Invisible Strings * Ongoing*

3. What!!!!!!!!!!!!Why????????How?????????

Rajesh Maan had been working from home on this day – for two main reasons. One being the usual bit – that he always did work from home on the days Khushi was home for a break in between her work projects – so that he could spend good quality time with her much to his fatherly heart's desire. She travelled so much for her work schedule that the times she was home – were indeed – precious moments to cherish for both him and Ellie.

Second, being the bit – that given that both Khushi and Manizeh were leaving in a couple of days for their next work project – it was his beloved wife's wish to have a dinner gathering tonight at home with just their cozy inner circle of family+friends, which technically meant that it was compulsory for him to stay put at home on the day – for otherwise Ellie could never trust him, Ajay and Vikramjeet to make it back home in time – from their otherwise usually overly hectic work days at the office. He was obviously not a big fan of Ellie's steely angry narrow eyed gaze – that came about on the instances he did arrive in late for a familial gathering – in the past.

He bites back his smile at that now and closing his laptop – he decides to relish his hot piping cup of tea for a bit. Automatically, his steps take him to his favourite spot in his study which was the glass walled window, that gave him the views of the palatial outdoor space that graced the boundaries of his home.

And at the moment, his smile widens on its own accord as he spots the sight off Khushi+ Manizeh engaging in their usual run workout in and around the grounds – totally enjoying their unwind time. He loved to see his precious Khushi having a good time – obviously. She was the apple of his eye - the centre of his and Ellie's world. It never mattered that she wasn't their blood -for the bonds of love ran their roots much deeper in all their hearts...

He is right on that thought when he hears his wife's soft voice behind him – "and I am sure I don't have to ask – the context off the sight making you smile this way at the moment Raj...for I most surely know..what it is..,"she finishes with a happy sigh. He looks back almost instantly and the two share a content nod and Ellie Maan takes a few steps closer to stand next to her husband, placing her head on his shoulder – joining him in observing the sight of their girl unwinding at home – for it was surely a sight they both cherished equally.

A couple of minutes later, Rajesh whispers knowing he could complain about it out loud to his beloved – " I cannot believe it is time for her to leave already..again..El...just 48 hours more here with us at home..and off she is to Australia on this 45 day project...I mean..didn't she come in just last week...7 days off..in between such hectic projects..why can't the people at National geographic be more generous with their breaks in between scheduling...,"and he pauses for just a second before the fatherly complain continues – " and post the 45 days in Australia again she just has a five day break before she's off to Bali for the next project...and last night over dinner she did say.. she might not even visit back home...in those 5 days...for so much time will be lost in travel...I know this is me going into the usual complaining mode before she leaves..yet again..but...am just going to miss having her around...again...as always"

Ellie nods at that understanding the emotion almost instantly – " and so am I ...Raj...we both will miss her..obviously...she knows that...but we also know that she loves her work way too much...and more importantly it makes her happy...so we just gotta respect what is for what it is...we can't really tug back on her growth..only because we are still coming around to cope up with her crazy travel schedule...emotionally..as her parents...plus it's a good thing that Manizeh and her get teamed up together..almost always...like atleast they got each other...it's a relief for both me and Sonia..,"and she pauses for she is pulled in for a tighter side hug which she knows is a subtle gesture from Raj(she called him Raj-short for Rajesh fondly since forever) that he understood.