Three Is…

It was raining cats and dogs, close to a week. Though life went on usual at Iyer household, something was amiss.

The morning rush hour saw Radhika deep in thoughts standing close to the kitchen platform, one day. She was lost to such a great extent that she failed to notice the tea bubbling and oozing out. The sound of spilling tea on to the burner, brought her reflexes back and she quickly turned the gas off.

‘Stay in present Radhika’, she ragged up herself.

Pouring the tea in three cups, she showed up at dining table. Krishnan was watching it all.

‘She needs a break, ‘me time’ may be. Or may be some whiling away with me. I’m missing our early morning chit chat over the cup of tea too’, went the monologue in Krish’s mind.

“Anna tea is ready. Please come”, called out Radhika to Raghu, Krish’s elder cousin. He had got transferred to the metro city a month back. Since then he had camped at Kirsh and Radhika’s house. His search for the new home to settle in the city has not progressed much.

‘Is Anna really searching for the house’, doubted Krish as Raghu settled on the chair next to him. Wearing his glasses, Raghu asked Krish to pass the newspaper. Krish registered authoritative tone in Anna’s voice. This made the things clear for Krish. He smiled. Raghu had not registered anything as he was busy inhaling the hot vapours from the tea cup.

“Did you add lemongrass today Radhika? Or have you forgotten as usual? It is to be added before the water starts boiling and not after it. Do you remember?” he demanded to know from Radhika.

With a faint smile, Radhika replied, “Yes Anna. I have followed all your instructions. I don’t know whether it has turned out as per your taste”

“Let me check”, replied Raghu.

Krish now knew what needed to be done to bring the sun shine back.

Immediately after taking the first sip, Raghu kept the cup down. With a contempt, he retorted, “Too strong. You should not have boiled it for long”

Radhika was speechless. Before she could open her mouth to reply, Krish interrupted. “You have added lemongrass Radhika?”

“Anna* has got it from market two days back. He had asked me to add it to the tea”, replied Radhika.

“But don’t you usually add ginger and Tulsi leaves to our morning brew?”, checked Krish.

“I do”

“I know, I know. She had mentioned this to me. But I have insisted to add lemongrass as well along with ginger and Tulsi. Its good on such rainy days Krish”, said Raghu.

“Two is company but three is…”, replied Krish and he paused before completing the sentence.

“Three is crowd”, said Raghu impromptu, completing the sentence. The moment he did so, a smile prevailed on Krish and Radhika’s face. Realising what he has said, Raghu went silent.

“Ginger and Tulsi are good for morning brew and health. Lemongrass can go solo on the wintery mornings, isn’t it Anna?”, stated Krish with twinkle in his eyes.

Radhika nodded in affirmation. The sunshine was back on her face and it was still raining cats and dogs outside!

Anna – The elder brother is called Anna in most of the households in Southern India

This is my third post for #Bar-A-Thon2018 Season3 on prompt “Three Is Crowd “

Picture courtesy Pixabay