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I know I am too late. I don't feel good to apologize every time for being late. Anyways, here you go with your next chap..

Note: I have discussed and described only my place in Kerala- since I can do that easily and know it best. Don't think I ignored other places in Kerala. The state from top to bottom is the epitome of beauty. Lets enjoy a fragment of it.

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The journey from Cochin to Thrissur was filled with laughters and banters all along. Everybody soon gelled up with each other. 

Nimmi: Karthi.. My family..

Karthi: Everyone except you knows everything sweetheart.

Nimmi(smiled): Haaye Karthi! You do this much for me- How many awesome surprises are awaiting your wife someday, I can't even imagine. She would be the luckiest! You are the best!

Aditi looked at Nimmi stunned by the coincidence of their words while Karthi continued driving with a smile on his face. How ironic is that! He is in love with the same girl who exclaims at the fortune of his to-be-someday wife. Aditi was startled by the extent to which she could connect with this chirpy bubbly easily mingling natured girl. So similar- yet so different. Zain blinked his eyes assuringly and squeezed her sweating palms in his right hand. 

Karthi: Okay guys. We are home! Come come!... Aunty! We have come.

Aditi pushed open the door and stepped down the van inhaling the soothing peaceful natural smell emanating from the surroundings. She walked a step forward to the pretty garden set up in front of the two storeyed building that stood there painted in peach pink and white windows. The roofs of the house were in deep green shade with the wall lamps being lit up as if awaiting their arrival. She glanced at the flowers beaming happily from the shrubs that she had never seen before. As she walked through the pathway, she saw a big coconut tree bearing bunches of coconuts, banana tree with ripe yellow bananas and a huge mango tree swaying its head with a treasury of mangoes on it. She was about to walk further when she heard chatters from her behind.

Zain: Mashah Allah! What a beauty...

Poonam: Absolutely Zain. How serene and soothing is the atmosphere here. I have fallen in love at first sight. Addu.. Where are you walking to?

Aditi(soon turned around and walked back): There are so many trees there. With fruits too. I mean I have just seen it in photos. 

"You can see them peacefully tomorrow my child. Come in. You must be tired."

All of them looked up to the doorstep of the house to find an elderly lady in her late 40s welcoming them all with a smile as genuine as to melt a stone. She was clad in a simple Saree, wearing a small gold stud and a gold chain which is supposedly her wedding chain. She wore a slight pinch of vermilion in her forehead with neatly combed curly hair. She had tucked in the pallu of her saree in to her waist. 

Nimmi: Amma! Entha dress marathe? (Mumma. Why have you not changed?)

Aunty: Korch late aayipoyi. Appo food oke orukkan ninnatha. Ini venam poyi kulikkan (I came a little late. Since then, I was arranging the food and all. Now I have to go and take bath.)

The gang stood there speechless when Karthi also joined the conversation while helping them carry their luggage. Aunty suddenly realised the awkwardness they had created and broke into laughter followed by the entire gang.

Aunty: Hello baccho! I am Anitha. Sorry. We didn't think of your language issue. Okay Karthi Nimmi, no Malayalam in this house till they are here. Talk in English or Hindi.

Karthi+Nimmi: Yes Boss! 

Anitha Aunty was a darling. She took them inside and showed them the house while Karthi took their luggage upstairs. The house was adorably homely- courtesy the small photo frames of the family and, a little showcase with all the trophies and show pieces. A high arch led to the dining hall with a big rectangular glass table neatly arranged with cutlery. Everyone slumped on the chairs heaving a sigh of relief and slowly introduced every one of them. Within seconds, they were laughing like hell. 

Sanjay: Acha. Ye batao Aunty. Aap bhi hum sabko jaanthe ho? Sorry.. I mean you know every one of us?

Aunty: Oye! I know Hindi. Its just that I can't speak fluently. I can very well understand. No issues.

Jahaan: Aiwah! You are a rockstar!

Karthi(came down the stairs and hugged Aunty from behind): You idiots. Dare if you steal her from me.

Gautam: There are complete chances bro. 

Aunty(chuckling): Coming to your question Sanju, No. I didn't know all of you but Karthi had explained everything before itself. So now, I know all of you. And yea, I know you Sanju. I watch Kundali Bhagya. Same way, I know the Naamkarann cast too. Yeah. Abhilash is the new addition. 

Abhi: But I am the most obedient baccha you will ever get!

Everyone guffawed into laughters. Aunty also mentioned about the absolute craziness of Nimmi when it comes to Zain. She got them fresh salt lime and ordered to finish it in a go mentioning about the tiredness factor. She guided them showing each of them their room. A big wooden swing was hung in the hall upstairs grabbing everyone's attention. Aunty mentioned about removing the swing because of space issues -  after all she was going to accommodate all these people. A cute room with one wall painted dark pink, with a window opening to the east was given to Poonam and Sanjay. She mentioned about the sun rays falling directly into the room making every morning special. Next, she marched towards a bigger room with two beds joined together for Jahaan, Gautam and Abhilash. The room had two sets of windows with cream curtains clad on them.

Aunty: Only this room has AC. Sorry. I took one bed out from this room. This is our master bedroom and  I thought of giving one bed to Nimmi. So, I put that bed in place of that swing after removing it. Do you need three separate beds?

Gautam: Of course not! In fact I would suggest you to sleep in the room while we can sleep on mattresses in the hall. 

