"Popz, i have rescheduled your doctor meet so don't nettle yourself." I said winking at his senescenced face marred with worry that I am not going to be with him for next 3 months. I was standing amidst my family of 4 crowding the airport with their overwhelming love.

Rahu stepped forward taking me in a hug and whispered "If any thug troubles you, all you need to do is give me a ring ". Before I could respond his eyes crinkled making it obvious he is about to say something implacable.

"Yeah also don't damage the properties of Vinu. Keep all your klutziness to yourself. I don't want her whining to me about her fissured wall or the cracked glasses."

"Obnoxious prat "I hollered retreating from the hug not forgetting to stomp on his foot.

"Appa ,i am just leaving for Madras, and with Maa's terms and conditions I will be back here in another 3 months. You don't have to fret this much. You can come anytime to see me " I said hugging him who was deep troubled by the fact that am leaving alone than that I am leaving away

"Chella, you have to be more careful, if any let us know " Appa iterated the same thing for nth time from morning.

"Appa if there is someone you have to bother about then it is the firm which is going to employ her and Vinu with whom our klutz is going to stay." Rahu butted in.

"Shh Rahu keep quiet " Maa warned and reassured Appa "She is not a kid anymore Ravi, she will be okay. Let her go it's already time"

Apart from being the strict mom she always was, Maa excels in figuring out what each and every one in our family wants thus getting them done but in a way of her own. Just like now, giving her consent to explore my abilities but only in this 3 months.

"Yea see Appa, Maa is right. I am a big girl now. If I can I will ensure to get myself a hubby within this three months "of course the last part I whispered in his ears, not wanting my mom to go berserk, making him break into a big smile the one I wanted to see before I leave for the day.

"Chella take care" I heard Maa say as I walked in away from everyone for the next 3 month of different experience.

The fact that fascinated me was that my father never had any harness on love marriages. Being one from the over protective and petty conservative family, he was outgoing when it comes to love marriages. Rahu the ever malleable son when unveiled his love story my entire family was okay to accept his love and get them married. It was then Appa declared it was even okay if I am to choose my life partner myself. Though I love to have myself such a love life I haven't met anyone that special to surrender my life with.

***

The packed roads, muggy weather with the sea wind intuited that am in Chennai. With the help of Google maps I finally directed Cab driver to the Apartment in which Vinu was residing.

Door opened to reveal Vinu with her half pained toe nails.

"Klutzy "she bawled making the next door neighbour come out and give us a scorching look

"Lay off girl, don't shout when you can't even welcome me from Airport" I flumped onto the beanbag once inside.

"Aww Klutzy Kay is upset eh? " Vinu said pulling my cheeks the one thing which she often does to irritate me

"Vinu.."

"Kay, quit the act. You landed here just to explore and enjoy your life. I am sure you would have had a melodramatic farewell in Airport so I let you come home by yourself. How was the first day of independence?" She said flopping herself in the nearest bean bag munching the Laddoo which Maa had packed for her.

I cannot help but let out that sneaky smile on how much she have understood me all these years. Vineetha Mohan, caring notorious girl whom I loved and envied together. I loved her for what she is and envied her for what I cannot be. She had the entire independency which I ached for. We have been buddies from our diaper days. Being with her in the same neighbourhood we three - Me, Rahu and Vinu always went together to school and our graduations. While I stayed back in home with no choice to spread my career wings she landed in Chennai associating herself with the famous firm. Apart all this she had fallen in love and got consent from her own family to get married to him.

"This is why I say you are my bestie Vinu "I chuckled seeing her giving me that winning look.

"Rahu said, aunty and uncle have chosen you a groom, so how is the guy?" she piqued in her interest at the subject which made me go bland

"I didn't even see the photo they passed on to me in the excitement to come here." I shrugged that being the least concern in my mind for now

"Kay, what if he was handsome and was the destined one for you. You should have taken a look because at the end of 3 months it is with him you will be married to ,as aunty has already finalized it" her nonchalant statement made me huff out loud

"Don't give those pathetic looks Kay. You and I both know you are not one. Enjoy this 3 months and be ready to get married to the chosen one "she said ducking her head to dodge the bolster I aimed at her.

I was organizing things for morrow's interview in a frenzy,when Vinu walked in gesturing she is in call with her boyfriend.

Once done she spoke up."Chill babes. I got it checked with the HR department earlier and they said Vikram is the one who will be doing the interview tomorrow. Since the first level of phonic interview is over if you are successfully done with tomorrow, you can come on board soon .If not we will search in some other firms. But I suggest you be careful since he is a devil when it comes to his business. He is a dunce in his love life but master when it comes to business" I could not help but chuckle at Vinu's brickbats about her fiancé.

"Don't call him names Vinu, don't you think it's too cool to come down with his family to propose you" I sighed dreamily

"I had left him enough hints that I am interested in him Kay , if not he would have never approached me. Yeah but I cannot help but gush at his cuteness when he does something unexpected like this "she said blushing

Vikram, her boyfriend heads the designing department and one of the major shareholder of the construction firm where she is working. Vinu has recited her entire love tale and that sprawled the interest in me to meet her guy only in person. Who will not be eager to meet a person who made his entire family come down to the girl and witness his proposal? That is the man my notorious Vinu had fallen for.

***

"How can you just like that send Chella away Bhoomi? If not for your decision I would not have accepted this" Ravi questioned at dinner when he was still unable to process the fact that their daughter is away from them

"Ravi it's high time you 3 men come to a fact that she is not a kid anymore. I cannot take any more of your over protective atrocities. She is 23 and she should know what to do and what not to do in her life. To be honest am happy that she has taken the first decision on her own. Let her live her life, fall down, rise up and learn life her way. From the moment she graduated you have kept her designing skills limited to our group of companies that she hasn't explored her abilities." Bhoomi spoke in a go and looked at the other 2 men gazing her way from their spots.

"Maa..."

"Believe me Rahu it's a wise choice. She is the first girl born in this home after 3 generations and she is the one who brought luck to our family. This all doesn't mean you have to pamper and spoil her. What if she is not going to get the same amount of love from her future in laws? So be quiet" she muted him turning to her father in law who was looking at her with questions.

"Then Bhoomika, why did you say that she has to be back here in 3 months?" the elderly one questioned making her simper

"That's because I don't want her to think she is let off the hook. If this decision of leaving her free for three months is wrong then she will be back here if not we will let her work as per her choice"

"Bhoomi, then what about this guy Adhvik Krishnan we have seen for our Chella? He seemed to be the good choice. "Ravi spoke looking keenly at her.

"Your daughter didn't even see his photo nor know his name, see that envelope which we gave her yesterday it's tossed on the table carelessly. I will call them tomorrow and let know that our Chella is not yet ready for the wedding. If not for some Adhvik there will be another one for my Chella. It's her dream which is most important to me " Bhoomi concluded taking the envelope and smiling at her daughters craziness.

****

A/N:

I can hear you all - too protective right ? I have seen few families myself who don't let their daughters relocate to some other city for their career purposes.So yeah it still happens :/

The supposed groom is our hero but sadly heroine left home without knowing about him :p and Bhoomi wants to say no to the proposal ;) What now ?
;)