This chapter is dedicated to demilovatolover. I love you!
Chad's POV
"Mom, what's in the dinner tonight?" Abhi asked, looking at mum.
We all, I mean all, were sitting in the living room. Mum, Bua, Masi, Dad and ChaCha and ChaChi were sitting on the bed (don't ask how), I was sitting on the recliner and Sonny was perched on its arm. I was tempted to pull her down in my lap, but PDA was so not allowed in India. Dimpu was sitting on the sofa, Twins on her side. Both the twin brothers were also sitting with Divakar, while Abhi, Nishu and Ashu sat on the chairs and recliner with me. We had formed our separate groups. Dad got up and went out to attend a phone call.
We all turned to mum at the question. By now, everybody had cleared away. ChaCha and ChaChi had to unpack. Bua had asked her husband to come upstairs for something.
It was only me, Sonny, Ashu, Nishu, Abhi, Divakar, and Sunny, Honey and Dimpu and twins.
"Well, let's have black daal. And some dinner will be from the house 36." She shrugged.
"What is house 36?" Sonny whispered.
"All the close relatives, who are here right now, will be staying here. But the others, not so close, are accommodated in dad's friends house. That house was just completed and was currently empty." I told her.
"What is this, mami? We thought we'll finally have some of your hand made meat." Ashu sighed.
"Non-veg are not allowed, hon." Mum said.
"Not allowed to be made in the house?" I asked, a plan forming in my mind. We are not going to eat vegetarian today, at least.
"Yes, not allowed to be made in the house."
"Then, we can get it from some shop!" I exclaimed and everyone agreed with me at once.
"But papa…" mom sad hesitantly.
"Please!" we all gave her an innocent pleading face.
"Fine." She huffed.
"Fine!" I exclaimed in glee.
"Fine." Sonny mumbled under her breath. She seemed to be daydreaming and this seemed like her unconscious response. Everybody looked at her but she did not notice.
"Good." I said, trying to bring out the correct response.
"Good." She replied again. I grinned.
"So we're good?" I asked, hopefully. Everybody was looking amused by this little exchange.
"We are good." I nodded in delight as everybody burst out laughing. Sonny snapped back to reality.
"I hate you, Cooper." She shook her head at me.
"I hate you too, Munroe." I replied playfully.
We glared at each other before bursting out laughing along with everyone else.
"Okay, enough." I said, as we all gasped for breath.
"Yes, it is 7 already. If you want to eat it, bring it quick, okay?" Mum said and we all scattered with a nod.
The menu was to be decided.
"Just get 3 roasted chicken and one kg gravy chicken, okay?" I said, with a shrug.
Ashu and Guddu went to get the stuff. Ashu went because none of us wanted to and Guddu because, between all of us, only he lived in Jodhpur.
We were all suddenly in our own worlds. I took Polo out and dragged the twins with me, to teach them how to walk her. Now you may ask why they should learn how to walk her.
Well, here is the thing. In LA, I live in a single room apartment, sufficient for my dog and me. But I usually would leave the house at 6 in the morning and am back late at night after the shooting. Polo is usually alone for the whole day. I know she does not enjoy being alone very much. Here, in India, I know she will be happier. She is really attached to dad already and she will be happy with so many people around her daily. In addition, there I would drive her to parks or some construction area to walk her. But here, she got so much of open space. She could run around freely, all to her wish. I was not willing to ruin my dog's life for my selfishness. She will be happier here, and I am more than happy to leave her for her.
"Now, here is the leash. Let her walk around and do her business. Remember, you are the master, not her. And, please, don't let her walk in the mud." I do not want my dog getting muddy.
I pulled out my pack of cigarette, pulled one out, and lit it.
"Hey, Chad!" Sonny's perky voice was heard behind me and I turned around with a smile. "Hey, girls!" She smiled as Polo ran to her, licked her hand once and ran around again to the place where she must have found a good spot to pee. And, I know my dog well! I congratulated myself mentally and immediately felt stupid.
"Sonny." I smiled and tried to behave in front of my siblings. I noticed they were taking turns in polo's leash. I smiled at their silliness.
"Get a ball, and try playing wit her a little." I said and Sania immediately nodded and ran to get a ball. They returned with a pink Disney Princesses sponge ball. I knew polo would tear it apart in an instant if she were to be left alone with it. And I know it well that Polo don't fetch and drop, especially a ball.
"Sonia!" She yelled and the said girl and Polo both turned to look at Sania. As soon as the ball caught Polo's gaze, she began to sprint, dragging Sonia with her. Sania jumped over few puddles, rocks as Polo ran, and I felt bad for her a little.
"What happened to her?' Sonny whispered, amused.
Polo stopped in front of Sania. I knew for a fact that Polo will not lunge for the ball, I had trained her well in this matter.
"Okay, should I give it to her?" Sania asked.
"Do one thing, go to that empty plot and play fetch and drop with her there. Take another ball also. Throw one and when she brings it back, show her another. When she sees the other ball, she'll drop the first one and perfect your timing, and as she drops the ball, say 'Drop' and then throw the other ball, 'kay? Start training her for this." I instructed them. They got another ball and went to the empty plot.
Finally, me and Sonny alone!
"So…" I said as I turned to her.
"So…" She repeated.
"Can I have a kiss?"
"No."
"Why not?' I whined.
"First, not outside. Second, I hate smoke." I did a palm face. I threw the half cigarette.
"That's better." Sonny smiled.
"Now can I have the kiss?"
"No."
"Why?" I whined again with a pout.
"Because we are still outside and you still stink." She giggled.
"I will kiss you as soon as I eat a mint and we are in!" I said with determination.
"Is that all you think about?" She said incredulously.
"Well, not really." I blushed at my other thoughts. Sue me! I am 21, for crying out loud!
"Really? What else can you think about, my dear?" She challenged.
"You don't really want to know, trust me." I said.
"Fine."
"Fine."
"Good."
"Good."
"So we're good?"
"We are so good!"
Sonny leaned forward and kissed me on my cheek.
"You have to do with that until you eat a mint." She gave me her contagious toothy grin.
"Wait, I think I must have one in my pockets!" I said, searching all my pockets. I finally, finally found one.
"Ah hah!" I held it high in air, like a trophy. I popped it in my mouth and rolled it around. I knew I was being foolish, but blame my sunshine!
Sonny giggled a little.
"Now?" I asked excitedly.
"We are still outside!" She laughed. I groaned and stomped my foot. Sonny ceased her laughter.
"Did you just stomp your foot? I thought only girls do that in movies!" I pouted.
"No, I did not!"
"You look like a child denying stealing the cookie from the jar." Sonny giggled.
"Chad Dylan Cooper did not still anything!"
"Aw!" She cooed.
"Kiss me!"
"No!"
"Why not?"
"'cause we are out!"
"Please!"
"Is that all you think about?"
O-kay? I really did not understood what I just wrote or what just happened.
My inspiration my bunnies and my dog fighting and dog running away, scared. (Don't ask…)
My environment my doe is sitting on my leg and trying to eat my toe whiles my buck and dog is fighting over a brown paper bag. (Again, don't ask…)
My mental state my mind is going haywire.
Therefore, you can understand that it is quite impossible to understand what is going on.
Constructive criticism is more than welcomed and reviews are hoped.
Please, people, just say 'great' and you make my day! Please, review!
Sakshi.
