My Love Story

Chapter 6

Abhay's Point of view (POV)::
I gave them a tour of the place. In a few days, they will have to help with all possible work here. It's the only law here.

But today, they were already tired. The emotional drama they had in the morning with their father and then with me, all the words that cut in deep within them and all this would have surely affected them. As soon as their adrenaline wears out, they could get sick.

Also, Shweta had wounds on her body and painkiller inside her stomach. She needs to take everything easy for a while.

On the way to the castle from the shed, I could see that Shweta had sleep in her eyes. The younger one was not that sleepy but then again, she neither had wounds nor was she under the effect of painkillers.

As soon as we reached the hall, Shweta was so exhausted that she laid on the floor. I went to the kitchen to get something to eat.

There was some leftover pasta but had I been alone, it would have sufficed if I had some fruits with it. But now there were three people to cook for.

I decided to make khichdi with lots of vegetables.

"Shweta di so gayi." (Shweta di has slept.) I looked up while chopping garlic to acknowledge Sheetal.

She took out a knife and started chopping cabbage. Guess, I won't have to force them to work. They are already hardworking.

Sheetal cut the vegetables while I started cooking.

We didn't want to disturb Shweta as she was already asleep, so we had our dinner without her and kept her portion on the dining table if she feels hungry during the night.

During the entire dinner Sheetal was chatting about clothes. Blouses and shirts, skirts, dresses, jeans, blah blah...

I tried listening but this just wasn't my field of interest. However, the way she describes clothes is so passionate. There is a twinkle in her little eyes. Like a child talking about her favourite doll and her favourite dress.

"Jis dress k baaree baat kar rhe ho woh aapke paas hai?" (Do you have this dress you speak so passionately about?)

"Yeh kisi Bazaar me nhi milegi. Ise silna padega." ( You won't find it in any market. We will have to tailor it.)

"Aapko kapde silna aata hai?"( Do you know how to tailor clothes?)

"Thoda bohot. Par didi ko achche se aate hai. Woh sundar sundar dulhani k jode bhi sil chuki hai." (Little bit. But my sister knows it well. She has tailored a few clothes for brides as well)

"Aur dono me sabse jyada hushyar kon hai padhai me?" (Who is the smarter one in studies?)

"School sirf Samrat bhaiya jaate the. Hum nhi." (Only Samrat used to go to school. We didn't)

Oh!!

Typical. This is classic. Way too classic. But not on my watch.

"Aapko pata hai achool kitna achcha hota hai?"( Do you know how cool schools are?)

"Haa. Samrat bhaiya roj dosto k saath masti karte the. Par sabki kismat me nhi jota school jana. Maine ummed chod di hai ab." (Yes. Samrat used to have a lot of fun with his friends everyday. But it's not in everyone's fate. I have lost  faith in my fate.)

"Aur agar abhi school jaane ka chance mile toh?" (And now if you get a chance to go to school then?)

She finished her food just then and took her plate to wash it.

I also gobbled up the last few mouthfuls and took my plate to the wash.

She never answered my question.

We went back to the living-room. Shweta was sleeping peacefully but the floor looked a bit uncomfortable so I picked her up bridal style and decided to  carry her to her room.

That's twice in one day where she fell unconscious and I carried her to a bed. Talk about deja vu.

Sheetal's POV (Point of view)::

Abhay seemed like a nice boy. Like the neighbour boy who used to give me flowers and fruits sometimes. Only a bit bigger and stronger.

I was chatting about clothes when we were eating and yes he was bored and no he didn't ask to change the subject.

But halfway through dinner, I started feeling guilty and so stopped talking about my dream dress.

But he was interested in ths topic. I told him that Shweta is a better tailor and she is... Look at the blouses and gowns she stitches. They are beautiful and comfortable.

And then he started talking about school.

I had never been to a school but I have always wanted to.

A few of my friends go to school and they tell so many stories about it. There are many kids our age and we have lots of fun. We eat together and play together. The teacher gives sweets and chocolates to the kids if they answer correctly. They have homework to do and don't have household chores. Samrat Bhai goes to school with his friends and they prank each other, laugh and tease so much. It's so much fun going to school.

But I heard it was expensive. Where will we get money for school? He asked me if I wanted to go to school but I don't want to trouble him or Shweta di. As soon as she wakes up tomorrow, she is going to stress about us surviving and making money.

Even food will be expensive, forget about going to school. I don't want to trouble with school and all the extra curriculars.

I washed the dish while thinking and longing for school.

He also finished and we both went back to living room.

He thought di was uncomfortable but we usually sleep on the floor. We are used to it. And sometimes, it feels comforting.

"Di thik hai. Hume aadat hai aise sone ki." (She is fine. We are used to sleeping like this.)

But he was adamant on getting her to bed. So he picked di up bridle style to take her to our room.

As soon as we stepped out of the elevator, he freezed.

I remembered that he wouldn't even step out of the elevator or staircase on the girl's floor.

And the expression on his face was so cute. Just like little baby when they want something but they don't have that thing within their grasp. He looked that cute.

I shouldn't but I started laughing at him.

After a while, I said, "Yaha koi nhi hai. Aap aa sakte ho." (There's no one here. You can come in.)

"Par ladkiyan .... Are yaar...." (But girls..... dude .....) .

"Aapki aankhon pe dupatta band du?" (Should I blindfold you?)

"Haa. Kitne hoshyar ho tum. Is tarah maine rule bhi nhi toda." (Yes. You are so smart. I didn't break the rule this way.)

I went to my room and brought a dupatta back.

"Rule?"

"Haa... Ladko ko izazat nhi hai ladkiyon k floor pe aane ki. (Yes. Boys are not allowed on the floor of girls.) He said as I was tying the dupatta around his head.

I guided him to our room, and helped him settle di in bed.

As soon as di was settled, he ran away like this floor gave him third degree burns.

And I was laughing for 15 minutes straight.

I again went down to find him but he was doing something on his phone.

As soon as he noticed me, he said, " Thoda aaram kar lo." ( Go get some rest)

"Aapko kuch madad chahiye? Ya kuch chahiye? Dudh? Hot chocolate?" (Do you want any sort of help with your work? Or do you want something? Like milk? Or hot chocolate?)

"Nahi. Jao aaram Karo." (Nope. Go rest.)

With that, I came back up to call it a day. As it is, I was exhausted by everything.
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