Village meets city love

chapter 29-Back to Familiar Arms

Lavanya and Varun rode in silence, the hum of the bike engine and city noise creating a backdrop for their thoughts. Lavanya held onto Varun, feeling a mixture of hope and uncertainty. The familiarity of his presence was comforting, yet the road ahead was uncertain.

When they arrived home, the auto driver unloaded the goods her parents had sent. Lavanya felt a wave of gratitude for her parents' support. They thanked the driver, and Lavanya paid him Rs. 100 after bargaining with him. Varun just shook his head, carrying the packages inside.

Their home was quiet, filled with memories both good and bad. Lavanya looked around, feeling the weight of the past weeks. She took a deep breath.

As they entered the house, Lavanya was greeted with a warm embrace by Meena, Varun's mother. "Welcome back, Lavanya! We've missed you so much! How is everyone at home?" Lavanya replied, "Everyone is good at home. They asked me to convey their love and requested you to visit them more often." Meena smiled.

Raghavan, Varun's father, playfully rolled his eyes. "Enough, enough. Stop inquiring her on the first day back. Lavanya, why don't you freshen up first and have some of your favorite Pongal chutney and sambar vada?"

Meena shot him a look, her face feigning anger. "Here I cooked her favorite food, and you try to get credit? You won't get extra coffee, you know!" Lavanya laughed.

Meena asked Lavanya to rest after eating, and when Lavanya tried to refuse, Meena threatened her with a stern look. Lavanya nodded helplessly and headed to her room with Varun.

When Varun tried to follow her, Meena asked him where he was going. He replied, "Amma, actually, I want to go..." Meena interrupted, "Oho, you want to go to the office? Why are you standing here? I have already arranged your bag; see, time is ticking, go fast to your office." Varun sighed and left, giving Lavanya a look that said, "We will talk tonight."

Lavanya tried to control her laughter. Aarti exclaimed, "Lavanya Akka, you have no idea how much I missed you!" When Lavanya gave her a puzzled look, Aarti mouthed, "We'll talk later."

Later that evening, at 7:00 PM, the doorbell rang, and Meena exclaimed, "That must be Deepa! I'll get it." Deepa arrived with a big smile. "Hey, Anni! I heard you were back, and I had to come straight from my in-laws' house to see you! And also to get some decent food because, let's face it, my mother-in-law's cooking is...interesting."

Arun came out from his room, rubbing his stomach. "Hey, Anni! I'm starving. Did someone say food?" Lavanya laughed, feeling at home already. "Looks like some things haven't changed around here."

Varun walked in the door at 8:00 PM, exhausted from a long day at the office. He dropped his bag on the floor and made his way to the kitchen, where he found Lavanya helping Meena with dinner. Her hair was tied up in a loose bun, and a few stray strands framed her face, making her look even more beautiful.

Deepa and Arun, who noticed him, gave mischievous smiles widely on their faces. They both shouted, "Varun! Varun Anna!" startling Meena and the other two.

"Buffaloes! Don't you know how to speak silently? Why are you shouting his name like he is in some danger?" Meena scolded.

Deepa replied with a pout, "Just thought to surprise him, Amma."

Meena shook her head in disappointment. "God, why did you make me the mother of these two?"

Varun, with no other way to speak with Lavanya, left, not before giving a glare to his siblings. They stuck their tongues out at him like small children. Meena asked them to leave, but Arun stood with a doubtful expression.

"What?" Meena asked.

"Amma, it's just a doubt. You called us both buffaloes. So if we are buffaloes, what you mean is our mother also a buffalo?" Arun asked innocently.

Meena grabbed her jalli karandi and chased Arun, who ran around the living room like his life was on the line. Both Deepa and Lavanya's laughter echoed from the kitchen.

Later, all of them sat down for dinner. Varun's family teased each other, Arun good-naturedly ribbing Lavanya about her city habits and fashion sense. Lavanya playfully retaliated, "Hey, at least I don't wear lungis with cartoon characters on them, Arun."

The evening was filled with laughter, jokes, and warmth, just like old times. As the night drew to a close, Deepa's husband, Vijay, arrived to pick her up. "Hey, Lavanya, great to see you! Welcome back, ma thangachi," he said, giving her a warm smile.

As they said their goodbyes, Deepa hugged Lavanya tightly. "I'm so glad you're back, Lavanya Anni. We'll catch up soon!" And with that, Deepa and Vijay left, leaving Lavanya feeling grateful for the warm welcome from Varun's family.

As the night drew to a close, Varun and Lavanya found themselves alone in the living room, the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm light on their faces.

Finally, Varun asked, "Hey, can we talk for a bit?" His eyes filled with anticipation.

taking a deep breath, she nod him back as reply.