Chapter 23 : Changes

Aadarsh usually preferred breakfast after having a bath, but today was different. He was hungry. As he made his way down the stairs, his gaze moved to the dining table. Abhi and Nirvaan were already at the table. Ruhaani was helping Dai Jaan set up the table as she did almost every other day. His steps slowed as he watched her fill Nirvaan's plate asking him to start eating.

Nirvaan was a slow eater in the family. Ruhaani would generally serve his plate first. At dinner, she would even sit with him till he finished. Even if he got a book to read while eating, she would still give him company. Sometimes reading her own book on her kindle tab.

"Bhabhs, please tell me you have something better than poha!" Abhi said, looking disappointed upon seeing what was served to his brother.

"Sorry Abhi, you need to learn to eat everything." She said.

"Pretty please. DJ," he turned to the other woman.

"She's the Sehgal mom now. I just follow orders. Thank God, for her. I no longer have to trouble myself thinking what to make for breakfast." DJ spoke and then continued to talk to herself. "I sleep so well these days. She's a blessing indeed."

Ruhaani wanted to laugh. Aadarsh could see the mirth dancing in her eyes as she looked towards them. He could spot the amusement on her face, one that had the potential to transform into a boisterous laughter however she just grinned.

"Bhabs, please, tell me there's more than just poha."

"Oats, there!" She pointed to a wide bowl that was covered with a lid.

"I don't like that either."

Ruhaani dismissed his remark with a one-shouldered shrug.

"This is not fair!" He grumbled folding his arms.

"Don't be a kid, Bhai!" Ashvi commented as she walked from the common washroom to the dining table.

"Shut up!" Abhi muttered annoyed, still not done with his tantrum.

"DJ, my fruits." Ashvi said settling on the chair across the table from Abhi.

"Haa, look at you slyly escaping by eating fruits for breakfast!" He commented.

"I have been in a fruit diet for breakfast from three days! It's a very healthy diet. Whose stopping you from eating fruits too? Oh wait .. your stomach won't fill with fruits, will it?" She asked feigning curiosity.

Abhi narrowed his eyes at her. "Forget about me. You didn't tell me some bird shit on your hair." His gaze was fixated on her neat bun. Her hair looked oiled or perhaps it was gelled, and it was made into a bun that sat high on her head.

Ashvi's jaw dropped, "how dare you, this a new hair style, you dodo!"

"You called your elder brother a dodo!" He gasped sharply.

"Timeout!" Ruhaani announced looking at the two shocked. Aadarsh wondered how she could still be shocked by their behaviour. They were always like that. He hated the fact that she had taken over his role to be the peace maker. It was only his right to use 'timeout' with his siblings. Not hers. However, she had made it hers, very conveniently.

"Abhi, you need to be kind and don't fuss, I have made pancake for you." She gestured to DJ and the older lady grinned revealing the pancake in the plate she had been holding on to.

"And Ashvi, your hairstyle looks ...." she stalled a bit to fetch the right words, "rather stylish. But you mustn't call names. Especially not before an audience." She discreetly pointed to Nirvaan.

Aadarsh rolled his eyes. The woman absolutely loved telling people what they should and shouldn't do. He heard giggles and turned around to find Mukti and Pari hurrying towards the steps.

"No running, girls!" He admonished and the two of them immediately slowed down, first Mukti and then Pari.

"Mukti, why isn't your hair braided?" He asked, noticing that his younger sister was dressed in her school uniform but her hair was left open.

"Bhabhs is making me a French style braid today." She announced with delight. Aadarsh nodded, noticing the hair-tie and comb in her hand. He moved down along with them.

"Good morning, Bhaiya!" Ashvi wished, smiling at him.

"Good morning," he smiled giving her a quick side hug.

"Morning busy bro!" Abhi wished.

"Morning, Abhi!" Aadarsh said sparing him a glance then noticing the pancake in his plate. He wanted that too. However, there was no way he would request for one. He wished Dai Jaan and his younger brother as he settled on the chair at the head of the table.

