The Sun & the Stars Aligned

2: Bonding over Dinner

TARA 

"Why did I choose the stairs?" I took a deep breath. I didn't realize that there were so many steps, and on top of that, this saree is not helping at all. If it weren't for Rohan being there, I would have kicked that 'Mr. Boss here' out of the lift and taken it myself.

After descending nearly more than a hundred steps, I reached the cab where Jatin was waiting for me. 

"Di, what happened? Why are you breathing so heavily?" He noticed my breathlessness and offered me water. "Nothing, I just took a few steps from who knows what floor," I replied, taking a sip of water. 

"The office looks grand. Don't they have lifts inside?" he asked, confused. On his mention of the lift, the incident started playing in my head—how close he was to me when Rohan suddenly appeared outside the lift. Thinking about it, my body again became hot.

"Tara di, are you okay? Why is your face suddenly red?" he asked, concerned, and took the water bottle back from me. 

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just that the temperature is too high today, I guess. Well, I've got the keys; you go straight to the flat and make sure you deliver the stuff on time." I tried to divert the topic, and he nodded while I handed him the keys.

After parting ways with Jatin, I made my way home, my energy depleted from climbing down the stairs. 

"Nanu, Nani, I'm home," I declared, placing my purse on the table before embracing both of them. "You're back, Tara beta," Nani embraced me in a warm hug. 

"Hamari tara aaj boht thaki hui lag rhi hai?" Nanu inquired, handing me a glass of water. 

("Is my Tara feeling very tired today?")

"Long day, Nanu, but I'm all fresh after I've seen your faces." It's true; seeing their smiles after a long and tiring day rejuvenates me. After all, everything I do is to bring happiness and pride to them.

"Tara beta, quickly change into fresh clothes and wash your hands and face. Today, I've prepared your favorite, Rajma chawal and kheer," Nani said, and my excitement soared upon hearing that she had made my favorite Rajma chawal. 

Nothing beats the comfort of eating Nani's rajma chawal after a long and tiring day. There is no love sincerer than the love of food and sometimes it's just the little things that make you happy.

As we sat down to have our meal, the doorbell rang. "Nani, you stay seated; I'll get the door," I said, and she nodded, resuming her place while serving Nanu. 

Upon opening the door, I found Ishani standing there. This girl always gets the timing right, always arriving right when we were about to eat. Well, it's not her fault; Nani's cooking just has a magical allure.

"Honey, move aside quickly. It smells so delicious. Did Nani make rajma chawal? I'm really hungry." No hi, hello, just started talking about food as soon as she arrived.

As Ishani got inside, Nani welcomed her warmly, urging her to quickly take a seat before the food cooled down. She wasted no time and settled in, ready to enjoy the delicious meal Nani had prepared. I closed the door and took the seat next to her.

"Ishani beta, eat as much as you want now because once you go to your in-laws' house, your nani won't be there to feed you." Nanu teased her as she stuffed her mouth with rice.

"Nani, look at how your husband is talking," she complained, still focusing on her food. 

"Let her eat in peace. Who knows when she might come here to have the food cooked by my hands," Nani said sadly and served her more.