Chapter 9 CHAPTER 9

Janaki's POV

As there is nothing interesting to do inside my house, we decided to sit at Thinnai. (It is open sit-out built using cement with the support of pillars to the top, usually constructed in front of the house used for resting.)

We are watching some songs on YouTube and singing. Practically shouting along, not bothered about our neighbours. I heard my appa bike coming. I jumped from thinnai and stuffed my mobile into Prabhu mama's lap making them jumping a little by my sudden actions. I chuckled a little before running towards the gate and now I'm standing in the middle of the road waving at my parents and smiling at them.

Prabhu mama and Akash are leaning at the gate smiling at my action. I ran to hug and kiss them as soon as my appa parked his bike. They laughed before returning my hug and kisses. My appa went to hug Prabhu mama and shook his hand with Akash then invited them both inside.

"Epdi irukinga mama? Iniku vyabaram epdi pochu?"

(How are you uncle? How's the sales today?)

Prabhu mama asked my appa.

My appa winked at my mom who came from the kitchen with the plate full of bananas and kept in the table with a blush. They were so cute and romantic.

"Enaku ena pa! Ipdi oru wife irukum bothu. Nallaa iruken. Vyabaram elam nalla pochu. Indha pasanga moonu perum ooruku poirukanga. Naliku avanga vandhathum nan free aagikalam. Promotion kedachirkunu akka sonnaga pa. Romba sandhosham."

(With this kind of wife, how I am going to be! I am very fine. Sales are going good but these three workers went out of town. That's why we are little bit busy, we will be free from tomorrow. Sister told me that you got promoted and we are very happy for you)

Akash looked amused at their behaviour but Prabhu mama smiled contently and asked my mom

"Epdi irukinga athai? Mama epdi pathukrar ungala?"

(How are you aunt? How is uncle taking care of you?)

"We are good Prabhu. Congrats for promotion. We are glad that you are growing so fast!"

"Is he the same Akash who has that green with black FZ?"

Suddenly my appa asked me.

Akash choked heavily as his first bite of banana got stuck in his throat with my appa's question.

"Yes appa. He is the one. What suddenly?"

"Just asked to clarify chellam."

He said convincingly.

Akash tried to keep his face cool while Prabhu mama shoots a questioning look towards me. I signalled him later and he nodded okay. But my darling mom now decided to make me embarrassed in front of him.

"Hey Janu, tell me about the pulsar guy incident happened today. You didn't mention anything clearly."

I saw Prabhu mama's expression hardening and Akash's wide eyes just travelled from my parents to me and then back to them. He chuckled a little.

"Seriously! I can't believe it. When did you tell them? Because you're meeting them now but they already knew everything happened today. And they don't even seem to be mad like Prabhu at afternoon."

Akash poured out his confusion in his mind and shook his head in disbelief. We all laughed before answering.

"Our daughter will share everything with us."

My appa said proudly.

"There is no secret between us. And she texted us afternoon about it briefly."

My amma added.

My heart loaded with guilt as I didn't mention them about Vidhu's secret yet. But I am not going to tell them before knowing what exactly is going on. I smiled at my parents before looking at my glaring mama. Then he spoke.

"Oh mama. For Godsake try to behave like a normal parent at least in this matter. She might get into trouble."

"Haha... That's not possible my dear. I trust her to not get into any problems. She will surely manage. Don't worry. If anyone tries to trouble her, he will get my sweet daughter's kicks and punches"

My appa said confidently and Prabhu mama sighed in defeat. I spoke to Prabhu mama

"Mama, please chill out. Now go and sleep properly. You have to present yourself better tomorrow. I don't want to get embarrassed by a zombie looking mama."

I chuckled at my glaring mama.

"She's right Prabhu. Go and have at least 8 hours sleep."

My amma said to Prabhu mama to which he nodded.

Akash and Prabhu mama bid bye to my parents. I went till gate to send off them. I hold Prabhu mama's hand to stop him near thinnai.

"Mama, are you still angry?"

He sighed and nodded his head negatively before smiling.

"I'm just worried ma. He doesn't look like a good guy. Don't do like this anymore. You can admire any person. But try not to get their attention. They may think negatively about you. I don't want anyone to think wrongly about you. Please understand ma."

Oh my dear poor mama. He is so sweet. I couldn't help but smile ear to ear.

"Okay mama. I will keep this in mind before looking at any hot guy. Promise."

Me and Akash giggled at his change of expression at me mentioning 'hot' guy. He shook his head before smiling then they waved goodbye to me.

I quickly locked the gate and front door before landing my head on my amma's lap. She started stroking my hair. And we talked for an hour before exchanging good night.

