Moments April 28th 2024 Ongoing G

SRB

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Sorry for the delay - here it is, enjoying a long weekend now. Hope you're all happy and healthy.

SRB

Early morning in Bajaj residence Rishabh is sat with his newspaper in bed when hears a pair of footsteps trundle closer and climb the bed. “Pa” says Kuki as she crosses her legs and cups her cheeks into her little hands thinking.

“Yes sweetheart” replies Rishabh after a glance over his newspaper.

“What are we doing today?” Kuki adds having enjoyed her father being at home over the last few days.

She’d certainly tested him, they’d made pancakes and sandcastles, opened a lemonade stall for the neighbours and much more.

Prerna who was getting ready for the office wondered if Mr Bajaj could do with some time to rest. These were his first non working days in years. A little rest would do him good. She pictured him drinking his whisky, listening to his old records, playing golf or chess.

“Why don’t you come to the office with me?” She suggested, finding Rishabhs eyes once she'd got the Kukis attention. He could see what she was doing.

Kuki jumped up excitedly.

Rishabh smiled and went back to his newspaper. Have a great day ladies. He said from behind it.

....

“We have a guest says Prerna as Mr Mehra pulls up his car outside the house.” Mehra smiles from the window seeing Kuki by Prernas side with her backpack.

Whilst Kuki sits comfortably in the back of the car Mehra points out the coffee he’d picked up for her on the way.

”Thank you Mr Mehra that’s very sweet of you.” Smiles Prerna.

Later as they stop at a traffic light he takes out a file from the glove box.

“Deal number 2?” She asks taking it from him.

“Deal number 2”’ he confirms.

“What is it?” Prerna asks looking at folder without opening it.

“No idea, Thought I’d let you do the Honors.”

After a moment of browsing she spoke “It’s a school ..”

“Anurag is funding the opening of a school, - Sneha Anurag basu children’s elementary.”

Mr Mehra knew that this was as personal as the Printing press for her if not even more. His eyes tried to make out if she was okay.

...

A picture of a house, a car and family that is what kuki had drawn whilst sat in her fathers swirly CEO chair. She seemed happy.

Mehra and Prerna sat at a distance in the room prepared for a call.

“We”ll just double whatever the basus are paying.” Said Prerna as she paced up and down the office with her arms folded whilst Mehra Dialled the number of the school.

She had no idea how much she’d starting sounding like her husband but others could hear it.

Mehra was the ailias for her on the call whilst she made the decisions quietly in the background.

They offered the headteacher double, and then triple what Anurag was offering. But there still seemed to be indecision on the schools part.

“It’s a generous offer but we need time to think” said the voice over the phone.

Mehra looked at Prerna for her stance on the matter and she agreed.

“Very well” said Mehra putting down the phone.

“I think it’s ours”, he concluded after a moment. Prerna looked unsure but was hopeful.

As luck would have it they had the best person on board to help them design the school. Kuki was great at correcting Mr Mehra when he drew up a sketch of the school. She made sure he’d included everything a school needed. Prerna watched the two of them and smiled. Thinking of Sneha in every moment discreetly.

That evening the thought of Sneha stayed with Prerna. As she watched Kuki run to find Mr Bajaj on their return home.

Or how she climbed into his lap at the dinner table and wanted to eat from his plate and how affectionately so he let her.

Prerna watched imaging Sneha at one point and when Rishabh had caught her looking dazed she went back to her food.

Later as Rishabh mixed a drink at the bar he could see his wife watch him from a distance and then turn away as he caught her gaze. Pretending as if she was heading elsewhere.

“Is there something you want to talk to me about Mrs Bajaj”

He’d seen her linger uncomfortably around him more than once this evening.

“Yes” she finally admitted fidgeting a little with her hands which was unusual.

“but Aise nahin.. “not like this though” she insisted he take a seat.

He agreed abandoning his drink, walking to his chair, he sat down. His posture was telling that he was paying her his undivided attention.

He watched his wife gently collapse to her knees beside his chair. It seemed intentional. It reminded him of their conversation on their wedding night.

“Prerna ..What is it?” He’ asked concerned at her silence.

“I want ask for something” She said and for some reason she looked unsure.

“Sure” he said with ease still trying to make out where this was going.

“Agar aap chahe toh mana kar sakte hai” (“You can say no if you wish”)

He took Pernas hand that sat on the frame of his arm chair in his hand , “Try me ..” he said confidently. His eyes loving determined to give her whatever she wanted.

Her eyes on the other hand seemed like a concoction of uncertainty and hope.

“Sneha ko aap ka naam mil sakta hai, Meri Sneha ko..” (Can my Sneha have the Bajaj name)

There was just silence for a moment. His eyes just stared into hers before moving to look away into oblivion.

When he let go of her hand for a split second Prerna had assumed his answer to be no. Only to feel him grasp at her hand again this time a little tighter to stop her from leaving without hearing him. He was only thinking of the complexity that came with this within his silence but he would face that for her.

Looking towards him now his hold on her hand had tightened. His eyes looked gentle and his words even more gentle.

“Hamari Sneha, Mrs Bajaj, I’d be honoured.”

Prernas felt her eyes tear up but heart flourish.

...

“It’s ours” said Mr Mehra when Prerna entered the office the next morning.

“All we have to do now is pick a name for the school Mrs Bajaj.” He said happily.

Prerna had the perfect name in mind.

Sneha Rishabh Bajaj children’s elementary.

jagrutid2020-07-02 21:29:41