Exam Fever
1521 Words
Exam Fever
Arnav Singh Raizada walked into his room sharp at 7 like every other day. When he didn't find his dear wife in the living room or kitchen, he naturally assumed her to be at their bedroom. And, yes, he was right. He spotted his wife in the poolside talking over phone. Arnav hugged his wife from behind and pinched her waist playfully.
"Ow She winced and turned around to glare at him. Laad Governor' she muttered and walked to the other side ignoring him completely. Arnav was about to follow her with full intention to trouble her more and that is when a small chubby hand held his pants to try and stand up. Arnav bent down and immediately scooped his two year old daughter, Nishitha, in his arms.
"Doll Arnav exclaimed kissing her chubby cheeks.
"Pa, look she said pointing at the notepad she held in her hand and proudly flaunted him how beautifully she had drawn, technically scribbled, whatever she had imagined.
"That is wonderful Arnav said taking the notepad from her hand. " My doll is very talented. Nishitha smiled at the appreciation and kissed her father's cheeks gratefully.
"Thank god you are back, Arnav commented Khushi who had ended her call.
"Of course, I am back. I don't go anywhere after office hours, do I?
Khushi rolled her eyes and took their daughter from him. "Go! Freshen up and then you can play with your daughter
"But, I want to play now he said trying to get back Nishitha
"Arnav once you are refreshed you can have your daughter for yourself the rest of the night
Arnav narrowed his eyes at his wife's tone while saying that. What did he miss? That is when his eyes fell on the mess that was his bed. God he should have guessed. There were many clues. His ever energetic six year old son, Nishant, didn't come running to him yet, his always tidy bed was filled with second grade books, his beautiful wife had a pen stuck on her hair holding a bun together and she was talking on the phone at the time of his arrival knowing well that he likes to spend time with her after he returns from office. All of this screamed only one thing.
"Exams??? asked Arnav with a very unsettling feeling
"Yeah Khushi replied nonchalantly walking inside their room
"He had exams week before last
"That was just model exam
"And this?
"Half Yearly
"God Khushi he is just in second grade. I don't think I have written as many exams as my six year old son has already written. That is saying something considering I have two Masters
"Arnav that is decades ago. Everything has changed now. Can you believe he has five whole chapters to complete? That is very difficult she said making round eyes " That is what I was discussing with the girls
"Girls!! Arnav scoffed as he grabbed his towel and went to the washroom
Of Course there were girls. The year Nishant was born was one of the best years for whole of the Raizada clan. Not just Nishant but Anjali and Shyam's second daughter Maanya and Akash and Payal's son Vikrant were born on the same year with just months apart. Naani was so happy and she said it was a sign that Raizada House is triple blessed. It was very natural to join them in the same school. Arnav thought it was very practical decision. If all kids go to the same school, then they will bond well and help each other. However, more than the kids the moms bonded well, if they weren't already close enough. The kids' school, teachers, friends, their parents everything became part of their daily discussion. It was as if they were watching a very personalized TV show and couldn't stop talking about it all the time.
"Oh! Did you notice Tanya? She was totally burning with jealousy said Khushi one day when they were all seated for dinner
"Who Tanya? asked Arnav casually
"Arre! Tanya Mohit's mom Khushi replied
"Mohit who? asked Arnav again wondering if it was one of Khushi's numerous friends
"Mohit is in same class of our kids Payal answered this time
"Why would HIS mom be jealous again? Akash asked
"Because our kids scored highest marks in group project Payal said with a grin
"But Payal, I don't think that is any reason to be jealous. Akash said as a matter of fact
"You don't know anything Akash. She is a very jealous mom Payal chided her husband
"Very jealous of Di Khushi added
"Anjali? asked Shyam looking at his wife questioningly
"Yeah! Because I get first hand chance to select whatever I want from Raizada Saree collections even before it goes on sale Said Anjali with a huge grin
"Seriously! You go to pick the kids from school or have an imaginary fashion competition with mothers of other kids? Arnav nodded disappointed
"Arnav you don't know how it is. The other day Tanya said that her wardrobe is filled with best of Arnav Singh Raizada's collections. Imagine her surprise when I said, let me quote, you own only Arnav Singh Raizada's designed clothes but I own Arnav Singh Raizada himself said Khushi giggling
"Khushi, I don't think saale sahib is some commodity to own
"What are you talking about jijaji. I love Arnav and I own him, don't I? said Khushi looking at her husband
"Sure Arnav mumbled looking at his jijai helplessly who was openly snickering at his plight.
The total school' politics, in his jijaji's words, has already gotten out of hand. The men of the house had no say in whatsoever. These trivial things were still tolerable, but exam times were horrible. That one week the women would go berserk, treating these exams as nothing less than IAS entrance. The husbands would be forgotten, their business stress and responsibilities will be belittled mercilessly in front of their children's exams.
"Khushi, come to bed soon He said during one of Nishant's exams
"Arnav! My poor baby is working so hard to remember the capitals of all states and you want me to have ice cream with you? Well, Ice cream being their code word for s*x in front of kids.
"Maa, I want ice cream said Nishant lifting his head off the book
Khushi glared both the father and son so hard that they wordlessly went back to whatever they were doing.
Khushi was completely different when it comes to Nishant's school, while Arnav admired the dutiful mother of his son he complained endlessly about his careless wife.
Arnav sat on the bed with Nishitha beside him colouring in her new colouring book. He took out his phone and checked w******p. As expected there were number of messages from their boys group which is now named as "EXAM FEVER
The group consisted of Arnav, Shyam, Akash (admin), Aman (Arnav's right hand man, whose wife Diya, on Khushi's insistence, joined their daughter Prakriti in same school) and Ram (Very shrewd industrialist to the world and a doting husband and father, also Akash's friend from college).
Shyam : I thought exams were over already
Akash : That was just teaser
This is main picture
Aman : Diya has asked me to cook as she is busy and outside food may cause stomach upset during exam time
Arnav : I am to take care of Nishitha
Ram : I don't remember dreading my own exam as much as I dread my son's exams
Akash : Payal just sent me out of the study room stating that I am disturbing' Vik
Shyam : Come to terrace I am there
Aman : At least you three have each other. I am stuck alone at making Palak Paneer
Arnav : Khushi is glaring at me after saying to Nishant that his handwriting is illegible
Aman : Sir, I do pray my junior boss' handwriting doesn't take after my senior boss' ;)
Arnav : What the !!
Akash : Seriously bhai. Do you remember how Ms.Malini from seventh grade used to scold you for writing like a two year old.
Arnav : My handwriting is better than a two year old. I can show you how my daughter writes. She is two.
Shyam :Saale sahib do you think it helps
Arnav : whatever jijaji
Ram : Guys red alert !!!!!! Jenny just now told me that there is project to be made before exam tomorrow. Something about dams around the world. Now it is too late for me, but you guys try and escape.
Arnav turned to look at Khushi who has just kept her phone aside and looked at him
"Arnav...
"I forgot an important file in office I got to go and pick it up he said not giving his wife an opportunity to talk
"But...
"Don't worry; I will take doll with me. It is just few minutes work
"Are you...
"I will be back soon sweet heart with a quick peck on her cheeks Arnav rushed out lifting his giggling daughter and car keys
- Writer
