The Ideal NRI Couple mistake

11. Neil

When I entered the house, for the first time it smelt like home. I could smell the various food fragrances. I also saw a corner of the drawing room now had a small shelf and God figurines along with incense sticks. Maybe Ishani needed this influence to sort out her life. I smiled. This was great. "Ish I'm home." I saw her carry a glass of water and tea for me along with pakoras. Mom taught me the pakoras. And I wouldn't be making them again," she grumbled setting the tray on the table and hugging me. I quickly kissed her lips remembering last night. "I want to repeat last night today," I hugged her and slowly said it in her ears. Ishani blushed hard. Her mom entered the room. "Hello Neil," I smiled dropping my hug. "Hope your day was good?" I enquired and looked at Ishani who was nodding a no. And then Mom started about how expensive food was, how difficult cabs were and why was there no system of bai (house help) here. I looked at Ishani and she was rolling her eyes. As I bit into a crispy onion pakora all the rant was worth it.

After the heartiest meal since leaving India i wanted to roll to bed and sleep. But I remembered my dessert promise. "Let's go maa and get you some ice cream!" Ishani cleared the table and mom replied, "I am too tired. I think I would skip. You kids go. I will clear up here and take care." Ishani also forced her mom who clearly wanted rest. "Let's skip too Ishani." Sleep seemed so much better. "You both go." Her mom practically pushed us out. "Waffles? Ice cream or coffee? What would you like Ishani?" "Wine?" she replied back with a cocky smile. "Wine it is then." We picked a bottle of red and Ishani decided we could smuggle this to our room balcony and have some me time too. And my ideas where much above the me time. I wanted them babies and what better excuse would I need to make love to my beautiful wife and have some good wine.

The air was sticky, it would rain soon. "Ish I want to ask you something.." I finally broached the subject that was gnawing me. She looked up from her glass and took out her packet of cigarettes that angered me. "Ishani we are trying for a kid, and you are always puffing these away aren't you scared? You promised me eons ago that you will stop. Why didn't you?" My time came out more bitter and angry than I wanted.

"Neil kids will happen when we want them surely." She replied puffing out smoke as she sipped her glass of wine. "I want them soon. Don't you?" I looked in her eyes and knew her answer want going to make me happy!