Edited on: August 20th, 2020

| . . . C H A P T E R . . . 3.19 - T H E - F U N - U N C L E . . . |

The universe must have known I was thinking of Arnav. My phone buzzed with his call. I quickly answered while deciding to take the stairs instead of the elevator so I could have a few minutes of conversation. "You are going to live a hundred years," I commented over the saying. "I was just thinking about you."

"Same pinch to you too then. Looks like we'll be growing old together after all." His chirpy reply had me laughing. "I'm not disturbing, am I? I have no idea anymore when your lunch time is."

I could hear the smile in his voice change into a frown. "You're never a disturbance, and we were just on lunch break. I was called to Sam' office so I'm on my way there. Are you having a late lunch?"

That would be problematic with his diabetes. He had to eat at regular times.

"No, uh, I couldn't concentrate on meetings so di told me off. She was being bossy today."

His whiny statement had to be exaggerated. "Di is never bossy. You are just being a baby. What's wrong?"

"I miss you. I've gotten used to seeing you somewhere around this place every few minutes. Di says I am going through withdrawal symptoms. Can you believe her? Talking as if I am addicted to drugs or something."

I laughed at his complaints rather than his state. "Arnav, seriously, stop being Arnav and go be ASR before India starts claiming that settling down has turned you into a softie."

"Ugh, not you too." He muttered and I assumed I wasn't the first to give him tis advice today. I could count on both Anjali di and Lavanya to tell this to him. "Wait, why do you sound short of breath?"

I stopped climbing the stairs. I was indeed huffing. I had only climbed two flights of stairs. I confessed sheepishly, knowing i was going to be yelled at, "Uh, I took the stairs instead of the elevator?"

"Khu-shi." Two separate syllables as the lecture began, "You know what that does to you. What is the matter with you? I don't ever want to see you again in a hospital bed; do you not know that?"

"I only wanted a moment to talk to you." I explained innocently. I hadn't even thought about the strain it would put on my body.

He dragged an exhale as if to hold back his anger. "What am I to do of you?"

"Just love me like you do?"

"Excuse me?" My eyes snapped to note my surroundings at the third voice. Sam was staring at me from over his laptop screen seated at the couch he preferred over his desk.

I gulped realized I had walked into his office without knowing while talking on the phone. Damn it, this man made me forget about my whereabouts. "Crap," I muttered to myself before whispering in the phone, "Call you back." Then, I fumbled to end the call and hide my phone in the back pocket. "Um, I'm so sorry for walking in without knowing. I was talking on the phone and didn't realize when I... walked in."

I ended the rambling as it dawned how screwed up I could be. Not only had I walked in like this in the boss man's office, I had said 'love me like you do'. I hadn't read the book, duh, but given the hype when the move was released, I knew what it was and right now, I could say I am going to be 50 shades of fired.

"Take a sit, Miss Gupta."

I frowned, "Sir, if you are going to fire me, I prefer to stand so I can leave quickly."

"Khushi. Sit." He ordered in one word and at once, I did.

If there was a way to save my job, I needed to. I was starting to like these people I had met this morning. I had already started imagining myself working here for months in the future, even years.

"Forget you using your phone for personal calls while at work or saying what you did." He pardoned my crimes and forwarded a file to me. Atop was an album of pictures. "Give me your thoughts."

Confused as to why he would call me personally for my opinion on something when I am sure he had a whole team of advisers, I flipped open the album. The female wasn't wearing anything designer, or it didn't even seem to me that she was a model. I flipped to the next, and again, another was wearing a typical style pair of faded jeans and a peach floral off shoulder top.

I went back to the first picture, "Well, the dress is nice. A bit flowy at the edges than I would have kept. Also it is not properly fitted around the waist. I would have added some sort of working bodice. Ruby stones maybe? The..."

I paused when he full on what on a laughing spree.

"What?"

My question went unanswered for the passing seconds as he continued to laugh, try he might to control it but couldn't. Coughing and eventually simmering, he said, "Oh Khushi, you really are hilarious. I was asking what you think about the girls, not what they are wearing."