My mom kept her hand around my waist making me feel home, which made me sleep immediately.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up at Vidhu's high pitch voice screaming 'Athai'. I almost jumped from the bed. The worst way to wake up! Argh! I finished my morning routine and came to the hall to view my dear Vidhu hugging and speaking something to my amma. They didn't acknowledge me except a look at the time of me sitting opposite to them on the sofa. Appa would have gone early to the hotel.

I went to the kitchen to prepare coffee for us. I gave them a cup. After some time Amma served us breakfast still speaking with Vidhu. I tried to involve myself in their world.

"Amma, unaku ponnu yaru nu theriyuma? Athai solave ila."

(Mom, do you know who is the alliance? Aunt didn't tell us)

My amma hesitated for a minute but gave up as we both insisted on her.

"Ponnu peru Nandhini. Inga moonu veedu thalli oru military thatha irupare, avar pethi. Vacation ku inga vandhirka. Neengalum pathirkinga."

(Her name is Nandhini. She is the granddaughter of that retired military man lives three houses away. She came here for vacation. You have seen her)

We both choked our food at the same time hearing the name Nandhini. Our eyes are about to jump from its socket. We are very surprised... No, we are SHOCKED!

"No way athai! Ava elam enaku anni-ya irukave mudiyathu. Kadavule! Janu unaku avala nyabagam iruka. Amma avala veetu marumagala epdi yosichanga nu nambave mudila"

(No way athai! She can't be my sister in law. OMG. Janu do you remember her. I couldn't believe how amma can think her as her daughter in law.)

I could not speak anything.

"Vidhya, oruthavangala pathi therinjikama peasa koodathu ma. Munadi knjm oru madhiri irundhirkalam but ipavum apdiye irukanum nu avasiyam ila. Andha ponu foreign la valandhirka. Konjam naal aagum inga adapt aaga. Ipa kalyanam onum pana porathu ila. Paaka thane porom"

(Vidhya, don't judge anyone without knowing them. She might be weird earlier, but that doesn't mean she has to be always like that. She grew in foreign. So she needs time to adapt according to our place and customs. And this is just a proposal, there is a long way to marriage. So calm down.)

Vidhu shook me to speak.

"Enaku sirikartha azhartha ne therila Vidhu."

(I don't know whether I want to cry or laugh Vidhu)

I sighed. We silently finished our food.

"Amma next street la iruka ice-cream shop ku poitu seekram vandhirom"

(Mom, we are going to ice-cream shop on next street. We will be back soon)

My mom nodded her head and asked us to come to Vidhu's house directly as she and athai are going to cook lunch for all of us there.

I quickly changed into a grey t-shirt and black jean. Vidhu is already wearing red with a white buttoned up shirt and blue jean.

We decided to walk so we can have more time to speak.

"What do you think about her Janu?"

"Even though that thatha(grandpa) is a very nice person, we hated that girl at our teens. We never allowed her to mingle with us. So I am oblivious of her character. Amma told us not to judge her before knowing her. That's true. Let's see today."

"No Janu! She's a bitch. I don't even want to imagine her as my sister in law. She always used to spend every year vacation with different boys in our street. I hate her to the bits. She totally maligned Vikram's mind not to speak with us as we didn't allow her to be in the lead of games we played. She has Mount Everest levels of arrogance as they possess more money. I am worried about Anna..."

Vikram is a good friend of ours in school days who behave very friendly and help us to finish assignments. But after a vacation of spending time with Nandhini, he totally ignored us in school. Likewise, she makes new friends (particularly boys) every year.

"I agree with you. But she might be more mature by now, Vidhu. Her parents settled in Chennai. She even did her college here. She might be changed. Don't think I am supporting her. You are totally speaking negatively of her. I am just telling there are probabilities for a positive side. Let's see."

Now we are walking past Vidhu's house. There is no sign of Mama or Akash there. So we decided to go there later. But we didn't expect to almost get the heart attack after our few steps.

Yes! Prabhu mama and Akash managed to tiptoe and shouted near our ears making us jump in the middle of the road and get scared to death. Tears welled up at my eyes due to the sudden panic. Vidhu screamed loudly which grabbed the attention of neighbours and passersby. Before creating any scene, Prabhu mama grabbed our hands and moved quickly to the street end.

We started shouting at them to which they laughed crazily. There is no use in shouting at these stupids. We resumed our walk to the ice-cream shop. Now we need ice-cream necessarily. Fortunately, they didn't follow us.

We ordered a cream and cookie cone for me and black currant cone for Vidhu. We are now content with our ice-cream as our bad mood went without any trace. Ice-cream really does magic.