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“Fine,” Meher said, shaking her head. “But where are the kids?”
“Asleep. Thankfully.”
The relief in Kailash’s voice was so evident that all four of them laughed again.
“They’re taking their afternoon nap,” he continued. “And it’s a good thing you called now. The moment they wake up and spot all of you on this screen, you can forget about ending the call. They’ll start asking when you’re coming back, how many more nights you’re staying, and why you haven’t returned already.”
“That sounds about right,” Meher sighed, smiling.
“But don’t worry. They’re perfectly fine. They’re having a wonderful time here. In fact, I’m beginning to think they’ve adjusted far too well without their parents.”
“That can’t be true,” Siya protested with a laugh.
“Believe me, they’re managing quite well without you all.”
His words eased their worry. Kailash then looked at them properly, his expression softening.
“So, how are you people enjoying yourselves?”
“It’s been beautiful,” Meher replied. “Honestly, Paapa, I didn’t realise how much we needed this.”
Siya nodded. “It really has been a wonderful break. Everything feels so peaceful here. We’re actually getting to slow down for once.” She paused before adding with a softer smile, “Although we still miss everyone back home.”
“Especially the kids,” Meher added.
“Of course.” Siya smiled. “But that’s why I think next time we should plan something bigger. All of us together. The grandparents, the kids, everyone.”
“Yes,” Meher immediately agreed. “And Aksh, Devika, and Avika too. We missed them so much this time.”
Kailash smiled at the mention of them. Devika had been unable to join the trip because she was expecting her second child. She was still in her first trimester, but she had been struggling with high blood pressure, and her doctor had advised complete bed rest. Otherwise, she and Aksh would have been part of this Maldives getaway as well.
“Another vacation with the entire family sounds like a pretty good idea,” Kailash said.
Raghav, however, leaned slightly closer to the screen. “I hope everything is fine there, though. You’re not overdoing things, are you?”
Kailash gave him an amused look. “I’m fine, Raghav. Everyone is fine.”
Raghav nodded, but the slight crease between his brows remained.
Kailash knew that expression too well.
“You’ve been away for barely two days,” he reminded him. “Stop worrying about everyone back home and enjoy your holiday. We have everything under control here.”
Raghav finally smiled, though it was clear he wasn’t entirely convinced.
Kailash glanced towards something outside the frame before turning his attention back to them.
“Anyway, now that you’ve called, let me go inside. You can speak to Rukmini, Pratap and Ratan as well.”
Siya’s face immediately lit up.
“Yeah. I want to speak to Mom.”
“Us too,” Meher agreed.
Kailash carried the iPad with him as he headed inside, keeping the video call connected. The screen shook slightly with every step, offering them fleeting glimpses of the familiar interiors of RK Estate as he walked through the villa. Siya’s eyes immediately moved around the screen.
It was strange how different home looked from thousands of miles away. The familiar walls, the open veranda, the garden visible through the doors… even the smallest details she had stopped noticing after years of living there suddenly carried a different kind of warmth. She had seen all of it countless times, yet looking at it through a screen from nearly two thousand kilometres away made her realise just how much she missed it.
