CHAPTER ONE / SWEETS

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     WHEN I WAS young, my mother used to tell me books are escape from your surroundings and it offers you adventure, pleasure and visit to millions of places, people.

   It acts as a saviour to our plain boring life. A true best friend.

   It was my intermediate result day accompanied by an tired evening. A day on which we are judged and awarded according to our performance in exams, a day of pride for the parents of outstanding students and a day of disappointment for parents whose children did not perform according to their expectations in the exams.

   My house was hustling with cheers and joy of neighbours and family members, not because I excelled my exam, it was because of the fact my elder brother passed this examination after failing it once.

  "Aasha.. hurry up. We need to serve some more laddoos outside. Do it quickly.",my mother ordered, while entering kitchen, fetching a glass of water.

   I nodded meekly and started arranging laddoos one by one in serving plates. A hint of breeze playing with my hair, escaping through the windows.

  I heard the sounds of payal approaching steadily towards me, turning my head to see my cousin Aahna smiling brightly at me. She quickly started helping me with the arrangements of refreshments.

  "Bahut badhai ho! For excelling this exam Aasha. Now, what you will do ahead? Have you thought about any subject for graduation?",she asked rather enthusiastically.

  Giving her a polite smile I replied, "Dhanyawad! Umm.. about that I decided about doing Nursing as it will assure me a job immediately after graduating."

  "That sounds good but are you sure bade papa will allow you to work." she suggested, turning me  to face her.

   Looking away I answered, "Uhh-I don't know but I'll try to convince him."

   Women working in india is common, but but these stereotypes still exist at grass root level in some parts, such as my house. They're still expected to be proper, lady like, performing house chores instead of working outside.

  "I suppose, because I started my own boutique as well. Due to rumours in mohalla, I quited." She replied, her face changing into a sad expression. I pulled her close and hugged her.

  Aahna snuggled in, "You're the only person I know that gives indefinite hugs."

  I laughed, "Well, We all need it, time to time." At that moment my arms squeezed her a fraction tighter.

  I continued, "Now tell me, How's jija ji and mushu. I bet he must have grown up a bit?"

  "Yes, he started walking, not clear enough, a little progress. And Nitin is good, works keep him busy." Aahna informed me, she got married two years ago, a proposal which she rejected before.

  I guess, sometimes you don't have any choice, there are rarely a fork of two pathways.

***

  Next morning, promised with a new day, a new adventure begins. It was little misty outside, clouds were arranged as neatly as child's toys, scattered over blue sky. The colourless air was a bit cool, without a drop of rain.

  I can find the smell of dhoop roaming all around the house. I guess everyone is up early today.
I hastily picked  my dupatta and started making bed, taking out the novel under my pillow.

Sleeping with books sounds soothing to me!

  The novel was Choker Bali by Rabindranath Tagore, I adore his works especially, his female protagonist depicts individuality, liberty, freedom, challenge against patriarchy. Something I love reading.

  Few minutes later, I was walking towards verandah to give papa his morning masala tea.

  The mango trees standing in front yard started flowering slowly, filling a saturated scent behind. A true evidence of spring wakes.

  "Good morning pa, here is your morning tea. Umm, I wanted to ask about the college admission." said I, taking a seat in the bamboo straw chair, in front of him.

  Keeping his newspaper aside and adjusting his round spectacles on his nose, he begins "What about it? See, I already admitted you in community college with English literature as major, since you like reading novels."

  "But pap─Never mind, can I change it once. Because, Nursing is what I decided during my exams and reading is totally amateur" I quaked, fidgeting with the corner of my dupatta.

  His eyebrows shot upwards, masking his shock with a cough he replied confidently "What done is done! And who enforced nursing as a career on your brain. You have to work at hospital for it, which I don't allow.", taking his sip of tea he continued "Now enjoy your further studies, I don't want any complain about this matter in near future."

  I stood up and nodded. Taking my cue to leave, with a heavy heart as my accomplishment.

  Later in the evening, I thought of visiting temple to clear my head from the uncomfortable atmosphere of my house. The voice of bhajan ringing in my ear, fills me with peace.

  Gazing at the shikhar of temple, adorned with captivating scenery of sunset, I smiled. Sun came down like a God's poetry, spreading hues of peach, mauve colour with him. The orange gold stretches far and wide, the colour of fire hearths and flames of rolling verses. Bidding goodbye of departing birds adding an beautiful combination with the sounds of bells from temple.

  Diving into this serene moment, I hoped, the sun of my life will rise soon. Because tomorrow is still a mystery, awaiting lots of opportunities and complications. Today is what a God gift, which is why it is called present.

  The fact I'm dependent on my parents for even small necessities haunts me. Until how long? I have to to pick my pieces up and stand on itself.

Wait... I still need to visit one place,this fleeting memory loss is getting serious.

  By this I started walking towards the only place I felt home. Afterall, a thirsty traveller always comes to Well to quench his thirst.

~*~

a/n:- so, the first chapter is wrapped, I was waiting to write this since ages! I hope y'all liked it.
let me know your thoughts upon first chapter? :)

plz comment here!

love, akati

GLOSSARY

intermediate: a word for secondary school /high school studies

laddoos: an Indian sweet, sphere shaped made of flour & sugar

payal: anklet (in hindi)

bahut badhai ho: (in hindi) congratulations

dhanyawad: (in hindi) thank you

bade papa: elder uncle

mohalla: neighbourhood

jija ji: a term for brother in law (hindi)

dupatta : a scarf like piece of clothing, act as accessory

bhajan: devotional songs and hymns (part of hindu worship)

shikar: the top dome structure of temple

dhoop: incense cones