Ek aur bas

2 States

"Uthja saale. Come on, get up." Lucky was nudging his elbow near my ribs to wake me up. Cracking an eye open I glared at him, removing the news paper from my face which I was using to shield my face from sun. We got out of the car at the same time, I stretched my limbs and rolled my neck.

Who's brilliant idea was it to make it a road journey?!

Uttara, yep. That Shaitaan ki Naani grinned widely as Lucky went to her and others to the second car, helping with the luggage. Bro, that's the reason Hotel hires help, you know, so that people like us do not have to drag it across the hall toward reception and all the way to God-knows-which floor. He's got this weird 'Let's help the Universe' thing going in his head.

Sometime I wonder am I the only person who is sane in this family?

Once I was inside our room, I groaned inwardly and slumped on the fluffy cushion. I swear Hotel couches are so better,hona bhi chahiye, itne paise jo le rahe hain humse. Lucky, the Universal Help, wheeled our luggage to it's proper place and arched an eyebrow at me.

"Why you are looking so tired?"

"It's my default expression." I deadpanned. Because I feel like shit, jerk.

Shaking his head, he sat on the opposite single sofa and started untying his shoes, "I don't see how. You slept the whole way."

"It was not very comfortable." I groaned, closing my eyes and falling flat on the sofa. Before he could say anything else, I waved my fingers, "Get out. Vanish from the face of Earth. If you want to get married just do not disturb me."

The last thing I remembered was his chuckle.

**********************************************************************************

Kolkata is a beautiful city. It's got Botanical garden, Victoria memorial, some museums, awesome street food.

But not a damn person told me it's going to be So. Hot.

"It's 2 degrees less than Bikaner." Uttata said during dinner. The encyclopedia Maheswari, I said to myself and laughed. The elders paid no heed to this tip and went on with their chatter.

"Bhai." Uttara's tone suggested it can't be good, "Don't you mind that Lakshya Bhaiyya is getting married before you. Like, is not your ego hurt?"

I snorted at my food. "Uttara, tu kabhi bachhon ki tarah baat kyu nahi karti, as you are one."

She scowled and Lucky laughed, shaking his head at us two. Giving a last glare to her, I resumed my eating.

I am Sanskaar Maheswari, and this, is my family. For my dear cousin Lucky aka Lakshya Maheswari, we are all the way down here. When I first heard we have to come here to see a girl for him, I didn't like it, the complete opposite reaction of others who were thrilled.

"Jiji, there are so beautiful Saree stores in Kolkata." Mom said this and practically ran to her room to make a list. Uttara started her irritating teasing thing with Lucky which comes with the package of being an annoying sister, and others talked about the family we are going to meet. Shekhar Gadodia is an old friend of my Uncle, Durga Prasad, and this proposal is for his elder Daughter, Ragini. She looks good in pictures, gentle eyes and a small shy smile.

And after that pic Lucky had this stupid goofy smile plastered over his face. He was so poised and happy all the time that it looked like zombie apocalypse can't damper his mood. I don't get, it's just a picture. Who knows, the real girl might bechudail or something. What will happen to your rainbows and sunshine mood, Lucky? Or maybe we will be doomed with aDevdas for the rest of our life, minus the alcohol. Khandaani Marwari hain hum, we don't touch Non-veg or alcohol. Also, meat is sick.

Lucky was always this one-girl-commitment for life type, maybe because of that none of his GF stuck around for more than a couple of months. I swear, that guy starts making wedding plans and choosing baby names whenever he's in 'Love', which he so dramatically declares exactly 2 days after meeting someone. I have told him many time to Chill, but he roll eyes and says if I don't get serious I might stay alone for life.

Alone? Hello, have you seen me?

My funda is simple - we are young, we are not looking for commitment for life BS. We just want to have fun, so let's have it. Yes, real life might bite us in the ass one day, so keeping that deadline in mind why take everything so seriously? I am not exactly a commitment phobic, but experience with girls have taught me the normal, non-clingy types do not look for marriage material in dating circle. For that, we got parents. Just like our family doing for Lucky. Just like they will do it for me one day.

Also, my Mom hates the idea of sharing me with a DIL. I am her favorite, contrary to what Uttara thinks.

After dinner was over we lingered in the lounge for near an hour, just talking and passing time before heading to bed. I yawned once again and was about to get up when AdarshBhai received a call and his mood darken.