Dai Jaan quickly served a plate for him while telling him that she'd fetch his morning tea. His gaze steadily moved across the table to Ruhaani who was getting the girls seated and filling their plates.

"Muku, I will braid your hair, let your Bhabhi sit and eat." DJ said as she brought out a steaming cup of tea.

"No, DJ. Your braid isn't proper French style. Bhabhs does it better." Mukti demurred.

Before Dai Jaan could try to convince her otherwise, Ruhaani said, "Dai Jaan I will do it." She turned to Mukti, " Give me the comb and you eat, okay?" She pushed the chair Mukti sat on forward and took charge of her hair. Her gaze swiftly shifting to Pari. "Pari, no mischief, eat properly or we will leave you."

Aadarsh's gaze shifted to Abhi who snapped his fingers before his eyes. "What?" Aadarsh asked, almost glaring when Abhi gave him the waggling eyebrows.

"Nothing, just requesting your attention. Where were you last night?"

"At a party!" He said, his voice just loud enough for his brother to hear, but his sister, who sat adjacent to him heard it as well and chuckled.

"You on your own, a bit hard to believe ain't it." Abhi remarked, using the fork to put a piece of the pancake into his mouth. "So what's the plan for today?"

Aadarsh frowned, "what do you mean?"

"It's your first Valentine's after marriage, right?"

Aadarsh's gaze drifted to Ruhaani as she was still braiding Mukti's hair while Dai Jaan was helping Pari with the breakfast. It struck him then that she wore red. And as his gaze shifted back to his brother, he realized he wore a deep shade of red, a maroon to be precise, almost the colour of rich wine. He then turned to his sister, she wore a cherry red color top too. "Is that why you all are dressed in red?"

"Bingo!" Abhi smiled. "So, coming back to the topic, what are you doing for her today?"

"We are both grown-ups who don't believe in this shit." He muttered stuffing the not so tasty poha into his mouth. When Ruhaani had told him that she had been told she didn't cook that well, she wasn't being modest. She was being very mildly honest. She didn't really cook well, and that was putting it mildly. Sometimes the salt was high, sometimes almost nil. The chapatis she made were never fully round, sometimes they were crisp, at times thick and at times laid with extra ghee.

The whole family had become aware of Ruhaani's skill at cooking within a week, he on their first breakfast she cooked for them. Only after eating food that Ruhaani made they knew how blessed they were to have Dai Jaan cooking meals for them. Dai Jaan could have been a master chef if she wanted. Thankfully, Dai Jaan tried to improvise whatever Ruhaani made. However, it wasn't good enough every time, like right now. His appetite had died eating two spoonful of the dry poha. He understood why Pari had to be forced into eating it. He ate as slowly as he could so that once the others were gone, he could request Dai Jaan to make him some good parathas.

His gaze landed on Ruhaani as he looked from his plate as she sat right across the table from him finally pulling a plate for herself. She had done a good job with Mukti's hair. No matter how many things he didn't like about her, he still had to admit that she made an excellent family manager. She was so involved in everyone else's life.

They didn't spend much time with each other. They almost always had company. The little time they were alone, she was busy giving him lectures or finding some moot matter to debate on, proving his incompetence. There was little that could be said to a person who thought she knew it all, so he chose to stare at her on most times, pretending to be deaf. A bit of odd satisfaction that was.

As she took the first bite of her food, she looked up at him. He lowered his gaze to the poha she had made. He wondered why did she even think of cooking. There was Dai jaan and Sakshi, the househelp to do that. He was sure she herself was well aware she wasn't good at it. One evening he had overheard her tell Dai Jaan that she wanted guidance from her on improving her culinary skills.

Ruhaani needed to be involved, he had concluded. She made it her business to know, to participate, to be a part of. There was a tutor who came in for the twins but Ruhaani would still go and ask them about their homework and talk to them about class and at times explain the same concepts the tutor had explained. Dai Jaan managed all household responsibilities, and she did that well. But Ruhaani made it a point to discuss that with her to. And she didn't stop at all that.

