Finding Mother in Law

Chapter 7

3:00pm

Kiran decided to go shopping after school to get a new dress for Ruby for her expected date with Mikael. And dragged Ruby with her.

"Let's eat first and later we can shop for as long as we want", Kiran dragged Ruby towarda the glass lift and pressed 4, "to the food court we go"

"I hate you" Ruby frowned. "I dont understand why we are here. I dont have a date yet and here we are shopping for it. Seriously how low will you dragged me?"

"Aahh... Dont think too much, he will call and you will have to go whats the harm to shop for a date with your future husband?" Kiran winked at her in sync with the ting of the lift.

This part of food court was specific for desi food and today the whole city wanted to eat fast food it seemed. The hall was almost empty, only few tables were occupied. Ruby looked around, tables were occupied by young couples mostly smiling shyly at each other, few men were also enjoying food and looking at every passing woman.

While glancing here and there Ruby saw a table filled with white hair and wrinkled skin ladies wearing floral dresses. That spot of the hall appeared to be spring, so colorful and cheerful. Ruby smiled.

"Ahh the Granny table.." Kiran followed her eyes and saw the elderly ladies enjoying their food. "Lets go sit with them a table is empty right next to their's.

Ruby nodded and followed Kiran towards the table.

"So, what will you eat?," Kiran asked her holding a sky blue menu card in her hands.

"Chicken Tikka" Ruby was still looking at the granny table. They were now talking about some remedy with radishes.

"Only?" Kiran raised her eyebrow. " I will have chicken biryani, half mutton karahi and 3 naans." Kiran was now looking at the order taker who was quickly writing the order.

"Wow. Someone is very hungry" Ruby chuckled.

"And you are paying" Kiran laughed

"As always" Ruby added.

They were talking about Salman Khan and Katrin Kaif's rumoured affair and Ruby prayed for a millionth time for both of them to get married soon, when Kiran's cell phone rang.

While she was busy arguing with her son, Ruby glanced here and there. From the entrance door of the hall she saw a delicate elderly lady wearing a light gray umbralla frock with chooridar and a long chiffon duppatta, coming towads her. Her face was glowing with a bright smile, She waved joyfully with shopping bags in her one hand and  huge floral tote in the other hand. Ruby waved back without thinking who she was. A moment later she saw all the ladies sitting at the granny table waving to the same woman. Ruby instantly stopped waving and started rubbing her neck with waving hand. She smiled sheepishly at herself.

When she cme closer to the granny table, Ruby saw some books peeking from her tote bag.
"Woah. If that bag is filled with books, she must be a strong lady." She chuckled at her thought.

"Neko, my sweet sister" A plump granny hugged the new addition in the granny league. "We were all waiting for you, now that you are here, lets eat girls" They all cheered.

Neko, which must be her nickname, placed all the shopoing bags on the floor and sar between two of her happy looking chums. She was now talking with her friends and laughing with them. Ruby smiled, she felt happy.

Happy old people made her happy, she could see so many happy possibilities for herself unlike the ones she saw in her family.

"Ahm." Kiran coughed.

"Hey" Ruby said looking at her.

"Stop looking at them now, before theyslap you." Kiran laughed at her own joke.

Waiter served them their food and they instantly digged in. Food court was filled with delicious smell of food, enough to make anyone hungry.

Ruby finished before Kiran, she felt the surrounding got a bit calm nd quite now, the buzz of people talking in hushed tones was not there now. She looked at the table granny table next to them, it was empty now.

She smiled to herself when she spotted a white shopping bag on the floor right next to Neko's chair. She quickly dashed towards the table and grabbed the shopper. She looked round but could not find any white haired lady.

"Look,one of the grannies left this" She waved the shopping bag in front of Kiran and announced.

"So?"

"Let's find them"

"Why not leave this bag here, may be she will come back here."

"No Kiran. This is not a resturant, its a open food court and none of the food points here is responsible for the stuff people leave here or forget."

" Lets go eat some ice cream. Its on the other endof the food court, we will get a chance to look at all places and will eat ice cream as well." Kiran grinned.

"Sure" Ruby said.
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"Chocolte chip cookie and mint, 2 scoops" Ruby said to the girl at the ice cream parlour.

They looked at every food joint but could not find Neko or any of her friends. So they settled to eat ice cream and go for shopping.

" Ruby its 4:35" Kiran clapped her hands.

Ruby felt her heart bearing  bit faster all of a sudden.

"His mother said he will call around 4 right?" Kiran asked.

Ruby nodded.

She felt her cell phone buzzing in her handbag, she took it out. It was a unknown number, Ruby swipped her finger towarda the green circle.

"Hey Ruby" She heard Mikael's voice. A huge smile danced on her lips.

"Hey"

"How are you? I am fine. Now formalities are done", Mikael chuckled
"I am fine too. And yes formalities are done" Ruby laughed too

"I kinda missed you", Mikael said. Ruby felt thousands of butterflies flutter in her stomach.

"Why?" She mumbled, not knowing what too say. Saying I missed you too was too much for her to say at this stage.

"That is a very good question. I think we must meet to search for the answer of this question", Mikael said in a very professional tone, but the naughty smile in his voice was evident.

Ruby smiled.

"Sure but we can talk aboit this matter over the phone as well. I have time. " She copied his tone.

"Nope. I want to see you Ruby." His voice was low and soft.

"Lunch? Thursday? Pansy lounge?" She said playing with a strand of her hair.

"Why not tomorrow?"

"A girl needs sometime to get ready for a date Mr. Said." Ruby laughed.

"As you wish my dear."

"Oky bye" Ruby hung up and took deep breaths. She was nervous and happy.

Her phone buzzed again. A text message appeared.

"Wear something glittery" His text said with a wink.
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