Power of family
Ofcourse Akka was always ready to help. She would never let II down, all it took was one phone call from II
Considering her delicate condition Akka jumped up to offer help
"She should stay there with you and help out kanna" she said cheerfully
II was driven to tears over Akka's generosity
She had struggled with both of her own pregnancies, post partum and public transport to work
II had never offered to bring Shravu home for weeks or offered to host her in laws
II realized she was indeed so blessed to be surrounded by such kindness
She folded laundry as Nivi slept on the master bed
The house was turning into some sort of a normal
Sam was playing again with Lasya
R&B worked longer hours
He annoyed her by making the house untidy
Nandu was dropped off after school the following day to Munirka
Tan absolutely hated the whole idea, for one, it reflected poorly on his own mother's inability to love his son
Second, he knew how Vandu was stretched thin and it was so unfair to expect such a burden to be lifted without a whimper by Akka
Akka was home early to receive Nandu
She was surprised to see Tan
Thatha (Bala's Dad )slept on the living room divan. Paati was emptying idli batter from a large container to a smal one on the dining table
Heaps of unfolded laundry sat on a sofa, Shravu's shoes, socks, backpack and lunch bag were strewn everywhere
Shubhang sat in a corner and cried, his nose dripping with yet another cold
The house smelled like dinner was being cooked
Puliyogare paste cooked in a large pot, Akka was chopping cabbage for curry in the kitchen
August mugginess was in full swing
thatha hated AC so everyone melted
"What a surprise" Vandu smiled
"I am sorry yaar, I wanted to stop by to talk after the miscariage, hua nahi" Tan was ashamed
"To? Main aayi kya? Bala bhi nahi gaye na?" she nodded
Tan smiled with gratitude
She held Nandu's wrist and pulled, "Jao bache andar jao"
Tan handed her two tote bags
"Chai ya coffee?" she asked
"Sorry yaha beer nahi milegi" she laughed
"Arey... kya baat keh di boss" he smiled
Paatti hobbled to Tan
"Samyukta varaleyo?" (where is ur wife?) she asked wiping her arms on her 9 yards saree pallu
"Paati she is in Paris... with ur poti" Tan said aloud
"Arey SHE can hear, Appa cant' Vandu burst out laughing
"Sorry yaar" Tan was embarrassed
"Vandu... avanukku Gokulashatami bakshanam kudu dee" (snacks)" Paati hollered
"Thats what I am doing Amma" Akka shouted back
Tan pulled a dining table chair and sat down
Then stood up and picked up Shubhang, pulled a towel out of Nandu's tote bag and wiped the baby off kissing him
He remembered having left a bag of gifts in the car, he texted his driver
The guy showed up with many bags
Vandu brought coffee and snacks
Tan had opened a box of granola bars and handed Shubhang one
He sat on Tan's lap and ate quietly
"Lasya ki yaad sata rahi hai mujhe, bhej de yaar isko mere saath" Tan said smiling
"Leke jao na" Vandu smiled
Tan felt himself choke up at the warmth
The house was filled with scents of love
"Thatha theek hain?" he asked softly
"Umm... yes... and no... he is 76" Vandu said sadly
Tan sighed
Thatha, as if on cue sat up
"Vandu... kuchi enge ma" (where is my walking stick?)
Shubhang usually put it wherever
She found it and gave it to him
Thatha stood and peered "Adey dey... yaaru... umm... ada Manya athukarar" (Manya's husband)
"Yooo... ille pa... Samyukta husband" Akka shouted
Appa walked closer to make sure
Then smiled sheepishly
"Where is Nivi?" he asked
"Apppaaa... LASYA kelungo" Vandu shouted
"Vayasa?" (his age?) "Enna vayasu pa?" (whats ur age?) Thatha asked
Vandu did a face palm "He wants to know ur age" Vandu whispered
"Thatha... I am THIRTY EIGHT" Tan said smiling disarmingly
"Good good" Thatha approved
"Yes yes... I was just lying down and forgot" he declared
"He will never admit he takes 25 naps everyday" Akka complained
Shubhang wanted one more
Tan gave it to him
"Ghar pe poora Janmashtami ka snacks hai isko dekho" she said a lil embarrassed
"Vandu chalega yaar... mujhe pack karke de snacks I will take" he said
His phone mustve rung atleast 7 times
"Bala ke aane taq ruk jao na?" "Khaana bhi kha lena, tamarind rice, cabbage curry and dal" she said
"Kitna udhaar karegi?" Tan asked looking at her in awe
Paati handed thatha a granola bar
Thatha read the Cliff Bar wrapper
Vandu went into the kitchen
"Sam texted Tan "Did u drop him?"
"Galat kar rahi hai yaar tu" Tan said
CID
