*Nisha Pov*
“Please eat a little bit more Aunt.” I pleaded her like everyday, but still she pushed away the plate after eating little.
“Mom! Please make her eat.” I said, giving Mom the plate.
“How is she doing?” Bhabhi asked, and I took Jai from her.
“She is still mourning. It is just one month, right.” I replied, and she nodded.
“I have been meaning to ask you but didn’t get time. You are not thinking about going through Indu Di’s wish right?” She asked frowning.
“No Bhabhi! She was under emotional stress and with fear because of which she talked about all those things. And it is wrong if I go through that.” I replied.
“Thank god! You are too young to get married right now Nisha, and you also have dreams to study more.” Bhabhi said, and I nodded at her.
“Be careful about what you are saying Sangeetha. If Mom hears you, then you are dead.” Bhai suddenly said coming behind us.
“I know, I know! Stupid tradition in this family.” Bhabhi said scoffing.
“I can’t hate that completely like you because it would have been a few years late for me to meet you if not for that tradition.” Bhai said shrugging.
“And I hate it for the same reason.” Bhabhi said, and I stopped myself from smiling.
“Anyway, I just hope they will leave me alone for the next few years regarding marriage. I mean, even after knowing the tradition I was shocked when Mom talked about it two years back saying I am eighteen now, and I should get married.” I said shaking my head.
“Your brother became a hero saving you from that nightmare.” Bhai said ruffling my hair.
“But I wish they stop their taunts on you.” Bhabhi said frowning.
“All in the good time, but tell me how is Indu Di’s daughter. I don’t know anything about her.” I suddenly asked, remembering about her when Bhabhi brought the topic about the hospital which I have blocked completely.
“She is sad and poor kid at the age of five she lost her Mom.” Bhai said frowning.
“I will see her soon. Where is she staying?” I asked Bhai.
“With Sudhir! But she will come here today.” He replied, and I nodded at him.
We three get into the work around the house as there are many relatives still staying at Aunt’s house.
“Nisha! Come here.” Mom called me from the living room, and I walked towards her along with Bhabhi.
“What is it Mom?” I asked her frowning.
“Is the registered office, ok for you?” She asked looking at me.
“For what?” I asked her confused.
“For marriage!” She replied, frowning at me.
“No!” I said, shaking my head.
“Do you want a proper wedding? Even we want that, but everyone is still grieving for Indu. So it is preferable to do it in the registered office. Your Uncle brought the license yesterday from there.” She said and then I looked at Aunt and Uncle sitting on the other side hearing us.
“Mom! I... I can’t go with it.” I mumbled slowly so that they can’t hear.
“What do you mean you can’t? It was her last wish.” Mom said shouting.
“Aunty! It is her life.” Bhabhi slowly said and started calling Bhai.
“You stay away from this, Sangeetha. We need to fulfill the promises we make.” Aunt said walking towards us.
“Mom! You do not seriously want this, do you? She is just twenty for god’s sake.” Bhai said walking towards us.
“So? Is it a crime to get married at twenty?” Mom asked him.
“No! But she has dreams to chase Mom so let her live her life on her wishes.” Bhai replied, placing his hand on my shoulder and Bhabhi stood beside me.
“I can’t believe this. My Daughter on the death bed wished only one small wish, and you all are not going to fulfill it.” Aunt shouted at us.
“Aunt! She was under her own pressure and at those times, we wish for something which we don’t want.” I tried telling her.
“No! For the past one week, before she left us, she was saying something similar to that. She was saying she doesn’t want her daughter to go away from all of us and that just makes sense for this.” Aunt said.
“Even if he marries someone else Ayesha will always be your granddaughter so don’t think like that, Aunt.” Bhai said.
“See, what your children are doing Parvathi. They are ignoring my only daughters wish.” Aunt said slowly crying.
“Will you guys stop putting this emotional pressure on her? Did you guys even forget that he is nearly eight years older than her?” Bhabhi asked, raising her voice, and I held her hand.
“Don’t be so selfish, Nisha. Think about the small kid who needs someone in her mother’s place right now.” Mom said and I bit my lip.
“Mom! He will find somebody for himself. And then she will get all the love she needs.” I said pleading her.