She discussed friends and college with Ashvi. The other day he had heard them giggling while they were walking in the lawn, when he had stepped into the balcony to take call. They had suspiciously quietened upon spotting him in the balcony. Aadarsh still had to figure out what it was. When he had asked Ruhaani about it she had dismissed it calling it girl talk. Odd enough his sister had said the same thing when he had enquired with her.

The most surprising of it all was her camaraderie with his brother, Abhimanyu. He couldn't digest it. Before marriage Abhi would spend most of his evenings troubling Aadarsh. But now he would spend time in the kitchen while DJ was helping Ruhaani with making the meal for the night and indirectly saving them all from being subject to barely digestible food. Abhi chatted with her. He didn't come to his room to ask him to go out with him or watch something with him or have beer with him. Abhi spent most of his free time with Ruhaani. God only knew what it was that they spoke off. It was hard to absorb given that Abhi had been strongly against their alliance.

That woman didn't even leave Nirvaan out. She would spend time with him too. Mostly after dinner. They would both be seated quietly in some corner of the house each reading their own book, until bedtime. He deeply appreciated that. To be able to give company to someone in the way they preferred was not what anyone and everyone could do. It took understanding, it took maturity, it took patience and above all it took sincere efforts.

Marrying Ruhaani had been the best decision, no doubt. She was all that he wanted and expected from his wife. But somehow it didn't satisfy him. Somehow he wasn't pleased with it all. Suddenly it seemed like he was a nobody in his own family's life and Ruhaani was their best friend.

He no longer had the Saturday to himself with his siblings. She was there too and so was Pari. The only good that came out of everything was Pari. The more distanced he felt from his own family, the more closer he found himself to Pari. He had never thought himself the kind to enjoy the company of a kid. She spoke so much. She spoke about everything. The mosquito that bit her on leg, the teacher who gave her stars in her diary for good behaviour, the excellent laddoos her Naani made, the airplane she saw while returning from school, the cute dog outside her school gate... she spoke so enthusiastically about everything. She told him all that, to share with him, to make him a part of her wonder and delight. It was the purest form of joy. How he wished to go back to being a kid like Pari!

And then there was Pari and Ruhaani's bond. The way those two would talk at nights. Sometimes they would fight with pillows and invite the others to join the fun but he always stayed a spectator. On some nights, Pari would be exhausted and just cling onto Ruhaani like her life depended on it. Some days Pari would lay her head on her mother's lap and talk to him while her mother preferred reading.

He knew that Pari was still to reach that level of comfort and security she had with her mother with him. It was expected and he was willing to let it take time and wait.

It was when the chairs dragged he came out of his thoughts. The kids were ready to leave. Ruhaani was still hurriedly stuffing her mouth while Dai Jaan was scolding her for rushing. He looked up at them as they all hurriedly bid their farewells and left before receiving a response.

"Bye Papa, Bye Chachu, Bye Bua!"

"Bye Bhaiya-s, Bye Di!"

"Bye everyone!"

"don't run, you kids!"

"Bye people!" Ruhaani said picking up her bag looking towards them.

"Bye, Bhabhs, have a nice day!" Abhi said cheerfully and she smiled wishing him back. Her gaze briefly meeting his before she turned around with Dai Jaan tagging along, asking her to drive safe and not choke on her food.

"She's a whole different vibe!" Abhi remarked chuckling as the sudden commotion died.

Aadarsh agreed but said nothing picking up the cup of tea to his lips.

"She's nice but..." Ashvi's voice trailed.

"But?" Abhi prompted.

Ashvi sighed as both her brothers stared at her waiting for her response. "I ... personally feel she's a people pleaser."

"We don't know her enough to conclude that," Abhi said.

"Says you, who had a long list of judgements above her before even meeting her!" Ashvi muttered.

