More than just Feluda (Fanfic)

Tea.

Sujata took the Diary to her quarters. She laid on her bed and opened the Diary to read it. It immediately felt as if she had jumped into the book and travelled back in time, witnessing it all...

1964

It was early evening. Sindhuja was busy preparing for the vegetable to be cooked tonight. Tapesh was upstairs studying for his coming exams. Kaaka (Uncle) had gone to his office and Kaaki (Aunt) was still ill so she was resting in her room. It was really quiet and boring at this hour, so Sindhuja turned on the radio and continued with her work listening to film songs. Srinath, the servant had been working in the frontyard garden since some time now. 

Sindhuja made some lemon juice and brought it for Srinath in the frontyard.

"Arre Didi, there was no need for this..."

"Look at the sun, Srinath Dada. It's still so scorching. You come inside the house and drink the lemonade. My father used to say, drinking water or similar stuff while standing in the Sun could cause strokes."

"Okay, okay didi... I'll come."

Srinath was coming inside the house and Sindhuja was getting back to her kitchen work, when the door bell rang. 

Srinath opened the door.

Sindhuja knew who it was, and a sulky expression passed her face as she remembered their  fight the previous day. She couldn't even recollect the reason behind the quarrel, but they hadn't talked because of that since yesterday morning. This wasn't anything new to her. They both probably had the record number of clashes and arguments ever known, since just four months of marriage. He got upset over any small thing, and then she would get angry over it and they would end up in a fight. But she didn't care. She was much happier with her life here than how it was at her father's place; everyone else in this house valued, respected and cared for her, which was more than she could ask for.

Sindhuja was broken away from her thoughts as Srinath came in the kitchen, followed by the voice from the hall, "Srinath, bring some tea quickly!"

Sindhu looked at the tired Srinath who was just going to rest and drink his lemonade, but now had to make tea. 

"Srinath Dada, you sit and rest. I'll look after it."

"But didi, he asked me to-"

"It's fine, he wouldn't even realise. Don't worry."

"But if he finds out- "

"I'll take the responsibility. And anyways, tea is tea, doesn't matter who makes it."

Srinath hesitantly sat in his usual corner in the kitchen with lemonade, while Sindhuja put on water for boiling and reached out for the box with tea powder.

Five minutes later, Srinath gave him the tea in the hall and came back to the kitchen. 

Sindhu sat back to deal with her night's vegetables, when he came into the kitchen and handed his cup to Srinath. 

"The tea was good, Srinath. Add some sugar next time, maybe. People have arguments with you, but that doesn't mean you give them sugar-less tea." Saying that, he glanced at Sindhu and left.

She bit her tongue realising the mistake, but also felt angry about his taunt. 

The next day evening, she insisted on making tea again. This time she put extra sugar in his cup, and he came back by the kitchen door just like the previous day. But Srinath wasn't here this time, so he directly handed the cup to her.

"Tell Srinath that constructive criticism is to improve and learn. Not take things the other way and spoil someone's evening tea."

"Well, Srinath said that he understands the difference in criticism and Taunts."

She turned away and went back with the tea without waiting for any reply. He sighed and left the kitchen.

The next day evening, he called out. " Srinath, you're making tea right? "

And Sindhu slightly smirked as a confused Srinath was forcibly sent out by her to work in the yard again. Srinath was soon retired from his responsibility of the evening tea.