A Hundred Flukes

Socialism

Chapter 17

"11:57, it's 3 minutes before the date changes, yay, that means the partyyyy is still on, it's still your birthday jiji." cried an effulgent Khushi. Payal smiled brightly at her, closing her umbrella, "Uh, careful Khushi there is water on the floor." she cautioned. Too late, "Woah..." Khushi yelled as she slipped and fell on the ground on her knees and palms saving her chin from hitting the ground. A hand much larger than her was extended in front of her, she looked up to catch Shyam's gaze resting upon her. "So you are finally back." he said helping her up. "Khushi are you all right?" said Payal rushing towards her. "Y..yeah, kind of.", "I didn't see you coming though." she said turning to Shyam. "Well I have a tendency to escape eyes." he chuckled. Khushi stared at him blankly. "Don't look at me like that, I was just kidding." he assured.

Khushi nodded, "A--TISSHOOO" she sneezed.

"There comes Sanakadevi announcing her arrival." Madhumati grumbled standing on the door. "A--TISHHOO" Khushi sneezed on her face, earning herself a slap on the back. "Ouch, Buaji..."

Madhumati glared at her, raising both her eye brows and placing her hands on her hips, "Tell me one thing, when Siyam babua was coming to fetch you, what was the need to hop into your boss' car?"

"Buaji that wasn't my boss, that was..."

"Haye re Nandkissore..." Madhumati whined slapping her forehead, "then who was that man? Look Khusee, for the time you are living with me, BEHAVE YOUR SELF!" Khushi made a face and ran behind Payal who took the cake out from the refrigerator. "Hurry jiji, 50 seconds to go.... Chocolate!" she exclaimed licking her lips, "thank you so much Shyamji."

"Stop hanging out your tongue like a puppy, roll it in!" said Madhumati peevishly. Khushi lit a matchstick that was extinguished the next moment by her king sized sneeze. "Arree sassuri cannot do one thing properly." Madhumati complained.

"Its all right give it to me." said Shyam.

"Haan babua, you do it."

"A--TISSHOO"  

****

"A-TISHOO... excuse me" Arnav sneezed into the napkin. "God bless you." said Anjali softly taking a fresh dry towel from the valet, who stood with three more in his hands. She patted her younger brother's almost-dry-by-now hair further dry with the towel, while her brother sat in his recliner, sulking. "May I know what inspired you to go for a rain dance tonight? As far as I remember, you hate rains" she asked in her affectionate, mock angry tone. Arnav did not reply,  the bickering of two women outside the door was clearly audible inside the room, it became clearer as Devyani Raizada entered his room, "I will make hot honey milk for my grandson, to keep cold away from him." she said clearing her throat.

"At least you should know that Arnav doesn't like either of milk and honey." Manorma Raizada remarked sharply from behind her, "I'll make ginger tea for my nephew, that helps more in cold." Arnav pinched between his eyebrows, sighing.

"You Manorma?" Devyani shook her head, "have you stepped in the kitchen ever since you brought your useless self to this family? Your mother sent her spoilt girl to my house." Manorma glared at her mother in law, "Hello hi bye bye! Telling lies Johnny! I mean M-I-L, when I came to this house, you had only one servant. My mother cried when she saw me cook!" she groaned.

"No, we cried when we ate the food you cooked." Devyani moaned, "That’s why I tell you to stay out of this, I can take care of my kids, you take care of your son."

"My son was not the one to get drenched in rain." Manorma retorted, "It's my nephew who needs my care right now." Arnav rolled his eyes. 

"He's healthier and happier without your care Manorma! Anjali tell your mami to leave this room."