Chapter 8

Prabhu's POV

After the great dinner, we settled to watch TV. I noticed Janu went out to talk to her parents. Its been 30 minutes and she didn't return. She won't go anywhere without informing us. I want to check her. So without grabbing much attention of others, I walked towards the front gate.

There she is, in deep thoughts leaned on the side of the front door facing the street. My mind reminded the morning incident so I decided to tiptoe near her so that I can pull a prank by shouting in her ear. It will be funny to watch her scared face and her reactions.

I almost went near her but she suddenly turned and bumped into me. My hand automatically snaked her waist to stop her from falling. She didn't realise that I am holding her because she didn't open her eyes for a couple of minutes. She looks more gorgeous in this dim streetlight. She widened her eyes realising our closeness then she immediately pushed me and rushed inside.

I stood there still. What the hell is wrong with me! Argh! Why I'm behaving like this! My mind replayed morning incident.

The morning I saw her standing in near the hostel gate with lollipop like a child. She gets overexcited every time we go home. I saw her looking at the bikes passing by but didn't bother as I knew her craziness for bikes.

Yes! She is super-over-crazy about bikes.

She mastered to ride scooters while she is doing 9th standard. And she kept on pressuring mama to teach her to ride bikes but he denied and asked her to learn to drive a car instead. She learned car driving but she looks at bikes with yearning.

I made a deal with her that to teach bike riding only if she scores more than 95% in 10th board exam which she agreed immediately. She studied vigorously and scored 96.4%. Mama is very happy and proud of her marks. And she used it in her favour to ask permission to learn bike riding from me. He hesitated first then allowed her. I remember the day she running and shouting at me about her appa's consent. She is very stubborn and ambitious.

Back to the morning incident, I watched her looking at a bike parked on the other side of the road. But I realised her eyes shifted to the man and she was admiring his appearance. My blood started boiling at the sight of the man returning his stare at her. I parked the car quickly and hopped out of my car. Now that bastard is smiling at her. How dare he! I stood in front of her blocking her view. I expected her to be shocked or surprised or at least a silly smile to cover the situation but she not at all acknowledged my presence and pushed my head to look at that bastard with an irritated look because I was blocking her view.

I am amused at her reaction but masked the anger face. She realised me only after he went out of her sight. She looked shocked then. I literally want to laugh at her reaction but controlled. It is not safe to stare at random strangers. She is staying in the hostel and she must be mature enough to think about the consequences.

She very well knew when I came but asked it to me. I didn't want to reply so I called Vidhu but her line seems busy. Before calling her again, I heard Janu telling me to bring her and she vanished.

I totally forgot about my friend Akash. Damn! I took the driver seat and looked at him.

"Your cousin has damn great taste Machan. He looked hot." He chuckled.

I gave him a disgusting look.

"Oh. You think he is hot!" I smirked at him. He understood my hidden comment and punched my arm a couple of times stating he is straight. Then Vidhu and Janu joined us.

My chain of thoughts broken when I realised my amma calling me inside the home. I couldn't find Janu and Vidhu in the hall and my amma told that they were studying in Vidhu's room.

After about an hour, Janu told my parents that Vidhu slept and announced about she is leaving to her home.

"Un appa vara varaikum ingaye iru ma"

(Wait here till your dad come) My amma told her with a worried tone.

"Paravala athai. Ipathan appa kelambitom nu call panar. Nan anga poitu oru 5 mins kula avanga vandhirvanga athai. Kavala padathinga."

(It's okay aunt. I received a call from dad stating that they started. They will reach most likely within 5 minutes after me. So please don't worry)

She smiled convincingly.

My dad sighed and told

"Sari ma. Prabhu va kootitu poi vida solren. Murugan vandhathum varatum. Inga pakathula thane avan edhuthu thunaiku nu solatha. Avan un kooda varatum."

(Okay ma. I will tell Prabhu to come along with you. Let him return after Murugan comes. Don't argue that your home is nearby only and no need for him to accompany. Let him come with you)

He announced with no more arguments tone.

She nodded and bid goodbye to everyone. Akash joined us. We started walking towards her home which will take 10 mins to walk. She is in the left corner followed by me and Akash, to her right.

Akash spoke to Janu by breaking the silence between us.

"So what's the plan for wedding anniversary?"

I wonder how he always knew to start a conversation with a woman casually which I mostly struggle.

"We have to do decorations after athai and mama leave to sleep without their knowledge. The morning we have to surprise them with cake and gifts, then all of us will go to the temple. We arranged for special Abhishekam there. (Abhishekam is a kind of prayer activity done in the temple)

Me and Vidhu already invited some of our relatives and family friends to join us for lunch which will also be a surprise for them. Food for the lunch will come from our hotel. I told appa to make arrangements on the terrace for lunch. If elders agree, we can go to a movie at night. Otherwise, we will spend the rest of the day at home. What do you think about the plan, super-senior?"

"Don't call me that Janaki. I'm not your grandpa. Just call me by my name. And BTW the plan sounds great. We will make it fun and enjoyable for everyone!"

I decided to stay silent as we discussed all these things already. She looked at me for the response but immediately I saw a mischievous glint in her eyes. Before I could tell anything she started speaking

"Oi mama! Inum marriage fix agave ila. Aana ipave avangala pathi kanava?"

(Oi mama! The marriage proposal is not yet fixed. But it seems you are dreaming now itself about her?)

Akash chuckled at her and they exchanged a hi-fi.

Fine. She started teasing. Now, these two guys will tease me till my Murugan mama(Janu's father) comes to rescue. I have to change the subject.

"Hey nan onum kanavu kanala ma. Nama than already idha pathi peasitome. Adhan nan edhum solala"

(Hey, I'm not dreaming ma. As we already discussed these things, I didn't say anything)

I tried to defend myself. But I noticed Janu's face turning serious. Uh-huh! What's now?

"Mama, I know you are a good man. But I want you to promise me that you will always balance the relationship between your wife and athai. You very well know athai and mama selflessly lived for you and Vidhu. You can stay at your apartment with your wife and have your own family. But you must visit your parents at least once a month. If you make athai to worry about anything, I will make sure you to regret it. And it's not only about you but also your future wife. Tomorrow you are going to meet her. Please ensure that you will make her understand the importance of your parents."

She is looking at me with an expectation to agree with her and concern. But here I stand shocked at her words. I never gave a thought about speaking about my parents to Nandhini. But as Janu told it's important to talk to her in advance than to expect her to behave according to my likes and preferences. Now tell me when did Janu become this much mature and responsible. I could see Akash smiling at her with an appreciative look. I smiled at her before replying.

"I promise you Janu! I will balance them and always keep them happy. And I will definitely discuss my priorities to her tomorrow. No worries. Okay!"

Her face brightened with a smile.

"Thanks mama. I trust you. Keep your promise."

"I will Janu"

Then we talked about random things till we reach her home.

[To be Continued...]

Next chapter