Secrets Hidden In Time (Time #1)

57 | The Weird Pair

"So, don't you feel that for a child of his age, he speaks too little? I mean children between the ages of 2 and 3 years old generally speak in two- and three-word phrases or sentences. They are supposed to use at least 200 words and as many as 700 to 900 or even 1000 words. They are supposed to ask questions that start with what, who, why, or where, such as 'What is it?' or 'Where is Papa?'." She paused, meeting his eyes. "But he speaks far fewer words than these."

"Honestly," he smiled. "Even I too started speaking very late when I was his age, so it could be a genetic thing." He rubbed his thumb on the back of her hand. "But, if it's worrying you a lot, it's better we take him to the doctor. What do you suggest?"

"Sounds fine to me." She smiled back. "Also, about his karate academy, the first class was on the 13th. When is the next one? Just forward me the timetable and other details. Will you?"

"The next class is on the coming Sunday, 21st May." He replied. "They haven't actually sent the final timetable, but once they do, I'll send it to you."

"Alright." She scratched her chin awkwardly. "I had a request, though. Can you please ask Karim Bhai and Gurung to shift to the manor for the time being? Karim Bhai is still in Dehradun, but once he returns to Delhi, can you please request him to shift? Manoramaa has her family to look after, so she can't stay here for obvious reasons. But, at least when we are not around, Anirudh will have Karim Bhai, Gurung, Geeta, Poorna, and the others around him for safety."

The space between his brows narrowed for a split second as he observed her facial expressions, but then the look of skepticism was replaced by a crescent on his visage. "Okay, I will talk to them."

"By the way," he paused, swirling his tongue over his upper lip. "The brat is asleep, plus Poorna and Geeta are there with him. So, how about we go for a walk after dinner? Perhaps even cycling in the compound?"

"Now?" She stared at him half in disbelief, half in amusement.

"Come on. It's not even that late." He shrugged.

She chuckled, shaking her head. "Alright. As you say."

Twenty minutes later, both of them stood in front of the porch with two geared bicycles, one female and the other male.

Hinduja traced her fingers across the brakes of the ocean blue and matte black women's bicycle.

"This is Nirjhara's cycle." Mahadevan's lips curved up faintly. "She loved cycling."

Hinduja glanced at him. This was the first time perhaps that he had voluntarily spoken about his sister.

"It's beautiful." She whispered.

"Grandpa got it." His voice turned a notch low. "Ocean blue for Ira, grey for Daman, and black for me."

"And the purple one?" She asked, referring to the purple bicycle that she saw in the large manor garage.

"That's Didaa's." He whispered, looking her in the eye.

"Oh." She ducked her head down. "Uh, let's go then." She looked up, trying her best to muster up a grin.

"Yes." He smiled.

Stepping forward, they both got on their respective bicycles. She saw him getting started with the pedaling as she clutched the handlebars and pedaled forward, matching his pace.

They slowly pedaled over the vast, wet pavilion encircling the ginormous, grass- and grove-filled compound surrounding the manor.

"The pavilion is slippery due to the rain this evening." She remarked.