Vodka on the rocks

Part - 3

Pallavi walked in what looked like a hospital chamber and kept the tiffin carrier on the table with a satisfying thud. Vijay Deshmukh who was sitting half propped on the bed turned to look at her and gave an excited smile seeing her taking out the circular steel bowls of the carrier. 

"Yes, yes Baba.. I have bought your favourite home cooked food but... all of this is prepared according to the diet chart given by the doctor so.. no spice, extra ghee, butter and no sweets."

Vijay made a face which prompted Sharda who was sitting beside him break into a giggle even as Pallavi looked unamused as she helped her mother to arrange the side table with the food. 

"Chee! Kaisa khana banega bina tel ghee or masalo ke.."

"Jaisa ki ek heart patient ko khana chahiye. Maine kitni baar kaha tha aapse, cholestrol bad raha hain, tali hui cheezein mat khaiyee itna. Par aap hain ki sunte nhi kisika."

Sharda scolded her sheepish looking husband and Pallavi chortled cutely. 

"Tu kyun hass rahi hain itna? Bohot maza aa raha hain na.."

Vijay grumbled at his mirthful daughter and started eating the tasteless food reluctantly. It was evident from the scene that this was during the time Vijay had suffered a heart attack from all the stress of the shop and his elder son's abrupt demise. Pallavi had been handling everything on her own as the Deshmukhs went through the worst phase of their lives. 

Milind came in next looking worse for wear. He had taken the responsibility of earning for the entire family and worked double shifts now, as Deshmukh Saree Emporium remained closed for some days. 

"Kaka, I was going to the shop. I think, we should open it now.. can you please stay here with Aai and Baba?"

"Sure Pallu, but are you sure, you'll be able to manage everything there alone?"

"Yes, don't worry. I will have Krishna to help me."

"Nikhil ko bhi le jaa.. thoda kaam seekh lega.."

Sharda said only for Pallavi to interrupt her firmly. 

"Nhi Aai, uske college ke entrance exams chal rahe hain.. is waqt ye sab karke time waste karne ki zaroorat nhi hain. I will manage, don't worry."

Pallavi walked out leaving the three Deshmukhs looking behind her, eyes soft in gratitude and love for this slight woman who single handedly had taken reigns of their intertwined lives without a single complaint. 

"Pallu keeps doing so much for us.. the family. Who will say she is our widowed daughter in law?"

Vijay said tremulously thinking about the trials she had faced after Mandar's death, all the pain she had to go through as a widow, a cruel society's regressive comments. It was a miracle that she was even functioning normally after bearing through all those storms. 

"She is our daughter Vijayji.. not daughter in law. Only I hope, she realises that she is too young to start sacrificing her entire life, her future for us.. I wish.. I wish she would agree to the proposal."

Milind looked slightly stunned. 

"Are you talking about the Mehtas Vahini? They had called you personally asking for Pallu's hand, right?"

"Yes. I hope they match. Only this stubborn girl refuses to even consider anyone."

Raghav: Ye Mehta ka kya raita hain?😒

Nikhil: Arre jiju, chodiye.. ek third class banda tha jo Didi ke peeche pada tha. Mujhe toh kabhi pasand nhi aaya..😤

Keerti: What happened bhai? Why are getting so agitated?🤭