Chapter 6 . Hangover

                                    

                                          
It was day 3 since they came back from Punjab but Shiv's stories were endless. He was having his morning tea and couldn't stop praising fresh air and food. Mom was looking at his face with a big smile.
"O mom, it's a different experience. I mean I went for film shooting once, and it was good. But this was another level," he had so many stories of those 2 weeks. Yesterday they heard about their visit to Gurdwara Saab (temple). He talked about how much he enjoyed her cousin's company. They went to different restaurants and enjoyed full Punjabi food and Lussi.
"Was Sona not with you then, Ria Shiv's niece asked from the corner of the room. She was sitting on the floor cushion enjoying her tea while listening to her uncle.
"Na, she went for a shoot. We vagabonds didn't sit at home at all." He told her with full excitement.
One day Sona came early from her shoot. I were out with lads partying till late. We boys came home about 11ish after a few drinks. Sona was fully angry and in a fighting mood. She said, "Where have you been? I haven't seen you for 3 days. Whenever I ask at home, they tell me that he is chilling outside with boys." Shiv mimicked Sona in the end.
"Her Grandmother told her that he is not her husband. She was fighting with him like a wife." Shiv tried to say that  in Punjabi which makes everyone laugh
Meaning " Ruby asked him in the middle. Ruby is shiv niece and Priya's daughter.
"Means I am not her husband. Then why was she giving me orders?" Shiv explained in Punjabi to Ruby. Priya looked towards Mom and smiled.
She started a fight with her brother and cousins. That's why they took Shiv outside to eat random food, as it's still covid. Shiv was in his story telling mood and they all were his audience.
"I am quite surprised that it's all open in Punjab. It's really hard to walk in certain areas due to police regulations.  Priya De was eating something at the dining table. She added a comment about covid restrictions in certain parts of India.
"Because Mumbai is very congested Ma, look at the population and it is more at risk. I think it's different in cities than countryside. "Ruby said to her mother.
"When is your shooting going to start " Mom asked Shiv
" Week after Mom, I think they changing location now " Shiv informed Mom.
"Sona Shooting ends today. Tomorrow she has that meeting. She said she will be here the day after tomorrow." He added. Everyone in the room smiled and looked at each other. He sounded like he was telling himself as well.
"So Mama, tell us. Are we taking Barat to Punjab soon? Are you getting married in Punjab?" Ruby teased him and asked if they were going to Punjab for his wedding.
He blushed like a teenager. He got up from his favourite place, which was the couch. He looked at her pretending that he didn't like this question. Everyone knew what was in his heart.
"Shoosh you "Shiv smiled and said to Ruby and then walked to the kitchen to wash his teacup.
"Mom, what are we all having for dinner today?" He went out of the kitchen. He just finished his breakfast and was asking about dinner.
They all woke up late because there wasn't much to do due to the lock-down. Everyone's routine was disturbed. That's why breakfast and dinner are usually only 2 meals in a day. It was almost 2 p.m. when they all finished brunch Everyone got busy with their activities and Shiv went to his room. It was almost evening when Shiv came out from his room. He turned on the TV. Then he lay down on the sofa again. Mom knew he was on the phone for an hour or so. Mom came out from the kitchen and looked at his face and he looked bored.
"What's up ", Mom smiled and asked
"When will this lock-down end "He was looking like a child this time again. Mom smiled at him.
"I don't know when the lockdown is going to end in Mumbai. I feel like going back to Punjab again." Mom laughed this time. She knew the reason for his boredom.
"When Sona is coming back" Mom asked and he looked sad this time 
"Her work got extended due to COVID restrictions. They have to follow all covid laws and rules which makes everything seems slower to process. She was saying that she had to quarantine for at least 3 days to go back home first. "Shiv explains with a sad face.
He went to his room quickly got his phone and made a call.
" Ari, let's have a road trip to Punjab, We will pick Sona up in our way back . We can stay there for a week. We should take mom with us as well. Let's all go." He was looking at Mom now. She knew that it was his assistant Arijit on the other side of this call. She looked at him
"So what, we both can drive. If needed, we can get one more person with us. We can switch drivers." Shiv was trying to convince him that they could drive that much.
" Leave flights man, Flights not open anyways" Check everything and let me know,
"He explained the real reason to him. He suggested he check with his manager for any updates regarding a delay in his shooting."
The next morning, he woke up very serious face and came to the kitchen. Mom asked "Now what Shiv "
"We can't go to Punjab. One of my ads starts shooting next week. I have to leave for that shoot tomorrow morning. We have to quarantine for 3 days before work. Then they will take a few tests before we start shooting." Shiv explained in a really low mood. Everything looked so slow to him, Time was running slow and silent for him. He was missing her badly and he knew that. He lay down on the sofa and closed his eyes. Mom brought him a cup of tea and he sat down properly to have his morning tea.
Mom looked at his face and at the same time the bell rang and Priya De came to the door. She walked into a very silent living room. She said really loudly, "What up silent town?" She pointed to Shiv. Sid looked at her and smiled.
"We are ok, where have you been from last 2 days " Shiv asked her. She laughed and thought O god someone is really bored.
"Was tidying up all wardrobes to make myself busy. There is not much to do. I thought, let's start that." She explained and looked at his face. He was busy with his tea. He asked the question but he wasn't listening to her answer because he was in his little world.  Priya De looked at Mom's face.
" Have you talked to Sona today?" Priya De asked with interest. He looked at her very quickly.
"Ya I did, she was crying last night, Shiv said
"Why?  Priya De asked
First she was fed up at home. Now, after working for a month, everything is taking longer due to Covid rules. It's like 3 days working taking 6 days.  She is fed up. You know she can't sit still. She has to quarantine as well. She misses Mumbai too." He added the last line very slowly and silently. It seemed like he was thinking about what she said to him last night as well. Mom finished her Tea. Priya De asked if she was going to make another one. Priya would like to have one as well.
"I will be leaving for a shoot tomorrow, though. It would be really good to get out of this home, man. I feel really bored after coming back from Punjab," Shiv continued his conversation with Priya De.
Mom helped him pack in the evening because he was leaving quite early.
"Shiv I put some extra mask here," Mom pointed out. She also asked him to be as careful as he could.
The next morning, he left early for 10 days. His shoot was only for 2 days but they have to follow Covid rules to stay longer in one place. Mom talked to him every day. After day 10, Arijit called her. He let her know that Shiv finished the shoot. Shiv got a flight from there with his manager to Chandigarh Punjab to see Sona. Arijit asked him to drive his car back to Mumbai. Mom smiled like she already knew from his conversation yesterday that he was thinking of doing something.
They both came back after 4 days together and it was in the news everywhere. How cute he was opening the door for her to get in and leave the paparazzi behind.