CHAPTER 4

Janaki's POV

I attended the call from Prabhu mama.

"Hello mama, How are you? Have you started? Please don't tell any reasons to cancel or postpone the plan. Because we have just 2 weeks for anniversary"

"I am very fine Janu! And I am not going to cancel or postpone the plan. I already started and on the way. I called Vidhu to tell that we can have breakfast together. No need to eat your hostel food today. And I very well remember the anniversary."

I heard him let out the breath held to answer my list of questions.

"Okay, mama. Fine then. I am ready to go but your little princess is taking bath now. But we will be ready by 9 AM"

"Okay, Janu! Please don't make me wait longer in front of your hostel."

"Haha. Don't pretend like Lord Sriram! You must be enjoying the view. Who knows you might be already here, looking at the girls. Am I right?"

"Janu! I have better taste. And I am not at all interested in Saturday sleepy faces. I am driving now. I will meet you there. Bye ma"

"Nan yar uh nu unaku theriyum. Nee yarunu enaku theriyum. Nadikatha mama. Bye. Drive safely"

(I know who you are! You know who I am! So don't act smart. - this is Tamil movie dialogue)

He laughed and disconnected the call.

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Vidhu is wearing black with red salwar. And we are ready by 8.57AM.

We took our sling bags and locked our room.

At the same time, we got a message from Prabhu mama stating he reached here. I mentally appreciated his punctuality and started walking to the entrance.

Vidhu occupied the front seat next to Prabhu mama and I got in the back seat and sat in the middle so it would be convenient for having conversations. Then only I noticed that mama is also wearing the same black T-shirt and blue jeans like me.

I immediately pinched his hand and asked for chocolate. It may sound silly but I do this to even my appa(dad) and it is veryyy funny. He groaned in my sudden attack and rubbed his arm but surprisingly he agreed to get me big chocolate instead of fighting back. Maybe he is in a good mood today. But why?

I got the answer over Vidhu's phone. I mean my athai called Vidhu. (Athai means aunt - Janaki's aunt who is also Vidhu's mother) She attended the call and turned on the loudspeaker.

"Hi amma, epdi irukinga?"

(Hi mom, how are you?)

"Nan nalla iruken chellam... Neeyum Janu-vum epdi irukinga?"

(I am fine darling... How are you and Janu?)

Both our parents treat three of us as their own children without any partiality.

"We are fine ma. Tell me why you called?"

"I have TWO good news for you. First, we have alliances for Prabhu and come home next weekend. So that we can have a formal meeting between two families..."

I can see Prabhu mama smiling shyly. It was a rare scene to see. I kept quiet but my idiotic sweet friend interrupted her mom.

"What! Have you asked Anna? How can you make arrangements without asking us?..."

Now my aunt's turn to interrupt Vidhu.

"Sorry, grandma! I should've asked you first." (in a sarcastic tone)

Prabhu mama and I controlled our laughter. Aunt doesn't know we are together. Because we planned to throw a surprise party for them. Vidhu glared at us and continued to throw questions.

"Who is the girl ma? What is she doing? Have you enquired about her? Do I know her? Where she belongs to? Have you asked for Anna's opinion? And you told 2 good news right? What's the second one?"

"Vidhya (the tone and the change of Vidhu to Vidhya means some long lecture is on the way)

First of all, you are a small girl. I don't have to give every detail about the alliance to you. I'm your mother and don't behave like you are my mother in law. Second, you should ask a single question at a time otherwise the other person couldn't reply to you properly. I didn't grow you like this. Third, this is about your Brother's life, not yours. So you can wait until the day to get details. Do you have any questions, young lady?"

Vidhu is totally pissed off.

"Nothing Madam. Can you please tell me about the second good news?"

I could hear aunt sighing on another side.

"Call and ask your Anna (Brother) yourself. Bye"

I can see that She is not happy with Vidhu's behaviour.

"Bye my dear mom" (sarcastic tone)

Vidhu disconnected the call and turned to Prabhu mama with the look that screams EXPLAIN.

"Vidhu don't look at me like this. I am planning to share them during our breakfast. But mom called you before that. Wait for a few minutes. We will discuss it later"

Vidhu had a satisfied look. Now she connected the aux cable to her phone and started playing our favourite Rahman sir music. Next 30 mins flew like magic with his music. He parked the car in T-Nagar Murugan Idli shop.

