Infinite Times

12.

SHRUTI POV.

Just now, I woke up to the soft morning light filtering through my curtains, casting a serene glow across my room.

Glancing at the clock beside my bed, I realized it was only 6 AM, much earlier than I typically wake up from sleep.

However, my desire to continue sleeping was swiftly countered by my mom's firm voice echoing from the kitchen, threatening that if I didn't get up this instant, I wouldn't get any food.

How could she impose such a rule simply for wanting a bit more sleep? Yet, the growling of my stomach soon overcame any urge to protest further sleep.

Reluctantly, I peeled the warm covers off and set my feet on the cool floor, shivering slightly as the morning chill greeted me. With a deep sigh, I started my morning routine.

I wore my baby blue pajamas because why not? They are so incredibly comfortable that slipping into them feels like an embrace from a cloud. As I shuffled my way to the kitchen, the aroma of breakfast already filled the air.

To my surprise, Mumma had prepared all of my favorites: parathas, poha, specially dosa with chutney just the way I like them.

I blinked in disbelief, half-expecting a birthday banner to be hiding somewhere, as this lavish breakfast spread was unusual for a regular day.

"Kya Aaj Mera birthday hai"?

I joked, looking around the room for any hidden signs of a celebration. Mumma just smiled and said,

"Nhi , bas aise hi ajj bana diya"

I looked at papa and raised my eyes asking him if anything was there today, he just shrugged, i nooded and sat down to eat, clad in my baby blue pajamas.

This unexpected breakfast feast, made it clear that sometimes, the best days start in the most ordinary ways. And there I was, in my soft pajamas, eating my favourite food, feeling like the luckiest person in the world.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast, I headed back to my room, only to find Aru, my little brother, patiently waiting for me with his pile of books sprawled across the floor.

His eagerness to learn always amazed me. Despite his young age, Aru possessed an insatiable curiosity and an inherent knack for grasping complex concepts with ease. As I sat down beside him we spent the next hour together, me teaching and him soaking up the knowledge like a sponge, his doubts and questions gradually clearing up.

After some time Mumma entered the room, her hands delicately holding a beautiful dress. It was a stunning white Anarkali dress, adorned with red flowers embroidery, a piece that immediately caught my eye.

Just then, Dadu also came to my room, he was smiling but it didn't reach his eyes. The warmth usually radiating from his face seemed subdued, replaced by a fragile veneer of cheerfulness.

It took me a moment to realize why the atmosphere felt so changed, oh shoot, I forgot today Dadaji's family is coming to see me.

This was no ordinary visit, it was steeped in tradition, a preamble to discussions of marriage that I wasn't sure I was ready for. Dadu, sensing my sudden anxiety, tried to reassure me with words that felt comforting yet hollow.

"Ghabra mat meri bacchi , sab thik hi hoga. Tere hi decision final honge . Thik hai."

he said, his voice carrying a weight of unspoken truths and expectations, i nodded.

The realization dawned upon me that this evening could potentially chart the course of my future.

Mumma took me to the dinning hall , we ate in silence, Aru was crying in mumma's embrace, i tried consoling him but he cried even more after knowing I'm going to get married soon.