I sat in bus with the thoughts of Dharini. I wanted to spend some time alone with her to know about her more and this was the chance. Anyways, what can we do? I sat in private bus on window seat. Thankfully, bus is not crowded. As bus starts moving, I'm feeling drowsy. Side effects of waking of early. A nap won't harm anyone I guess.
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"Samyak village Samyak village Samyak village. The bus will hault for five minutes here" conducter announced.

Conductor's announcement woke me up and I realized that I reached. Bus is still moving, going to bus stand. I quickly took my bag from luggage rack above and stood in line behind people who all are waiting for bus to stop so that they can get off here.

After getting off, first thing I saw is horse carts waiting to get passengers. Then I saw my father on his scooter and talking to someone. I guess, he didn't realize that I arrived.

"Baba" I called him.

"Are Aanu, aa gaya beta" (oh Aanu, you came son)

"Yes baba" I bent down to touch his feet for blessings

He instantly put his right hand on my head.

"Namaste Uncle" I greeted the man whom my father is talking to.

" Namaste...Namaste Aanu, bada ho gaya, pehchana mujhe?" The uncle, whom papa was talking to asked.

(Hello...hello Aanu, you grew up, did you recognize me?)

"Um uhh..." I can't recall him.

"He is my childhood best friend Surendra, we friends call him Surri. Remember I told you about him?" Baba asked.

"Yes yes I remember, you used to tell me stories and how you and surri uncle used to climb on your neighbor's mango tree and steal mangoes. I didn't know he is that Surri uncle" I felt so happy meeting baba's childhood best friend.

"Yes I'm that surri uncle son, and I met you before, when you were around 6-7 years old. You used to roam around in underwear and sando." He laughed

Ok now I'm embarrassed and glad that Dharini didn't came.

Then he left, not before giving his goodbyes.

I sat behind baba on scooter.

Baba started scooter. The ride is silent until baba spoke..

"How is Dharini son? Your ma told me that she is not well" baba asked

"Yes baba, she has fever"

After a pause, he said

"I hope you are liking her now.." he laughed a little then continued

"..You know Aanu, I like her a lot. I'm sure she will fit in our family perfectly."

"I hope so too baba"

"So tell me, are you happy now?"

"Um..yes baba, I think I like her now" I replied honestly.

I didn't realize when time passed and we reached.

As soon as I got off, I noticed, the home didn't change at all. Same calmness and lush green surrounded our home.
Dadi came out and gave roti to cow and then noticed me

"Aaanuu.." she screamed with happiness

"Are suniye, hamara Aanu aa gaya hai" she called dadaji (grandpa)

(Hey listen, our Aanu came)

I went ahead and touched their feet to seek blessings.

"Long live son" dadi said. Then I touched ma's feet to seek blessing but she stopped me midway and then hugged me. "Hamesha khush reh" she said in my ear (Stay happy always)

"Where is our daughter in law?" Dadi asked.
I looked at ma, who is already looking at me.

"Um dadi, I just came and you started asking me questions" I tried to change topic by complaining.

After we came inside and settled on cot that's whe she asked again

"Now tell me, bahu kyun nahi aai?"

(Why daughter in law hasn't come?)

"Um..uh..actually dadi, dharini is not well that's why I didn't brought her here"
This was actually true. She was not well.

"Today's girls..huh.. we used to work even when we were 9 months pregnant. Applying cow dung smearing on floor, making cow dung cakes, washing clothes, and cooking was daily routine. And today's girls, if get little sick, they will sit ideally and won't do anything" dadi said.

I wanted to reply her but ma held my hand and when I met her eyes, she silently shook her head. I took deep breath.

Then dadaji changed topic.

"Aanu, let's go inside, you must be tired." Dadaji said.

"didi came?" I asked

"Vishakha's train is running late I think, she was supposed to arrive by 4 PM and now it's 6:30" Baba said.

*****

"Maamu" didi's 2 year old son, Sanath called me loudly with excitement while standing on door frame.

"Sanath" I quickly went to him and picked him up while didi and Jijaji came in.

"Didi, how are you" I hugged her then jijaji.

"We are good, you say how are you? And where is my lovely sister in law?"

"Vishu you just came, atleast take a seat first" baba said.

After everyone sat didi asked again.

"So tell me now" she said

"Didi she was not well, so I didn't brought her" I said while playing with Sanath who is sitting on my lap.

"Oh I hope bhabhi get well soon." didi said.

*****
After dinner I came to my room, I'm feeling tired and now I just want to sleep.

"Aanu, are you free? Didi came

"Yes didi, come sit"

"How are you? We are meeting after so many months. I didn't get to talk to you enough" she said

People say a brother and sister can't bond like the way two brothers or two sisters bonds but in my case, I think we are best friends before we are siblings.

"I'm good didi,you tell me how is life going on now with Sanath?"

"He remain same energetic at night the way he is at day. When I want to eat, he wants to do potty at the same time. When I go for bath, he gets hungry then only. Sometimes he spread all of his toys everywhere. If people would come at my house, they will think I keep my house messy. But thanks to Vardaan, he helps me a lot. Be it taking care of Sanath, cooking food or anything. He hates to clean Sanath's potty though, but he is father, he subscribed for this so he can't say no."

Hearing this I started laughing.

"Haan haan has le beta (yes yes laugh) as much as you want till you have a child. Then I will ask Dharini and you, how is life going on with your baby?" She said last part while mimicking my voice.

Hmmm...Child of me and Dharini... I felt something in me by hearing this.

Too good..

"Accha do you have any photo of her? I asked ma and she said she gave it to you."

"Yes I.. do... haave..."

"Oh come on Aanu show na" she said.

I took out her photo from my bag and passed it to her.

"Aanu tere hath to jackpot laga hai bhai" she said

(Aanu, you have got jackpot in your hand)

She is always like this, bold and whatever is in the heart is on the tongue.

"Ma told me that her eyes are very beautiful. She was right indeed and not just eyes, her smile is pretty as well. She seems kind and innocent. Perfect match for you. I'm so happy for you Aanu." She said and then hugged me tightly.

I don't know what it is, a god gift or curse but my sister can tell how a person's character would be without even meeting them and 90% of the time, what she said turned out to be correct.
And this time as well. Dharini is really kind and innocent.

"Thankyou didi" I said.

"Now tell me why didn't you brought her? Is she really sick or you were afraid that buas and dadi may comment on her appearance?"

"Um.. actually what I said was partially true. I was afraid because she is innocent and you know buas have no control and this was another reason. The main reason was she got period and mild fever, so.."

"Okay. So tell me more... how things are going between you two?"