We sat in 4 seated table. Vidhu and me on one side and Prabhu mama on another side. (I had the detective feel of we investigating Prabhu mama)

We usually order different dishes and share among ourself. So we placed our order: Rava dosa, Ven Pongal and Idiyappam.

[Rava dosa - Rava Dosa is kind of pancake/crepe made of a ground and fermented batter of rice and Urad gram mixed with semolina, finely chopped coconut, green chilli and whole black pepper. Served with 'Sambar' (Sambar is gravy type side dish prepared from Toor dhal and vegetables) and 'Coconut Chutney' (Coconut Chutney is gravy type - side dish made by grinding the mixture of freshly shredded coconut, green chilli, garlic, salt, and fried gram)

Ven Pongal - Its a dish made of rice and moong dhal served with Sambar and coconut chutney

Idiyappam is also known as string hoppers consisting of rice flour pressed into noodle form and then steamed served with sweet coconut milk.]

After placing the order, Prabhu mama cleared his throat. Our curiosity already reached its peak.

"Ladies! I got promoted to TL"

He said slowly and seriously watching our facial reaction. There is complete silence. Vidhu froze and her eyes are about to jump from her socket. I am surprised too. Because he joined that company this year. This promotion shows his talents and dedication. I feel very proud of him and I can say Vidhu too feel the same. I am the one to broke the staring contest.

"Mama I am so happy for you. Congrats!"

I shook Vidhu. Now she is smiling like an idiot and controlling her happy tears. And finally, she spoke.

"I am really proud of you Anna! Congratulations!"

She is trying hard not to slip any tears. I hugged her from the side.

I could feel the same. This is a huge improvement to our families. Because we both are brought up with the very knowledge of our family situation and the struggle they are facing for raising us.

I could feel Prabhu mama is also getting emotional. But this time to celebrate.

"Hey guys! Don't spoil this happy moment! This is a time for celebration."

The word celebration did its job. Because Vidhu is back to normal and from the look on her face I could guess she is planning something.

But she didn't ask anything that means there is some big thing is being planned in her small brain.

After eating our food, we all ordered Jigarthanda (It is famous Madurai city's drink. The basic ingredients include milk, almond gum, sarsaparilla root syrup, sugar and ice-cream. And Murugan idly shop is famous for serving heavenly Jigarthanda-s). After lots of chatting, we started our shopping in T-Nagar.

After 3 hours, we almost finished buying everything on the list and also a lot of things not on the list. Fortunately, Prabhu mama is not like the men usually described as the person who gets annoyed after 30 mins of shopping. He came along with us and helped to choose the better thing. He has a great fashion sense.

While returning to the car I got the call from my appa (dad). The smile spreading on my face while looking at the screen that has me and dad's selfie explains our love. And he is more like a friend than a father with whom I share everything.

"HI APPA! Epdi irukinga?" I almost shouted at excitement.

(HI DAD, how are you?)

"Hi, Janu chellam (Chellam is endearment which means dear). I'm fine. How about you and Vidhu? Have you finished shopping?"

"We are fine appa. And yes, we finished shopping. Now we planned for lunch, movie and beach trip. Don't worry appa we will reach the hostel before 8.30PM. I already informed hostel warden. So don't worry about us appa."

"Hmm okay, chellam but make sure you concentrate on studies as well. I know you will. But it's my duty to remind you da chellam."

"Hmm I promise you appa... I will try to improve my marks. No way I am losing marks. Because I know the concepts very well. You know that. So no worries."

"Okay, Janu. Give the phone to Prabhu."

"Hmm bye, Appa."

Mama actually holding bags in both hands so I kept the phone in his ears and told appa wants to speak to you.

"Hi mama! How are you?"

(Mama - Uncle. Janu's father is Prabhu and Vidhu's maternal uncle)

?????

"Okay, mama. Don't worry. I will take care of them."

?????

"Sure mama."

?????

"Bye mama"

?????

My father must be giving him lectures about our safety and asking him to drop us on time blah blah blah. Poor guy!

By now we reached the car and arguing about which movie to go.