Drama Classes

The air inside the house was warm and filled with sweet aroma that could make anyone's mouth water. A lady in a beautiful perfect figure was in her kitchen unfazed by the world outside. With a spatula in her hand she was swaying to the beats of the songs playing on the radio. Now and then she would stir the gajar ka halwa*[carrot based sweet dessert pudding]. What could be a better way to welcome someone home than a dinner consisting of the person's favourite dishes?

"This is a robbery. Hand me your money. Now." an all too familiar voice echoed throughout the house. The corners of Mohini's lips curled upwards. She turned towards the source of the voice. She wanted to embrace the person in a bone crushing hug but decided otherwise. "Aww...I didn't know robbers were this pretty."

Isha huffed and puffed thinking how her mother just ruined the complete script of a robbery scene. pretending to be annoyed she said- " Hey Mumma that's not how it goes. That line is nowhere in the drama scripts. You should have said 'what a poor soul like me has to offer you. Please spare me'. Then I might or might not have shown mercy on you and that way it could have been more fun. Thank the god for sending me as your little angel or else who would teach you these skills." she flashed a smile while stating the last part already forgetting that she was pretending to be annoyed.

Mohini pretended think for a second rubbing her fingers on her chin. Then she said "hmm...I really should thank the god for sending you to me, my little angel. but why do I feel that someone is lowkey looing down on me.?"

"Oh no Mumma nobody can dare look down on you. I can't do that even in my wildest dreams. I was just trying to give you some drama tips."

"I got it. You can give drama lessons some other day. For now go get fresh, the dinner is almost ready. "

"Aye, aye captain." said Isha, making a beeline for her room. She didn't leave before saluting. Of course how could she do anything without adding an essence of her dramatics to it. Mohini chuckled seeing her antiques.

"Thanks man for picking her up for me. I wanted to pick her up myself but the office was in chaos today. My head is still aching." said Mohini to Arth, setting the dinning table.

"From when did we start thanking each other huh? Heedless to say that we are a single family." he helped Mohini set the table.

While he was serving himself portions of everything his eyes shined with mischievous glint. "well..." to give a dramatic effect he took a pause.

"Well?" repeated Mohini urging him to speak further.

"Well when are we meeting Aryaman?" Not expecting any such thing coming at her at the moment, she was surprised. She was glad they were waiting for Isha to come back otherwise she could have chocked on the food. She decided to shrug it off because she was still in dilemma about what to do with Aryaman and he didn't know the compete story.

"I can't see that meeting anywhere in the near future. You guys will have to wait." Mohini hoped to somehow escape that topic. She was still confused about marrying Aryaman or not. All her thoughts from last night that she locked away in the back of her head for the complete day started resurfacing again.

Arth kind of anticipated the same answer to his question even before he questioned. He knew her from their school days so he was very well familiar with Mohini's way with things especially when some guy was in the scene. When Vini used to blabber on and on about the boys she found attractive Mohini just told them about her serious crushes. And those moments were very rare. She never told them about people that she was uncertain about. Until and unless she became sure what Aryaman was to her and her feelings for him there were few chances that he would get to anything about him.

"Am I missing on something?"Isha saw the knowing look on Arth's face while Mohini seemed a bit perplexed when she took her seat.

"oh yes. You missed the greatest event of the year. While you were busy at the academy Miss Patidar over here..." he said pointing towards Mohini "missed our monthly meet because as she said and i quote 'I was busy that I forgot' and do you want to know what she was busy with?" he asked Isha.

She nodded her head profusely while chewing on the food. Her curiosity was at its peak level. Never had her mumma missed a single monthly meet with her three best friends. Everyone of them has missed one or two but her Mumma, not even one. So what made all of this to happen?

"She was on a date with a man named Aryaman whom none of us happens to know personally and the cherry on the top of the cake is that she denied to introduce us anytime soon. " both the faces were starring at Isha, Mohini not knowing how she would react and Arth wanted her to side with him and coax Mohini to spill some beans.

"Whoa! mumma...I hadn't seen that coming but nonetheless that's great news. Do I get to eat extra helping of the halwa. Please." Mohini gave in to her request knowing well enough that her little angel would never let any chance of eating sweets slip. Initially it was troublesome for her sweet tooth to act stern with Isha's demands of sweets but with passing time she gradually got moulded into the perfect mother that she was now.

"Hey hey that's not happening. Nope, definitely not happing until I also get the extra serving of Halwa." Seeing Isha's request getting accepted how a twenty eight year old child could sit silently. Sometimes Mohini felt like she had two kids to raise and take care of.

---------------------------------

It seemed like sleep had gone on an unexpected vacation because Mohini wasn't able to sleep tonight as well. Trying to drift to the dreamland but failing eventually, she decided to go in Isha's room. She silently twisted the door knob of Isha's door and tip toeing reached the left side of the bed.

As subtly as possible she got under the covers.

Just when she thought she was successful a voice startled her. "Can't sleep. Me too." said Isha turning her face towards Mohini. Nodding her head she cuddled with Isha wrapping her arms around her bundle of joy. She missed this. She missed the cuddles. She missed the energy bomb that explodes anywhere Isha goes. She missed her daughter calling her Mumma. Without her little angel even their heaven seemed void of warmth.

"Beastie!" when Mohini got a hmm in response she continued " What if I say that Maa papa found their ideal son in law?"

Isha was silent for few moments. She knew her Nana Nani, whom she hadn't met till date, were looking for suitable man for her Mumma . If they really found one then what about Aryaman? Wait. Arth uncle said that none of them knew him personally then how come Mumma meet him? Joining two and two together she finally formed her thoughts into words "Isn't he Aryaman."

"He is. But what I am asking is what do you want me to do."