An apple a day keeps doctor away. Baby see even the famous quote hypes Bribery. We need to bribe ourselves to keep the doctor away so bribing is never wrong. And from when on you started to worry about bribing your own family. Common do it with cheer.

I self-talked myself disappearing to the dark hallway being careful on not waking up the mighty B.

Venkat Ramanan , my Popz, is the sweetest grandfather anyone can have. I point 4 fingers and say it is 3 he will rely with me and stand by my side to argue until The Mighty B is on other side. In his 70's living his life as diabetic he was strictly withheld from the direction of savouries while those are his weakness second to my grandma who expired when I was really young.

"Popz,here you go relish them and discard the remnants with no trace." I whisper purred handing him over the Nei payasam he always carved post sneaking into his room

"Chella, you are the only person who loves me too much in this house." He beamed first at me and then at the nei payasam he now had in his hands. He can do anything for this payasam and I can do anything to make him dance on my tunes.

"What is special today Chella?" he asked relishing the payasam in his hands.

"Popz should there be any special day to make you payasam. It's just another day" I white lied hoping he don't catch me with my best puppy face

My next stop was at my brother's den. Rahuveer Ravinder - He is one of the arrogant pompous ass you could ever come across. Around me he always has this looks that screams "take a step towards her and you would see the end of world ",that scurries all the guys who gave me those longing looks. It's because of this dunce that am still single being in my 23.I took a deep breath and knocked on his door.

"Hey Kltuz ..At this time? "he invited me in looking at the wall clock to see its already midnight

"I knew you would not have slept Rahu. Is Bharu okay now?" I asked trying to pull him to my plan.

Bharkavi, his fiancé, my soon to be sister in law is miffed. Thanks to the fact that he forgot to get tickets for the concert she wished to go for.

"Nah Klutz. She is so upset "he sighed not knowing ways to cool his ladylove

"So dear bro, be ready to take her to the concert tomorrow and remember you owe me "I flashed the couple tickets I had secured for them.

He grasped them and eyed me suspiciously "What do your sinister mind devised now?"

I love Rahu for his straight forward attitude. He can decode me very well but am not Kriti Ravinder if am going to go easy on him.

"Good that you know there is something brewing Big bro. Wait until morrow morning "I was about to step out of Rahu's room when Appa walked in.

Ravinder- My Appa and my support system. Owner of the Successful chain of Hypermarts. The aura and the arrogance of the business man is for the outside world. With me he is just my appa who would listen to all my rambles anytime.

"Appa you didn't sleep yet?"

"Not yet Chella. Got something to discuss with Rahu "he said looking towards him and they passed an understanding nod.

"Chella, our customers were amazed by interiors of the mart and one person even wanted to meet you for some B-talks." Appa said planning for another one of my freelancing project

"Will talk about that tomorrow Appa .Now let me get some sleep" I walked to my room in sheer happiness for tomorrow. Almost the coast is clear.

I sighed tossing my mobile after getting all the profanities from my Bestie. Fault is mine, in my over enthusiastic mode it entirely slipped that time is 1 am and she would have been deep in sleep by now.I spent next half hour packing my bags and already planned 1000 ways to spend my freedom days in Chennai. It's now or never.

Chennai ! It's not so far from here but it is for me with the over dramatic family and the protective men of my family around me .I have never put-forth a step without someone for the past 23 years. Breathing fresh air alone is impossible then consider how hectic it will be to coax them in sending me away for job.

But getting myself a job with none of my family tag attached is my dream so when I happened to see the mail with my interview slot attached I could not help but overflow in all happiness. The extra happiness is due to the fact that I have been called in for the same concern where vinnu,Vineetha my best friend works.

"Ravi are you sure that the guy's background is good. We don't have to urge her" Maa was asking Appa something when I was descending the stairs next morning for my breakfast

Bhoomika Ravinder-My Maa. The mighty B of the house. Only one person in this whole house who can defy my puppy faces and the one who can tame me down.3 men of my house go mute in front of her. Trying to argue with her is like talking to the wall. She decides something and that happens at any cost. But above all she is the kindest woman and the best mother one can have.

"Bhoomi,me and Rahu discussed this last night and he is good for our Chella" Appa's voice floated my way making me stay glued to the wall away from everyone's eyes.

"Don't worry Bhoomika. I have his profile checked and everything is green. We don't need to hesitate if our chella likes him " Popz voice made me stupefied

Eavesdropping is bad but with this crazy bunch of people as my family that is the only way to let myself guard from the ditch that they are trying to push me in .If my hunch is right, then it is that they are trying to hook me up with someone and that someone must be a business man,a big shot considering how much my family loves me .

"Maa he is running his business successfully and I have happened to meet him twice during some launching ventures. He is good at what he does above all he will be perfect for our Chella. Don't you think its high time we talk to her about this match" It was Rahu this time.

Rahu you nimwit. Even he is playing match making games. Isn't his path clear to get married to his lady love? Then why the heck all of a sudden he wants me to get married. I can be careless with the Rahu who made me believe for an year that I was the adopted daughter of this family than the Rahu who chella's me. His latter persona is too dangerous.

