Janaki's POV

This should not be happening. Oh my dear God! Why are you always having fun by putting me in embarrassing situations?

"Mama! When.. did you.. come?"

I gasped as his eyes filled with full of anger.

He didn't reply to my question which is evident that he watched the whole thing. He took his mobile and called Vidhu. But it seems her number is busy. He tried again.

"Wait mama. I will get her"

Without glancing back at him I ran to my room.

The bomb is now ticking. I have to calm him down. I saw Vidhu speaking on the phone. She and that damn Ajay! Can't she see his brother's call on the second line?

"Vidhuu"

I shouted her name while entering our room. She almost dropped her phone and placed her hand on chest.

"Oh Janu, you scared me to the death"

I am not in the mood to explain her anything.

"He came. We have to go"

I took my bag and lock and glared at her.

She quickly whispered something in the phone and came out with her bag. I locked the room and started moving.

"What happened?"

"Nothing Vidhu. Come. Your Anna is waiting for us."

(Anna-brother)

Without looking at anything I sat in the seat behind the driver seat, looking at my hands on lap. Vidhu sat beside me. Mama started the car. But she usually loves to sit beside her brother. Then only I noticed someone sitting front. Damn! It's Akash. Has he seen the whole idiotic scene I created? I am very embarrassed now!

"Hi Akash sir! Anna didn't tell you are coming. Now we have one more hand to help us."

Vidhu smiled at Akash.

"Hey Vidhu. Your Anna practically dragged me to accompany him ma. I am very glad to take part in helping you guys."

He smiled at her and looked at me with a wide smile. I turned my head toward the window to hide my smile.

"Hey Anna. Why are you so silent? I'm starving. Can we stop at some hotel to have some lunch?"

He just nodded his head in agreement and concentrated on driving. Vidhu immediately turned towards me and whispered in my ears.

"What happened? Why he is behaving strangely?"

I looked at his angry face on rear view mirror and the narrated whole story in low voice.

She listened patiently and burst into laughter. I tried to shut her up but I failed. I can see Prabhu mama glaring at me in rear view mirror. I apologize to him by showing my best puppy dog eyes. His expression softened and his lips curled a little. He is trying not to smile. Thank god. I am relieved now.

Akash turned and asked my laughing friend.

"Did she narrated that Pulsar guy story?"

She is still laughing and I can't take this anymore.

"Akash sir. I think you misunderstood that situation. I am just looking at that bike. Not that person. I didn't even notice the person properly. Is he that good because you are mentioning him?"

I tried to lessen the damage of my image and saw Prabhu mama raising his one eyebrow and looking at me in rear view mirror. And now he opened his mouth for the first time after starting this journey.

"Haven't you ever seen Pulsar bikes Janu? I too had the same bike. But you never looked at my bike in such awe expression on your face." (Sarcasm is overflowing in his every word)

"It's not like that mama. You know it veryyy well. Now let's stop at some hotel. I'm hungry. PLEASE mama" I gave extra pressure in that 'Please' and signalled him towards Akash. He nodded his head understandingly.

Vidhu took her phone and started playing high beat songs via aux cable. Anyway now I am out of the spotlight.

Akash seems to be very friendly and I named him as 'Super-Senior' as he is elder than most of my seniors. After finishing our lunch, we talked happily about some random things and singing the song along with the music player.

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

Two hours of the drive went in a jiffy with our teasing, laughter and silly arguments.

We first stopped at my home to keep the presents and other things that we bought for anniversary arrangements. I opened the door with my set of keys. My parents are running a small hotel which is located a few streets away from home. They usually return home at night. Since it is evening, they are not at home.

I hop into the car. Akash looked at me quizzically.

"Don't your parents know about your visit?"

"Yes. They do!"

He looked at me like an alien.

"Then why are they not at home?"

Now I understand what he is trying to say.

"Akash! Unlike you, we are a middle-class family. I don't want them to close the shop just for my visit as their 3 employees were in off and anyway they will come home after a few hours. Moreover, Athai and mama will be at home by this time. And remember I am all grown-up woman who knows take care of herself.

One more thing, don't think they don't care about me just because they are not here to welcome me! They do love me with all their hearts. They want to stay here to welcome me but that will affect their business which I don't want to happen."

