Lightening the Sky (Sloth Updates)

Chapter 11

For the umpteenth time, she walked out of the main door and returned inside since she had arrived. If she didn't love them so much, she would have strangled them for making her wait for their return. It wasn't their fault, her Bhabhi insisted, they didn't know she would fly out to visit them but particularly him. Yet, she failed to sustain her rage filled grumblings, since Bhabhi was fasting, she didn't have the strength to pacify her anymore. However, that didn't mean Uttara Ramprasad Maheswari would sew her lips, and give everyone's ears rest.

If Sanskar Bhai's silent treatment taught her something, it was to not bottle anything in order to keep talking around him until his ear bled. He would blow up at her, throw her out of his room but then forgive her on that day itself. She wasn't as close to Adarsh Bhai, and Lakshya Bhai was better left alone, he once slapped her when she was four because she used crayons on his holiday homework.

Yes, he apologised and never slapped her like that after Sanskar Bhai's scoldings but Uttara learnt her lesson, as her brothers had a verbal match in Lakshya Bhai's room. The incident was something she agreed to keep from the elders, when Lakshya Bhai had apologised.

Her back and forth pacings, paid off when her brother's jaws hit the floor while getting out of the car. Running to them, Uttara acted without thinking. Though, she didn't regret the bone crushing hug she gave Sanskar Bhai even as he complained about being unable to breath. Uttara broke the hug to give him a tear stained smile, "You deserve it."

Followed by a pout, "Who asked you to leave me back? When they told me, they found your bike near the cliff. I was so frightened that I used to get nightmares."

Her complaints weren't only for Sanskar, she turned to Lakshya next, "He is a fool. A fool with triple O's. Couldn't you at least tell me, he is back? Or that he's fine."

She turned between Sanskar and Lakshya simultaneously, "Pari Bhabhi told me what happened here and I am sorry about what happened with both of you, but I am still angry at both of you... And where were two of you? Bade Papa and Badi Maa returned two hours ago. I kept asking when you would return, but no one knew."

Sanskar's eyes widened who shook his head at Lakshya, she will kill me, if she comes to know Lucky. However, Lakshya wouldn't drop his ongoing rivalry with Uttara for that look, "You know, Bhai took me out to eat Kati Rolls, then we had Matka Kulfi. You know how much I love those. You never agree, but he loves me more than you."

"Bhai! Why? Today. Fast!" Uttara turned around with a pout, as Lakshya raised his hand leaving Sanskar to deal with his beloved sister. Sanskar sighed, glowring at Lakshya. See if I bring you or you to food again.

.

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"...The ruler of Mathura, Kansa was one such evil King. He had a sister named Devaki, on the day of her marriage with Vasudeva a voice from sky forecasted his end by the hands of the eighth child of the newly wedded couple..." Dadi continued with the tale of Lord Krishna's birth. Swara's curiosity kept on prolonging the details while Ragini wanted the prayer to be over. No one was ready to meet her eyes, and it hurt when Papa refused to take his help while setting up the swing for Lord Krishna.

At least, Dada wasn't running away from her like Dadi and Maa didn't stop her from helping with the preparation of sweets even if they didn't talk. She never realised Dadi and Dida's tongues could bite off skin to bone together, unfortunately it was her who was on the receiving end.

If not for Swara, Ragini would have been crying on her pillow. She couldn't. How will I answer her questions if she catches me crying? I can't possibly tell her the truth. The truth behind her state... If not for Swara, I wouldn't have needed to do all that, if only she understood how much I loved Lakshya.