The Birlas' - IKSHANA

EPILOGUE

At Birla House:

Abhimanyu reached home and he saw his family enjoying themselves. They were playing Carroms. Harsh teamed up with Roohi while Abhir and Manjari were a team. Neil was yet to reach because he didn't see the car parked outside. Abhir was a brilliant player and Harsh had always been the best in Carroms. The teams were evenly divided. But he smiled when Roohi started bickering after she missed an easy shot. All the others were trying to pacify her. When her turn came again, she refused to take the shot. 

Abhimanyu couldn't stay in the background anymore. He went to Roohi and helped her angle the strike correctly. She didn't want to try but he sweet talked her into taking the strike. She jumped in joy and hugged him when the coin landed in the pocket. 

"This is not fair Dad. Unke team mein already Gramps hain. He has been a State Champion aur aap bhi help kar rahe ho. Dida! Hum kyun khelein ab? Chalo hum chalte hain" Abhir whined.

 Abhimanyu smiled, "Aww! Mera Bacha! Kyun bura maan rahe ho aap? Main nahi help karta toh woh nahi khelti. Agar woh nahi khelti toh game waise hi ruk jaata na. Aur strike usne hi kiya, maine toh sirf guide kiya" He defended himself. 

"Ab bol Birla Boy. Mujhse aur Chachu se toh hamesha argument mein tu hi jeet ta hain. Lekin Poppy sabse bestest Birla Boy hain. Kar argue unse" She teased him. 

"Chalo! Meri music class ka time hogaya hain. Main chalti hoon" Manjari declared diverting their attention.

"Bachon! Tum donon aapas mein khel lo. Hamein jana hain." Harsh declared. 

"Aap bhi jaa rahe ho Gramps?" Roohi asked. 

"Madam ko drop karna aur pick karna toh humara saubhagya hai" He flirted openly and Manjari blushed. Abhimanyu's face lit when he saw Manjari smile. 

"Mujhe bhi le jao please. Bahut din se main Dida ke class nahi gayi. Pata nahi phir kabhi Saturday chutti milegi bhi ya nahi" She requested cutely. 

Manjari back hugged her, "Chal saath mein. Mujhe bhi toh show off karne ka mauka miljayega . Rockstar Rooh ki Dadi hoon main. Itna toh banta hain" she said playfully. 

Roohi smiled and went to get ready. In 10 minutes, all the three zoomed off in their car leaving Abhimanyu and Abhir behind.

Abhir immediately snuggled to Abhimanyu. He got alone time with his father and he was not complaining at all. No matter how much Abhimanyu spent time with Abhir, it was never enough for him. He always missed his Dad purely because he enjoyed his Dad's company the most. They understood each other and even with very little talking, they managed to understand each other's point of view seamlessly. Like-mindedness does that maybe. With just both of them, there was a peaceful silence in the living room. The weather looked nice from the huge window present in the hall. 

"Terrace pe chalein?" Both said it at once. 

They shared a laugh and went up to the terrace to enjoy the view. Abhimanyu was contemplating on whether this was the ideal time to bring up the topic but he knew the sooner he spoke, the better Abhir will feel. He placed a light hand on Abhir's shoulder and pulled him closer. 

"Bacha! Mujhe aapse baat karni thi kuch. Aapka mood hain?" He asked Abhir calmly. Abhir's mind was shifting gears immediately which didn't get missed by Abhimanyu. 

He gently hit Abhir's head and spoke, "Kyun itna soch rahe ho? Baat nahi kar sakta main? Aur achanak aapke shakal pe yeh frown kyun hain?" Abhimanyu questioned him.