11.Blossoming spring Days

Neethu looked around her, but couldn't find anyone. She could sense that someone was standing behind her. She turned around to take a look, but no one was there. She grew scared.

Rahul and Mithila came to the spot after a few minutes.

"What are you doing here, Neethu? Have you talk to your guardian?"

"No... I couldn't find anyone. There was no guardian here to visit me. If my parents had come, they would inform me before itself," Neethu said, her eyes voicing her worry.

"Then, who was it? Don't worry, Neethu." Rahul sighed. He searched all around, but he didn't get the person who might have come to visit her.

"Don't get scared, Neethu," Rahul consoled.

"Okay," Neethu replied with a small smile.

"I thought of going home by afternoon but..." Rahul sighed.

"Okay, brother. I will take care. Please go home," Neethu said.

"Okay, Neethu," Rahul said before leaving.

She walked towards the Green Park. Her friends joined her.

Neethu's heart pounding faster at the moment because she could see Rithick sitting on the bench. She was not sure whether it was Rithick or a fictional resemblance of him.

She moved closer to him as she was sure that he was her Rithick. She stood speechless, with longing displayed in her eyes.



"Hey! I was waiting for you. How are you, Neethu?" Rithick asked.

The moment she heard his voice, tears rolled down her cheeks. She felt that her longing eyes had got the meaning at once she saw him. She was confused by her behaviour. Am I in love with him? she asked herself.

She tried to hide her tears in her smile and also the love she had for him. "Are you my guardian? Do you know how scared I was?"

"No, Neethu! It was just to give a surprise to you," Rithick explained.

"What surprise?" Neethu questioned, her eyebrows scrunched.

"Well, it's not a surprise for you then... maybe," Rithick said, his eyes downcast.

"It's a big surprise for me, Rithick..." Neethu sighed softly.

"Are you happy to see me?" he asked.

"Yup. I am really happy," she answered.

"0kay." Rithick grinned. "Take the seat, Neethu."

"Why did you say you were my guardian, Rithick?" Neethu asked.

I am going to be your husband in the near future. What's wrong in calling myself your guardian? the voice from his heart said. "Well, the staff didn't allow me to see you. So, I introduced myself as your guardian."

Neethu laughed in response.

"Why are you laughing? It's true, Neethu," Rithick said convincingly.

"Okay, Rithick. I trust you."

Rithick's phone rang. The screen flashed Rahul's picture.

"Rahul, come to Green park." He chuckled.

"Damn man, what are you doing there?" Rahul asked.

"I was waiting for you and Neethu. I thought you would come with her. Come here, Rahul, please," Rithick said.

Rithick and Neethu glanced at each other often When Rithick was gazing at her, she pretended to look away. When Neethu glanced at him, he spoke his heart out through his eyes. She was unable to have an eye contact with him for more than a few seconds.

A few minutes later, Rahul reached the spot.

Rithick hugged Rahul.

Rahul pushed him away and crossed his arms. "You can't melt me with your hugs. I asked you to take rest. Why have you come here?"

Rithick squeezed Rahul's shoulder, signalling Neethu was standing nearby.

"What? Why? What happened, Rithick?" she questioned.

"I have been caught red-handed," Rithick whispered to Rahul.

"No need to worry, Neethu. I am fine. Rahul is just teasing me." Rithick chuckled.

"Don't fool me, Rithick. I know something happened to you," she replied worriedly.

"I was suffering from a slight cold, Neethu madam. Now, I am okay," Rithick answered.

She thought that she was responsible for his state. "I am sorry, Rithick, because of me, you caught a cold. Hereafter, you shouldn't drench in rain," Neethu said.

"Okay, Neethu."

"Well, why did you both cheated me?" She raised her eyebrows.

"Cheat? We?" They both tried to laugh. Had Neethu come to know that they were from the same family? Or was it another matter.

"Am I joking? Why are you both laughing?" Neethu huffed.

"We are not aware. When have we cheated on you, Neethu?" Rithick asked.

"Today morning," she answered.

"The purchase matter, Rithick," Rahul murmured.

"Oh! That purchase matter?"

"Of course."

"Pardon us," they requested.

"Okay, this is your last excuse. If you both lie to me again, I won't speak with you," Neethu warned.

"Why? Stop it. Why are you saying such big words?" Rithick questioned.

"Okay, Rithick. These are true, not big words."

"See, we are so innocent. You have to forgive us whatever the matter is," Rithick said like a kid.

"That depends on the matter, Rithick," Neethu said.