The car we rented? Yeah, not available for tomorrow.

"Hey Ram jiI." My Aunt, Annapurna, clutched her heart and started breathing heavily. Like literally, she looked like she's having an heart attack. Why oh why she watches those stupid serials?  Sometime I feel like her words echoes three times when a moment is really dramatic. Nahi ... Nahi . . ... Nahi . .  ...

"Annapurna." My uncle said, and she cut down the drama thing, "We will take the bus."

Excuse me? I mean, what??!

Parineet Bhabhi squealed like a kid because Bus is not a thing we ever saw in Bikaner, right? Uttara joined, and Mom joined too but looked really confused as of why she's having Spice girls giggle contest. My Dad shook his head and stared at the news paper in hand. He looks so bored all the time, so immune to everything. A news paper is his only companion, there was a time in my life I had not seen his face because it was always hidden behind a news paper.

Dark times.

But that's beside the point. First we take this stupid road trip and my limbs moves like Naagin dance through out of it, then I sleep off the crankiness and bear this incredible humid-hot weather. And now Bus? Why can't we contact another agency and get them?

"Na na." Mom said when I shared my concern, "Bhagwan ki marji hain Sanskaar, woh na chahein hum jaye car se. Sab unki kripa."

Obviously, God will have food poisoning if we take cabs. Logic=???

Muttering nonsense in my head, I walked toward my room.

**********************************************************************************

Whe we reached Gadodia's the next day, every organ inside my body was moving so much that . . . . the only comparison I could find was this- The Transformers movie? The robots? They had war of the world and their body parts were thrown across the Earth? Then they fought the battle bruised and without parts? When they fought their body parts must have jingled in a sweet melody (not)? Yes, exactly the same way.

Seeing my almost glower, Adarsh Bhaiyya cringed and hurried along with others. Yeah, walk alone. What is with families and marriages, nobody cares a damn about family's favorite son and his discomfort? I am disappointed.

When I finally felt like I could move, I looked ahead and noticed not a single person was there. So, when I was having mini-mental breakdown thanks to Bus-journey trauma Gadodia's must have done the hand holding and ushering inside thing. Did I just black out? Am I going to die in this place?

I am so ready to go home.

Muttering nonsense in my head again, I was about to take a step forward, when I heard strings of Guitar playing somewhere. With my one foot still in the air, I slowly turned around and noticed a girl playing a guitar. She was sitting at the edge of window, which looked really cool. Must be the neighbor of Gadodia's, the two houses are so close that we can organize long jump competition on the two roofs.

Whatever she was trying to play, was cut because another person entered the window-screen. Upon looking closely, I realized it's Ragini Gadodia, Lucky's current Love the girl we are here to meet. Why is she here? The both girls looked of similar age, so I concluded maybe the second one is best friend or something. Because you need a girl friend when some strangers are coming to see you, what if they kill you Hannibal style and do a cannibal thing afterwards?

"You are still here." Ragini's hands were on hips, looking like a disapproved teacher, "You should be there by now."

"Just trying to get this right." The second girl corrected something in a small notebook. Ragini's mood lighten immediately.

"What is this, a new song?" She picked up the notebook, observing whatever that was written there. The second girl kept her guitar away and grinned, and I had a feeling this can't be good.

"I am trying to play Baki baatein peene baad."

I put hand over my mouth to stop laughing but my body was shaking with the force of it. She is trying to play a party rap song on guitar? What is this place, Wonderland? Is not Kolkata Tagore obsessed? Government plays Tagore songs in traffic, there are lanes after the names of Bengali politicians and important figures, this city smells like an old book, and this girl is playing 2015 song?

I am intrigued.

"Swara!" Ragini looked scandalous, and now I knew the other girl's name, "You have a class today evening."

"And the kids wants new songs, not Amar bela je jaye oldie." She shrugged, and noticed me. I smirked at her, this should be interesting.

"Hello, creep." She called out as Ragini looked startled, her eyes narrowing at me the next second, "Whatcha you staring at Brah? Never seen two gals hanging out, yeah? Now you have seen, chalte bano. Shoo, off you go." She said like I was a puppy. My grin just widen at her words.

Ragini whispered to her something and she shot me a glare. Then she moved away from window, her glare turning to sickenly-sweet smile.

And she closed the window on my face.

