"Okay then. I need to head home. See you tomorrow Yogi." Raj was standing up and stretching after their conversation.
"Yup, see you tomorrow then." Yogi laughed waving goodbye as Raj headed out.
As he walked home, the fading light of the day bathed the streets in a warm glow and for a brief moment, he let go of all his worries. But as soon as he reached his front door and pushed it open. A small fist came towards his stomach and landed with surprising force.
"Take my Bhima's fist" a sweet, energetic voice called out.
Raj stumbled back not from the impact but by pure surprise. Before him stood Suma, his younger sister with a glowing face filled with pride and mischief.
"Suma!! You need to stop attacking me every time I come home." Raj grumbled as he rubbed his stomach.
Suma pouted playfully, completely ignoring his complaint. "So? How's my improvement? I've been practicing Bhima's fist with Mom and Dad, but they keep saying I need to improve more to even consider it as a basic stage. Can you believe that?"
Raj smiled. "Well, you're getting stronger. But maybe you could save your punching practice with someone else?"
Suma leaned in, with her eyes full of excitement. "Oh! By the way, Mom and Dad are preparing something for you, but they told me not to tell you. It's supposed to be a surprise. But," she added with a sly grin, "what are you going to give me for leaking that little secret?"
Raj raised an eyebrow. "Nice try, Suma. I'm not falling for your tricks again. If you want chocolates ask Amma, not me."
Instantly, Suma's face fell, and she gave him the most exaggerated, heartbroken look, her eyes filling with fake tears. "Anna..... you've changed. You no longer love me. I'm not even worth a single piece of chocolate to you?"
Raj sighed deeply, knowing well where this led. "Enough with the crocodile tears," he muttered, reaching into his bag. Here, you can have these. But don't eat too many at once, okay?"
Before he could even finish his sentence, Suma snatched the box of chocolates from his hand with lightning speed and darted off to her room. Raj watched in stunned silence, shaking his head in disbelief.
"How does she get so fast when it comes to stealing from me?" he mused as he was still amused with his little sister's antics.
Just then a soft, gentle voice called out from the kitchen. "Young master, Madam, and Sir will be home for dinner tonight. You should freshen up before we serve the meal."
Raj turned to see Priya, the family maid standing with her usual calm demeanor. She had an air of grace that could shake the country that always puzzles Raj. How is she willing to be a maid with that look?
"How many times do I have to tell you, Priya? Just call me Raj. There's no need for any formalities." he replied with a slight frown on his face.
Priya smiled, bowing slightly. "I will change next time."
Raj sighed. No matter how many times he insisted, Priya always remained formal with him, something he couldn't quite figure out.
He made his way towards his room, his thoughts drifting back to his parents. "I wonder what they've been so busy with lastly," he muttered to himself as he washed up.