"What's the bump on your forehead klutz?" Rahu purposely asked making everyone turn towards me halting their talks as soon I came on to their view

Definitely fishy

"Are you okay Chella?" Popz looked concerned at me while Appa just shook his head knowing well how much clumsy I can be at times

"Klutzy as always Kriti. Don't you have to be elegant and careful being a girl "Maa sauntered towards me analysing the little bump that formed on my forehead

"Maa first ask her to be a girl then you can teach her to be elegant "Rahu countered making maa give him a glare.

"Maa, I am going to Chennai by tomorrow morning. It's high time I get myself acquitted with proper Firm than freelancing "I interrupted their glare war and settled myself in the dinning serving the ghee roast she has prepared.

While I savoured the roast all the four pair of eyes looked at me in annoyance.

"Chella.." It was Popz who started

"Popz, am not going to listen .I have even done my graduation here in native just because you all wanted but not now,i am going to work and that too in Chennai" I made sure my entire concentration is on my platter rather than their shocked reactions

"Chella do you think we are conservative people who will never allow you to work? If you wanna quit being a freelancer you can take up any job here in Coimbatore and work .I can even give you list of companies who wants to hire an interior decorator" Appa said trying to scroll through his contacts to pick out the best choice of company for me.

Appa is trying to butter you baby, be strong .This has what happened when you said you have to work than sit idle in home after graduating in interior decoration.

"Appa, so are you going to buy any concern this time? I am asking just because you suggested freelancing and I have only designed all of our hypermarts, guest houses and entirely redesigned each room in this house." Sarcasm was notch high this time in my tone making appa halt what he was doing and give me a sheepish smile.

"Appa enough of all your and Popz dramas. Chella, you want to work right? Start applying for jobs and give me concern details. Once you have interview slot we will talk about you going Chennai." Rahu said

Didn't I say caring Avatar of my brother is scary?

"Awe Big bro. I am not lunatic to give you concern details. The next thing would be either you warn them on who I am or make them not to choose me." I said eyeing him dangerously when he cleared his throat and to think of a comeback.

"OK Klutzy. I give up. Let's talk once you get an interview order. Until then seal those mouth of yours." He tried to end the talk

"FYI I got my interview slot for day after tomorrow. I have booked my tickets and I am leaving alone to Chennai. Don't bother about my stay .I will stay with our Vinnu there." I gave the final statement looking at mom who was a mute spectator and the rest three vexed faces.

"Popz, Appa ,Rahu.I am 23 and I can manage. I know you all are just a call away. Say okay and let me live my way this once " I said earnestly looking at them

"Okay Chella. I will accompany you when you leave tomorrow " It was Appa now.

"But Appa you have this shareholder's conference tomorrow and you cannot come with me. Dont ask me how do I know. It was you who said me a week back."

"I will come.." Rahu started before he could complete I took in "Isn't tomorrow the concert you were eagerly talking about Rahu?" I winked at him making him widen his eyes.

Take it bro this was exactly my devilish brain planning. You cannot ditch plans with my Anni just to accompany me to Chennai.

He looked in helplessness and glanced towards Popz when I butted in

"Popz you have monthly check-up for tomorrow. Make sure you walk and control your sweet carvings for today if not a good report from Doc all you will get is Veggies for another month" I eyed him devilishly which would have answered what was so special about yesterday for that Nei payasam.

"So its finalised, I am leaving tomorrow." I said and was about to leave place when my Amma spoke halting me.

"Chella, you are free to go to Chennai. Take up the job and live your dreams." She said smiling making me breakout in smile for no more fuss ahead of me.

"But, it's all for only 3 months. We have chosen a guy for you. After 3 months come back here and get married." She said with the same devilish glint that was in my eyes few minutes back

How can this happen? It's really happening. I have guessed it right. Holy freak! This is not happening to me. I am just 23.I haven't started my carrier yet. But the top most thing is I haven't got one single proposal too. I haven't lived my life and I am to be tied down. No one ever have flirted with me and the guys I drool on never gave me a single glance.Oh pleasweee someone say me it's a dream. Knowing my mother she would have got me a geek, that cute spectacled boy who sits by the first row with neatly gelled up hair .The one who throws up his hand at all the questions that the teachers ask. Yeah!! The mini male version of Ms.granger.

"Kriti.." My maa called me breaking my trance of me and some nerd guy in wedding alter

"But Maa am just 23" my vocal box suddenly ditched me making me whisper.

"By 23 I was married and had Rahu. Knowing you am cent percent sure you are not in love.You know it's your call. We will not trouble you if you don't like the guy. We can look for someone else" She said observing me with her eagle eyes.

"Maa.." again I tried but Appa overtook me "Chella he is 25.Owns a firm. He is graduated in structural engineering."

Fantastic. My entire family is ready to ditch me. I gave accusing look at the 3 men who were busy discussing about the guy now. They are not sure to send me to Chennai for my job but ready to send me to someone's home as his Wife. Cruel family

Maa moved a brown envelope towards me "So Chella, see everyone approves of this guy. Here is his photo. His details are in the envelope. "

I kept mum "Choice is yours. Chennai and the guy or Stay here and get married " Amma sounded so cunning at that moment

Baby you have 3 months, so say yes for now. After 3 months you can handle them

I closed my eyes took a deep breath and whispered Yes..

____

*Chella - Dear one

*Nei Payasam - Sweet dish 

*Appa - Father

*Anni- Sister in law

*Maa- Mother

_____

How is it ?Insane right :/ i know..This was solely written with intention to give myself a happy push ..Just let me know your views!!