Finding us

Chapter 74

Running his fingers through his hair nervously, Nikhil gazed at his family. He was sitting at the furthest end of the dining table, with everyone gazing expectantly at him.

He felt like he was a criminal, and under spotlight, with everyone gazing seriously at him. His grandparents were glaring at him, whilst his own parents were gazing intently at him.

His aunt and uncle - phupha and phuphi - were smirking, whilst Rakesh's parents were looking curiously at him.

Rakesh, sat right beside his grandfather, was also smirking at him.

When Nikhil had entered the mansion half an hour ago, he hadn't known what drama his mother would do... And then his dad? And grandparents? He had groaned at the prospect.

Oh but he knew now alright!

The usually silent mansion had been like a mad house inside when he'd entered earlier. His father and uncles were inside the entrance, deep in discussion, and looking dead serious when he'd walked in.

But his grandmother had been near the living area, shouting at the housekeeping staff as they wiped and dusted the area.

His aunt - his phoophi had been on the phone with someone, whilst his phoopha - his uncle - was taking note of whatever she was instructing.

Nobody had spared him any glance as he'd entered, even though he was coming home after a month! And he'd walked straight in, where his badi maa - Rakesh's mother's voice fell on his ears, and he had found her instructing the housekeeping staff cleaning the large chandelier above, and also looking over the cleaning of the dining area.

But as he'd turned, he'd found his mother in the kitchen, barking orders into the phone, whilst also instructing the housekeeping staff in the kitchen regarding cleaning and arrangements.

Nikhil didn't have a clue what was going on??

"Ha aagaye saale?" Rakesh's voice had made him snap his head around, and he'd gaped at his brother who was walking down the large steps from the top floor.

He didn't know his brother was at home too?!

"What's going on?" He'd asked Rakesh, indicating his grandfather who had been looking over the cleaning at the first floor landing.

"Didn't know you were coming home today!" Rakesh however had smirked, patting his brother on the back.

"Same to you!" Nikhil had scoffed, moving to the kitchen - he had been desperate for a cup of coffee! He'd also hoped that somebody would give him some explanation as to what was going on!

"Mom!!!" Nikhil had held his arms wide open for his mother, walking into the kitchen, and hoping she'd help him out.

But she hadn't spared him a second glance, and had gotten back to hissing into the phone!

He'd blinked, and then he waved at one of the cooks, for a cup of coffee.

"No Sima, no coffee for him now! He needs to have breakfast!!" Nikhil's mother had glared at him, waving at the cook, who'd nodded, and gotten busy with breakfast.

"Mom!!" Nikhil had groaned at her, and finally disconnecting her call, Poornima had turned her attention to him.

"There's toast and oats and cereals... What will you have?" Poornima had smiled at Nikhil, as he'd wrapped his arms around her and she'd even ruffled his hair.

"Is there any paratha?" Nikhil had peered at the kitchen counter hungrily.

At this, everyone in the kitchen had gaped at him - they'd all known him to be the health freak, avoiding high fat food and always choosing the healthier alternative!