Swathi came back after a week . Her grandmother was convalescing and it was rather inconvenient to care for two people , so Kripa thought it was better for her to stay home .

“I was comfortable there . But Kripa insisted I come back here .”, she confided to Ammu , with her eyes shaded darker with pain . “It is not so bad over here either , is it ?”, Ammu tried to cheer her up . “No , No , only you have to do so much more .”, she sighed as she leaned back onto the sofa .

“How would you like to walk in the lawns bare foot every morning , just as the Sun is coming up ?”, Ammu asked her . “Ah, that will be very nice . Yes , I think that is what I will do , come , let us go hear the koel , as it sings . Where is our Hero ?”, she asked .

“He is grown up and asserting his freedom . He knows the time we will feed him , so he is on the mango tree , at that time , other wise he is king of this land goes about flaunting his free status as he trots around the earth I guess .”, Ammu laughed and Swathi laughed with her .

Meenakshi came out and sat with them in the lawns . “Swathi , sometimes we have to flow with the tide . If your gramdmother needs constant attention , it is better you do not trouble your mother further . They stay in the next lane . You can go visit them a ten times a day if you want , but ….”, she found it difficult to go on .

“Yes , Amma , I understand !” , Swathi said as she tried to swallow her tears .

“Ammu , go get the vegetables ready , I will come and cook . You two can go on a walk.” , she said and Ammu went into the kitchen .

It was very hot next to the stove . She was feeling flustered and the heat made her giddy . She held the kitchen counter as the world reeled around her . After a few seconds , she was alright and went on to finish the cooking . Meenakshi came into the kitchen to find the rice cooker hissing , and the poriyal , pacchadi and rasam were already in the serving bowls .

“Why did you do all the cooking ?”, she asked her . “It is such an easy meal , Attah , does it really matter ? Swathi needs your moral support .” , she answered with a smile . As she went up the stairs she held onto the railing and somehow made it to the room . She fell onto the bed with a great deal of relief and sighed as a cold blast of breeze from the window hit her .

She was asleep when Jaya came home , and he looked at her anxiously . It was not like her to sleep or laze around . He shook her awake . She smiled , “Goomoning , beast .”, she smiled and he smiled back . “ Evening rascal it is evening , your man is back from a hard day’s work only to find you lazing away . “, he grinned as he shook her braid , and added , “I am going to be free this weekend , anywhere you want to go ?” , he asked . She shook her head . “Why ? Shall we go to Ooty ?’ , he asked her . “No , been there last time .”, she pouted . “This time round it will be a different place and a different kind of holiday , just say Yes .”, he asked her as he smiled, but his eyes were serious . “Do you miss me ?”., she asked him . “Yes !”, he said as he bent his head and kissed her lightly on her lips . She blushed as she ran downstairs like a little child .

He looked at her photograph in his wallet , the one he had clicked in a cousin’s marriage many years ago , and held it close to his self , hoping that the holiday would cheer her up.

“I want to see you smiling always, you are the one on whom all my dreams are founded on .” , he spoke to her in the photograph and put his wallet away .

“Appa , we will be going to Ooty , for the weekend , we will start on Friday afternoon .” , he informed Ishwar . “But you had been there only last month .”, Ishwar looked at him .

“Yeah , it has been a hectic week both at the office and at home , I need to get away for sometime .”, Jaya looked at his father and smiled his mirthless smile . “But Amma wanted to visit Margu and bring her over for a day or two .”, Ishwar mumbled . “Okay , no problem , we can go and bring her home anytime next week , Appa , please , I need this break Appa .” , Jaya answered and got up . “Okay then , if you have already decided , we will do as per your plan .”, Ishwar grumbled . “Sorry Appa , sometimes things get too hectic to cope . I hope you understand .”, Jaya said as he walked towards the stairs .

Ishwar looked at his son and tried to sort out his thoughts .