Heylo guys,
I am back with another update. Sorry for the delay. Had been busy with submissions. And I am not able to pen down my thoughts at times.
Hence the delay :(

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Mira was all set to welcome her Venky uncle and Seetha Aunty. She was curious to know about the friendship she and her amma shared. She came to know that it was Seetha who was the mediator in her Amma's and Appa's love story. Though Seetha wanted a love marriage, hers was a pakka arranged one with the Army officer Venkatesh. Thats how the friends got seperated with their wedding. Still they used to be in contact through letters for years.

Even Savithri was excited to spend some quality time with her bestfriend. This will be a much needed good time in their turbulent life. Though she cant share the truth of their life, she wanted to make her See happy. For atleast the time they are together. With her Miru by her side, she was sure of it. Her daughter had that charm within herself that would make anyone forget their problems.

Things werent really different with Mr and Mrs Iyer too. They were literally looking forward for their stay with the Shettys. Especially when its a question of their family life. And more than the wedding and family get together, the couple were waiting impatiently for meeting Mira once again.

Truth !
That was what they seeks !!

***********

"Ammaaa... Plz come here na, does this taste good??" Savithri shook her head hearing her daughter's voice. From morning, she was restricted from entering the kitchen as Mira had taken the charge of everything. She had cooked everything and was doing the final check. Since the time she met her Seetha Aunty and knowing about her problems she wanted to make her feel better.

"Mmm.. this is so good baby.. Just like how Seetha makes. How did you learn this?" Savithri was amazed at the taste.

Mira was taken aback at the question. She herself dont know how she made it. But cant show it to her Amma. So, Quickly composing herself, she pinched her amma's cheeks. "Youtube my old lady".

Prabhakar who was watching the mother daughter duo chuckled at her comment and came inside the kitchen. "Haan Bangaru, this old lady is not updated at all. She is still living in the 70's era. What to do?!" He sighed deeply as if dissappointed.

Savithri smacked his head. "Oh here came the Youngest one in the family. You are old, not me ! Old man and his darling daughter. You are always one team. Huh?? Now Dont call Ammaa ammaa again when you need help. Call your young man. I am going."
She turned back only to be pulled back by Miru. She hugged her from behind and kissed her cheek.

"Aww my Amma. Where are you going? We are incomplete without you. You know that we need you right. Now smile." Miru put her head on her neck and Savithri smiled.

"Ahem ahem. But my Savi looks so good when angry too." Prabhakar joined their hug.

The perfect family moment was broken by the ringing of bell. They knew who it was. Miru was excited so as Savithri. Prabhakar went to the front door to recieve them.

There stood Venkatesh and Seetha with a bug smile on their faces. Prabha greeted Venky and Savi hugged See. The curious eyes of the couple were searching the third person.

Seetha was about to ask but stopped herself hearing a voice frm inside. There came Miru with her ever charming smile.

Venky's and See's eyes showed happiness seeing her clad in a simple outfit. "Hi Aunty... and Welcome home Uncle." Mira hugged See and took blessings from the couple. They couldnt take eyes off from her.

"Come inside. You dont have to stand at the door." Prabhakar invited them.

"Sit sit uncle aunty. I will keep your bags inside." Miru said in her chirpy voice and took their bags gor keeping it in their room.

Savi was surprised with her behaviour. She dint understand whats with this girl and them. Ever since they agreed to stay with them, Miru was immensly happy for unknown reason. She got out from her thoughts when See nudged her hands asking wat she was thinking. She slightly nodded in No.

"So, how was the wedding See?" Savi asked.

"Was good. But I was literally excited for meeting you. How manys years its been Savi... Like this ! " See replied.

"They must be tired Savi. Let them freshen up. Miru had been waiting for you guys since the day you came here. She have specially prepared the food. Lets have it before that volcano erupts. You dont know my daughter's anger. She is worse than her Amma." Prabhakar bit his tounge as he earned a glare from Savi and the Iyer couple laughed.

