When You Are With Me

Chapter-13


‘Jai, You are still in suit.’ Priya remarked as Jai got down from his car.


‘I didn’t have time to change. So this has to do.’


Priya handed him a bag and said ‘I expected this and got you a change of dress. Change your shoes too.’


‘How well you know me.’ Jai winked.


‘Later. Now rush and change.’


Vivaan was standing with her when Jai came back in sports attire.


‘Daddy I registered your name in Relay race and cycling.’ He told him excitingly.


‘years since I got into a cycle…can you put me in something else?’


‘ Look Jai there are other dads who are practicing cycling. Why don’t you do so till the event starts? ‘ Priya pointed out.


Priya laughed as Jai was trying to balance himself in cycle.


‘Look mom… dad is cycling well.’ Vivaan pointed. Priya knew that would happen. Though Jai might not have touched a cycle in years, he kept himself physically fit given his schedule. He did some or other form of exercise at least four times a week.



That night when Jai and Priya returned to bed, Jai said


‘I have never seen Vivaan this happy..’ Jai came second in relay race and third in cycling. Vivaan beamed with pride and proudly introduced his daddy to everyone in school.


‘Of course he never had his daddy attend school functions before. First time he is having someone as father figure.’


‘I will have to start attending all the school functions from now. Just inform me prior, I’ll clear my calendar for him.’


‘Sure. He will be delighted.’


That weekend Jai flew to Hong Kong promising to be back two days before the house warming. Sriram arrived home as soon as his exams are over and Priya took him to show him the place she had blocked for bakery.


‘Location is spectacular. Close by to Tech park and college. I’m sure you are going to attract lot of youth population.’ Sriram declared.


‘Can I count you in?’ Priya asked teasingly.


‘Not with Meera but you can expect me with friends..’


‘I need to discuss something with you before your brother arrives.’


‘Yeah I too want to talk about him.’


Priya and Sriram went to the near by coffee shop.


‘You go first. What you want to talk about Srikanth?’ Priya asked her step-son sipping a cold coffee.


‘I have a feeling his girl-fiend is going to break up with him….’ He told slowly.


Srikanth was two years senior to Sriram. Shruthi- Srikanth’s girlfriend was a year senior to Sriram.


‘Do you know for sure?’ Though Priya was expecting this for sometime, she felt bad for Srikanth. It has been almost four years of relationship for him and she knew Srikanth was head over heels in love with her.


‘No. It seems she was saying, she is the only one to do engineering in her family and their parents are going to get her married as soon as she completes it. You know her father is a politician and the sitting M.P right?’


‘I just came to know about it recently. That's what I wanted to talk to you about.‘


‘There is no way Shruthi’s father is going to agree for this. To me even Shruthi doesn’t seem to be the one who will fight with her father for Srikanth. But Srikanth told me she has invited him home to meet her father, so that’s bit hopeful.’


‘I’m not hopeful on this for some other reasons….’ Priya said thoughtfully. ‘I don’t think Srikanth will take it lightly.’


‘Does dad know this?’


‘Not yet.’ Priya sighed. There’s something else about Srikanth that Jai doesn’t know. Priya was equally worried about that.

 

Just wait till next episode

 

Thanks Peddadas. Next chapter will unravel the mystery.

 

Thanks Lata.
Rarely but they do exist.

 

Thanks much leenam