Dedicated to penbegungor1
I was just about to fry the 'puris' for breakfast when Khushi ji entered.
"Good morning Di," she gave a small smile which I returned as we continued to work in companionable silence. You'd think after our chat last night we'd be awkward around each other, but her sharing her story had made our bond stronger; I was her Di not just because I was her husband's sister, but because I was now her sister too.
Soon we were setting the table when everyone arrived.
"Hello hi bye bye," Mami said in her usual manner as she took her seat, "Diwali was so much fun right?" she asked chirpily.
"Yes Maasi ji," NK Bhai replied, "Wish we could celebrate Diwali toady too," he said dreamily.
"Not toady Nanhe ji, today," Khushi ji corrected him as everyone laughed.
"Yeah, yeah, that one, today not toady," he corrected himself laughing.
"NK 'Babua', we will celebrate Diwali today as well, but on one condition, 'Phati Saree' will have to make all those tasty sweets again," Mami ji smiled at Khushi ji but my smile had disappeared.
"Khushi, her name is Khushi, not 'Phati Saree'," I said glaring at Mami ji.
"Anjali 'biyta'?" Mami ji looked shocked.
"Di," Khushi ji whispered, "It doesn't matter to me," she looked at Mami ji and I with wide eyes.
"But it makes a difference to me Khushi ji," I said sternly, "Mami ji, from now onwards, you will refer to Khushi ji with the respect she deserves as the eldest daughter-in-law of the Raizada family. I don't want to hear her being called that term again," I took a seat with a poker face as I saw everyone look at me shocked, "Oh yeah, and one more thing Khushi ji, from today onwards you will eat with us. Everyone has perfectly functioning hands, they can serve themselves," I ignored the gasps that escaped Nani and Mami as I indicated Khushi ji to take a seat.
Slowly, she took a seat next to me when Nani asked, "Anjali 'bitya', what has gotten into you today?"
"Why Nani, have I done something wrong?" I asked with fake politeness.
"No 'bitya', but your behaviour..." Nani left the sentence hanging.
"Nani, I am only doing what you should've done if you weren't so busy with looking after Laxmi. How does it even matter to you that your daughter-in-laws are treated like servants?" I looked around to see everyone gawking at me, "What happened? Did I say something wrong?" I asked nonchalantly lifting my eyebrows.
Nani and Mami shook their head in embarrassment and served themselves quietly. NK Bhai looked at me questioningly, so I just gave him a small nod, reassuring him that I was okay and that I would explain everything soon. Khushi ji just sat beside me looking at her plate and pushing her food around. I knew she felt awkward but if she wasn't going to fight then I would.
"What's up Di?" Chote appeared at the dining table then, "How come it's so quiet today?" he asked teasingly with a smile on his face. He looked so cute smiling, it really was a shame that I was going to wipe it off in a minute.
"Chote," I exclaimed with fake enthusiasm, "You're here, when did you get back? I didn't see you coming in! Tell me, how was your night?" I placed my elbow on the dining table and leaned my head against it waiting for him to answer my question.
I saw his gaze flicker to Khushi ji, who was still looking at her plate, and then back to me, "Absolutely fine Di," he answered quickly as he took his seat.
YOU ARE READING
An Unexpected Companion (IPKKND fanfiction)
FanfictionI knew Khushi ji and Chote would be at each other's throats because of how different their personalities were but I also knew how much they loved each other. I had thought that their love would overcome the all differences in their personality, and...
