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"Why are you not eating anything, Ruhi? Try these naans. You know, when you were little, you adored naan. You'd sneak into the kitchen whenever the chef made it and gobble it up right there," Badi Maa said, her voice filled with warmth and nostalgia.
"I... I don't remember that," I replied, my voice soft and hesitant.
"Oh, mera baccha! It's alright if you don't remember. We'll create new memories together. Try all these dishes; they were made just for you," Maa said gently, her eyes glistening with love and hope.
A small smile tugged at my lips. I wanted to cherish these moments, to build new memories with my biological family.
"Di, try these noodles! Badi Maa makes the best Chinese food. You'll love it," Nandu—Abhinandan, but to me, always Nandu—said with an eager smile, his eyes shining with excitement.
I couldn't help but laugh. The endearing way he called me 'Di' made me feel cherished. "Nandu, do you remember when I was seventeen and went to the market? Some loafers were harassing me and other girls. You were just fifteen, but you stood up to them like a brave warrior. I didn't know it then, but you saved me that day. And now, look at you—grown up and still as protective."
Nandu's cheeks turned a shade of pink, and he grinned sheepishly. "Di, just eat, will you? You're lost in memories. Come on, these noodles are amazing!"
I shook my head with a smile and took a bite. "Alright, Nandu. But only because you insist."
"Ruhi, why are you eating like a mouse? You're barely touching your food!" Bhaiya said, a mix of concern and amusement in his voice.
How could I tell him the truth? The Mittals had always given me barely enough to eat, treating me like an afterthought. It wasn't something I wanted to burden them with right now.
