11 No Way Ou (1/2)

It is Sunday morning of June and after one week of return of Akash. His friends have already left a few days back after enjoying for 2-3 days in Pune.

Akash is in his room and reading a few files his grandfather gave him which are related to his family's business, Patel Family Works.Akash has been reading the files attentively because he has so many plans in his mind to expand and modify his family business.

It has been 1 week since the bomb of arranged marriage was blasted on his head. He was still feeling sour about this but he can not do anything.

He still has a bit of hope, maybe he can convince his mother or grandparents to change the marriage candidate. He was also suspecting that his other cousin was lying about having a girlfriend but still those other cousins who are his elder uncle's children are not mindful enough about the pride and respect of elders.

Ira came running and opened the door of his room and jumped on his bed and said ”Brother! It's almost noon. Grandpa is calling everyone for lunch. Who does any work on Sunday? Please come to have lunch with us.” Akash looks lovingly at his mischievous sister and strokes her hair. She takes away the file from his hand and puts it away. He smiles helplessly and says ”Okay! Let us go.” She giggles and pulls him with her out of the room.

When Akash reaches on at the dining table, the almost whole family is already there. Grandpa and Grandma are sitting together at one place on the roundtable. His elder uncle and aunt, youngest uncle and aunt are sitting at one side of his grandparents. Then his two cousin brothers and cousin sister. His seat is on another side of his grandparents. On his side, his mother then his sister are sitting. There is only one seat empty which is of his elder cousin Arpit who is absent.

Akash asked while sitting on his chair ”Where is Arpit? Shouldn't he be on Sunday lunch with family? We don't get much together during lunch on weekdays.”

His elder uncle who is also the father of Arpit said indifferently ”He must be somewhere out eating with his friends. I heard he has recently made a girlfriend and is serious about marrying her.”

”But Arpit said last time when we talked that you already know,” Akash said. Elder uncle felt speechless and looked uncomfortable and then he coughed and said: ”He has mentioned to me once but I have not yet met her family so I was not sure.” Akash eyed his uncle suspiciously.

Food is yet to be served. One cook and one maid are working in the kitchen. Suddenly Grandpa's phone rang. He checked the caller and then asked everyone to keep silent.

Grandpa picked the call and kept on the speaker ”Hello! Old man Ramlal, how are you?”

”You are an old man. Your father was an old man. I am still full of vigor. I heard you have become old in the city and almost near to your grave.” One voice came from the other side. Almost everyone who is on dining table chuckled.

Grandpa Patel coughed and said ”Take care of my image a bit. My whole family is here. Why don't you talk about the important detail?”