Deciphering His Love

51 | The One With The Ice Cream Cake

November 2020,

Munnar, Kerala.

S H R E E P R A S A D

It's been almost four months since we moved into Elysium, located in the beautiful hill station town of Munnar in Kerala.

The various shades of green, blankets of mist, the hills, the valleys, the streams, the waterfalls, tea plantations, rare fauna of Munnar are too captivating. The small but cosy house we live in, is just the right amount of simplicity I craved for.

Madhav finally had ample amount of time to spend with me, Madhu and of course Meow. He helped me to find a job. After a few weeks of attending interviews and sitting for examinations, I finally got a job as an English Literature teacher in a Girl's High School. It was very close to our home too.

I straighten the pleats of my blue sari and brush my hair. In the mirror, I notice Madhav slowly walk towards me. He was wearing a pair of sweatpants and a black tee-shirt. I smile as he wraps his arms around me.

"You showered without me." He says inhaling my sandal perfume.

"I have to leave early, Madhav." I say smiling. "We can shower together in the night. After Madhu sleeps?"

"Deal." Madhav says smiling as he fondles my waist. "But not in the shower. Meet me near that kulam tonight."

I nod.

"Cool cool cool! I'm waiting! I made breakfast." He says as he places kisses up and down my neck. "Come."

"No." I pout looking up at him.

"Come, chellam." He says pressing a kiss to my cheek.

* * * * *

After the righteous breakfast of Idli and Sambhar, Madhav drops Shree off at school in the secondhand Hero Honda bike he brought last week. Shree was seated behind him, while Madhu sat in front of him.

After dropping Shree at school Madhav takes Madhu to the local market to buy vegetables. She was wearing a pink frock and had her tied into neat pigtails.

"Nanna, hurry!" Madhu exclaims as Madhav pays the vendor for the vegetables. He points at the cauliflower and starts to negotiate the price. "Nanna, fast, I left Meow alone at home! She must be worried!"

"Wait, kannamma, I thought of buying some cauliflower for your mother-"

"Meow pavam no, Nanna!" She softly says looking at him with the big eyes that he can never say No to. "I'm being a bad mommy to my baby!"

"Okay!" He says and takes the bag of vegetables. "Let's go! But before that we need to get some bread from the bakery."

As they walk into the baker, Madhu's eyes sparkle at the sight of the fresh ice-cream cakes on the display. Madhav buys the bread and just as he turns to leave Madhu holds his hand.

"Nanna, this looks tasty!" Madhu says pointing to the cake.

"This ice-cream cake? Yeah, it does!" He says.

"Ice-cream cake? You mean its cake with ice-cream?" She asks as her eyes twinkle like diamonds. "I must eat it! Can you buy me a piece? Please!"

"But you said you need to go home since Meow is-"

"It's okay, Meow can stay alone for some more time!" Madhu says and looks up at Nanna. "Please can I have a slice? Please please please!"

"Alright, go catch a table and wait for me." He says, giving Madhu the vegetable bag. Madhu runs to catch a table for them both.