28) New relationship

MAUSAM

I froze as I realised that Armaan probably guessed who this friend of mine was.

Would he be angry?

Would he doubt me that I was still seeing his behind his back?

I could not say anything when kids were present.

But the time when four of us spent together in afternoon which was filled happiness , now seemed filled with tension.

Armaan seemed distant suddenly.

His gaze was filled with warmth these days ,

Now suddenly turned to cold as before.

I feared he would misunderstand.

He did not talk with me , the children bantered and ate and dirtied the table.

When I tried to clean it ,

Armaan rudely stopped me

" Tumhe samaj nahi aata kya kaam tumhare liye he aur kya nahi" he whispered in my ear , making sure aruhi and Aarav did not hear, he would be perfect gentlemen in front of them.

My eyes suddenly filled with tears ,

And I blinked them,

" I am sorry , we should go now."

And I stood up, " Aarav , Ruhi chalo ab ghar chalte he."

And I hurriedlt left ,

Jerking his hold on my hand.

I don't know why I feel so sad and anxious ,

Before I never cared for him this much.

I silently settled in car.

" Mumma , papa ne kaha khana bahot achchha bana that." Ruhi said as she settled in my lap,

She liked sitting in lap even there was space,

And I wondered if my relationship with Aarav could be mended to such extent , when he would call me 'mamma' and would seek out proximity.

Aarav sat in car and looked worried.

He looked at me worriedly and then turned his face.

Did he pick up my and his father's fight?

Maybe he did.

Aarav was sensitive to this things.

He had seen us fight a lot so he is easily able to detect our moods.

I felt bad that he had to worry about such rhings.

" how did your project go?" I aksed him.

" i got the best marks , obviously." He said arrogantly.

" Off course." I laughed.

" You are just like your papa." I told him.

And he smiled cheekily.

" And what about others? What did they make for science project?" I asked him.

" The same thing , everyone made the volcano thing or water building , it was boring sitting through same things. I might have slept ." He said in a tired tone.

" Ohh ,when I was little , everyone loved making lift too, even I got bored seeing it , but I could only understand lift project you see, " I said laughing.

He turned to me," you were not good at science."

I shook my head.

" I was best at English. I used to read a lot. Like a lot.you know how many books I have read?" I raised my brows at him.

He looked at me suspiciously , as if not believing me , or thinking I might be joking with him.

" How many?"

" More that 500."

" Like real grown up books.?"

I laughed at his words," yes real 300 pages grown up books."

" Really? So you know stories?" He asked.

" Yes , so many? Do you like reading?"

~~~~~~

When we reached home,

Arohi had to be carried by a servent to her room.

I changed her clothes and washed dher face with a wet cloth , and kissing her forehead , let her sleep on my bed , I felt calm when they were in front of my eyes.

I saw Aarav still in uniform sitting on the sofa.

He had created a mini cafe in the room.

They were so difficult to get out their uniform ,

After eating lunch they had no motivation to change it .

" AARAV., Chalo kaode Badal lo."

" Ugh na , 2 minutes."

" Nahi , bad me khelna , pehle kaode Badal do phir thoda so Jayo , uske Baad khelna ."

" No I have to study ! I am not wasting time sleeping. "

" What , your eyes are all red."

" No mujhe khelna he."

" AARAV" this boy was stubborn I tried to snatch the game console from his hand , he let out a scream.

It work Arohi up.

And she started crying.

" Ruhi , baby kuch nahi , koi baat nahi , jao say jao." I hurriedly went to her and started consoling her putting her to sleep.

Aarav just stood and left.

After I put Ruhi to sleep.

I went after Aarav.

And then I stumbled upon my mother in law.

" Tum ye no maa bananeka natak kar Rahi ho?

Jitne din karogi? Bichare mere Aarav Ko pareshan kar diya! Uske papa ke paiso ki game he use khelni he to khlene do! Aur uniform , Roz mere bachche Ko uniform ka bare me Datto Rehti ho. Ek uniform hi to he , Ganda Ho Gaya to Naya as jayega , apni middle class harkato se mere bachchho Ko pareshan mat karo." She scolded me , her eyes spitting fire.

Like a Wicked mother in law , she was leaving after saying her piece.

But then Masaum said halting her," me koi natak nahi karrahi , vo mere bachhe the , he aur rahenge. Aur me apne bachchho ki paravrish Jese chahu vese Karungi."

And this made Reha boil in anger ,

How could the middle class , derenged girl dare say anything to her , the Reha Kapoor!!

Updated - 5/12/24