He got up, bowing to those who greeted him, as he waltzed his way back to the house.

He spotted Laika and Roma talking animatedly to Rin. "Rin!!!"

He ran to her. Rin was like an older sister to Saka. She had been with him through his difficult days, and he had always followed her around when they were young. When Rin had left for college, Saka had felt the most heart broken, but Rin had come every two months to make sure Saka never felt abandoned.

It had been over five years, but nothing had changed between them.

She hugged him. "You seem to grow by an inch everytime I see you!"

Roma replied,"That's because you are a midget."

He got a slap.

Just then an old vintage car drove into their yard, and Maw Lava got out.

Rin walked to him and helped with his bag.

Maw Lava smiled at them. "It's so good to see you all. If Jiv had come, it would have been better."

He sighed.

Uncle Karn, who was feeding the stray dogs at the temple, rushed to greet the principal.

"Sen Lava! If the kids don't get together, you seem to forget about me too."

"Jun Karn, you see me every weekend during the assembly."

"That's not the same as having lunch." He pretended to sulk.

Sen Lava laughed. They had known each other for over thirty five years, and each had love that arose from deep level of respect for the other.

"One of our guests, Jun Vira, is preparing lunch. It will take a while, I hope it's okay."

"We can wait. I have a task for Musketeers that I want to discuss before lunch."

Uncle Karn nodded. He guided them to his bedroom, which was on the first floor, next to his own study. The guest rooms were down. 

"I'll go and help maw Vira, while you guys discuss."

Maw nodded.

Saka perked up at the mention of sen Vira. He had been searching for him, but not spotting him, had assumed there had been some change in plan.

" Sen Vira is here?"

Karn noticed the excitement in Saka's voice. He smiled." Yes, he volunteered to help with the cooking. He just went in, looking a bit flustered. He was so engrossed in your session, he didn't notice the time he said."

"He was there for my session?"

"From the second you started the incantation till the time you walked out." 

"I didn't see him!" Saka looked so happy. So his Maw didn't find him boring. That was a good thing. No, it was a great thing!

If Vira had walked away, bored, it would have broken his heart.

He was positively radiating with happiness. "Wow, you must like your teacher a lot!"

"I'm trying to get him to fall for me dad. Try to keep it a secret for now though."

Uncle Karn looked like a lightning had struck him. Did he hear things right?

Before he could react, Saka had disappeared.

He would have to have a talk with Saka later on this.

Ever since Saka's mother's had died, the men of the house followed one rule. No one would hide anything from their father, good, bad or ugly.

He was as much their father as he was their mother. He couldn't offer the emotional support a woman could, but in his own way, he showered them with more love than most people could even dream to get. He wasn't the strict overbearing sort, but rather, the gentle but firm type.

Both Saka and Laika loved their father. He meant the world to them, so they tried their best to do nothing that would hurt him.

He too, for his part, tried his best to understand things from their perspective. 

"Sen Vira!" Saka rushed into the kitchen.

Vira had already cut the fruits and vegetables. He had curated a full course meal based on the available ingredients. All that was left now, was to cook.

He looked up to see Saka, and smiled. "Ah, Saka."

"I heard from dad that you stayed through the entire session. Did you not feel bored?"

Vira gave a puzzled look. "Bored?" From where did he get such low self confidence? He literally owned the hall for the two hours.

Vira replied, " Not even for a second."

"Seriously? Like, will you come for another session?"

"I thought we were family. Shouldn't I be there for all the sessions?" Vira asked, his tone light, and in a joking manner.

But he meant every word he said. He really wanted to be part of every single session. A part of him wanted to do it to support Saka, but most of him wanted to do it, because he felt captivated by Saka's thoughts, words, his graceful movements and his tone.

Uncle Karn could see the warmth in Vira's eyes, when he spoke to Saka. He smiled to himself.

But before Saka could ask any more questions, he butted in. "Serve Maw and the others some juice and cookies, will you? And tell them Vira sent his hi," he said to Saka. "Then you can come back and prattle to your heart's content."

Saka said, "Okay!" 

He rushed up with the snack tray, almost skipping a couple of steps, in his excitement.

As he climbed up, he heard Maw Lava's voice.

"I want to tell you a story, not many people know about. And this is not something you will ever hear from him. I am telling you this only so you will understand and cheer him. Support him with all your might. He needs good people like you in his life."

Saka was curious. Who was Maw talking about?

He didn't have any idea of eavesdropping but the next few words changed his mind.

"What I say now, is only known to Vira's immediate family. Infact, Vira doesn't even know that I know about it. It took his grandmother a lot of effort to break his shell and draw him out. He is a lot better now than he was fifteen years back. But, he is still not a healed person. I want you guys to help him, subtly."

There was pin drop silence. It was about Vira?

Saka gently placed the plate on the floor and sat down. What were they discussing about Vira?