“What if she doesn’t care for that little kid properly?” Aunt asked.
“And we all are here to make you treat the kid with love and not like some stepmother.” When she added this, I rubbed my forehead.
They don’t trust me but are just thinking that they can control me like they wish.
“Uncle, please say something.” I said, looking at him.
He just sat there numb and didn’t open his mouth. I don’t even know what to do to make them understand this is not needed.
“If you can’t keep your promise, then I will disown you.” When Mom said that I just looked at her in hurt.
Can’t she understand my thoughts here?
“And also your brother with his family.” When she added that my eyes went wide.
“Mom! You can’t do that to Bhai” I whispered, completely shocked that she is even going to these measures.
“And you can’t emotionally blackmail her using us.” Bhabhi said, and Mom closed her eyes understanding what she said.
“Sudhir! At least, you tell them what they are doing is wrong.” Bhai asked suddenly, making me turn around to see a guy standing at the door with a little girl in his arms, but I can’t see her face, but I can see his face which I have already seen a few years back.
“I too don’t want this, but she made me promise on my daughter. I love my daughter, so I am going with it.” He replied with a complete blank voice.
Then slowly the little girl turned towards us making me say that one word which changed my life after staring at her for a few minutes “Yes!”
*Nisha Pov* “Are you mad?” Bhai said again, which he has been doing from yesterday. “Don’t you have anything to say other than that.” I said looking at him. “Both brother and sister are the same.” Bhabhi mumbled from beside me. “Yes, that is a wrong question from my side. You are actually mad.” Bhai said packing his clothes. “Will you not attend my wedding?” I asked him sighing. “Yeah! Such a huge celebration, which I need to attend.” Bhai said rolling his eyes. “Many people get married in a register office so it is not such big deal.” I said shrugging. “I will kill you with this.” Bhai said coming towards me. “With Jai’s play toy?" Bhabhi asked and then I realized that he is holding Jai’s small music toy. “Don’t encourage her Sangeetha.” Bhai replied, closing the suitcase. “Where is the other suitcase?” He asked, looking at us. “Why? You packed yours, mine and even Jai’s clothes. Now do you want to pack Jai in one or what?” Bhabhi asked him. “No! To pack Nisha’s. We are
*Nisha Pov* “She is really a cute girl.” I said looking at him. “Yes!” He said looking at her who is sleeping at present. When we reached the airport, he took her from me saying, “There are too many people, and she will get hurt.” I nodded and gave her to him. We both walked towards the terminal after the checking and sat inside the flight. “My name is Nisha.” I informed him after a few minutes when the plane took off. “Why are you telling me?” he asked, looking at Ayesha, who is sitting between us. “I saw that on the ticket, it was Anisha.” I replied. “I know your name. My secretary must have mistaken it.” He said, and I nodded at him even though he is not looking at me. I just kept my gaze on the window even though I am actually not seeing a thing. My mind is running with the news finally settling that I have actually got married. I glanced at him immediately with that thought and saw him, caressing Ayesha’s cheek with a smile on his face, and I smiled looking at it. He l
*Nisha Pov* I went inside the room where I saw my luggage taken inside by a helper here. When I went inside I saw that this room was already used a little as his clothes were there inside a few cupboards. I opened my bag and first sent the changed address to my college using my Laptop so that they will send me any news regarding my applications I have sent to the college address. Then I called Bhai to inform him I have reached here. I freshened up a little and started unpacking my bags. I placed them properly in the empty cupboards and sighed in relief as they will finish soon. Then I walked inside Ayesha’s room to see that she is sleeping. I smiled, walking towards her and placed a small kiss on her forehead, and she immediately opened her eyes. “Were you not sleeping?” I asked her smiling and she shook her head. “Are you hungry?” when I asked that she nodded. “Let’s make something.” I said and picked her up in my arms. “What do you want to eat?” I asked her looking at littl
