneke naam par she makes me eat anything and everything," he teased. "Thank
god main bhaag kar aaya varna I don't know what my current condition would be"
he said with a phew.
"Pappa aap bhi na, can you not for
once stop teasing Amma's food?" Geet said shaking her head. "You know she only
does for your own good. Ek to aap don't take of yourself properly on top of
that you tease Amma for taking care of you? Nah nah," Geet said clucking her
tongue.
"Kya karoon Geet, without teasing
her I cannot sleep peacefully" he said. "Woh kya hain na, hamaari dharam patni
ke gusse se uskeliye pyaar aur bad jaati hai" he whispered, "magar ukso mat
kehna or else everyday she will run behind scolding me at every chance she,"
before he got a chance to finish his sentence Geet heard a slight Ah from the
other end. She knew her mom would have slightly hit her dad for teasing so much
and there was slight shuffle while Geet heard another familiar voice.
"Hai Geetu eppadi di irukke? (How
are you)" Anu asked lovingly, "Nowadays phone ellam pannarathe illa, (you don't
call at all) ennadi engala ellam maranthutiya (did you forget us?)"
"Illa Amma, nothing like that,"
Geet said sincerely, "Just busy with work and Kritika. Everyday her chettai
(mischief) half the time I am running behind her."
"Is my little chellam there? Give
her the phone," Anu pleaded to talk to her favorite grand daughter.
Keeping the phone a little away
from her, Geet called Kritika, who was intently watching the program on the TV.
Hearing no reply from Kritika, Geet walked to couch and stood between the TV
and Kritika. Annoyed by the disturbance, Kritika looked up to see her mom
cocking her eyebrows.
"Amma please move this is my
favorite song" Kritika said as she tried pushing away her mom.
"Kriti its paati (grandmother) she
wants to talk to you" Geet said as she handed over the phone. Kritika beamed
and instantly took to phone to talk to her. Geet watched Kritika animatedly
explain her daily activities to Anu in her half-baked Tamil and Hindi. Kritika
was improving with her Tamil but Hindi needed a little more practice. Geet had
insisted she learn to speak in both languages, as it was important for her to
learn additional languages other than English. English would come easily to her
as would constantly interact with teachers and friends in school but it was
important for Geet to teach her other languages. Kritika finally handed the
phone back to Geet after successfully explaining what all she did in the past
few weeks where all she visited. Geet took the phone while she saw Kritika walk
back to the couch to finish watching the program and said, "sollu ma (tell me
ma)" while trying hard to suppress the day's happenings.
"Geetu, is there something wrong? Your
voice doesn't sound as usual" Anu said a bit worried.
"No Amma I am absolutely fine," Geet
said faking a smile and cheerful tone.
"Geetu, I am your mom so stop lying
to me and tell me what's the matter," Anu ordered.
Geet couldn't hold back
anymore. She slowly went to the bedroom and closed the door lightly so that Kritika
wouldn't see her break down. Gathering enough courage and inhaling a sharp
breath declared, "Maan is coming here."
Phew at last done with this chapter! I am sorry to have bored you with tiny details of Kritika and Geet's interaction but I think its important for the reader to get to know their daily life and the kind of love and bond they share. I promise Maaneet meeting in the next chapter. 😉
And please hit the like button and if possible do comment! Thanks again for all your encouragement.... 😊
Edited by Maaneet_09 - 13 years ago
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