Simple pleasures

She climbs out of bed. Its 7 in the morning. She looks at her husband sleeping peacefully. She tells herself that they should reduce their irritable outbursts at each other, especially after last night's surprise. She finishes her ablutions and is heading downstairs when she stops. She sees his room door closed. She hesitates and then walks upto the door. She opens it carefully to avoid waking him up. She seems him lying there, almost cherubic in appearance and she chuckles to herself wondering what a contrast it is to his normal rebel like disposition. She pulls the chair, sits down and swings her legs on the bed. He is back on a surprise visit just for her birthday. She looks at him and tries to understand the machinations that made him tick. She stares at him and feels fuller and more complete than she had felt in years, just seeing her son lie there. She gets up, ruffles his hair and steps out, with a faint smile.

He wakes up. Its such a great feeling to be back home. He missed his room and opens the bay window looking out from his room. He looks at his books and feels a sudden affinity towards them. He goes down and walks upto the steps leading to the garden. He steps on the top marble step and a faint breeze brushes past him. The sun blazes down on the garden. The heat is increasing with a steady regularity but he does not feel it. He gets up quite pleased with himself and goes into the kitchen. The tea is steaming and the first set of cookies are brought out. He looks at her. She looks like she can do with some rest. The dark circles under her eyes seem to belie the twinkle in them. He sits up on the granite platform and looks at her. She stands there with her back towards him and he slowly creeps up on her and blows lightly on her neck and she freaks out.