Here After!

12. From Chaos to Calm

Anu

Upon arriving home, Mom guided me to a newly arranged room stocked with supplies we had purchased. The space exuded a sense of order, resembling a mini-suite equipped with all the necessities. Sensing my bewilderment, she explained that it was my father-in-law's thoughtful suggestion to establish this room to ensure the ladies of the household could rest properly during this time. She encouraged me to freshen up and rest, mentioning she would join me later. Politely, I declined, assuring her I could manage on my own without disrupting her routines.

Initially, I felt disheartened by the suggestion of staying in a separate room, fearing it might reflect outdated norms. However, upon seeing the well-prepared mini-suite, I realized that here, things were different in a positive way. 

As I returned after gathering my belongings, I noticed Giri still sitting in the same spot, seemingly lost in a somber mood. Throughout the evening, I sensed an unspoken tension between him and Mom. Respecting their privacy, I chose not to intervene in their affairs. When Giri glanced in my direction, I offered him a smile, which he reciprocated before I made my way to my mini-suite. Mom once again urged to stay with me, but I reassured her that I would be alright. Wishing each other a good night, she retired to her room.

I was relishing my long-awaited "me time" after thoroughly exploring the room and its amenities. Suddenly, a knock followed by the sound of my name being called brought me back to reality. Giri entered the room with slight hesitance and took a seat on the opposite bed. I mirrored his action, settling comfortably on my bed, unsure of what to say in the slightly awkward moment. Knowing that Mom might have informed him of my presence in this room, I hoped that his visit indicated that they had resolved their differences.

To my surprise, with little conversation, he left after giving me a gentle kiss on the forehead. I found myself strangely drawn to this simple gesture, feeling a sense of reassurance and security wash over me each time he did it. It was becoming a habit, one that I couldn't quite explain. Oh God! I hope I'm not starting to get attached.

In an attempt to distract myself from these thoughts, I turned to watching Kdramas, finding solace in the captivating storylines. Immersed in the world of imagination, I felt a sense of detachment as if it was just me and the characters in the drama. The only tension I experienced was the anticipation of what would happen next in the series; everything else seemed insignificant. After binge-watching 4-5 episodes, I suddenly realized that dawn was approaching, and I had spent a precious 6 hours of the night without sleeping. Determined to catch at least a few hours of rest, I finally decided to call it a night.

I stirred from my slumber as Mom's voice called out to me. As I groggily emerged from my slumber, Mom's gentle voice beckoned me to the realm of wakefulness. With a nod, I acknowledged her call and stumbled towards the bathroom for a refreshing shower. The cascading water served as a revitalizing tonic, washing away the remnants of sleep and rejuvenating my senses.

Once cleansed and revitalized, I joined Mom and Giri at the dining table, enticed by the aroma of food wafting from the kitchen. As I settled into my seat, I realized with a start that the midday sun streamed through the windows, indicating that it was already well past breakfast time.

It wasn't until I fully grasped the gravity of my oversight that I turned to Mom with a sincere apology, my gaze then shifting reluctantly towards Giri, bracing myself for his reaction. His expression remained stern, mirroring Mom's own serious demeanor. In a feeble attempt to explain myself, I began to offer up a string of lame excuses, hoping to somehow mitigate the situation.

Mom's gentle laughter filled the air as she gently teased me about my tardiness, while Giri added his own playful remarks, sparking a lighthearted banter that enveloped the room. With a sheepish grin, I joined them for what had now become a belated breakfast-turned-lunch. 

Amidst the shared laughter and warmth, I recounted my nocturnal escapades of losing track of time while engrossed in watching Kdramas. Mom's eyes twinkled with amusement as she listened to my tale, and Giri chimed in with his own anecdotes, further enlivening the conversation.

As Mom and I cleared the table and washed the dishes after lunch, I mustered the courage to address my tardiness. "Amma, I'm sorry. I understand that waking up late isn't a good habit, but with the recent night shifts for my project, I've found myself struggling to maintain a regular sleep schedule. Sometimes I end up sleeping the entire day."

I tried to articulate my thoughts, hoping she would understand. To my relief, her response was unexpectedly comforting, and I realized then that she was truly a cool mom-in-law. "No need to apologize, Anu," she reassured me. "Even on holidays, I tend to wake up late. There's no harm in sleeping in. And rest assured, I'm not the type to take things too seriously and torment my daughter. You're like my own daughter, just as Gayu is. I understand it'll take time for you to adjust here and get used to us. But remember, we're here for you. We're family."

Her words washed over me like a soothing balm, easing my worries and reaffirming my sense of belonging within the family. With a grateful smile, I continued to help her with the chores, feeling immensely thankful for her understanding and acceptance.

After finishing up the cleaning, Mom and I ventured outside to the sitting area, where Giri had already settled himself, engrossed in his phone. We took our seats nearby, engaging in casual conversation about various topics. The atmosphere was relaxed, with occasional laughter punctuating our dialogue. As the afternoon sun cast a warm glow around us, Mom excused herself to retire indoors for a rest, leaving Giri and me alone. A comfortable silence settled between us, broken only by the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. 

"Anu, is there any plan for Anitta's marriage? Like, are you done with your shopping?" Giri's voice broke the comfortable silence.

"Yeah, actually Mom already bought a dress for us earlier and gave it to me. But if you want to choose something different, we can still do that," I replied, opening the door to further discussion.

"In that case, let's give it a try. If any alterations are needed, we can consider another option. Otherwise, we'll stick with this," he suggested, displaying his easygoing nature.

I nodded in agreement, appreciating his flexibility.

"And as her sister, have you planned to give any gifts to her?" Giri inquired, shifting the conversation to another topic.

"Not much, Giri. When we went shopping, I suggested she pick out something she liked. She ended up choosing two bangles and I paid for them. But I'm not entirely sure if that's what an elder sister typically does. What do you think?" I asked, seeking his opinion on the matter.

Giri paused for a moment, contemplating my question before responding, "Well, I think it's a thoughtful gesture, Anu. It's not always about the grand gestures or expensive gifts. What matters most is the sentiment behind the gift and the thoughtfulness in selecting something that resonates with her. I'm sure Anitta will appreciate the gesture, no matter how big or small."

His words resonated with me, soothing any lingering doubts I had about my gift choice. "You're right, Giri. Thanks for reassuring me," I replied with a smile, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.

With our conversation easing back into a comfortable rhythm, we continued to discuss the upcoming wedding plans and shared anecdotes about past family celebrations. As the afternoon sunlight began to wane, casting a golden hue over the surroundings, I couldn't help but feel grateful for moments like these, where simple conversations with loved ones brought so much joy and reassurance.