"Shes gone now, What shud we do first?"
Baby was almost 7.5 weeks, II had to go be with Akka's in laws in Munirka for the day
Akka's hotch potch Shubhang care situation was straining so much it was straining and tearing in places
Between Kamakshi Athai, and her in laws, and a neighbor's maid's sister, and Selvi's aunt, and
Amma on her days off, Bala on his days off, Akka on her days off
Even SAM... Sam was willing to have Sofia watch her everyday
But Appa was horrified his daughter that wasnt a Bhalla was getting free care from a Batra
Sam pretended to be doing "kid's stuff" every other week for a day or two and asked Akka to drop baldie off
Akka knew what was going on, she was brimming with gratitude
But kept it in check around Bala
Bala wasnt pleased but he realised they were in a bind
They hadnt planned well, when Shravu was a baby, II watched him many times when college was off,
and when she had time off, which was more days than Akka could take off from her college teaching job
But with Shubhang, they hopped from maid to maid and family and sister's sister in law
Akka tried to have Lasya over on Saturdays but Lasya was over a year old and extremely naughty
And restless in that tiny Munirka apartment
Between caring for Shubhang and playing with Lasya Akka felt herself get exhausted
With in-laws and Munirka visitors, and NOIDA cousins, Akka's home was like the amusing cartoon montages of a Iyer family on Deepavali morning
in the thick fat Deepavali malar (flower in Tamil)
"She only coos and sighs when u hold her, she will probably be the perfect baby, u wont even miss me, YOU BOTH WONT" Ii stressed with jealousy
He laced his feet with hers, gently rolling her tee over her torso
"Shes a baby" he chuckled incredulously
"Really? I cud have bet she was ur twin" Ii sulked turning away
"dont go then" he goaded
"And then what? spoil the father daughter date?" "No thanks"
"I just read, I dont do a thing" he lied
"Well.. you must be reading out loud from that espionage thriller" she arched as he lay on top trying to find her lips
"I will ask her to call u" he mocked
She smacked him, he kissed her fully
She sat up... a few minutes later, pushing him to find her tee and bra
He lay face down
"Is she still asleep?" he asked checking his Swatch...
"Oh ya... she will be until I leave, and then u can do art and craft projects or build a robot" II pushed him as he reached for her nude at the top body, unsatiated
"II" he groaned
"The lamaze instructor gave me 6 months" she bit her lower lip
"she said 6 weeks... if ur wife is OK" he corrected her pushhing her down
"Well shes nottt... ughhh... tchhh.. eee" she scowled
And pushed
Nivi stirred
"Ezhindachu, go pamper her" II whispered, hugging him warmly
They bathed in each other's breath
"Mahavir wanted to take the morning off, Dad has a half day not sure morning or afternoon, Sam said she is sending a new nanny for interview
I got rid of all others" II listed
He was on the pathway to heaven
Nivi shrieked
"Iru dee... let me get rid of ur Daddee first" II pushed her husband "Vidu daa" she shoved him
It was 6:06 AM
"NOBODY has a thing called night time in this family anymore?" II scowled
He held her braid, as she picked up the baby, her braid stretching all the way to the crib
Nivi cooed as she felt her food source, right under her cheek, as Amma was top nude, dude stuck his fingers indie her shorts waist band and dragge dher back
"This is your FIRST lesson about the "talk" subject, MEN... THIS is what they do" II sermonized her daughter
Nivi smiled cutely, having no clue Amma was giving her the sex ed talk
"they will use ur hair, ur clothes, ur moles, ur nose rings, they use everything" II warned
Nivi smiled again
"Joke aa irukka onakku, wait until u find a slimeball like ur Daddy" (u think I am kidding?) II whispered, kissing her fat cheek
Nivi tried to latch on as II wouldnt quit talking...
"She cant get date or get married until she is 50" said the man that spoke few words
II cackled cynically
"I hope she falls for someone like u when she is in 6th grade and runs away from home" II cursed
He threw his head back and laughed
He scooted as she placed her in between and began to feed her...
"Donttt" II whispered, as he leaned over to kiss, as his daughter fed...
They kissed, when Nivi was done, she got off, and wore her clothes
He burped her and held her in his arms, she squirmed and flailed her arms, wide awake, rested and well fed, he gently wiped a milk drool from the side of her lips and wiped it on his old BR tee
she smiled for him, punching him gently with her fat fist
Her hair thick and lustrous, covering her forehead completely.
"Dont spend two hours in the tub with her, DO NOT feed her espresso, No jeans and BR tee, no James Patterson books, no death metal, no everything u do" she said breathlessly
He half smiled at his daughter as his wife walked out
She came out dressed 40 minutes later, showered hair braided wearing one of her elegant richly colored chudidars
"WHERE is my pearl nose ring?" She scowled opening and shutting drawers
Nivi and R&B enteratined each other
Nivi wore a onesie with a bottle and a quote "Daddy's drinking buddy"
She found it some where, she wore, as Nivi cooed
She crwaled on the bed, and kissed Nivi's cheek, her husband nuzzled her neck
Nivi grinned
"Dont kiss up... rakshasi, I know u cant wait to see me go" II whispered
she got off the bed, returned to grab her dupatta... just when he bend down to whisper "She is leaving"
"Call Sam and tell her..." she said something for a good 3 minutes... he nodded politely... and watched her leave
When she walked down the stairs he looked at his daughter and smiled conspiratorially
"Phew!!! shes gone now!! For real!!!! What should we do first?" he whispered
Nivi gurgled...
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