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"Namaste, Dada sa," I said as I bent down to touch his feet in respect.
"Namaste, ja...I mean, beta ji. Khush raho." He blessed me, but his hesitation caught my attention. He was about to call me something else other than "beta." But what? This sudden shift in his tone made me suspicious.
"Hey, old man! Aren't you going to meet your friend?" My Dadu asked, addressing his friend, Rooh's Dadu—Surya Pratap Singh Rajput.
Both men laughed heartily and embraced each other in a warm, friendly hug. The air was filled with happiness today. Every previous year, even though we celebrated festivals, a certain sadness always lingered. But today was different. I could see genuine smiles on everyone's faces.
As I was about to step forward, Rooh's mother—my mother-in-law—suddenly stopped me.
"Ruko! (Wait!)" Avantika Aunty said firmly.
"But Maa..." Abhishek started to say, but she silenced him with a raised palm.
My heart began to race. Thoughts swarmed my mind. Did Rooh tell them about us? Did Avantika Aunty overhear our conversation? She had never acted this way before, so why now?
"Look, Abhi beta, I was thinking that..." She hesitated, looking uncomfortable. Before she could continue, Rooh's father intervened.
"Aree, Rani Sahiba, why are you doing this? He is Abhishek's best friend, and they're here to meet our princess and celebrate Rakhi. Let's celebrate it first."
I don't know why, but they were acting strangely today. I mean, just look at them. Why are they treating me differently? Why are they all smiling at me? Am I looking bad? But I'm wearing traditional attire. I noticed Abhinandan staring at me with what seemed like a proud look, but why? I was lost in my thoughts when a soothing sound of anklets caught my attention.
