Part 28
A couple of days later, the entire Bhalla clan, reunited under one roof. Cross-legged, Raman sat next to his mom and brother. It was no happy occasion- his father's fourth death anniversary. Peering into the fire, Raman's thoughts meandered to another havan, around 1520 days, ago (special mention check the previous update!!!)
1520 days ago
MB, I am at the airport! There's no one here, to pick me up.' Raman impatiently hollered in his cell.
I'll be there shortly... another ten minutes or so,' Mihir was only half-listening to his younger sibling. All his thoughts centred on the car he drove, and the wheel he held, so delicately, as if holding a newborn. I have to get this from old man for good. What a beauty,' Mihir whispered.
What is taking you so long!' Raman, hastily, maneuvered his Mulberry luggage pieces away from a man whose mouth full of tobacco bulged to alarming proportions.
Chill little bro! what is the rush? It is not as if you are coming to sin city (Las Vegas). Its just house warming of the farmhouse, dude!' Mihir ridiculed.
Will you just get here quickly?' peeved, Raman ended the call.
Having put in sixteen-eighteen hours of work, every day, for the last three months or so had definitely taken its toll. His mind and body were bushed. Raman's eyes, winced in the sunlight despite the expensive shades he had taken refuge behind. Must be Chandani Chowk material!' he cursed them.
Hi Raman!' Raman turned at the female voice. It was the PYT (pretty young Gauche'"just thing), his neighbor from first grade.
Can I drop you somewhere?' she crooned, coyly fluttering her lashes. She reminded Raman of Betty Boop, but more gauche then classy.
Gauche'"just the word hurtled Raman into memories that had obsessed and driven him for the last couple of months. Affliction for life - he had happily approved and accepted the idea.
Raman, can I drop you?' the DBB (desi betty boop) persisted. Behind her entrenched was the entire family, the mother, father, another younger and older DBB, with all their salacious eyes on him.
They are in this only because of my last name. In their minds, I am already atop the ghodi, Raman smirked at his own crude wit. Thanks but my brother is on his way. He should be here any minute.'
The girl took out a smaller thumb sized cell phone. If cell phones got any smaller, it would be easier locating a needle in a haystack, than locating a cell in a women's purse. Alright! Lets exchange numbers.'
Lowering his voice, Raman honestly replied, Lets not. Sorry, I am taken!' he grinned at his own words. The sense of belonging, surprisingly, did not feel like a painful paddle in the rear. Finally!' he breathed, moving towards the Bentley entering the arrivals.
Dude, you're slow!' Raman shot, briefly hugging Mihir.
Cant believe you are so eager to get home?' Mihir said, as their servant quickly lined up the lagguage in the trunk. Besides the spare tyre, rich people's cars always feature a spare human body.
Raman sank in the confortable leather, only to eagerly sit up. MB let me drive!' he implored.
Forget it! Papaji would have my hide. You know only he and I are allowed to drive this baby.'
The Bentley, one of kind, highly customized and overly loaded was prized possession of their father. Initially only senior Mr Bhalla drove it. However, after much haggling by Mihika, Mihir was finally allowed to drive the worshipped machine.
Its not fair, just because you are married doesn't make you a better driver than me,' Raman whined.
I agree. Take it up with papaji! Why don't you?' Mihir suggested, smugly.
I did! The old man was like, "Raman, bada socho toh bada milega!"' Raman grumbled.
Papaji was right; marriage to Mihika is bada... bada kaam!' Mihir countered.
MB, bhabhi is a sweetheart. So where are you going>' Raman asked, resting his head against the seat.
To the farmhouse. Mom, dad, Mihika, Iyer aunty and uncle, almost the entire city is there.'
Hmm, wake me up when we get there,' Raman murmured, closing his eyes.
After several minutes of silence, Mihir interrupted his slumber. Raman, you've been acting strangely for last few months.'
Why?' Raman asked keeping his eyes closed. What does MB know, he wondered.
You work like a dog and finish the project, impeccably, in impossible time. Reliable sources tell me you are not partying much... there is hardly any mention of you and some woman on page 3, of any city. Now, to top all that you are panting to get back here; a place which in the past you have more than often called boring and dead,' Mihir replied.
MB, you work hard. Only party with bhabhi and few friends, and spend all your days holed up wither at office or at home. Yet you find it strange when I do the same things.'
But that's me! I have always been like that. You, on the other hand have always been a social butterfly of our house and country.'
