I'm carefully watering my plants on the poolside in my everyday lounge wear when I sense a pair of eyes on my back.
I turn around and she is here. In my house, in my sanctuary, right in front of me.
She is gaping at me wide eyed, mouth rounded in 'O'.
She looks at me from top to bottom and gulps. Like she can't believe that I can have a normal existence. WHAT THE..
I ask her what is she doing here? And how dare she come to my house!
She gingerly lifts a binder of paper in her hand and pushes it towards me. I look at it and remember the assignment I gave her last night. I was not serious about that, but she really finished it overnight! I felt a pang of guilt to make her do all this through the night when I tortured her all day yesterday.
Just then Di came looking for me and she was surprised to see Khushi there, "Arey Khushiji aap yahan [Oh Khushiji, you are here?]".
How does Di even.. It was my turn to be surprised, "Di, aap ise kaise jaanti hain? [Di how do you know her?]"
She told me that she had met Khushi in a temple nearby and she got to know that Khushi is from Lucknow too, so they had a great talk.
Then we both look at Khushi and she is looking from me to Anjali in a comical manner. "Anjaliji.. aap...inki?...par..aap..toh..itni achhi...[Anjaliji..you're his sis..but you're so nice..]" and then she hiccuped suddenly as if she just said something she shouldn't have. When I connected the dots for what she meant by that, the guilt that I was feeling just now instantly evaporated.
WHAT THE..what does she thinks of herself..openly criticizing me in my own house, in front of my family. I grit my teeth..hard.
"File de diya na, ab jao [You have delivered the file, now go]". I was curt at her, but Di has to step in, "arey aise kaise, Khushiji aap itni subah subah aayi hain, chai to pi kar jaiyega [no, no..how can she leave like that. Khushiji you must have some tea before you go.]", her hospitality coming in full force. I can only look at Di exasperated.
Di.. I cannot say no to, but her, I dared her to say yes with a look in my eyes.. and it had the desired effect. "Nahi nahi Anjaliji, fir kabhi..abhi hum chalte hain [No no Anjaliji, maybe next time.. I must go now.]".
She was about to leave when Nani came at the scene hearing the commotion, and when she asked Khushi to stay, neither I, nor Khushi could say no.
***
I changed into my 3-piece and came down the stairs getting ready for the office. When I entered the living room I hear a loud laughter ringing in the area. I find everyone seated around the dining table, sharing jokes, laughing, reminiscing about the days in Lucknow, and at the center of all this was her. I don't know how to feel about that.. I had never found Di, Nani, Mami share such a cheerful moment together. Mami and Nani were always bickering, Di is constantly worrying about something, Nani is always strict, making sure everything is done right, unyielding as a matriarch of the house should be. But now.. this moment.. this frothy, light moment..is evoked by her?
I feel a delight spreading over my skin, I take a seat at my chair, wanting to soak up the joy. I just want to save this moment in my soul forever.
HP poured a cup of tea for me. I pick up the cup, and "Aachhoo", my nose itched. And then "Aacchoo" another sneeze sounded in my ears.
I look at the source.. she's sitting across from me, her nose in her hand, trying to stop another one coming in.
Nani wondered at the coincidence," Khushi bitiya, did you also get drenched in the rain yesterday like Chhote"?
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Our eyes meet at that. We share a look, memories of yesterday filling the air between us..of me scooping her up in my arms and whirling her away in the rain, holding her tight as she clung to me. Her looking at me askance, why do I torment her so and then save her. We are lost in the moment, searching for answers in each other's eyes.
Mami chimed in, "Ee ka, lagat hai Sasuma aap theek hi pakdi hain.. pfft [Look at that, Mother-in-law seems like you are absolutely right.. hehe]". That brought me back to reality.
Not wanting to extend the conversation, I stood up and made to leave for the office when Nani stopped me, "Chhote, Khushi Bitiya bhi to office ja rhi hain. Aap kahe nhi inko saath le jaat hain. [Chhote, Khushi is also going to the office. Why don't you take her with you.]
I see her trying to squash a laughter mouthing "Chhote". WHAT THE.. she is making fun of me!?
I'll show who will laugh in the end. "Yes Khushi, why don't you join me?"
She followed me out with trepidation.
***
Author's Note:
Lovely Readers, I'll change the story track from here on now. The core of the story remains the same, excluding distractions.
