Layers of Us

Chapter 129: Kabira... Ya Ilahi

Tripura stood there tapping her right foot restlessly with her arms crossed over her chest, her lips twisted in sheer annoyance.

Meanwhile, Bhoomi too had a proper stress face plastered across hers because Ram was crying like a two-month-old baby while clinging onto her.

"I know, Papa..." Bhoomi tried.
"But what if-"

"Nahi!" Ram immediately interrupted.
"Listen to me first..."

He continued yapping one thing after another to Merwin about-
What she likes to eat. What makes her cry. What makes her happy. What gives her energy.
What gets her stressed. How she forgets to drink water... etc etc.

"And... she'll say she's okay when she's not.. so don't believe her immediately." He concluded sniffing back his fat tears.

Merwin stood beside them scratching the back of his head listening attentively, occasionally nodding and ccasionally glancing at Bhoomi, who looked equally helpless.

Merwin's parents and the rest of the relatives watched the entire exchange with amused yet incredibly soft smiles on their faces.

Because it wasn't every day they got to witness a father trying to squeeze parenting advice into five minutes.

Tripura glanced at the grandfather clock standing in the corner then at the priest who gave her a look which said, "Madame, time!"

She sighed deeply at that.

Finally deciding enough was enough, she marched straight toward them, grabbed Ram by his arm and physically pulled him away from Bhoomi.

"Ahm... Ram."

He looked at her with watery eyes.

"Late ho raha hai na. They have to do the griha pravesh within the given time."
She smiled through gritted teeth.
"So..."
"Can we continue this later? Please!"

Ram sniffed loudly wiping his nose with the back of his sleeve.
"Haan... Haan... ya... bilkul."

He immediately turned back toward Bhoomi.
"Bye mera bacha."
"Papa will miss you."
"Ghar aati rehna haan... Tera hi ghar hai."
"Bilkul ghabrana mat tu."

Tripura muttered under her breath,
"Aisa ghar ho na..."
"...toh main kabhi wapas na aaun."

Ram immediately turned.
"Kuch kaha tumne?"

Tripura looked at him innocently.
"Nahi toh."

Then before he could continue Round Two-
She turned toward Bhoomi and Merwin placing one hand on Bhoomi's back, the other on Merwin's shoulder.

"Der ho rahi hai na tum dono ko."
"Please let's keep moving."
"Traffic milega.... Oh my God."
"Chalo! Chalo! Chalo!"

Without giving either of them a chance to talk, Tripura practically escorted them to the car.

She opened the back door herself.
"Ghus andar."

Poor Bhoomi blinked.
"Maa..."

"Inside! NOW!"

"...Ji!" Bhoomi obediently climbed inside.

Tripura immediately looked at Merwin.
"You."
"Other side."
"Quick!"

Merwin wisely chose not to talk and hurried around the car and got in from the opposite side.

Tripura shut both door almost dramatically because if Ram reached them again, another flood warning would have to be issued.

Already the government was doing enough to make sure every road flooded during the rains.

Now if Ram decided to contribute to the nation's water reserves too...
She simply couldn't allow that.