Page 72 of Made in Mumbai

“In America. But her Green Card is finally under process, so she can’t leave the country right now. You know about my parents. The baby’s fa…”

“Dare you call that man her father,” he thundered. “Fathers are not like that.”

“What was your father like, G?”

“Why this question?”

“Because you hold fathers to a higher standard than I do.”

“I never met him.”

“Then who made you believe in fathers?”

“Kumar bhai.”

A tender curve brushed her mouth. “The famous Kumar bhai. Is he your relative?”

“No. A complete stranger who employed me as his cleaner.”

“Tell me, is your surname really Kumar or you adopted Kumar bhai’s name?”

“Has pregnancy made you suddenly a little sharp?” He booped her nose. Couldn’t help it. It was right there, red after her crying, button-like, cute.

“I was always sharp. Or don’t you know? I aced all my exams.”

He chuckled. “I took Kumar bhai’s name when I had to get my IDs made. Though his full name is Kumar Bhatti.”

“How often do you talk to him?”

“Not as often I’d like to. But he understands. He is busy in his life too. It’s not like I call him up every Sunday and share my week. We talk on festivals. Or if there is some work on either end. Men don’t need much chit-chat like girls. And especially you.”

“Me? Chitchat?”

“Your loud gossip is still reverberating in my office alleys.”

“Admit it, I have brought colours and music and fun to your boring office. Like Raj Aryan did to Narayan Shankar!”

“Who?”

“Mohabattein?”

He shook his head.

“Made in Mumbai has been fully transformed, but GK Textiles is still just… vanilla.”

“Don’t even think about touching it. That one floor has remained safe and sane.”

Even as he warned her, his tone held no heat. Maya sighed, her head resting back on his arm as she caressed her stomach.

“What do you plan to do after the baby is born?”

“For starters, find a placebeforeit is born. Seriously Gautam, now that you are back, I need to start looking actively. My brokers are already lining up viewings.”

“Let this weekend go. I’ll speak to my brokers too. That reminds me, you have your doctor’s appointment, right? Your doctor said it last time.”

“It’s next week.”

“What time?”

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