THE HIDDEN HALF

Chapter 31 : How about if I ask her?

*** CHAPTER 31 ***

‘Phulon ka taaro ka, sabka kehna hai,
Ek hazaro mein, meri behna hai.’

The little Chaitanya has his eyes glued to the television screen as the song plays. Ragini, who has been in a whirl desperately searching for a file that Laksh has asked her to find, tries to ignore the unintentional disturbance but when even after several futile attempts she fails to do so, she finally turns towards her son, trying to give him her best frowning face. The little one completely oblivious of his mother’s complaining gaze has a huge smile on his face as the song still has his undivided attention.

Ragini: Sweetheart, can you please lower the voice? Mumma is trying to do something important.

Chits: Tsk! If I’ll lowel (lower) the voice then how will I listen?

Ragini: I’m not asking you to mute it. Just lower a little bit. Please.

Chaitanya looks at his mother and then at the beautiful song playing and finally decides to lower the voice by one point before focusing back on the song, ignoring the presence of his mother as a whole. Ragini is left shell shocked realizing that her son has just now considered a song over his own mother! This proves… this proves that he has taken over his father! Unbelievable!

Sighing, Ragini turns back to search the file again, knowing it all too well that there is no point arguing with the little devil.

“MUMMAAA!!”

It’s hardly been a few minutes but soon enough Ragini is left dumbstruck with a loud scream, making her drop all the files on the floor. She lets out an exasperated sigh before glaring at his son who by now is standing right in front of her, looking down at the files.

Ragini: Chaitanya Maheshwari! What’s wrong with you today? Why are you bothering me?!

Chits: (pointing downwards) Mumma, you dlopped (dropped) the copies!

Ragini: All thanks to you! Why were you shouting?

Chits: I just want a tini tiny thing!

He says making a pinch like gesture with his thumb and index finger, with both his eyes closed. Ragini looks at the mercilessly scattered files, their pages lying in all possible directions, and then at her son looking at her with extremely hopeful eyes. And then as if taking revenge on him, she brushes off his request.

Ragini: I don’t have time right now. Just go and watch your TV. I have to go down before it’s time for breakfast.

Chits: But Mumma…

Ragini: No ifs and buts. This happened because of you, so, you’re not getting anything.

Chits: But it’s leally (really) a vely (very) small thing!

Ragini takes a deep breath and bends down to pick up the papers. First she hasn’t been able to find the file and now she’ll have to sort the pages out too! Great! Why is everything going wrong today?

Realizing that his mother has ignored him, little Chaitanya eyes well up with tears and his lips quiver as he feels himself on the verge of breaking down. He looks at his mother and then at the television screen. It’s all worth it!

Chits: Mumma!!

Ragini: What?!! Go and ask your Swara Mumma for that thing!

Chits: Bad Mumma! I’ll go and ask Swala (Swara) Mumma fol (for) a little sistel (sister)!