Two weeks after the events of the previous chapter
Madhavi and her son Harish are in the wedding hall to attend the wedding reception of Priya who is a friend of the former as well as her college junior.
Harish is in an Indian party wear.
Madhavi is in a turquoise chiffon saree.
With a gift in their hands, they approach Priya who is on the wedding stage.
Priya is in a full-sleeved lehenga with her belly exposed.
Priya and Madhavi greet each other with a great excited smile.
PRIYA: Madhavi Akka??????
MADHAVI: Yes, Priya. It’s me. How are you?
PRIYA: I’m fine, Akka. How are you?
MADHAVI: I’m absolutely fine.
PRIYA: (points her finger towards Harish) Who’s this? Your son?
MADHAVI: Yes, Priya. This is my son. His name is Harish.
Madhavi then turns her attention towards Harish.
MADHAVI: Harish thangam, this is Priya Aunty. Your Amma’s friend. Say “hi” to her.
Harish turns his attention towards Priya and waves his hand at her.
HARISH: Hi Aunty.
Priya giggles and ruffles Harish’s hair.
PRIYA: Harish is your name, dear?
HARISH: Yes, Aunty.
PRIYA: Nice name.
HARISH: Thank you, Aunty.
PRIYA: Hey, Aunty doesn’t need thanks.
HARISH: Then how else am I supposed to respond to compliments?
Priya laughs softly and ruffles Harish’s hair.
PRIYA: Don’t worry about it, little buddy. Aunty was just playing with you!
Harish responds with a shy smile.
HARISH: Oh…Okay, Aunty.
PRIYA: May I know in which class you are studying?
HARISH: I’m in 3rd standard, Aunty.
Priya smiles warmly at Harish.
PRIYA: Really? That’s adorable. Before you started going to school, I used to enjoy looking at you as an infant and playing with you. Now you have grown up a bit.
Harish blushes on hearing what Priya just said and he grins softly.
HARISH: Well, not really, Aunty.
PRIYA: Sweetie, I’m telling the truth. For your age, you are grown up. Look at the cute face you have got.
Harish further blushes.
HARISH: Aunty, please stop calling me “cute”. I’m feeling shy.
Priya laughs at Harish’s shyness as she finds it not just funny but also cute and adorable.
PRIYA: Are you sure? Cause you are absolutely adorable! There’s no use trying to deny it!
Harish continues to blush.
HARISH: Anyway, thank you for your lovely compliments.
Priya smiles as she’s amused by Harish’s blushing.
PRIYA: Aww….Come here, kiddo.
Saying this, Priya pulls Harish into a tight hug. While hugging, the latter’s face is on the former’s tummy but his face is turned, thus only his cheek is touching her tummy. Not his lips.
(LIKE THIS)
The hug continues for a few seconds after which it breaks and Priya and Harish pull away from each other.
HARISH: Thank you for your warm hug, Aunty.
Priya laughs softly on hearing what Harish just said.
PRIYA: Anytime, kiddo. Aunty hopes you won’t forget her.
HARISH: Don’t worry, Aunty. I won’t forget you.
Priya giggles and pinches Harish’s cheeks. Harish giggles back in response to the pinches.
PRIYA: And don’t forget to come to my house.
HARISH: Sure, Aunty. Where do you live?
PRIYA:
A few seconds later, a music show is hosted in the wedding hall where a few audience begins to dance. Harish is impressed by this and he wants to dance along with them. He also persuades his mom to dance.
HARISH: Come on, Amma. Let’s dance.
Madhavi feels shy.
MADHAVI: Hey, I can’t dance, thangam.
Harish tries to convince his mom.
HARISH: Amma, don’t worry. No one will judge us. We are just going to dance. Just do the steps that you know.
Madhavi accepts despite feeling shy.
MADHAVI: Okay. I’ll. Just don’t make fun of me for certain dance moves of mine.
HARISH: Amma, don’t worry. I won’t do that. No one will do that.
MADHAVI: Alright, thangam. Let’s begin.
Harish gets excited and he joins those who are dancing along with Madhavi. Both dance being close to each other and in between, there are some occasional touches.
On one side, Madhavi feels embarrassed as her son touches her tummy in front of the public while on the other side, she enjoys it.
A few seconds later, Harish and Madhavi are tired of dancing and they walk away.
An hour later
Madhavi and Harish have had their dinner. They reach out to the stage where there is Priya along with her fiancé. Priya laughs softly as she congratulates both Madhavi and Harish for dancing.
PRIYA: Hey, both the mom and the son danced pretty well.
MADHAVI: Hey, I’m not so good at dancing. I just did a few moves that I know. That’s all.
PRIYA: But still that was awesome.
Madhavi feels embarrassed but she manages to hide it with a simple smile.
MADHAVI: Thank you, Priya.
Priya now turns her attention towards Harish.
PRIYA: Hey kiddo!!!
HARISH: Yes, Aunty????
PRIYA: You danced better than your mom.
Harish looks surprised.
HARISH: Huh? Seriously?
PRIYA: Yes, kiddo. I mean it. You danced better than your mom. Looking forward to see another dance of yours soon.
HARISH: Thank you, Aunty. And yes, you will see my dance again.
Priya smiles warmly and pulls Harish into another hug just like before dinner. Harish and Priya stay in the same position as they were during the hug before dinner. Although, Priya enjoys this hug more than the previous hug.
After a few seconds, the hug breaks and both Priya and Harish break free from each other’s grip.
Priya now turns her attention towards Madhavi.
PRIYA: Alright, Akka. Let’s meet often.
MADHAVI: Definitely, Priya.
Priya and Madhavi hug each other and after a few seconds, the hug breaks.
This chapter ends with Harish and Madhavi waving their hands at Priya who in turn waves her hand back at them and then both the mother and the son holding each other’s hands and exiting the wedding hall.