"Yeah, I own it. I can get ahead of myself at times. And I wasn't right... but my perspective changed when I met her."

"Good for you." Ashvi said, popping the grape into her mouth. "I will go pack my bag," Saying that she excused herself.

"Do you think that way too?" Abhi asked turning to Aadarsh.

"I don't think at all."

Abhi sighed. "It's not fair to her, you know."

Aadarsh sipped his tea looking at him.

"She's your wife. But you don't treat her like one."

Aadarsh took offense. "what do you mean? I give her full respect and I have made sure she's comfortable in every way."

"I am sure there is more on that list to be a husband..."

Aadarsh let out a long breath, keeping down his cup. "You want me to take her out because it's Valentine. Then I will be treating her like a wife?" One corner of Aadarsh's lips raised in a mocking half smile.

"No, Bhai. It's not about Valentine's!"

Aadarsh looked back at his plate that was still quite filled. He looked up and waited for Dai Jaan to be close enough to the table. When she was he spoke up, "Dai Jaan,"

The woman turned to him, a smile still playing on her lips. "Yes, chote Saab!"

"Can I get ..." He looked down his plate. "Something... paratha or sandwich or omelet or pancake...anything other than this and that?" He said pointing to the oats.

She chuckled walking over to pick his plate. "Not done. You must learn how to eat whatever your wife makes."

"I will, when she learns how to cook properly," he answered honestly, causing both Dai Jaan and Abhi to chuckle. He couldn't help but be pleased with his humor.

"The peas gravy last night was horrible." Abhi commented.

"it's good that I don't have peas at night."

Abhi chuckled. "At least she tries to I.prove what she is bad at. Unlike you."

"I can wager that I cook better than her."

"No, I am talking about relationships."

Aadarsh sighed, "What's with this sudden affection you have for her?"

"Some people just grown on you. And honestly, I think she's a wonderful woman."

"And some grown on your nerves." Aadarsh muttered turning away.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Abhi finished the last bit of his breakfast. "Bhai,"

"Hmm,"

"You remember what you had told me when I was against the idea of you going for an arranged marriage?"

"No. Remind me."

Abhi looked at his brother disappointed, "you had said that you need a companion not a lover. But the way I see things with you and her... you're far from companions. I am not asking you to fall in love with her. I am not even asking you to be someone you are not. But at least stop treating her like she's some outsider. You're warm to Pari. You have accepted her. You need to do the same with Bhabhs. That's the least you can do for all that she is doing for all of us. You should be kinder to her. Treat her like family. And well, taking her out on a date today would be a cherry on the top."

Aadarsh listened to every word. Was he really being rude to Ruhaani by treating her differently? Was it unkind of him? Was his deliberate distance from Ruhaani that visible that Abhi had spotted it?

"A great man once said," Abhi said, as he got up, "the past is behind us, but the future is what you're weaving now. Your marriage's future depends on what you make it now. Maybe having a companion, a real friend can do you some good after all these years, Bhai. And Ruhaani can be quite an interesting person to befriend."

"I am ready to leave!" Ashvi announced returning from her room.

"Finally Ash! I have been waiting." Abhi said dramatically.

"Think about it bro, and," Abhi leaned over his shoulder. "Happy Valentine's Day. I love you!" He punctuated that with a kiss on his brother's cheek.

Ashvi smiled, walking towards her brothers, "Don't leave me out,"

"Of course chipmunk!" Abhi muttered throwing an arm around his sister's shoulders, pulling her into the hug. "we love you too!"

* * * 

Hi, let's meet over coffee in the evening if you're free. If you want to that is.

Ruhaani stared at the message. Aadarsh Sehgal never failed to surprise her. Perhaps shock would be the right word. He had barely spoken to her since the morning and now he wanted to go out for coffee, on a Valentine's Day. She was tempted to say, she didn't want to. But among both of them she had to be the better person.

• — • — •

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Next : Saturday(hopefully!)

—Anami!♡