Bounded by the Stars

Kanika

It's night and raining. The cold winds entered the room from the window. I am sitting on my study table dawdling with a pen.

I'm not going to India; I just gave the news to dad. He didn't seem very happy about it. It may sound weird, but he told me to just focus on my studies for now and that he doesn't want me to relocate anywhere for now.

It is definitely saddening. It was such a good opportunity for me, but nonetheless. I'm going to talk to it to Dadu for once. To just let him know. Anyway, I'll again try, and hopefully the next time they will agree.

I stand up to just roam around the room when I hear some muffling sounds from the next room. At first, I thought Swayam was playing late night games, but then I heard different voices. Going outside my room to the balcony, I tried to peek inside the room. It is Chachu standing with Dad; wait, there is Mamma and Chachi also.

But what are they doing there at this time? Did something happen? Let's go and check. Please, may Swayam not have ended up breaking his bone or anything.

I go to the room. I was about to knock at the door and enter when I heard, "How will Kanika manage all alone?" That's Mamma's voice.

"Kalp will take care of it all." That's dad now. "It's about a few months, and after all, she'll have to leave anyway." --chachu

"I cannot believe, that's what we are ending up doing with"-Chachi

"Ehm, ehm." Wait-why does it sound so close? I turn around and face Dadu standing behind me.

"Kya ho raha hai ye" (What is this?) Dadu said.

"Dadu I was just going to my room."

"Chl jhuthi" (liar), he said, opening the door, as now everyone's attention comes towards us.

"Are Papa aap jaag re hain, aur app dono?" Dad asked.

(Dad, you're awake, and you two-)

Dadu held my wrist and started making me enter the room. "Are- dadu?" I said in a huffed tone that only he could hear. I don't want to know more, and I definitely do not want them to know that I was eavesdropping.

"Kanika, what were you doing at the corridor?" Chachi asked.

"I was just passing by."

"Are tmlogo ko koi hosh to rehta ni, bacho ke kamro me aake koi itni zor se baatein krta hai?"

(You guys are clueless; who talks this loudly near the kids room?)

"Sit beta," Dadu said, passing a chair as he also sat in a chair.

"Okay, so beta, we have news," Dadu said.

Uff now what

"You're going to India."

"But with some terms and conditions," Dadu uttered.

My eyes are wide now.

"Whaat?" "What do you mean, dadu?"

"Ruk pehle, abhi baat puri ni hui."

(Wait, I'm not finished.)

"In India, you'll stay at one of our acquaintance's house; he's your dad's friend. And you'll not go to our house," Dadu said.

"But why?" I asked.

"Because I'm telling you to, we've discussed that you'll be there for only six months, and after that... we'll let you know. But you'll stay at Pulkit's friend Kalp's house, and you will stay there only. If you want to go anywhere, you can go with his son. You'll not go anywhere alone."

"Wow, then why am I even going there? I do not get to visit my home." I asked to which dadu made a face.

"That's not your home anymore."

Ouch

"It is"

"Kanika"

"What?"

"Beta, you want me to tell you other stuff or you want me to cancel your trip."

I sighed.

"Dadu, please, why are there so many restrictions?"

"Because we'll not be there. And if we're not with you, then we want to make sure that you're safe."

"I'm grown up now."

"Kanika, you're only 23," Mamma said.

"Yes, Bachha, we're not restricting anything; we're just trying to make sure that you'll be safe there," Chachi said.

"Come on, I've not visited any country alone before. And now that I'm going, you guys are being so possessive. It's okay, I'll be alright."

"Of course you will be, but we just want to make suree," Chachu said in a dramatic accent.

"Of course you're a wonder woman; you'll fight all that, we know," dad said.

"But you're also empty in your head. That we can't guarantee your safety with," Dadu said.

"Done?" I asked

"So, family and my dear dadu, that's not an internship; I'll stay there for only six months in a friend's house."

"Kanika, we're not letting you move now," Dad said.

"Okay, but hear me out. I'm going to work there and explore and well enjoy and live."

"You'll definitely enjoy it; don't worry about that," Chachi said, to which Mamma gave her a look, making her zip up. Choto bado thingss

Anyway, then I continued to tell them thatt-"I can rent an apartment if you guys don't want me to stay at our home there. But also, if I'm going there, you guys need to tell me all about the stuff and politics going on there."

"Like, what's even happening?" I asked

"It's just gagan creating some mellow drama, nothing much." Chachu said

"Okay, great, then I'll visit him and make sure he ends it well," I said.

"No, you'll not. You just got told," Dad said.

"Okay, I'll not."

"Kanika. We're serious," Dad said.

"Are promise" I said.

"Okay, so if you guys are all so ready, then why didn't you told me before? like I'll have to inform the company also. Like, is something fishy? Are you guys hiding anything?"

"Shut up, Kanika," Mamma said in a bored tone.

"We're all very tired now; we were busy making the arrangements for you. You can confirm the date, and it's all set." She said

"Really? You guys are what? Flash-"

"Beta, go and take rest; it's late at night. We're also going to our rooms," Chachi said, patting my cheeks.

As they all started leaving, while Dadu and Chachu stayed. Chachu gave me a mischevious look before leaving the room with Dadu.

"I'm damn sure now, something else is also going on."

But I don't know, like, can be false, but I'll have to inform the company regarding the news first.

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