Introvert Maya

Arya reaches home. He opens his slippers and heads towards the bedroom with the kitten in his arms.

*SNIFF*

His nose suddenly caught the smell of something cooking. He peeped into the kitchen, Maya was cooking. She was cooking eggs and a sauce. Smell of fresh spices was lingering all around. Arya Watches Maya cooking from behind.

Arya's eyes were subconsciously observing her actions. The way she stirred the sauce. Her apron, that had a fold on one side which was disturbing to him. He wanted to fix it but… he would rather not.

*MEOW*

The kitten finally declared it's presence. Maya, who was busy cooking quickly turns around to check if it was what she heard and Oh, it was! A lovely little surprise, resting on her husband's arms.

"Oh my goodness, such a beauty" Maya whispered to herself. Being the big time introvert she was, it was truly hard for her to express her emotions. But, it seemed like she had melted. Arya hands over the kitten to her. "Hopefully mom and you'll like it." He said.

"I like it. Hope she likes it too," Maya blushed. She quickly moved her face away. She starts rubbing the kitten's back gently. The kitten was staring at Maya. It had black spots near its whiskers.

*MEOW*

"Seems like it's hungry" Said Arya. "Give it to me, you're already cooking," Maya looked at the kitten with a gentle smile, "We must clean it after feeding and…" She stopped. "And?" Arya asked. "N… nothing!" Replied Maya, handing over the cat to him. She cleaned her hands and resumed cooking.

Cherry Blossom petals blowing all over outside. Maya could see it while cooking. She then spotted Stella's car arriving from far, through the window. It was time for her to return from her flower store. "Mother is here! She wipes her hands in her apron, opens it and leaves the kitchen. Arya sees her going and sighs, "Workaholic on point " He muses. He holds the kitten and goes to feed it some milk.

Maya reaches the door to receive Stella. Stella's face wasn't as cheerful as it is always. Maya lifts her bag and takes her inside. She pours water in a glass and gives it to her, like every other day.

"Oh my sweetheart, may the Flower Goddess bless you and your wedded life," Stella blessed her while sipping the water. "Sales are not going well my child," Stella said. She keeps the glass of water on the table and continues, "My top customers are migrating to other cities. When I asked them the reason, they said that the city has become too gloomy for them to reside. Not like I doubt it, but as for my sales… I am very worried."

"Don't worry mother. There is definitely a cure to everything, it's just about time." Maya said to Stella in an attempt to console, her face lowered. She couldn't make eye contact while speaking in any informal setting, like this. Stella held her chin and gently lifted her face, "Dear, we are your own. What's this shyness about? Your words are logical enough for me to relax for now. But… " Stella stopped. "What is it mother?" Maya asked. "I am just upset that the sales that are happening these days are mostly for funerals… it rips my heart," Stella's eyes gets filled with tears. Maya hesitantly hugs her and holds her hands.

Arya watches them from a distance. "Am I really seeing my mother with her daughter in law? I never thought this was possible." He was happy to see Maya trying to cope with her introverted nature and giving her best for the family. Their bonding elated him. He realised two things. One, her wife was trying her best to own his family as her own. Two, the city has suffered enough, something needs to be done at the earliest.

*MEOW*

"Huh? Is that a… ?" Stella asks Maya. Maya smiled and nodded her head. "We sure needed it and it needed us! Where is the baby?" Stella looked in the direction of the sound. Arya appears with the kitten in his arms. "Here Mom, I hope you like it. I found it near the vending machine on my way back home." Arya handed over the kitten to Stella. "Milk lurking from your whiskers, are you full now baby?" Stella started cuddling the cat. "Wait, we can't call it 'baby'!" She added. Maya saw what was coming and looked at Arya. Arya spotted Maya looking at her with a weak yet pure smile. He recalled she was about to say something to him earlier but she didn't. "Have you people thought of a name yet?" Stella popped the question.

"A name right!" Arya exclaimed. He now understood what Maya wanted to talk about but her introverted nature didn't allow her. I can't believe she is surpassing me in being an introvert. Highly competitive." Arya thought to himself and chuckled.