EnglishOriginalRupali-Paritosh

Inevitable (Part 8)

Principal of the school agreed to let her write the exams. Paritosh would pay the regular hefty fee of the school, even though Meenal was not to attend the classes. Tutoring was to be the individual decisions of teachers. As far as the school was concerned, they were allowed to give tuitions outside the school; and charge for it.

“You would pay the entire fee?” Rupali was shocked to hear that.

He shrugged. “I wasn’t in a bargaining position.”

“It probably wasn’t a good idea,” Rupali felt guilty about coming up with an idea that would result in such absurd expenses. He would also be paying for therapists and tutors.

“Rupali,” Paritosh spoke impatiently, “We all deal with our individual constraints. Thankfully, where my daughter is concerned, money is not my constraint.”

She felt foolish. He was right. Money was not a constraint for him. Why was she judging his situation in the context of her problems? He probably felt offended that she brought the concern of money in between at all.

“Right. Sorry. I didn’t mean that you would compromise on Meenal’s wellbeing.”

Paritosh closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he realized that he might have inadvertently hurt her. “No. I am sorry,” he said, “I didn’t mean that you would suggest that either.”

Rupali couldn’t help smiling, “I guess we can leave it at that.”

“And I will let you decide which subjects we should get tutors for. I will talk to the teachers.”

“Yes Sir.”

“Soumitra. This might be of interest to you,” Paritosh told him on a Saturday, when Rupali was not around.

“What?”

“You are interested in machines, gadgets etc. right?”

“I am.”

“My club is running a reuse-recycle drive. People are giving away household appliances, gadgets etc. that are likely to have a minor flaw. Whosoever can repair them is free to take them. For himself, or for resale.”

“Why would anyone give away things that have minor flaw?” Soumitra was not satisfied.

“They might want to buy newer stuff. Happens a lot of times.”

“Hmm…”

“Anyway. What I wanted to ask you is if you would be interested trying to repair a washing machine. Basically members are expected to participate in the drive by giving things away as well as finding people who would repair them and take them. Somebody has saddled me with a washing machine. I can’t think of too many people who would be able to make any sense of the machines. You want to try?”

“That’s weird. I didn’t know such things happened. Else I’d never have Didi buy anything for home.”

Paritosh chuckled. “What else are you interested in? Let me know, and I will see if someone is giving it away.”

“That list would be endless, Dr. Khanna. Where is this washing machine you are talking about?”

“It’s lying in the back yard. Let’s go and check it out. And I have an idea. Let’s keep it a secret from Rupali. Once you have fixed it, I’ll send it to your home. Then you can surprise her.”

“Fantastic idea,” Sugata, who had been a silent listener till now, said excitedly.

“Calm down. Let’s see if I can fix it at all,” Soumitra cautioned him.

“Don’t worry,” Paritosh smiled, “If you can’t, we can always call a mechanic. I just thought you would enjoy it. That’s why didn’t do it already. Your sister will have her surprise!”

“Reduce-recycle drive at some club? And you could take away whatever you could repair?” Rupali was unable to make any sense of what Soumitra and Sugata were telling her about the washing machine.

“Yes.”

“And how did you get to know about it?”

“They had come to our school,” Soumitra lied. He already had Sugata in his plan.

“And you repaired a washing machine? Not a phone, an i-pod, or something else that you wanted?”

“This is what I could repair. And it will be helpful, right? You won’t have to wake up at six on Saturdays to wash clothes.”

“Is there something you are not telling me?”

“Oh Didi! Why are you being so skeptical? We haven’t stolen it. Police is not going to come to our doors. Now, can you please be a little happy? It is a useful thing, isn’t it?”

“Yes. It is. I am sorry, I was asking unnecessary questions. Thanks a lot Soumitra,” she didn’t want to offend her brothers. But something was bothering her. The story was too fantastic to be true.

Paritosh noticed Rupali hurriedly indicating something to Meenal, when she noticed him coming in. Then she stepped away and smiled at him as usual. Curious, he went to his daughter and kneeled to face her.

“Good evening, Meenu,” he greeted her as usual.

“Good evening, Meenu,” she said without looking at him. He made to get up and go to his room to freshen up. Rupali was disappointed. Her surprise was not going to work! But it did. Before Paritosh had moved away, Meenal said, “Meenu loves Papa.”

Paritosh froze in surprise and disbelief. His face showed no expressions at all. At length he looked at Rupali and asked, “What did she say?”

Rupali had been working hard with Meenal to improve her communication using the techniques therapist had told her about. But his reaction almost frightened her. Did something go wrong? What could have? She stood there tongue-tied.

Meenal spoke again, “Meenu loves Papa.”

There was no uncertainty now. Paritosh was overwhelmed. He instinctively made to hug Meenal; then stopped himself. He could not spoil this moment by upsetting her. He stood up and made no attempts to hide how emotional he was.

“Thank you,” he said choking on his words. And then he could not restrain himself. He went ahead and hugged Rupali.

At first she was shocked at his action. Then as she got a hold of how she was reacting to his proximity, her own reaction surprised her. Gosh! She could stay like this forever. She closed her eyes. What had happened to her? When had she started feeling this way… And what was happening right now? Had she put her own arms around him too? And was his grip tightening around her? More than how just a friendly, emotional hug should be?

To be continued

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6 thoughts on “Inevitable (Part 8)

  1. Absolutely a treat to read….
    I m so sorry mish for not commenting on last three updates….busy with ramadan…
    but will give individual review now….
    For thid part….
    I so love paritosh….he is a cutie yaar…
    Soumitra surprised rupali but hide paritosh name…. 😀
    Rupali made meenal learn that line and she said it …awww..paritosh’s reaction OMG….
    He hugged rupali…n she hugged him back…
    i cant wait for there romance yaar….dreamy…..

  2. Loved the progression in the story. Dr. khanna slowly bonding with the twins and Meenal’s love for water and her comfort level with strangers. Paritosh’s appreciation of Rupali’s efforts and concern to educate the child. Paritosh’s concern and effort to reduce the domestic work load of Rupali by indirectly giving her a washing machine.

    Paritosh’ happiness on hearing ” meenal loves Papa” for the first time and expressing it by hugging the person responsible for that. The feelings of Rupali on seeing Paritosh in swimming trunks as well as when he hugs her.
    Thank u Mish. You excel yourself in every story.

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