Karan was about to cross the road & run toward her but Mohit stop him.
"What are you doing? The signal isn't clear yet. Don't you know it's dangerous?" He said with a stern face.
"But…"
"No, buts how can you be so impulsive? Do you know what happens to people who take risks without measurement?"
"They would be miserable," he lowered his head & muttered. He really forgot about the cars though there're not many but he can't meet his mom with scars on his face & put a bad impression. He looked around but can't find that big sister. He was upset & looked at his dad.
Mohit knew he can't just be silent as they would meet tonight.
"If you don't mention this encounter to anyone I would let you meet this big sister very soon."
"Really? So I really have a big sister."
"Cough, cough," Mohit is a little embarrassed but he can't let the cat out of the bag yet or Karan would do anything to find his mom this instant.
"Not really but you would know very soon."
"Why so mysterious?"
"Neither it would be boring."
"Oh," then it's fine, he thought to himself.
Karan was about to go to the nearest shopping mall but Mohit tells him to sit in the car. As he doesn't want to take the risk of letting them meet again. They went to the shopping mall & choose two sets of shirts for both. One was in light pink, another in light orange color. They then hurry home to be on time for their first meet-up, after all, the first impression is very important.
They wear the same color shirt & fix it in front of a full body-length mirror.
"Why are you in my room?"
"I want to check out."
"What's there to check about?"
"I need to follow your lead. It's my first time after all." 'I would make sure to look better than you. Mommy wouldn't be able to take her eyes off me. I would definitely win.'
Though his son didn't say anything Mohit can feel his fighting spirit. 'What is he up to now?' Mohit shakes his head, 'Forget it. Maybe he's too excited.'
* Around 7:55 pm *
They both seat in front of the PC in the study room. In their back, there's an abstract painting of light & shadow on a light grey color wall. They both are set but suddenly the little guy tries to leave his lap.
"What now?"
"Coming, wait for me."
Karan came back within some minutes with a wooden box decorated in beautiful patterns.
"What's this?"
"Not for you."
His left eyebrow rose even before he know. 'She becomes important even before appearing? What about me then?' It's a first for Mohit to envy someone, but what can he do? He sighed & looked at the time. It's 8 pm.
* In-room no. 406 *
Riya gets ready wearing a loose shirt & loose pants. She tied her hair in a loose bun, grab her glasses & put on some lip bums. She's in a hurry as it's almost time but she also needs to look a little formal to back up that lie. She doesn't want to lie to her child but he's too little to understand, so she would go with the flow. It's fortunate that she didn't try to make lunch herself.
As she looked at the time she sat on the sofa & wait eagerly. 'Oh, shouldn't I be the one to contact? Yes, that makes sense.'
The video call went through at 8:02 pm.
She's so shocked she can't believe it. Mohit looked at the two shocked faces which looked even more identical now.
'Isn't she the big sister I saw today?'
'How can he look so much like me?'
It took them almost two minutes to react. Both were lost in their own thoughts & Mohit also didn't interrupt as it's naturally too amusing to spoil. 'I should have arranged some popcorn for me.'
"Big sister?"
'Oh no, I have to handle it first.' Mohit would be choked if he really arranged some popcorn.
"Haa?" 'Am I that young? Oh, my silly boy, he's so cute.' Riya already has love eyes for her son & totally ignores the man. If she noticed she would be suspicious as that calm & stoic demeanor that he's so proud of is vanished in thin air.
"Am not that young, honey," she giggled.
* Ba-dum * Ba-dum *
For the first time, Mohit can hear his heartbeat without a stethoscope & also feel jealous of his son who is laughing like a fool. He frowned & don't like being ignored for this long for the first time again. 'How many first times is she gonna take from me? How many things are left exactly?'
"How are you, son?" Riya can feel her eyes getting wet but she can't cry she doesn't want to. She wants to smile, she wants to grin. Her complex emotions make her look ugly but Karan can feel her mother for him this expression is priceless & most beautiful.
"Mom, don't cry. I'm here." He doesn't have any more doubt. 'She's my mother, not big sister, but I would want one later.'
"Mmm, I'm sorry. Mommy doesn't want to make you sad but.."
"It's ok mom. I can understand. I miss you too."