"Pooja sampoorn hua..aap prasad ko lelijiye...", said the priest.

"Bahu, distribute the prasad to everyone. ", said Ma ji.

The unforgiving noon's rays blazed in the terrace, where we had installed the place for the pooja.

As the occasion demanded heavy  jewelry and a silk saree, I was literally sweating and panting for breath.

The prasad was the first morsel of food that we were having.

We had invited our neighbours and close relatives to this pooja. After my wedding, this was the first big event that happened in the family.

There were talks on why should the bahu, that too, within one year of the wedding, shoulder the financial burden.

Wasn't the stationary store doing well?

What were my ulterior motives in life?

Am I trying to take away all the jewelry saved for Rekha's wedding through this plot of starting a tution centre.

Do I pay heed to all of this, or just silence away this as noise and focus on the good things?

Even though I was determined to choose the latter, sometimes when you are in that situation, you tend to lose your cool. That's when my husband came into picture and somehow, in his own charming way, calmed the mob and told them politely the lunch was about to be served.

With our guests scattering out in the house, I stayed in the terrace to just have a look at what it took to create this thing.

"The Shukla Tution Centre: Classes 4-10"

A dream that took the form of actuality from the scratch. It went through a lot of convincing, coping, patience, understanding and ofcourse doing the duty of a daughter-in-law. It took in a lot to produce this. My mother-in-law, stood supportive, well that was something, for involving a woman into financial aspects of a household, is definitely a deal-breaker for her.

I did empathize for her. I know it's not easy for her to listen to her own relatives and friends talk about the new things that we are doing, but she did it anyway!

We had a few enrollments and mostly it was all Rekha who brought these kids.

Remembering our last last night's conversation with Ma ji, my tired eyes searched for my sister in law. She too was at the terrace, and started out with the cleaning. She had succumbed herself into a vacuum of silence and it definitely didn't suit her. Her brother was still not talking to her and well, it's really time for me to confront her and understand the what had actually happened to a girl as bright and sane as her to do a thing which her family will not be pleased.

I walked to her and as she noticed my shadows approaching her, she slowly turned up to look at me.

Her beautiful kohl decorated eyes didn't have that spark of happiness. My heart sunk...

"Rekha-"

"Bhabhi, I am extremely sorry...

I didn't mean to hurt anybody.

I was about to tell you that evening, you do remember right?"

"I know... But how did this happen?

Ma ji is suspecting that something is wrong dear-"

"My own brother is not willing to talk to me.

Bhabhi, he is not a bad guy, but, for my family, I shall leave him..."

"Rekha, how sure are you?"

"Bhabhi- I, well-"

"Rekha, even before we take decisions we need to analyse the situation.

We should know about him, his family background, his character, and many other things are involved dear.

If all of this works fine, then I shall definitely support you.

But first, please smile and bring back the life to this family.

If everyone is serious, then how will I survive?"

She chuckled at the last line. She knew that I was referring to her brother and mother.

"Bhabhi, will you ask Bhai to talk to me?"

"I'll definitely try my best!", I smiled.

"He hates me, right?"

"No dear, not at all, you are his loving and darling sister.

He is just disappointed and you know how anger is your brother's best friend.

But don't worry, I shall talk to him. "

"Thank you Bhabhi...", she tried to smile.

I then took leave from her and headed downstairs.

***

The crimson dusk painted the skies with all the purity that it could express.

My first batch of 10 students were here.

Books, pens and other stationary were arranged to be distributed to the kids.

The cool evening's breeze wrapped us as my cotton beige saree fluttered in the air.

Rekha sincerely stood beside me to help me out. But this is totally not fair to a 12th standard girl who is about to take her board exams in 2 months. The exam season is here.

I turned and looked at her and asked her to bring her books.

She looked startled.

"Go bring your books and study here Rekha..."

"But- Bhai- Ma-"

"They don't have to know. I'll ask you if I need any help.

You should definitely be concentrating on your board exams now..."

A happy tear spilt from her eye.

I nodded to acknowledge.

Well, this is it!

"Welcome students... Welcome to being the first batch of our tution centre..."

***