On the way back from college, Surya dropped Praveen at his house and then headed towards his own home. As he stepped inside, he heard voices coming from the kitchen.
“Amma… Amma…” Surya called out and walked towards the kitchen. There, he saw JK talking with Sumathi.
Surya: “JK! You’re here?”
(Sumathi, Surya’s mother, is JK’s aunt by relation. But for Sumathi, JK has always been like her own son. Since his childhood, she has shown him even more love than she shows her own son. JK also loves Sumathi dearly, not just as an aunt but as a true friend. He never hides anything from her. Sharing his feelings with her always gives him peace.)
Surya: “Amma, do you know what JK did today? 😒”
Sumathi: “I know, dear. Poor JK… you should learn to control your temper a bit. Even though you know he gets angry easily, Surya, couldn’t you have handled him better?”
JK: “Yes, Aunty… if Surya hadn’t delayed me, I wouldn’t have gotten so angry at Swathi,” JK said, resting his head on Sumathi’s shoulder.
(Sumathi gently stroked his head)
Sumathi: “Don’t feel bad, dear. Let it go. He didn’t mean it.”
Surya: “😒 Fine, Amma… but why do you always believe his words? It’s not all my fault, you know. I—”
(Before he could finish, Sumathi interrupted)
Sumathi: “Enough, Surya. Look how upset my boy is. Don’t make it worse.”
JK (smirking): “Yes, Aunty.”
(He glanced at Surya with a mischievous smile.)
Surya (shocked): “😲 Amma! Look at your boy smirking at me! Earlier, he was fuming with anger, and now he’s acting like I’m the villain in this story. Do you know why I left Swathi behind? It was because of him!”
Sumathi: “Really, dear?”
JK: “Aunty, actually—”
Sumathi (cutting him off): “Forget it. You must have said it in anger. Sit down, I’ll make you some hot badam milk.”
JK: “Okay, Aunty. 😃”
Surya: “Fine. Amma, I don’t know why I even try. You’ll never stop defending him.”
(Sumathi and JK started laughing.)
Surya: “Amma, make some badam milk for me too!”
(He hugged her from behind like a child.)
Sumathi (smiling): “I’ll make it for you too, dear.”
(The three of them were chatting and laughing when a voice came from behind.)
“Can I get a glass of badam milk too?”
(It was Shekhar, Surya’s father. Shekhar and Sumathi have two sons: Surya and Shivanand. Shivanand is married to Keerthi, and they have a daughter named Kushi. Since Keerthi and Shivanand live in another city for work, Shekhar and Sumathi’s daughter Jahnavi . This is a very important character in this story, but we’ll get to her later. Also, JK’s house isn’t very far from Surya’s home.)
Sumathi (turning around): “What’s this? Are you a child asking for milk?”
Shekhar: “What’s wrong with that? I’m still young and energetic, you know!”
(Surya and JK exchanged glances, trying not to laugh.)
JK (teasing): “Uncle, why don’t you try for a second marriage then? 😜”
Shekhar (pretending to think): “Hmm… that’s not a bad idea. Why didn’t I think of this before?”
JK: “Aunty, look! Uncle is already making plans for another wedding.”
Surya: “Where will you find such a beautiful girl for Dad anyway?”
Sumathi: “You want another marriage? Wait, I’ll bring a knife right now.”
(JK laughed and acted like he was handing her an imaginary knife.)
JK: “Here, Aunty, take this! 🔪”
Shekhar: “You mischievous boy! 😄”
Sumathi: “Don’t even dream about it, okay? Stop joking around.”
Shekhar (grinning): “Fine, fine. JK, Surya… I’ll see you both later when I have time. I’m going to my room now. Bring my glass of milk there.”
(Shekhar walked out of the kitchen, smiling to himself.)
(Once he left, Sumathi handed over the badam milk to JK and Surya.)
Sumathi: “Here, drink this, both of you. I’ll take a glass to your dad.”
(Surya and JK sat together, sipping their milk and laughing about Shekhar’s playful nature.)
JK: “Aunty, I should get going.”
Surya: “Stay for a little longer, JK.”
Sumathi: “Yes, dear. Stay for a while.”
JK: “It’s already 8 o’clock. I need to take tablets for Lucky. She’ll be waiting for me.”
(Lucky means Laxmi she is JK’s beloved grandmother, and Sumathi’s mother.)
Sumathi: “Alright, dear. Be careful on your way.”
JK (heading out): “Bye.”
(JK stepped outside, closing the door behind him. Just then, Surya followed him out.)
Surya: “JK, wait a second!”
JK (turning): “What happened?”
Surya: “Why did you get so angry at Swathi? Poor girl didn’t even know what was going on. She just said it casually.”
JK (sighing): “You’re right, Surya. I got angry for no reason.”
Surya: “I thought you’d still be upset, but Amma already calmed you down.”
JK: “That’s true. Talking to Aunty always makes me feel at peace.”
Surya: “Honestly, I’ve never seen an aunt-nephew bond like yours. 😊”
JK (smiling): “Don’t jinx it with your evil eye, okay?”
Surya (grinning): “Fine, fine. Take care. Bye!”
(JK waved and left, leaving behind a house filled with laughter.)
To be continued…
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Author’s Note:
Thank you so much for reading Chapter 2! ❤️ If you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a review and follow me for more updates. Your support means the world to me! 🌸
