“Did u hear the news about Mrs. Menon’s daughter?” Mrs.Pillai asked Mrs. Jacob excitedly.

“Yes yes, of course. There is no one left in the colony to hear it. I guess every one watched the whole drama.” Mrs. Jacob had a glee in her voice.

“Such a shame. And all of it happened on TV. I am sure the Mrs. Menon will be devastated. She was crying her heart out in the TV. I think she expected too much from her daughter. ” Mrs. Pillai also couldn’t hide the slight happiness from her voice.

“Here comes Mrs. Thambi. They stay next door to the Menons. Mrs. Thambi, the Menons are not back  yet? Or did they escape to any secret hideout?” Mrs. Jacob tried to joke.

“Yes yes, they are back. Came last night. I think they didn’t want to be seen by anyone. Haven’t opened the doors or windows since. But they are there alright. I saw Mr. Menon come out to take the newspaper. He even smiled at me. Then Mrs. Menon called him from inside and he went in closing the front door. I think he has handled the situation pretty well. But I think the girl lost one year in school also” Mrs. Thambi gave the latest news.

“Poor Mrs. Menon. Now that the girl’s studies also will be affected. Should we go there? They might need a support” Mrs. Jacob asked doubtfully.

“ No no. Let them recover from the shock first” Mrs. Pillai was firm about that.

“You are correct. It is not easy. Getting eliminated from that music reality show because of lack of SMS. And Mrs. Menon had even got new sari for the finals. She was so sure her daughter would make it. They will need some time to pick themselves up. ” Mrs. Thambi said sympathetically.

“Yes yes” everyone nodded in agreement.

“But, I never meant to do it, Amma” Arya  said desperately. She was very sad. Amma didn’t say anything. “Do you think papa will be mad at me? He had promised to take me to children’s park. But he said he was too busy today and he’ll take me some other day. He always does that. I was so sad. That is why I threw that flower vase on floor. Papa got angry and shouted at me. He sent me upstairs and said that I am not to come down unless he calls me. Papa doesn’t love me anymore” tears welled up in Arya’s eyes.

Amma wiped her tears away and stroked her head. “No Arya. Papa loves you very much. He is very busy with his work now a days. He is working hard so that he can buy you enough chocolates and coloring books and toys. You shouldn’t be angry at him. And throwing that flower vase on floor was certainly not a good thing. Amma’s Arya is a good girl. Aren’t you?”.

 Arya looked at amma’s face. She had a very sweet smile. “ Ok amma. I won’t be angry at him. I am sorry for breaking that vase. I will say sorry to Papa also” Amma hugged her. Arya felt the familiar warmth of amma’s hug.

Amit came to the room. His eyes were moist. He sat down near Arya and gave her a tight hug. “Sorry dear, papa will take you to children’s park. I am sorry about shouting at you. I love you baby” He lifted up  Arya up and took her out. On his way out he looked at Varsha and asked silently” Why did you leave us alone, Varsha?” Varsha’s portrait smiled at him from the wall.

“Maria, I found it”, shouted Sam from his lab. Maria came running to him. Sam was ecstatic. “ See, cancer cells in these rats are destroyed after we injected them with my new medicine. This is it, Maria. I have found permanent cure to cancer”. Sam was almost dancing with joy.  “Oh, Sam. I am so happy for you. You have finally made it.” Maria beamed.

Sam and Maria were biologists in a famous research centre. More than that they were in love and were engaged . They were almost opposite in character. Though a brilliant and hardworking man, Sam found it difficult to make friends. He was happy with his modest life, rented apartment and second hand car. He never had much a social life. He worked late night almost every day in the research centre. And his pet project was to find a cure for cancer. He never told anyone about it, except Maria.

Beautiful and vicious Maria had many admirers. Even though he watched her from a distance Sam never had the courage even to talk to her. When Maria expressed her love for Sam he was quite shocked. They got engaged a few weeks before and agreed that they would get married once Sam’s project was over. And today he had finally found success.

“Sam, I’ll make you some tea. You didn’t have any dinner. And it is very late. You look tired.” Maria said.

“I am coming Maria. Let me finish this report.” Sam said as Maria went to kitchen. After a few hours Sam was having a strong tea made by Maria. He had finished his project report. “ I will meet our director tomorrow and explain my findings. This medicine will be a cure to all those poor people who suffer from cancer. I am so happy today Maria. I haven’t even slept properly for so many days. Today I can sleep peacefully” Maria smiled.

She washed up all dishes and cleaned the kitchen. “Good night Sam. Have a good sleep” She wished him as she put on her over coat. She backed up her car and waved goodbye to Sam. She waited till she heard him locking the front door . “ Have a peaceful sleep forever”. She grinned as she looked at the project report safely tucked in her overcoat. She tossed out the poison bottle and stepped on the accelerator.