"Yeah yeah just like her best friend ahh" Venky supported him. And he too earned a glare from his wife.

The couple went to their room after small chit chat for freshening up and came down after a while.

Seetha entered kitchen to find the mother daughter duo spreading food on to table. Mira was trying to balance three dishes at once and one of it slipped. But at the right moment Seetha caught it.

"Careful Ma. Dont carry three things at a time." She helped her.

"This girl is silly. She doesnt like even numbers and try to do everything in odd. Just like three dishes at a time instead of two." Savi teased her.

"Haan right aunty. I hate even numbers. And whats wrong in that Amma." She smirked at her mother.

Seetha was shocked at her statement calling a dejavu moment. Her Vaishnavi hated even numbers and she also tries to take three things at a time and not two.

"Good that u like odd number. If not, we would have to search for two grooms." Savi laughed.

"Heheheh very funny. But sorry I want only one groom." She teased back.

"Only one ... the same one ! That too in every life times." Miru said with a strange seriousness in her voice and went to the dining table.

Savithri and Seetha noticed her change but remained unaffected.

It was lunch time. The food was served with favourites of Seetha this time. The Iyers were again surprised with the combination of dishes she made. Lunch was done with the couple sharing the memories and teasings. Luckily none asked about the problems in their life making the situation awkward.

After lunch, the ladies retired to the room for catching up their gossips and the men sat in the drawing room.
Seetha and Savi were seated opposite to each other with Miru sitting on floor beneath Savi's chair all in ears for the stories. Savi was massaging her head. The bond between mother and daughter was imprinted on See's mind.

"See... so tell me! Hows everything going now?" Savi asked.

"Wats there interesting in my life? Its just like it was before." See sighed.

"Venky Anna ... Hows he now? And Latha akka and Anna? Are they okie?"

"Akka and Anna are doing good. They are in US na. His health has been progressed a lot. Even though Venky abandoned our son, he is still in touch with his Periyamma and Periyappa. Infact he was the one who had been with them when Anna's health was deteriorating."

"Who is Latha akka and anna Amma?" Miru asked.

"Latha akka is my sister. She is living with her husband in US. They have their family business there. Two years back, Anna had a major health problem and was almost on death bed. There were some issues in my family that time and my son went to take care of Anna as they dont have their own kids. So he had been with Akka as a support." Seetha explained.

Mira nodded in yes as if understanding the situation. But she made a mental note for not asking anything related to the issue with her son.

"And about Venky. He is not the same anymore. Its been years since I saw him with a smile. My old Venky is lost somewhere in between all this chaos. I lost both my husband and son. The smile, peace and happiness has been brutally taken away. Infact God has ruined my family. You know what Savi? I saw Kanna before coming here. He is in the city for attending a wedding. Venky havent even allowed me to talk to him. He hates my son. I wish I die so that I need not see this rivalry between Father and Son." Seetha choked on her words.

Savi felt guilty for reminding her about the issue. And Miru came to the rescue by changing the topic. She stood and sat on the armrest of the sofa on which Seetha was sitting.She wiped her tears and hugged her.

"No more crying. We are here na. Everything will be solved. So Now tell me.. Did you like the lunch? You dint say anything. Does it still reminds you of your niece? Or better than her's??" She asked with a wink.

Seetha laughed at that. "It was Awesome ma. Obviously you are a better cook than her."

"See Amma I told you na Aunty will like it." She showed her tounge to her Amma.

"This time it didnot remind me of our niece but someone else!" Seetha said slowly carefully observing her reaction.

"Whose??" Mira was surprised.

"My daughter in law's !!" She said in serious tone. To her surprise, Mira was shocked indeed. She smiled inwards but it lasted only for a second when she heard Mira asking "Your son is married??".

She was stuck for a moment and nodded in Yes. She dint expect her to ask this question.

"Hmm ! I would like to meet her then." Mira said thinking.

"And why would you wanna meet her?" Seetha asked.

"Because now I wanna beat her in cooking na." She said smiling and Savi smacked her head.

