*Kalpana Pov*

"What are you going to wear tonight?" Pallavi asked when I reached the canteen for lunch.

"Normal dress." I replied shrugging.

"Wear something nice nah." She mumbled frowning.

"Don't I wear nicely everyday?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.

"I mean... other than these, why don't you try some sarees? I never saw you in one." She replied shrugging.

"I used to wear them a lot, but it's been too many years since I bought one." I mumbled concentrating on the food not wishing to go into the memories were I wore them when I was married.

"Maybe you can buy one now." She suggested to which I shook my head.

"Come on! We never got invited to such parties before from the company and this is time for a change." We suddenly heard Kiran's voice and turned to see him standing behind us.

"What are you doing standing behind us?" I asked him frowning.

"I am trying to know all your secrets." He replied, winking and sat beside me.

"You are too noisy." Pallavi mumbled and finished her lunch.

"So, are you going to do something different tonight or will you be normal?" Kiran asked staring at me to which Pallavi joined.

"Fine!" I mumbled getting up not knowing whatelse to tell them.

"Great! We both will leave early and go for shopping." She said, standing up immediately with a grin.

"I can't leave early without boss permission and I don't think it is good for me to ask it for some shopping." I said smiling at her.

"I am sure he will leave early to meet the guests and you can leave early." She said after a few minutes.

"If it happens, then we will go." I said, nodding and walked away to reach my desk.

"Ms.Kalpana! Everyone got to know about the bash?" I got startled before standing up to see him standing near his door.

"Yes, Sir!" I replied nodding.

"I hope you stressed on the part of them attending it compulsorily with their family. I need this one to be largest." He added, glancing at his watch.

"I informed about it too, Sir." I mumbled, feeling a little weird with his enthusiasm.

Sure, it is not the normal kind of enthusiasm everyone shows, but it is in his own way. Then again, I am sure there must be some reason or he is really weird.

"Ms.Kalpana?" I came out of my thoughts and saw him staring at me expectantly.

"Sorry, Sir! I was thinking about something." I replied with a guilty look.

"I am leaving office as I need to make sure that all the clients are settled in the guest quarters." He continued to talk and seemed to be nervous suddenly.

"Is everything fine, Sir?" I asked, not able to stay back.

"Of course!" he replied and I can never believe his word.

"Is there any work that needs to be done, Sir? I can take care of it." I offered to which he immediately shook his head.

"Everything is taken care of and you just keep an eye out on everything that is going on so that you can contact all of them instead of me. I already gave you the list of the numbers, right?" he asked and I nodded, feeling awkward with him using these many words.

"Then, I will leave." He added to which I nodded again while he stayed there glancing at his watch.

"I will leave." He again added before walking away with some speed in his moments and walked inside the elevator.

"Shall we leave?" I asked, reaching Pallavi's desk.

"He left?" she asked with wide eyes.

"Yeah! You thought he may right?" I asked her frowning.

"True! But I never thought he would really leave and I was just guessing by the way." She mumbled, standing up and shut her system before picking up her bag with a confused look.

"Is everything fine?" I asked her frowning.

"Of course!" she replied and that is the second time of the day I don't believe those words.

"Why is everyone behaving weird today? First our boss and now you." I said, shaking my head.

"He is acting weird? How?" she asked with complete interest on her face.

"Well, he seemed very nervous. I never saw him that restless." I explained or I tried to.

"Really?" she asked, grinning.

"What does that expression mean?" I asked her frowning.

"Well, I never thought our boss will be nervous." She replied, shrugging and suddenly laughed making me give her a weird look.

"This one!" Pallavi stated picking up a saree.

"Are you mad? It's been years since I wore one and I don't think I can handle this one." I said shaking my head.

"Look, before you were saying you can't afford and I chose the one which you can. I am sure you can handle it just like riding a two wheeler. Once you learn, you always remember." She said frowning at me.

"Ok! I think... I mean I will be fine, I guess." I mumbled and she squealed before nodding at the salesman.

"By the way lose your hair without braiding it and wear some nice make up." She started dictating when we walked outside the shop.

"Are you listening to yourself? You are talking as if I am going for a date." I said, laughing to which she gave an eye roll.

"Come on, that beautiful saree deserves to be treated right. At least for that reason you will do all this." She stated and I continued to laugh at her weird lines.

