The Birlas' - PARINAMA

Chapter - 3: Insecurity

At Birla House:

Abhimanyu just saw Rohan off and the children were lazing around with Manjari and Harsh giving them company. Sundays usually were the days where the kids ruled the house as per their whims and fancies. All rules were relaxed, and all their wishes were catered to. All the elders spent time with them and pampered them endlessly, helping them rejuvenate to get through another week. Sundays were either mayhem or just too lousy depending on Abhir and Roohi's mood.

Today was a lousy one because they had a blast the day before. They had made the most of their holiday and now just felt like relaxing. He saw some professionals in their uniform walk in along with the kids. They must be here for the massage or spa treatment. Abhir, being the sportsperson that he is, loved getting massages and the pampering. He was too lazy to book his own appointment, or he just never gives it a thought unless he sees them in front of him.

He used to join his Di and Dida during those sessions, uninvited, initially and from then on, they book services for him also without even consulting him. They just knew what would get him to relax. They will be happily engaged for God knows how long. He looked at Harsh who was mirroring his expression, gearing for the long break these three would need leaving him bored. They both exchanged a small smile. But it wasn't awkward.

Harsh then decided to hang out with a few of his friends in a nearby club until his family finally had some time for him from their busy schedule. He would have preferred to chill with Neil at home or go on a drive with him but Neil looked angry and disturbed. When he saw Rohan enter the house, he assumed he just dropped by have Manjari's cooked food like always. But he didn't even turn that way and made way to the study, he got made for his convenience a few years back.

But from the looks of it, both his sons used it more than him. He liked that they gravitated to that space so often. He could feel their presence whenever he spent time there. He picked up his car keys and left after saying bye to the three of them who seemed too invested in choosing their treatments than gracing him with a look. All he heard was a dismissive bye from all three of them. The scene made Abhimanyu chuckle.

Harsh walked towards Abhimanyu and said, "Neil bahut pareshan lag raha tha. Main jaanta hoon ki tum abhi uske paas hi janewale ho. Bas use bhi boldena ki main Club jaa raha hoon, agar woh pooche toh." Abhimanyu nodded.

Harsh made the move towards the door but stopped and turned back. "Abhimanyu" he called out and Abhimanyu turned to look at him on his way up the stairs.

"All the best" Harsh wished him with a teasing smile and Abhimanyu frowned but recovered soon when he realized what he meant. He responded with a "Thank you."

Both of them went on with their business without realizing that they have covered a lot of distance through that one small exchange. Harsh took the liberty and Abhimanyu didn't seem to mind that.

Neil was venting out his frustration on his boxing bag and he was tired. He was still very furious but he knew he had to find some other way to vent it out. Boxing bag wasn't helping him much. He saw his Bhaiyya's bike keys hung to the key holder when he went to the mini fridge in the lounge to get some water. That rang a bell and he immediately thought of going to a racecourse. The adrenaline might just help him distract himself from all the nagging thoughts and the built-up fury.