Chapter 8

Khushi

I bit on my nails while Bua Ji spoke on the phone with Nani ji. Hai Devi Maiya, sambhal lena. Jiji's future, happiness, and everything is in your hands. I don't want Jiji to suffer because of me again.

Amma sat across Bua Ji with her face slightly pale with tension and worry as she fiddled with the end of her sari pallu and her lips moved faintly in silent prayer.

I focused back on Bua Ji as she nodded while saying, "Ji. As you wish." Pause. "Ji, bilkul."

I bit the inside of my lower lip while glancing at the closed door of the bedroom Jiji and I share. After lunch, Jiji had said she wanted to take a nap since she wasn't feeling very well. Which is an everyday occurance in this nowadays. She's down and not energetic at all like she used to be. But she's trying so hard to appear strong and to show us that she is fine. And she is getting better at her act everyday. I just...I hope I could take all the pain she's feeling and leave her with nothinng but happiness. But I can't. I can't take that. Neither can I ever make her happy because my existance has caused her—

"Or jalebi nahin bana padega tumko, Sanka Devi!" Bua Ji exclaimed loudly, snapping me out of my train of thoughts.

I blinked once, briefly glanced at Amma, who also looked confused. I looked at Bua Ji again and asked, "What?"

"Arey, shaadi ki taiyari karo apne Jiji ki." Bua Ji said with a big smile. "Wo log raazi hain."

I blinked. Two more times as her words slowly settled in the air.

"They...really?" I asked once more. Just to be sure again.

"Yes. They want our Payaliya."