Recap: Jyoti, the cheerful food vendor, always brightened Jayanthan’s day at the Poongudi train stop. But their love hit a wall. Her brother wouldn’t approve, and Jayanthan even struggling for a better job in the city. Just as hope faded, Jyoti’s brother, without her consent, set her wedding with someone else. This made Jayanthan to fight for his love, ultimately succeeding with the support of well-wishers.…

Part 3: Final whistle

Chapter 26/26: Zape of Spice, Zing of Love

Mrs. Mangalam caught Thangamma’s hands and conversed with her privately for a long time inside the house before taking leave.

As she reached the doorway, Thangamma noticed Karuna slipping out of the compound. “Where are you off to?” she called after him. But Karuna was already muttering under his breath, “The post office. I need to call the other groom’s family. They shouldn’t come here and make things even more embarrassing.” He rushed off without waiting for a reply. Thangamma offered a silent nod, a secret smile playing on her lips as she met Mrs. Mangalam’s gaze.

“Men,” Ahmed chuckled, his voice dripping with a mock seriousness “are like cobras before marriage, all hiss and threat. But after? Just spineless worms, wouldn’t you agree, Jyoti?” Just as Jyoti’s eyebrow twitched, Ahmed, sensing her disapproval, swiftly changed tack. “Well,” he boomed, nudging Rajan playfully, “In this chaos, Rajan’s love life can’t be left to chance, can it?” Ahmed said with a nudge, when the gang settled on the raised verandah. “Time for us find him the perfect partner!”

Rajan shot him a mock glare. “Shut up, Ahmed. Give the Jayanthan and Jyoti some breathing space.”

Mrs. Mangalam, ever the pragmatist, chuckled. “Don’t worry, Rajan. Someone else will replace Jyoti to feed the passengers. And who knows, they might even be suitable bride material for you.”

Jyoti, who had just joined Mrs. Mangalam, added with a laugh, “Ya, there are so many other train stations too. Rajan anna has plenty of choice.”

Rajan swatted playfully at Ahmed’s arm. “Everything’s because of you, you walking stomach! Can’t keep your mouth shut and your belly satisfied at the same time, can you? But seriously, Jyoti, you’re a lifesaver. We can’t have another train journey without your delicious food.”

As we continued our banter, a familiar rumble echoed in the distance. The morning-passenger-train, adorned with vibrant colors, chugged past, its horn blaring a joyous melody. Jyoti and I exchanged a knowing smile, the sound a reminder of our unconventional beginnings and the journey we had just begun.

The train, a symbol of both separation and connection, roared away, leaving behind a trail of laughter and the promise of a future filled with love, resilience, and perhaps even a few spice-infused adventures along the way.

The End

I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z 2024

Recap: Jyoti, the cheerful food vendor, always brightened Jayanthan’s day at the Poongudi train stop. But their love hit a wall. Her brother wouldn’t approve, and Jayanthan even struggling for a better job in the city. Just as hope faded, Jyoti’s brother, without her consent, set her wedding with someone else. This made Jayanthan fight for their love…

Part 3: Final whistle

Chapter 25/26: Yardstick of courage

The commotion drew the grandmother, her steps measured as she approached. Her eyes scanned me, then settled on Mrs. Mangalam. “His mother?” she inquired, her voice laced with curiosity. Her thandatti earring, flowed gracefully behind her.

Mrs. Mangalam stepped forward, a glint in her eye. “Me? We all wear different hats in life, don’t we? Let me wear this one too. Not just for him, but for both of them.”

The old woman’s brow furrowed in confusion. “If you accept, her real mother will come,” Mrs Mangalam declared.

Keerthivasan, seizing the opportunity, came in, later introduced himself as a lawyer, explained her the situation calmly, his voice a soothing balm on the tense atmosphere.

Karuna, his face stormy with stubborn defiance, bellowed, “What are you doing here? We were having a discussion!”

The old woman, her voice weak but laced with surprising firmness, cut through the tension. “This is their choice, sir,” she addressed Keerthivasan, her gaze politely but firmly bypassing Karuna’s outburst. “If the girl agrees, no one can stop her. He clearly being unfair and rude, that’s his nature” she added, her voice a faint challenge directed at Karuna. “Are we truly going to threaten a grown woman? That will only push her away.”

