CHAPTER: 25 Emptiness and Purity
"This sofa... Tulasi bought this, didn't she? Her taste is, like, totally spot on," he mused, a small, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips. He found himself drifting to Tulasi's room, pushing open the door, but didn't enter. Inside, a pink bedsheet adorned the bed, two teddy bears and other stuffed animals tucked in with blankets as if they are resting on her bed. "Seriously, does she think she's a little kid?" he thought, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Look at her curves, though. Who would actually think she's a child? Her body definitely grew up, but her brain is still in kindergarten!".
He quickly shut the door and headed to the balcony. The plants, the birds, the feeders... everywhere he looked, all he saw was Tulasi. Her image was imprinted on his mind, no cap. He opened his laptop, diving into his research work, trying to drown out the echoes of her presence.
Morning arrived. The maid came in. "Didn't you bring breakfast?" he asked.
"Oh, sir, you haven't been ordering lately, have you?" she replied.
"Right, I'll order something myself," he mumbled, still glued to his laptop, immersed in work.
The maid swept, observing the state of the apartment. "Sir, the house is, not quite as lively without Madam here, is it?" she remarked.
Abhi just rubbed his temples, thinking, "OMG, she's totally calling me out, digging into my feels!".
"Madam is such a sweet soul," the maid continued.
"Where did she go, sir? Did she go to her parents' house?" she asked.
Abhi remembered Tulasi talking about her dad, mom, and brother, but never about visiting them. "It's probably best not to ask," he thought, What if she leave him for them? Let's not think about them.
The cleaning lady went into Abhi's room. "Oh, sir, starting with the bottles again?" she sighed. You were so settled when madam was here. What's with all these vices, sir? she felt sorry for them. She collected the empty bottles from the bedroom and living room, dumping them in the trash.
"You should have gone with Madam, sir," she ventured.
"Mind your own business!" he snapped, his voice sharp. It was a familiar reaction, so she just quietly went about her work, missing Tulasi's cheerful chatter while she cleaned.
Meanwhile, Tulasi was at Shashirekha's place, a bustling joint family with aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Tulasi was absolutely vibing with all the family chaos, pure joy radiating from her.
"OMG, Shashi, you look absolutely gorgeous in that half sari!" Tulasi gushed. Shashirekha, striking a pose, replied, "Girl, you tell meI look good! Seriously, look at yourself!Do I look good? Or Tulasi?" She called out to her mom, aunt and cousin's
"Mom, tell me!".
Her mom just laughed,
"You don't even need to answer mom, Tulasi win in a unanimous!". Shashirekha pouted playfully. Tulasi is simply breathtaking.
"See? Everyone loves you, not me!".
Shashi's dad then walked over, "You're the most beautiful, my little angel, the Lakshmi of our home!" he said, kissing Shashi's forehead. Seeing this, Tulasi's eyes instantly welled up, her heart aching as she remembered her own dad, who used to do the same thing, showering her with so much love. She discreetly wiped away her tears, then gracefully joined in the family fun, blending in with the kids and elders.