The Love In Marriage

64-

Amritha Verma was pleasantly surprised when she saw her daughter and son in law at her doorstep. She expected her daughter to be busy, since she hadn't attended to her calls.

She smiled when her daughter threw her arms around her.

"Happy birthday",she kissed her daughter's head.

Keerthi's eyes watered unexpectedly. She swallowed the lump in her throat, smiling through tears,"Thanks Ma."

Keerthi pulled her husband inside with her,"Hi dad."

"Keerthi",Arvind Verma returned his daughter's hug,"What a pleasant surprise",he kissed her head,"Happy birthday."

"Thanks dad",she smiled.

Arvind Verma shook hands with his son in law, inviting him into their house.

Vikram smiled politely,taking a seat.

Keerthi squeezed her husband's hand, leaving him with her father as she accompanied her mother into the kitchen.

Keerthi winced when she jumped on to the kitchen counter.

"What happened?"Amritha frowned.

Keerthi played innocent,"What happened?"

Amritha walked to her daughter,"Do you have to tell me anything?"

Keerthi blinked,words tumbling from her lips,"I fell down from the bike yesterday."

Amritha paled,"What? How? Are you okay?"

"It was a minor accident Mom", Keerthi assured her mother,"I am Okay."

Amritha grew worried,"Where are you hurt?"

"Just my arms and sides."

Amritha pulled her daughter into a hug,"You worry me so much. Take care of yourself Keerthi. You don't stay with us anymore. Even a minor injury of yours is going to worry us. Give your health utmost priority."

"I am seriously fine. Really. Nothing to worry", Keerthi assured her mother.

"Fine. But you take care?"

"Yup", Keerthi nodded her head.

"Did you take your medicines?"

"After food."

Amritha looked at her daughter disapprovingly, examining her arms and waist."Did you drive with your eyes closed?"

"No. Speed breaker problem."

"Look at you. You are covered with bruises", Amritha fussed over her daughter.

Keerthi smiled, relaxing.

Though her mother was scolding her,she genuinely missed it.

"What are you making?"

"Broth for you."

"Ma!I am not so sick Okay. That you give me that", Keerthi pleaded her mother.

"No. You need strength. Drink it up."

"No. Please", Keerthi whined.

"I'll make you Chicken Biryani and Butter Chicken for dinner",Amritha bribed.

Keerthi frowned,"That's so less."

"Chicken 65?"

"And Chilly chicken?"

"Fine", Amritha laughed.

Keerthi grumbled under her breath, snatching the bowl from her mother's hand.