I waved at her and reached the bus stop, but she just gave her look saying to do as she said making me laugh again.

"You like this?" I asked Sudhir when I took out one of his good shirts.

He nodded, smiling and I smiled back before helping him into it. I brushed his hair properly before helping him into his shoes.

"You sit and watch cartoons for some time while I will get ready." I said and he nodded before rushing off to the living room.

It is just a Saree! I will be completely fine! I thought continuously while getting ready and finally stood before the mirror.

I slowly released my hair from the clip before combing it. Sure the cloth is thin and kind of transparent, but it is not a bad thing to be worn though. It seems to be simple too, which is what I wanted.

Glancing at the lipstick I bit my lip before chosing little dark color than the skin color I wear every day. With that, I tried everything to little extra than before including eyeliner.

After finishing everything, I stared at the mirror only to groan. What was I thinking? I thought and immediately started walking towards the towel, but the ringing from the phone stopped.

"Hello?" I asked, lifting the call.

"Where are you? Nearly everyone is already here." Pallavi's voice made me glance at the clock.

"I will be there soon." I said, hanging up and settled on clearing the lipstick to make it more light and rushed out of the room.

"Let's go, Sudhir!" I said, walking near to him.

"Do I have to come?" he asked and I glanced at the television to see his favorite show.

"If you will not come, then I will get so bored." I said sighing shaking my head.

"I will come." He said switching off the television and I grinned before giving him a small hug.

"Sudhir! How are you?" Pallavi asked the moment I walked inside the party passing all the crowd.

"I am fine, Aunty." He replied smiling.

"Favorite Aunty, right?" she asked, kneeling before him.

"But... but Jhanvi Aunty?" he asked back making me chuckle.

"Okay! One of your favorite Aunties?" she asked and he nodded, to which she grinned before hugging him.

"And you! You will get a treat for listening to me." She said, standing up and gave a small hug.

"You better give that treat." I mumbled, shaking my head feeling little uncomfortable.

"Come on! Mr.Girish would love to meet Sudhir." She said, dragging me and I nodded following her holding Sudhir's hand.

I stopped for a second seeing our boss is standing with Mr.Girish. She turned back realizing I stopped and gave me a questioning look.

"He will meet later. Our boss is there with him. Why to disturb him?" I asked, to which she rolled her eyes.

"Oh please! Our boss is not some alien and he can also meet this cute boy." She replied and continued to drag me making me shake my head.

"And I present the wonder boy Sudhir." She said making me groan while they both turned to look at us.

"He is our boss." I said under my breath so that only she can hear.

"And this is party." She mumbled back before pushing me a little so that Sudhir can stand between us.

"I will kill you." I mumbled glaring at her, to which she stuck her tongue out before holding Sudhir's hand and stepped forward.

"Sudhir! I talked to you about Mr.Girish right? He is the one." She said, gesturing him and then turned him towards our boss.

"And he is our boss, but you can call him Uncle." She added to which he turned to look at me and I nodded.

I glanced at our boss hoping he is not minding this, but saw that he is just staring at Sudhir not moving at all.

"Are you thirsty?" Pallavi asked, glancing at me and I nodded before moving to hold Sudhir's hand.

"Let him be here, Kalpana. Why to drag him near the refreshments and it is always rush there." Mr.Girish said and I reluctantly nodded before following Pallavi knowing well he will take care of him.

"Let's go!" I said the moment, taking the glass and rushed back feeling not good for leaving him there near the people who are strangers to him.

"No need to rush, Kalpana." Pallavi said following me but I ignored her.

However, the moment I reached near to them, I stopped hearing the conversation. I shook my head hoping I am hearing all of it wrong.

"You don't know how my grandchildren always fail their class." Mr.Girish said shaking his head.

"What will they do after growing up? And their father is not taking care of their studies at all." He added while I gaped at him.

He is not married right? Then why is he lying to my son and that too before our boss.

"I never failed." My son said innocently.

"That's really good, Sudhir. Mr.Girish is really worried for his grandchildren." Suddenly boss said making me step back with shock.

"My Mom makes sure I study well." Sudhir said proudly making me smile at him as a break between the shock.

"Really? How wonderful Ms.Kalpana is? She must be amazing Mother." Mr.Girish said with amazed look.

What is happening here? I thought, shaking my head again and saw Pallavi glancing at me with wide eyes.

