"Ouch!"

Revati stepped back as the mustard seeds in the pan popped and hit her hand. She lowered the flame and added the masala- stuffed brinjals to the pan, maintaining the distance.

"Revati, what are today's specials? I can smell something delicious!" Yelled Balaram from the verandah, casually reading his newspaper as Revati faced the everyday battle in the kitchen.

Revati sighed at her husband, "You're the one who sliced the vegetables and prepared the masala, yet you are asking me, dear?"

"Right, I can smell the delicious aroma of gutthi vankaya, make sure you add a bit of jaggery, it balances the spice and sourness of tamarind," ordered Balaram.

"As you say, master chef!" Teased Revati

"Can you pack my lunch box and a box for Ishi? I'm getting late to school. I'll quickly change and come," requested Revati.

"As you say, my darling wife!" Replied Balaram, setting his reading glasses and newspaper aside.

Balaram is a retired employee who spends his time devoting himself to his wife Revati, and films.

Revati is a school teacher who's always hustling.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Ishi spotted the metro station from the car window; she requested the car driver to stop the car.

Roopa at once jolted awake due to the sudden brake.

"Thank you for the ride, Roopa. See you," waved Ishi as she got down carrying her luggage.

"See you soon in Bangalore!" waved back Roopa with a warm smile.

Ishi forced a small smile, and she moved towards the metro station.

Early morning rays of the New Year painted the sky in its golden glow. The announcement of the boarding metro was made, echoing in the empty station.

Ishi hurriedly climbed the escalator, hoping to catch the metro train but in vain. As she stood on the platform, it zoomed past her. 7 o'clock displayed on the digital clock.

She sighed, looking at the universe playing games with her. She saw the doors to the next metro opening, and she boarded it absent mindedly.

It took her a long time to realise that when one door closes, the right one opens soon.

She settled in the ladies compartment and was lost in thought in the crowded metro.

Ishi was someone who struggled to adapt to changes in her life. She was someone who grew up all her life in a single city. Just when she thought she got accustomed to her married life and new beginnings, she was welcomed with a promotion and a transfer for her and her husband to Bangalore.

The surprise of the new year, she wanted to support her better half and also chase her dreams. Her concern about shifting to a new city is her loved ones. Her heart is stirred to leave her parents and in-laws alone.

Her thoughts were disturbed by her mobile ringtone.

Hero was displayed on the screen. She smiled as she accepted the call.

"Hello!" Rang an enthusiastic voice, a voice that never fails to cheer her up.

"Morning, Hero," greeted Ishi.

Dhruv chuckled at her endearment.

"So how was the last day working as a wedding planner?" Asked Dhruv.

"Dhruv," warned Ishi in a serious tone.

She doesn't want to talk about shifting or anything related to her work, as it's her last day working in Hyderabad. She got promoted as a partner to the new branch opened in Bangalore.

"Fine, where are you?" Asked Dhruv

"Guess it!" replied Ishi, curious to know his answer.

"Metro?"

"Bingo! You're right!" She replied excitedly.

"Yes, I am to your right," said Dhruv.

"Huh?"

"Look to your right."

Ishi turned her head towards her right and found the familiar tanned face smiling at her.

"Why are you in the metro?" Questioned Ishi.

"Can I not?" He playfully replied.

"Dhruv," warned Ishi.

"My bike got punctured; hence I'm taking the metro."

Dhruv is an agricultural scientist who recently got transferred to Bangalore. They are shifting to Bangalore in a week.

"Oh! Next is your stop; take care, Hero," said Ishi.

"As you say, madam! There's a surprise waiting for you at home," replied Dhruv.

"What surprise?" Asked Ishi, intrigued.

"I got to go, Ishu. Bye!" He bid his goodbyes, not before meeting her eyes and exiting the metro.

Ishi sighed and continued her journey with a smile unknown to her.

She reached her home. She unlocked the door and placed her luggage on the sofa. She freshened herself and was about to enter the kitchen when the doorbell rang.

"Coming!" She yelled across the hall.

Ishi opened the door and was welcomed by hurried Revati.

"Morning, Amma!" She greeted smiling at her mother.

"Morning morning, here, take this box. I made gutthi vankaya for you," Revati said, handing the steel box.

"Oooh! What's the special occasion?" Enquired Ishi

"Nothing, also be ready in the evening. We'll go shopping," said Revati.

"Why?"

"Stop asking questions, Ishi, for your father's 60th birthday."

"Ma, it's next month!" Replied Ishi

"Yes, but we don't have time," stated Revati.

Ishi realised what her mother meant. She sighed at the thought of her missing them.

"Ok bye, I'm getting late!" Said her mother as she turned to leave.

Ishi walked her towards the entrance gate and stood behind it as her mother started her scooty.

"People love to have a spouse like you, don't they?" said Ishi as she smiled at her mother.

"Then be one!" Replied her mother cheekily, reciprocating her smile as she zoomed off in the streets of Hyderabad.

Ishi closed the gates and got back inside. She placed the steel box on the kitchen counter and opened the lid of the hot pack box. The savoury scent of Karam Dosa filled her nostrils. Her face beamed looking at her husband's surprise.

The only change that she heartfully accepts is her husband's surprises.