Locked down in lockdown

27-The routine

Over the week, the first thing Vaani did was the pooja, which took an hour. Her mother-in-law had shown her the procedure to be followed every day for the pooja.

First, she had to fetch fresh water from the borewell water that was outside the main house near the kitchen. Then clean the whole room with that water and then take all the pooja items, which were made of brass and copper outside to the courtyard and wash them with fresh water. There were small lamps (diyas), a plate, a bell, and so on. All had to be washed daily and then after that, they had to be wiped with a clean cloth. Collecting the flowers in the garden she offered them to god and some sugar in a small bowl. That all took more than 30 minutes.

Then after burning the incense stick and camphor, she took a small lamp, flower oil, incense stick, camphor, and water outside water the Tulsi plant and perform arti there as well. But first, she had to clean the area around that plant with fresh water. After that was done, she had to go outside the main house, and water another Tulsi plant near the main gate. The pooja part was over.

Next was to prepare milk for her husband, take it to the room, peel the almonds for him and make him eat it. Then going back to the kitchen if the breakfast was not prepared then she cooked it otherwise she would go back to her room and rest there for an hour. After that at 11:30 she would go back to the kitchen. There her mother-in-law would instruct her how much rice to put and how much water to add. She told her everything.  At 1 she would go back to her room but not before taking the clothes which would be drying outside. She folded them neatly and only took her clothes back to the room.

Vikrant had not started moving his things to the new room yet. As he only used to wear a white vest and shorts daily in the room, he didn't find the need to transfer the items just yet. He barely covered himself in this May heat.

At 2 they would go eat lunch, at 3 o'clock his mother would come knocking on the door for clothes, and at 5 if Virant wanted she would make him tea. Her in-laws would have already drunk theirs at 4:30. At 9:30 at night, they would have their dinner after everyone else and then lock the kitchen room. Vaani would walk for some time and then go back to her room always closely followed by Vikrant. 

On the third day, Vaani had a glimpse of Vikrant's true nature. He did tell her that he had anger issues but what she saw, shook her a little bit.

"Why don't you talk to my sister and mom," he asked his chin on her shoulder. They were sitting on the bed.

"I will but I don't know what to talk to them about, just yet," Vaani said lowly. They were older than her so she didn't know what to talk about or how to start the conversation.

"I'll tell my sister and mom to talk to you themselves, " 

"No, no. Don't do that. That won't look good on my part nor yours." Vaani shook her head back and forth.

"it's fine. I'll tell them you feel bored so they should talk to you" He insisted not understanding her predicament.

"You don't understand. I don't want them to think that I am putting words in your mouth or changing you, so please don't interfere. I'll talk to them." she said nicely, getting her thoughts out to him but he flipped instead.

"WHAT! I AM INTERFERING?" he shouted in anger, throwing his phone in a random direction.

Vaani stilled not expecting the sudden outburst. His phone was near the sin in the corner, maybe broken. Vikrant's eyes were wide, his hand shaking with the sudden burst of adrenaline.

"Why are you shouting? what did I even say?" Vaani said shocked.

'I AM JUST TRYING TO HELP YOU. AND YOU THINK I AM INTERFERING. HOW DARE YOU," HE continues shouting.