Raghav and his mother Sharadha, completed their grocery shopping and headed towards a restaurant for lunch.

"Raghav, are you still upset?" Sharadha asked him as he was looking very dull. She thought he was upset because she didn't agree to come to his uncle's house.

"Nothing like that maa... I'm fine" he smiled a little to make her beleive that he is not upset.

But can you hide something from your mother? No right?! Same goes with Raghav too.

"I know you are not okay as I said I will not come there tomorrow. You know my reasons too da... " She explained him calmly.

"Maa, I understand your point. I'll be fine soon... Don't worry " he replied smiling.

Soon the waiter came there to get their orders. Raghav got an official call, which he cannot decline now. As it was very noisy in the restaurant, he went out to attend it.

When he came back, he found his mother smiling widely at him.

"Can I know the reason for your bright smile?" He asked her curiously.

"Why? Shouldn't I smile ?" she asked him back.

"Not like that.. but I find some mischief behind that smile! That's what I want to know..."

"My Smarty boy, you'll know the reason soon don't worry. " she winked at him.

Raghav shrugged off, as his mom would never spill out the reason for her smile until the time comes.

The waiter brought the dishes and placed it on the table. Instead of two plates, the waiter kept three plates before them. Sharadha nodded and the waiter left, making Raghav even more curious.

His mobile beeped with a message notification. He opened it and it displayed a message from the name "Darling 😘" The name itself brought a bright smile on his face. He touched the contact and it showed,

"Surprise 🤪 "

Raghav looked at his mom in shock and she nodded her head in yes. He looked around and saw her running towards them happily.

She hugged his mother first and hit his shoulder to bring him awake from the sweet shock.

"Dei anna (brother) why are you standing like a statue?" Yazhini asked him, as she sat beside them .

"He is surprised to see you here da.. am I right Raghav?" Sharadha asked him teasingly.

"When did you both plan this?" He asked them as he was very well aware of the fact that his mom has also played a major part in planning this visit of Yazhini.

"Few hours back da... When you asked whether we can go for lunch, I thought of calling her too... And she was also free today ! That's it. " Sharadha replied sweetly.

"Yeah yeah! Now let's start eating. I'm very hungry... And thanks for ordering my favourite dishes athai" Yazhini replied licking her lips on seeing the delicious food in front of her.

Raghav smiled and caressed her hair, as he was so happy and emotional to meet his cousin after a long time. They three had their lunch happily by talking about Raghav and Yazhini's childhood memories.

"I never thought you will come here Yazhini" he told her when his mom went to wash her hands.

"Haha I know anna" she chuckled.

"I'm sorry da... I can't come and be with you tomorrow. Amma told that I can come there, but I want her also be present there. I know how much you expect us to come, I don't want to give you any false hopes and make you disappointed on your big day..." He confessed sadly.

"Anna... Please don't say sorry. I understand everything that's happening around us. I don't want to be selfish and ask you both to come there. " She replied holding his hands.

"You have nothing to do with this issue but at the end of the day you're the one who is suffering.. " Raghav said as his eyes filled with tears.

Yazhini's dad Raja and Sharadha are siblings. Some years ago they both had a misunderstanding because of which Sharadha stopped talking with her brother. But this did not affect the bond which was shared between Raghav and Yazhini. They both are like own siblings and share everything with the other person. As they are planning for Yazhini's wedding, Raja wanted to resolve all the issues and get back to his sister. But Sharadha is very clear on her stand and doesn't want to face her brother again. The only connect between these two families is through Yazhini. Eventhough Raghav tried a lot to convince his mother, she was very stubborn on her decision.

"Does mama know that you came to meet us?" Raghav asked her as he tried to control his emotions.

"Yes na, I told him and he was so happy. He wanted me to get the blessings from athai. Even amma was very happy" she told him smiling wide.

"Trust me Yazhini, I'll try to sort everything before your wedding! I promise you that. " He held her hand and promised.

"I believe you anna. But please don't force athai. I know you won't force her, still I'm telling you... And why are you telling before my marriage? What if you get married before me huh?" Yazhini teased him to change his mood.

"Because you are the who is getting married soon and not me! " He told and hit her head playfully.

Sharadha came back to the table and found these two playing and hitting eachother. She wished them to be the same forever.

"Shall we Leave?" Sharadha asked them as it was almost 2 pm.

"Yes maa... Yazhini should we drop you at your house?" Raghav asked his sister.

"No anna.. I came by my scooty, so I'll go alone. "

"Okay da... But drive carefully, and inform us after reaching. " Sharadha told her with concern.

"Sure athai, don't worry. " Yazhini replied.

They walked towards the parking area to get back home. Sharadha opened the car door and took out a bag from inside. Yazhini and Raghav looked at eachother not knowing what was kept inside it.

She handed the bag to Yazhini. Yazhini opened it and found a beautiful peacock green colour saree.

"This is beautiful athai!!!!" Yazhini exclaimed happily.

"You like it la? My small gift for you!!" Sharadha replied as she smiled at her anxiety.

"Thank you so much athai!! I'll wear this saree tomorrow and send a picture to you. " Yazhini told them, jumping like a kid.

"When did you buy this maa?" Raghav asked his mother.

"I bought this for her long back and I was waiting for the right moment to gift her " she replied.

"Thank you so much athai" Yazhini hugged Sharadha in happiness.

"Yazhini, just remember one thing . Don't let anyone to influence your decision. If you really like the guy and feel that he will keep you happily throughout your life, then agree to this proposal. It is you who is going to live with him and you are decision is important here. Never make hasty decisions da. " Sharadha told Yazhini as he caressed her hair.

"Sure athai. " Yazhini said and bent down to seek blessings from her aunt.

She hugged Raghav and kissed her forehead.

"All the best darling" he wished her wholeheartedly.

Yazhini left to her house in her scooty. Raghav and Sharadha got inside the car.

"Thank you for calling her maa" Raghav smiled in releif as he also wanted to meet Yazhini in person and talk to her.

"I'm your mother da, I know what you are thinking even before you spell it out. " Sharadha replied with a proud smile.

To Be Continued.

Next chapter : Ms. Medico