A YEAR BACK -

Holding the bamboo basket that resembled a swan is  filled with flowers plucked from the garden, Ambika entered the spacious hall to spend some time chatting with her father-in-law; Gangadhar Joshi. She stood in front of the photo frame adorning it with flowers and then talking her heart out. The man in the photo had a huge smile, displaying his laughing lines and a perfect set of teeth.

"Babuji, help me. Please give your blessings! Guide me with that mastermind of yours! Let this plan work, please!"pleaded Ambika desperately.

Poor her, she cannot see any expression on his face. What can she do if he masks his emotions with Ray Bans glasses and a dazzling smile? After all he is trapped in that photo.

Untying  his laces and removing his shoes, Gopal walked panting inside the house. He grabbed one of his favorite cassettes and played it on the cassette player. Vintage lovers! The Playlist of devotional songs encased the house through its melodies along with the chirps of early birds. He took his coffee mug from the tray and sipped his delicacy, grinning at 'Go ask your mom' mug. Typical Joshi's  morning routine. Sighing at his wife's antics, he walked towards her.

"Thadastu!" He said

"Huh? Babuji you're here!?" She squealed.

"Nahi meri jaan, it's your patidev" he replied

("Nope my darling, it's your husband" he replied)

Disappointed she turned and faced her husband.

"Why the long face, wifey?" He asked her

"Our son" she replied

"What happened to him?" He enquired

She sighed and shrugged her shoulders.

"Don't worry. What about the plan? Where are your besties? And what about the kids?!" He started babbling non stop.

"Well my besties will arrive in an hour. About the kids...it's time to break the news " she said, staring at the wall clock.

~

Shanti is at the garden watering the plants and basking in the morning sun. A familiar ringtone disturbed her train of thoughts.

"Adi! Pick up the phone!" She yelled, turning off the tap and entering the house, welcomed by the delicious aroma from the kitchen.

Tempering the dish Adi called Avishka.

"Avi, check who's calling"

She hopped off the couch and took the phone from the table while knocking the vase. She immediately heard her mom's yell.

"Avi! Didn't I warn you to not perform any stunts in the house!"

"Come on Ma, after all we are relatives of chimpanzees. How can I not?"

"Avi!" Shanti warned her

"We need to embrace our culture and ancestry Ma"

Shanti glared at her and took the phone. Chuckling Adi bought the mouth watering idli sambar and placed it on the table. He hand signed, asking Avi who was on the other end. She shrugged and wobbled her head to the side mouthing that she doesn't know. The short conversation of the father and daughter duo was stopped by Shanti's scream.

"What?!"

She immediately came back to her senses noticing her husband and daughter scooting towards her side, eavesdropping the conversation. She stood up making the duo hit their heads and yelp in pain.

"But Ma, why now?!" Shanti asked her mother - Ambika.

"Young lady, you have an hour for the flight. If you miss it, you'll face the consequences!"

"I did not pack!" She exclaimed hoping for the trip to get postponed.

"You can shop here. Also keep the secret away from my grandchild. You know what she's capable of" her mother warned and hung up the call.

"Dad, what do you think the news is about?" Asked Avi

"I don't know Avi," he replied, wondering.

Avi raises her eyebrows and gives a suggestive look.

"What are you brewing in that mind of yours lil champ?"

"Dad, I'm guessing that - " she was cut off by her mom.

"Eat your breakfast, quick! We need to get ready! Hurry up!" She commanded.

"Huh?" Adi looked at her confused.

"We are flying to Araku"

"For what?" He asked her

She thought for a brief moment and replied, "To stay for the vacation"

"But why so suddenly?"

"Your attaya's order! Adi, are you gonna come or not? Why are you asking so many questions?" She asked him, annoyed.

"Avi, get ready in five minutes!" She told her daughter.

Stuffing the idlis Avi ran upstairs not before yelling,

"Araku here I come!"

~

Satisfied with the clink of the lock Shristi walked towards the car and sat on the passenger seat.

"Shristi?!" Shrieked her one and only, always and forever bestie Priya.

"Ha?"

"Seriously?"

"What?"

"White again?!"

"Oh Miss. Anti-white, I just love it!"

Shaking her head, Priya asked," Fine, where are we going?"

"The usual, let's head-"

"I know" replied Priya turning the steering wheel to the left towards the mall.

The mall was completely packed due to the summer sale and the festive season. The girls decided to have a drink as it was a bright sunny day in mid March.

"Who drinks  lemonade while shopping, Shristi?!"

"Says the one who's having  orange juice" she replied.

Chatting they slowly walked to the accessories section.

"Is aunty still nagging you to get married?" Priya asked her

"Apparently not"

"What?!"

Shristi looked at her confused, " Why are you shocked?"

"Cause today morning aunty called me to persuade you to change your mind" she replied

"Well she's nagging me to date"

"Aunty is so cool!" Complimented Priya.

"Hey! So do I",replied Shristi with fake hurt.

"What the -" yelled Shristi, staring at her hand and the drink that got wasted. A guy ran almost like Usain Bolt and dodged her drink  like a ball. The plastic glass landed on the floor spilling the drink on her hand as well as on the stranger behind the dummy Usain Bolt.

"I'm really sorry" the stranger apologized  and ran after that guy.

"Wait... Isn't it me who should apologize?" Wondered Shristi

"I guess so... anyways let's shop! You'll be late for your trip Shristi" replied Priya

"Yeah, let's go!" Said Shristi and pulled her friend along with her.

~

"Suchit!" Called Abhilash looking for his co-director.

"I'm here Abhi!" Yelled Suchit, revising the script.

"Suchit, we don't have much time. Why don't you direct the scene 54? We'll finish this in two more takes and pack up"

"Ah, fine! But who is the actor?" He asked Abhi

"You did not see her?"

"Nope, the producer and the casting director had appointed her but they're at the next location"

"Oh! I think her name is Shristi. No problem, assistant director said that she's at the spot"

"I'll take care Abhi! See you at Araku" he said bidding a goodbye

~

Shristi was waiting in front of the mall for Priya to bring the car. A middle aged man approached her and asked,

"Excuse me Miss, are you Shristi?"

"Yes, but who are you?"

"Perfect! Khan focus on the camera, boys show your talent! Action!" He yelled.

"What the hell!" Screamed Shristi.

They immediately took the bags from her and shoved her inside the van.

"Have you gone nuts?! What are you doing?" Shristi yelled at them.

"Isn't it obvious? Kidnap!" said a tall shady guy whose face was covered with a monkey cap.