She heard the notification sound on her mobile and excused herself for attending it. After a few seconds, she came with a wide smile on her face.

"Ammmaaa..." she shouted and hugged her Amma tightly.
"What happened Baby" Savi was surprised.

"Amma I have told you about that Fashion week to be held in London na. Me and Anu had applied for it and we got selected. Now I have to register it in their official site. Awww I am sooo happyy... yaay yaay". She was jumping in joy like a kid.

"Awww congrats my babyyy... go and register it now itself na." Savi felt proud of her daughter and kissed her forehead.

"Congrats Ma." Seetha also hugged her.

"Thanks Aunty. You guys continue gossiping. Ill join you guys after this. And Amma dont make her cry okie." She went to her room for calling Anu.

"This is going to be tough".
Seetha thought. She was quite surprised with her behaviour. The Vaishnavi she knew was completely different from the girl standing infront if her. May be Mira is just a look alike of their Vaishnavi. Yet the cooking part made her doubtful.

*************

Mira was done with registering and it was almost evening. She thought of something and went towards kitchen.

"Here You goooo !! Super Hot Filter coffee. Have it my darlingss." Miru came with a tray of coffee to her favourite place in her home. The garden ! Where she spends quality time with her Amma and Appa. They used to share jokes and daily happenings there. She saw her Appa and Venky uncle in deep conversation. Obviously on their favourite topic: Politics. She greeted them with a huge smile and served the coffee to men.

Venky felt happy with her presence. He took the coffee and tasted it.

"Woww ! This is soo good. Authentic Filter coffee that we makes at home. How did you learn this Ma?" He couldnt hold his curiosity.

Miru was not prepared to answer it.
"Nowadays kids get every information at their fingertips na. She learned from youtube videos. Lucky generation." Prabhakar said.

"Its just like how See makes. I must admit. You have two amazing cooks with you." Venky said with a genuine smile.

"How come only two uncle?? Three infact. Appa will also cooks well. He is our master chef ! You know?? He loves varieties. In egg curry, he will put chicken. In sambhar he put pulses. Experimental chef he is !" Mira chuckled.

"Hahah.. very funny huh!" Prabhakar was embarassed now. He tried to get hold of Miru but she was smart enough to escape from his clutches.

Venky laughed at the father daughter duo and suddenly went silent.

Mira noticed this and she stood behind him as a shield from her Appa. That broke his thoughts and he got involved in the play. "Unclee save me...".

And Prabhakar tried to pull her but Venky also pulled her back. Miru took hold of the chance and again stood near her uncle.

"Now that she had asked me for help, I have to definitely help her right." He asked smiling at him.

"Ya ya... now she is your daughter also" Venky was surprised at the comment but composed himself.

"Haan Appa. I m his daughter too.. right uncle?" She asked innocently.
It took a moment for Venkatesh to respond.

"Yes... you are !" He placed his palm over her head. And held her shoulders as in a side hug,Turned to prabhakar and said "She is ...".

"Excuse me !" Prabhakar excused himself as he got a call from his office. Leaving Miru and Venky alone.

"So Uncle, what you do in your free time?" She asked him.

"I am always free ma. I retired from job three years back. Its kinda boring at home. But I am interested in gardening. We do have a big garden in our home." Venky knew this was a perfect topic as he recalled a similar conversation between him and Vaishnavi once.

"Ohh woww that sounds great Uncle. I do love plants and birds." She said that earned a smirk from him. "So do u like our small garden?? Its Amma Appa who looks after it when I go back to Delhi."

"Delhi?? So you dont stay here?" He was puzzled.

"No Uncle ! I am pursuing a fashion course in Delhi. Now I am here for my holidays. I miss Amma and Appa a lot. They miss me too. Those two cant live without me, you know. Infact they allowed me to join the course only after promising them that I would come back for every holidays including long weekends. They are that extreme. You dont know these two!" She laughed.