Her gaze landed on Thangamma with a weak but determined nod. “Bring her out, let her have her say.” A bony finger, surprisingly steady despite her age, pointed towards me. “This nonsense ends now. If she refuses,” her voice dropped to a weak but icy tone, “you leave immediately. Otherwise, I’m afraid I’ll have to make Karuna fulfill his obligations.”

My heart hammered a frantic rhythm against my ribs. Would she dare? Would she defy the expectations, fear for her brother, the societal pressures, to choose love?

As Thangamma ushered Jyoti forward, a hush fell over the small gathering. Footsteps. My breath hitched. Jyoti appeared in the doorway, eyes lowered, her hand resting on the jamb.

The parrot swooped overhead, landing on the thatched roof with a clatter of wings.

Tears welled up in my eyes. Here she was, the one I’d searched for tirelessly on Poongudi’s streets and deserted train platforms, my heart heavy, my thoughts a jumbled mess. This was the face I longed to see when loneliness gnawed at me in my bachelor room back home.

My pillows and blankets held the silent tears I cried for Jyoti. Nightmares mocked my every weakness, especially my inability to keep my promise of offering her a helping hand before she drowned.

Her downcast eyes mirrored the Padmapani of Ajanta, its usual compassion replaced by worry. But there were no tears. Her once flushed cheeks sported a dark rash that framed her sorrowful eyes. The toll, this separation had taken on her, was evident. Love, how ruthlessly it could steal everything! Uncontrollable tears welled up, blurring my vision. While I wiped them discreetly, I heard it.

“I love him,” she whispered, her voice trembling but resolute. “I can’t live without him.”

The tension shattered. The world around us dissolved into a burst of emotions, as vibrant and varied as the shades of a Kandangi saree. Relief washed over me like a tidal wave, leaving me weak and breathless. A collective sigh of relief escaped the handful of observers, drowning out Jyoti’s brother’s protests. The old woman smiled, a silent nod of approval.

Suddenly, Karuna lunged forward, his face contorted in rage. “No!” he roared, reaching for Jyoti. But before he could touch her, Thangamma intervened, her voice booming with authority. “Step back, please. This is their choice, and they’ve spoken.”

Karuna’s defiance sputtered out. The witnesses roared their approval, their voices echoing Thangamma’s unwavering stance. My boss, Mrs. Mangalam, squeezed my shoulder, her pride evident. Mr. Keerthivasan tried to calm Karuna further, but his posture was noticeably relaxed. Jyoti, standing tall beside Thangamma, finally allowed a hopeful smile to grace her lips.

Thangamma stood firm, her expression unreadable yet her presence radiating power. A few steps away, Mrs. Mangalam’s gaze met hers, a grateful smile softening the corners of her lips. It was a silent exchange, speaking volumes of unspoken thanks and unspoken admiration. These two strong women dominated the scene. Their silent language, a shared understanding, made me recall Jyoti’s earlier hope for the two guardian angels, the Kannimars. Could Jyoti have been the one pulling the strings all along, like a puppeteer controlling us? The thought struck me with a jolt.

As Jyoti met my gaze, finally, a soul-deep love washed over me, threatening to engulf us entirely. Her determined eyes, locked onto mine, which was glistening with tears. The invisible distance between us seemed to shrink with each silent beat of our hearts, as if our souls reached out to caress each other in the open air.

A single tear, not of fear this time but of overflowing happiness, welled up in Jyoti’s lower eyelid. It didn’t trace a path down her cheek, but instead, plopped silently onto the doorsteps.

Just then, the parrot squawked, “Ayo it is so blushing for me yeh!” It took flight, soaring diagonally against the rising sun. Its screech, “Kreeyeh.. Kreeyeh..,” echoed repeatedly across the summer sky.

(To be continued)

I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z 2024

Recap: Jyoti, the cheerful food vendor, always brightened Jayanthan’s day at the Poongudi train stop. But their love hit a wall. Her brother wouldn’t approve, and Jayanthan even struggling for a better job in the city. Just as hope faded, Jyoti’s brother, without her consent, set her wedding with someone else. This made Jayanthan fight for their love.…

Part 3: Final whistle

Chapter 24/26: X marks the Matriarch.

Mrs. Mangalam bristled at Karuna’s words. “This is an auspicious day, Karuna! Don’t utter such negativity. This is a matter of Jyoti’s happiness, and shutting them out won’t solve anything.”

Karuna scoffed. “Happiness? You, of all people, care about them? We raised Jyoti! We know what’s best for her. You, the one who brought them together, suddenly champion their cause?”

