Tara
I say goodbye and enter our home, the boys waiting for me. The moment they see me, the three of them break into a giggle. Seriously, Kannamma? I'm split between giving out an obvious blush or yelling at them and skillfully suppress both and try to walk into the washroom. I wash myself, change and as I walk out into the living room, more giggles. "Amma did you have..." and Kathir giggles. Adi rolls his eyes "cant even talk, this kid, Amma did you have a date with KP?" And all three of them erupt into laughter. Very very mature you kids. Half of me wishes I could join them in their laughter, be a part of that gang. But then, I'm a parent and I need to act like one atleast some times of the day.
"Yes.." and I try to keep my face straight. Adi wipes the tears from his face and opens his mouth "Amma did you have fun?" What? Why did the conversation turn so mature all of a sudden? "Yes Adi, it was fun" "we had fun too with kannamma." Yeah I can see that you kids, you and your giggle gang. We talk about the movie for a while and what each of us ate, Adi and Kathir asking questions like "Amma did KP pull out the chair for you? Did he open the door?". Is this the moment I talk about Aarnav? No. It can wait until morning. Our conversation goes on into midnight and only when Kannamma starts yawning do we realise it's late. I tuck the boys in and go to my room. I lie down on my bed, open my kindle and even before i finish a page, my eyes automatically shut and i drift off into deep sleep after what feels like years.
I think I slept too long, because the moment I wake up, I already here voices from downstairs. I brush, freshen up and join them and they are busy discussing lunch menu. I sit down, and I think now is the moment to start the Aarnav conversation. "So Adi, Aarnav's dad had called" his face brightens and wilts at the same time, and I slowly tell him about the badminton academy. "You can think and tell me Adi, there is no hurry." I think if it is right to make an almost eleven year old to make decisions, arent they too young. But then, I have also seen that children have the most unique perspectives about everything, and I want to hear from Adi what he wants.
"I dont want to go Amma, I want to stay here". "Adi if this is about leaving all of us..." he stops me mid way. "Its not about that Ma, its about my coach, I cant leave him and go" I look at him with pride. He was right. His coach has been with him since he was five, and even now, he joins some of his physiotherapy sessions. I didnt think of him at all, but Adi was right. He has always brought the best out of Adi and we are grateful. I nod my head at Adi, and my face breaks into a wide smile before I put the next question to him. "Hey Adi, Aarnav wants to talk to you, do you want to too?". I dont know if I saw a twinkle in his eyes, or if they disappeared too soon, and I instantly regret having asked him that question. "I want to talk to him Amma, yes".
We all get up from the table and the boys go upstairs, I help kannamma clean, and take my mobile and sit down. Hi pops up a message, its KP. Hi, whats up? Need to tell you something. Hm? My visa interview is scheduled for next Thursday. I want to say late news, but i just send a thumbs up and good luck KP. Thanks he says. Sometimes you dont need to be told when a conversation is closed.
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