**********************************************************************************

When I walked into Gadodia's afterwards, the course of juice was over and Lucky was taking sips from mine, finishing his fully. Gadodia's might think we brought the desert and drought with us, that thirsty cow.

"Where were you?" He hissed even though put on a strained smile, "Meri fatt rahi hai."

"I was lost."

"What are you, 4 year old?"

I ignored it, "Why are you scared? Ragini will hunt you down or something?" Apparently his poised, dreamy shit was over. I finally got back my nervous, extra sweaty and fumbling Brother back. Yay!

He said nothing and turned to the others. I have seen Shekhar Gadodia a couple of times over the course of years, but never his wife. Sharmistha Gadodia was a beautiful, polite woman, with doe like eyes and kind smile. Positivity was oozing off her, she was one of the rare people who looked and was actually a non-evil person. Lucky is getting an awesome MIL.

A collective murmur was heard and I turned my head away from Mrs. Gadodia. Ragini entered the room with a tray of tea cups. Okay, why a girl needs to make an entry with tea? Why can't she, I don't know, just walk right in? Does tea cups help with the nervousness?

She served tea to all of us and sat beside Aunt, Mom and Parineeta Bhabhi joining in as me, Lucky and Uttara looked on. I put down the tea cup, not much for tea, myself. Coffee is my life.

Near the curtains I saw a shadow moving and I frowned, craning neck to see properly. Thanks to this my head collided with Lucky's and he glowered at me silently. Thankfully nobody else noticed this as I looked around, Ragini taking all the attention in the room. The figure behind the curtain peeked her face out, a smile on her lips and amusement dancing in her eyes.

Obviously Swara (no surname found) saw the head butting brothers. I grinned right back at her and she stuck hr tongue out in response. Well, not that she looks like an 8 year old, but it was cute.

Okaaay, the heat is totally getting to me.

Ragini's Grandmother, Shekhar uncle's Mom entered a couple of minutes later just as the conversation of ladies were getting boring slow. She greeted all of us, fussed over the food, triple checked if we need anything and only after Ragini called her out she took a seat. Like everyone in the room, I too realized Ragini has this strict looking matron of the house wrapped around her little finger.

After taking permission from elders, Ragini and Lucky got out of the room and to the garden to talk in private. Then when things got so boring that I contemplated taking out my phone and play Candy crush. I was about to do that, but Uttara's hand was over me and she was glaring at me. Mother hen!

Thankfully, I got a phone call from a colleague and excused myself from everyone. Our family is traditional businessmen, and I was the first person from this generation who got out and did a job. I am softwere engineer, and it's so much bigger than 'Just coding', like some people think it is. Also, girls love the job, the income and status. Win win for everyone. Like I thought, the colleague didn't have much to talk about, so even after cutting the call I immediately didn't get inside.

Then I noticed Swara on the other side of Veranda, on her tip toe. I stared ahead and realized she was actually staring at Lucky and Ragini.

"What are you doing?" I called out and she startled, putting her feet down. She fiddled with her dupatta for a sec, then straightened her back.

"I should ask you that, Creep. But then, I already know the answer." She didn't answer my question. I should get offended that she called me Creep, right?

I arched an eyebrow and she huffed, "I am just trying to see him."

"Why, Ragini didn't show you his picture?"

She rolled eyes as if I am dumb, "Looks is not everything."

"We got money too." I replied without thinking. Obviously, she looked disappointed with my answer.

"Yeah, that solves everything. Ragini will go to your house and take over the property."

"So," I took a few step toward her, "you are trying to find a fault in him. By standing here on your tip toes."

She arched an eyebrow, mimicking my action, "Why, is there anything to find?"

"Nope, he's a good guy." I played along, liking this banter with a girl I don't even know or met properly, "So good and sweet that he has diabetes. And then he gets high on medicines. He gets drunk on Diet coke, that sharaabi. He drives car so slow that other drivers want to murder him, suidical tendencies you see. He's actually responsible for the heat in Bikaner, because he's always so happy-go-lucky and he and Sun are BFFs."

Swara started to laugh and it just hit me. She is beautiful,breathtaking, really. It did something to me that I was the one who made her laugh like that.

"I was not looking for those, but thanks anyway." She said when the laughter died down, "What I want to know is- will he keep her happy? Make her feel cherised, respected and loved? Will he stand by her no matter what? Is there a psycho ex who can come back and try to swap brides on the day of wedding?"