Rithick and Rahul stood dumbstruck. They tried to appease Neethu.They decided to have lunch together. Rithick was in the middle. Neethu was on the right side and Rahul on the left. They were walking towards the nearby grassland.

"Neethu, I will ask a question. You should tell me the truth," Rithick said.

"Okay... Rithick." Neethu knitted her eyebrows.

"Did you ask my phone number to anyone?" Rithick asked. He wished to give his phone number to her.

Rahul and Neethu glanced at each other.

"Rahul brother, why did you tell him?" Neethu huffed.

"I didn't tell him anything, Neethu, I swear." Rahul raised his palms.

Rithick couldn't control his happiness by hearing the conversation between Neethu and Rahul. Rithick guessed that Neethu longed for him. He could see with his own eyes that she really longed for him so he guessed she might have asked his mobile number.

"It's fine, Neethu, I won't judge you. Calm down." Rithick chuckled and gave a half-smile to Rahul.

Rithick gave his number to Neethu. She noted it down with immense pleasure.

"Okay, Rithick. Thanks." Neethu smiled softly.

"You are welcome." Rithick smiled back. "I wish to invite you to my Mom's birthday party this Saturday. I will expect your presence there. Will you come, Neethu?"

"Sure. I will come but I want to inform about it to my parents,  Rithick," Neethu said.

"Okay Neethu Don't forget to ping me," he reminded her.

"Okay sure. I will inform you, Rithick."

"It's almost time, Neethu, I have already got three missed calls from home. We are going to purchase the items today. Hey, Rahul, are you coming?" he teased Rahul.

Rahul smiled mischievously and said, "I will reply later."

They said goodbye to Neethu.

"Don't forget to ping me, Neethu," Rithick said once again.

Neethu laughed at Rithick. "Sure." She waved at him before walking away.

**********

At Rithick's guest house

"Mom should not be aware about the plan of her birthday party," Rithick said to Rahul and Riya.

"At 12.00 AM, we will start celebrating," Riya said excitedly.

"Of course, Riya." Rithick grinned.

"Why are you looking at your phone, Rithick anna? Are you expecting someone's call?" Riya asked innocently.

"Good question, Riya," Rahul said in her support.

Rithick gave a gentle punch to Rahul. They smiled.

"Something is there in your smile." Riya giggled.

"It's nothing, Riya," they said simultaneously.

"I don't believe you." She sighed.

"Okay! Cool down, baby. You will find out very soon. I think your Rithick anna is feeling shy to say it," Rahul replied.

A few seconds later, Rithick's phone got a message alert.

Rithick noticed it was a new number. He rushed to open the message.

Riya pulled the phone away from Rithick.

"Riya! Give my phone, please." He groaned.

"Let me see. What is going on, Rithick anna?" She chuckled.

"Riya, don't fool around, give him his phone," Rahul said.

"Nope," she said.

She opened the message and read it.

Hai Rithick

Rithick jumped out of happiness. Riya was seeing the magical expression on Rithick's face for the first time. She could guess this message was from her Neethu Anni (sister-in-law).

To confirm, she replied, Who is this?

New message in Rithick's inbox:

I'm your God

Riya read the message and they burst out with laughter. Rithick was confirmed that it was his innocent and bubbly Neethu.

Rithick noticed that Rahul and Riya were still laughing.



"Hey, that's enough. Stop it, stop laughing." They couldn't control their laughter by seeing Rithick's reaction.

Rithick tried to pull his phone from Riya's hands. He tried to get his phone from Riya but failed even after several tries. A few seconds later, Riya gave him his phone.

"Enjoy Rithick anna," Riya said teasing him.

Rithick smiled. He glanced at Rahul, who wiggled his eyebrows.

Rithick was texting a girl for the first time. Rahul and Riya couldn't believe their own eyes. They felt boundless happiness for their brother, Rithick.

Rithick replied to her text: Who is this God? I am not aware. He started teasing Neethu. His heart was filled with immense happiness.

Neethu texted: Guess, Rithick. Tubelight.

Rithick opened the message, "What Tubelight?" he read out. They burst out laughing.

"Tubelight. That's a very cute name, Rithick anna," Riya said.

"That's true, Rithick," Rahul said, grinning from ear to ear.

"You are calling me a Tubelight. See what the tubelight is going to do," Rithick said.

Rithick texted, Are you Geethu?

Neethu opened the message. "Geethu? She is my sister. Dammit, Rithick," she said to herself. She texted: No, Rithick.