"Oh, well this first one does not look like a model to me. I mean I totally dig the less make up the better thing she has going on and if that's what you're going for..." I started assuming he was shortlisting the models for an upcoming line.

Again, he laughed. He looked to be some carefree person instead of the boss in the moment.

"What now?" I snapped, not happy to be his source of amusement.

He suggested between laughs as he failed to sober up. "Please, look at the file."

I opened the file and brows knitted as I scanned the piece of paper. Name. Age. Height. Weight. Education. Hobbies. Each page I flipped had the same information and more. My head snapped up within five seconds as I connected the similarities, "These look like biodata's you get off of matrimonial sites."

He nodded, laughter ceasing, and my jaw dropped.

"I beg your pardon? I mean, you don't look like the kind who would need help. I mean, no judgements if you were on dating apps, but matrimonial sites?"

He sighed, "Mom. She started her melodrama again last night of how I am not getting any younger, how she wants a daughter-in-law who'll deal with my picky food habits, who'll handle me and the house and so she could retire, etc. etc. Threatened to go live with my Aunt in the States and ofcourse, dear old dad couldn't have that so that traitor sided with her within a second. As if she didn't have enough supporters with both my grandparents on her side already."

It was I who now laughed at his plight. "Sorry." I said when he narrowed his eyes at me. I shouldn't laugh, but it was all comical to me. "If you don't mind me asking, why are you asking my opinion?"

"You seem to be good judge of character. You picked up on things about me within ten minutes that, probably, some of the people who've known me a long time wouldn't know."

I closed the files, "In that case, I'll suggest that reading a couple of biodatas and looking at some pictures is the worst possible way to go about it. People can write all sorts of appealing lies on the internet. It makes no difference if she holds a diploma or a PhD if everything else about her is surface level. You seem to be a confident guy. Pick up the phone, set up a date to see people face to face. I took 10 minutes. If in one coffee they don't notice things about you, then you'll have your answer. Because, trust me, if a guy like you shows up looking like you do and then with an old 200 rupees watch bought off the side of the street – no offense to your sentimental value - but if the girl doesn't ask about it, then she isn't really interested in getting to know you. She just is going through with it because of your family name or for any number of selfish reasons each probably ending with greed."

"What if she does ask, but then decides she doesn't like me?"

I gaped for a second at one of the most vulnerable thought a guy could have: rejection. "Then it comes down to how well you know yourself." His eyes narrowed and I muttered, "When did I turn into a relationship expert? Look, answer this, what's the most important thing for you that your partner should have?"

He answered within a heartbeat, "To understand the commitment I have to my work life and family life and not pretend to understand just to use that as a pointer to pick at things later on. I have a clear distinction. When I am at work, I am at work. When I am at home with family, I am with family."

"Good, if you can answer questions about yourself just like that in a heartbeat, if you're in touch with your true self – the things you like, things that make you happy, things you are passionate about – then I don't see why she wouldn't like you back. We like guys who aren't all over the place and have their priorities sorted."

He started to sort out his confusions in his head. I could see the confidence growing in his stance as he sat up properly as if ready to slay the world.

"Now be a boss and focus on work on work time instead of tackling wife issues."

He squinted - and unlike Tarun, he knows how to squint, "Maybe I was lenient letting your personal calls be pardoned."

I laughed, not exactly threatened by it because he may be better than Tarun, but Arnav still wins hands-down. "You weren't lenient. You just let it go because you needed my help." He opened his mouth, but I was already at top of the game, "Don't worry. Another one to add to the pile of secrets about us and the rest of the employees."

"Good." He said in a tone of finality, convinced I wouldn't leak a word about this to another soul. Well, that list of souls excluded Arnav.

Just as I reached the door, an idea formed. "Sam?" He was on his way to take the file and album to his desk. He paused at the center of the room. "What do you think of kids?"

