Thursday, May 17, 2012

Part 62--Scoop of Life--Dad!

Part 62
February 28th 2011
Monday
8:32 PM
Dublin
Maurya Sheraton 
Chanakyapuri

She stared at the golden orange liquid after she stirred it....
They both were not saying anything.
She looked like she may have cried at some point during the day.
Raghav: So did you even meet him?
Rad: WHY? (upset)
She looked up at him furious..........
Rad: Tumhe sab mazaak lagta hai na?
He took a swig at his pale ale shaking his head
Rad: DONT lie! (fuming)
Raghav: But you just said, your Mom promised to back off.(amused)
She looked at him incredulously..... "Dont you understand, Ma ka trick hai woh in order to glean as much information possible about my friend (looking away from him). They are set on their agenda. Mujhe Kanpur chale jaana chahiye, you dont care. Ma aur Papa meri shaadi ke alaawa kuch sochte nahi. I am just wasting my time with you. Arrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhh"
He gently reaches out and touches her left hand, she pulls hers back as if she was stung....
Raghav: Radhikaaa (ever so softly pleading)
Rad: Nahiii! (upset)
He reaches and holds her hand this time.... not letting go.
Raghav: Tumhe kitna gussa aata hai (amused)
She yanks her hand... unsuccessfully.........
She looks tearful.... her big eyes, wide and moist....
Rad: Will you come to my wedding?
His face pales "Is this a joke?"
Rad: Ofcourse not!
Raghav: I am sorry about what I said earlier.... so knock it off (his turn to be upset)
She left her hand in his, he carressed it....
Rad:Write me an app for how to find NGOs in Spain, coz thats where I am going for honeymoon.......... (smiled)
He squeezed her hand " I said let go!" (softly)
Rad: nahii!! (softer)
They have a staring match....
Raghav: Do you want to go to Panchgani this weekend?
Rad: With YOU? Kabhi nahi! (smiles sweetly)
Raghav smiles....
Rad: I forgot to tell you I might have to go back to Kanpur again, next week, so sorry.... main tumhaare saath kahin nahi ja paaoongi... tum to mujhe seriously lete nahi.... you think I talk too much so I dont..
He interrupts her "radhikaaa" he pleads
"Mujhe aaj kaam se seedha ghar chale jaana tha. Oh! BTW, Mom ko pata chal gaya ki TUMNE mujhe station se pick karke ghar chhoda when I returned from Kanpur, none of my friends have a VW convertible." She yanks her hand again...
"Radhikaa, will you listen to me?"
"Nahii. I better go home"
His grip is firm.... as she sulks
She rants and rambles about things at work, about her trip, about Poonam and Umesh and how Umesh might be leaving soon.... he listens to it all.... she tells him about Rachit moving to another part of Delhi soon.... he doesnt provoke her any more, just listens and smiles.... she ignores her texts and phone calls.
She tells him about the assistant that followed him around in his last trip to Kanpur, she talked about chatting with him. He tried not to reveal his acute curiosity, made a mental note to himself, to call the guy and ask him what he shared with the "girl from NGO"
The waiter stops by asking if they will order dinner
She immediately jumps back to her sulky mode and shakes her head vehemently
Raghav: I will have a turkey club please, sifts thru the menu with one hand holding hers.... "Tomato bisque?" he asks....
"Nahii" she smiles sweetly
"Give us a minute" he tells the waiter
"I have to go home... I dont need dinner. I dont know why I came.... I.... this is ridiculous" she rambles for a few minutes without taking a breath
He is reading the menu all the while.........
"They dont have too many "meal" choices" he says clamly
It frustrates her that he is so cool and unaffected. Not only does he say very little he is quite unemotional........
"Mera haath chhodo"
He looks at her hand and goes back to the menu, still holding it
"I can actually text fine with one hand. In case you need to know." she rambles and texts.... and rambles some more
The waiter returns, she acquiesces, and orders dinner of HER choice............ it arrives, she talks, he listens....
She asks tumne kya kiya weekend mein?
"Went to Chachu's for their anniversary"
"They dont live with you guys?"
"Nahi" he replies
They dig in.....
She looks at his bent head, his lashes are big and curling behind the glasses........... she so wants to get away and go to Panchgani with him....
Pride wont let her admit it....
They finish dinner and walk out, stroll the lobby.... two middle aged men walk by with two Spanish Italian looking men.... one of the men is almost as tall as Raghav.... Raghav nods, the man stares at Radhika

They see their overseas guests off... and meet somewhere in the middle of the lobby
Raghav: Dad... (as he nods at his Chachu) Chachu, how did it go? (cool, unperturbed)
Pawan looks at Radhika, confused....
Radhika is texting, she smiles when she hears the word "Dad"
Though she is a lil startled when she hears the word "Dad" she composes herself, and quits texting...
"Hi!" she says extending her hand (yanking it free hurriedly from his son's grip, a little flustered in the process)
.... Krishan accepts it with a smile, "Krishan Kapoor" he says he has a tight firm grip just like his son............. gives her an admiring look....
"Radhika: I had no idea his Dad was eating dinner at the same place" (laughs)
 he notices she is almost as tall as his son... very attractive... stylish and articulate.... (little does he know HOW articulate)
Pawan is talking and Raghav is listening carefully
Krishan: radhika? What a lovely name!
She is visibly embarrassed!
Rad: Not me! (throws up her hands) Papa gets the full credit! Unhoney rakha naam mera!
Krishan: Did you guys have a good dinner?
Radhika: Jee... Yes we did... (smiles disarmingly flashing a perfect set of teeth)
She is wearing a peach salwar suit, and a turqoise dupatta that doesnt match in any way, he notices.... her nose ring sparkles.... her bag her watch they all look expensive to him....
Raghav: Home? he asks his Dad
Pawan: Nahi ek ghante ke liye Office
Krishan: Are you in college?
Radhika: I WISH! (overjoyed)
Krishan laughs....
Radhika: I work for an NGO,Program Manager for Clean Water Initiative, its funded by a wealthy Dutch donor, we are currenlty working in Dehat Kanpur.............. (she speaks for three minutes without pausing)
She misses the brief look of shock passing through Krishan and Pawan's eyes.... Krishan makes eye contact with his unfazed unruffled impassive son!!




5 comments:

  1. Hey Aditee, just read "6.4", "Raghav" and "Dad", three superb updates!! loved the turn of events in SOL.

    Radhika and Raghav are going through such a lovely phase, and Iam loving it! waiting all the more for the next part. the story is very interestingly poised!!!

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  2. itni naraaz kyun hai woh??is she thinking tat all r trying to trap her to get married..
    So radhi met her in-laws..LOL!!!!
    their shared glances..hhhmmm..so is there something awaiting for raghav..
    awaiting the next part..

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  3. loving it wish I could fall in love like them

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  4. now that the dads know, waiting for the day when Rads wuld come to know who they r actually.. lovely update..

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  5. wow!!!loved it..everything happening in synchronization..Raghav is so casual abt her impending marriage..will he propose to her for marriage suddenly and surprise her..don't think so..Unexpected meeting of Krishan and Radhika during their dinner..but both handled it well..

    Looking forward for more..

    Thanks for the update:)

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