Venky was surprised at this. He got confused right now. Prabhakar and Savi were this much close and attached to Miru. Their bond is so strong and its evident in their interaction. In such a scenario, how can this girl be their Vaishnavi. May be she could possibly be a look alike of her, he thought.

"Uncle, why are you not saying anything?" She nudged him.

"Huhh... nothing Ma ! And Yes... Every parent is so attached to their kids. Some are really fortunate that they get child like you. Who return their love. I must agree Prabhakar and Savi are blessed to have you. While some are very unfortunate .. like me" He said smiling at her.

Mira understood the hidden meaning behind his words. "There is nothing like fortunate and Unfortunate uncle. If you give love, you will receive it too. No matter how, when and from whom. God isnt that cruel." She said in a serious tone making him confused again.

"Anyways now u have me as ur daughter. I wont let you be sad. You have to be happy always. To be honest, The Serious, Macho Man image doesnt suit you. Instead this smile does. So promise me that you will keep this curve on your face" She asked forwarding her hands. Venky had no other option than surrendering before her cuteness.

"Oh Young lady. How can a Man have serious image when he have a cute daughter like you. I promise Ma." He placed his palms on hers.

"Good boy" she teased him.

"Btw is it your Seetha Aunty who told you about my serious image??" He raised his eyebrows.

"Hahah No uncle. She dint say anything. I knew it from Amma. I know there is something bothering you. I am not going to ask you about that as I feel I dont have any role in it. But I have to tell you one thing. Shall I??? Dont get me wrong!" She asked him making a cute face and he asked her to proceed.

I know you are not a serious kind of person. But certains things changed you like this. One thing I wanted to request you is that please dont be stern with Aunty. She hides her feelings to herself which will affect her health. Already she is down and faking to be happy infront of the world. It is gonna ruin her. Please be with her. She loves you a lot. She needs her old husband back. So Will you return her what she wants??" She asked.

Venky had tears in his eyes hearing the intensity in his voice. She was true in every sense. The naive yet chirpy Seetha whom he spend his life all these years is no where to be seen. He still remember the 23yr old girl who stood nervously infront of him during their first meeting. She was so scared to be the wife of an army man. As army men usually held an utter serious inage infront of everyone.

Venky despite of his profession was a very simple, cheerful man whom she dreamt of. She had till now asked for only one thing from him that, to never change his character into a serious one. Yet, he couldnt fulfill that one thing she seeked. He felt ashamed of himself.

His life has turned upside down because of his son. Now this girl came out of nowhere enlightening him about his life. He looked into her eyes which held a ray of light. He closed his eyes. Took a deep breath.

"I know Ma. I understand and I promise you. See will get her old husband back. But please dont ask me anything more. I cant do ..."

She nodded her head happily and gave him a side hug. "Thankyou Uncle. I want to see you both Happy. Dont think you guys are alone. We three are here always for you. Remember this always" !

She was happy. Her first step was successful. Venky uncle was not so tough like Seetha aunty told, she thought. So there is a chance that she can slowly help them in solving their issues or atleast make them feel better. She needs to know about them more to solve their issue. She turned to see her Amma and Aunty coming towards the garden area.

"Aunty.. Amma You guys are done with your gossips huh? Come come Sit here.. I will get you some coffee too." Miru offered.

The family spent rest of the evening like that chatting about their old times and the couples pulling each others legs.

Since Mira was the one who took charge of kitchen for lunch, Savithri strictly ordered her to stay away for dinner as she wanted to cook for her bestfrnd and Anna. The dinner was a silent one and they retired for the day decieding to go to temple next day.

*************

Anand and Vaishnavi was back from the babyshower function of his office colleague. That girl was one of his closest friend and She was adamant that he needs to attend the function along with his wife. Since she havent met Vaishnavi in person. Its been almost one year since they got married.

The function was pretty good with Anand introducing everyone his wife. But since the time they came back, he found his wife quiet nervous. She wasnt talking to him properly. He found her sitting infront of the dressing table carelessly taking out her jewelry. With one look, he understood something was bothering her.

