Spot!

“Mummy... Mummy... Are you ready?” called Rahini.

“Coming Rahini. Just a minute!” said Mrs. Joshi. “What’s the hurry?”

“We’ll get late, Mummy. I want to see the rabbits and ducks. They will be there with their babies,” Rahini said excitedly. “Won’t they, Daddy?”

“Hmm... Yes. They’ll be with their babies. But don’t hurry your mother lest we forget something important, Rahini,” Mr. Joshi said wiping the panes of their faithful car.

“Ok Daddy. You’re right. We mustn’t forget anything. The bread crumbs for the ducks, some juicy carrots and fresh crispy lettuce leaves for the rabbits and our picnic basket. What has Mummy prepared for us to eat, Daddy?” Rahini queried, looking at her father giving the bonnet a quick wipe.

“Now let’s see... she told me she’ll be preparing lots of delicious food,” Mr. Joshi said rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

“Daddy...” squealed Rahini amused. “Mummy always prepares delicious food. But what is she taking for us to eat today?”

“Well... well... that’s a surprise, my dear!” Mr. Joshi whispered mysteriously.

“I love surprises, mysteries and adventures!” giggled Rahini. “Hurray! We’re going to have an exciting picnic. I can feel it, Daddy!”

“You and your exciting adventures and mysteries, Rahini!” laughed Mrs. Joshi appearing on the stairs by the door just then. “Come and help me carry this picnic basket, Mr. Joshi.”

“Hurray! Mummy is here! The picnic basket is here!” shouted Rahini in excitement. “Shall I open the car’s door for Mummy?”

“Yes, my dear! Please do! You’re a clever child,” Mr. Joshi beamed at his daughter.

“Mr. Joshi... you and your daughter will never grow up! These picnics on the weekends are your idea. I can’t understand this madness!” Mrs. Joshi grumbled good naturedly.

“Come on, Apoorva, my dear! I know how much you love these picnics so don’t pretend you don’t. You love to hear the birds singing and the wind whispering through the trees,” Mr. Joshi said taking the picnic basket and placing it in the boot along with the cricket bat, badminton racquets and football.

“You know everything... but I think I prefer listening to the Koel singing more than anything else,” laughed Mrs. Joshi.

“Great! And what about playing cricket with Rahini and me?” Mr. Joshi asked mischievously.

“Oh no... You both are a pair of cheaters. I’m not going to play any cricket,” Mrs. Joshi said firmly, sliding into her seat beside the driver’s.

“O come on Mummy! Please be a sport! How can we play without you?” coaxed Rahini as her father helped her into the passenger seat at the back and made sure the door was securely closed.

“Rahini... you heard me! I’d rather talk to the ducks and feed the robins. I’m sure we’ll be able to see some pretty butterflies too. As Spring has just begun there’ll be lots of sweet smelling and colourful flowers everywhere,” Mrs. Joshi said.

“Don’t worry, Rahini. We both will play cricket. You and I! Let your Mummy admire the butterflies and bees,” Mr. Joshi grinned at his daughter in the rear view mirror. “Are we ready to go?”

“Yippeeee! Yes! Hurray!” shouted Rahini.

“Alright then! Here we go!” said Mr. Joshi happily starting the car.

---

“How beautiful and serene this place is,” whispered Mrs. Joshi, as if afraid to disturb the plant and animal kingdom.

“Isn’t it?” smiled Mr. Joshi, putting his arm around her shoulder.

Rahini ran ahead of them carrying the jute carpet they had brought along. Mr. Joshi carried their heavy picnic basket and Mrs. Joshi held on to the water container. Once they decided the spot they would be sitting in Mr. Joshi would bring the other titbits, games and sports items. They had parked the car a little in the distance as they didn’t want to disrupt the sacred silence and beauty of the place.

“I think this looks good enough, Apoorva. What do you say?” Mr. Joshi said stopping after a few steps. They looked up and admired the blue sky through the canopy of green leaves. Neem trees, mango trees, eucalyptus trees and an old banyan tree made up this quiet grove. They could hear the brook chattering nearby.

“Daddy, shall I spread this carpet here?” queried Rahini.

“Yes, my dear. Although the grass is as soft as velvet but it is better we use the carpet, it’s a bit damp,” Mr. Joshi said stepping out of his shoes.

“Come Rahini, let’s spread the carpet then we’ll place the food and other things in the centre,” Mrs. Joshi stretched out her hand.

“Yes Mummy,” Rahini said as they carefully opened the bright yellow and green jute carpet.

Mr. Joshi placed the picnic basket and water container in the centre and hurried off to get the other things. Mrs. Joshi and her daughter sat down and looked around contentedly.

“Mummy, I hope there are no monkeys here,” Rahini said peering up at the branches of the trees. “You remember the last time we came here for a picnic and fed a cute little baby monkey, the whole family appeared and we had to leave in a hurry.”

“Yes, yes! I remember,” laughed Mrs. Joshi. “The baby was really cute and you wanted to take him home only his parents didn’t approve.”

“I’m glad I didn’t take him home, his parents would have missed him. Wouldn’t they have, Mummy?” Rahini looked at her mother. “Just like you and Daddy would miss me. Right?”

“Yes, my darling!” Mrs. Joshi patted her daughter’s head lovingly. “You’re a clever little girl. Now, as soon as Daddy comes back we’ll go and feed the ducks in the stream.”

“Hurray! I hope Daddy comes fast!” Rahini said jumping excitedly.

