The Birlas' - PARINAMA

Chapter - 16: Pampering Meets Trouble

At Birla House:

It was the second and last day of Roohi and Abhir's suspension. They will be going to college from tomorrow and they didn't want to waste their holiday staying put at home. Yes, A HOLIDAY They got suspended so rarely that it was nothing short of an unforeseen holiday for them. Once they were forgiven, they considered the rest of the suspension as a sponsored holiday but never explicitly spoke about it aloud. 

They didn't want their father to get extra strict seeing their extra casual attitude regarding a consequence of their bad behaviour or mistake. That will be such a mood dampener. So, it was unsaid but it was well understood by all the others in the Birla Household. They would be at home, and they expected pampering. If they got scolded badly, then they will need more pampering. All the Birlas except Abhimanyu did their bidding. 

Only if Abhimanyu ever figured out what happens when he isn't around during their suspension and what kind of pampering, they get behind his back for getting suspended, they would all have lot of answers to give. Unlike other kids of their age, Roohi and Abhir weren't very addicted to technology or gadgets because Abhimanyu made sure of it. It was something he did consciously and taught them how to keep themselves entertained without the help of technology as well.

They reveled in striking conversations no matter how pointless they may turn out to be, running around the house, watching movies in the living room along with everyone, helping the staff with gardening, sorting their stuff in their rooms, playing all sorts of games and for Abhir alone, reading books from their father's collection apart from playing outdoor sports is an add on while for Roohi, jamming with her Dida was a bonus. 

They didn't have any other gadgets of their own except for mobiles and headphones of their choice. They would BORROW from the elders if they needed to use anything else. They had MAC systems installed in their rooms for them to get through with the College related work which were all connected to a Master system. Keeping tabs and accessing the systems when need arises won't be a tough job that way. 

Even the kids were aware of that fact ever since they got their own P.Cs when they turned 12. The living room had the best home theatre, T.V, music system, soundbar, X-Box and anything else they wanted for. They always either borrowed or shared all the other gadgets but never owned them. Abhimanyu was very clear that they wouldn't own anything until they turned 18, effectively restraining their access without making it obvious. 

They can use and have what they want but if they ever go overboard, it can be controlled without any fuss by any of the elders. They would always watch their actions once they know they aren't the only one with access to it. Because they don't own it, they can't get offended assuming that they are being suspected or monitored, when someone uses the same gadget after they did. For them, it was just SHARING.

Abhimanyu strongly believed that TOO MUCH EXPOSURE and UNMONITORED FREEDOM during TEENAGE can be dangerous. He is a parent after all, and he wanted to make sure his kids didn't fall into a mess without making them feel suffocated. He thought over it a lot and then found a way that might help his purpose. For that he needed his kids on his side and he was up for the challenge like always.

He very calmly and gently explained them why their online activities need to be under SURVEILLANCE until they reach a certain age. He promised them to NOT INTERFERE in their matters until and unless the things go off the radar and vouched to NOT EMBARRASS them ever or SHARE any details regarding them WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION. In return, they accepted the surveillance.