Shadow Lives - Part 2

“Milan! Lara!” Sarala surveyed the chaos in the hall with exasperation. Disney was blaring on TV and every inch of floor space was covered with toys. Even the cushions from the sofas had been brought down and arranged into a fort. But the two kids were nowhere in sight. “Where are you? Get in here now!”

            They came running in from the backyard, happy faces smudged with dirt. Sandy , their golden retriever, came bounding in after them. The look on their mother’s face however, immediately wiped the cheeky smiles off.

            “One more time I find you two have not cleaned up after playing, I’m throwing all your toys away!” Even as she said this, it occurred to her that this particular threat was losing its effectiveness. She’d have to think up of a new one soon.

            “Sorry, Amma,” Milan said.

            Then with all the bossiness of a six year old, he nudged his four year old sister and said, “Say sorry.”

            “Sorry, Amma,” Lara mimicked meekly.

Sarala almost smiled but she steeled herself to look stern. She rubbed her aching back and sank into a nearby cushionless sofa as the kids began to put away their toys. Sandy nuzzled her legs affectionately.

At thirty six weeks pregnant, every inch of her felt tired. Suddenly she heard her mobile phone ringing from her room. She heaved herself to her feet, scratched Sandy behind her ear and navigated her way over the Lego pieces strewn on the floor.

Her husband reached her phone before she did. He had been in the room packing for the trip to her mother’s house. He was smiling into her phone and nodding.  When he noticed Sarala at the doorway, he broke off politely and handed the mobile to her. “It’s your mother.”

“Hello, Amma.”

“Sarala, you sound tired. How are you, dear?”

Sarala burst out laughing. “I’m impressed at your detective skills from just two words I said.”

“It’s a mother thing.”

“I’m fine, Amma. Just the usual tiredness. We’ll see you tomorrow. Is there anything you want me to pick up on the way?”

“Actually, that’s the reason I’m calling. Are you sure you want to travel two hours up to KL so late in your pregnancy? Your Appa and I don’t mind coming down to your place for Deepavali this year.”

Her parents’ concern amused her though she deeply appreciated it. They still acted like she was a young bride of twenty four and this was her first pregnancy.

“Don’t worry Amma. I’m fine. Really. Besides the kids are really looking forward to Deepavali at their grandparents’. Let’s not spoil their fun.”

“OK dear, if you say so. But if you change your mind or if you don’t feel good, let us know.”

She promised her mother she would and ended the call. Her husband was watching her.

“You do look more drained than the last two times.”

“That’s because I didn’t have two little monsters to run after before, Raj.” She stretched out on the bed and sighed wearily.

Something crashed in the hall and Lara wailed. Sandy began to bark excitedly.

“Make that three,” Sarala said wryly.

Raj leaned over, brushed aside her curly hair and kissed her forehead. “Rest for a while. I’ll go handle the little monsters.”

She squeezed his firm bum as he walked past her and smiled impishly. “Wait till I start handling you.”

“I consider myself sufficiently warned,” he grinned.

             *          *           *           *           *

Kuhan clutched his boarding pass gratefully and squeezed his way out of the press of the queue at the Malaysian Airlines check in counter. He was immediately swallowed up by the mass of frustrated, stranded travelers. Cursing irritably, he bulldozed his way through to Starbucks. He ordered his caffeine fix and swooped down on the only vacant seat beating another man who was hurrying towards it as well. The man turned away, disappointed.

Kuhan rubbed his bleary eyes and dug into his pocket for his mobile phone. Between work and sleeping at the airport last night, three days of almost no rest was taking a toll on him. But he was satisfied nonetheless. He’d had a breakthrough in the human trafficking piece he was working on by chasing a lead all the way to Hong Kong.

            “Hello Amma,” he said, as soon as his mother answered the phone.

            “Kuhan! Any news?”

            “The typhoon’s cleared. I’m flying out in 2 hours.”

            The relief in her voice was palpable. “That’s wonderful! We were so worried you wouldn’t make it back in time for Deepavali.”

            Kuhan laugh tiredly. “Me too. See you soon Amma.”

            He’d just ended the call and taken a deep drink of his coffee when his phone buzzed again. His brother’s goofy face flashed on the screen. Kuhan smiled.

            “Bro! What’s up? Are you back yet?”

            “I’ll be back today. How’s Nurul doing? She’s due anytime now, isn’t she?”

            “Around the same time as Sarala actually. But she’s doing good so far. I think I’m more of a nervous wreck than her!”

            They chuckled and then Deva grew silent. Kuhan knew what he was going to say next.

            “How are Appa and Amma?”

            Kuhan deliberated on what to say. He didn’t want to make Deva feel worse than he already did.

            “Amma misses you but she’s fine otherwise. Appa’s still being an old stubborn fool.”

            “Do you think he’ll ever come around? He must want to see his grandchild for God’s sake!”

            Kuhan stared out the window at the gloomy grey landscape and said more confidently than he felt. “He will, just give him time. He’s just really old fashioned.”

            Deva sighed and changed the subject. “Anyway, if you’re around KL next Saturday, come over to my place. We’re having a little Deepavali dinner for Nurul’s relatives. I’m inviting Sarala and her family too. It’ll be really great if you guys could come. If you could get Amma to escape the old man’s clutches and come, even better.”

            Kuhan heard the raw yearning in Deva’s voice and his rage towards his father for breaking up the family almost boiled over. But he made a savage effort to control his voice. “I’ll be there bro. You can count on it. I’ll see what I can do about Amma.”

            “Thanks bro, that’s great! Alright, have a safe flight and see you soon.”

            Kuhan clicked off and checked the time. He’d better get to his boarding gate. He scrolled down his messages and rapidly tapped out a text to Jason.

            I’ll be arriving at KLIA around 5 P.M. Could you pick me up? K

His phone buzzed almost immediately with the reply.

Of course! Missed you! Can’t wait to see you! xxx J

Jason was great. What a pity I have to break it off soon, Kuhan thought absentmindedly as he typed his reply. He was just a bit too… fluffy, for his taste.

            Missed you more!! xxx K

            He pocketed his phone and smirked cynically. If his father thought Deva marrying a Muslim violated all his traditional believes, what would he do when he found out his other son was gay?  

Part 3