𝐀𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐀

f o u r

❦

    T H E R E  I S  N E V E R another home away from home. Kaki assumed Aaina had returned home eventually. Where would the girl go and for how long. Unbothered to ask where she'd been, Aaina received a welcome back with more subtle taunts. She went a little mild on Aaina as they sat at the breakfast table, brass, and silver crockery that gleamed and clanked during the short meal. It was the usual. Quarreling, storming off and then coming back to eating kachoris together as if nothing had happened. They were each other's only family, after all.

    Kaki told her everything about the havan and the order of errands of the day. Patiently, Aaina listened. She wasn't the one to miss a chance of gathering and indulging in people's lives for a few hours. It would at least make her feel a bit different than the wonted. Not to mention, she could dress up as she liked. These days, it's rare to find such instances. As for kaki, she had the same thoughts, but a little bit more shrewd. Thus, they also set up a small exhibition of their handmade sculptures.

    Aaina felt a tap on her shoulder. Shashi had fortunately decided to arrive in time to help out her saheli, who couldn't be more grateful, given how the ground's responsibility was onto only the three girls.

    "Will we be able to manage? And where is the guard who always questions me whenever I come here? "

    Aaina shrugged. "Durgam only trails beside kaki. Don't expect anything from him. We're enough. "

    Hira Ghar was donned with numerous lanterns and lights, golden and bright, like fire in a forest. Aaina and Razia were already in momentum. The former spotted their neighbours and a lot of members of kaki's relation, thronged inside the grounds with flowers, fruits, and mithai. She greeted each one as Razia grabbed the offerings and placed it on an end table.

    The havan commenced at the hour of twilight, perfectly calculated by the pujari, who was the first to enter the grounds, carrying all his equipment in a potli. Pujari Jaidev knew the family for decades and had his own way of approaching things as well as very particular about his bhakti.

    "I am sure none of these guests know the meaning of a havan. They are just chattering amongst themselves, " Shashi whispered to Aaina amid the euphonic chants echoing the grounds.

    "There's one thing I know for sure, and it is that they're obsessed with property. And it's probably why she kept the havan in the first place. To parade it like meat in front of these wolves"

    "But didn't she already promise it to someone?"

    Aaina's head turned slightly, her voice lowered. "Where did you hear that?"

    "My husband heard it from his colleagues. But he is wrong most of the time, so I don't think it is true. "

    That made her wonder. Kaki was still adamant about her decision, and it would be absurd if Aaina didn't stick up to hers. Maybe after the havan was over, she could hatch something to ascend that curiosity ladder as well. She had four more weeks to her disposal, and a lot could be done before that. A lot had to be done.

    She laughed it off with Shashi and dragged her along to the rasoighar for a quick bite.

    People ensconced themselves over pudgy cushions, surrounding the main fire, and on a distance to Hira kaki and Durgam. Pujari Jaidev had his eyes firmly shut, chants and mantras rolling off his tongue, loud and clear.