I frowned, puzzled and she huffed, "Oh, forget the last thing."

''Is that a serial thing?"

Her eyes widen in surprise, "You don't look like serial type."

"No, but my family is." I shrugged. Even the male in family watch those stupid shows. I cringe everytime those background music and phus phus zoom thing starts and listen to music in my Ipad.

By the way, what on earth are we doing? Talking about Lucky, then sentimental sisterly concern, and now serials? Just when we change the course of conversation and flowed along with it? 

Her eyes widen once again as she looked over my shoulder and I turned. Ragini's dadi, Parvati Gadodia was standing there, her eyes spitting fire yet the rest of her face was smooth. Politely, she told me that others were expecting me inside, her eyes shifting from me to Swara effortlessly, the dislike so intense that I was shocked. Staring out, I noticed nobody was in the garden, so Lucky and Ragini must have got in without the both of us noticing. I gave a nod to Dadiji, but she didn't move away, expecting me to leave first.

Giving a last look to Swara, I went inside. But for some reason, I needed to drag my feet to leave.

******************************************************************************

On the way back to hotel, amidst the chattter about Ragini's praise and Gadodia's hospitality, I asked Adarsh Bhaiyyaabout Swara. Not directly about her, I inquired if Ragini has a sister.

"She has, though not biologically." He informed me, and then explained. Apparently, Sharmistha Gadodia's Mother adoped Swara when she was just 2 days old, her parents had left her on streets most probably because she's a girl. She took her in and they lived in Bakura until Swara was 7 years old. Later Shekhar Gadodia offered her to stay with them in Kolkata so she came here and rented the house next to them. SInce then she and Ragini are inseperable, wherever one goes, others follows.

Maybe she had reasons other than sisterly concerns for Lucky. Maybe she do not want Ragini to move so far away, not that I can blame her if that's the case. Uttara is a pain the ass, still when in a couple of years Mom-Dad will start looking for a suitable guy for her I will try my best to ensure she lives in Bikaner. Maybe in the boundary of Rajasthan, but not too far.

  Then I remembered Dadiji's evil eye twitch thing toward her and inquired a bit more. Adarsh Bhaiyya is, as always, being very forthcoming.

"Oh, Parvati Gadodia hates her." He said and I had to keep myself from cringing, "She do not like Sharmistha too, since she's from another caste. She atlest tries to be civil with her for Shekharji, but there is no restriction when it comes to Sharmisthaji's Mother and Swara. That was the reason she was not there today." Then he caught up and looked at me oddly.

"What?" I asked defensively.

"How do you know about Swara?"

"Oh." I faked nonchalance, "I saw a girl about Ragini's age peeking out behind the curtains at some point. I thought she might be a sister or best friend. So that must be Swara."

He still stared at me oddly, frowned after a second, then went back to the stare thing. Thankfully hotel was finally here, and I was free from his Eye-love. If I ran toward my room faster than everyone else, it was because of Heat.

Totally.

******************************************************************************

I sometime wonder how exactly genetics work?

My parents are . . . different would be understatement, but that's beside the point. Mom is hyperactive, loud, and talkative. She keeps grudge for a long time, fierecly protective of her children, loves to fight whether she is right or wrong. She loves shopping and trying different Sarees and make up. Dad is a silent film from 1940. If anyone replace his face with a news paper on driving license and Adhaar card, no one will notice. He so calm that sometime I wonder is he even here or not? Nothing gets a reaction from him, gory films, kitten videos, Mom's yelling, Uncle's romantic gestures to Badi Maa, nothing. He reminds me of Ferb from that cartoon, Phineas and Ferb. Yes totally, actually he even looks like him, with the moustache.

Uttara and I are nothing like them.

Uttara does shopping, but only what is necessary. Make up only for special occassions. 21 years and I have never heard her raise voice or fight with anyone. She chatters, but not to the point of irritation like Mom. She is in the moment, just like everybody else. Me, I am an alien in this house. Most of the time I am in my head, criticizing the world and muttering nonsense in general. The rest of time I am in office, or buried behind PC and phone. I talk, but my flow of conversation can't be followed by everyone. I am in my own world, but not entirely disconnected from this world.

