18

Chapter 16

It was 23rd February 2016. One day before the 12th HSC board Physics exam. 10 years old Nil was just back from school and landed on the sofa in the living room to wait for his one favorite song "Matargashti" to be played on the Radio.

"Nil. Go and get fresh first. Also, don't forget evening pray." His mom said from the kitchen. Since it was a time of evening, the rituals are meant to follow in the house.

"Just 10 minutes, ma." Nil said in a requesting tone and increased the volume of the radio.

"No more 10 minutes Nil..." His mom said coming out of the kitchen with a 'Belen' in her hand.

"AHH NIL PLEASE SWITCH OFF THE RADIO... I HAVE A PHYSICS EXAM TOMORROW." His older sister Vaidehi said in a loud voice as she emerged from her room.

"I won't." Nil said with an annoying expression. Knowing that he wouldn't listen, she looked at her mom, and in a second his mom said in an angry tone, "NIL SWICH IT OFF RIGHT NOW OTHERWISE I WILL TELL YOUR DAD..."

By now, Nil switched off the radio and ran towards his room without muttering, showing his anger. Vaidehi and her mom made eye contact and Vaidehi returned to her room. For 10 to 15 minutes, she fully focused on physics because Nil was doing the stuff his mom said earlier. After the evening prayer, Nil took the radio and purposefully entered Vaidehi's room.

He quietly moved toward her study table and observed what she was studying.

"Eww.. what is this?" Nil asked. His mission was to annoy his sister.

Vaidehi looked, gave him a side eye and said, "You idiot... go in your room."

"I won't....you know what I will study Environmental studies here rather than observing you studying Physics. It's better than physics. I don't like physics."

Vaidehi looked at Nil with a smile and she found it cute how he said that and said, "You can stay in my room, but please don't play the radio. At night you can listen to songs on my phone."

"Thanku sis." Nil said while placing the radio aside and jumping on her fluffy bed. Vaidehi admired that as she looked at him from the corner of her eyes. For her, it doesn't matter how much he irritates her, he is always her favorite person.

She started revising the last chapter of the syllabus when she heard her dad return home. This realization changed the environment around her. She heard her dad telling her mom to make 2 cups of tea and then she heard her name from his mouth.

She closed her books and headed towards the kitchen and saw her dad with a cold expression. Her dad signaled her to come closer while her mom served tea. Her mom wasn't sure what was going on. On the other hand, Nil realized the tense environment from the room and stayed behind the door.

"Do you need anything, Dad?" Vaidehi asked in a politely scared voice.

"No help? Sit here." Dad replied. His hands were crossed, and he was calm.

"Then?" she asked while sitting.

"I thought I should spend some time with my daughter."

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[2024]

"I am sorry." Vaidehi aka professor Ghogare said to Tanvi as she approached Tanvi, who was working on her laptop.

"Hmm." Tanvi replied.

"Hmm? Don't you have anything to say?"

Tanvi felt the hanging emotions in her voice. So, she placed her laptop on a wooden table and said, "It's okay. Come here." Tanvi said while patting the sofa beside her.