This Time, Her Turn [Completed]

Chapter 25

The days of the festival were as they should be, festive. The male members were decorating the house while the ladies were in the outdoor kitchen. Geetha, never a fan of elaborate cooking, could be seen around Ramit from time to time. When her mother-in-law realised that she sneaked out of the kitchen for the fourth time, she walked to the couple.

Ramit was standing on a chair, taking mango leaves one after the other to decorate the entrance from Geetha. Beside them, Kunal was sitting idle, pouting at Geetha for snatching away his employment.

Ramit's mother spoke to the cute boy first. It looked as if the two adults bullied him into a corner. "Beta? What happened?"

"I want to give leaves. But!" He pointed at Geetha.

"You're short. He has to bend every time." Geetha said, turning around and glaring at him. "Go watch your kite." She shooed him off with one hand while the other held up a leaf. The kite was still up in the air. She was very surprised at the fact. In a home of a large family with kids Kunal's age, it was hard to accept that no one got jealous and cut the string off. If the kite was hers, she'd have guarded it at night and kept vigil even during the day.

Kunal pouted again. Ramit's mother sighed and said to Geetha, "Sit still for sometime. You are worrying me! If something happens, how will we run to the hospital?"

"Maa... I am very healthy." She really was a very healthy one. Sports were a favourite during school and later on she kept an hour for fitness every day. "If I sit, I'll feel lazy. I'll feel like I'm wasting my life. And it's boring." Moreover her belly was not that big that her legs would hurt from the weight. She looked down to check. It was a little big, but not that big.

Her mother-in-law walked towards Geetha, who quickly covered her ears.

She shook her head. All the ladies in the kitchen had so many things to say and gossip, yet this girl was bored. She kept staring at everybody and played with the sugar tin. When someone asked about what she thought about something though, she gave an objective and unbiased opinion, surprising people that she was actually listening. There were times she held back too. Some laughed at her words and some cleared their throats. She, however, felt a little proud to have a daughter-in-law that could actually speak well. She could shut their mouths or pull them onto her side as needed. But for one thing, her daughter-in-law was a little clueless about traditional delicacies.

Ramit, who was silent all along, laughed softly. He could see his wife's words coming. It felt gratifying when he thought about it.

"Tsk! Stop laughing and tell her to sit!"

"I will." He was almost done with the torana.

He climbed down the chair shortly after his mother left. "It's rare to see you bored."

"You know how hurriedly we packed. Do you think I had the time to remember to carry a book?" Moreover the house did not have a TV for her to watch a lion hunt and devour a deer.

"I saw you checking pardada's books with him yesterday."

"I read some... I don't have the mood for them anymore."

They walked away from the scene talking and holding hands, leaving a sad Kunal behind. He hopped down from the cot he sat on to find his big brother.

∼•∽

Ramit took her to the room they were staying in. He had her sit on the bed and sat along with her.

"What are we going to do? Have a 'friendly' chat?" she said.

Irked all of a sudden, he scoffed and said, "Exactly!" He wanted to let her rest and keep her company in case she got bored. She did not look like she needed any rest though. Still he said, "Lie down and let's talk!" He moved to the chair beside.