BEWITCHED

Chapter 18th

"How about a trip to NYC. "
We were having the breakfast, not to say a very French breakfast with bread, butter, a sweet lemon pastry and coffee. I did wanted to make breakfast but she denied saying that she wanted to eat something new.

It's been two days since the drama and dadaji and dadi ji had returned to mansion saying she needed to take care of laddu gopal. The others stayed as maa requested to have a few days with all her children.

"Why are you suddenly recommending a trip."
Dhriti's question sounded like she was suspicious to Aarav. Like he will rob a bank a while we were out of country.

"Tujhse kisne pucha? Mai tujhe -pointed a finger towards her dramaticly- kahi nhi le jaa rha, mai muuchar k saath nhi ghmta. "
(A person with huge mustaches)

"Mu- muuchar. Tu kya h gorill! "

"Are, sach toh bola maine. Puch le bhai se. "
My eyes ping-ponged between Daksh and Athrav bhai.
Dhriti turned towards Daksh in speed of light. Daksh face turned serious as he stared into Dhriti's face.

"Hmm, badh toh gye hai- "

"Dekh lo bhabhi sambhal lo aapne pati ko, warna patila bna du gi isse. "
My hands reached out and I gave him a small smack in his head.

"Ouch."

"Waah, biwi ke aage sab jhuk jaate h. Athrav bhai, sanyaas le lete hai. "

"Kaahe ka sansyaas? Mujhe kam se kam 6 pota poti chea."

"Haa toh bhabhi hai na, kyu bhai? "
My coffee stuck at my throat making me choke. I cough violently at his statement as my face started to became beat red.
Now that I think about of it, we really haven't discussed anything about having kids.

Let alone discuss we are not at the level to discuss this. Do he not want children...? He did gave a death stare to the kid in mall.

A thick layer of silence fall on the dinning only to be broke by maa's hand coming contact with Athrav's back.

"Kuch v bolta hai."

"Why NYC? "
Finally the unbearable silence was broken by Athrav's hard voice.

"I've got my art exhibition there! "
It was like the room lit up with happiness and joy.
Questions were getting thrown at him.
The praises and smiles were filling the room.
I was also proud of him. I did knew that he painted, but never once has seen his paintings.

"When did this happen? "
It was my first time seeing Athrav smile, it wasn't big but was still there.

"Well, I got this email from MOMA two days ago asking if I was interested, I think they saw my pieces online. "

"You posted it online? "
Daksh's question seemed a little surprised, like he was not expecting him doing so.

His question was correct tho, cause Aarav never let anyone enter his studio, not even cleaner lady.
Not so long he has moved his studio in underground chambers because it was the only place that no one enters.

He had converted the whole store room into a big studio for himself.
He also looked quite content after the shifting.

"Yeah ... a few new ones. Nowadays I'm getting new ideas of uh- ummm a fe-female. "
His neck and ears started to get covered in a bright red hue as he described his inspiration.

Now, I've never seen or heard the men of this family talking about women. Never once.
So it was surprising for me also to heard that Aarav inspiration is a woman.

Our first meeting was confusing but later he told that the girl was trying to seduce him. He also thanked me for 'accidently' saving him that day.
Never once from that day I've seen him with any girl.