Ishq Mein Adhoora Sa - A ShivIka SS

9.

"I'm rich too, you know... The daughter of a sultan... A fine prize for any prince to marry...Right, a prince like you. And every other stuffed shirt, swaggering, peacock I've met! Just go jump off a balcony!" Rubina enacted for the 5th time in the living room for her (captive) audience of Raahil and Rishi.

"It's good Rubi. Bas itni practice mat kar lena ki kal gala hi baith jaaye." Raahil told her, reading a book on the couch.

"I know bhaiya but I want it to be perfect! Lead role woh bhi 7th Grade Play mein is a huge deal!" Rubina exclaimed.

"KiddOs, dinner!" Rudra called out.

"Ginger, honey and lemon water for you, Princess Jasmine." Rudra placed a mug in front of Rubina and dramatically bowed to her.

"Why thank you, kind sir!" Rubina curtseyed dramatically in response.

Rudra scooped a portion of Rajma Chawal into the kids' plates before sitting down with Gauri and Om to eat an early dinner.

"Shivaay aur Bhavya kahaan hain?" Om asked, helping himself to the bowl of Rajma.

"Bhaiya office mein hain, kuch reviews dekh ke and contracts padh ke aayenge. Bhavya upar kamre mein hain, meeting notes bana rahi hain." Rudra informed.

"Chhote Papa, Dadaji bhi Chairman the na? Kya Dadaji bhi itna late tak itna saara kaam karte the?" Rishi asked, popping a spoonful of rice in his mouth.

"Bilkul nahi." OmRu replied in unison, causing Rishi to snort, Raahil to cough and Rubina to laugh.

"So sorry, humein aane mein der ho gayi." Bhavya apologised as she made her way to dining table and sat down, taking the food in her plate.

"Bhavya tum late nahi ho, hum hi jaldi khaane baith gayi." Gauri said and gave Bhavya some chopped up onions, green chillies and lemon wedges to put on her Rajma.

"Hum aap sabko pehle hi join karne wale the likin kal shaam ko Delhi Police ke Joint Commissioner ke saath meeting hain, usi ki tayyaari kar rahe the." Bhavya informed them but Rudra stopped eating, looked at Rubina then at Bhavya.

Rudra dropped his voice to whisper, "Kal shaam ko Rubi ka play hain."

"Nahi, Rubi ka play parso hain." Bhavya replied in a whisper.

"Nahi Bhavya, kal hain. Tuesday ko."

"Tuesday kal hain!?" Bhavya nearly whisper-yelled, drawing attention to herself.

"Chhoti maa, sab theek hain?" Raahil asked.

Bhavya blinked in confusion then shook her head slightly. "Ha..haan sab theek hain."

No one looked convinced.

Rubina looked closely at her parents, thinking about their conversation when she realised what were they talking about.

"Aap mera play dekhne nahi aa rahe ho?"

Rubina's grey eyes were glistening and her wide smile from earlier disappeared into a frown. Bhavya didn't know how to look at her daughter without crying herself.

"Rubi, woh... hum... humare dimaag se hi nikal gaya Tuesday kal hain..."

"Toh aap nahi aa rahe ho." Rubina concluded before pushing her plate away and getting up from the dining table.

"Rubi, khaana finish kar lo." Om insisted but Rubina was already towards her room.

"Mera pet bhar gaya." Rubina disappeared into her room. Rudra glanced at Rubina's plate and while a few bites were left, she ate most of her food so he wasn't worried that she'll go bed hungry. He channelled his attention back to Bhavya. Bhavya was visibly upset and feeling guilty. Rubina had been looking forward to this play for the past 3 months, even marking the date on every calendar in the house. She had been working hard for the play while balancing her schoolwork and karate classes. She had asked Rudra and her weeks advance to come and see her play and both of them assured they definitely would. Bhavya wasn't able to keep up the promise.