Just a wife

6. True Identities

SANJANA
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After a refreshing shower, I stood before my wardrobe. The few clothes I left at home were either tacky or loose-fitted, as I have lost a noticeable amount of weight while staying outside of home.

I was wrapped in a wet towel and could not decide what to wear when Mumma walked inside the room.

"Wear a saree," she suggested but that only increased my irritation over the given situation. I cannot drape a saree myself, moreover I did not want to be clad in one.

"I don't want to.." I informed. Before Mumma could convince me by saying anything, I heard Saba's voice over the closed window. Our houses were adjacent to each other's. That's why if anyone shouts the voice travels easily to the other end.

I've not seen her for so long, I could feel myself jittering like a trapped bird only after listening to her voice.

Quickly grabbing one of the salwar kameez from the wardrobe, I ran towards the bathroom to change into it. Mumma was still standing inside the room when I emerged out of the bathroom.

"You can meet Saba after Mrs Goenka leaves," Mumma said, reading my thoughts.

Being impatient, I tried to resist, "But-"

"No but and no more tantrums, Sanjana. She will be here in no minutes," Mumma firmly stated before walking out of the room.

"But I am hungry," I called out following her.

"We will have breakfast together with the guest," she informed.

It was half an hour past seven in the morning, as I darted my eyes to the wall clock. Why that woman is arriving this early in the morning is a matter of concern.

Sanav, my brother is a late riser but he woke up and changed into better clothes as I saw him after reaching near the sofa. I sat beside my brother, who gave me a pleasant smile, filling my anxious heart with some warmth.

Mumma and Papa both received Mrs Goenka from the main entrance and brought her directly to the living room. They fuss among themselves worrying where to make that lady sit comfortably.

Our house is small and packed with three bedrooms and only one living room. It has a small dining room attached to it, which leads to an airy and well-organised kitchen. That's it. That's the whole of our single-floored house.

I quickly rose from my sitting position as Mrs Goenka stepped closer. She was looking so familiar like I had seen her somewhere. Eyeing the surroundings with a straight face, she took the seat opposite our sofa. Around a small centre table, we had a two-seater sofa and two plush armchairs. Papa took the seat beside her while Mumma chose to dash towards the kitchen as usual.

Mrs Goenka moved her eyes towards the walls and then towards us. There is no air conditioner in our living room, I could feel that displeased her expectations as she surveyed the surroundings.

"Sanjana," Papa pressed in a low tone indicating that I should touch her feet to show some respect. Even though that did not come out of me naturally, I moved towards her and leaned down to touch her feet.

That lady looked too modern, too elegant to be affected by these traditions. I expected her to stop my actions midway but she quietly let me touch her feet. She did not touch me. Rather, she gave me a curt, calculated smile acknowledging my actions and then, I went back to my place.

She sighted my brother after me, as he did not rush to do the same as me, but in between that, my Mumma walked in with a tray having a glass of water and different types of sweets. These glasses only come out when some very important guests arrive; I could see my parents putting in the most possible effort to impress that unwanted guest.