Back In Time

~five~

A/N:

I don't recall enjoying writing something as much as I did when writing this chapter. For our own sake, I hope this NEVER happens to any of us for real!

Happy Reading, lol.

~kimayaa a.k.a Ankita

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"All set, beta?"

It was his Father, who'd walked into his room for God only knows what. Even though Vedant was one of those people who were super close to their family, it wasn't really very characteristic of his Father to indulge in any heart-to-hearts. And as far as his memory went, it had only led to outrageously horrible disagreements every time something of this sort had happened.

"Um...yeah kind of." He mumbled awkwardly, still staring at his almost fully packed suitcase.

"Mind if I sit for a while?"

Huh?

"Of course not Papa. Sit, please."

His Father gazed at him expectantly for a few seconds; a look Vedant couldn't successfully place. When Vedant gave no response, he coughed; clearing his throat before he began with what Vedant could only christen as the most awkward discussion of the millennia.

"You and Meera...." Vedant raised his brows with question, "I mean....Meera and you..." Vedant nodded encouragingly. His Father pressed his eyes close tightly; as if willing himself to speak, "...please be responsible."

He raised his brows curiously this time, lost at where his Father was getting at with the conversation. "Look I'm the last person on this planet who wanted to have a discussion like this with his twenty five year old son but your Mother has been pestering me about this forever!"

"Papa, what is it?"

"You're going to be staying with Meera for two nights at her apartment, aren't you?"

And that was when it all clicked. Blood rushed all the way up to his cheeks and he found himself gaze everywhere but his Father's way.

"Vedant, trust me; I'm not any less uncomfortable than you are right now. But I'd promised your Mom I'd...er....have a word with you so here I am."

Vedant rolled his eyes instinctively, appalled at the broad mindedness of his parents after all.

"What do you want me to say Papa?"

"Oh nothing! Don't say anything please." This was getting kind of hilarious now. "Just promise me, that if...uh...you know if...like....uh....if-"

"-if I decide to have sex with my girlfriend I promise to use protection. Happy?"

His Father gaped at him with shock at the bluntness of his statement. "Um...yeah." He looked down, "Leaves no room for any further discussions."

"But this cannot be what Ma wanted you to say to me."

"Well..." His Father sighed, "...she asked me to talk to you yes. But she didn't necessarily say I'd have to say exactly what she wanted to say to you right?"

Vedant laughed.

"Your Mom wanted you to at least pop the question before things went ahead. But knowing you and your feelings for her I take it the only reason you've not proposed marriage yet is because you guys aren't ready-"

"-more on the lines of her not being ready." Vedant mumbled unconsciously.

His Father placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's okay to broach the subject with her at some point you know? Some discussions are best when indulged in openly."

"I'm afraid of losing her Papa." He shrugged, his shoulders slumping with defeat.

"Nobody's asking you to go and propose to her tomorrow son! You guys are barely twenty five and that poor girl is struggling with her masters. What I mean to say is, just out of the fear of disturbing the status quo you two seem to be maintaining these days, don't ruin the beautiful future I can see you two are capable of sharing."

This was quite possibly the sanest advice he'd received from anyone in aeons. It was quite shocking to think that this awkward heart-to-heart seemed to actually prove quite fruitful. He felt the most relieved he'd felt since Meera's move to Delhi.

"What does Ma want?"

His Father shrugged, "Since we're being so blunt with each other...." Vedant scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "...no sleeping around before marriage. She keeps reading those stupid articles online and is frightened beyond compare. She likes the fact that you're so excited to see Meera but she prefers you rather live elsewhere."

Vedant nodded in understanding. "And you don't agree?"

"I do. Love like what you feel for her, combined with passion is a lethal combination son. But I also know, that that's not how you'll want this trip to be. So, I decided to tweak your Mom's message a little."

"A little?"

His Father waved a hand at him dismissively.

"All I know is that you both are pretty old now and are grown enough to make your own choices. I just wanted to remind you to be equally responsible about it all. She's the woman you love. You wouldn't want one moment of passion to ruin the beautiful future you two can share someday now would you?"

Embarrassing; was putting things mildly. He wanted the ground to cut open and swallow him in, or the ceiling to collapse over his head and knock him out of his senses till he reached Delhi, or for Vidisha to come and pinch him hard enough for him to realize that this was only the weirdest dream he'd ever seen. But none of that seemed to happen.

He really was discussing his sex life with his Father.

The next thing he knew, his Father would start suggesting him the best kinds of contraception!

"I think I've passed on my message as best as I could son. The rest is upon you."

Vedant looked here and there.

"So....I suppose that's my cue to leave."

"That sounds like music to my ears Papa."

Both men looked away, and then obliviously so; cracked up grins that were alarmingly identical; something that announced the father-son relationship they shared without the need of a DNA test.

"Have a good time." His Father smiled.

"Papa!"

"What? I didn't mean it like that you idiot!"

"Oh." Vedant huffed, turning as red as a tomato over again.