AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This is a part of update marathon for @aaradhana_adithya's  birthday.

Happy birthday luusu akka

****

Varun couldn't stop the smile which was spreading on his face. He knew that it wasn't love. It was just a little flirting.

But his mind reminded him that, he had never flirted with any girl of his city. He didn't have a reply for this, which made his mind panic.  Did I fall in love?

He has read mostly every form of love but nothing has confused him more like love at first sight.

His mind came to a conclusion that he was just attracted to her. He had heard many say that mind gets attracted to many, but loves only one.

His arrogant mind replied that he has been attracted to only one and that attraction could move onto a zone called 'Love struck puppy'.

While his mind was arguing with him, his legs started to walk automatically.  He was crossing roads and vehicles.

His mind also said that attraction can develop into love. This, for a moment, shocked him. Varun in love?

That is when his brain actually came into the head. It said to him, So what? It is just love which you have said, that you are waiting to fall into. It's not like you are going to murder someone.

Suddenly he heard a voice, "VARUN!" He turned and found that the voice belonged to his mother. He was inside his house.

He didn't realize that he had walked into his house at all. His mother's voice had an irritated tone, "Why aren't you answering me?" His father's eyes were narrowed on him as he understood that Varun was day dreaming.

He didn't know what to answer to it,  so he went with a regular answer, "Yes mom."

His mother's face went red due to anger, "Do you remember that you have a cell phone and you could have called to ask me?"

She sat on the sofa. She held her face in her hands, with her elbow propped on her thigh. Ganesh rubbed her back for comfort but his eyes were still narrowed at Varun.

Her voice showed that she was defeated, "He used to forget the grocery list and you said all the reasons like 'I was like this too'. But see what he has done now. He came back empty handed just because he forgot the list."

Suddenly he realized that his mom had asked him if he came back empty handed as he forgot the list and he has also said yes.

But I am not empty handed. He searched for the grocery in his hands and around him too but it was not there.

He was indeed empty handed.

His mother didn't see all this but Ganesh was saw it. She asked Ganesh, "Ask him to give the money. I will get it myself. I really pity his wife."

Suddenly Varun asked himself if he payed the money for the grocery which he didn't get.

He slowly opened his wallet out of fear and his face showed it all. He had all the money his mother gave.

But he didn't have any of his pocket money.

His face changed into relaxed one after realizing that his mother's money was there. He had payed for the grocery with all his pocket money.

He gave the money to his mother who got it and went inside her room. He slumped on the sofa thinking about Thenmozhi.

People who fall in love early are never love struck. People who say I won't fall easily in love are the ones who are more love struck.

Varun smiled on remembering this. Ganesh's voice pulled him out of his thoughts, "Who is that girl?"

If it had been his mom he would have thought it was just daily routine but his dad had not asked about this for the past few years.

He tried to say no but didn't want to lie. Ganesh helped him by continuing, "You have bought the grocery that's why you looked around for it when your mother said it. You were zoned out when you came in.  You even thought you payed for a minute which means your mind was only on that girl."

Varun was trying to escape this conversation but Ganesh was not helping, "You can spend money on love by taking her on dates and all but not on the grocery which you are not going to take."

Varun was feeling embarrassed but Ganesh threw a stunner on him when he asked, "Where is the bike on which you went? Did you forget it too when you walked her home?"

Varun face palmed and started to run when Ganesh shouted back, "It's not your bike. You don't own a bike." Only then Varun realized that he can't pretend now as he proved that he was  listening now. He was cheated by his dad who continued, "You are still not in this world it seems, so it is definitely a girl. May be love too? It makes men act stupid."

Varun decided that the more he stays in front of his dad the more he will embarrass himself. He heard his dad's voice while walking back, "You can pay for her grocery which will help you impress her."

He was inside his room when his Dad shouted, "Your mom has invited the family which has moved into the city for dinner so get ready son."

He couldn't stop himself from murmuring.  "Oh My God! What have I got myself into."

  **********

Thenmozhi was shocked by Varun's words too. What was he thinking?

She couldn't stop her smile. She has always liked her smile when she saw the mirror but she hated it now due to Varun's words.

What kind of a girl am I for laughing with an unknown guy? If grandma had seen me she would have said that I don't have any morality at all.

She mostly has this 'don't mess with me idiot' attitude towards boys, but her question was what happened now?

How did I allow him to be friendly with me?

She reached her house and gave the grocery to her mom and sat on the sofa. She was reading the newspaper while her mom said, "This is why I don't give her any extra money at all. Savings are a very necessary quality for girls. You have to learnt it Thenmozhi."

She was confused until her mother clarified it, "Did I ask you to buy briyani rice? If you have money it doesn't mean you have to spend it. Why did you buy briyani rice?"

It striked her that Varun might have placed it inside her bag while he was carrying it.

Her economic obsessed mother started her session, "Savings are something which saved India from economic depression which nearly made Great USA bankrupt. You should learn it."

Her sister came to the living room and her voice showed that she was mocking, "Mom, Rakaee is calling." Her mom's face showed the disgust she felt towards her mother in law.

Thenmozhi walked to the laptop and found her grandmother staring at her with anger. Her anger reflected in her words, "How long should I wait for you, my queen? As a girl you should be quick in your actions. If your husband calls, you should be there the next moment."

Thenmozhi knew that her words didn't have any logic at all but she still listened to them. Rakaee finished by saying, "I will come in a few days. Keep your house clean and it's the duty of a girl to keep the house clean. Always act like a girl. Don't go on wearing jeans and all just because you are abroad. Always be a tamil girl."

Her mother touched her shoulder to pull her out of those words. She asked the question which has been bugging her, "Does she really have to come to our house mom? "

Her mother was also thinking about same thing so she answered immediately, "I wish she doesn't come too. She will really cause troubles inside the family. She is known for that. I hate her too."

Her sister said, "She is just an old lady, mom. We have to accommodate her."

Her mother's voice showed her bitterness, "She is not an old lady worth pitying. She even makes us doubt each other. She is a very dominating woman."

Her mother was worried about how much trouble she will cause to her teenage daughters.

Rakaee was the reason for Thenmozhi's dad to think her mother was cheating on him. She always had dirty mind thinking dirty things.

Her mother prayed within herself and stood up while saying, "Our neighbours have invited us for a dinner so get ready too."

Thenmozhi was shocked on hearing her. One guy was too much trouble already. What happens if another one comes?

********

AUTHOR'S NOTE :

Who hate me for NOT giving you a cliffhanger?

Teenage is not the age where you realise love and lust only. It is also the age where you realise the seriousness of this world.

Like necessity of job, financial situation, family situation, family problems,  relations etc etc.

I want to show all. Is this book different from other teen fictions?

What do you think about Varun's reaction to the grocery situation?

Rakaee is an ancient tamil name. No one names this to youngsters. It is predominately used by old people.

What's your view on Rakaee's view?

What do you think about Rakaee?

Next update will be in "Beware: I am going to bore you." and then on "I don't know what I am going to write" and then "En kaloori kalam" (my college life").

I would update all other books but aaradhana akka is saying I should sleep.

We should hear birthday girl's word so I will update other books tomorrow.

I am not a early riser so expect me tomorrow evening as I have college tomorrow.

Take care be safe and stay blessed.

-Yagappar.