His eyes went as wide as saucers. I imagine if he was drinking, he'd choke; if he was on the process of sitting, he'd slip off the chair and end up on the floor. You get the gist. "I... uh, what? Khushi. That comes at the end of the process, don't you think?"

"Just answer the question." I hold on to that tiny frame of patience I was born with considering he is my boss, and unlike Arnav, he really is just my boss and the danger of being fired did loom over my head.

"Well... I'm more of the fun uncle type. My older sister has the most adorable ten-year-old."

"So you'll make a great father."

"One day, I hope to." He aspired before questioning, "Why?"

I hid my real motive and offered up instead, "Oh, be ready for that question. Every girl wants children and if your initial reaction is that wide saucer eyes one, you might want to say good bye of ever being married to them. Make your uncle response the first natural response."

"Uh, thanks." He expressed his gratitude for this weird tip off, but he didn't know which wheels were turning in my head.

Lavanya, I am so getting my revenge a lot earlier than anticipated.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

Getting to my workplace, I pulled my phone back out and speed dialed Riddhima. I didn't wait for her to speak after it was answered. "I need you to be the arrow to my Cupid."

"Who's my target?" Ladies and gentleman, here is one of the many reasons why I love her and she is my best friend. Any given time of the day or night, this girl would always be in sync with my quirks.

"Lavanya."

"Oo, interesting. Consider it done. Meet me at the hospital after work."

"Can't. Arnav insists on picking me up – first day of work and all. Also promised Aarav I'd take him out for smoothies after dinner."

"Cool, bring the kid to Busters at 8 then."

"You're going to drag a 6 year old in this?!" I exclaimed, surprised at her trail of ideas.

"A very smart 6 year old who is also known as ASR Jr. Trust me, he's our best bet at success." Riddhima had me convinced at that. Surely no one wanted Lavanya happy more than Aarav. A little manipulation from a child could go a long way. Who could ever say no to such an innocent face or ever doubt him if he were to do some of our bidding?

"Over and out, Red." I said ending the call, referring her by the name that had caught on in college after Abhi started calling her that.

"Who needs me?" Avanti whirled around in her chair. I gave her a confused look and realizing I had been the one talking on the phone, she explained. "See, those dumb heads who can't be bothered to learn how to differentiate me and Avani call me by the color of dress I wear."

She was talking about other employees not a part of this team, and also that she had quipped up because I had said Red and today, she was wearing Red.

I placed my hand over my chest starting the exaggeration. "How very rude of them!"

She huffed visibly, slouching in the chair, "Tell me about it. We're the only pair of twins in this office! And its not even like we are identical."

"My, my." I played along, "They should be beheaded for not remembering the names of the glamorously talented twins!"

Tarun snapped at us in Hindi to quit treating this place as a theater and to get back to work, "Oye, nautanki bandh karo. Kaam pe lago." He took his role of keeping the team on track seriously.

Avanti and I exchanged a look before gushing in synced voice, "Aye, Mr. Director." He rolled his eyes in response.

Avani added, "T, quit being such a train station master all the time." I had to laugh at the intelligent insult. It was the train station master's job to keep proper track of time else the trains would all crash into each other and nothing would function on time.

Karissa patted his shoulder, "Exactly, T, loosen up a bit sometimes or do we need to drag you to the club once again and get you drunk?"

Tarun flinched away from the group as if we were infectious. "Fuck no. You crazy ladies stay the hell away from me."

I looked at Avanti for clarification. "He blacked out last time after drunk calling his ex and dancing on top of the bar."

Avani pipped in, "Don't forget the partial stripping."

Karissa grinned like a little devil, "Got them pictures to prove it." I was wrong to call her Barbie. She only dressed in pink and looked innocently prim as a Barbie. Her actions were the stark opposite.

"There will be no show and tell." Tarun snapped pointing a finger at Avani and Karissa who stuck their tongues out in response, as if to say he was not the boss of them.

Avanti spoke up, switching topics. "Avu, sorry darling sis, but I am replacing your position as my co-actor and giving it to K here."

