Page 53 of Only With You

“My grandson seems quite happy. Looks like he will be fulfilling my wish of giving me more grandchildren to play with,” Grandpa teases, sitting opposite me.

We are in his room playing a game of chess while Mili and Ranveer are in the living room, watching a movie.

I choke on a laugh. “Um… We are just trying to work things out. We are not quite there yet.” I play dumb. I know exactly what he’s asking about, but I don’t have an answer for him. At least till I speak to my parents and have them on board with us.

“Really? You could have fooled me.” He smiles, giving me an intent look. “Alisha, I am really happy for you both. This is what I wished for, and that’s the reason I wanted you both under the same roof,” he adds. “Trust me, if I wouldn’t have felt that Ranveer doesn’t deserve a second chance, I wouldn’t have asked you to be here. You do trust me that I love you as much as I love Ranveer,” he says, looking at me with adoration in his eyes.

“I do.” I nod, holding back my tears.

“So, when are you guys coming open about it? You need to tell your parents,” he points out.

“Soon,” I say, shrugging. What I don’t say is that more than time, I will need luck and blessings to convince my dad. I have no clue what will it take for Dad to accept our marriage and share the same opinion.

“Well, I think they will be happy for both of you. You both make a beautiful couple, and I can’t wait to hold my grandchildren,” Grandpa chimes in.

I can feel my face heat up. “I am planning to go back to my parents’ house tomorrow. They have been calling me, and I think it’s time for me to go back, if that’s okay with you, Granddad,” I utter, moving the chess piece on the board. I’m changing the subject, and we both know it. Luckily, he lets me have my way.

“Of course, you can. The sole purpose of having you here seems to be fulfilled. Now I have nothing to worry about.”

My eyes widen and then narrow at him in an attempt to accuse him for lying about his health. “Why do I get a feeling that you tricked me into staying here?”

“Maybe I did.” He lifts his shoulders in an inculpable shrug. “And my plan did work. That is all that matters.”

I don’t argue with him; instead, I give him a grateful smile, and he winks. We finish the game a couple of minutes later, with me making the last move.

“Let’s go and check on Mili and Ranveer,” he suggests.

I nod and we walk into the living room where Mili and Ranveer are curled up on the oversized chair, watching ‘The Lion King’.

“This is my favourite movie. I would tell my dad that he is Mufasa and I am his Simba,” I say out loud, my eyes glued to the screen.

“It’s my favourite too,” Mili agrees. “I too want to be Simba.”

“Youaremy little Simbu.” Ranveer’s eyes crinkle due to his wide smile as he tickles her on the side, making her giggle.

Grandpa moves to sit on the recliner beside them, whereas I move to the couch next to Ranveer and Mili. Smiling, I focus my attention on the television and lose myself in the movie, which I’ve seen what seems like thousands of times. Still, I am enthralled each time I watch it.

A few minutes into the movie, Grandpa rises to his feet and says, “I’m thinking of solving the jigsaw puzzle, the one in my room.”

“I also want to help you, Grandpa.” Mili jumps from Ranveer’s lap and rushes to Granddad, wrapping her tiny hand around his index finger.

“Do you guys also want to join?” Granddad asks.

“Nah, puzzles are not my thing,” Ranveer speaks up. “And I need Alisha to help me with something for Mili’s school tomorrow.” He looks over at me and winks.

Why do I feel he is up to something? I want to ask him what help he needs. I did pack Mili’s bag and check her diary notice. As far as I know, Mili has no pending project to submit. Before I can respond, Mili and Grandpa disappear into his room.

I turn to Ranveer and ask, “Mili has some pending project to submit?”

“Not that I know of.” He smirks.

I knit my brows. “Then what is it you need help with?”

He grins looking at my confused face and then bursts into laughter. “My innocent wifey, that was a small innocent lie to have some alone time with my sweetheart.”

“You are impossible,” I try to scowl, shaking my head. This man surely knows how to make my knees go weak.

He scoots closer to me and lies sideways with his head on my lap.

---