The shark and the saint

20. Hide and Seek

It was a few days later and Prema was in the kitchen managing things when the house phone rang.

"Ji, Mr. Bajaj," Prerna greeted.

"Ms. Sharma, main ne batane ke liye phone kiya tha that I have to go to the U.S tonight for a conference. Toh, aapko Kukki ko school se lena hoga."

"But Mr. Bajaj, aap ne Kukki se promise kiya tha ke..."

"I know, bohot last minute hai. Maybe she'll give your some trouble. But Kukki loves you, to shayad ziyada tang mat kare. You can always call me if she's giving you too many problems."

"It's okay. Hum manage karlenge. Aap be fikr jaein," she assured him, but still she heard him sigh. "Aur kuch?"

"Uh, Kukki ko really accha nahi lagta jab main akele jaata hoon, woh..." Prerna knew why, and realized it was probably difficult for Mr. Bajaj too.

"It's okay. Main usse distract karloon gi. Aap bus, koi gift le aana Kukki ke liye."

"Right. Of course. Thank you. And uh, anything for you?"

Preena giggled. "Nahi, I'm fine thank you."

"O-okay, we'll talk later, then. Bye."

"Bye, Mr. Bajaj. Have a safe trip," she hung up the phone and wrapped her kitchen duties.

"Ms. Briganza, aage aap dekh lena, main Kukki ko school se lene jaa rahi hoon. Pata nahi mood kaisa ho madam ka, toh shayad dair hojaye gi. Main aapko phone karke bata doon gi."

"No worries, ma'am. I'll take care of everything here. Aap araam se jao," Ms. Briganza nodded.

Prerna smiled and went to get ready to pick up Kukki. As expected, she was waiting for her dad to pick her up, and was disheartened to see Prerna alone.

"Hi, Kukki!" Prerna cheerfully greeted her, but Kukki asked for papa.

Prerna kneeled down beside and pouted. "I know aap papa ka wait kar rahi thi. Aur papa ne promise bhi kiya tha. Lekin, main aapko ek secret bataun?"

Kukki leaned in close. "Papa ne aap ke liye aik bohooot bara gift order kiya tha. Aur woh akele to plane mein aa nahi sakta. Toh papa khudi gaye hain aapka gift lene."

Kukki was happy to hear that but Prerna frowned. "Lekin papa ne kaha tha ke yeh secret hai. Mujhe aapko nahi batana chahiye tha...!"

Kukki zipped her mouth and put a hand over her heart, promising to keep the secret. Prerna hugged her happily.

"Good girl! Abh, hum... mall chalein? Girls day out?!"

Kukki nodded excitedly and Prerna lead her to the car and the girls went to the mall. They went to all the popular spots first before getting something to eat at the food court.

"Yeh bacchi tumhare saath rehti hai abh, kya?"

Prerna turned towards the familiar voice to see Nividita behind her.

"Nivi di! Aap? Yahaan?" Prerna got up to hug her friend.

"Haan, voh, hamara baahir khaane ka mann kar raha tha toh main idhar se khaana lene ayi thi," Nivi explained.

"Toh aap order kar letin," Prerna suggested as they sat down.

"Actually, mera ghar yahaan se ziyada door nahi hai, toh khudi aa gayi. Socha khane se pehle kuch exercise bhi ho jaye gi,"

Prerna was happily surprised. "Aap, move ho gayin!?"

Nivi smiled and nodded. "Haan. Anupam ne yahaan kareeb hi ghar liya hai. Aur yeh cutie kon hai?" Nivi stroked Kukki's face.