Wink and a nod
He ordered chocolate for her realizing she was aloof
She was unlike him, he was USUALLY aloof.
She was the opposite
She was involved and caring and fretting and agitated and cheerful and delirious, she wasnt quiet...
Ranjan tried not to notice her behavior
"Do u want to ensure the wrap up of the return of inventory?" he asked somberly
R&B nodded quietly
Ranjan didnt prod him to "start coming in if u are in Delhi"
R&B did not offer
It hurt II beyond belief to watch such a tenative "biz" relationship between father and son
Ranjan on the other hand was having a fabulous day
He couldnt recall when he had lunch with his son... at Gurgaon
Maybe 6? 7? years ago?
"1:48 ho gaya" Ranjan muttered "Tinn vaje tera meeting hai?" he asked
"No at 2" he said
"Daftarch kar le" Ranjan urged
R&B nodded.. but smiled too.. a lil confused... he wasnt sure why Ranjan was so proprietorial
Ranjan was finding his and exercising his new found role of "being a parent" to his son
He had often noticed Chachu admonish his sons, or scold them or instruct them
When he went out to lunch with Chachu and the boys... he would look at their antics longingly
Today he had his son to practise some of his parenting ideas
He did!!
"Shaami lawyer nu mil aayenge jara.. kisi syaape di tayyari karan waaste" he muttered
"Jee" R&B said reverentially
Ranjan beamed at II
He beamed at the waiter
The guy that took their plates
He was over the moon
"Dad... umm.". she didnt look at R&B "DII jaoon shaam ko?" she asked
She watched her husband's expression clench
"Kede waaste gudiya?" he asked
"Packing mein help karoongi, Akka bhi aayegi"
"Nivi nu chhod jaayin"
II shook her head... "Amma wants to see her"
"Umm" Ranjan thought
"Maybe ur parents can come see her" R&B said blandly
"And u will go pack?" she asked sweetly
"Tum dono da kee karan?" main?" Ranjan hissed unhappy
"I" began II
"BAS ekdum chup... toone chup nahi hona hai, hore isne bolna nai hai" Ranjan folded his hands in prayer and shut his eyes and shook his head
"Koi tarqeeb nahi hai mere paas" he warned
"Dad... I" began II
"Isne choon nahi kara, (pointing to his son appreciating R&B for respecting authority) gudiya tu chup nahi hondi?" he asked baffled
R&B smiled
II was self conscious and embarrassed
"Nobody is going anywhere" Ranjan said sternly
"Thx" R&B said smugly
When Ranjan got off at Spectrum he walked over to his son's side "Ladai kam kareen beta" he said
"Huh" R&B grunted
He walked over to II's side "Ladke aayegi huney aayegi?" he mocked
II immediately flew out of the car and joined him
R&B winked at his Dad
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She showed up at Sam's at 7:18
Ranjan and R&B went to see the attorney to draft legal papers in case the Hungarian company sued
sam smiled, pleased to see her
"Nivi kaha hai?" Ii asked
Sam was baffled
"Kyon ghar par nahi hai?" she asked waving help to bring chai
"I didnt go home, since you bring her here I came here" II tried not to sound trite
"Main laayi nahi" Sam said extremely hurt
II stood frozen, as Amma's words of caution rang in her ears about how much Sam must love Nivi for reasons that are beyond II's comprehension
And how II must not jump to conclusions and about how II should be happy Nivi has such a loving athai etc etc etc
It was too late tho, Sam was cringing, her baby was not here and II had let her insecurity out in the open
"Tumhe bura laga kal to main aaj laayi nahi usko" Sam said fighting tears, nodding sadly
AYYO!!!
WHAT HAVE I DONE!!
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