Stranger in the Train

First Meet

The sun was filtering in through the windows but Akshara was snoozing away to glory, completely covered inside her pink and white duvet. Her Dadi had left five minutes ago, asking her to get up soon. But Akshara was in no mood to leave her comfortable bed. She turned around on her belly and was getting comfortable to fall asleep again, when she felt a heavy weight on her back.

"Jaana Yaha se...let me sleep," she said trying to push her sister away, irritated.

"Didi...please...I missed you sooooooo much," said Aarohi, hugging her elder sister, putting half of her weight on her.

"Yaar...." Whined Akshara but turned over and pulled her into a hug, just like old times. Akshara was about to go into a deep sleep, when she heard her grand mother's voice.

"Akshuuu...." She yelled pulling her duvet from her face.

"Yeh lo, yeh Madam bhi yahi hai," she said frustrated. "I had asked you to wake your didi up and not sleep with her," said Swarna exasperated.

"Dadi, pleaaaase...5 more minutes," cried Akshara.

"Tumhara 5 mins kabhi khatam nahi hota...chalo utho," said Swarna, trying to pull
the duvet from Akshara, who was trying to pull it back over her head, while Aarohi just cuddled into Akshara, knowing that her elder sister will take care of it.

When she knew that the girls were not going to listen to her, she did a whole show of taking out her mobile and dialing a number.

"Hello, Naira...these girls are not ready to get up." She paused for a bit, pretending to listen to the other side. "Acha, your meeting got cancelled and you are reaching in 5 min..."

She didn't even have to complete her sentence that Akshara and Aarohi jumped out of the bed and ran towards the washroom, each trying to get in first.

"Go to your own room, idiot," Akshara said and pushed Aarohi out before getting into the bathroom and locking the door.

In 20 minutes, Akshara had showered, changed and reached down.

"Good morning, Baba" Akshara shouted and ran towards her grandfather who was sitting on the swing on the porch reading the newspaper.

"Good Morning, beta," he said engulfing her in a hug.

"Kaisi hai meri Gudiya," he said pecking her forehead.

"I am good, Baba. I hope you are taking care of yourself," she said sternly.

"Yes, honewali doctor Sahiba. Do you think I can be careless in the presence of your Dadi and Mumma?" said Manish with a grin while Akshara grinned back. "How were your exams?"

"Mast as usual" she said.

"Iss baar bhi top?" He asked knowing her answer really well.

"Of course, Baba," she said in full confidence.

"Btw, where is Mumma? In the kitchen?"

"Mumma? She has gone for a meeting. Didn't you know?" Asked Manish confused.

"Ya, but Dadi was talking on the phone and she said it got can...." The reality dawned on both of them. While Akshara frowned Manish laughed out loud.

"Teri dadi ne fir se phasaya or tu fir phas gayi," he laughed out loud.

"Mumma ka Khauf hi aisa hai aur dadi ka toh pata nahi kab serious hai kab mazaak karti hai. Ek baar Maine mazaak samjha tha and got nicely from Mumma."

"Kitna darti hai apne Ma se," teased Manish.

"AAP toh rehne hi do. Sabse zyaada aap hi unse darte ho," she teased him back and Manish grinned back sheepishly.

"That's true," "you mother is the sweetest person I know but she is scary when she gets angry. Aise hi NAHI Tere Papa usse Sherni bulate the," he said and shuddered for effect, making Akshara chuckle.