Page 274 of The Redemption
“Come on,” Trisha adds. “A few minutes ago, we overheard what you guys were discussing.”
“And what is that?” Krish asks cautiously.
“How your wives don’t give you enough time anymore because we’re too busy taking care of your children.”
“Exactly,” Simran says. “You all wanted children. And now you’re complaining because you don’t get enough time with your wives anymore.”
“That’s not what we were saying,” Krish defends himself.
“You were.” Trisha narrows her eyes at him. “And when exactly are mothers supposed to find free time between raising the kids, running the house, managing work, and taking care of you guys?”
“Baby, relax,” Krish says, lifting both hands in surrender.
“Actually, I think they have a point,” Ayaan says, cutting in before Krish can continue. “I think we all should seriously plan a trip. Just us. No kids.”
The men immediately become interested.
“You mean a proper vacation?” I ask, suddenly far more interested. “Only couples? No children?”
“Exactly. A few days at some exotic location,” Ayaan adds. “There are enough elders to take care of all our kids, especially if they’re all in one place, like here at RK Estate.”
The idea receives immediate approval from every man present, but the women look considerably less convinced.
“Fine,” Trisha says finally. “We need to discuss this with Meher and Siya. But right now?” She points towards the stage. “We need to cut the cake.”
That finally brings everyone’s attention back to the actual celebration. I glance around, searching for one person.
“Where’s Siya?”
Simran smiles. “She’s bringing the cake out.”
Almost on cue, my eyes find her. Siya enters the ballroom, pushing the cake trolley, with Meher and Esha beside her, helping with the rest of the arrangements.
As the cakes arrive, the entire family’s attention shifts towards the table, and we head there too. There are two cakes tonight. One is for the fiftieth anniversary of RK Estate, and the other is for Ayaan and me. Our birthday cake. The large anniversary cake sits proudly at the centre while our birthday cake is placed beside it.
The guests begin gathering around, and the children immediately become excited. In the middle of it all, Ayaan and I exchange a glance before looking for one person.
Baba.
The moment we spot him, we both walk over and bring him to the table to cut the cake.
Naturally, he starts protesting. “Why me? You two should be doing this.”
Ayaan shakes his head. “No, Dad. All these years, you’ve carried RK Estate on your shoulders. It was you who protected this legacy.”
“Exactly,” I add. “Ayaan and I may be looking after it now, but the right to cut this cake belongs to you.”
Baba opens his mouth to argue again, but Ayaan doesn’t give him the chance. I step forward and rest a hand on his shoulder.
“Come on, Baba. You can’t disappoint us tonight.”
His expression softens into a smile. “When have I ever disappointed my sons?”
That answer alone brings smiles to everyone around us. Before either of us can say anything else, he takes the knife. The entire hall falls silent, and with all of us gathered around him, Baba cuts the fiftieth anniversary cake. Applause erupts throughout the hall. Guests cheer. Family members clap.
Then it’s our turn. As Ayaan and I move towards our birthday cake, the children start jumping in excitement. But the mothers step in before complete chaos can break out.
“Let your fathers cut the cake first. Then you can have yours,” Meher says to Arnav and Rudra, who are already trying to swipe a little icing with their fingers.
