𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒊𝒅𝒆

PART-57

"Seriously, di!" Ira said firmly, her eyes wide and puffy, hair tousled, and voice still hoarse from the two-hour nap and the lingering cold and fever. She sat at one corner of the bed near the wall, the blanket neatly draped over her legs, a glass of warm water held carefully in her good hand as she took small sips now and then.

At the other end of the bed sat Jheel, surrounded by a fortress of pillows, a bowl of roasted nuts and dry fruits balanced perfectly on her round belly. Every now and then, she popped a cashew into her mouth and broke into a stiffened chuckle at Ira's strong opinions about pregnancy and her future husband.

With the door and windows shut, the room had grown pleasantly warm, just enough to keep the sisters safe from the winter chill. Outside, a faint whistle of the wind brushed against the windowpane, making the coziness of the room feel even thicker.

Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, Jheel looked at her younger sister's dead-serious expression and tried to hold back the chuckle rising in her chest. "Ira-!" She burst into laughter, her voice echoing through the room, it made the bowl on her belly wobble dangerously.

"What?" Ira frowned, her face crumpling even more, like a piece of paper that had already suffered enough. She adjusted the hand with the IV resting on the pillow and continued, "God forbid, but if I ever get married and, by mistake, end up in this situation-and my husband isn't around for the whole nine months till delivery and afterwards-I swear. I swear, I'll curse him with all my existence that even his ancestors will feel it."

"G-God forbid!" Jheel gasped between fits of laughter, slapping a nearby pillow while her other hand cradled her belly protectively. "Ira, what are you even saying?! 'God forbid' and 'by mistake'-you don't get pregnant by mistake! Oh my God-" she broke into laughter again, tilting her head back.

"Oh, di, you're very innocent." Ira scrunched her nose and twisted her lips, looking to the other side before turning back to her sister - who was staring at her with pressed lips, trying hard not to laugh.

"You know, these men are very manipulative," Ira said, lowering her voice and holding out her open palm for emphasis. "Never fall for their sweet words and fake promises." She wriggled her forefinger, eyes closed, as if issuing a divine warning. "After fulfilling their desires, they walk away without a single glance."

"Ira..." Jheel called out softly, a smile tugging at her lips as she cleared her throat. "I'm married... and pregnant." She tapped her belly with a gentle grin. "And trust me, it's a very beautiful journey... except for the mood swings and pregnancy pain," she added in a whisper.

Ira's expression turned neutral. She blinked twice, briefly staring at Jheel's belly before shifting her gaze to the cartoon pattern on the furry blanket. She took a slow sip of her warm water, looking down as if the conversation itself had tired her out.

"Okay, leave this," Jheel spoke, snapping Ira out of her thoughts. "Tell me, what kind of man do you want as your husband?" she asked, a playful smile lingering on her face.

Ira's face scrunched up again. "Don't start talking like aunties now, di."

"C'mon, Ira..." Jheel moved the bowl aside on the pillow and arched her back before settling against the one behind her. She brushed a strand of hair from her face, watching Ira with teasing eyes. "Every girl dreams about the kind of life partner she'll have in the future. Have you really never done that?"

"No."

"Liar."

Ira sniffled, took another sip of water, and looked at Jheel with a slightly soured expression. "And does my choice even matter? I'll get whoever's written in my destiny. Why assume things and then get hurt over them?"