Zou Family Lunch

"So, twenty minutes late?" Leela stated, her right hand holding the white ceramic plate with a pattern of flowers printed on it while her free hand served the curd rice to Sidharth, who stared at the background, trying to come up with a good comeback.

"I tried," Sidharth replied. "It's just the shower was so soothing I thought a few more minutes wouldn't harm."

"And keep everyone else waiting in hunger?"

"No, I mean-" Sidharth thought of saying something like You could have started or No need to wait for me only to stop as he knew it wouldn't do any good. The only thing he could do was apologise.

With his head down as his fingers lightly touched the edge of the plate, circling it, he replied, "I am sorry I should have been quicker."

"And?"

"I won't do it again."

"Good," Leela smiled as she turned around to serve Sidharth's favourite curd rice.

Sidharth smiled only to stop as he saw Aisha's smug face mouthing Hehe, Serves you right.

Only for Sidharth to mouth back. Shut up

"Do I need to remind you again, my free-loading daughter, who is the older one among the two of you?" Leela said, her voice ice cold, making Aisha suddenly more interested in her salad than Sidharth.

"Honestly," Leela shook her head as she sat on her chair beside Sidharth. "What will I do with the two of you?"

"Nothing," Malem interjected, trying to lift the mood. "They are already great."

"Ma was right. I really am taking care of three children instead of one," Leela smiled as she passed the glass of water to Malem, with Aisha trying hard to conceal her giggle.

Unbeknownst to all, Sidharth's lip curved into a warm smile as he stared at the food on his plate, the white rice cereal fused with the creamy cold curd in a symphony garnished with sweet honey. This was the best dish that Sidharth could have asked for on his birthday.

"Ma, thank you so much for cooking curd rice!" He beamed, his finger curled onto the metallic body of the spoon and fork, ready to start devouring the food.

Leela smiled, ruffling Sidharth's hair.

Aisha, on the other hand, stared at him with disgust.

"I can never understand what you like about that dish?"

"Same," Malem backed her up, "I feel like vomiting."

"Hmm," Leela glared at them, effectively shutting the father-daughter duo again.

The entire room was covered in comforting silence for the next few minutes. Every once in a while, Sidharth would crane his head, gazing at everyone; his stomach felt giddy whenever he saw his mother, father and sister together. The last time they came together for his birthday was four years ago. Secretly, he prayed that this day would never get over. As he gazed at the black glassy surface of the dining table, he could see the time: '03:30 PM'

"By the way," said Leela. "The Sinhas have planned a dinner party for you, Sidharth."

"Hm?"

"Sayesha called me in the morning saying that Swara was very adamant about it," Leela continued as she picked up the empty plates of Aisha and Malem, placing them gently one above the other. "And she wanted to take you to the best restaurant in the city tonight. Since they had already planned most of the things, I agreed."

Leela stood up, pushing her chair behind, picking up the plates and other utensils as she approached the kitchen.

"Wait but Di said she was the one managing logistics?" He asked confused.

"Oh she did?" Leela gave her a side glance with a sly smirk. "I was of the belied that she was so against the idea of Sayesha being even close to you that she was going to kidnap you."

"Eh?!"

"Ma! I won't do that." Aisha grumbled hiding her face below the table. "Plus I helped just like you asked. Why did you have to bring aunt Sayesha up?!"

"Just because I could."

"Thank you Di!" He replied earnestly but his eyes had a tinge of mischied.

"I don't know if you are being honest or sarcastic." Aisha sighed as she glanced at Malem, who shook his head.

"Anywas," Sidharth bit his lips trying to conceal his grin. "Did they give a time? Or is it the classic Sinha—I can't tell you when or where, but we will come for you when the time is right and take you there"

"Not this time." Leela replied from the kitchen. "Swara was very mad about the last time, since they basically invaded her picnic party. Thus this time we actually have a time, though no venue reveal."

"Classic Sinhas." Sidharth gave a fake exasperated smile.

"Just be ready around sevenish." Leela said walking towards them.

Sidharth gave her a nod, as he could feel the thumping in his chest rise. In his mind ran all the possibilities of how the evening might go. Under the presence of his fiery yet bubbly childhood friend Swara and her parents things always took a chaotic turn. But he didn't really mind that. It was always fun hanging out with them. Plus, the added benefit of the Sinhas being a family friend of Zous made it virtually impossible for him to not spend any major family even without their presence.

Though there's a long story behind the meet between the two families. One that takes us back to a time when both Leela and Sayesha were mere scholar, albeit prodigal and eccentric, yet still young and filled with youth.

So it goes on like this: Dr Leela Zou, during her tenure as a visiting faculty for the literature department at the University of Mysore, had come across a young and eccentric lady who had a frail body, freckles, shoulder-length light brown hair and scarlet eyes hidden behind her glasses.

The eccentric lady was deemed a genius by those who walked that campus. Most were intimidated by her, but Leela, already bored by most scholars and their ambitionless research, ventured towards the old library, the esteemed palace of the 'Eccentric Genius'.

In the eyes of others, it was an invitation to a duel, but for both the 'Genius' and Leela, it was a way to find peace, and once they met, there was no stopping it.

Many say they were inseparable by the end of the day, while many claim they saw them spewing intellectual insults at each other by the end of the day. However, the one thing that was very clear to all was the 'Eccentric Genius' had finally found a friend. One who would go a long way.

"Also..." Leela averted her gaze at Malem, her tone laced with worry. "How did the phone call go?"

"Nothing to worry about," Malem beamed as he stood up, grabbing the leftover utensil from Leela, ushering her to the kitchen as he whispered. "We will discuss this later."

Does she mean the phone call I overheard? Sidharth wondered, only to dismiss it a few moments later, too preoccupied with imagining the party tonight.