Popcorn

4. Conflicting missions

Pune

The morning breakfast in the Verma household was frisky with Priya and Malini fussing Aditi over food. Ayushi complaining to her grandfather about how her sister stole her limelight. Rachna and Surya involved in a serious discussion about the current day meetings. Overall, the table was filled with chatting and bickering from all sides.

"Okay, everyone I have an announcement to make." Amitosh silenced the table and looked at his wife who gave him an assuring nod.

"Malini and I want to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary in our Mumbai house with our whole family and friends." Amitosh said.

His wife continued further, "And kids we wish to stay there for a month along with you three and our friend's family."

"A month?" Rachna appalled.

"Wow!"Ayushi shouted delightedly.

"Friends?" Aditi asked perplexed.

There was a mixed response to the idea on the table.

"Dadi, what about work?" Rachna protested.

"Rachu, don't worry about work. Papa had talked about this plan to me beforehand and your works are scheduled to the next month. Enjoy this leave, beta." Surya said, taking a spoon of poha to his mouth.

"But chachu-" She protested but was soon interrupted by her grandfather.

"Rachu, you need this break. You have been running behind the company for the past three years non-stop. What you girls say....Ah! Chill Dadu. Now, its your time to chill Rachna."

Rachna opened her mouth to argue back but looking at the hopeful eyes of her grandparents and sisters, she reluctantly agreed.

"Superb di! I love you" Ayushi said excitedly.

"Adi, I have invited my close friend Dheeraj and his family to stay with us."

"Oh! Okay Dadu."Aditi replied.

The once busy table fell into silence. Each one in their thoughts thinking about the vacation. Amitosh and Malini were elated. They were going to spend quality time with their friends and grand-kids who were busy with their work and studies. Ayushi was excited about the family time she was going to have before moving to a new city for her education.

'One month without office and work.' Rachna's mind kept chanting these words. Leaving work for a month and enjoying was never Rachna's cup of tea. A part of her was furiously mad at her for agreeing to the vacation but deep down she was happy seeing the smiling faces of her grandparents.

******

Delhi

"Good morning, family members." Rakshan Arya greeted his family joining them on the dining table.

"Very good morning, Raksh!"His grandfather Dheeraj Arya greeted him with an energetic smile that made Rakshan's previous day tiredness fade away.

"Good morning! How was the meeting beta?" Vishwanath Arya asked his son lifting his eyes from the newspaper.

"How many times have I told you no business talks on my dining table." Shilpa Arya shook her head sternly at her husband.

"Papa, it was good." Rakshan yearned a slap on his back from his grandmother Suchitra Arya.

"Sorry Dadi. What's going on between you two?" Rakshan asked eyeing his grandparents who were passing nervous glances at each other.