Chapter 13

Khushi

"Jiji and Jijaji will be here any moment, Amma," I answered for the fifth time as I placed the diya then some unbroken rice grains next to the turmeric. "Why are you so worried?"

Amma fixed the table cloth of the side table in the living area while anxiously glancing around. "Damad ji is coming home for the first time! How can I stay calm and not panic? Only Devi Maiya know how he will adjust in our small house after living in Santivaan all his life."

"Ae, Garima, my house is perfect for us! It is not small and not big. Jaisa hain bilkul thik hain, Nandkishore!" Bua ji added from her bedroom before she walked out.

Amma shook her head with a nervous look on her face as she said, "I didn't mean it like that, Jiji. Hum toh bas—"

Bua ji's face softened as she smiled at Amma and said, "Arre, Nandkishore, I know! I know you didn't. Ab suno, humara ghar jaisa hain bohot acha hain. Thik hai?"

Amma smiled softly, but her anxiety and nervousness was evident on her face. So I chimed in, "Arre, Amma." I placed the thali on the dining table while I stood up and walked to her. "Bua ji is right. Our house is very much enough for us. Aur rahi baat Jija ji ki, unse toh hum raat bhar baate karenge. Toh nend toh unke kismat mein nahi hain aaj raat!" I smile big and bright as I say that.

Amma smiled as I said that. Some tension leaving her as Bua ji scolded me, "Listen, Sanka Devi, this is the first time Damad ji is coming hom after the wedding, anap shanap kuch mat kario bata diye rahe hai hum tumko."

My brows rose as my mouth fell open slightly as I complained. "Matlab hum aapne eklotae Jija ji se raat bhur baat bhi nahi kar sakte?"

Bua ji opened her mouth to answer but Jiji's voice interrupted saying, "Phir humse kaun baat karega?"

A big smile spread on my lips as I turned to the door. Jiji and Jija ji stood at the door with big smiles on their faces.

"Jiji!" I couldn't help but squeal as I ran to her and hugged her, wrapping my arms tightly around her. I missed her so much. I know it's only been three days since the wedding but I missed her. I missed sharing the bed with her. I missed seeing her face first thing in the morning. I missed irritating her and talking her ear off. But mostly, I missed my older sister.