Love in Time

Ch.4 Responsibilities

*1909*

*Tulsipur,Bangal*

The Roy Chowdharies returned from the cremation ground after completing the last rights of Shubhra. As per tradition, Anirudh's head was shaven there. When they reached home, Somnath's head was also shaved despite his cries. Only Batuk was excluded from the rules of the tradition as he was a newborn.

As soon as Somnath's head was shaven, kaka told both the brothers to take a bath. After the bath, they went down and sat in the puja that was to happen now for 13 days. Both the kids were young so their janeudaan was not done. But now to sit in this puja it must also be done. The puja went on for a long time. After it was completed, the pandit left. Matresses were laid on the floor in a circle made of cow dung where both the brothers had to sleep. Somnath held back tears as he had not ate a morsel since morning and was really hungry. He asked for food earlier but was refused as the ritual was going on. Finally, koyli didi their housemaid brought some food for her. Anirudh was too tired and had already slept.

*Midnight*

*Anirudh Pov*

I opened my eyes. It was almost impossible to sleep. I looked around and realised that I was in the room from the previous night. I looked around for that little monkey. But she was nowhere to be found. I slowly went to a corner and sat down while looking at my feet. My throat felt dry, my eyes itchy and my heart ached. Tears  made their way to my eyes when suddenly I felt a small hand tapping my shoulder.

I immediately yeeted my tears and looked up and saw her. She - she...... how I wish I could get a glimpse of her sweet face.

"Kya hua? Tum fir ro rhe ho?" She asked me in her cute voice.

I shook my head in no.

"Nahi. Tum yaha firse? Pichli baar kaha chali gayi thi?"

"Vo mujhe maa ne bula liya tha n. Tum ro nahi rhe ho to aise sad sad kone m kyu baithe ho."

I felt tears coming to my eyes again. I curled my fist squeezing my palm with my nails to distract and stop myself from crying.

"Mujhe.......mujhe maa ki yaad aa rhi thi." Oh no. My voice cracked. She will know. She is too smart. Even if she can't see my face, she is so clever that she can understand my emotions. Her face was tilted towards me, probably because she was looking at me.

"Agar tumhe rona aa rha h to tum ro sakte ho. M tumhare baba ki tarah tumhe mana nahi karungi."

I looked at her. Why is she soo nosy? Why does she want to make me cry? Why is she........so nice to me? Why? We don't even know each other. She was sitting next to me. I scooted closer to her and silently laid my head on her little shoulder. She can always understand what I am feeling and everytime I am around her, it feels warm. Not just physically but also in my heart. She reminds me of maa soo much. Thinking about ma, tears started to slowly drip from my eyes. I cried silently, without any sobs or movement. After sometime, I lifted my head reluctantly.

"Tum pichli baar mujhe apna naam bata rhi thi lekin ekdum se kuch zor ki awaaj aai thi."

"Haa mujhe bhi aayi thi."

"Ohh. Koi baat nahi tum ab apna naam bata do."

Before she could say anything I heard a screeching voice like previous time and darkness surrounded. The very next moment I heard Sourav:

"Anirudh utho, tumhe pitr puja bhi karni h."

*Third person pov*

Anirudh opened his eyes and looked at his best friend, Sourav. Sourav was the son of the Munshi working at their house. He repeatedly told Anirudh to wake up for the day's rituals.