Sheesh Mahal,

In the opulent halls of Sheesh Mahal; Ratna and Anjali were engrossed in the mundane task of slicing cucumbers. The dawning sun filtered through the intricately carved windows, casting delicate patterns on the marble floor. Their rhythmic knife strokes were interrupted when Subadhra, the formidable matriarch of the household, swept into the room like a monsoon storm.

Before Ratna and Anjali could fully comprehend her sudden appearance, Subadhra stood before them, her eyes aflame with anger. Her voice, a low growl, cut through the air. "Keep your son in control," she hissed at Ratna, her fingers trembling with suppressed fury. Without waiting for a response, she ascended the grand staircase, her silk saree billowing behind her like a storm cloud. Subadhra's heart, a fortress of tradition and pride, quivered with a mix of emotions. Her grandson, Arnav, had always been a tempest — a force of rebellion that clashed against the walls of their ancestral home. But now, as he defied her for the sake of the girl, Subadhra's feelings were a tumultuous sea.

Before they could comprehend anything, they saw Arnav running inside and taking a first aid box outside their home.

"Chotte," Ratna called out for him but he didn't listen and ran like he was into the Olympics and he's a Usain Bolt.

"What has happened?" Ratna was left bewildered. He doesn't look hurt. Then who is? What is the first aid box for? Her mind raced to decipher Arnav's action and Subadhra's cryptic command. What had Arnav, her headstrong son, done this time? It was no secret that he often clashed with Dadi, defying tradition and authority. Subadhra's wrath was a familiar storm on their family's horizon.

Anjali, ever the peacemaker(sometimes), sighed and shook her head. "It's nothing new," she murmured. "Arnav has always been a rebel. Dadi's anger is like a thundering cloud. But what did he do? And who is hurt? Dorechan?"

Dadi didn't like Dorechan. But she never hurt Dorechan physically. Did she do it now? Her heart thudded in fear. Dorechan is her lifeline.

Ratna turned to her daughter, her expression worried. "Go," she commanded. "and find Chotte, where he is and what has happened."

"Okay, Ma." Anjali nodded, heart racing with anxiety, abandoning the half-cut cucumbers on the dining table. She hurried to the courtyard, her footsteps echoing in the silent corridors. As she pushed open the heavy wooden door and ran some more. She rounded the corner, her eyes seeking out the swing on the side of the courtyard. And there he was, Arnav, his silhouette etched against the fading light.

But it wasn't just Arnav. A little girl sat beside him, her smile was like the tinkling of stars in the sky. Isn't she a neighbor? Anjali stepped closer, her doubts unraveling. Yes, she was their neighbor. Anjali realized. The one who called for Arnav on the road today, who shared the same school bus. The girl's face was a canvas of innocence, her little eyes wide with twinkling as they made a deal about something.

"Chotte?" Anjali called out for Arnav, grabbing his attention.

"Di?" Arnav turned to his Di and smiled at her.

Anjali's question hung in the air, a delicate thread connecting the three of them. Arnav nodded, affirming the unspoken truth. Their neighbor was more than just a familiar face; she was now part of their shared world.

"Isn't she, our neighbor?" Anjali's question hung in the air.

Arnav nodded, affirming her words. "Yes, and she is also my friend, Khushi," he added, acknowledging the new relationship they had just begun, which brought a smile to Khushi's face.

Facing Khushi, her tear-streaked face now adorned with a smile, he introduced Anjali. "And Khushi, meet my sister, Anjali," he said warmly.

Khushi smiled widely at her, and before she could speak, Anjali launched into a barrage of questions aimed at Arnav. "Why did you run with first aid? Who's hu—" Anjali's sentence was abruptly cut off as her eyes landed on Khushi's ankle. They widened in shock, and she exclaimed, "OMG, what happened?" Her voice buzzed with concern and curiosity, the air thick with unspoken emotions.

Arnav reverted to his stern and strict demeanor, the memory of Dadi's actions toward Khushi fueling his anger. This time, she had crossed all bounds. His voice was sharp as he stated, directing his rage at Dadi, "Khushi is hurt. Dadi pushed her."

Anjali's shock was palpable as she began to speak, "What? Dadi pushed her? Dad-"

But Arnav swiftly interrupted her, his voice cutting through the tension in the air. "Don't even mention Dadi right now, Di. She hurt my friend, and I am seething with anger."

Khushi was just a spectator. Anjali nodded, her concern for Khushi's injured ankle evident. Simultaneously, a wave of relief washed over her — it wasn't Dorechan who had been hurt. Anjali's gaze darted around, searching for Dorechan.

And there was Dorechan, who was silently munching on carrots in their garden beside the courtyard sprinted towards Anjali catching the attention of little Khushi.

