9. Troubled waters

Akshay and his family went to a mall to buy things and clothes for his UK travel and stay. When Arpit insisted on buying a Doraemon soft toy, they went inside the Toy House. There was one little beautiful girl of Arpit's age, who was looking at few barbie dolls while her parents were roaming in some other section.

Arpit suddenly said to Akshay, "Pappa, look at the girl. She is so beautiful na?"

Before Akshay could respond, Richa looked at Akshay with inflated eyes.

Akshay shrugged and wondered why Richa was looking at him.

"It's all because of you. Like father, like son. You were famous in college for looking at girls. I know you very well. He is following your path now!"

Akshay started laughing.

"Richu dear, let me first respond to Arpit. Hello Arpit Beta, yes she is very beautiful. Now say hi to the pretty little girl and make her your friend."

It was an innocent comment from Arpit and Akshay felt that whatever he responded was the correct way to handle Arpit's comments. Then Arpit and the little girl started talking and mingling with each other.

"Richu dear, to counter your accusations on me, I would say there is nothing wrong in appreciating beauty. Be it in any form. Nature or human or anything else! And you also know there is no lust in children of his age! Do you think when we were of his age, it was possible for us to talk about such things with our parents? Now it's different times. We should accept the change."

"Really? Great. What a philosophy! And what about appreciating the beauty who is around you all the time working for your well-being?"

"But, when did I say that you are not beautiful? I mean when I failed to appreciate your beauty? You are beautiful. As always! Like our college days!"

"No. I don't think so. A few minutes back, you were ogling at the lady sitting with her daughter in the toy train!"

"No dear. I was not ogling her. I was just throwing a little glance. Trying to get a glimpse. You know, appreciating beauty and all that theory!"

"Oh ho! My husband is now inventing theories like a scientist. It’s my mistake that I failed to understand many such virtues residing within you! By the way my scientist husband jee, as per your theory, may I know what the minimum time is defined for a glance to get just a glimpse of a woman's beauty?", Richa raised her volume.

Akshay took it on a lighter note while Richa was in no mood for any mischievousness. Akshay failed to notice it and said sarcastically, "Richu, the minimum time differs from person to person. Mine may be more!"

Rohini was nearby helping out Arpit to choose the soft toy. She was listening to all this conversation. She came near to both and said, "Mummy pappa! Please stop now. It's not good to quarrel on such topics in the presence of your son and daughter!"

"Rohini, tell this to your mom. She is making a mountain out of a molehill."

"What? Me? Every blame coming on me! You have changed a lot, Akshay! Disgusting", she walked out of the shop hurriedly and furiously and started going down on the escalator, almost crying.

Rohini quickly chose the soft toy, paid and all three moved out of the shop and started following Richa.

Rohini was murmuring slowly to herself, "Mummy always makes a scene. I don't like that!"

Arpit didn't understand why everyone suddenly went back home. 

Akshay thought, "I know her very well. She just is feeling insecure because I am going to the UK and that too alone! Let me handle her tonight! She was a small actor before and acts in a melodramatic way, in real life too."

Before his flight to the UK, Akshay managed to pacify the anger of his wife and she took promise from him that he won't look at or befriend any other woman in the foreign country. It was his first time travelling abroad.

Then Akshay had sex on his wife's insistence but because of all the drama that happened recently, he couldn't concentrate on his lovemaking with her. She slept peacefully after that, but he wasn't satisfied and lay awake for hours that night.