Aunty: No ways baccha! You are our guest. How can I make you sleep on the floor? And don't worry Nimmi can very well sleep here in the hall upstairs if I put that bed here.

Jahaan: Alone?

Aunty: Karthi will be there right. 

Abhi: What!!!?

Aunty: Haha! Don't be so shocked. One mattress and one bed is there. They can sleep on each of them but in the same hall. This is a home built on trust. Relax.

All of them blinked away their shock at this turn of events. Lastly, Aunty gave a spacious pleasant room to Aditi and Zain with two big set of windows. She mentioned about the room being always dimly lit with some or other lights from the streets. She asked Aditi open the right windows and when she did- OMG! Bunches of mangoes hung there right at her arm's distance earning a huge gasp from her. 

Zain: MANGOES!!!

Aunty: You mango lovers have been given this room! Happy?

Zain hugged her tightly mumbling 'You are awesome' in her ears. Aditi smiled thankfully at her while she moved on showing around the place with a smile. She also showed the pooja ghar of the house situated next to a breathtaking balcony giving the view of the road ahead and the garden below. 

Aditi: We have not freshened up Aunty.

Aunty: Its okay! Freshness and purity are for souls and thoughts- not for body.

Everyone got into the small pooja room where a beautifull statue of Lord Krishna stood as well as some other photos while the lamp lights added to the serenity of the room.

Aunty: Nimmi practices music here in front of this room.

Jahaan: Oh my! She is a singer?

Karthi(came from behind): Yes she is!Aunty she has freshened up. I will just go home and come back soon. By that time, you guys freshen up. We will meet during dinner.

Suddenly his eyes fell on Zain who was standing outside the pooja room silently.

Karthi: Why are you standing outside?

Zain(gave a small smile): How can I enter?

Karthi: What do you mean by that? Why can't you enter?

Aunty came outside followed by everyone. She smiled at Zain and asked him to go inside. When he stood there looking at her in shock, she held his hand sternly and led him inside. He went in awe at the serenity the place offered blended with the scent of those incense sticks.

Aunty: Zain. People are known by their deeds and not by their religion. If you don't want to enter a Hindu pooja temple, no one is forcing you. But if you want to enter and are stopped by some nonsense thoughts of 'How can a muslim enter a temple', then chuck those things. We are modern people. These things exist even in a 98% literate state like ours, just thats its far better. My home does not entertain discriminated behaviours. Okay?

Zain felt numb and speechless in front of the woman in front of him. Here stood a mother pretty in all senses. Bold and beautiful. His eyes welled up and a tear made its way down his face. Aunty wiped it off with her thumb and patted lovingly on his cheeks.

Zain(sniffing away his tears with a smile): I have been denied of a place for stay because I am a Muslim. I have heard people here are very religious. So..

Aunty: There are people everywhere with such retarded mentality. But its too less here. And Yes you are right.People here are religious. But not superstitious. Wipe that tear now!
Everybody freshen up and come down. I will arrange dinner.

And yes... Welcome Home!

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Poonam and Aditi freshened up soon, changed into a night suit and joined Aunty in kitchen.

Aditi: You are too good Aunty.

Poonam: Yes perfect!

Aunty(smiled): No bacche. I have my negatives too. Serious temper issues.

Aditi(shocked): for you?

Aunty: haha! Yeah. You should ask Mithun. He has gone for school trip.

Poonam(munching a raw carrot): Nimmi's younger brother. Right?

Aunty: Yeah! Anyways, it was a working day for me and I could only manage this much. Roti and chicken curry.

Aditi: This is chicken curry!? I mean the color itself is different.

Poonam: Pepper goes in this?

Aunty: Yes. Pepper is a major ingredient in Kerala chicken curry.

Aditi: I love spicy food. But..hmm..

Aunty: Don't worry. Zain can't have this spicy. I have kept that in mind and have kept a portion of the curry before putting pepper. Worry not madam ji!

Aditi: How do you know?

Nimmi(came in after taking bath with wet hair and water trickling down): Then what am I for? I am a dedicated fan bro!

Poonam: Haha. By the way, where is your dad?

Nimmi: He has gone to Calicut for a meeting. He will join for breakfast tomorrow. Hai na Mom?

Aunty nodded in a yes and Karthi's bike drove into the parking lot. He came inside and walked towards the kitchen joined by the boys of the gang who got seated at the dining table.

Karthi: Wipe your hair Nimmi! Are you allergic to towel?

Nimmi turned to answer him but slipped in the same pool of water that dripped down from her hair, soon to be caught and pulled by Karthi by her waist. Tiny water droplets decorated her eyelashes and lips much to Karthi's distraction which didn't go unnoticed by anyone present there. Karthi soon gained composure and poked her nose.

Karthi(whispered): Where are your specs..?

Just then, a loud rush of water made its way down the earth. AdiZa shifted their glance from Karthi to the window side to witness that absolutely breath taking sight. A faint smile broke up on Nimmi's face. She stepped away from Karthi's embrace.

Nimmi+ Aditi+Poonam: Rain!

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Hope I did justice...

Groove up for the AdiZa doze coming after this teaser!!

Gear up for AdiZa Romance! And I have something as a surprise for you!!!

Guess WHAAT???

Well..Keep guessing!

Love..
Zainaholicz❤