Kumari held Sristis stole which had some faint blood stains. She wondered whose it was. And why would jai keep it in his room. She very well knew her son. He would only keep the things he wanted in his room.

On the other hand Shruthi held the magazines in her hands. She carefully examined it. She noticed how jai had pointed out one girl in each and every pic using markers. She was surprised that her brother would do something like that. Marking out a girl? Unusual.

"What's this?"Kumari asked. Eyeing the stole.

"Thats exactly what I'm thinking right now maa"Shruthi was totally unaware. About what Kumari was talking. She'd been looking at the magazine's.

"Why did he keep it here?"Kumari asked again.

"Who knows. And I wonder. who is this?"Shruthi leaned to take a closer look at the magazine's.

"Shruthi?"

"Yes maa"she turned towards her.

"Tell me the truth. This stole is yours right? You got hurt and you didn't even tell me. You think by hiding it in your brother's wardrobe I won't find it? Tell me exactly what happened and I do not want any excuses"Kumari scoffed. Shruthi looked at her. Confused.

"Maa what are you exactly talking about. I didn't get hurt. What's that in your hand?"

"So...this is not yours?"

Shruthi walked to her and took the stole in her hand. She saw some faint stains.

"Maa this is not mine. See there are few stains. From where did you get this?"

"From Raju's wadrobe. I don't know to whom it belongs to"

"May be it got mixed up. But see. I was talking about this magazine. I got it from the table"Shruthi said. Handing over the magazines to her mom. Kumari was shocked seeing that.

"Sristi?"

"Who is Srishti?"

"Shruthi..she's the one who took Raju to the hospital when he met with the accident. She also came here few days back. Remember?"

Shruti snatched the pic from kumari

"Woah. She looks so damn beautiful"Sruthi exclaimed.

Kumari paused and examined the Stole in her hands.

"I think this stole belongs to sristi. I remember Raju saying that srishti wrapped a cloth around his head to stop the bleeding while she took him to the hospital"

"But maa..why is annaya keeping this with him?"Shruthi asked.

"I don't know. Something had gone wrong with that boy"kumari sighed.

"Maa. What if he likes srishti?"Shruthi asked making kumari shocked.

"Shruthi. It's not the right time to tease your brother. Let him come and we will ask him about this okay?"

"I'm not teasing. But think about it ma. Isn't it unusual that annaya is doing something like this. I've never seen him intrested in any girl till now. But see. He have a girl's stole in his personal wardrobe and. Also her pictures marked out in the magazines. That's something to think about"Shruthi said making kumaris face light up.

"Oh my god. It does makes sense. I think your brother likes her. And srishti is such a nice girl "kumari said.

"Relax ma. Before we came into any conclusions we have to know what's in his mind. Let us ask him about this"

"But what if he really likes her? Srishti is a good girl. She is perfect for my Raju"

"Is that's so? Then let's do something"

"What?"

"We're conducting a pooja here for annaya right? What if we invite srishti for the pooja? So that annaya can spent some time with her"Shruthi said. Excitedly

"That's a great idea. But don't tell this to Raju now. Let us surprise him on that day"

"Deal"Shruthi giggled.

Jai returned back home at ten in the night. He was exhausted from all the meetings. After freshening up, he sat on his large couch, surfing through his personal email.

A knock on the door disturbed him.

"Raju?"

"Maa come inside why are you knocking?"he asked. Kumari walked inside along with Shruthi. They had few papers with them.

"Why didn't you call me when you came home? Did you have food?"she asked.

"Sorry ma. I had a tight day with all the meetings and stuffs. And yeah I had dinner along with the producers"he said. Glancing back to screen.

"We want to talk to you annaya"Shruthi said.

"What's up?"he looked at them.

Kumari sat next to him and ruffled his hairs.

"Your uncle told you about the pooja that we are conducting here. Right?

"Yeah I know"

"I want you to be present that day. I don't care if your schedules are tight. Or you have a meeting or shoots. I want you to be with your family that day. No excuses"she said. Making him sigh.

"Maa see I can't promise you that. I told you. I'm held up with work now. Just now I had started feeling better. And there's so much to do in my list. This is really a tough year for me. You know that right?"he said.

"Yes Raju. But this pooja is for you. For our whole family. And I would feel bad if you aren't here by yourself"kumari faked sadness making him sigh. Shruthi giggled.

"Fine now don't get upset please"he put the laptop aside and hugged his mother. Making her face glow up.

"Really?"

"I would do anything for you"jai said kissing his mothers cheek

"Aww look at you mummas boy"Shruthi shrugged. Making him glare.

"Shut up. And whats in your hands?"he asked.

"Nothing it's just a list of people we wanted to invite for the pooja. Want to take a look?"she asked.

"Not interested madam"

"You sure?"Shruthi raised her brows. He nodded.

"Don't regret it later"she giggled.

A week passed by. Everyone was busy with the preparations for the pooja. So was Shruthi and kumari. Jai got busy with his meetings. Whenever he would get some free time. He would come back home and spend time with his family.

Three days before the pooja. Kumari decided to invite sristi for the ceremony. She saw jai sitting in the living room along with Ganesh. A little later he walked upstairs while ganesh waited for him. She walked downstairs to talk to him. Ganesh got up when he saw her.

"Good evening madam. How are you?"

"I'm fine ganesh. I wanted to ask you something"

"Sure madam"

"Do you have the number of that girl who had saved Raju? I'm talking about srishti"she said. Ganesh nodded.

"Yes madam. She'd left her number in the hospital register when she took sir to the hospital"ganesh said making kumari happy and relieved.

"Okay. So I want her number. Sent it to my whatsapp immediately"

"Sure madam. But what's it for? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah ganesh. You know about the pooja we are conducting here right?I wanted to invite srishti for the ceremony. I mean. This is for Raju and he's alive only because of her"she said making him smile and nod.

"You're right madam"

"And one more thing. Don't let Raju know that I'm inviting her. I haven't told him yet. Did you understand?"she said. Ganesh blinked in confusion but nodded his head.
.
.
"Bhoomi what the heck?"srishti yelled. Pacing around the living room. Chasing her sister. For disturbing her sleep.

"You're such a pain. You little devil"she gritted her teeths.

"What I just asked you for the TV remote. Amma...save me. Akka is going to kill me"bhoomi shouted.

"Oh god these two are going to drive me crazy. Srishti. Bhoomi stop running around right now. If I come there I'm going to throw you both outside"Radhika yelled from the kitchen.

"Bhoomi stop there now"srishti shouted as she ran upstairs.

"Get lost. Looser"bhoomi sticked her tongue out. Making srishti furious.

"I'll kill you today"

Her phone rang distracting her. While bhommi made her escape. Srishti stomped her foot and walked towards the table. Picking up her phone in frustration.

"Hello? Who's this?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Precap : Srishti attending the pooja

♡ Nila ♡