Chapter 14

Aadhi knelt beside the bed and watched Rishi sleeping with a frown on his forehead.

Aadhi: Why do you have a frown on your forehead Rishu ? Are you dreaming of me that made you frown ? I can’t wait to surprise you today. How badly I wanted to wish you now but I have plans to surprise you so I will wait till evening. Wish you a very happy birthday Rishu.

She gave him a flying kiss and returned to the couch. Aadhi woke up toher usual time but Rishi  woke up late. He was surprised that she hasn’t turned on the music system while preparing breakfast so he felt being in a good mood. He was about to the enter the washroom but stepped out of the room and peeked into the kitchen to check on her. On seeing her busy in preparing breakfast he returned to his bed room and got ready for office.

Aadhi served him breakfast and unusually she was quite and he was once again surprised that she never spoke a word to irritate him.

Rishi Mv: What is happening today ?

 As soon as he left for office Aadhi locked the door and started decorating the living room with balloons, flowers and stars.

Once she was done with the decoration she tied her hair in a bun and entered the kitchen and called Vimal immediately.

Vimal: All set for the final baking ?

Aadhi: Yes, 25th cake for my Rishu. Please wish me it should turn out the tastiest cake ever he must have had.

Vimal: All the best. Now start your work and follow the exact measurement you were using for the past three days. Don’t be nervous.

Aadhi started her work and Vimal watched her until she pulled out the cake from the oven.

Vimal: Taste it and check if it tastes good.

Aadhi: No bro, I m not going to taste it now. I want Rishu to taste it. I will complete the icing and pack his gifts. Make sure you are on time here.

Vimal showed his thumb and cut the call. Aadhi decorated the cake with his name on top of it. Placing it safely in the refrigerator she started packing the gifts she bought for him. Hearing the door bell she opened it and saw Raghavan, Vaani and grandpa smiling at her. They were so pleased to see the decorations and Aadhi served them juice before excusing to get ready.

She picked out a beautiful lavender saree and got dressed in it, matching with simple pearl jewels. She called Vimal and got to know they had started from home.

Vaani: What dinner have you planned for tonight Aadhi ?

Aadhi: Aunty, since everyone would be here tonight and I had to prepare gifts and cake for Rishi so I ordered food and will be delivered shortly.

Vaani: Why outside food ? You should have told me and I would have cooked his favourite food.

Aadhi: Next time I will cook on my own aunty.

Vaani nodded and Aadhi placed a table and decorated it with flowers and placed some candles on it. She informed Vaani to call Rishi and inform him to arrive home early. 30 minutes later Vimal, Manjari, Hari and Kavitha arrived with gifts for Rishi. She saw Manjari carrying a cake box and looked at Vimal who shrugged that it was not his doing.

Aadhi: Sister in law I have baked cake already.

Manjari: I wanted to buy a cake for my brother Aadhi. Let him cut two cakes so what ?

Aadhi bobed her head and Manjari placed the cake on the kitchen island. Aadhi was nervous and excited at the same time to see Rishi’s reaction. Aadhi received the dinner and placed everything in hot packs. Sudhir arrived and greeted everyone and informed them that Rishi would reach anytime. Vimal saw Aadhi trying hard to hide her excitement.

20 minutes later Rishi arrived and was shocked and surprised to everyone smiling at him and all the decorations in the living.  Everyone wished him and Rishi thanked them for their wishes.

Raghavan: I would have wished you in the morning as usual but Aadhi planned this surprise for you so we all had to wait to wish you together at the same time.

Rishi: Thank you so much.

Aadhi with hesitating steps moved closer to him and stretched out her hand.

Aadhi: Wish you a very happy birthday Rishi.

Rishi looked at everyone and shook her hand for a second and retracted his hand back after thanking her.

Vaani: Rishi get refresh, Aadhi has more surprises for you.

Rishi bobed his head and headed to his room and returned 20 minutes later dressed in a casual shirt and jean.

Vimal: Aadhi bring out the cake now.

Aadhi ran to the kitchen and slowly pulled out the cake from the refrigerator. S and walked slowly and carefully to the living. While she crossed Vimal, Manjari who was standing next to him stumbled and bumped on Aadhi causing the cake to slip from her hand.

Aadhi gasped in shock and looked at the cake on the floor. Tears brimmed in her eyes and she saw Rishi checking Manjari who was on the floor.

Rishi: Manjari, what happened ? Are you ok ?

Manjari: I m fine brother, I don’t know, I felt dizzy all of a sudden. Oh my god, Aadhi I m so sorry. She tried to pick the cake from the floor but Rishi stopped her.

Rishi: Its ok, your health is important Manjari. Shall I call the doctor to check on you ?

Manjari: No, I m fine. It just happens sometimes but I m so sorry brother. Aadhi baked the cake for you but I destroyed it.

Aadhi: It wasn’t your fault sister in law so relax.

Wiping her tears Aadhi cleaned the cake from the floor and dumped it into the trash. A loud sob escaped her lips but she instantly controlled it and washed her face before she returned to the living.

Manjari: Aadhi, if it is ok with you shall I get the cake I bought for brother ?

Aadhi bobed her head and Manjari placed the cake on the table. She lit the candle and passed the knife to Rishi but grandpa stopped him from cutting the cake.

