12. In Search of Love - Sandhya
Pooja’s impulse reaction was to go and meet her brother! She didn’t care or think about anything else!
Prabakar has stayed away from her for the past two years.
She rushed to the living room and was very happy to see Prabakar, Pallavi and Akshita.
Pallavi didn’t even wait for a second! She got up and came almost running to Pooja and hugged her. Happy tears appeared in both of their eyes.
“Pooja, you have become very thin? I am… I am very glad to see you…” stuttered Pallavi.
Pooja was not even able to utter a single word. She was absolutely awestruck.
Pallavi turned and called Akshita,
“Akshu come here, this is Pooja aunty you remember?”
Akshita shook her head hesitantly.
“How can she remember me? She was a small baby then! You have grown up Akshu. You have become tall”
Akshita’s face lit up! She likes when people say she is tall. She gave a cute smile.
“I do remember you” she said in a baby tone.
“Really?”
“Yes I have seen you in photos with my mom and dad”
“Oh I see! You are a good observer! ”
“Thanks” said Akshita with a shy smile.
“She is so much like you sis!” said Pooja adoring her niece.
“How are you Pooja?”
Prabakar’s voice had some difference. Pooja looked at him.
She could see that he is also emotional.
“I am good Praba! How are you?”
“Good!” said Prabakar still in a broken voice.
“Have you really forgiven me?”
“You are my baby sister. How can I…”
Even before Prabakar could finish his sentence Pooja hugged her dear brother and started sobbing.
Prabakar tried hard to control himself but still few tear drops fell from his eyes too.
Kannan, Gayathri and Kalai quietly watched the emotional drama unfolding in front of them.
It took few more minutes for Prabakar and Pooja to compose themselves.
Suddenly Akshita started giggling loudly. Everyone looked at her with surprise.
“What happened Akshu?”
“Mom, dad said only bad kids cry and see now who is crying! He he he!”
A simple smile is contagious! A kid’s smile is absolutely endearing!
As if to prove that ‘it takes just one small smile to stop one thousand tears’, Akshu’s innocent giggle changed the whole situation. A simple smile can do wonders!
Suddenly everyone had smile in their face and it became a happy re-union!
Kalaiselvi is a smart girl and she realized the importance of diverting everyone before they re-start the topic about Pooja.
“You three please get freshen up. I will ask our cook to prepare special lunch for us. After lunch let us all go out and have some fun. Let us make this day a very special one”
“That’s a great idea!” shouted Pooja out of joy.
“If Pooja likes it, I am in” said Pallavi.
One by one everyone accepted to Kalai’s plan.