Unwanted Arrangement

4.

Ishika Ahuja 

Beta- son/ affectionately expression to all son or daughter

Badi Papa picked my call up in the second ring as always. 

"Haa, Ishika. What's the matter, beta?" He asked amidst the sound of shuffling papers and chattering voices.

I checked the time and date, only now remembering I had an important meeting today.

"I'm so sorry, Badi Papa. I completely forgot about the meeting. I don't think I'll even be able to make it if I try." I apologized instantly,  hoping he isn't mad. I had no pain about missing the meeting, but about disappointing Badi Papa already in a role he has trusted me with.

"Ishika," He started,"don't apologize. It was important to be with your maa. How is she, anyway?"

"She woke up for a few minutes, saying she needed to go to Kulkarni mansion, but suddenly got quiet as if she remembered something." I said, hoping for a reaction but found none from Badi Papa, "when she was quiet for a few moments, I gave her the pills the doctor prescribed and now she's sleeping again."

Badi Papa stayed quiet long enough to make me doubt if he was still on line.

"Badi papa?" I asked into my phone to check if he was listening.

"Ha." He replied, "take care of her. You can stay home as long as you like. Don't worry. Ananya is handling things here." 

Her name came with an echo of words.

"Think of your mother when you choose."

I gulped, finally asking Badi Papa what I called for.

"Badi Papa, can I visit papa's house? I know he lived in a different house whenever he was in India. Can I go?" I requested, hoping he would let me know where the house is. 

Badi Papa's reply came with a stunned silence.

Ananya's words that papa painted her childhood bedroom echoed in my mind and I went over to check it only to be brought down to tears.

His art was beautiful. Every color he used, and every stroke he used told me something about him that no one could ever express in words.

I wanted to see more of his paintings and know more about him.

"I'll text you the details." He replied quietly, "do you need anything else?"

"No." I answered quickly and Badi Papa bid me goodbye.

I smiled when my mobile pinged with an address and a picture five minutes after he cut the call.

"Take our security head, Gopal. I've already told him." - Badi Papa

"Thank you, Badi Papa :) All the best for the meeting. Give my wishes to Ananya Di too." - You

I pocketed my phone in my shrug pocket and went to search for gopal, only to find him already waiting by the car.

He opened the door for me, and got into the driver seat himself. 

"Gopal uncle, do you know anything about papa?" I asked not even two minutes into our journey. 

"Ma'am." He dragged, pausing. "I don't know what prompted this question. "

I've forgotten these antics only because I got some answers from Ananya Di. The household always kept quiet over papa. No one ever answered anything about him. I'm a fool to expect things to change now.

"Just don't call me Ma'am." I neither sign their paychecks nor am older than them.

"He was a kind man." Gopal answered suddenly, taking me aback.