Khushi's eyes widened as the snow-white rabbit darted across the grass, its fur a soft cloud of fluff. She hadn't noticed it until now, but once she did, she couldn't tear her gaze away.

"Arrey, waaah. Rabbit. It's so cute, white, soft, and fluffy," she said bending down and caressing the rabbit that sprinted near her legs. She is all 'aww' over it.

"What is her name?" Another question came from a curious smiling Khushi. While Arnav was just amused and shook his head.

Anjali, her new friend, scooped up the rabbit, cradling it gently. "This is Dorechan," she said, her smile warm and full of love. "My pet."

Khushi, still awwed and momentarily forgetting the pain in her ankle and Dadi's harsh words, let her curiosity bubble forth. "Dorechan? Why does it feel so similar to Doraemon and Shin-chan? Do you watch them too?" Her excitement spilled out in a waterfall of words. "You know, I watch them, along with Tom and Jerry. They're so good and funny. But 'Dorechan'—that name is awesome. I love it."

Anjali nodded, amused. "Yup, I do watch them. I like Doraemon and Shin-chan. That's why 'Dorechan'—it's their ship name," she explained.

Arnav, her brother, rolled his eyes. When Anjali had brought this rabbit home two years ago, she hadn't hesitated a second before naming her Dorechan, embarrassing him to no end. Who in their right mind named their pet after cartoon ships? Well, except for his Anjali Di. And who in their right mind admired such a name? Well, except for his Mom, Di, Aman, and now Khushi.

"Is Dorechan a he or a she?" Khushi threw another question at her, her eyes growing even more curious and excited. The little rabbit had captured her heart, and now she wanted to know everything about it.

Anjali's fingers brushed the rabbit's velvety ears. "She's a girl."

"Wow, she's so little and tiny," she is gushing over Dorechan and its cuteness.

Khushi's next question tumbled out, fueled by her fascination. "Where did you find her?"

Anjali's eyes sparkled. "I got her from Pets Corner."

Khushi's delight knew no bounds. "She is so adorable." She felt pinching her cheeks.

She leaned closer to the rabbit, her fingers continued skimming its snowy fur.

"Do you want to play with it?" Anjali offered.

"Can I?" Khushi asked with her now excited twinkling eyes, her lips wide with a smile.

Anjali nodded, placing Dorechan in Khushi's lap on the swing. Khushi's heart danced as she stroked the rabbit. "Look, Arnav," she called to her friend, who stood nearby, amused. "Isn't she the fluffiest thing? Isn't she cute? She is, I know. You know I love fluffy puppies, fluffy rabbits, fluffy birds, fluffy bears, fluffy cats, everything that's fluffy so much. Aren't they cute to cuddle?"

She started her ramble stroking Dorechan and playing with her big ears, talking to Dorechan in between.

Just then, Ratna stepped outside, worried no one had come inside and so she was here, calling for Anjali and Arnav, "Chotte, Anjali?"

But her words faltered as she caught sight of Khushi cradling and playing with Dorechan.

"Khushi?"

Sheesh Mahal,

Subadhra's Room,

The old woman's wrinkled hands trembled as remembered the sacred prasad she had left on the table. Her devotion was unwavering, but her orthodox beliefs weighed heavily upon her. She muttered under her breath, "I need to bathe with Ganga Jal before giving this prasad to anyone else."

Her footsteps echoed in the narrow corridor as she walked to her dimly lit washroom. She cupped her hands, splashing the holy water over her face, her arms, and her head. Each droplet carried away the residue of her touch as if cleansing her very soul.

The room seemed to hold its breath as the old woman's words hung in the air. "For touching that low-class," she whispered, her voice a venomous thread of resentment. Her eyes remained tightly shut, as if shielding herself from contamination.

As if she were someone impure

The prasad remained untouched on the small wooden table outside. As she stepped back into the room, her heart felt a slight relief, now she could distribute the scared prasad.

Courtyard,

In the sun-drenched courtyard of Sheesh Mahal, Anjali and Arnav turned their attention toward Ratna, who wore a wide grin as she observed Khushi's presence. Khushi wasn't any less, she was equally delighted, beamed at her Ratna Aunty. She gently placed Dorechan, her now beloved rabbit, into Anjali's arms before attempting to dash toward Ratna. However, her enthusiasm was short-lived — pain shot through her ankle and hurt her like a broken bone, a reminder of her recent fall.

"Careful!" Arnav steadied Khushi, his nostrils flaring. Had she forgotten about her injured ankle and that she shouldn't run the way she tried doing?

The girl whispered "Mumma" in pain, and Ratna swiftly joined her. She cradled Khushi, wiping away fresh tears.

