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As I was warmly welcomed by everyone, Nandini approached me with a broad smile on her face, although a hint of sadness lingered in her eyes. It was Nandini's unique trait that her face masked her thoughts, but her eyes were an open book, revealing the emotions within.
Nandini, with that ever-present smile, led me to the guest room, encouraging me to change into more comfortable clothes. After refreshing myself, we gathered in the dining area for a meal. Baba occupied the head chair, Nandini on his left, I beside Nandini, and Shivaay on Baba's right.
Baba, inquiring about Adhiraj's arrival, asked, "When is Adi coming back?" Shivaay bhaiya promptly responded, "He'll be here tomorrow morning."
After our meal, we retired to our respective rooms. Nandini then took me on a tour of the mansion. I discovered that each person had their separate wing within the Anantara Kutir, the mansion where the head of Anuvarta resides. On the right side wing, smaller mansions for other family members were situated, while the left side featured the main mansion and the council hall.
Bab's residence, nestled in a further corner near a beautiful pond, was where he lived with Tripti aunty. Nandini resided in Anantara Kutir alongside her elder brother, and Shivaay bhaiya occupied the mansion adjacent to it. The estate comprised four main mansions, along with guest areas and the council hall, with smaller houses for additional staff and residents. The place felt like a bhool bhulaiyaa (maze) to me.
As Nandini kindly offered for me to stay with her in Anantara Kutir, I politely refused. Despite their extensive tour of the mansion, which felt like a maze to me, I preferred residing with Baba.
Returning to Baba's house, we found him sitting in the garden. Joining him, Nandini, determined to convince me otherwise, asked him to persuade me to live in Anantara Kutir. However, he shared that Adhiraj preferred only Shivaay and Nandini's presence at his mansion.
Nandini huffed at her father's response but refrained from arguing. I chuckled at her playful antics and expressed my fondness for Baba's company. Our evening unfolded in endless conversations and a delightful dinner, and eventually, we all retired to our respective rooms.
As I sat alone in my room, emotions stirred within me. Throughout the day, the company of everyone had kept me from shedding tears for my parents, but in the quiet of the night, their absence became palpable. Hugging their photos, I found solace in their memories, eventually drifting into sleep with their comforting presence lingering in my dreams.
Author's POV
As the sun cast its first rays, Annahita woke up to the hustle and bustle echoing through the mansion. The air was charged with the news that Adhiraj was returning today. Caught up in the excitement of the welcoming committee, Annahita found herself, for the first time, stepping into Anantara Kutir.
In the past two days, she had never ventured into this part of the mansion. As everyone busily prepared for Adhiraj's return, the anticipation grew. The word spread that Adhiraj, accompanied by his mother, had arrived and was now entering the mansion.
