Satsangi - (A Search For Truth)

CHAPTER 4

After entering my room, I plugged my phone into the charger and quickly sent an email to my team leader. With that task done, I turned my attention to the clothes I had packed. I took them out of the bag and neatly placed them in the closet, making sure everything was well-organized. Once I was finished, I glanced at the wall clock—it was exactly 5:30 p.m.

Feeling the need for a little break, I decided to make some coffee. I headed to the kitchen, enjoying the calm atmosphere of the house. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee soon filled the room. I poured myself a cup and, with a satisfied smile, walked out to the lawn to relax.

The lawn was meticulously maintained, a peaceful oasis with its variety of plants and trees. The vibrant blooms of jasmine and hibiscus caught my eye, while the wild plants added a touch of natural beauty. In the far corner of the lawn, guava, papaya, and mango trees stood tall, their leaves swaying gently in the breeze. A swing hung invitingly at one end, and a small coffee table was set up nearby, just the perfect distance from the swing for a relaxing afternoon.

I sat on the swing, enjoying the gentle breeze as I took a sip of my coffee. Out of nowhere, a ball came bouncing and rolled across the ground, stopping a little distance from me. I glanced in the direction it had come from and saw a group of children gathered outside the house, hesitantly discussing who should come and ask for the ball. Smiling to myself, I stood up, picked up the ball, and handed it back to them. They all thanked me cheerfully before running off to resume their game.

As I turned to walk back to the swing, I felt a light tap on my right shoulder. Instinctively, I looked to my left, only to be met with Rehaan’s amused but slightly disappointed expression. Clearly, he had expected me to fall for the classic trick and turn to the right.

I chuckled and shook my head. "That's an old trick, officer," I said with a playful smirk.

Rehaan raised his eyebrows, giving me a mock-serious look. "You’ve become too sharp for your own good."

"Years of experience," I teased.

"Coffee?" I asked, motioning towards the house.

"Wouldn’t say no to that," he replied, relaxing a bit.

We both walked inside to the kitchen, and as Rehaan took a seat at the dining table, I reheated the coffee on the stove. The warm, familiar scent of coffee filled the room, adding to the comfort of the moment. I poured him a fresh cup and placed it in front of him.

He took a sip, nodding in appreciation. "Nothing like a good cup of coffee after a long day," he said, settling into his chair.

I smiled as I leaned against the counter. "Glad you like it. It's good to see you, Rehaan. How have things been?"

"As usual, a busy, boring, long day," Rehaan said, sighing.

Then, with a slight smile, he added, "Sittamma called  and told me everything, so until she comes, I’m at your service, my lady."

I smiled back, appreciating his lighthearted attempt to make things easier for me.

"On that note," Rehaan continued, "my family has invited you for dinner tonight. What do you say?"

"Sure, why not? You know I never say no to food," I replied with a grin.

"Great! Let’s get going, then," Rehaan said, his tone brightening.

We drove to Rehaan’s home, and as we arrived, he rang the doorbell. A teenage girl answered the door with a welcoming smile.

"Hi, you must be Divya," she said confidently.

"Hello," I replied with a nod.

"I'm Swadineetha, Rehaan's sister," she introduced herself, extending her hand.

I shook her hand warmly. "Nice to meet you, Swadineetha."

"Come on in," she said, stepping aside to let us in. The house was cozy, filled with the mouth-watering aroma of home-cooked food. As we entered, I noticed an elderly man, probably in his 60s, sitting on the sofa, reading some paper. His focus was intense, but the atmosphere in the house was far from tense.

In the dining area, a woman, likely in her 50s, was busy setting dishes on the table when Swadineetha’s voice rang out.

"Mom, Dad! Look who’s here!" she shouted excitedly, her eyes landing on me.

Rehaan’s mother turned around, her face lighting up with warmth as she saw me. "I'm so glad you came!" she exclaimed, moving toward me with open arms. Without hesitation, she pulled me into a comforting embrace, her genuine happiness radiating from her.

The warmth of her welcome immediately made me feel at home, as if I were already part of the family.

Rehaan’s father, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward and gently placed his hand on my head in a gesture of blessing. "Welcome," he said with a soft smile. "This is my wife, Subhadra, and I’m Arjun Reddy."

I smiled and nodded, "Thank you both. It’s lovely to meet you." I respectfully took their blessings, feeling a sense of warmth and familiarity with the family.

We then gathered around the dining table, the food laid out looked delicious, and the conversation flowed naturally. As we ate, the air was filled with the scent of spices and the soft hum of conversations. Subhadra aunty occasionally asked me if I wanted more food, making sure I was well taken care of.

Meanwhile, Swadineetha, full of curiosity, peppered me with questions about Finland. She was eager to know everything—from the weather to the culture, and even what kind of food we ate there. Her excitement was infectious, and I found myself happily answering her questions, sharing stories of snowy winters and the serene beauty of Finnish lakes.

As the evening wound down, Rehaan and Swadineetha both insisted on walking me home. The walk back was easygoing, filled with light-hearted banter and laughter as we talked about everything and nothing in particular—random bits about our lives, stories from work, and Swadineetha's amusing school anecdotes. It was the kind of walk that felt like it could go on forever, yet when we reached my house, it felt too soon.

"Thanks for the company, both of you," I said as we reached my doorstep.

"Anytime," Rehaan replied, smiling. "We'll see you soon."

With a wave, they left, and I stepped inside the quiet house. Though it was late, I wasn’t sleepy yet. The house felt a bit too still, so I decided to clean the other bedrooms, something I had been meaning to do for a while.

The task took nearly two hours, and by the end of it, I was exhausted but satisfied with the fresh, tidy rooms. The physical exertion had drained the last bit of energy I had. I took a long, hot bath to relax my tired muscles, the warm water soothing me after the hard work.

Finally, I crawled into bed, letting the comfort of the clean sheets and the quiet night lull me to sleep.