Page 32 of The Escape

Pratap took another completely unapologetic sip of his tea.

Raghav shook his head before turning his attention to Rukmini.

“Maa, you’re taking care of yourself, right? You’re not doing too much?”

Rukmini understood the real question immediately.

With four grandparents and a house full of energetic grandchildren, there was little chance she was following her usual routine. Raghav knew that only too well.

“I am perfectly fine, Raghav. Stop worrying.” She smiled reassuringly. “The children are sleeping right now, but when they’re awake, we take turns. Nobody is doing everything alone.”

“She’s right,” Pratap added. “Although I will admit, our hands have been full.”

“Very full,” Kailash called from beside them.

Rukmini laughed. “At this point, it feels less like RK Estate and more like we’ve opened an exclusive children’s crèche.”

The four of them burst out laughing.

“But honestly,” she continued, her expression turning softer, “we’re enjoying every minute of it. Having all the grandchildren under one roof at the same time is exhausting, but it’s also something we don’t get to experience very often.”

She looked fondly at the screen.

“So don’t worry about us. You four enjoy your vacation. We’re doing perfectly fine here.”

Pratap nodded. Then his expression suddenly changed, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

“And speaking of vacations…” He exchanged a glance with Kailash and Rukmini before looking back at the screen. “I think once you all return, we oldies deserve a little break of our own.”

Raghav’s eyebrow lifted. “A break?”

“A proper one,” Pratap confirmed.

Kailash chuckled. “We’ve already been discussing it.”

“Really?” Siya smiled, immediately curious. “Where are you planning to go?”

“Somewhere peaceful,” Pratap replied. “We don’t need beaches, nightlife, or anything like what you youngsters wanted. We want somewhere quiet where we can slow down, sleep properly, eat good food, and not hear someone shouting, crying or asking for something every five minutes.”

“Sounds perfect,” Ayaan said with a laugh. “Have you decided where?”

“Perhaps a luxury wellness retreat near Rishikesh,” Kailash suggested. “Somewhere overlooking the Ganges. We could spend a few days away doing nothing.”

“Nothing?” Rukmini laughed. “You won’t last even one day doing nothing, Bhai Sahab.”

Everyone agreed.

“I think it’s a brilliant idea,” Ayaan said. “Seriously. You all deserve the break. Wherever you decide to go, just let us know. We’ll take care of all the arrangements.”

“Absolutely not.” Raghav’s immediate response made everyone look at him. “I’m not letting the four of you disappear somewhere without us for a week.”

“We are not alone,” Kailash argued. “There are four of us.”

“Still no,” Raghav insisted.

Pratap burst out laughing. “Raghav, we are perfectly capable of going on a holiday without our children supervising us.”

“I’m not supervising anyone.”