Madam Sirr 2

Chapter 33

33. Birthday Celebrations

Veyom leaned forward in his chair, the cushion straining to adjust his weight as he stared into the glowing screen of his laptop. His fingers jabbed at lightning speed, clacking down on the keyboard, his eyes squinting and peeking at the moving cursor. His attention broke for a split second, his hands automatically moving to pick up his coffee mug and returned just as magically to the keyboard.

The cabin door swung open, his secretary walking in, her heels making no sound on the carpeted floor. Veyom made no acknowledgements, his attention still focused on the laptop.

"Sir" she called out, her voice timid, almost afraid of a reprimand.

Veyom's slightly lifted his head, his eyes peeking at her. She extended her hand and gave him a package, nodded at him and left, her steps hurrying outside.

Veyom weighed the package in his hands, pushing the chair back from his table. It felt light, a little too light. He ripped it open, his curiosity taking the better of him. He laughed out loudly taken aback in surprise as a red rose and a note fell onto his lap.

He held the rose gently in his hand, its perfumed petals invigorating his senses. He opened the note and read, his eyes scanning each and every word. Like an unbidden guest, a smile creeped on his face, drawing out his weary exhaustion.

"Meet me at the café downtown, Patidev."

He held the rose close to his heart, KS's warmth spreading through to him. He smiled, head over heels with her simple yet elaborate gesture. He leaned back, the rose clutched tightly, his mind hovering over the note.

"What have you planned Karu?" he wondered.

He fished his phone and texted KS, the wonder of the surprise drawing his attention away from work. Mustering all his strength, he focused back on work, still smiling like a love-struck teenager.

Back at her cabin, KS almost jumped in ecstatic joy as she read Veyom's text. She closed her eyes, pursing her lips, her imagination running untethered. She was excited to begin.

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Puspha Ji sat on the sofa, her eyes watching Roshni playing with her toys. Her heart gave out each time seeing Roshni's dimpled smile and her cute antics yet her mind wandered away. She wondered about the station, the questions lingering in her mind. She knew that she had retired yet she simply couldn't lock her uniform.

Roshni stood up and tapped her leg breaking her attention to the present. Pushpa Ji smiled and lifted and placed Roshni in her lap, kissing the side of her cheek. She leaned forward and picked up a bowl of dry fruits, feeding small morsels of fruit to Roshni.

"Dadi..." she called out.

"Haan beta?"

"Uff..." Roshni made a sound, pushing Puspha Ji's hands away with her small fingers. She put her whole hand inside, picking up a handful of fruits and shoved them slowly into her mouth, her small teeth chewing them.

"Aarey..." Puspha Ji called out, clearly surprised.

Roshni finished the bowl, licking her fingers as she looked at grandmother. Her face was covered in fruit stains and marks of saliva lingered on her cheeks. She jumped up and down, clapping her hands as the bowl toppled to the floor.

"Dadi...down..." she said, pointing to the floor. Her clapping stopped, her beady eyes searching for the bowl that fell down, constantly trying to grab it. Shaking her head, Puspha Ji reached the bowl and placed it back in her lap, only for Roshni to throw it down again, followed by her clapping and smiley face.