Epsiode 1: The News

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_____ January 1, 2018 _____

PART - I

- rajani -
(- POV -)

''La La La La La..."
I hated interruption while singing my favourite tune, but then, my boy is more important.
"Mom! I'm back. I need ice tea right now!"

Obviously! I've been looking after you for 18 years now boy, I know that part quite welL. "Coming right away!"

"So, what happened?"

"WE WON! Today's match was the best one in a long time!"

"Oh! That's awesome! However you had to win today! After losing five matches continuously, today you had to prove 'em." 

"Oh! Please Mom! We couldn't win the last five matches because two of our best players were not in town. You know that! Anyways, we win or they win, we celebrate one's defeat and the other's success together. They know that we don't have the experience that they have."

The same reasons. Ugh! "Ya right! Because my darling! You are kids and they know that, too! Might just be 2-4 years of difference, but still, you're kids!" I loved doing this to him. He always had this irritated look when he was called a kid.

"What the hell Mom! We're seventeen and eighteen year olds, okay? S-E-V-E-N-T-E-E-N and E-I-G-H-T-E-E-N! Not kids! Stop telling that every time! And FYI, they are graduates. Like a whole lot of Five years elder! That matters okay?"

"Come on baby boy, it doesn't! You aren't writing your final exam here that you see which class they are and what the age difference is. It's just a simple game! And there are no age limits and shits like that in a game. Its only two things! You are good, or you aren't! They know that and they kinda like it, that you lose. 'Cause no matter how weak they are, they know that their opponent is weaker! BINGO! What else do they need? Just feel good every day after letting the best players in the ground lose a match just because those players see age difference, not capacity!" Duh!

"Ummm... What's gotten into you today mom? You are speaking quite well. I mean, not like all of it is proper, but still, a part of it. Thanks for telling it to me so late!" he always had a cute smile, but this one had sarcasm too.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever! Now you go and have a hot shower while I prepare some Sandwiches for you. And play for yourself next time!"

"Okay boss! Right away."

I know he hated the conversation! Made him feel useless. He loves Basketball. Anyone ever tells him anything about it, he loses it. But with me it was different. He always took whatever I said positively, at least I think so. And I hated telling him he was wrong. But when I held him in my hands for the first time, I had promised myself to make him an independent boy. I have to hurt his ego at times for that. And that hurt me too. But.. Oh god! I forgot to tell him the news!

"Avi! Come here. I've got a news for you. Fast!"

"One sec mom!" he screamed, and came back sliding in the stairs, from his room. I always wondered how he hears me from the first floor corner-most room, that too with a shut door. Huh!

"What's it mom? Wait, first of all you tell me where is Nick? Else he'll be the first one to ask me if we won the match or not, that mocking idiot! And he isn't even picking his phone? Where in the world is he?"

"He has gone out with his friend for the Movie premiere."

"Without me? How's that even... Oh wait! Yeah, he told me about it yesterday! Anyways chuck him. You tell me why you called me."

"I've got some news for yaaaaaa..." I usually don't, but then right now I was giving him one of my super excited look.

He was blank. "Okay Mom, I know you are still a 16 year old, you needn't show it. What's the news by the way?"

"Manvika is coming here!" 

Now that, as I knew, gave him a small shock. He looked at me without blinking his eyelids.
"But how come, suddenly? After all these years? And hold on. Now everything's all right between you both? And what about her family? They're okay with this?"

"I know it's quite shocking for you. But the truth is I and Manvi had solved out all the misunderstandings a year ago. But she told me to keep it a secret, as she didn't want her husband's family to make another issue out of it. But now they are pretty good. They've realized her importance."

"So now she's coming after all these years to pay a visit?"

"She isn't coming for a visit, she's coming for settling dear." I gave one of my wide huge smiles.

"What? You mean here, in Mangalore? B- But why?" he was kind of happy, kind of shocked, kind of confused, all together!

"Yes! You know for Kukku's higher studies. Now don't tell me you don't remember her."

"Yes, I do. She's supposed to be of my age right?" Well obviously he remembers her! They were so cute together.

