Beyond The Golden Skies

♛ 09: A Promise •

Dark brinjal hues blanketed the sky when Sakshi opened the kitchen windows and switched on the light. She breathed in the scent of ripe mangoes and summer flowers from the garden mixed in the morning air. Turning on the tap, she scrubbed an iron tawa under cool running water.

"Beti, why are you up so early?" Lajo entered the kitchen in her nightie. Her glass bangles tinkled when she tightened the scarf over her head.

"Good morning, Lajo Aunty. I'm making breakfast for Maaji."

"Did you forget today is Sunday?."

"I'm preparing four dishes today."

"It's still too early. You don't even have college today."

"I am also sending food for my friend's father."

"Do you need help?"

"Can you pour some milk for Barfoo?"

"Sure, Beti. Anything else?"

"No, thanks, Aunty."

"I'll be in the storeroom if you need anything."

"Okay," Sakshi said and resumed her work. Within two hours, she managed to pack containers with wholegrain onion rotis, dal fry, dates pudding and moong sprouts tikki for Amar Singh. She filled a separate tiffin box with sweetened basmati rice kheer only for Ayush.

Now lay the real challenge- securing Lajo's permission without anyone spotting her. Neither her parents nor brother would let her out except for college. She would've used visiting Vinnati as a reason, but the latter wasn't in town for a week now.

She tiptoed past Ranveer's and her parents' rooms to the storeroom in the attic. Lajo was piling unwashed laundry into a plastic basket. She paused and glanced at Sakshi. "The aroma of your cooking has filled the house."

She smiled and shrugged. "Thank you, Aunty. I wanted a big favour from you."

"What is it, Beti?"

"Remember I said my friend's father is a diabetic and I'm making food for him?"

"Haan, I remember."

"I need to visit him and hand over the food."

Lajo placed a hand on her chest with a dramatic gasp. "Aye haye! Do you realise what you're saying?"

"Please, Aunty."

"You send it through one of Kumar Sahab's men."

"It wouldn't be nice. I want to go in person and give him."

"Beti, I'm just the caretaker of this house. Why are you asking me? Take permission from your brother or mother."

"You know they will never agree."

"I cannot agree to this. Kumar Sahab will kill me if anything happens to you."

"Nothing will happen, I promise."

"What if your father's rivals spot you?"