Nikki vs Rikky

Chapter 10 - Aunt Nita

Ira never felt as troubled as she did now, but she was glad that Saturday had come to an end. She settled on the bed with a book so that she could distract herself but her mind kept wandering back to Nikky. Ira was unprepared for her daughter’s strange behaviour.

In fact, analysing it further, she realised that Nikky was behaving just the opposite. As far as Ira remembered, Nikky never liked watching television but today she was glued to it until she was told to switch it off. And that wasn’t all. Ira saw hatred in her daughter’s eyes when she had ordered her to do so.

Ira sat upright on the bed and wrapped her arms around the book, thinking intensely. Her appetite, she recalled. It was odd that Nikky wasn’t hungry for most part of the day because usually she kept munching something or the other. And when it was time for supper she pulled a strange face asking if she really had to eat. Even the pancakes that Nikky looked forward to eating over the weekends were brushed aside.

Ira pushed her spectacles over the bridge of her nose as her mind drifted towards Nikky’s toys. Unlike other days, Nikky’s toys were scattered all over her room and this included Lhasa, her favourite doll. Ira had gone to Nikky’s room to bid her good night but the disorder had left her perplexed.

It had been a long day and therefore she didn’t want to start a conversation at that hour. As she had watched her daughter sleep peacefully, Ira hoped Sunday would bring a welcome change as they were to visit her sister Nita and her niece Tara. Nikky loved both of them. With that thought in mind, Ira switched her bedside lamp and fell asleep.

***

The sun was out early the next morning. Rikky had a good night’s sleep. She was in love with her new life. The only thing she couldn’t fathom was the strange look in Nikky’s mother’s eyes. Rikky promised herself that she would tweak her behaviour in order to remove any doubt that could arise in the mind of Nikky’s mother.

After all, this was her home now...and for ever. Rikky was delighted but the glee lasted for a few seconds because the very thought of Nikky triggered uneasiness. Rikky put on a wicked expression and sputtered, ‘Quench your thirst Nikky and when you are done, be ready for the shock.’

At the same time, the bedroom door resounded with a knock and Rikky rolled her eyes in exasperation. ‘Leave me alone,’ she mouthed towards the door jerking her hands in air. Rikky was mad alright but she also had to act like a sweet daughter to remove any trace of suspicion. She took a deep breath and calmed herself. Then jumped out of the bed and unbolted the door. ‘Morning, mamma,’ she said in a sweet child-like voice and gave Ira a hug.

An embrace was more than enough for Ira to be satisfied. All is okay, she assumed and felt relieved. ‘What you would like to eat? I don’t think you liked the supper last night.’

‘I don’t know what went wrong with my tummy last evening, mamma. I’ll eat just anything you make,’ Rikky said tactfully and forced a polite smile.

How could Rikky tell Ira that in order to sustain herself all she required was just water. As much as she had heard about the delicious pizzas and burgers from Nikky, Rikky couldn’t see herself developing a taste for them. The only way out was to pretend that she was enjoying what she was eating.

‘Cheese sandwiches?’ Ira said excitedly. Rikky nodded promptly. ‘I better hurry up then and you get dressed up quickly. You don’t want to miss the special lunch at your aunt’s home today,’ she said as she said walked out of Nikky’s room.

‘Aunt Nita’s place, huh!’ Rikky muttered to herself after she shut the door. It was frustrating because all Rikky wanted to do was confine herself to her room.