"Yes! And don't you worry, she's gonna be in your college and if luck plays well, she might be in your class too!"

"What? Are you serious?" He sat up straight. How I loved when this boy acted like a 10 year old.

"Yes dear. Actually Kukku wanted to do her higher studies here, in KITES. And it was a chance for Manvi also to come here. So, after everyone's permission in her family, she's coming to stay here, with her Husband and Kukku."

"Oh! So they're coming here for settling. Great! But where are they going to stay and all? I mean, none of their relatives stay here right? Their place is like two-and-a-half-hours far. She's gonna travel every day? That's insane!"

"Of course not! She's going to stay here with us." And you should've seen his expression! Gold!

"What? With us? You serious?" never so excited before.

"Of course! Don't you know, I don't joke?"

"Yes, I do know. But still, what about Kukku's dad? Did he agree for that?"

"Yes, he did. He had no other choice. Daughter first. However it's just for a week. They have booked an Apartment in The Lantern House, the building that finishes work just lst month. And once they come here, they'll need a week to complete all the transactions related to it and then shift. Until then they are going to stay here. A week it is. Well, it's going to be so good to be with Manvi for quite a long time, after quite a long time. And good for both of you too. You can refresh some of your really cute baby memories and stuffs like that." I remembered all those baby days, with that 'Aww, how cute is this' smile on my face which he clearly didn't like.

"Ya! It'll be good, I mean, good for you." He gave that incomplete 'Avi' smile.

"And not for you? Now don't tell me you don't remember how you used to be with Kukku, ten years back. I mean you were made for each other then." I knew hated whenever I teased him with anyone!

"What the hell Mom! It's been 10 years! So many things have changed in these ten years. We were kids then. Now we aren't! Who knows how she is now. And who knows if she remembers me or not. Things were different then Mrs. Rajani Chowta! May be it's the same for you and Manvi Aunty, but it is not and it cannot be the same for us! I mean someone who was your quite good friend in childhood may not be the same after ten years. College is different mom. I mean, my friends of PU will forever be the same with each other, I guess. Like, see you and Maximum, I mean, even after 25 years you are the same. Friends forever... But it can't be the same between me and Kukku. Childhood was different, no responsibilities, no tension, no pressure for ranks, no worries, no puberty! Only fun and happiness was filled within us. But now, in the just above mentioned, you remove the no's, and that's what makes our life. She is coming here for studying Mom, but ten years ago, she came to visit, for a holiday. And the main thing, we are not made for each other! You get that?" he said, with a look, one of them cold ones. Ooh! This boy is growing up to a man.

"Oh my God, will you chill for a moment, Hon! I know time has changed now, but I'm sure she hasn't forgotten you. You had some of the best memories of your life in your childhood, remember? How can anyone ever forget that?" I knew she didn't, Manvi told me that!

"Hmm. Let's see. However she's coming soon. You'll know yourself what I'm trying to tell you. By the way, Mom, is Kukku even her name? Like real name? Of course it's not. What's it?"

"I don't know. Now, you should guess that boy. Even Manvi said that she is not gonna tell your name to Kukku. You guys have to find each other in the college itself." This was Mr. Anthriksh Rai's idea, Kukku's Dad's.

"What? Do you guys even know that this is University mom? And in the college you expect us to go around fetching one other? What do you think of us? Still 7? This is pure nonsense! I'm not interested in her name, nor her. You keep it to yourself! This isn't a Bollywood movie for God's sake! I'm going back to my room... " he stopped half the way. "By the way, does Nick know that she's coming?"

"Yes indeed baby. He knew it first after me. He was equally excited. And yes, how can I forget that you are in University? You keep telling it to me all the time. But you know child, some things are good the kids' way itself, don't you think? Well, if u aren't interested in doing this small task then it's absolutely fine! You'll anyways meet her at home that day."

"That's better."

My cute little boy, I know you very very well. You definitely can't stay without knowing who she is. After all, you're childhood had a part of her, one of the best part. So, once you meet her, definitely there will be butterflies there, if not a whole garden full of, but at least, a handful of! Oh! I have so much of work to do. Only 3 more days until Manvi's here. Eeeeee!!

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