Before anyone could respond, the hut door slammed open. Thangamma, Karuna’s wife, stormed out, her eyes blazing with a fury I’d only heard described from Jyoti.

“How dare you!” she snapped, her voice cracking like a whip. “Have you lost your mind? How can you disrespect someone older, a woman at that? This anger blinds you, leading you to make terrible decisions, one after another!”

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Karuna’s face flushed crimson under the scrutiny.

Thangamma’s tirade continued, her voice gaining momentum. “Who are you to dictate Jyoti’s life without her consent? Why do men always think they own women’s happiness?”

She turned to Karuna, her gaze unwavering. “Is this how you treat your own sister, huh? Shouldn’t these discussions be private? I, an outsider, came here to protect her, but you, her blood, couldn’t care less. What kind of brother are you?”

Karuna’s hand twitched, his face contorted with a mix of anger and shame. He raised his hand as if to strike, but the watchful eyes of the crowd held him back.

Undeterred, Thangamma pressed on. “Do you want to slap me? What else can a man do when his wife exposes his flawed reasoning? Will you ever change? Can a family that disrespects its women ever truly prosper? I’ll bear the burden, but I won’t let another woman in this family suffer, like me.”

Fueled by righteous anger, her hands moved with practiced ease, gathering the strands of hair that had come loose in the heat of the moment. With a swift twist and a sharp tug, she secured them in a tight bun, a gesture mirroring her fierce determination to protect her chicks from an eagle.

A piercing screech from a nearby parrot startled me, jolting Thangamma back to reality. She took a deep breath, perhaps to regain her composure.

A piercing screech from a nearby parrot startled me, jolting Thangamma back to reality. She took a deep breath, perhaps to regain her composure. In that fleeting moment, her eyes met Mrs. Mangalam’s in a silent exchange.

Her voice softened slightly, but her resolve remained firm. “Tell me,” She echoed Mrs. Mangalam’s sentiment, “would you push your sister into a loveless marriage just to appease your ego? Would you deny her a chance at happiness because it’s inconvenient for you?”

Karuna muttered a defense. “Of course I care for her. I raised her. Who should she marry? Isn’t it my right to protect her?” A flicker of doubt betrayed his bravado. “Why am I seen as villain for protecting my family?”

Thangamma countered, her voice sharp. “Protect her, yes, but from genuine threats, not from love. You take charge like her sole guardian, but what about me, who fills the role of her mother? Don’t I deserve a say? Whenever I bring this up, you shut me out and lash out at him. Do you reject this proposal simply because you don’t like him?”

Mrs. Mangalam intervened. “Karuna, I understand your concern. He seems like a good man from a good family. He’ll likely achieve a respectable position and care for Jyoti.”

The scene resembled two mother bison, fierce and protective, charging a tiger to save a vulnerable calf from its clutches.

Thangamma wasn’t finished. “How long will they wait to elope if we keep them apart? Ask him,” she pointed at Mr. Keerthivasan, “he can arrange the legalities. What will you do then? Just think why Jyoti forced this boy to come and plead with you. Couldn’t you have received them cordially?”

Karuna faltered, the anger in his eyes replaced by a flicker of doubt. He glanced at his wife, then at the crowd, their faces mirroring his growing uncertainty. The scene hung heavy, anticipation thick in the air. This was a battle between love and ego, respect and control. And at the center stood Jyoti, her fate hinging on her own voice, her own choice.

The mother hen had ruffled her feathers, and the fight was far from over.

(To be continued)

I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z 2024

Recap: Jayanthan’s train rattled into Poongudi, the stop before Trichy. Every day, Jyoti, a dazzling food vendor, filled his heart with a smile. Yet, their love faced hurdles. Her brother disapproved, and then Jayanthan lost his job, his struggle in migrated place, their dreams dimming. Just when things felt hopeless, Jyoti vanished. Suddenly, Mangalam, a mutual friend, appeared with urgent news…

Part 3: Final whistle

Chapter 23/26: Whispered Rebellion

Poongudi’s transformation was startling. Gone were the snow and rain’s whispers, replaced by an unsettling silence. The once-lush green paddy fields were empty, their crops harvested. Crows, like condemning black-flags, sat on electric poles, surveying the deserted land. The river, once a flowing stream, was dried up, with sunlight bouncing off the pebbles. Only the neem and konnai – the golden shower trees – dared to show any green against the pale-yellow canvas.