Then maybe all your prayers have been answered. I have matured, I guess!' Raman knew the reason for the change, but he was not telling... not just yet.
Don't give me that crap. I know you better than that!' Mihir shot back.
Mr Shrink, may I sleep for some time?' Raman smiled, his eyes refused to open.
Is there something going on with you that I should know?' Mihir nagged.
No mother!' Raman moved the spotlight away from him. So how's everyone been?'
Raman dropped the interrogation. Same old! Mom has probably seen few more movies. Papaji has probably bought some more antiques, and Mihika and I probably have had few more arguments... whose left?'
Raman mentally, crossed his fingers. Oh yes, Ishita! Nowadays her and our folks, including Mihika, have taken upon themselves to get Ishu married. You said something?' Mihir broke off.
Nope, go on!' Raman sat up, pulling his shades over his eyes.
Glancing at his watch, Mihir revealed, It's almost twelve, Ishita is probably meeting one of the first boys as we speak.'
After a few minutes, Raman tersely muttered, your speed is insulting to a vehicle of this kind.'
In less than an hour, Raman heckled by his younger sibling pulled into a lavishly decorated driveway of the farmhouse. Must have definitely broken some records today, what do you think?' Mihir asked getting out of the car.
Raman, already half-inside the house, yelled over his shoulder, Wait till I tell the old man how you have abused this baby!'
You scumbag!' Mihir called out.
A hurried, harried, Raman waved through the crowded foyer, living room, dining room. Damn, how many people are here?' he cursed.
Raman, you're back. I would like you"
later dad!' waving, Raman rushed past his father.
Taking a few scant steps, the life threatening faux pass dawned on Raman. No one, except maybe his mother, dared ignore someone who behaves like a godfather and smile like a gabbar singh.
Contrite, Raman stepped in front of the crowned sovereign of their household. Sorry dad! Had to kind of go to...' he lied thorough his teeth.
Okay!' Prakash's face lost its frown. Well, then do go on. It is good to have you back, son. We'll talk work later,' he said.
Quickly, Raman did the customary thing of touching his dad's feet, followed by a brief hug. About to continue he recognized who stood with his father. Hello uncle!' Raman bent and touched Mr Iyer's feet, thinking, baap pat gaaya toh beti kahan jaayegi?
Vishwa, taken aback, mumbled, bless you, Raman!' such traditional gestures were Mihir's forte not Raman's.
Where is mom?' the pea would not be far from the pod.
Probably, outside in the tent, near the tennis court. The havan is about to commence there shortly. Why don't you go and change?' Prakash suggested.
Raman took of in that direction. A well-manicured hand stopped him. My, my, so you are finally back. I was so miserable without you,' a female voice crooned.
I wasn't!' exasperated, Raman brushed the restraining hand away.
Sheela placed it right back. That is no way to talk with someone you were close to.' She leaned closer.
For his past errant behaveiour and abysmal choices, Raman visualized kicking himself in the nether areas, visualized being the key word!
Got to go Sheela! Do help yourself to the drinks and food. The latter more,' Raman said stepping around her. Try not to live in the past!' Raman superciliously adyised. Unheard by him, his destiny guffawed.
Finally, he glimpsed his mother. He scanned the group around her - bhabhi, Mrs Iyer and ten thousand other women (literally) but no sign of her. Damn'.
Hi Maa, im home.' Raman hugged her close. Toshi lovingly caressed his face. Please mom!' embarrassed, he straightened.
What? I am your mother not your girlfriend.' Toshi's coterie, appropriately, snickered.
Raman could not control it more. So where is--?'
Ishita?' Madhavi finished. Raman nodded.
You stay away from her!' Mihika warned.
Why?' the word just sprung out. I mean, is anything special going on?'
Ishita is meeting a boy! We sent them away so they could get some time alone,' Mihika revealed.
You sent them where?' Raman struggled to keep his composure, quashing the urge to shake the three match mongers.
To the other side of the house. The gazebo near the pond, its quieter there.' Toshi enlightened.
Okay!' Raman promptly took off in that direction.
Raman! Where are you going?' Toshi called out, sweetly.
To my room to freshen up.'
Your room is in the other direction?' Mihika pointed.
Sorry forgot! I haven't been here, too many times.' Raman headed, towards his room or so they thought.
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Thank u
Sushma
Pushpa Impossible
CID
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