“So Dinu, have you proposed to Thulasi already? What did she say? I hope it’s a yes, otherwise you will not be this very happy…”
“Oh no mom, I haven’t proposed to her yet… But I will talk to her soon… You know mom, today I went to her boutique to share the news about this Kumar and there I met a person named Kumar…”
Dinkaran shared the conversation that happened in the boutique and his chat with Saradha at home.
“Oh! What a stupid family!”
“Yes, it’s good that they are stupid!” said Dinakaran with a beaming smile.
Seetha looked at her son and said,
“Just like how you were till few days back right Dinu?” in a teasing tone.
Again a boyish smile appeared in Dinakaran’s face and Seetha thoroughly enjoyed it.
“Dinu, we shouldn’t postpone good things. Do you want to talk to Thulasi or do you want her mother or me to handle this?”
“I will talk to her mom… “
“Good! Do it fast…”
“Ok mom…”
“Hmmm… Look at you… All Thulasi-phobia! I can’t remember the last time, when my son accepted my advice without any opposition…”
“Ha ha ha… This phobia started with you only mom…”
“In a way yes, but we should also give credit to your Abi Chithi for this…” said Seetha with smile.
“In that case we should give credit to Kavya and Krishna also…” said Dinakaran with a wink!
Thulasi shared the news about Kumar to her sister and mother. As she had expected, both of them showed surprise but were not overjoyed by the news.
“I hope this has happened five years back” said Saradha with a sigh.
“No amma, the last five years has taught us a lot… If only appa is with us now, it would have been perfect… I don’t think I am really happy to get this money back but it will help us to go ahead with Kavya’s marriage…” said Thulasi.
“True Thulasi! But how can I say things are perfect when you are like this… “
Thulasi didn’t say anything.
“Thulasi, don’t hesitate… do you like someone? If so tell me… I will not say no… If not, just say a yes and I will take care of everything…”
Dinakaran’s smiling face appeared before Thulasi for a few seconds… She hesitated but said,
“Pleas amma, let’s not start this topic now…”
And to change the subject, she turned towards her sister and said,
“Hey Kavy, what happened why are you so quiet today?
“No akka, I am wondering about DK sir…”
“What is there to wonder?”
“Why is he doing all this for us? None of our relatives were willing to help us… Even the police men didn’t show any interest in solving the case… But then why DK sir should do this for us? What’s the reason behind this?”
Kavya asked the questions looking at Thulasi. Saradha also looked at her elder daughter. Thulasi was startled but she tried hard to keep her face and voice emotionless and said,
“May be because of pity…”
“Hmmm… In that case he should have offered to help us directly by say helping financially for my marriage etc… But why should he arrange for a private detective to find out this Kumar, pin him down and negotiate with him for us?”
“I…. don’t know… “
“I think I know it Thulasi…” said Kavya.
“What?”
“Hmm… Instead of asking this question to me, think and find out the answer yourself Thulasi…”
Saradha looked at her younger daughter appreciatively. But she didn’t say anything. She knew that Thulasi is intelligent enough to think for herself.
Thulasi struggled to get sleep that day… While Kavya’s reply to her question made her raise her eyebrow, Dinakaran’s gaze continued to haunt her… She had no doubt that she loved him, but something was stopping her to admit it… Is it because the way he treated her during their first two meetings? Or is it because he is too rich? Or is it because he is so… sweet? A smile appeared in her face…
The next day, Thulasi was in very good mood the whole day. When Uma asked her to hand over the monthly financial documents to Seetha, she readily accepted much to the surprise of her friend. Since she was busy the whole day, Thulasi reached Seetha’s house in the evening. As always she admired the garden… The bright red rose, reminded her of the couple of occasions when she met Dinakaran in the garden…
She reached the front door and was surprised to see that open… She hesitated for a while and decided to enter the house… As she crossed the reception and entered the living room, the scene she witnessed shocked her…
There was a girl may be in her late twenties, hugging Dinakaran and kissing him in his cheek… And shockingly Dinakaran’s face also had a broad grin!
To be continued...