Crossing the Mirage:Passing Through Youth

Busy Bees in the Honeycomb

While the Chandras were in the seventh heaven, the Yadagiris set out to arrange the mundane things for them. They resolved that no stone should be left unturned to enable their bahu to lead a luxuriant life in the company of their son. It would be befitting to gift the newly acquired house near the High Court, to Nithya and get it furnished to the hilt. Why not name it Honeycomb? Wasn't it time Chandra stopped riding the Vespa and started driving a Fiat with Nithya? So they welcomed the news of the honeymooners', overstay for it gave them time to complete the arrangements. Also, the marriage of their son made a huge difference to them psychologically as well. Long accustomed to despair that the tragic death of Vasavi had turned into trauma, Chandra's romance cheered them up no end.

“Do you know,” Nithya said as they thought it fit to return home at last, “your value to my life?”

“Can I match you in articulation?” said Chandra admiringly.

“As I was stranded chasing the mirage of despair,” she said, as her eyes got moist, “you helped me cross it to reach the oasis of bliss. I shall be forever indebted to you.”

“If you hadn't been my wife,” he said himself affected, “I would have remained forever mired in the mirage of malady.”

“You know,” she said lovingly, “how I love to entangle you in fatherhood.”

"As you deliver,” he said fondling her belly, “I will get onto the table.”

“Why wait that long?”

“Why become hors de combat,” he said winking at her, “in the midst of a hot pursuit?”

“On a horny turf,” she winked back at him.

“That's for a jackpot of ecstasy.”

“Enhancing my fulfillment,” she said playfully feeling her belly.

“What's your wish,” he said joining her in the act, “boy or a girl?”

“Why not reconsider?” she said wanting nothing to take her away from her oasis of bliss. “I don't want it to take anything away from us. Don't you think we would be better off getting it off?”

“Don't forget it's this child that brought us together,” he said kissing her tummy. “I shall be grateful to it and shall love it for being your child.”

“I won't praise you anymore,” she said pressing his head to her belly. “I'm tired of that.”

After a month-long honeymoon when the Chandras returned home, they were led by the Yadagiris into the Honeycomb to set up their nucleus family. As that parental gift of freedom eclipsed the paternal bitterness of the past, Chandra's soul acquired a new avatar. And Nithya, who was gratified at being Chandra's wife, couldn't hold tears of gratitude for

her in-laws' love and affection as well. And her parents too were heartened to see their daughter feted like a queen at Honeycomb by one and all.