We drove to the southern edge of Poongudi, in search of Jyoti’s house. Unlike the bustling center, this was a place apart – a scattering of houses, marooned in a sea of emptied paddy fields, with only a dusty path for company. When the path almost disappeared, we left our car and walked on dried grasses. The ruthless summer had claimed its victims – empty snail shells, millipedes, and the hermit crabs – known as caṅku pūcci-, all testaments to the harshness of the season. This path should be like a green snake during the monsoon, but was now a dusty trail, punctuated by the occasional sprightly erukku – the crown flower- plant, a reminder of the farm’s seasonal slumber.

Ahmed, burdened by the weight of the impending confrontation, wheezed slightly with each step. Rajan chewed on a long trunk of a grass, a nervous habit. Cyclists and moped riders who crossed our path cast curious glances, our presence an anomaly in this desolate landscape. The only soundtrack was the mournful cry of a distant mynah.

Jyoti’s house finally came into view – a humble structure with a tiled roof in the back, fronted by a welcoming extension of woven palmyra leaves. Long palm trunks, secured against the wind, lay stacked on top. Withered creepers – of a once-vigorous bottle gourd plant – sprawled across the palmyra leaves, reaching all the way to the roof. The entrance, sparkling clean from a recent scrubbing with water and cow dung, stood out against the parched backdrop. A meticulously drawn kolam, a geometric pattern made with rice flour, added a touch of vibrancy. A large well, likely the lifeblood of their farming activities, sat at the back.

The sight of the house should have brought relief. This was where Jyoti resided. Yet, a cold dread coiled in my stomach, the air thick with unspoken tension. My legs, heavy with apprehension, mirrored Mr. and Mrs. Keerthivasan’s steps as we approached the rickety wooden door.

Karuna was the first to spot us approaching the house. He paused in mid-brush, his initial surprise morphing into a scowl as he took in the unexpected visitors. His gaze flicked from Mr. Keerthivasan, dressed far too casually for a formal occasion, to Mrs. Mangalam and then to me. Recognition dawned on him slowly, a cold understanding replacing his initial confusion.

“Ah, you again?” he spat, his voice laced with venom. “That little demon! Did she invite you all to ruin the engagement? This isn’t funny, you know! Your little plan isn’t going to work!”

We remained silent, pressing on towards the entrance.

“Seriously? Didn’t you hear a word I said?” Karuna advanced, his voice rising.

“Calm down, brother,” Mr. Keerthivasan said calmly, even though I felt angry inside. “Let’s go inside and talk about this.”

Karuna scoffed. “Talk? About what? Stealing my sister on the day of her engagement?”

Fury surged through me before I could contain it. “Jyoti isn’t property to steal, Karuna!” I exploded. “We’re in love! We want to get married, and you knew that! Don’t act like you don’t!” Declaring our love felt strangely out of place amidst the growing crowd.

My outburst drew an old woman, presumably Jyoti’s grandmother, out of the house. She squinted at us, her hand raised to shield her eyes. The thandatti, the traditional earring, glinted in her elongated earlobe.

“There’s no point in talking if you don’t understand,” Karuna said, his voice laced with threat. “Like last time, if I have to slap you twice and chase you away with your supporters, I will!” He lunged forward, a hand outstretched to grab my shirt.

The grandmother’s voice, tired and aged, cut through the tension. “Karuna, let them in. We need to talk and understand what’s going on.”

Karuna’s eyes, burning with fury, mirrored the fiery red of twin kovāpaḻam, the ripe fruits of the ivy gourd. “Understand?” he spat. “Understand what? They’re here to cause trouble on her engagement day, to humiliate me in front of the groom’s family! Look, if you interrupt again, I’ll step on your neck and …” He wagged his finger at his grandmother, his teeth bared in a silent threat.”

(To be continued)

I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z 2024

Recap: Every day, Jayanthan’s train rumbled into Poongudi, gateway to Trichy. Jyoti, a vibrant food vendor, stole his heart with each stop. But love faced challenges – her brother, his job loss – dimming their hopeful spark.

Part 3: Final whistle

Chapter 22/26: Unshed Tears

The office phone buzzed, interrupting my walk back from lunch. The receptionist, staring down at a notebook, mumbled, “Jayanthan, someone called you…” My heart lurched. This is strange. Only my parents and Mrs. Mangalam have this number, and I’m always the one calling them. Why are they calling me now? “Who?”