*Sudhir Pov* “I am going to die just because of you Sudhir.” Indu said with so much anger. “Don’t stress yourself Indu! You need to be calm.” I slowly said and her anger just rose. “No! I never wanted to die at this age.” She said suddenly with tears. “You are not going to. Just take a rest.” I calmly said. “So Mr.Sudhir Arora knows how to lie then.” She said, shaking her head and hissed in pain. “Don’t move your head like that.” I said stopping her. “Ayesha is here to see you. She has been crying for a few days.” I added, remembering my daughter’s cries. “No! I don’t have the patience to console her now.” She said closing her eyes. “I will come later.” I said, sighing and was about to get up when she stopped me holding my hand. “Promise me something.” She said, and I looked at her frowning. “Promise on Ayesha that you will fulfill it. Then I will meet her.” She added and I reluctantly nodded. “I want you to...”She started saying. I came out of my thoughts when I felt som
*Nisha Pov* “Oh, god! I can’t laugh anymore.” I said finally breathing and she too calmed down. “So what do you want to do next?” I asked her smiling. “Tom and Jerry.” She replied smiling. “Again?” I asked her frowning, and she nodded. “But this CD is over.” I replied frowning back. I stared at the clock and saw that it is nearly lunch time, but I haven’t cooked anything. Will he come home for lunch? I thought, frowning. “I will cook something for us.” I said, and she nodded. I got up holding her hand, and we both walked inside the dining room. Like yesterday I made her sit on one chair and cooked for us. While preparing it, I thought about morning’s breakfast. I immediately walked towards her and asked, “Did your Dad prepared the breakfast today morning?” “Yes!” She replied, nodding. I walked back inside the kitchen determining that I need to wake up early from tomorrow onwards. After preparing the lunch, I placed them on the table. I mixed the rice with the curry properl
*Nisha Pov* Sigh, Sigh and Sigh! That’s all I have been doing for a number of times like every day. I didn’t lose hope, but I never thought it would be like this. Even as normal housemates, he can have a conversation right? But no! I am worse than a stranger to him. I started getting up a little early by passing each day and first for a few days prepared lunch for him, but he didn’t take it with him for a few days no matter how much I have tried. So I decided to send it to his company, but it returned not at all touched. Today I got up and walked inside Ayesha’s room to see that she is still sleeping. I smiled and walked towards her. I sat beside her and said, “Ayesha! Wake up.” Caressing her hair. After a few minutes, she woke up with a smile, and I just smiled at her back. Walking near the cupboard, I opened it and showed her all the dresses so that she can select what she wants to wear. “You choose.” She said frowning. “No! What do you want to wear?” I asked her and she fin
*Sudhir Pov* I am sitting at the dining table and started checking the letters I got yesterday and Ayesha is drawing sitting beside me. “So how is the new school?” I asked her as she has been going to school for nearly one month. “It’s new!” She replied, making me smile at her. “Do you like it?” I asked, and she looked at me nodding. “Ayesha! What do you want to eat today?” She asked and looked up to see her leaning outside of the gap like usual. Ayesha just shrugged to which she smiled, shaking her head. She walked outside and said, “I will make chicken today as it is Sunday right.” I shrugged continuing to check my letters, and she walked inside. Ayesha got up yawning, and I think she needs more sleep. “Ayesha! Why don’t you go and take a small nap?” She said before I can tell my daughter making me frown. “Ok!” Ayesha said, rushing to her room. “Careful!” She said again before I can. I shook my head and saw that a few letters are on her name. I cleared my throat and said,
*Nisha Pov* “Excuse me?” I said, standing before the receptionist. “Yes?” she asked, smiling. “Are admissions still open?” I asked her, hoping they are. “Yes! Here is the application form.” She replied giving me one. I thanked her and started filling the form. I finished it and was in the process of submitting it, but someone called me. I turned to look at a girl my age standing and asked, “Yes?” “Can you pass me your pen? I forgot mine.” She replied, and I nodded giving her. “You may get a call by the evening regarding your admission miss.” Receptionist said, and I nodded at her. “Excuse me?” Someone called me again when I started walking towards the entrance. “Yes?” I asked, turning around to see the same girl. “Your pen! Thank you.” She replied. “No problem!” I said and was about to turn, but she stopped me again. “Hey! I am Pavani.” She said and then, I face palmed myself for not introducing myself. “I am Nisha Meh... Arora.” I said shaking her hand. “Pretty weird s