Moments April 28th 2024 Ongoing G

A question of love

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A question of love

Kuki looked high and low for her teddy bear. Her search had led her to the spare room and into a box of old things. Tipping it over she found weird and wonderful things some that interested her and some that didn’t.

Amongst it all was a old photograph. A photograph of her Pa making her smile but the person beside him that she didn’t recognise.

Elsewhere In the house.

“Everything alright George ?” Asks Prerna when she sees George ponder in the kitchen over a sandwich he was making for Kuki.

He looked unhappy.

“Yes” says George hiding his real feelings which Prerna could see through. She stopped what she was doing (getting lemonade from the fridge) to spend time with George. “You know what Kuki says about you dont you?”, George looks up a second and nods a no.

“She says you’re the best because you have rosey cheeks and sparkly eyes and I know exactly what she means.”

“She does?” .. he says with a smile, his old eyes light up for a moment

“Hmm.. but the sparkle isn’t as bright today” she added wanting him to tell her what was bothering him so she could help.

He eventually mentioned what was on his mind.

“It’s my grand daughter ..she’s having a hard time at school because she doesn’t have all the things the other children have.”

Prerna could see George’s aged eyes sadden, She felt for him.

“Why don’t you speak to Mr Bajaj maybe he could give you a raise?” George looked hesitant which was clear in how uncertain his body language became. He’d already had a raise earlier this year, he couldn’t possibly ask for another.

A few minutes later Kuki trundled through the kitchen, with that photograph she’s found under her arm and her teddy bear to hand.

“Kuki beta Kaha ja rahe ho?” (Kuki where are you off to) asks Prerna casually.

“To pa.. I’ve got question for him”, she answers adorably. kuki had gone from baking sweet things mostly cookies to asking Questions, she had questions about everything these days, that seemed to be her new thing.

“Perfect take George with you, he has one too.” says Prerna. George's eyes shoot up in resistance but Prerna looked at him encouragingly.

“Come on George” says Kuki..walking up to him and taking his hand in hers.

Prerna watched with a smile as Kuki walked him towards the lounge.

...

Rishabh had been sat in his chair at the lounge reading the tabloid and in particular news on Mr Basus recent blunders which had made a headline.

He was Just few minutes into scanning the paper when he saw two figures standing by the side of his chair from the corner of his eyes.

Looking up he saw George and his daughter stood side by side waiting for him.

“George first” suggested Kuki who stepped back like It was a queue. Rishabh looked at his 6 year old and agreed because because agreeing was the easiest thing to do to keep her happy.

“Mr Bajaj I er… “.. the loyal butler began to confuse his words right from the onset.

“Take a seat George” suggested Rishabh putting his paper down to pay him his undivided intention. Kuki waited at a distance.

“I insist” said Rishabh then he saw George hesitate. The best thing about Rishabh Bajaj was his comfortable silence in moment such as these.

“I need to ask for a advance, it’s not for me it’s for me granddaughter". Explained George worriedly at the edge of the chair he’d just occupied.

"She’s .. well she’s being bullied at school because she doesn’t have the things the other children have.” the explanation was a deeply personal and sensitive one. Rishabh Bajaj was a father he could read a fathers distress well.

“What school does Georgee go to?”asked Mr Bajaj. A unexpected question by his boss but George was pleasantly surprised just by the fact that Mr Bajaj remembered his granddaughters name.

“St Agustines” replied George seeing Rishabh make a mental note of it.

“I’ll talk to the school governor” said Rishabh thought.

“Prerna !!” George watched his boss shout out for his wife at once and Mrs Bajaj..walked in.

“Help George with whatever finances he needs would you” Asks Rishabh looking towards Prerna, trusting her to make the right call whilst he dealt his next customer.”

"Thank you sir" - said George like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Rishabh smiled. “My pleasure”

....

Whilst George walked away with Prerna, Rishabh looked on at his daughter who’d been waiting patiently for him by the side of his chair.

“Let me guess.. you’ve got a question too..?”

Yes, - she nodded adorably..quickly climbing her fathers lap without warning which made him smile.

“Pa..Who’s this? ..she asked showing him an old, torn, slightly discoloured photo of himself with someone else.”

Prerna who had walked back into the lounge now could see the pair having a father daughter moment at a distance not wanting to disturb them she pulled Mr Mehra away quietly who had just entered the house in search of Rishabh too.

Rishabh looked down at the photograph of himself and Kukis mother and went silent for a moment. The past had been as painful as it had been pleasant.

“Well that’s me,” he said looking at a younger version of himself on the left of the picture and that’s your mother.

“Pa and Ma” - said Kuki innocently with a smile looking up at her father.

Rishabh smiled back, his heart having anticipated that one day he would have to have this conversation.

“Where did she go?” Asked Kuki. Rishabh’s eyes perplexed only if he knew the answer to that he thought silently.

“Where all the good people go, sweetheart.” He said caressing Kukis silky hair within his fingers and kissing it softly. He didn’t know if he was comforting himself or her.

Thankfully Kukis questions had veered off the subject matter a little.

“Can I keep this ..?” She said looking at him.

He nodded “Sure” watching her slip off his lap with it and walk away.

Rishabh sat back in his chair closing his eyes for a moment.

A Minute or two passes in quiet when Prernas faint voice comes from above the headrest of his chair.

“You were very handsome” she says softly", He opens his eyes to see her looking down from behind the headrest with warm eyes.

“Were ?” He raises an eyebrow which makes Prerna realise she'd complimented him out aloud. Meeting her with a smile like her own he turns the moment into a playful one.

jagrutid2020-07-26 19:06:53