The Ideal NRI Couple mistake

Chap 21: Ishani's POV

I went downstairs only to see my parents having a quiet cup of tea. And as I descended the stairs I thought about how their evenings must be so subdued now. Earlier evenings were our time, I pictured dad coming from work, me coming back from office and the the of us enjoying our chai and samosa often while discussing the neighborhood and what will mom cook for dinner. Sometimes Neil's parents would also be here and Neil would glance at me often trying to steal a look. How different this life was now. For all of us. I decided to cheer them up. "maa where's my chai? And samosa is there?" I smiled and ran to hug dad and in the blink of an eye I was good special baby all over again. I controlled myself as my tears slipped down my face. How I missed my parents and simple evenings like these. If only I was around here or if only I had waited before this marriage thing.

"Beta, my strong daughter! Look at you all married and grown up" I could hear my dad great me in a husky tone trying to hide his tears. As mom sniffled and went to make tea I tried to lighten the atmosphere. "Always your daughter first papa," I beamed back smiling. If I had three days all I wanted was my parents to smile. "maa what all are you cooking? Can you please make your rajma rice one day?" I asked picking up a Monaco biscuit. For most of us Monaco and Parle G biscuits are the epitome of childhood. Dipping them in adrak chai makes them even better. Mom kept my tea along with a platter of samosa and Jalebi on the table. Indian mithai in Singapore wasn't the same and was somewhat a luxury. "Your in-laws shall be here for a quick dinner catch up, you think you need to dress up?" My mom the mood killer, instead of letting me be all lovely dovey. She went for stressing me! I picked another biscuit and shrugged. "Mom I'm way more dressed than what I am in Singapore. And it's not as if they haven't seen me wear regular clothes." I hugged my dad almost tearing up again. God how I wished to stall these three days and get back my life. "Well Ishani, Reet is also coming, ask her for a few tips?" Mom tips for what? I did not really need any tips right now. "To get pregnant ofcourse," I choked on my tea. Sputtering it out and looking at her with absolute disgust. "Mom just in case you think I don't know, babies come from sex," and both my parents were red faced. "Ishani! Control your language. This isn't how you talk in front of your parents." My mom was getting angry and dad was trying to look like he wasn't in the room! "Mom for the 100th time! I'm not ready for it," I yelled. My pent up anger got an outlet and I wasn't ready to let this opportunity go. "Beta you aren't having sex yet?" A voice spoke and I saw Neil's parents were entering the room and had heard my outburst. Great just when I thought the day was getting better. Someone coughed at the back. "Ishani!  How are you my love?" Reet hugged me. And my mom greeted my in-laws and rushed to the kitchen embarassed. I quickly hugged Reet and looked at a cute round bump which was freakishly a bit too huge. "Reet you look lovely!" And I quickly went to touch my in-laws feet before it became an issue. "Ishani you okay now beta?" Neil's dad knew. His question was more complex and I surely couldn't answer it in one go. "I'm fine, could be better, could be worse," I gave him a small smile. "I will like to take you for lunch tomorrow betaji. There are a few papers I need you to sign. Come to my office around 1?" He said in a tone that meant finality. I gulped and nodded, "but I was supposed to be making lunch for you all." "I'm sure you do that dialy in Singapore, there's no need to do all this here. Enjoy your time," he smiled. Without realising he had freed me of one stupid burden. "Reet beta you and Ishani can go to her room and talk for a bit. We'll call you once we start snacks and drinks?" Neil's dad was a smart man. But I was scared what he would talk about tomorrow. "Ishani please take a glass of wine, it will help your jet-lag." I practically skipped when he poured me a glass much to the dismay of Neil's mom. Reet tugged my hand and waddled towards the stairs. "Reet how are you my love?" I hugged her once we reached my room. And then started the best part of this trip getting Reet's sane advice and her telling me to clearly confront Neil and refuse having a kid. Hiding wasn't the smartest idea. I needed to do that before the competition. After all I needed us to be the ideal couple.