A YEAR BACK -
Holding the bamboo basket that resembled a swan is filled with flowers plucked from the garden, Ambika entered the spacious hall to spend some time chatting with her father-in-law; Gangadhar Joshi. She stood in front of the photo frame adorning it with flowers and then talking her heart out. The man in the photo had a huge smile, displaying his laughing lines and a perfect set of teeth.
"Babuji, help me. Please give your blessings! Guide me with that mastermind of yours! Let this plan work, please!"pleaded Ambika desperately.
Poor her, she cannot see any expression on his face. What can she do if he masks his emotions with Ray Bans glasses and a dazzling smile? After all he is trapped in that photo.
Untying his laces and removing his shoes, Gopal walked panting inside the house. He grabbed one of his favorite cassettes and played it on the cassette player. Vintage lovers! The Playlist of devotional songs encased the house through its melodies along with the chirps of early birds. He took his coffee mug from the tray and sipped his delicacy, grinning at 'Go ask your mom' mug. Typical Joshi's morning routine. Sighing at his wife's antics, he walked towards her.
"Thadastu!" He said
"Huh? Babuji you're here!?" She squealed.
"Nahi meri jaan, it's your patidev" he replied
("Nope my darling, it's your husband" he replied)
Disappointed she turned and faced her husband.
"Why the long face, wifey?" He asked her
"Our son" she replied
"What happened to him?" He enquired
She sighed and shrugged her shoulders.
"Don't worry. What about the plan? Where are your besties? And what about the kids?!" He started babbling non stop.
"Well my besties will arrive in an hour. About the kids...it's time to break the news " she said, staring at the wall clock.
~
Shanti is at the garden watering the plants and basking in the morning sun. A familiar ringtone disturbed her train of thoughts.
"Adi! Pick up the phone!" She yelled, turning off the tap and entering the house, welcomed by the delicious aroma from the kitchen.
Tempering the dish Adi called Avishka.
"Avi, check who's calling"
She hopped off the couch and took the phone from the table while knocking the vase. She immediately heard her mom's yell.
"Avi! Didn't I warn you to not perform any stunts in the house!"
"Come on Ma, after all we are relatives of chimpanzees. How can I not?"
"Avi!" Shanti warned her
"We need to embrace our culture and ancestry Ma"
Shanti glared at her and took the phone. Chuckling Adi bought the mouth watering idli sambar and placed it on the table. He hand signed, asking Avi who was on the other end. She shrugged and wobbled her head to the side mouthing that she doesn't know. The short conversation of the father and daughter duo was stopped by Shanti's scream.
"What?!"
She immediately came back to her senses noticing her husband and daughter scooting towards her side, eavesdropping the conversation. She stood up making the duo hit their heads and yelp in pain.
YOU ARE READING
Shubharambh
Short StoryReel may not always seem 'real' but it's always originated from real "Wedding on a vacation?! Who does that?" Yelled Shristi clearly not pleased with the idea. "Why not?!" Asked Vishal raising his brows. "Well if you do, we'll be the first ones...
