The blooming Magnolia

Chapter : 21

Ritwik and Vansh sat in a comfortable silence in the living room of the old-fashioned house of Mrs Fernandes. Ritwik had visited here twice before so he was familiar with the room. Vansh, being his first visit here, scanned through the candle-lit large room around him. The room was so huge that it made Vansh intrigued about the other rooms as well. The high ceilings and the old-fashioned ceiling fans gave the room a rustic look to it. This house looked pretty old yet it had a homely feeling all over. With so many candles placed at every corner of the room, it was easy to look around without straining your eyes. Vansh noticed a number of pictures hung by the wall. Mrs Fernandes had hung so many of their pictures around one corner sat up a pattern-- their wedding pictures, some of Mr Fernandes's solo pictures.

While at the other end, by the large yellow wall, there was a huge picture of Jesus Christ and a cross beside it.

But what caught his attention was a very precious member sitting idly at one corner of the room beside the huge wooden window---- A Grand Piano. His hands itched to touch it. Not that he knew how to play it but it's presence inside was tempting enough.

Now that he knew that Anika was fine, he was more relaxed now. He wished she sat with them now, but she went to the kitchen to help Mrs Fernandes make something for the boys. They had driven for about 4 long hours. They were hesitating to cause any trouble to the old lady in the middle of the night, but she was too eager to make some food for them. Now that it was midnight, there was no point in driving back to Bangalore again. So, they decided to stay the night at her house before they return back to Bangalore the next morning. After trying a number of times, Vansh was lucky enough to make a call back home to inform his parents that they had met their mother and that she was fine. Anika was relieved to hear from them that Ahana was sleeping peacefully with her grandparents.

Seeing Vansh advance towards the instrument, Ritwik said, "Do you know how to play it?"

Looking back at him, Vansh nodded his head.

"My maternal grandmother could play it when she was young." he said as he pressed a couple of keys. The rich sound vibrated through the silent room. Ritwik nodded to the information.

Anika entered the room and said, " Hop into the dining table, food's ready."

......

Mrs Fernandes's excitement knew no bounds as she served food to the boys who were equally excited to see the food. Their facial expressions while looking at the delicious food made Anika realize how hungry they might be. They sat around the oval dining table which had a number of candles placed on silver candlesticks. Anika was impressed to see the lady's collection.

She sat on one of the chairs and watched as the old lady talked with them.

"So, you are the groom!! " she said, looking at Vansh. Vansh smiled at her.

"Yes, Auntie...A handsome one." joked Ritwik while tearing the Roti.

"A handsome one indeed." chuckled Mrs Fernandes making Vansh blush a bit which did not slip from Anika's eyes.

"What do you do son?" She asked Vansh.

"I run restaurants in Bangalore." said Vansh.

"Really? That's interesting. Is it like one or a chain?"

"It's a chain. We have been into these for more than 50 years." Vansh's eyes sparkled as he said that. He was so proud of his family and their line of work.

"What does your wife do?" said the lady, making him uncomfortable with the connotation she used against his fiance.

"My fiance is a lifestyle journalist." He said as he stole a glance at Anika who quickly evaded his gaze and settled to suddenly cleaning something off the cotton fabric of the table cover.