'UNCLE PAARI!'
Jay stopped on his tracks at the sound of a child's booming voice. Upon scanning the crowd, his eyes landed on a little girl in a yellow dress with sunflower patterns drawn all over it. Her dark black hair was tied up in a high ponytail. Her round face held the most beautiful brown eyes, a sharp nose with rosy lips that never came across lipstints. The naturally tan face highlighted a bronze shade that showed off the black lines lining her upper and lower eyelids.
Grinning at his brother's daughter, Annapoorani, Jay waved at her. The little girl leapt to his open arms and roared a 'Welcome home!', in the middle of the hug. Just as excited as she was, the uncle placed his belongings down and swung her upwards into the air. The girl laughed aloud, her laughter cutting open the nature's dull canvas of reality.
Two sets of footsteps approached the uncle-niece duo. The girl, still holding her uncle's hands, looked at her parents, Jeeva and Mandhira. Jay hugged his brother and nodded at Mandhira. His brother smelled like neem, cucumber and home. He closed his eyes and let himself drown in a scent that he had missed for years.
Jeeva looked more like Jay, neatly combed straight black locks, a sharp nose with jet black eyes. He wore a solid navy blue tee with khaki pants. Mandhira, who stood by his side, glowed, patting her giant third trimester bump. Braided black hair brought to the front, brown eyes and double chin—just like the senior he remembered during his school days. Nothing more, nothing less.
After loading the baggage in his brother's car, the family left from the airport to celebrate Jay's return in a restaurant that they frequent as a ritual, whenever they visit the city for family dinners. It had been a while for him to indulge in authentic south Indian local delicacies - especially the kola mutton meatballs. Jay's taste buds danced around the one of a kind appetiser. Between bites, he was going on and on about the happenings in his place, Danny and put forth teeny tiny clues about his girlfriend.
Mandhira was the first one to gasp. 'Wait, wait! You are in a relationship with a woman? This reminds me,' she opened her palms towards Jeeva, 'I won this round, honey.'
Jeeva groaned and pushed a two thousand rupee bill on her open palms.
'Grow up, both of you! You are not schoolkids. For once, act like a parent of a ten year old', grunted Jay. 'I will introduce you both the next time I'm with her or will try to bring her home.'
Jeeva nodded and Mandhira chirped, 'One more girl! One more girl!'
'Are you that happy, sweetheart? Am I not enough?, the husband winked at his wife.
'Hmpf. Yeah. I want more people in the mansion. We could read, cook, play and watch shows together. You guys are such a bore!'
Jeeva turned to Jay and smirked. 'It's an order from my wife.'
Jay shook his head, 'I don't know how she feels about me. Soon as we put an end to our land troubles, I have planned to ask her to marry me. I am happy with her. I guess that the feeling is mutual.' He gave out an awkward smile.
'Good to hear. So, where is our next stop?', Jeeva asked.
Three years ago, unable to cope up with people he worked with in a government office, Jay delivered his resignation letter to his superior. He was getting paid enough, but pushing him around for more money and free services was utterly unexpected from their side. When he spent the last day in his office, he reached his home near the barn and shut the door to his room. He was unable to tolerate what his ex-colleagues did for a living. Half a year into the new job, one of his clients stalked and threatened him with the life of his then six year old niece. That was the limit. He punched the client full in the face, breaking his nose in one go. He, thereby, proved people of the consequences when they mess with an ex-delinquent and his family.

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Song of the Firebird
General FictionShe was thrown into the very same pit she escaped from in the past. He keeps having nightmares about the family he once lost. Somewhere in the middle, they take time to heal- Ignoring all the hardships that were cast. Will Jay and Natasha s...