When starts align

Part 12

Amma's most definitely have a deeper connection with their children. They know when their child is sick, sad, nervous, happy, whatever the emotion might be. 

Aakash's mom was no exception. She noticed that his happy go lucky boy was off last evening but she did not want to make a big deal out of it. So, she decided to make his most favorite Chole Batura and Pal Payasam which always brought a wide grin to her son's face. 

To her dismay, he had half-heartedly eaten way less than usual and quickly rushed off into his room which left her worried sick. 

"Avanuku ennanga aachu?", she ranted to her husband. 

"Raji nee avanuku konjam space kudu. Unkita share pannama iruka matan but maybe he needs time", Venkat consoled pulling her onto his shoulders. 

From being childhood sweethearts and high school lovers to being marriage for 21 years, they have grown to be each other's soul mate. They were true couple goals.

Aakash always adored and admired the kind of love they shared. The kind that made his heart swell. 

His dad still woke up earlier than his mom to make filter coffee for them. They sat by their favorite place, a swing in the middle of their patio overlooking the garden as they sipped their coffees stealing glances of each other. 

Thats the kind of love he grew up watching. A love story that was better than any Mani Rathnam movie. A heroine that was so much more than any fictional character, so bold, beautiful, intelligent, caring, loving, understanding with utmost grace. A hero that was everything he wanted to be. A man who loved his woman with all his heart. 

In all these years he had never once seen his dad not kiss his mom when he stepped out and hugged her tight when he walked back in. 

Raji woke up earlier than usual to make the best saffron chai for her baby boy. Yes he was a 20 year old but he was still her baby. Her only one. 

She felt better when she saw Aakash in better spirits after that perfunctory dinner. She watched him sip her tea with such relish which made her heart happy. 

As always he had hugged her before leaving to college but he said something that was still echoing in her head. 

"Ma... Iniku elam nalla nadakanum. Enaku oru all the best sollu", he said completely out of the blue.

Why would he say that? He was someone who believed that luck follows hard work and passion. 

"Nee nenaikardhu elame nadakum. Only the best will come to you", she had said and he smiled before driving away. 

This was hours ago and for some reason she could not get that out of her mind. 

She sat in their living room, aimlessly listening to old songs when her mobile started to ring. 

"Aakash calling" flashed on her mobile and caused a stir inside her. 

She swiftly swiped across the screen to attend. 

"Sollu kanna", she tried to keep her tone casual. 

"Amma", he dragged, lost for words. 

What was he going to say? How was he supposed to tell his mom that he was clearly losing his mind because of a girl who he met less than 48 hours ago?

The silence conveyed a lot more than his words. 

"Aakash... ne enkita enna vena share panlam. I will always be here. Yosikaama thonradha sollu", she consoled. 

He knew that she was one of those very few people in his life that knew him better than himself. She always had a way of helping him see through the chaos. There was so much clarity and depth in the way she looked at things.