"I agree with you. But as parents, they may balance between home and work. You are their only child and they must spend time with you. You may be grown-up still it won't hurt them to show love and care for you"

My mind stuck at him mentioning about me being an only child to my parents. But Vidhu hugged me from the side and shook me lightly to get me out of my thoughts. I heard Prabhu mama answering him.

"Buddy! There is no need for the person to stay with you all the time and tell you how they feel about you to express love. They are working hard just to make her 'present' more comfortable and to make her achieve a great future. They do spend quality time with each other. You will see that. Expression of love has many ways."

He finished with a smile and his eyes warn Akash to shut up.

After reaching Vidhu's home, we entered practically shouting that we were home.

Athai(aunt) showed up from the kitchen with her right hand coated with rice batter. She must be preparing idly batter. Me and Vidhu hugged her and kissed her cheeks. She smiled widely kissed us back. She scanned us both from top to bottom and smiled contently.

"See! My own mother totally forgot about her son!"

Prabhu mama told Akash while wiping his fake tears.

She quickly welcomed Akash as she didn't notice him till then. She gave Prabhu mama a hug and twisted his ears as he winced in pain.

"You should have mentioned about your guest. See I am not at all prepared!"

She showed her hands and pouted like a child.

"It's okay aunt. Just think me as your son. By the way, you are very beautiful that I can't believe you are my friend's mom because you look much younger."

Akash smiled and turned to Prabhu mama who in turn winked at him.

I never thought he will act like this. He hit the weak spot of her. Now, athai is smiling from ear to ear.

"Prabhu, he seems very nice. I am happy you brought him here. He can accompany you tomorrow as we have to meet the alliance. And Congrats for the promotion. I am so happy for you!"

Athai told Prabhu with a twinkle in her eyes. It's pure love and pride.

"Thanks amma. We will discuss it later. Now tell where is appa?

(Amma: Mom | Appa: Dad)

At the same time, mama entered the house. Me and Vidhu ran to him and asked how he is doing. His face glows brightly by just seeing us. He replied to us and invited Akash as this is his first time visiting our home. Then he hugged Prabhu mama and expressed his happiness about his promotion. I went to help athai in the kitchen while others sat in the hall to talk.

I informed my parents about my arrival over mobile. We changed into comfortable dresses. I am now wearing a dark blue half sleeve - high neck chudi top that ends in my mid-thigh with dark purple loose pant.

We then had coffee with snacks along with the nonstop talk. Athai called us to help her in the kitchen. Usually, we two will throw silly reasons to escape from the kitchen and also Prabhu mama come to rescue. But due to Akash, he has to stay with him as this is a new place for him.

She is preparing masala for chicken gravy and asked us to prepare Chapati (Indian style flatbread). We quickly finished by sharing our works within an hour. It's already 7 PM.

We don't have a dining table but we sit on the floor legs crossed and the plates placed before us on the floor. That's normal Indian style of eating. I am surprised that Akash adjusted to that easily without complaining. We sat in circular form with dishes in the centre which make it easy to self serve. In some Indian families, ladies have to serve men food first and have to wait for them to finish eating for their turn to eat. Fortunately, our parents practised equality and taught us the same.

At the first bite of the food, me and Vidhu simultaneously moaned at the delicious flavour exploding in our mouth. We see each other and gave hi-fi for reacting similarly at the same time. Everyone laughed at our childish behaviour and praised athai for the heavenly food. Eating the hostel food, we looked at athai like some goddess and told the same to express our gratitude.

After eating, I once again called my parents to remind them to eat at the time. I went out of the hall and leaned near the entrance gate while talking over mobile. Because they will be returning home by 10.30 PM. Sometimes I have to behave like their mother. I disconnected the call and took a few minutes to glance at our street.

I have to remind Vidhu to finish preparing for the test today itself so that one burden would be kept aside. Because athai mentioned about the alliance meeting at temple tomorrow while Sunday is their anniversary. We have a lot of things to do. So I decided to ask Vidhu to join me.

I turned and bumped into something, completely lost my balance and closed my eyes keeping the hands over my ears waiting for the 'thump' sound to confirm me hitting the floor. But that never happened and realized something holding my waist and stopping me from falling down. My mind ordered 'Janu open your damn eyes!'

[To be Continued...]

My eyes widened as I am looking at a pair of shining eyes looking into my eyes with a beautiful smile plastered on his face.