Avani blew out a puff of air looking up at the ceiling. "Oh, thank the Lord. I take back all the bad things I said about the new girl last night."

"Hey!" I exclaimed, feigning offense. She had been the first one from the group to be nice to me, and now I was learning she had bad mouthing me the previous night without even meeting me? Not so nice!

Avani didn't offer the sincerest apology as she casually dismissed it, "Sorry girl, but it's not like I knew who you were yesterday."

"Mhmm." I narrowed my eyes at her and we returned to work before Tarun would find something to say to us again for being a bunch of easily distracted people.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

I had to plead continuously into assuring Arnav that Aarav and I could go for smoothies on our own without getting into any sort of trouble. Eventually, Aarav had snapped Arnav to stop being a control freak and let us go already because he wanted to be back before his bedtime. Arnav had ofcourse gaped at him for calling him that and demanded to know where to learned to say that. A simple answer was Jhanvi. He had muttered along the lines of how he may have underestimated the adorable looking girl to be innocent.

Aarav waved at Riddhima while I locked up the car and walked over to join them. First, we placed our orders and then found a place to sit and talk. "What's his name?"

"Sam."

"Age?"

"Who?" Aarav questioned given he didn't have the backdrop of our conversation yet.

I cocked my head to the side, "Ridzzi, do you really need to ask that? I'm not going to pick a guy too old or young."

Aarav gasped, "Khushi, are you cheating on my dad with this Sam guy?!"

I gave him a bewildered look before laughing.

"Don't laugh! You may be my friend and I may like you very much, but my loyalty is still with dad." He scolded me, standing up from the chair and placing his fists on his hips to look intimidating but how could he possibly pass off that look when he was being possessive over his dad?

Also, where did he learn the word 'loyalty' and just what it means at his age?

Riddhima muffled a laughter and pulling his hands off his hips and him towards her, she explained. "No, baby, she would never cheat on your dad. We are thinking about setting up your mom with this Sam guy."

"Oh." He mumbled, all anger vanishing in the air at once. "Sure?" His eyes were on me for confirmation. I nodded, pinching my throat in an 'I swear' motion and he was convinced. "Okay. Details on this Sam guy then... first off and most importantly. What does he think about kids? Because mom would never go for it if..."

"I know," I ended his line of thought. "It's the only question I had asked Sam." I knew exactly the reason of concern for everyone. If the guy couldn't be 200% accepting of Aarav, Lavanya would reject him within a blink of an eye. He had to understand her loyalty and devotion to Aarav and the Raizada family over anything else and from what I had found out about Sam and his thoughts of wanting his partner to understand the place work and family had in his life, I was sure it was not going to be an issue.

"Great. I want to meet him first." He proclaimed as if he were Lavanya's older brother, wanting to ensure the guy was worthy of his mother.

I sighed expressing my wish. "Baby, for once, please act your own age."

He scoffed, "That's boring."

I give up. "Fine. Tomorrow then. It's my day to take you to school anyway so it'll be perfect."

He nodded but was awfully quiet as we got our smoothies and finished it while Riddhima and I kept busy on catching each other up with our lives.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

On the drive back home, Aarav finally spoke up, hands crossed over his chest and a frown on his face. "I don't want to call him dad."

"Hmm?"

Turning slightly in the seat to face me, he grumbled. "If mumma marries him, he'll be my dad, right? I don't want to call him dad. I already have a dad."

My heart went out to him at that. "Oh baby." I gushed stopping at a red light and cupping his cheek. "No one is going to make you call him dad if you don't want to. Look at it this way, I'm marring your dad but you call me Khushi, right? I'm your friend more than a mom, yes?" He nodded and I helped him complete the dots, "Same way. He'll be your friend more than a dad."

I waited a few seconds for him to decide before he shrugged his shoulders. "I guess that's okay then."

I smiled in response and accelerating as the light turned green. It was a relief to see him back to his self instead of being gloomy. We all knew how attached he was to Arnav as his dad. I just hope I was right about Sam.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .