So far,
The pooja (opening ceremony) of Shakthi's shop had gone well. Shivani and Bharathi left the place together afterward.
Now,
Bharathi dropped Shivani at his house.
"Bharathi, do you celebrate like this every year?" asked Shivani.
"Yes, Shivani," replied Bharathi.
"Bharathi, can I ask you something? Why doesn't Shakthi sit for the pooja?"
"I already told you before — he doesn't really believe in God," said Bharathi.
"Oh right, sorry, I forgot. But he still helps with the pooja arrangements?" asked Shivani.
"That's only for my mom's sake," Bharathi replied.
"Okay then, I'll leave now," said Shivani, taking her scooter.
"Aunty, just a minute. You talk with Raji and wait — I'll be right back," said Shakthi as he left.
"Does he always call you by name, Raji?" asked Shivani's mother.
"Yes," said Raji with a small smile. "He was born several years after our marriage — a late blessing — so he's still pampered."
"I don't see your husband's photo anywhere in here," said Shivani's mother.
"That's because… it's kind of a curse I brought upon myself," Raji said, her eyes turning moist. "Once, when Shakthi saw his father's photo, he remembered the accident… and his health worsened from the shock. Since then, I never keep that photo anywhere in sight."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked," said Shivani's mother softly.
"Oh, it's all right," Raji replied, forcing a smile to steady herself.
"Shall we leave, Aunty?" asked Shakthi.
"Yes, Shakthi. I'll go now," said Shivani's mother as she left.
"Do come often," said Raji warmly, seeing her off.
"Raji, I've dropped Aunty home," said Shakthi when he returned.
He had taken Shivani's mother to her house safely.
"Okay Aunty, I'll leave now," said Shakthi.
"Come inside for a minute, Shakthi," she invited.
"It's okay, Aunty, I'll come another day. Everything's still messy at home. Bye, Aunty," said Shakthi, waving as he left.
That night, after finishing work at the clinic, Shivani came home. Her mother was opening the gift bag they'd received, while her father was watching the news on TV.
"Ma, what's this gift bag?" asked Shivani.
"They gave it at the shop opening this morning," her mother replied.
"There's a dhoti and shirt for Dad, a saree for you, Ma, and a long top with leggings for me," said Shivani, pulling them all out.
"Pa, your blue shirt looks great! Ma, your kumkum-colored saree is even better!" Shivani said happily.
"Yours looks beautiful too — that peacock green with sandal mix suits you perfectly," said her mother.
"Everything's lovely. Keep them aside and let's eat," said her father.
After dinner, the three of them went to bed.
Later that night, Bharathi got a call from Shivani.
"Hello, tell me, Shivani," said Bharathi.
"Had your dinner?" she asked.
"Yes, just finished and going to bed," said Bharathi.
"The dresses for all three of us were amazing! Tell Aunty thanks from me," said Shivani.
"You should thank Shakthi, not Aunty — he was the one who selected the dresses for you three. You can call him yourself and thank him, okay?" said Bharathi.
"Oh really? Okay, good night!" said Shivani, ending the call.
She picked up her phone to call Shakthi but instead decided to text him:
"Shakthi, the dresses you picked for us three are really beautiful. We all loved them. Thank you!"
Shakthi read her message.
"Shivani, did you all really like them, or are you just saying that so I won't feel bad?" he replied.
"No, really! Your selection was perfect!" she texted back.
"Now that makes me happy! But how did you find out that I was the one who picked them?" he asked.
"That's a secret," replied Shivani with a wink emoji.
"Bharathi must've told you," replied Shakthi.
"How did you guess?" she asked.
"Who else would tell you?" he replied.
"Sorry, did I disturb you this late?" asked Shivani.
"Not at all, Shivani. No problem. Good night, Shivani," texted Shakthi.
"Okay, good night, Shakthi," she replied, setting her phone aside.
The next day at the bank, Shakthi called Shivani.
"Tell me, Shakthi," she said.
"Your ATM card has arrived. Will you come collect it, or should I bring it to you?" he asked.
"I'll come and pick it up myself during lunch break. Keep it ready for me," said Shivani.
"Okay, sure. Bye," said Shakthi, ending the call.
"It's almost one o'clock, Shakthi. Aren't you coming for lunch?" asked his coworker, Tharun.
"No da, Shivani said she's coming to collect her ATM card. I'm waiting for her," said Shakthi.
"Okay, we're going to eat. You come soon," said Tharun as he and the others left for lunch.
After a while, Shivani arrived.
"Sorry!" she said sweetly, holding her earlobes between her fingers in apology.
Smiling, Shakthi said, "It's okay. Here's your ATM card," handing it to her.
"Come, let's go eat," invited Shakthi.
"No, Shakthi. There's an emergency at the hospital — I've got to go. You have lunch, okay? Thanks! Bye!" said Shivani quickly and hurried off.
"Take care, Shivani," he called out as she left, then went to eat.
That evening, Shakthi and Bharathi returned home from work. Raji had also come home from the shop.
After finishing a sketch of his new dream design, Shakthi kept it safely in his drawer.
While Shakthi and Bharathi were having dinner, Raji received a call from Akhil, Shakthi's father's elder brother's son.
"Tell me, Akhil. How are things there?" asked Raji.
"All good here, Chithi. How are you all doing?" asked Akhil.
"We're fine too. What's the matter, Akhil?" asked Raji.
"Chithi, we're having our housewarming the day after tomorrow. You must all come and bless us! Tell Shakthi and Bharathi also — don't forget," said Akhil.
"Of course, we'll come. Where's the new house?" asked Raji.
"Right next to our old one, Chithi," replied Akhil.
"Okay, Akhil. See you soon," said Raji, ending the call.
Shakthi and Bharathi, who had overheard, looked up.
"Looks like you got an invitation, Raji," said Shakthi.
"Yes, Akhil called — he's having a housewarming and wants us to attend. Who's coming with me?" asked Raji.
"Sorry, Raji, I can't," said Shakthi.
"What about you, Bharathi?" she asked.
"No, Ma, I can't come either," he said.
"All right, I'll go alone tomorrow. Shakthi, drop me at the bus stand in the morning," said Raji.
"Okay, Raji. Let's start packing, we'll help you," said Shakthi.
The three of them packed everything needed.
"It's late now. Let's sleep and leave early tomorrow morning. Wake me up, okay? Good night," said Shakthi, going to his room.
"Bharathi, stay with Shakthi and don't leave him alone. Take good care," said Raji.
"Okay, Ma," said Bharathi and went to bed.
Early the next morning, Raji was ready to leave. Shakthi and Bharathi were also up.
"Okay, I'll go now. Shakthi, take care of Bharathi. Kamala must've cooked as usual — don't forget to eat, okay?" said Raji, kissing both their foreheads.
"Ma, travel safely. Say hi to Grandma, Grandpa, Periyamma, Periyappa, Akhil, Anna, Anni, and the kids. We'll manage things here," said Bharathi.
"Raji, did you take the money for the offerings and travel expenses? Keep your phone with you," said Shakthi.
"Yes, everything's ready," said Raji.
"Okay, Bharathi, I'll drop her at the bus stand and come back. Shall we go, Raji?" said Shakthi.
They both left together.
To be continued...