Non-erotic The Gamechangers by Trambak

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Under the collective glare, Avik looked uncomfortable, "What? It's a joke! Okay, I will say something else."

Fulki was the first to recover. She suddenly looked thoughtful, diminishing her chirpy self and looked at her father with a peculiar gaze.

Finally, I stepped in and said, "The rules are clear. We can take his viva. Maybe, he has already identified your new mother."

That eased the atmosphere. Even Avik smiled out of his discomfiture.

Robin blurted out, "Dad, you gone crazy or what?"

Fulki interrupted, "It is a wish, not a real thing, you ass!"

Robin scowled at her.

"Okay, let me ask." Fulki was enjoying her status as an examiner.

"Why are you planning to put in this matrimonial ad?" She giggled.

"I want to see if anyone responds or not."

"What is your age?"

"Why? Okay, 49."

"You sure, someone will respond?"

"No harm in thinking. Isn't it?"

At this point, I butted in and said, "What is the age group you are expecting. Young, old, mature, what?"

"Young," he said smilingly.

"That's the spirit Dad," my son hooted enthusiastically.

Fulki once again assumed the role of the inquisitor, "What makes you think that a young woman would choose a middle-aged man? Have you looked at yourself?"

I felt the last statement was a bit below the belt. But Avik as usual did not react. He was still standing by the window and I noticed a trimmer him, much fitter that had escaped my attention. He, in fact looked younger! But my thoughts were disrupted by Avik's reply to Fulki.

"By looking at your attitude," he seemed to be enjoying.

"My attitude? How?" Fulki was confused.

Avik smiled, "there would be at least few young girls who would be interested in comforts of life that I could easily provide. I have a house, a reasonable job and good money. She will not have a young husband starting his career at the bottom of the ladder. No day to day skirmishes; no tantrums of in-laws; no housework to do; there would be servants.

She will be the boss's wife straightaway; she won't have to struggle to rise up the social ladder. She will have a company car to travel, a doting husband though trifle older at her beck and call and the best hotels to stay in while on vacations. Of course, she will definitely have to let go a few things, but overall...you know what I mean?

Actually, with your kind of attitude, you should be seriously contemplating such an option in life."

"No, I will not," she retorted vehemently but not angrily.

Then she realised the import of the statement and said, "Dad!! Not a bad idea at all!"

For a moment, even I felt that avoiding the struggles of life may actually be a sensible idea. Too much of scuffle kills.

I was tempted to ask a question but hesitated. Should I, or shouldn't I? What the heck! It was a just query! I sharply looked at Avik and said, "If someone actually responds. What will you do?"

He suddenly looked disconcerted by my question, thought for a moment, and said in a quiet voice, "fantasies never come true." And he walked to the window once again and looked outside. Did he look worried? His turn was over.