Part 5

Aakash stopped the car in front of RM and got down; he threw the keys for the driver to catch and take it from there and walked into his sanctuary. The door was open like he knew it would be as unwanted guests were stopped at the main gate itself by security and hence there was no need to lock the front door. As soon as he strolled in he saw that Di was getting the lunch table ready and she turned to see who had walked in.

Her pleasant face turned red and she started blinking her eyes a little too much. He knew this expression of his Di well, she was fighting an inner battle with herself. She was deciding whether she was more happy at seeing him or more angry at seeing him. When she stopped blinking and took in a deep breath and started walking towards him, he knew anger had won.

He just stood there with a silly grin on his face; he just loved it when his Di scolded him. “Aakash, you were supposed to be here LAST WEEK, what do you think of yourself, we were worried sick about you. Stop grinning MISTER. You are not allowed to go anywhere for the next 6 months ..no… no the next 12 months. You have to stay put in Delhi in front of our eyes, got that. STOP GRINNIG AAKASH.”

Aakash grinned some more and reached her and hugged her and held on to her as she tried to push him away. She softened and hugged him back and her tears could not be stopped any more. Then he let her go and looked at her lovingly.

“Aakash we can’t take this you go off to some jungle where there is no form of communication. On top of that the jungle is a known hiding place for extremists and you had told us you would be back in a week and show up after 2 weeks. It’s not funny Aakash we were scared.” she told him in between trying to wipe of her tears.

“Di , like you said there was no way for communication and we were in too deep to come back without a good shot of the tigers and we noticed one was very pregnant and hence decided it would be great if we could capture the little ones.” he looked at her and could feel her heart melting at the mention of cubs “I couldn’t resist Di, you have to see them they are just awesome.”

“I would love to see them Aakash.” She said brightening up a little “but you are still not leaving Delhi for a long time.”

Aakash made a sad face that he knew she could not resist and said “Di, I solemnly  swear that where ever I go next I will make sure to communicate with you every day but please don’t ask me to stay in Delhi for that long.”

She looked at him long and hard and said “we will see, but make sure this never happens again.”

He smiled his best smile at her and gave her a brotherly bear hug and said “I promise Di.”

Just then the door opened and in walked ASR, he stopped in his tracks and took in the scene in front of him. Nodded his head to acknowledge Aakash and proceeded to the living room.

As he reached there the family started gathering for lunch and as each member saw Aakash a new tantrum was thrown

“Aakash bitwa, you ares back!! Hum toh itene pareshan they aapke liye..you seez dark circles under eyez” was Mami’s

“Aakash bitwa, hum is umar ma yeh sab nahi seh sakath hai” was Nani’s

“Aakash bitwa, responsibility kab sekh loge?” was Mama’s

Aakash was nervous not because of the tantrums being thrown around him but he was nervous about the silence that his brother was holding on to. He tried explaining the reason for his inability to keep his word and hoped that his brother had heard.

ASR just kept looking at the latest business week magazine, his expressions didn’t reveal if he was even remotely listening to the conversation around him. When Mami started wailing a little louder, he threw the magazine in his hand on to the center table and stood up and started moving towards the dining area

“Di, hurry up, I have a meeting after lunch.” He took a few more steps and stopped and turned slightly and said “Aakash, Aman has your schedule prepared for the next 8 months for RI, you will have no time for other assignments.” and the judgment was delivered.

Aakash sighed and nodded in the affirmative. He knew something like this was coming and he was prepared for it. He didn’t mind the punishment at all, actually he looked forward to it. He didn’t have much time with his family after graduation and he wouldn’t mind this break at all. May be he would find something beautiful in Delhi to capture his attention… unknown to him the fates had planned to put in his path something that would not only capture his attention but also hold it steady fast for a lifetime…