An unusual love story

Rockstar

Abhi and Samyu were seated at Dr. Lalitha's clinic. Samyu was anxious. Her test results would have reached the doctor. She was closing her eyes and mumbling a prayer hoping everything was fine. Abhi gently held her hand and she looked up at him with worried eyes. He smiled, touched her head and saying, "Ellam nalla padiya irukkum ma. Kavala padaadhe." She smiled and took a deep breath. Just then the nurse stepped out calling out her name.

Dr. Lalitha examined Samyu and looked at the results that were in her hand. She looked up at the couple and smiled, "Congratulations your blood reports have confirmed that you are pregnant. Everything looks good. You are slightly anemic. I am going to prescribe an iron tonic along with folic acid. Remember to take your multivitamins everyday. First trimester konjam kashtama irukkum. Some symptoms will fade away buy the end of it and some might linger even until the baby is born. Mr. Abhimanyu, unga wife a happy ya vachukonga. Indha pregnancy time la avanga oru kozhandha madiri. Dhideernu pidivaadham pidipaanga. Neenga thaan avangala nalla padiya paathukkanum. Stay active Samyuktha, eat healthy and drink plenty of water. Monthly check up ku vaanga. Ippove Neenga next appointment schedule panikkalaam. Once again congrats to you and see you next month." Abhi and Samyu were relieved. They thanked the doctor and left the clinic after making the next appointment.

Once they reached home, Abhi went for a game of badminton with Mithu. That was a Dad daughter thing that they loved to do together. Mithu was in the school team and Abhi tried to practice with her whenever possible. On their way back after practice, Abhi spoke to Mithu about the pregnancy, "Mithu kutty, unakitta oru vishayam sollanum. Samyu pregnancy time la naraya changes experience pannara. Idhellam avalukkum pudhusu. Avala nalla paathukka vendiya poruppu namma rendu perukkum irukku. I know you are not a baby anymore and you will understand this. Namma oru team thaane? Let's try our best to keep her happy and comfortable okay?" Mithu smiled and said, "Kandippa Daddy. Samyu enkitta thaan first sollave sonna theriyuma?" Then she smirked saying, "Ungaloda naan thaan Samyu ku important person" she giggled and Abhi pouted but chuckled along with her.

The first trimester kept Samyu very tired. All though she did not have much of the vomiting except for the morning nausea, she seemed to be falling asleep anywhere and everywhere. Mithu was used to seeing Samyu in the kitchen, preparing breakfast and her lunch packed on the dining table but these days it was mostly her dad doing that. Not that Mithu didn't enjoy her dad's preparation but she was a little worried for Samyu. Fortunately, at the end of the first trimester, the old Samyu was returning. She was starting to get her energy back and her mood back. She still had problem with the smell of rice cooking and the smell of oil which thalichufying. She would cook but ask either Abhi or Mithu to cook the rice.

One day Mithu came back from school looking a little low. She usually would tell Samyu all about her day while eating a snack, before even changing out of her uniform but this day she walked straight to her room. When it took a few minutes and Mithu did not return to the dining room, Samyu took the cup of bournvita along with her favourite murukku that paati had sent, and went to her room. She knocked asking, "Mithu ulla varalaama?" When there was no response, Samyu walked in worried to find Mithu sitting on her bed still in uniform. She was biting her nails which was an indication that she was worried. Samyu placed the cup and plate on the side table, sat next to Mithu and said, "Girl talk?" Mithu looked up, thought for a second and said, "Ok. School play ku auditions nadaka pordhu next week and ennoda friend Daya ennoda name kuduthutta." Samyu smiled, "Idhula enna prachanai? If you are not interested just tell the teacher." Mithu pouted, "Illai... actually... I want to try out but bayama irukku. There are so many talented kids. What if I am terrible and become a laughing stalk?" Samyu moved closer to Mithu and put her arm over her shoulder, "Mithu first of all you will not know how good or bad you are until and unless you try. Second of all there might be people better than you but I know that you are the most dedicated and hardworking girl I know and thirdly I am going to help you practice. Unnoda Daddy onnu solluvaar nyabagam irukka? Work hard, give your 100 percent and leave the rest to God. What's yours will come to you otherwise it will be a lesson learnt, ok? Ippo quick a freshen up panittu adhe enna audition nu kaami." Mithu gave a big broad smile and hugged Samyu. She opened her back pack and handed a script to her and ran into the bathroom.

It was a musical and for the next one week the ladies worked on the lines, the music and the choreography. On the day of the audition, Mithu knew all the lines by heart. Samyu wished her the best in the morning while handing over her lunch box. Auditions were after lunch. When Mithu opened her lunch box she smiled seeing a smiley face sandwich and a cookie with icing saying "You are our rockstar". Mithu smiled. When she arrived home, a familiar smell invited her. She walked in to find Samyu covering her nose with a mask and frying cashews and dried grapes in ghee. She poured it into the cooker next to her. Mithra smiled at her and said, "ennoda favourite akkaravadasal aa pannarey? How come? Unakku thaan cooker pakaathuliye poga mudiyadhe?" Samyu turned off the gas and moved away from there slowly removing the mask. It was evident that it was not easy for her to do it. Samyu smiled, "This is for my rockstar." Mithu smiled at her and said, "Unakkuthaan result theriyardhe apparam?" Samyu cupped Mithu's cheeks, "It is not about winning or losing. This is for the honest effort. Unakku kedachaalum kedakalanaalum we will always be proud of you. Kedacha it is an extra ounce of celebration. Kedakalena we can always laugh about it and try again at the next opportunity." Samyu fed Mithu a spoon of her favourite dessert and raised her eyebrows asking, "eppidi irukku?" Mithu closed her eyes and said, "mmmmm.....yummmmyyyyy.... And, by the way, it is celebration. I got the lead" she squealed and the ladies hugged in joy.

Abhi joined them later and rejoiced. More than anything, he was proud at the two most beautiful ladies in his life. They were both his blessings.

Brinda Subramanian