"Aisa nahi rote, beta, pain will disappear, okay? Don't cry?" Ratna consoled the crying child in her arms. caressing Khushi's ankle. "The pain will fade. Okay?" Anjali chimed in, trying to soothe Khushi as well. Meanwhile, Arnav's glare intensified. Clearly, he now had proof that Khushi was utterly mad. Who in their right mind attempted to run with a hurt ankle?

Ratna diverted Khushi's attention. "What happened to your ankle, beta?"

"I fell," Khushi replied, her tears dampening Ratna's comforting touch.

Anjali pointed to Dorechan, hoping the rabbit's presence would distract Khushi from her pain. "Look, even Dorechan will start crying if you don't stop," Anjali said, demonstrating the rabbit's distressed sounds. Khushi's tears subsided as she glanced at her furry companion.

Ratna continued to caress Khushi's ankle, providing relief. Curiosity tugged at Ratna and it was one of her ways to distract her. "By the way, Khushi, how did you end up here?"

"I am staying just beside your home, Aunty," she confessed, pointing toward the neighboring house.

Ratna's amazement was palpable. "You're our new neighbor? The one who recently moved in?" What a coincidence! If only Ratna had attended the housewarming ceremony, she might have met Khushi earlier. But her mother-in-law, Subadhra, disapproved of mingling with those of a lower social class.

"Yes, Aunty!" Khushi's excitement bubbled over.

"Come inside the home," Ratna invited warmly. "I'll give you some cookies, and you can play with Dore indoors."

Khushi's eyes widened at the word 'Home', and she bit her tongue. She'd been away from home for over 30 minutes.

"No, Aunty," Khushi hurriedly explained. "It's late. Mumma must have noticed I disappeared. I have to go." She nodded a hurried 'no' realizing her absence must have alarmed her mother.

She should anticipate her mother's scolding. That thought made her pat her head as she scolded herself, "Pagal hai tu, Khushi."

Arnav agreed on her words shaking his head, she's mad. But Ratna began to protest, "But—"

"Sorry, Aunty. Bye, Di. Bye, Arnav. And thank you for easing my pain," Khushi rushed out her goodbyes, determined to leave.

She left everyone in a state of bewilderment with the pace of her words.

Arnav, however, caught her before she could escape. "Wait," he said, gripping her hand. "I'll drop you home. Come."

"But I can go," Khushi frowned. She could manage the short distance alone, couldn't she?

"I thought you said we are friends, can't I drop my friend?" Arnav never involved himself with emotional blackmail, this must be the first time he did it, and that too for a stubborn and mad girl like Khushi. He sighed. He needs to drop her safely, who knows if she saw some puppy on the road and forgetting her ankle, tries to run behind it? By now he had an idea that Khushi is someone who chases after everyone and not the other way around.

Friends? Ratna wondered in pleasant surprise.

Gupta House

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the small courtyard. Khushi stood there, her ankle throbbing, as her mother's stern voice echoed through the air.

"Khushi, tum kaha chali gayi thi?" Her mother's worry mixed with strictness was palpable. "How often did I tell you not to go anywhere without informing me?"

(Khushi, where had you gone?)

Khushi winced as her mother's gaze shifted to her injured ankle. "Hey Bhagwan, what happened to your ankle?" she exclaimed, her hands fluttering around her daughter's little body like anxious birds.

"Are you hurt? How did you get hurt, Choti?" Her mother's concern bordered on panic. "Can't you be careful?"

The air was thick with a mother's unspoken emotions.

Khushi glanced at Arnav, who stood nearby. Awkwardness dripped from her little face at the attention she was getting from her mother as if she were a child. While Arnav's eyes held a mix of amusement and empathy. "Mumma," she said, trying to reassure her. "I just fell, and my friend, Arnav, bandaged it. It is fine."

Arnav stepped forward, nodding, saving her. "Yes, Aunty," he said. "I cleaned it and bandaged it. It will be fine soon."

Khushi's mother's worried expression softened as she patted Arnav's shoulder. "Thank you, beta," she said. She insisted they come inside and have something to eat. But Arnav declined, saying, "No, Aunty. Some other time. I need to go. I just came to drop Khushi off."

As he turned to leave, Khushi smiled at him, waving her hands vigorously, "Bye, Arnav."

"Bye," he slightly smiled at Khushi, "Bye, Aunty," he continued now looking at Garima.

He watched as Garima lifted a protesting Khushi in her arms and took her inside the home. His eyes reverted to Khushi in her mother's arms, lingering on her pouting face. Her face with a pout or a smile is better than a face full of tears.

He walked out of the house and to his own. 

Regards, 

Poly

07-04-2024

A quick question, is it going slow?