Short Stories

CH 7 - Promise

Bhoomija's pov :

" Aaayi bale bale !! Patakulu ! Patakuli vachayi !!! "( Yaay! Crackers! Crackers arrived !!! ) Anandi and Achyut scream in joy

( Author's note : Now I know crackers weren't as solid and accessible to handle as of now but for the sake of the story let's say it was . )

" Now now . Let's settle down kids. I'm not young anymore. I can't match your speed . " Mavayya says holding his hips and heaving miserably .

" Nana garu! ( Father) Come on . Let's light some crackers " Achyut screams. Mavayya just shakes his head.

I hand him a tumbler of water and he appreciatively takes it .

" Dipawali subhakanhshalu Maavayaa" ( Happy Diwali) I say touching his feet . He lifts me up and kisses my forehead .

" You too my child. And you look really beautiful. " He says patting my head. I smile .

" Father come on !!" The twins yell. He makes a tired face but nonetheless gets ready to march towards them .

I stop him . " Mavvaya , you rest . I will go ." He smiles appreciatively.

The twins look confused at first but when they realised I was coming to play with them they both jump in joy .

We fire the small crackers first . They both first scared but yell in unison when the "BOOM" sound subdues

They get ready to fire some more crackers by placing them one on the other while i make sure from distance that they don't accidentally hurt themselves

I see Janaki standing at one corner all alone so I go towards her.

She smiles when she sees me approaching

I've gotten quite close to Janaki these past few days. She is really timid and well spoken . Very smart for her age. I was actually impressed that she knows languages beyond the nation like Chinese and Arabic.

And she is very beautiful , like her mother was.

She might look like her but the way she speaks is all like her brother. Well, except for the rude tone. These two siblings share the same eyes as well .

I also noticed that she wears cloths covering her whole neck . Even though it's cold, it gets warm inside the palace . I don't know why she do that .

" Dipawali subhakanhshalu vadina." She says
( Happy diwali, sister-in-law)

I wish back . We stand watching the twins

" Janaki , why are you standing idle ? Come let's fire some crackers ." I say

" No no I'm fine here vadina . You go enjoy ."

'' What nonsense! Everyone must enjoy diwali . Come let's go together and don't argue . "
I grab her and whisk her to the ground where Achyut and Anandi are playing.

I give Janaki a susurbatti ( 'fuljhadi' for you non-telugu speakers)

She takes it and I notice a smile forming on her face when she moves it around.

She and Anandi laugh when Achyut susurbatti doesn't burn properly and makes a 'psss' sound

We all have a good time buring crackers .

It would have been much better if only His Majesty would grace us with his presence.

Ohh looks like someone is missing her husband.

What?! What am I thinking ? Of course I'm not missing him . I don't even like him !

Oh come off it!! Who are you even lying to ?

Am serious!! I hate his attitude. His stubborn deep voice . That thick gruff beard of his. His ridiculously large vein on his forehead...

His sturdy body .His soft yet firm lips . His eyes, so deep that hides his sorrow. His large hand that grabbed you so vigorously ...

I stop my mind from wandering into dangerous territory.

Ahhh it is of no use denying it. I really like my husband but I also sort of hate him

I like him for the way he takes care of his family , his brother and sisters . And the man is handsome. I'm not blind ...

But I also hate him for the way he is so stubborn. The way he denies the mistakes that is in front of him . The way he just closes himself in front of his siblings , his father and me.

If only there was a way to make him realise ......

" ACHYUTH!!!"

Janaki's voice brings me out of my thoughts

I look towards Achyuth who is entangled in a rope .

What the ....

I run towards him . I see him trying to get out of it but he fails miserably .

A crackling sound makes me whirl towards it .

OH MY GOD!!

It is NOT a rope but a freaking 'bijili ' crackers

"Wha.... How did you.... ?" I stop my questioning when I notice the bursting getting closer.

I try tearing the thread but in vain . Anandi tries getting closer but I stop her .

I usher Janaki towards us and tell her to keep untangling her brother while i run towards the approaching fire .

Tearing the burning thread would be easy .

I touch the burning thread but it is too damn hot.

But I keep on tearing. The little crackers burning my palms and arm

At last I got successful but felt immense pain in my palms.

Damn... I burned my hand really bad .

There is Mavvaya rushing towards us . Clearly unaware why Anandi is crying while Janaki holds a crying , now untangled , Achyut in her arms .

Just then Prudhvi appears looking furious . And man.... he is looking towards me!!?

(Gulp)