The sun was shining brightly when Mala awakened the next morning. Seeing the clock showing 11 A.M she was surprised. Having a bath as she came out she saw a note struck on the fridge informing her son was out to receive Rashmi who was arriving by afternoon flight.
Unable to believe his words she rang him on his cell.
Adithya was thrilled when his cell rang. Knowing who it was 'how are you Mom?' he asked.
'I am fine but where are you?' she asked.
'I am on my way to the Airport to pick up Rashmi' he replied.
'How sweet of you' she said.
'It's because of you I have asked her to come' he said.
'That is really very thoughtful of you' she replied.
'I am looking forward to reach home soon Mom' he said.
'Why don't you have to go office?' she asked.
'Have applied leave Mom' he said.
'What for?' she asked.
'I want to be close to my Mom' he replied.
'Why, Why do you want to be close to your mother?' she asked
'I want to kiss her' he said softly.
'You want to kiss me, what if your wife sees?' she asked.
'What's wrong is kissing? Can I not kiss my mother?' he asked enthusiastically.
'Yes you can only kiss your mother and nothing else, have you thought of it?' she asked.
'No I have not thought of it' he replied suddenly loosing his enthusiasm.
'Why what happened?' she asked and feeling him go silent 'come soon I am waiting' she said to cheer him up.
'Yes Mom I will' he replied.
'But don't forget to pick Rashmi' saying it she put down the phone.
Adithya was thrilled when he heard the last sentence. Thinking about her he drove to the airport.
It was around 4 P.M when Mala finally heard the bell ring. Getting up from the couch she cautiously moved to the door and taking a deep breath when she opened the door she was delighted to see a smiling Rashmi.
Hugging her daughter-in-law she gave her a rousing welcome and moving indoors she casually enquired as to how she was and how they had missed her.
Adithya joined them and they all sat for the evening tea. It was while they were having tea that Adithya started eyeing his mother. Sitting opposite he was keenly observing his mother waiting for her to make the move.
It was not long before she started the conversation. 'I think I unnecessarily made you come back' she said looking at Rashmi.
'No Ma even I had planned so' she said looking at her husband.
'Yes I think he missed you' she said looking at Adithya.
'Why would I miss her?' replied Adithya teasing his wife.
'As if you did not' shot his mother and looking at Rashmi she said 'I had a tough time yesterday.'
'Why what did he do?' asked Rashmi smilingly.
'Ask what he did not do' she said and looking at shocked Adithya 'he was kind enough to buy me a sari' she said softly.
'How nice of him' replied Rashmi.
'Why don't you wear that sari Mom?' said Adithya feeling reassured.
'No not that' saying it she stopped and looking at Rashmi 'why don't we ask Rashmi to wear it' said his mother.
'No Ma as he has brought it for you wear it' replied Rashmi casually.
'Rashmi you don't know how translucent it is' she said.
'So what wear it Mom' insisted Adithya.
Seeing her husband insisting 'wear it Ma' added Rashmi.
'Well if you both want me to' saying this she went to the room. Once inside she hurriedly undressed and putting on Rashmi's bra and other inner wears she draped the pink sari on and looking at her reflection and on being satisfied she slowly walked out of the room.
Adithya was enchanted when he saw his mother appear wearing the pink sari. She looked gorgeous in the fading light and when she came closer Rashmi took a deep breath as she felt it was too flashy a sari to wear in front of her son.
Getting up from the couch Adithya moved towards his mother and slipping an arm around her waist 'does it not look great on her' he asked Rashmi.
'Yes it does' replied Rashmi though she thought it was showing off all her curves.
'Don't you think I am a bit old to wear such a sari?' asked his mother.
'Who said you are old Mom. You can even wear saris which Rashmi does' saying it he tightened his hold on her waist.
'What kind of saris does she wear?' asked his mother.
'Some of them are very flashy' he replied.
'No Ma he is telling a lie' replied Rashmi shyly.
'Why what's wrong in you wearing them? You are still a bride' said his mother.
'Eight months have passed since we got married Ma' she said.
'So what?' she said.
'Why don't you change into something else' intercepted Adithya his hands firmly lodged on his mother's waist.
'What are you talking of Adi?' said his wife shyly.
'Wear the sari which you bought recently' he said.
'No Adi, how can I wear it in front of Ma what would she say' she said softly.
'What would I say? If your husband wants you to, then wear it' said Mala hugging her son.
Seeing her mother-in-law hug her son Rashmi got excited and as she got up she heard her husband say 'wear that matching blouse too.'