"What do you mean I was gifted to you?"
"It is not good to eavesdrop but you heard it right. You are a gift that was forcefully imposed on me."
"Y-You... are.... lying..."
"Am I? You know what? Gift is a very fancy term for you. 'Trash' suits you be...
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For the first time after so many weeks, I had a great sleep and an even greater dream. I was laughing at something Keerti said while Upasana was rolling on the floor. Arman and Neeya were married and had a small baby girl. Everyone looked so happy and merry... but it was all just a dream.
I heard an angelic voice in the distance; it was calling my name. I thought it must be my mother, but she would never call me that lovingly. Did she ever? Maybe she did, but I couldn't remember it.
My dream broke as the honey like voice got louder, and I opened my eyes slowly. My mother-in-law's face came into view and it was glowing like sunshine. It took me some time to register what was happening and where I was, and when I did, I snapped up into the sitting position with a jolt.
"Shruti Aunty?" I asked.
She was sitting beside me on the bed and her smile turned into a frown when I called her Aunty. I quickly rectified my mistake and remembered that I fell asleep in Yuvaan's room yesterday.
"Had a good sleep?" she questioned and caressed my hair.
"Yes," I replied.
"Good, but you must be hungry since you skipped breakfast. I brought lunch for you," she said.
Skipped breakfast? How long was I sleeping?
"Is the sleeping beauty finally up?" Yuvaan's mocking voice came from the bathroom.
"Shut up!" his mom yelled and smiled at me.
She took a food plate from the side table and moved it in front of me. My mouth watered as soon as the delicious aroma of Methi Parathas invaded my senses.
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"Open your mouth," Shruti Aunty said as she took a morsel of a Paratha and brought it near my mouth.
I stared at her in confusion. She brought her hand close, and instinctively, I opened my mouth and closed my eyes in delight. I asked her if she cooked it as I noticed the difference in taste from Grace's cooking.
"Did you like it?" she asked with a sweet smile.
"It is delicious," I complimented.
"Aren't you going to feed your only son, Ma?" Yuvaan acted hurt.
