Jokes & Greetings
They returned Wed mid morning and she literally almost got off at the roof of Spectrum
Wearing the outfit she wore to her Doc appointment on Sunday
Without her laptop, first thing she did when she entered was to walk over to the IT guy and beg for a loaner
It wont have the tools settings or reports or bookmarked cloud systems, but she will have to pretend to survive
Her work tablet was in the drawers too but not much could be done with it
She wanted to get herself a surface one of these days
She checked her back statement first thing "No" I dont dont the computer to remember my passowrds" she said making a face
NOT ON A LOANER
NO THANK YOU
Akka informed her her MIL was in the hospital after feeling "breathless"
II felt like a heel, at not even being told that
Her trips and her family's well being seemed to be at cross purposes
She went to Paris and Periappa ended up in the hospital
Kasauli had sent Paati to hospital
II barely listenedto the "all employee" quarterly meeting and worried about how Akka was juggling, home, baby, college, MIL and Kamakshi Athai
She had NO time off left, even by "grace" it was all taken between her third trimester and post partum
II sat there wringing her hands in helplessness...
She called Amma a couple times, then realized it was Wed Nov 18th, Amma had monthly Eco tests for the kids on the 3rd Wed each month
SO AMMA HADNT TAKEN TIME OFF
DID APPA TAKE TIME OFF?
She texted Appa
"In a meeting kanna" Appa texted back
II texted R&B
"Are u busy?" she asked
He sent a half smile
"Paati is in hospital, Amma Appa both seem to be at work" she texted
He called her immediately
"I am in a all employee meeting" she texted
"Is Vandita home?" he texted
"I am not sure, Akka has NO time off" II sent many teary emojis
There was no text for a while...
"Busy aa irukeya?" she texted when the call was over (are u busy?)
"No back at the airport" he said
"why?" she asked "Cant leave u alone for a min can I u sneak off to Paris" she teased
"Manya is here" he texted
The phone slipped from II's hand
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She cudnt waste time past 8 PM, she wanted to go to Munirka first
She was sure she was expected at MM or Shanti Niketan
She hadnt responded to R&B's announcement of arrival
Her belly churned and twisted, and Nivi didnt help the cause
Akka finally returned her calls saying, MIL was a Max Saket, and Athim had the day off
Athim hadnt returned II's call
II asked who was watching Shubhang, she was told between Kamakshi Athai and her maid
Baldie's favorite activty was to roll over she was told
II's eye sfilled up with tears of joy, she wondered how the skinny chap looked like
It was remarkable how Akka was able to keep her cool and talk about the baby faced with her MIL's health challenge
"can I come stay over?" II asked
"CAN YOU?" Akka squealed, "ingeye iru di" (stay for a while) "ask him to come too" Akka gushed
"What about Shravu's activities?
"amma is taking him after school. Appa is coming to the hospital, my FIL cant hear anything, its
useless to have him be my MIL's companion, she has to shout and that may not be good for her"
"Is Ambala Anna coming?" Ii asked softly
"Good joke" Akka said hanging up
They were all at Sam's R&B texted
Ii went home, showered, changed into a navy cords and a mauve cashmere sweater and a navy & orange floral silk scarf
He had left the rooms a mess, II worried if Manya already saw
She had skipped lunch so she was really hungry
Ranjan texted her asking when she planned to arrive
she got to Shanti Niketan around 10 PM
Tired and hungry
Sam greeted her, and stopped her
"Will u forgive me?" she asked
"For whattt?" II asked shocked
"For what I put u thru?" Sam whispered
II nodded, somberly
"we can talk more, but mujhse please gussa mat hona" Sam's eyes glistened
"Did he even tell u we were in Kasauli?" II asked confused, wondering if Sam was under the impression that II was upset thats why she hadnt reache dout in 3 days
Sam gently smacked her"Thank God" she nodded, sniffling
Manya helped Nandu do a trick, R&B sat with Lasya on his lap, Tan was fixing a drink for Ranjan and R&B
they all seemed happy and together
Manya turned to look at her and just smiled
Tan whistled
"Mannn... pretty hot while pregnant I am telling u" he chuckled
Ranjan smacked him
"sorry Dad, I dont think Sam minds" he winked
"shut up. Only my pig headed ass of a bro is allowed to have nefarious intentions about her" Sam hugged II
R&B made room on the couch
II hestitantly walked to Manya, to greet
"Hey" Manya smiled, getting off the bar stool to spin Nandu for his next circus trick
"good to see u" II smiled with out stretched arms
Manya had her back to II
"Manyaaa GREET HER, U DUNCE" Sam shouted
"I welcome greetings too" her husband, Tan offered
"But only after she "greets ME" R&B whispered
Everyone trying to take away the sting of Manya's aloofness
Thats when II realized she had promised Akka she wud show up after work!!
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