Silver Linings

Tête-à-tête

I had some time today.. So I have added the English translations to the dialogues in the first 4 chapters :)

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The previous two nights Khushi didn't get a good night sleep, because her Amma kept pushing her away which kept disturbing her sleep. Her Amma didn't like to be cuddled in her sleep and Khushi was a proper cuddler. Today she was glad to have her Jiji back, at least for the three nights, smiling to herself, she blindly felt the space next to her, searching for her sister. Unable to find anyone next to her, Khushi pouted. She opened her eyes to see where on the bed her Jiji decided to sleep, but the bed was empty.

"Jiji" She called out as she sat up straight and looked around the room, she noticed that the room door was ajar.. "itni raat ko kahan gayi hai Jiji" (Where has Jiji gone off to this late at night) She looked at the time on the wall clock, it was past midnight. She slowly got off the bed and made her way out of the room... She noticed that the main door was also left ajar.. "Shayad Jeejaji aaye hue hai Jiji se milne" (Maybe Jeejaji has come to meet Jiji) she giggled to herself and with a devilish smile tip toed to the door and stealthily opened it. But all she found was Payal sitting on the steps outside, with her knees pulled close to her chest.

Khushi walked back into the house, and in a few minutes came back outside and sat next to her sister, Payal smiled when she saw the steaming cup of tea in front of her face.. she accepted with a thanks. The two of them sat in silence for a little while, sipping their tea.. "Jiji" Payal turned to face Khushi "Koi pareshani hai kya?" (Is there any problem?) Payal was about to refute but Khushi didn't give her an opportunity "humse jhoot mat bolna Jiji.. pehle aap sab roye the.. aur ab tu aise yahan akeli baiti ho... humse kuch chupaari ho kya?" (Don't lie to me Jiji... earlier all of you were crying.. and now you are sitting here all alone... are you hiding something from me?)

Payal took a deep breath and faced forward "Kuch nai Khushi.. pichle kuch dino mei jo bhi hua tha.. hum bas uske baare mei soch rahe the " (nothing Khushi.. I was just thinking about what ever had happened over the last few days) Khushi didn't really follow "Matlab?" (meaning?) Payal turned to face Khushi again "Hum hamesha soch rahe the.. ke tu hum se koi baat nai chupaati... par..." (I always thought that you never hide anything from me... but...) she paused for a second "Itna kuch hogaya hai tumhari saat... yahan tak hi tum hum sab ko chod ke jaane ka faisla liya tha tumne... aur hume khabar tak nahi tha..." (So much had happened with you... to the point where you had taken a decision to leave all of us... and I had no idea...)

Khushi shifted uncomfortably, and Payal decided not to press the matter, as Arnav had already alluded to the fact that Shyam was harassing Khushi... and she didn't want Khushi to relive those moments again... "Teek hai... hum uske baare mei baat nai karenge..." (Okay... we won't talk about that) Khushi relaxed a little, Payal was silent for a little while "uss faisle lene se pehle.. hum sab ke baare mei nai socha? kya tumhare bina hum sab yahan khush rehte?" (Before taking that decision.. did you not think about us? would we have been happy if you were not here?)

"Tumhe kya lagta hai Jiji.. humare liye yeh asaan tha? sirf hume pata hai ke hum kitne roye the station jaate waqt... lekin uss waqt meri hisaab se yahan se jaana hi humaare liye sahi tha..." (What do you think Jiji... it was easy for me? Only I know how much I cried while going to the station... But at that time, leaving this place seemed like the right thing to do from my point of view) she sniffed a little, willing herself not to cry again, Payal didn't want Khushi to be upset, so she decided to divert the topic to another direction "Humko na.. ek baat samaj nai aari" (I don't understand one thing) Her change in tone stumped Khushi... It almost sounded like she was teasing her... so she looked at Payal, and indeed there was a glint in her eye.. Khushi mind suddenly felt alert..