He scanned his call record again. “Jyoti,” he repeated, more to the notebook than me. Curiosity bothered me. “When? Did she leave a message? What number can I call back?”. He intercepted me, a strange glint in his eyes “wait. wait. One by one, please. But no message.” With a disappointment ballooning in my mind, I asked him to get her number, if she called back and I was not around.

“I’m not your personal switchboard operator,” he grumbled before flashing a grin. “Just kidding, man. Will do.”

Few minutes later, the lobby intercom crackled to life. “Jayanthan?” I raced to answer. “Jyoti?”

The landline phone felt scorching against my ear. Mrs. Mangalam’s voice, laced with panic, scratched through the line. “Jayanthan, it’s Mangalam! I know you’re probably busy at work, but can you come here right away? I think this is important.” My heart hammered against my ribs, each beat echoing in the suburban night’s stillness.

“Amma, what’s wrong? it seems Jyoti called me. I missed it.”

“I know, she called me too. But we can talk in person.”

I sprinted to catch the train. The journey, once a symbol of shared moments, now felt like a cruel twist of fate, keeping us apart when we needed each other most. Sleep was a stranger, chased away by a relentless barrage of anxieties and terrifying possibilities.

Jyoti. Her name echoed in my mind, each syllable a silent plea. The girl whose laughter filled train rides, the girl whose eyes held the promise of a future we dreamt of together, the girl whose hand is to be captured, before she drowns – she was in danger. Panic choked me, leaving me breathless.

During our conversation, I hesitantly confessed my secret trips to Poongudi. I blurted out my fear that Jyoti might already be married.

“I already knew, dear. Don’t worry about it. But Jayanthan, you really need to learn who you can confide in and who might not have your best interests at heart.” she said, her voice devoid of anger.

Shame washed over me for keeping her in the dark. “Your visit changed things for both of you,” she sighed. “We can’t control everything. Whatever happens, it has a reason,” she consoled herself. Did she know already? How could she? I never got a chance to ask. But with the urgency hanging in the air, a full conversation would have been a luxury.

Morning arrived, slow and agonizing. As the Cauvery bridge came into view, a short distance from Trichy station, my heart pounded.

Trichy station, usually bustling with steaming tea vendors shouting “Tea! Kaapi! Tea! Kaapi!” and chattering crowds, now felt cold and sterile. The morning sun, normally painting the platform in a warm glow, cast harsh, unsettling rays. Ahmed and Rajan, my usual train station buddies, stood silent, worry engraved on their faces. Their hurried waves did little to ease the gnawing fear in my stomach.

Mrs. Mangalam and her lawyer husband, Keerthivasan, waited by a van, their faces etched with grim determination. His presence, a stark reminder of the battle ahead, only amplified the weight of the situation.

Sliding into the van, the familiar creak of the door brought no comfort. The engine’s usual reassuring rumble was replaced by a deafening silence.

“Her family, her brother specifically, is forcing her into marriage. The groom’s side is arriving today at ten to finalize the date. She wanted me to do something.” Mrs. Mangalam explained, her voice sounded unpleasant.

The words slammed into me. what? So, the market guy lied and mocked me, as I guessed. In a corner, I felt happy because the door is still open. At the same time, she was about to be taken away in few hours, how to prevent it? Panic clawed at my throat, leaving me breathless.

Sensing it, Keerthivasan said “We have a plan, Jayanthan,” his usually cheerful voice was somber. His gaze fixed on me. “It’s a bit risky, but don’t worry.”

His words echoed in the silence, each syllable pounding against my already fractured heart. A plan? Risky? My mind, reeling from the month’s events, struggled to grasp the next step.

“Do not threaten him”, Mrs Mangalam came in. “Everything will be all right” she pacified me.

“We have to get there before them,” Keerthivasan’s voice cut through my fog.

(To be continued)

I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z 2024

Recap: Every day, Jayanthan’s train rumbled into Poongudi, gateway to Trichy. Jyoti, a vibrant food vendor, stole his heart with each stop. But love faced challenges – her brother, his job loss – dimming their hopeful spark.

Part 3: Final whistle

Chapter 21/26: Unshed Tears

Snowy peak glowed orange, mimicking a monarch butterfly’s wings. Wind carved the summit, creating a phantom volcano. My climb offered no solace, just rasping breaths. A lone pine became my haven. Leaning against its bark, I traced lines in the snow. A pulsing stone thrusting from the slope sparked my curiosity. I brushed away debris, yearning to know what it hid.

