Chapter 5

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I sneak into the kitchen hoping to hear some news out of my mother's zipped up mouth.I grab an apple from the basket on the top of fridge trying so hard to hide my curiosity and create a natural and easy environment.

"Whats for dinner,mummy!!",I ask,failing miserably in hiding the shiver in my voice.My mother looks at me from the corner of her eyes and holds her gaze for sometime.It is so patent that something is so different about me.I've never been the sort of girl who has ever attempted to engage in a nice kitchen conversation with my mother since I discovered she likes to be alone.And not just that,everytime we talk,it either ends in a way that she annoys me or the other way round.So,the usual practice in this house is that everyone minds their own business except for the homely duties that everyone is habitually given and the very rare occasion of some fun games like cards when Kavya comes over with her family.So,naturally,its so much out of place when I behave like this.

"Mummy,I'm hungry already.",I say,attempting to make her speak once again.

"Its just seven and you are already hungry?",she frowns at me,frying the potato in fury.I nod frantically holding my smile small and still.

"Usually you'll dry and rot your food till ten or eleven.Whats got into you now?",she shakes her head and continues to concentrate on her cooking without even bothering to look at me for an answer.Not that I am in any mood to answer these questions.I've come here to know if they got any information from Avinash's family.Its been a couple of days since my father told he'd tell them that it is a yes from us. Has he contacted them?What did they tell?Didn't Avinash tell he liked me?Then,why haven't they replied yet?Maybe his parents and family didn't like me?Whatever it maybe,I wanna know....NOW!

"Any news?",I ask,hoping she'd understand what I am talking about.She again turns to me with a deep scowl and turns away without answering.

"Mummy,won't you talk something?",I plead,wiping the sweat off my forehead.

"What the hell do you want,Shruthi?Get away from here now.Let me cook in some peace.",she shoos me,I bite the insides of my cheek,staring at her wide eyed and walk away from there in true disappointment.In the past few days,I've come to accept that there is certainly something between the two of us.Something that I'm not able to point my finger at.All of this seems new to me,a new world,new family and an absolutely gorgeous new life.And yeah,of course,I'm enjoying all that he has given me and I can't even bring myself to imagine how much better my life would change if I get him as my husband.Suddenly,all my tiny wishes bloom big into a huge fantasy story.I stop midway, lean on the wall and with a broad grin on my face,I begin to imagine how beautiful it would be to have a little family in a small,content house and people to call as real family.It is all so tempting.Suddenly,I start feeling like I sound greedy.Greedy or not,I want it.He has occupied my mind ever since the day I saw him.He was sweet,understanding and so handsome.I can't think of anything else I might expect from my husband.

I smile at the lovely scenario of a beautiful and happy environment building in my mind and casually walk ahead.And uh,I slam into my father.I quickly back off and my smile fades off.

"What are you grinning at!",he frowns.He tells me that he has something to talk with me.

"What is it,Daddy!!!?",I beam.

"Let me take a bath and come,we'll talk about it.",he says and walks off.My face instantly hangs down and I watch tv eagerly waiting for my father to come out.And today,of all times,he seems to be taking a lifetime to come out.When I finally hear the door knob open,I jump down from the chair and walk over to him.

"Yeah,Daddy!You asked me to come....",I cheerfully stand in front of him.

He stares at me like I'm insane and says,"I told you to come but not when I'm not even dressed and am standing with a towel around my hip." I silently walk away and resume to pretend like I'm watching something interesting in the television.Just as I am randomly changing channels having my ears open for my father's call,I hear my mobile ring.I mumble wondering who it is and conclude that it must be Kavya as I reach my room.I take a quick glance at the screen and find that it is an unknown number.I cut the call thinking it must be a wrong number and it might be better to avoid problems.But in few seconds I get a call from the same number again.After a little hesitation,I decide to attend the call.

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