Destined Cousins

1| Tractor and Car

Love is selfless yet people who love are selfish. But is Sita selfish?

Amidst the spectacular alluvial fields, lied rows and columns, ploughed thoroughly; the month of July had commenced and rice was sown. Marudhamalai, known for its chill climate and eyepleasing nature, also owned numerous agricultural fields. The brownish-black soil contrasted with a red tractor trotting over it. After a brief u-turn, the vehicle edged towards the mud road, leaving behind a trail of tilled soil.

As the ploughed soil glistened, Sita parked the tractor and hopped down. Her dusky complexion shone under the sunlight as she wiped off the sweat; beholding a little more melanin than required, offered her the advantage of saving herself from the sun. Whilst most of her classmates sauntered along the fields, figuring out the scientific names of miscellaneous plants, Sita managed to accomplish the task assigned by her professor: to plough the field.

Clad in a dark-green cotton churidar, stained in mud, a dupatta tied sideways, Sita looked charming. If hardwork was considered beautiful, she would be the prettiest of all. Her class boys glimpsed at her in awe and a few commented on her excellent work in fields; no one had ever competed with her farming skills. Being agriculture students, all were compelled to acquire certain skills in farming but none managed to pass ahead of Sita inspite of spending the three years. 

However, paying no heed to the admirable glances thrown on her way, Sita ambled towards her friend, Radha. 

"You really did a great job there!" Radha nodded, appreciatively.

"I know right!" Sita chuckled.

Soon, the professor asked the students to board the bus as the fieldwork had culminated; every Friday, the students were taken to the nearby field and were assigned works, thereby assisting the farmers. The topaz coloured college bus departed and Sita sat by the window side with Radha beside her. 

"Finally! I'll go sleep in our room. I'm hella tired with all those assignments," Sita exclaimed.

Radha laughed, earning a glare from their professor. However, she paused before she could scold her. Sita bit back a smile, trying not to fall in the wrath of her dearest bestie. 

"This is why one shouldn't laugh like a ghost," she said. 

Her sarcastic emphasis on 'ghost' left Radha irked. "And the irony is that the ghost itself is saying this to me."

Sita's smirk dropped as she smacked her head and glanced outside. Due to seasonal rains, the climate was chill and soothing breeze blew in through the window. Her eyes fell on a roadside shop, selling oranges which reminded her of a bittersweet memory.

It was the time of summer vacation when the cousins would meet. Sita was decked up in a orange churidar, embellished with floral embroidery and her waist length hair was left loose. Her eyes eagerly scanned at the entrance of the house, awaiting the arrival of her paternal cousins. Aftermath, the supposed guests arrived, inducing a sense of euphoria in Sita's family. 

Jagadeesh, Sita's father welcomed his sister's family whilst his wife, Chandra prepared tea for them. Although Sita wanted to sit and talk with them, she was forced to oblige her mother's order: to assist her in kitchen chores. However, Latha sent her daughter with Sita, asking her to aid them. Indra who was eager to converse with her dearest cousin, obliged. 

"So how's school, Indu?" Sita asked.

"Hectic as usual. I never thought eleventh will be this tough," Indra replied, chopping ginger.

"I know right. Afterall, we're science students."

The girls talked about studies while helping Chandra who felt pleased to heed them concerned about academics.