Kartik Goenka, a hotelier never got into a relationship. And now at the age of twenty-eight, he is looking for a life partner.
His friends suggest him a dating app. He signs up and gets matched to Naira Singhania, a baker, who also happens to be his...
I unlock the door and enter my home. I hear a voice coming from the kitchen. Mumma must be inside. I get a mischievous idea and place my bag on the couch, then tiptoe to the threshold of the kitchen.
Mumma is chopping Capsicum. I tiptoe near her and shout, "Bhoo."
Mumma gets startled and says, "Tu."
"Hehe." I hug her. Mumma reciprocates the hug and places a kiss on my head, without touching my clothes. "Love you."
"Love you too, Nairu. Chalo, change karke ao." She says, I nod and go to my room.
Picking a nightwear from my wardrobe, I go to the bathroom, change and wash my face. After patting my face dry and moisturizing it, I go to the kitchen to help Mumma.
"Misha aur Bhabhi kaha hai?" I ask from the doorway. I didn't see them, usually, they are at home. (Where are Misha and Bhabhi?)
"Doctor ke pass. Misha ki appointment thi."
"Oh," I say and start stirring the tarka.
After helping Mom with chores, I go to the living room and plonk on the soft couch, picking up the novel from the coffee table I left reading. The doorbell rings. I stand and go to the front door. I open it and see Samaira standing with a box in her hand. "Ajao," I say, giving her some space to enter. She enters and I gesture to her to sit on the couch.
Mumma shouts from the kitchen, "Kaun hai?"
(Who is it?)
"Samaira, Mumma."
Mumma comes to the living room. "Beta, tum yaha?"
(Child, you here?)
"Aunty ji, Mumma ne halwa aap logon ke liye bheja hai."
(Aunt, Mom sent some halwa for you guys.)
"Simitra bhi na." She shakes her head. She takes the box and goes to the kitchen.
(Simitra.)
Samaira sits on the couch and I ask her, "Koi boyfriend shoyfriend?" I raise my left eyebrow.
(Any boyfriend?)
"Nahi drama queen."
(No drama queen.)
"So, Teacher Sahibah, how's your work?"
"Acha hai. My children are so cute. Sometimes they drive me crazy but I enjoy my job a lot. How is your bakery doing?"
"Good. My business is profiting." I couldn't explain my gratitude. If it wasn't for my parents and siblings support. I wouldn't have had the courage to open my bakery and pursue my dream.
"Ooh, nice, nice."
Mumma comes back with the box and gives it to her, "Maine cinnamon rolls pack kardia hai. Sabko bathna. Aur Nirmata se meri taraf se kehna ki halwa bahut acha bana hai."
(I packed cinnamon rolls. Share them with everybody. And tell Nirmata that the Jalpa is delicious.)
"Okay, Aunty ji," Samaira says with a warm smile and leaves the house bidding us bye.
☁︎
"Yaay," Misha enters the house. She is sitting on Kiaan Bhaiyu's shoulder.
"Baas. Misha." Bhaiya looks tired.
"Nai Papa, aul, aul," Misha says, Bhaiyu nods and continues giving her a ride.
Bhabhi also comes. She places her and Misha's stuff on the table and shakes her head, seeing the duo. "Kiaan bhi na. Bacho ke saat bache ban jaate hai." She murmurs.
"Aap bhi ban jaate hai, Bhabhi. Wase bhi Misha hai hi itne pyaari."
"Woh to hai." She nods.
"Bash Papa," Misha says and Bhaiyu stops.
Bhabhi comes near them and pulls Misha out of his shoulders gently onto the ground. They go to their room. I pick up my novel and continue reading. Mumma is in her room taking a shower.
☁︎
Bhabhi and I set up the dining table for dinner to be served. Papa comes back, while Myra and Ruhan Bhaiyu haven't. Work called them, so they have to stay until it is finished. Mumma, Papa, Bhaiyu, and Misha come to the dining table and sit on their respective seats. Bhabhi prepares Misha's plate and places it in front of her. We all prepare our plates and have our dinner. Mumma keeps extra food for Myra and Ruhan Bhaiyu.
☁︎
It's midnight and Myra and Bhai haven't arrived yet. Hope they are safe and healthy. I pray. My eyes glisten at the pessimistic thoughts I am getting. I try to sleep, but I am not able to. My phone rings. I pick up the call and what I hear shakes me.
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