Rithick: Sorry. I have guessed by now. You are so special to me, right?

Neethu texted excitedly: Yup! I think so, Rithick. Tell me, who am I?

Rithick: You are my dearest Seethu. Yay! I got you.

Neethu got tensed and she murmured to herself, "Rithick is not a good fellow. He must have given his mobile number to many girls. What is he thinking in his mind? Maybe he is thinking of himself as a handsome king."

Neethu: No, Rithick!

Rithick: It's okay, Sweety. You are my Neethu. See, I have only changed the first letter of the name and called you Geethu and Seethu. Can't you guess that I am teasing you my innocent girl?

Neethu felt happy to see his text with the words, Sweety, and my Neethu.

Neethu: Hello, Mr. Rithick. Don't take advantage. My name is Neethu not Sweety.

Rithick pouted and replied: Okay, Neethu Madam.

Neethu laughed by seeing his message. Rithick, how are the birthday party arrangements going on?

Rithick: Not yet started, Neethu. Do you have any idea for a surprise birthday party?

Neethu: Don't worry, Rithick. I will help you. The good time to give surprise is at midnight.

Rithick: Yes, Neethu. Suggest any ideas. When are you coming?

Neethu: Back in my home town, we have enjoyed a lot of birthdays. Okay, we shall give a surprise together. I have lot of plans, Rithick. I will come by today evening, okay?

Rithick didn't expect Neethu's response. What? Today evening?

Neethu : Yup. Today midnight, we will give your mom a surprise party, Rithick.

Rithick, Rahul, and Riya were shocked. They blinked at each other because they hadn't informed about the arrival of Neethu to their family members.

"Rithick anna... what should we do now?" Riya asked as she tapped her nails on the table.

"I thought Neethu will be coming by tomorrow morning. I am totally blank, how should I reply, Rahul?" Rithick asked.

Rahul laughed at Rithick. "Aunt will get bigger surprise to see her daughter-in-law than her birthday party."

"That's true, Rahul anna. Even I can't believe it yet. A girl in Rithick anna's life... it's like the eighth wonder of the world," Riya said.

"Both of you stop teasing me." Rithick groaned. "Tell me, what should I type? She is waiting."

"Tell her okay, please Rithick anna. We can enjoy together. I wish to see her. We shall inform our family later," Riya requested.

Rithick glanced at Rahul, who nodded his approval.

Rithick texted back: Okay, Neethu. How will you inform in the hostel? Any issues there?

Neethu: No restrictions in the hostel, Rithick.

Rithick: Are you sure? If not, I will inform them.

Neethu: Yup, Rithick. No issues.

Rithick: Okay, Neethu, let me come to pick you up.

Neethu: No, Rithick. You tell me the place, I will come there.

Rithick: No, I know about you. You are just saying that you will come alone.

"Rithick Anna, tell her that Riya will come to pick her up, please anna."

"When did you grow up?" Rithick and Rahul teased her.

"Rithick Anna, please. If a girl picks her up, then no one will doubt Neethu anni," she said.

"Wow! Good brother. Good sister. My hearty appreciation for your unity," Rahul teased.

Riya glanced at Rahul. She paused for a second and crossed her arms against her chest. "Hello, Rithick and Rahul, listen to me, boys. No one can help you people except me."

"What?" her brothers asked. They enjoyed that their sister was calling them by their names.

"I will go to pick up Neethu anni so that our family members won't get doubtful. How is my idea?" Riya said.

"Great. I like your plan," Rahul said.

Rithick felt happy to have such wonderful cousins in his life. He embraced Rahul and Riya with extreme happiness. He was damn sure that she was scared to come alone.

Rithick: Neethu, Riya will come to pick you up.

"Thank you so much, Rithick anna." Riya hugged Rithick.

Neethu: Riya? Rahul's sister, right? Wow! I am excited to see her.

"Me too, Neethu anni," Riya yelled.

Rithick : She will come there by 5.30 p.m. Be ready. I will inform you if there are any changes in our plan. Take care. Bye.

Neethu: Okay, Rithick. Take care.

"What to do now? I feel completely blank, Rahul. I can't lie to my mom," said Rithick.

"Wait, Rithick. Let us think about what to do next," Rahul said.

"I am going to talk to mom about Neethu but..."

"What happened, Rithick anna?" Riya asked.

"If mom didn't accept her, I wouldn't be able to tolerate that, it will kill me. Also, how will she allow me to stay and have fun with a girl at midnight," Rithick sounded worried.

****