A butterfly, a burst of color against the white, landed nearby. It transformed, its wings morphing into shimmering light, revealing an angel. “Who are you?” I stammered.

“It doesn’t matter,” the angel replied, its voice echoing. It knelt beside the stone and strained against its weight; brow furrowed in concentration.

“What are you doing?” I asked, concern rising.

The angel snorted, a celestial huff of air. “A little stubborn,” it muttered. “One more try…” It pushed again, inch by inch nudging the stone aside. With a triumphant smile, the angel blew away the dust and perched on top.

Inside the revealed grave, a sliver of leg peeked out, with the triple-belled anklet, – a glimpse of Jyoti. “Jyoti!” I cried, fear shooting through me. I thrusted to pull her free, but my body was frozen, immobile.

Panic seized me. “What happened to her? Why can’t I move?” I pleaded, but the angel had vanished. In its place sat Mrs. Mangalam, her eyes glinting with an unspoken message then faded away like smoke.

The jerk awake was brutal. I found myself back on the coir cot, the familiar terrace of my house greeting me with a yawn of dark sky.

That day’s disappointment clung to me like a shroud, threatening to burst into tears at any moment.

Jyoti’s smile, a jasmine peeking through, fueled my yesterday’s sprint to Poongudi. But the station’s rhythmic pulse was gone, replaced by an echoing silence that mirrored the hollowness in my chest. It was a Saturday. The bustling crowd vanished, leaving a desolation reflecting my own.

My last secret visit was a month ago. An unexpected visitor, Karuna, had turned it sour. I couldn’t even enter the village. He’d spotted me, fury contorting his face, and shoved me back with a torrent of warnings. The farmers, mere spectators, offered no help.

Fear snaked its way through me now. I wandered the empty streets, searching for her house, each empty doorway a fresh stab of disappointment. Needing an excuse to linger, I bought a cola from a nearby stall. The shopkeeper barely glanced at me, handing over the bottle with a question mark in his eyes. Then, as if on cue, the man I saw in Trichy market appeared – the very one who’d poisoned my connection with Jyoti.

“What are you doing here?” he sneered. “We told you to stay away. Not satisfied yet?”

Unlike last time, when I’d fled from Karuna, a spark of defiance ignited within me. “Who are you to tell me what to do?” I demanded.

He lit a cigarette, the flame reflecting in his dark eyes, before taking a long drag and blow out with a phooooh sound. “Nobody important,” he said finally. “But the girl you’re looking for? She’s gone. Forever.”

My breath hitched. “What?” The world seemed to tilt on its axis.

“Last time you showed up, things got bad. He thought Jyoti called you. Her brother… well, let’s just say she paid the price. They sent her away that very day, wedding was over in the following week. Maybe you can be her guest at the baby shower, huh?” He grinned, a cruel twist of his lips. The shopkeeper mirrored the grin, sending a shiver down my spine.

Doubt gnawed at me when I came home later in the afternoon.

Mrs. Mangalam’s worried reassurances echoed hollowly in my ears. What was she truly worried about? I craved the raw truth, not cryptic phone calls that offered no answers. Unanswered questions swirled like a storm in my head: Where was she? Did she miss me? Was she even safe?

Exhaustion finally claimed me, pulling me into a restless slumber. Even that fragile peace was shattered by the nightmare’s return. Wide awake, I stared out at the distant hilltop, the darkness a vast expanse before me.

The first sliver of moon peeked over the horizon, a flicker of movement on the terrace brought me to reality. It was my mom, settling onto the cot beside me. “Ugh, it’s hot in the night!” she said, her voice soft. “Feels like summer’s starting early.”

I mumbled an agreement, my mind a tangled mess.

“Something’s wrong,” she said gently. “You look lost in thought. I know you lost your job, but you found something new. What’s bothering you?”

“Nothing,” I mumbled again.

“Nothing, huh?” Her voice held a hint of doubt. “Why don’t you tell me?”

“I said it’s nothing! Can’t you just leave me alone?” My voice cracked, frustration mixing with the knot of emotions in my chest.

She didn’t reply, but I saw a flash of movement. In her hand, she held the saree – the one I’d bought for Jyoti, the one I’d carefully tucked away. Our eyes met, and I broke. Tears welled up, spilling over like a dam bursting. I leaned into her shoulder; my body wracked with sobs.

(To be continued)

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