"You know what is this?" I asked, to which she shook her head.

"You are lying." I stated and turned back to see this time boss leaning forward.

"You are indeed lucky." He said, ruffling Sudhir's hair slowly and I couldn't help but smile not for the words but for the action.

"I better go and stop them from lying anything else." I said, walking near to them and Sudhir turned back with a big grin on his face before hugging my legs.

I smiled before leaning and pressed a kiss on his head and glanced up to see three pairs of eyes staring at me. I gave them an awkward smile before moving a little to stand away from their direct gaze.

I glanced around and saw many clients whom I met and some new whose names I am still trying hard to remember.

"Dance?" Pallavi asked, to which I shook my head and she shrugged before walking away while Mr.Girish walked off to meet someone.

"Is he allowed to have ice cream?" I looked up, startled to see that boss is talking but he is not even staring at me but at the crowd.

"Yes!" I replied, nodding.

"Maybe he would like one now." He said to which I continued to stare at him.

"He will ask for another one after dinner. I will give him one then." I said to which he turned to stare back at me.

"Why can't he have two times?" he asked frowning.

"He will get cold." I replied, feeling stupid to reply to such stupid question.

"Yes! And due to cold he will have to be stick to bed without any school or games. You really take decisions making sure he doesn't suffer, Ms.Kalpana." he said, raising his voice a little and I glanced down to see Sudhir staring at me with wide eyes.

"Dance!" Pallavi shouted, waving me to which I shook my head.

Dance? What are they doing? Just moving here and there. Why are they even calling it dance? Of course a few couples are dancing normally though.

"Why?" I glanced at him hearing the question with a frown.

"Why don't you want to go and dance?" he added.

"I can't leave him alone here. And I don't want to." I replied, not knowing what to make everything with him suddenly talking to me which is not regarding the work.

Of course a few days back, he was concerned about my mood. However, this is like too much.

"That is really great that for him you don't want to dance." He said and I gave him a weird look.

Didn't he hear me saying I don't want to dance too? I thought and immediately moved to walk away, but he suddenly held my elbow stopping me.

"Sir?" I asked, staring at his face, but he is not even staring at me.

"Stay!" he replied before removing his hand and I stayed there in silence, not saying a word and hoping he will not say weird words himself.

"We are leaving." I said, turning towards Pallavi after finishing dinner.

"So soon? Stay for some more time." She said, frowning, but I shook my head and walked towards our boss.

"We are leaving, Sir." I said when I reached near him.

"Okay!" he said getting up with a nod at me and then gave a genuine smile to Sudhir before patting his cheek.

"Bye Uncle!" Sudhir said and he smiled, nodded before we both walked away.

I sat in the cab and leaned on the window while he looked outside, feeling excited to ride in the cab.

I didn't want to take the risk of waiting near the bus stop and chose the cab which seems to be a good one giving me time to think in this traffic without disturbance.

What actually happened today? I can't find a reason for it to happen and need. Why did those two lied and why was Pallavi behind it?

If there were scolding me for some mistake, then I would have been fine than their praising for the things that are done by each and every parent in the whole world.

To top of that Mr.Girish suddenly got some grandchildren out of nowhere. Is this some kind of punishing me for the lie? But after nearly one year?

I shook my head and got out of the cab paying. We both walked inside and I changed his clothes before making him change into his pajamas.

"Ma!" he suddenly called when I tucked him in.

"What is it?" I asked him smiling.

"Will you teach me to ride a cycle?" he asked while I stared at him.

I opened my mouth and closed it but clearing my throat I opened my mouth again saying, "Sure! We will start from tomorrow."

"Love you, Ma." He said and I immediately kissed his forehead before walking out of the room.

I let the lone tear fall after reaching my room and immediately brushed it away. He wants me to teach him how to ride it.

I stared at the mirror and grinned like and idiot. Maybe there is still a chance of him not to miss a father figure in his life.

After a few minutes, I thought back about today's weird conversation and then his words just now. My eyes widened realizing what was all that about.

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many things came at a time so couldnt update... So, here is the big update...

all the parties generally have some u know dramatic or sad kind of things.... i want for a change some thing different kind of thing... so this is what i planned... i know this may not be the one which is expected but still i wanted this... :D

let me know how is it progressing...

how is the chap???

comment plz and vote...