Chapter 35

I so much wanted to go and talk to her sensing something wrong must have happened between her and mom but I could not go because dad had already given me a big list of things to complete today.

It was time for me to head out, so I went to Uma in the kitchen and said “I will be back by 6 in the evening only. So I will eat outside. You take good care of dad and mom meanwhile”.

She nodded yes, I asked “is everything ok? Why are you looking so down”? She said “no nothing Krishna, you carry on. I will take care of everything”. I gave her a quick smooch and left.

When I got back in the evening around 7pm, dad was looking cheerful watching TV, he was in his normal house clothes. Mom was resting in their bedroom and Uma was not to be seen.

I went to my room and locked myself in my bathroom. Then I called Uma on her cell, she answered in a groggy tired tone. I asked “where are you Uma and what happened”?

She said “please don’t ask me anything now, we will talk at night if at all we get a chance” and hung up. I was very anxious and stressed out listening to her answer.

I decided to behave normally, I freshened up and went back to the hall. I buzzed the calling bell to call Uma so she can come down and make me some tea. Uma came after five minutes wearing a light green salwar-kameez.

She did not look at me all and went to the kitchen. Her hair looked like she had passed thru a tornado. I remember she was wearing a light pink suit in the morning when I left.

I asked dad if he wanted to join me for tea and he said yes. I went to the kitchen where Uma was standing facing the counter doing nothing. I patted her on her shoulder, in the same low tone she asked “do you want tea”?

I said “yes, for me and dad”. She started preparing, I asked “what happened to you Uma? Please tell me”. For the first time today she turned to me and hugged me tightly”.

I kissed her cheek, I asked “now did Aslam or Rizwan do something to you”? She said “no I did not even get a chance to call them today”. I asked “then tell me who is it or why are you looking so tired and messed up”?

She looked at the door then in my eyes. Pointing at the door only meant it had to be my parents. I recollected how she had a sorry face in the morning when she exited mom’s room.

I asked “is it mom”? She said “no Krishna, it is papa. I will tell you later when I get a chance, now go before he comes here again”. I left from there joining dad in the hall.

I gave him the download on all the things he had asked me to do today. Uma came with the tea and when she went to dad to serve him, I saw he was grinning looking at her.

Uma did not look at him at all and quickly went back to the kitchen. Then she went to mom’s bedroom to ask what to prepare for dinner. Soon both came out together from the room.

Mom sat with us, she asked me and dad “Uma is asking what do you want to have for dinner”? Dad enthusiastically said “Uma is an excellent cook. I am sure anything she prepares will be super tasty”.

Mom looked at Uma, she said “prepare anything of your choice in chicken with rice. That should be enough”. Uma went to the kitchen. I asked mom “how is your back now”?

She said “absolutely perfect, the massage Uma gave me in the morning and then again after lunch did the magic. Then I took some rest and am ready for all the events now”.

I looked at dad, he was lost in his thoughts while staring at the TV. I asked “so how was your day dad”? He said “it was wonderful, I was very productive today and Uma was of great help”.

The mystery was getting deeper, Uma said she was tired because of dad. Dad said Uma was of great help. Now what exactly happened. I decided to wait for the night when I get to be with Uma to find out.

I went to the kitchen on the pretext of drinking water and sneaked up behind Uma and hugged her. She got startled and looked behind and relaxed after seeing me. She said “thank god it is you Krishna, I thought it was papa again”.