16-08-2026, 10:12 AM
(This post was last modified: 04-09-2026, 02:18 PM by Authorsunny.)
Chapter 17 – Part 5
24 November 2025 – Monday (continued)
The restaurant occupied a quieter corner of the upper level, separated from the main food court by a glass partition and soft lighting. We were shown to a table for four near the window. Azad Sahab pulled out the chair for Ma and waited until she sat before taking the seat beside her. I sat opposite them. The shopping bags and the two red jewellery boxes were placed on the fourth chair. From where I sat I could see the wide scoop of her blouse clearly every time she leaned forward even slightly. The thin straps looked more delicate under the restaurant lights. The soft peach chiffon had settled around her in loose folds that still followed the shape of her hips when she shifted.
A waiter placed the menus in front of us. Azad Sahab did not open his immediately. He looked at Ma instead.
“You should eat properly. The whole morning has gone in walking.”
“I will. Something light.”
He opened the menu and ran his finger down the section with deliberate openness.
Ma glanced at the menu and then at me before answering.
“It is still festival time. We are eating vegetarian at home these days.”
“At home is at home. Outside is different. One piece will not change anything.” His tone was mild, but the expectation was present. “You eat otherwise, come on, I know that.”
"But never during festival , Azad Sahab," she said, not too strongly, but just so he'd know.
“Then it is time to stop keeping old rules for no reason.” He looked at the waiter.
The waiter noted everything and left. Ma sat with her hands folded on the table. The peach-painted nails looked bright against the white tablecloth. She simply let it stand.
I spoke for the first time since we had entered the restaurant.
“You didn’t ask what I wanted.”
Azad Sahab turned his head toward me with the same polite, slightly distant expression he had used at the earlier mall dinner.
“You will eat what is ordered. Paneer and dal are there. If you want anything extra, say it now.”
“I am fine with that.”
Ma looked at me across the table.
“Eat properly. Don’t make a face about the food. We still have the crackers to buy after this.”
The words were motherly. The timing made them feel like a small instruction to keep the atmosphere smooth.
While we waited, Azad Sahab rested his right arm along the back of Ma’s chair. His fingers hung close to her bare shoulder. Every now and then the tips of his fingers brushed the thin strap of her blouse. She did not move forward or back. She simply allowed the contact to continue.
The food arrived quickly. The vegetarian dishes were set nearer to me.
“Taste.”
The silence at the table lasted only a second. Then Ma leaned forward slightly and took the piece from his fork. Her lips closed around it. She chewed slowly, eyes lowered. Azad Sahab watched her mouth with open attention. When she swallowed he gave a small nod of satisfaction.
“See. Nothing happened.”
24 November 2025 – Monday (continued)
The restaurant occupied a quieter corner of the upper level, separated from the main food court by a glass partition and soft lighting. We were shown to a table for four near the window. Azad Sahab pulled out the chair for Ma and waited until she sat before taking the seat beside her. I sat opposite them. The shopping bags and the two red jewellery boxes were placed on the fourth chair. From where I sat I could see the wide scoop of her blouse clearly every time she leaned forward even slightly. The thin straps looked more delicate under the restaurant lights. The soft peach chiffon had settled around her in loose folds that still followed the shape of her hips when she shifted.
A waiter placed the menus in front of us. Azad Sahab did not open his immediately. He looked at Ma instead.
“You should eat properly. The whole morning has gone in walking.”
“I will. Something light.”
He opened the menu and ran his finger down the section with deliberate openness.
Ma glanced at the menu and then at me before answering.
“It is still festival time. We are eating vegetarian at home these days.”
“At home is at home. Outside is different. One piece will not change anything.” His tone was mild, but the expectation was present. “You eat otherwise, come on, I know that.”
"But never during festival , Azad Sahab," she said, not too strongly, but just so he'd know.
“Then it is time to stop keeping old rules for no reason.” He looked at the waiter.
The waiter noted everything and left. Ma sat with her hands folded on the table. The peach-painted nails looked bright against the white tablecloth. She simply let it stand.
I spoke for the first time since we had entered the restaurant.
“You didn’t ask what I wanted.”
Azad Sahab turned his head toward me with the same polite, slightly distant expression he had used at the earlier mall dinner.
“You will eat what is ordered. Paneer and dal are there. If you want anything extra, say it now.”
“I am fine with that.”
Ma looked at me across the table.
“Eat properly. Don’t make a face about the food. We still have the crackers to buy after this.”
The words were motherly. The timing made them feel like a small instruction to keep the atmosphere smooth.
While we waited, Azad Sahab rested his right arm along the back of Ma’s chair. His fingers hung close to her bare shoulder. Every now and then the tips of his fingers brushed the thin strap of her blouse. She did not move forward or back. She simply allowed the contact to continue.
The food arrived quickly. The vegetarian dishes were set nearer to me.
“Taste.”
The silence at the table lasted only a second. Then Ma leaned forward slightly and took the piece from his fork. Her lips closed around it. She chewed slowly, eyes lowered. Azad Sahab watched her mouth with open attention. When she swallowed he gave a small nod of satisfaction.
“See. Nothing happened.”
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