He stood behind her and stared at her through their reflection. She met his gaze and immediately stood up avoiding his eyes. He held her in that position and wrapped his arms around her neck caging her. She was trapped. He slowly nuzzled her neck and placed a few kisses on her jawline and bit her earlobe. She hissed in pain and tilted her neck on one side giving him more access.

Within seconds, she regained her senses and stiffened at his touch. He realised her change and made her turn towards him.

"Whats wrong Vaishu? Why do you behave indifferently? Anything bothering you??" He asked in his deep voice. She knew he was serious because unless, he wont address her as Vaishu.

"Mmm that... Anand... Babyy... I.. " She found herself out of words.

"What baby?? Whats wrong? Why are you hesitating?? You can share anything with me right?" Anand was tensed this time.

She closed her eyes and hugged him tightly. He was taken aback for a moment. But gave her the strength and security she needed at that moment. He kissed her forehead and she took in the warmth.

"Anand... do you need a baby??" She asked calmly.

"What??" He was puzzled. And made her face him.

Vaishnavi was not ready to look at him. Her eyes wandered everywhere but not his face.

"I mean.. everyone there was asking about this. And we havent discussed anything regarding this right. So ... I was asking .. Do you think we need a baby now??" She asked him nervously.

Anand looked at her in shock and changed his expression into a smile. He shook his head and hugged her tightly. Her innocence was the main thing which made him fall in love with her.

Vaishu on the other hand couldnt decipher anything from his actions. She pulled out from his embrace and gave him a puzzled look.

He took her palm to his lips and placed a warm kiss.

"Baby... Its not them who is living with me. Its our life. We have to deciede what we want in our life. I am happy that you are with me. And we have just started our journey. Have a long way to go. Right?" He asked tenderly and she nodded in Yes.

"In my POV, I feel we still have time for a baby. You have your dreams to get fulfilled. Thats more important for me. So babies can wait. Now its the time for Us. We have each other to love and lets enjoy this phase. But doesnt mean that I dont love kids. Its a symbol of our love. Your flesh and My blood. A version of You and Me together. I m sure God will send him/her at the right moment. And now I am happy with my big baby. Do you understand what I am saying???"

Vaishnavi could only nod her head. She felt so happy hearing his words. This Man was a blessing to her. She smiled through her tears. And kissed him on his lips with all the love she have for him. He kissed her back with equal passion and love.

Anand came out of his thoughts and sighed. This was his only source of living since two years. Their moments. Her love was so pure ! So was his !! Yet they had to part ways.

"If only we had a baby. You would have trusted my love. And would have stayed back. Why dint you gave me a chance to explain Vaishu."

Tears found its own way out of his eyes. His heart ached like hell and craved for her presence. He closed his eyes remebering her innocent face. The only things that is left with him. Her memories. He remembered her tender beautiful face !

*************

Shreya was trying Avantika's number for a while. She had taken a month off but there were some things that need to be cleared off. Kartik saw her pacing back and forth in her room.
Its been two days since they are here. Yet they couldnt find any traces of Vaishnavi. Anand was adamant on finding her. The only clue they have was her association with actress Nanditha Shetty.

"What happened Shreyu? You seems to be tensed" Kartik asked her.

"Haan Kaku ! I was trying my room mate. There was some pending work in office and I wanted to discuss about that to her. Also there is one more thing. Her sister and family is staying in Bangalore. So thought of asking her if she know any people who have connection with Nanditha." Shreya replied.

"Ohh that sounds good. Even I was trying a few of my close frnds. Unfortunately none knows Nanditha's family. Seems she keeps a low key profile. They said the same infact. I am worried about Bava. He lost his charm. Hope we find out her soon."

Their conversation was broken when her fone flashed with Avantika's contact. Karthik was surprised to see the contact picture.

"Avanti?? Avantika?? " He asked with his eyes wide open. But shreya went to attend the call without hearing him.

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No proof reading !
Hope you liked this part.. expecting comments on how is it going.

And special thanks to my darling readers for waiting patiently for the update.
- Love Apz :)