“ You're late?" as soon as Anaswara entered into her home she was welcomed with a question by her curious mother. She couldn't comprehend the curiosity her mother expressed , so she answered the question with a question “ You were waiting ?"

“ What do you mean by waiting? I always do ."

“ I have never seen you wait for me ."

She wriggled her eyebrows at her mother and walked into the kitchen only for her mother to follow her.

Mrs Janaki Agnihotri , stood not knowing how to tell her daughter about all the things.

“ Take  leave tomorrow " Mrs Janaki said making her daughter stop in her tracks.

“ kis khushi main”

Mrs Janaki glared at her and said in a pitched voice “ They are going to come tomorrow as they have liked your picture , the boy has only few leaves so they cancelled sunday and will come tomorrow. " 
“ Is this enough or should I write an application " Mrs Janaki sneered.

“ suna hai ki bp badhne se logo ka intekal hota hai " Anaswara mumbled and walked over to her room . Her mom stood at the entrance of the kitchen glaring at her.

Anaswara was least interested to get married atleast now when she almost thought her life was getting onto the tracks after all these years. She quietly accepted for the marriage when her mother left no stones unturned to make her say yes but right now she's regretting it to infinity.

“ I hope they're told about me "  Anaswara received no answers.

“ khaana khaate baat nahi karte , Anu chupchap khana kha "her father reprimanded her.

She stood up taking her plate in her hand and said“ toh main hi kal bata dungi ."

She barely took a step forward her mother panicked and whisper- yelled “ No need . You don't have to , papa baat karlenge ."

Her father , Maheshwar Agnihotri slightly nodded his head .

Seeing no progress, Anaswara walked into the kitchen , while washing the dishes, the only thing that remained in her mind was to make those people who were coming to see her tomorrow should know the truth which her family is trying to hide.

Finding no conclusion,  she gave up on her thoughts and ideas and retired to her bed , letting her mind rest today and take a better decision tomorrow.

“ Saree pehenle "  her mother said when she saw Anaswara in her daily wear.

“ Haan, unhe atleast aane toh do subah ke 6 baje hain abhi "she said and sat beside her dad who was reading the newspaper .

“ Papa , you took an off too."her father nodded focusing on the newspaper.

Her mind drifter back to the thoughts of how to make the groom and his family reject her. Finally , concluding that she can't talk to the groom in her home , she planned a not-so-good-chance of working plan.

Several unsuccessful attempts to make a good plan , she sticked to her former plan,  she was sure to make things happen her way.

“ They'll be here by 12 pm or so ."

“ haan”

Nothing was heard or said after that. 

Anaswara spent the morning in her room , she wished she had a slight interest in reading books just like her sisters,  younger sisters who were married. Scrolling through her phone,  she switched from one app to the another, boring herself to death , she stood up to collect the saree her mother left on the bed a while ago.

The red and blue  stripes saree brought back a bitter memory , keeping it back on the bed ,she took a deep breath.

“Some beautiful things are destroyed always the bitter memory " mentally sighing she took a saree from her almirah and worn it in seconds,thanks to the practice she had few years ago.

Keeping herself natural, she waited for her mother to show up at her door.

She sat thinking mindlessly until she heard a sound of a car pulling up and a while later the sound of calling bell .

Was it nervousness? NO
Was it shyness? Heck no
Then what ?

She had no answer .

She could hear alot of sounds, also a kid's wailing.

When it felt like an eternity , her mother knocked on her door .

She showed up at the door only to receive frowns from her mother. Wriggling her eyebrows,  she walked along with her mother acting like a shy bride .

Was she shy ? NO

Standing behind the couch where her father was sitting , she looked at the floors. She could hear murmurings.

“ teacher hai lagti nahi hai " Keshaki bua's remark made everyone frown.

In order to avoid the awkwardness, Rudra's mother said “ Rudra ki badi ek behen hai, Amrica ( America) main aayi nahi woh "

“ Acha ji , sahi hai , kya karti hai America main "

“ doctrine hai "
“ kis cheez ki doctor hai "

And the conversation between the mothers continued until Maheshwar Agnihotri said
“ Let the kids be allowed to talk, jao bacho baatein karlo dono, kuch sawal jawab ho
jae"
Rudra stood up from the couch and walked behind Anaswara , who silently made her way to the garden, sitting opposite to each other in the chair which was just adjusted now , they sat,quietly almost a minute. 

Clearing his thought,  he said “ I'm Rudra " hoping she'd look at him and reply.  She silently nodded and said in quiet voice
“ Can we meet somewhere else tomorrow? " without looking at him .

He remained silent. Since his silent wasn't much appreciated she said “ the whole family is nearby and we can't talk , they can hear us ."
He understood her this time and nodded . She looked up at him when he didn't answer her again …….

Will continue…….