3
ARJUN
Leaving Tinu at the
orphanage to return to my home, has been, by far, the most difficult thing I
ever had to do. I could feel his insecurity when he waved bye to me. I have
promised him that I would return as soon as possible. And for me, that means
dropping by tomorrow. There is a horde of legal paperwork to go through. One
step at a time.
First things first, I
need to give a heads-up to my parents about Tinu. Some fun-facts about my
parents – they are cool, no other word to describe them. While my mother is a
tiny, 68-year old packet of dynamite who can kill with just a look, my father
is the fittest and handsomest 75-year old I have ever come across. Mom has
various areas of interest – pestering me to get married, arranging charity
events in the colony where we live, going for weekly book-club meets (she is a
voracious reader), searching for a prospective daughter-in-law for herself,
gloating about me to anyone whom she meets and adding a note at the end – ‘If
you know any girl looking for marriage, please do spread the word.’ …
basically, she is the complete MOM-package with a social standing and
fan-following that can seriously give complex to a social-media influencer. Dad, on the
other hand, is reclusive, a thorough gentleman who loves to watch old Hollywood
movies and the news. His social activity is limited to spending the evening
with his group of buddies at the park in the colony. He is the only one who can
tame… I mean, calm my Mom down. I do not know what I would have done if these
two weren’t with me.
Dad will probably take
the news calmly. Nothing really appears to shock or overwhelm him. Mom, on the
other hand, will blow up a gasket. Just Dad’s support won’t do here. Which is
why I need to bring Kiddo into the picture.
I pick up my mobile
from my pocket and type a message.
Hey
kiddo… care to join for a family dinner? I need to break some news to all of
you. I am not sure how Mom will react. You need to be there!
Within minutes my
mobile beeps a notification. It is her reply.
Will
be there. Have you finally managed to find a girl to settle down with?
I chuckle to myself and
reply to her message.
No,
it is not about marriage or a relationship. Well, a relationship, to be frank,
but not with a girl.
Her reply comes
immediately.
Wait…
are you saying what I am assuming??
I laugh out loud and
type my reply.
No,
I can understand how my earlier message came off. It is not about a romantic
relationship, that is all I can tell you. Be there at 8. Bring a shield, Mom
will probably go nuclear.
Her reply makes me
laugh again. What a build-up of suspense!
Since when are you into dramatics??
Having
known you since three decades has resulted in some of your tendencies rubbing
off on me. I reply back, feeling mighty proud of
myself.
Ha!
You wish! See you at 8 then. My boss is sending loathsome looks towards me from
his cabin. I need to keep the mobile aside. She replies.
Someday
I would like to meet this boss of yours and give him a piece of my mind. Do not
reply, Kiddo. See you at 8. I press on ‘send’
feeling a momentary tinge of irritation towards her boss who always seems to be
breathing down her neck.
Oh, a word about Kiddo –
She is not a kid, by the way. She is thirty-years old. I have always called her
as Kiddo. Her name is Shreya. She is my neighbor. Our families have been
friends since three decades. I take pride in telling everyone that I was there
to receive her when she came bawling into the world. All these years, we have
maintained a steady friendship. She is the only close friend I have. She is
basically family. That sums it up, I guess.
I unconsciously hurry
towards my home, hoping that after all the fireworks and dramatics, Mom will
soften towards the idea of her unmarried forty-year old son wanting to adopt a
child.
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