Prema (Pranushka)

Chapter 2

Prabhas

"Okay no rush." I tell Amma before cutting the call and bringing my phone out in front of my face. Me and Amma are going to Sai's parents house for a wedding planning meeting. All the close friends and family were requested to come for a casual dinner and a time for every time to mingle and talk about anything that needs to be arranged for the upcoming wedding in a few months. Nanna got held up at work today in a late meeting so it's just me and Amma which I don't mind, this is an excuse for me to spend time with her and I get free food at the dinner. 

I look up when I hear a clicking sound of the car door opening and mom sits down in the passenger seat. She has on a long dress which reaches to her ankles where there is about an inch of her black leggings peaking out. The dress is a light gray color with black and white flowers printed all over it, and I smile when I remember that it's one me and Nanna bought for her birthday a few years ago.

"I like your dress Amma," I say to her, turning my eyes from the road for a split second to glance at her face now beaming with a smile.

"Thank you Prabhas." She folds her hands in her laugh, a few lines of wrinkles forming on the sides of her eyes as she continues to smile looking at the road.

"Did you have other plans tonight, or any work?" I shake my head at her question, slowly sitting up as I slowly release the pressure off the brake pedal when the light turns green.

"No urgent work or anything, this week was pretty slow." She nods at me, before turning back to look at the road. Even though today is Friday, none of us friends wanted to do anything, so the plans were just chilling at home so coming with Amma wasn't a problem. Other than the fact that I don't really have anyone to talk to except the girl I met a week ago, Anushka, she was at the pooja so maybe her or her brother will be there as company for me.

"Is Nanna feeling better," I turn to ask Amma, suddenly remembering the events from this past week.

"Yes, much better. His cough is slowly getting better, I think he was just overworked." I nod at Amma, knowing she's probably right because Nanna won't listen to either of us when we tell him to take a break, so I'm sure that on top of his age catching up to him is what caused his dull week.

"That's good, make sure he's being careful," I add with a frown slowly playing back onto my lips.

"I will, I will, I'm trying my best," She gives me a pat on my shoulder of reassurance, telling me again not to worry.

"Don't think about it, he'll be fine. It'll pass, it's just like a viral type of thing," Amma says as we get out of the car and close the doors a few feet away from the house.

"Yeah, I know." I walk beside her, putting my keys and phone in my pockets.

"I'll take one Amma," I reach out to grab one of the large round bowls full of sweets and rest it on my forearms. Me and Amma take off our slippers and line them up beside each other, before I reach forward to ring the bell.

"Maybe it's unlocked," Amma nudges my arm to just twist the door open when nobody comes to the door for a few seconds.

She's right, as usual, and the door creaks open and I step in with Amma behind me and a crowd of people swarm towards us as soon as the door shuts behind us. Amma gets pulled into a crowd of Aunties leaving me holding the heavy bowl and an empty hallway. I walk behind them into the kitchen and set it down with the rest of the food.

"Such a good boy, you're always so good to your mom," I hear squealing after that when a short, slightly plump woman comes up to me looking up at me. I cringe at her gaudy jewelry and her immense amount of makeup but force a smile on my face as everyone starts to gush over me.