Does Uncle R know?
Appa's expression softened a lot when he realized in advertently he had hinted his daughter was uncared for
"We are unable to do much for you" he spoke hoarsely
"You dont have to do anything for me, in fact I got a Deepavali bonus, half yearly thing, u have to tell me what I can get YOU" she smiled warmly
Appa reached out and hugged her
"No kanna... you and Vandu do a lot" he smiled
"Lets pray he comes home fast pa" she said
He nodded
"appa, I promise I will bring him back in better health, I will sleep on the same floor as him and get home from work soon"
"You just came why dont u eat, Madhavi" he called
Amma removed her glasses as she walked out
Shravu chased her, with an open notebook
"Ida paaru di, I am not getting the subject and predicate right" Amma giggled
"Chithiii" he launched himself of her
Appa pretended to to catch a flying newspaper from the coffee table (the fan was on on 2, it was muggy evening) and he slowed Shravu with his body.
"THATHAAA" he shrieked
II was able to deftly move behind a sofa when the lil guy approached
"where is Akka?" II asked
"She went to Akash Medicos" Amma said
"Ennachu ma?" II asked concerned
"Nothing kanna... she scratches her belly too much, so the doctor said last week she must keep it greasy, vaseline ayiduthu (its empty now)" Amma explained
"Why did u send her? U shud have texted me I would have brought"II volunteered
"i didnt know u were coming raja" Amma smiled, going into the kitchen
Shravu took her purse, what did u bring for me chithi?" he asked
"i didnt know YOu were going to be here da... nothing kanna" she yawned
Amma made coffee, and gave her thenga burfi.. and mixture
"Where did u buy ma, I like it" Ii smiled
"INA Market, Bala Mami brought" Amma explained
"I want some"
"I will go get some for u" Appa smiled, picked up his wallet from the end table and stood up
"ayyyo pa, NOT NOW... okkarungo (sit down already), I will get it on my way home"
"Its almost navaratri the markets are going to be packed" Amma feared
"It will be fun ma... Amma will u go with me to buy 21 outfits and purses?" she asked
TWENTY ONE ? YAARUKKU?" Appa asked startled
"Umm... kanjak" II mumbled
"Oh that Punjabi festival?" Appa asked
II nodded
He sat down and didnt say much
"Edukku di izhuthu vittukare" (why are u taking on so much?)
"amma making 50 pooris with help is no big deal, its Lasya's first, and baldie's too" II chuckled
Shravu was going through her stuff, making faces at her mirror
Baldie groaned... he could tell someone he dug was somewhere around,II strained to get up, Appa watched her fondly Amma brought him to II.
II squeezed and crushed him like squeezing lemon juice out of lemons
"Kaiye alambikale, dont tell ur Amma da" she whispered in Baldie's ears (I havent washed my hands)
He cooed, and made a O sound... she kissed him soundly on his cheek, it turned bright red
He contorted his face and began to cry
"Yenn di azha vekare?" Amma was furious (why are u upsetting him?)
"Hes too cute and I might eat him up"
"What will we do with all his toys?" Shravu asked
"U can play with them" II said
Shravu's eyes sparkled, though baby toys they were shiny and new
"Crib?"
U can sleep on it" she said
"GA-ROSE"
Diaper?" Shravua sked amused
"YOU WEAR IT"
"Chhheee chithi" he clamped his hand on his mouth and laughed "He does yellow poop chithi
"Urs was purple" II said smugly
"Nooo " he screamed
"Ask Amma" II challenged
II leaned and strained against the sofa
"Valikardo muduhu?" (is ur back hurting?") he asked softly
II nodded akwardly
"Madhavi, what did u give Vandu" Appa worried
"Umm... oh... ya... Kamakshi Athai brought something from Pondicherry, I mean her husband's sister did, Vandu gave me a jar of it, it works wonders" Amma smiled
As she sat down
"Odambu poosinapla ayirke" Amma kissed her head bending her head down (Looks like someone is filling up)
II smiled shyly
"Do u eat well raja?" Amma asked
"Mahavir packs 6 snacks, he calls it but its like 6 meals, poha, crackers, tomato soup, peanut butter sandwich,
fruit and custard, choc cake, I mean I wonder how he comes up with so much variety everyday" II gushed
amma sighed she knew things would have been different had Savvy been around...
"Do u eat that for lunch?"
"No ma... lunch is one parantha or the other" II smiled
"Are u still throwing up?" Appa asked
"Usually once or twice a day pa" II mumbled
"Avan panrana phone?" (does he call u?)
Ofcourse Appa had to ask about his arch nemesis
He did...
II nodded
"Enna solraan? India varadaha uddesama illeya?" (what is he saying does he plan to come to India? or not?)
"He will"
"What will u do if he was in the armed forces?" "Anda Moorthy Maami paiyyan squadron leader... how could he have taken her to assam?" Amma asked logically
"Atleast that boy will be serving the nation" Appa gave a lame excuse
"So its OK to leave ur daughter for 10 months or what?" Amma asked
"Enna nee, naan avana kutham sonna, nee enna accuse panrey?" Appa couldnt help but smile (I accuse my SIL U accuse me?)
"Amma loves him" II said
"Do u hate him chithi?" Shravu looked up from II's phone
"I love you" II said tactfully
She knew Shravu was a miniature rakshasan, not to be trusted
Appa responded to a text... Amma went to the kitchen
"Will u eat vetha kuzhambu and paruppu usli kanna? (sambar with no dal and curried cabbage cooked in dal?) Amma asked
"What was the dinner plan Madhavi?" Appa asked curious
"Vandu wanted idli, Shravu I dont know... for you and I was going to make lemon rice... there is beans curry left over from lunch" Amma said
"CHITHI CAN I HAVE PIZZA?" Shravu whined
"Sure but u must say u love me" she smiled
He got up and ran towards her
"Ay ay... no kanna" Appa warned
"She has a baby no?" Appa explained
Shravu looked at her strangely
"Does Uncle R know?" he asked, startled, staring at II's bulge curiously "There?" he asked, he had seen his
Mom pregnant, but for some reason it was strange for him to imagine his chithi with a baby...
Appa burst into laughter
"Dont go telling him da" II ordered sternly
... Appa looked on, slowly realizing there was something between his daughter "and that tall Punjabi boy", he had never seen his daughter behave this way😳
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