“Daddy’s already here!” Mr. Joshi said panting. “Rahini... help!”

“Yes Daddy...” Rahini was up in a blink. She took the football and racquets from her father.

“Shall we go and feed the ducks now?” Rahini looked from one to the other of her parents.

“Not till I’ve eaten something first. I’m absolutely starving!” Mr. Joshi sat down on the carpet and refused to move.

“But you just had breakfast... about an hour and half ago,” Mrs. Joshi said checking her watch.

“I don’t know all that. This fresh air and your delightful cooking makes me extra hungry on picnic days! I’m on a strike till you give me some of that tempting stuff in the picnic basket!” Mr. Joshi said smiling mischievously.

“Yes Mummy, I’m hungry too!” Rahini seconded her father.

“Oh... you both are getting naughtier by the day!” laughed Mrs. Joshi. “Very well, let’s have something to eat first.”

So, Mrs. Joshi opened the picnic basket amidst much cheering and clapping from the father and daughter. Rahini peered into the basket and her eyes grew round in wonder.

“Such a lot of food! Yummy... yummy... hmmm...” Rahini said smacking her lips. “What will we eat now?”

“Yes! I packed extra food. I know you both love the picnic meals,” Mrs. Joshi laughed handing them the paper plates. “For now we’ll eat these tomato, onion and cucumber sandwiches with orange cream biscuits and orange juice.”

“Sounds delicious and smells delicious too!” Mr. Joshi said taking a bite. “Mrs. Joshi, you’re a master chef! This is awesome!”

“Yes Mummy! You’re super-duper awesome!” said Rahini with her mouth full.

“Thank you... thank you...” smiled Mrs. Joshi pouring the juice in paper cups. “Rahini... no talking with your mouth full. It’s bad manners. And, remember no littering this place. Here... we’ll put all the trash in this big poly bag and carry it back with us. We must respect Mother Nature.”

“Sorry Mummy... I’ll remember not to do that again. Yes, Ma’am in school also says we must keep our surroundings clean,” Rahini said and then gave a happy yell. “Mummy! Look! See that squirrel! He’s looking at me. Do you think he wants to be my friend?”

“Rahini...” laughed Mrs. Joshi. “He’s looking for something to eat. Take these roasted groundnuts and keep them on the ground beneath that tree.”

“Daddy, come with me...” Rahini grabbed her father’s hand and tugged.

“Alright... alright... wait a minute!” Mr. Joshi walked with his daughter to the banyan tree and looked at his daughter lovingly as she called to the squirrel and kept the groundnuts for it.

They watched the squirrel twitch its tail, call out loudly and then dart down the tree trunk, pick a nut and race up the tree to sit on the branch and nibble hungrily. His eyes were shining brightly.

“Rahini... Mr. Joshi... Can we now go and see the ducks? Come along! I’ve taken the bread crumbs,” Mrs. Joshi called.

“Coming dear...” Mr. Joshi said. “Rahini, let’s go. We’ll come back and feed him more nuts later.”

“Yes Daddy!” Rahini said holding her father’s hand as they followed Mrs. Joshi through the thickets on a stony path. They could hear the brook babbling louder now.

Soon they saw it... It glistened in the sunlight. A thousand stars shone in the morning light. Mrs. Joshi gasped in delight and Rahini jumped for joy.

Soon the girl spied the ducks and called to them loudly, “Duckies... Duckies... come over here! See what we’ve brought for you. Daddy... Mummy... see their babies... they’re yellow balls of cotton! There are... one... two... three... four... five... six... of them. Six ducklings!”

“Yes, they’re very sweet! See them following their mothers,” Mrs. Joshi said, equally excited.

Mr. Joshi looked at his wife and his daughter; he couldn’t help smiling at their enthusiasm.

“Mummy, please give me the bread crumbs. I want to feed them,” Rahini said happily.

Soon the three of them were seated on the rocks, feet dangling in the cold water, feeding the quacking ducks. They spent a good part of the next hour or so there enjoying the sights and the frivolous chatter of the ducks.

“Oh... they’re so hungry! Hey baby duck! Don’t fight with your brother! Here take this bit of bread. No...no... don’t grab from your sister!” called Rahini happily as she fed them. “Looking at them is making me feel hungry, Mummy. What’s the time? Can we have lunch?”

“Rahini... I’m happy to hear that. At home I have to keep coaxing you to eat. Very well, let’s go back and have our lunch,” Mrs. Joshi said standing up and dusting her jeans.

“Hurray! I’m hungry too. I was waiting for someone to ask about food. I didn’t want to sound like a greedy pig!” Mr. Joshi said sheepishly. “What’s for lunch by the way?”

“Mr. Joshi...! Alright... for lunch I packed aaloo paranthas, raw mango pickle, pav bhaji and chowmein. There’s gulab jamun for dessert. And... before anyone of you asks me... there’s a chocolate, walnut and banana cake for tea with coconut cookies, paneer patties and lemonade. Now let’s go!” Mrs. Joshi said with finality.

“Hurray! Mummy you’re the best!” Rahini hugged her mother and did a quick jig.

“Hurray for Mommy!” Mr. Joshi too applauded her.

“Thank you... thank you... Now let’s go!” Mrs. Joshi laughed at their excitement.

“Mummy... Daddy...” Rahini suddenly said, her voice sounded urgent.

To be continued...

Do you want to know what happened next? What do you think upset Rahini? Find out next week. Keep reading! Also, look out for an announcement in the next week.