Grandpa: Rishi, this is your first birthday after your marriage so your wife deserves the first piece so Aadhi go stand next to Rishi and you will feed him first.

Aadhi gulped knowing Rishi would not like the idea but she couldn’t go against grandpa’s words so she stood next to Rishi who cut the cake and picked a bigger piece and fed her. Aadhi felt her heart flutter and a whole zoo in her tummy. She picked a small piece and fed him in return.

Grandpa: Good, now time for gifts. Aadhi what have you bought for Rishi ?

Aadhi rushed to their room and returned with the gifts. She opened the jewel box and showed the bracelet to Rishi.

Grandpa: Make him wear it Aadhi.

Aadhi hesitated knowing Rishi would hate if she did that so she passed the gift boxes to him but everyone insisted her to do it so Aadhi picked the bracelet and Rishi showed his wrist to her. Aadhi slowly clasped it around his wrist.

Aadhi: Aadhu and Rishu.

Rishi cleared his throat and retracted his hand mumbling thanks to her. Later everyone gave him gifts and especially Manjari gifted him diamond cuff links.  Aadhi served dinner to everyone and it was around midnight when everyone left from the penthouse.

She stepped into the kitchen to clean everything but stopped on hearing footsteps. She turned around and saw Rishi looking at her.

Rishi: Did I ask for you all these surprises ? You deliberately made plans and made me wear this bracelet infront of everyone because I rejected the one you gave last time. Am I right ?

Aadhi: No Rishu, I thought you will be happy to be wished by our family and about the bracelet, I thought you would be embarrased to wear a bead bracelet that is why I bought a gold one.

Rishi removed the bracelet and placed it on the counter before he walked out. Aadhi stood looking at the bracelet for a long a time. She cleaned the kitchen and returned to their room with the bracelet in her hand. She got changed into her night clothes and laid on the couch holding the bracelet in her hand. Rishi was facing the other side of the bed and she slept out of exhaustion.

The next morning Vimal got ready for office and Manjari entered the room to call him for breakfast.

Manjari: Vimal, I was waiting for you to join for breakfast. I m hungry, please come fast.

Vimal: I was waiting for you to come in search of me Manjari. I had been waiting since last night to talk with you but you slept the moment we returned home and from morning I couldn’t see you in our room. Are you hiding from me ?

Manjari: What nonsense ? Why will I hide from you ? Now tell me what is that you wanted to talk to me.

Vimal: Why do you hate Aadhi so much ?

Manjari: Vimal, if you are asking this question because of last night’s incident then I m so sorry but it was truly an accident. I really felt dizzy and bumped on to her for support. Why will I hate her Vimal ? Please stop accusing me.

Vimal: This is not the only occassion that I m asking you this question Manjari. I have watched you being hostile with her everytime we meet her.

Manjari: Once again we are fighting because of Aadhi.

Vimal: I never talk to you about her Manjari and today I couldn’t stop myself from confronting  you because you are hurting her visibly. She is younger than everyone of us. It is your responsibility to check if she is happy at her home with your brother but I don’t see any such thing happening.

Manjari started crying and this time Vimal walked out leaving her alone. He informed his mother that he had an urgent work and left home without having breakfast.

Aadhi arrived at college and saw Vimal standing by the entrance leaning on his car.

Aadhi: Bro, what are you doing here at this time ?

Vimal: I m so sorry Aadhi. Manjari shouldn’t have done that. I know how much effort you took to surprise Rishi but she spoiled everything.

Aadhi: Bro, stop blaming sister in law. What is her fault if she felt dizzy ? And you came here all the way out of guilt ? God, what would I do with you. I m absolutely fine bro. Did you say something to sister in law regarding this ?

Vimal: No, but I saw you cry in the kitchen Aadhi. Don’t invite me and Manjari to your home for any occassions. I can’t help your life in any way atleast I don’t want to ruin any chances of your happiness. I m sorry kiddo.

Vimal got in his car and drove away without waiting for her reply. Aadhi stood wiping her tears and Chaitra, Malini stood next to her on either side.

Malini: Why did your brother come here and why are you crying Aadhi ? Is everything fine ?

Chaitra: Did something happen at the party yesterday ? Did your crushy baby love your surprise?

Aadhi shook her head as no and explained everything happened last night. They sat in their place in the class room and Chaitra had her mouth open in shock on hearing everything.

Malini: Is your sister in law the typical one from the daily soaps ?

Aadhi: No, why would she ruin the cake on purpose. Why will I blame her when I m the unlucky one here.

Chaitra: Don’t get me wrong Aadhi. I m just imagining your life. A typical old fashioned parents, parents in law, an arrogant husband, a cunning sister in law. Oh my god, I would never survive a day in such an environment. How do you manage Aadhi ?

Aadhi: Rishu, he is the reason. I really don’t know how and why I fell in love with him. I don’t know why he couldn’t believe me and treat me as a friend atleast.

Manjari: Did you ever ask him if he wanted to be your friend ?

Aadhi: OMG, Maalu I never asked him. Do you think this would work out ?

Chaitra: Sure it would work for normal people but we can’t say the same to your crushy baby.

Aadhi: Let me try. I will buy a friend ship card and ask him to be my friend first.

She hified with them and started focusing on her classes badly waiting for the day to get over and execute her plan.