Friday Evening - Madhura Vihar

The ever chirping cukoos and peaceful pigeons were flying back to their homes in their military perfect V shaped precision, making people wonder where they were trained to be as perfect as the trained parade of the militants.

This sight was captured by Preethi, on her way back home from a hectic day at college. The feeling of weekend break was setting it's town all through the city, the crowded busses and overflowing compartments of the trains, gave her another reason to be grateful to the God, as her parents had shifted their residence nearer to her workplace. Travel is fun she agreed, but the Friday travel seems to be nothing short of a nightmare to her.

Waving a bye to her fellow lecturers, she drew her scooty towards her home, Madhura Vihar. Her happiness only increased to the sight that welcomed her.

Her favourite Venkat Chithappa and Lakshmi Chithi, were home as a surprise visit.

"Good evening Preethi!" Lakshmi gave a full-fledged smile and hugged her tight.

"Chithii!!! What a surprise! Even yesterday when I spoke , you both didn't mention about visiting here." Preethi squealed in happiness.

"Visiting without information is only called surprise darling!" Venkat winked at her.

"They both have been planning to come here for the past few weeks, Preethi. But your Chithappa's was stuck at his work." Meenakshi said as she brought tea and snacks for the family. Preethi was still beaming in happiness with their surprise.

"You go and freshen up dear. Let's talk later." Lakshmi patter her cheeks.

"But did you guys atleast inform Keerthi? Or planned it as a surprise for her too?" Preethi raised her eyebrow.

Venkat sighed and replied, "That Madam doesn't even have time to talk to us and you expect us to inform her?"

"She's busy with her project release Chithappa. Once it's done, she will be free. Just because she doesn't speak to you daily, doesn't mean that she is not missing you." Preethi replied supporting her sister.

"You would never miss to support your sister. Won't you?" Lakshmi commented as Preethi cheekily grinned.

"Preethi, you go and freshen up da. You're yet to have your tea." Saravanan commented and she left to her room.

It's not like Keerthi doesn't love or miss her parents less. She is held up with her work and as she is in the beginning of her career, she finds it hard to find a balance between her work and family.

Preethi returned from her room and continued chatting with her aunt and uncle, filling them up about her updates from college, dance school and everything under the sky that is concerned to her.

She even convinced her both set of parents for a movie night at home to watch the latest release on OTT.

Just then they heard the sound of the gate opening and Preethi altered her uncle about Keerthi's return from office and asked them to hide inside the kitchen.

"Perima, Perippa!!! Look who has got the best employee of the month second time consecutively!!!" Keerthi squealed in happiness as she entered the home.

"Congratulations Keerthu!! We also have a surprise for you." Meenakshi said with a smile.

"What's the suprise??" Keerthi asked confused as she looked at Preethi.

"So someone has been awarded as best employee but not even thinking about getting qualified as best daughter huh?" Lakshmi entered the living room with a frown though she felt extremely happy for her daughter.

"Amma, appa!!" Keerthi jumped and hugged her parents. Waterworks started from their eyes as she met her parents after almost a month.

Preethi and her parents also had tears in their eyes on seeing the reunion.

"I... I thought to call you after coming home... I asked perima to pray for me specially today, as I had project release... It's not like I didn't want to inform you pa.." Keerthi told her father as she hugged him tight.

"Don't we know our daughter? You don't have to reason us da." Venkat replied as he kissed her forehead.

"So what's with this surprise visit?" Keerthi asked them once she calmed down.

"It's been two weeks since we talked to you leisurely. I know you're working hard and trying to get used to this new routine. That's why we decided to come and stay with you all for a week." Lakshmi informed with a smile.

"One week!!" Keerthi and Preethi jumped from their seats in shock.

"Seems like these two aren't happy with our stay, Lakshmi. Let's just pack our bags and leave to Coimbatore." Venkat informed with a sigh.

"Appa.. no.. we are just shocked that you are staying here..." Keerthi replied. 

"So, you are just shocked and not happy huh?" Lakshmi teased her more.

"Chithi.. no.. we are just saying that usually when you come here, you stay for the weekend. But this time you've prolonged your stay na.."Preethi replied and Keerthi bobbed her head agreeing to her sister.

"They're just teasing you da.." Saravanan came to rescue, as he couldn't see his daughters getting teased.

"Since you are staying for a week, I'll also try to get work from home atleast for a few days this week. As I have already received the best performer this month, they won't disagree to it much." Keerthi informed her family.

"Okay okay.. let's have dinner now. Lakshmi come lets prepare the rotis. Preethi, your chithi has brought  your favourite tomato chutney from home." Meenakshi said and everyone started getting ready for dinner.

Keerthi hugged her parents tight again, letting them know how much she is happy with the surprise.
Preethi informed her sister about their plans for movie night and arranged their first floor living area by placing mattress on the floor and setting up the projector.

The dinner was a happy meal as the whole family had been united after a long time together, sharing funny news and making plans for the upcoming week.

As they elders got ready to watch the movie, Preethi made popcorns for them and Keerthi arranged icecream bowls too.

"So are you staying home tomorrow or do you have any plans?" Keerthi asked her sister as she popped in a popcorn.

"I don't have any plans at this moment. There's no dance class also tomorrow. If possible we can go out for lunch tomorrow and spend some time at the mall. Or if you feel tired, we can go out on Sunday and stay home tomorrow." Preethi replied.

"I was dead tired when I left office. But the moment I met Amma and appa, all my tiredness flew away from me." Keerthi replied as she hugged her sister.

"I know baby!" Preethi replied with a smile.

To be continued.

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