Up to the brim

                                    

                                          
Kritika 

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
Rough translation - The threads of our destiny do come together
"Love is important, I'm not denying that but love isn't enough, Ruturaj. Now, my Kritika has been brought up in Chennai and you stay in Pune. How are you planning to handle the distance?" 
My eyes widen at the question. Undoubtedly, this same concern had crossed my mind too but I had pushed it off by saying that I'll see what to do when time arrives. I see a downcast eyed Rutu taking a deep breath and know that he hasn't thought this through. I slip my left hand into his and mentally ask him to look at me. And perceptive as ever, he does. 
I tighten my grip on his hand and give him a nod. Just go for it, Rutu, I think. 
He nods back. 
"Thank you, Sir for asking this question because the sooner we take care of how to deal with the distance, the better. I assure you that I'm not the kind of person who will expect Kritika to change cities or leave her job or even look for a new one." He looks at me as he continues. 
"It's her decision. Whatever she chooses to do, I'll respect that. Indeed, staying in different cities will be difficult for both of us. But we were able to sail through the distance that IPL brought because of your daughter. And now I hope that I can be as strong as her." 
Every day I think I cannot harbour any more love for this boy and every day he proves me wrong by filling me up to the brim with love, love and only love. I brush my thumb on his palm to let him know that I appreciate his answer and even more than it, I appreciate him.
I look at Appa to see his reaction. At this point I can clearly say that he's a whisker away from tears. Yet, being the Ajith Pillai that he is, he nods and asks Rutu, "And what about marriage?I hope you are planning to marry my daughter one day." 
"Appa-" I shake my head and make a quick attempt to reprimand his question but the sensation of Rutu's fingers takes the storm of words away. 
"Certainly, Sir. I hope your daughter will marry me one day." 
I look at Appa and then at Rutu. And once I look at Rutu, there's no looking anywhere else.
I can no longer hold the love within me without getting overwhelmed. Appa can't hide his tears too. Every question of his wizzes past my eyes. His sigh of relief tells me that Rutu has managed to wipe every worry of his....career....distance.... marriage. 
Appa removes his glasses and wipes his tears with his hanky. 
"Alright then, Ruturaj, welcome to the family!" He opens his arms for him. I'm surprised. Appa isn't a hug person. And if he's embracing Rutu then that seals the fact that he has wholeheartedly accepted him. My head is spinning with happiness when the cutest member of our family enters the house and lets out a huge scream. 
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? OH MY GOD DEVI, WAKE UP, WAKE UP, OR ELSE YOU'LL MISS YOUR STOP!!" 
I roll my eyes fondly as I walk up to hug her. 
"This isn't a dream!" She exclaims excitedly. 
"No, Devi, it isn't!!"
"Okay so you're telling me that my board exams ended on the same day as Appa accepting that he likes Rutu???" 
"Yes." 
"OH MY GOD, THIS IS THE PERFECT OCCASION TO PARTTTYYYYY."
We all chuckle as Devi flings her transparent pad and pouch on the sofa and starts dancing. At her insistence and the usage of what I call, "Deadly Devi Dog eyes," we join her. 
As Rutu twirls me, I catch Appa twirling Amma around too. And with Devi's, "Goals," my family is complete. 
****** 
"Ohhhoooo Rutu, if all you wanted to do was stare at Akka then what was the point of buying this poor ice cream??! See even it is melting at your sizzling chemistry." 
And that's how, ladies and men, that's how, Devika Pillai gets the award of world's most crackhead yet adorable third wheel. 
"You know, it's not even the chemistry that's catalysing the melting... but you sisters. You two know how to raise temperatures, don't you?" 
Devi gasps dramatically at that and I shrug a smug shrug. 
"Oh my God Rutu, you're making me so sad. So so sad. Why did you have to be of Akka's age??? I swear if you had been eighteen I would have eaten you alive."
Hunger makes my sister more hyper than usual. I link my right arm with her and Rutu takes her left as we drag her to the food court. 
"No but seriously, you guys should celebrate this by yourself too. Go away and don't return until I'm done with this sizzler." 
"Alright Ma'am." Rutu bows at her and she sighs once again but mouths at me. 
"Go kiss him in the trial room or something." 
Devi and her "Mall Fantasies." 
But this time I find myself considering her suggestion seriously. 
As Rutu brings his arm around my shoulder I look at him. 
"What are you thinking?" He asks in his calm, low baritone. 
"Just wondering how did I get so lucky." 
"Firstly, because of your brilliant interview at Orchids, that won you this job. And later because of Kriti who won over me." 
I pull his right cheek with my free hand. 
"True that. We were a match made in hotel, I suppose."