Lucky is weird too, but like Uttara. Badi Maa is a person who gives the impression of a calm, serene person, but her real side comes out when she watches TV. She gets so attached to those stupid shows and characters that she impersonate them. Once, she talked in Haryanvi straight for one month, scaring the hell out of Mom. Our gardener died last year and she and I went to the funeral. She actually did that chhaati pit pit kar rona thing with high pitch wail and I was thinking the whole time should I laugh or cry? It's my headcanon that she must be drama student/wanted to become actress at a point in her life. Durga Prasad, my Uncle, comes across as very stoic, very reserved person. When he talks, it feels like cloud rumbling because his voice is so deep. Imagine that voice and romantic songs *shudders*. I still remember once Lucky slept in my room because his Dad was singing Chaudhavi ka chaand ho all night to Badi Maa, whose mood was damp as her then favorite show's main couple got seperated. It was a weird combo of crying and singing that night.

So I was thinking about genetics. Or maybe it's just my family, or maybe there are underlying symptoms of our parents characteristics in us.

But at least, we had our parent around. Swara, though . . .

I was thinking about Adarsh bhaiyya's words non-stop after returning from Gadodia's. I can't imagine that, her life experiences. As crazy my family is, I always had them around. It's impossible for me to imagine myself living with a single parent figure 7 year of my life or getting hate from a Grandparent just because I am adopted and from another caste. We don't choose where we are born, so why should we get punished? Also, what kind of sick people leave a 2 day old baby on streets? Uttara is a girl, and we all adore her. Sometime I feel Parineeta Bhabhi gets more love from all of us than my own sister. It's a weird word where we worship women figure yet treat real, living-breathing ones like crap.

I shifted on my bed and put an arm under my head when my phone beeped. Taking it from bedside table, I saw a new message from an unknown number.

Welcome to Kolkata.

Frowning, I typed back a reply.

Thanks, but who's this?

Oh, just someone who is very good at noticing.

I am flattered, but how would I know it's not a creepy stalker?

Let me introduce myself to ease your worries. Tanima.

Have I met you?

Not really. Like I said, I am good at noticing.

If you are a hotel employee, then let me say I don't respond to waitress's flirty texts.

You wound me, Lakshya Maheswari.

Wait a minute, Lakshya? I turned my phone upside down and made sure it was me. Okay, so some girl is flirting with me thinking I am Lucky. How on earth this person got my, or Lucky's number?

Why does the name Tanima sound oh so  familiar?

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I started to laugh. Then somehow, I managed to type a reply.

Sorry to burst your bubble sweet heart, it's not Lakshya.

The reply didn't come immediately, but came nonetheless.

Who's this?

Why don't we start over? Tanima can't be your name, it's so old fashioned.

I am Mogambo.

I am the Doctor.

Doctor who?

LOL

------

It's a joke. Just google it.

Sorry for texting without making sure the number I sent it to.

Ah, it's okay.

Then I sent the last text from my side.

Swara.

3 seconds later she was calling me, "Who is this? And if you say Doctor Who I might get inside the phone and strangle you?"

"Whoa, violent much? I get it, you Bengalis were deep in fight against British, but should not you grow over that?" Pausing, I said, "Also, it's rude, considering you were the one trying to flirt with my Brother."

"Look who's talking." She exclaimed, "You Marwaris make portraits of ancestors with sword in your hand."

"That's Rajput."

"The difference?"

I sighed, "Mac, Windows 10."

"Sorry." She sounded sheepish, "By the way, I was not trying to flirt with your Brother. Just trying to see if he flirts back or not."

"And that will establish my Brother is really really evil." I rolled eyes, "Look, Swara, I get this sisterly concern thing but maybe instead of these bachon wali harkatein, you can actually try to get him know."

"And how can we do that?" She asked back. It was a point though, but I had an idea.

"I will make reservations for Lunch for the four of us. That way Lucky and Ragini can get to know each other, and you can observe him. You can even try to get out his deep buried secrets, Detective."

"What secrets?" She sounded serious. I smirked.

"In time, Kitten."

"Excuse me, are we on nickname basis from now on?"

"You gave me Creep, it's only fair for me to return the favor." I noticed the time, "Now give your overactive mind rest and get some sleep." I tried to hang up.

"Wait, wait!" She stopped me, "Do I and Ragini need to lie in home for this secret rendezvous?"

"You love this secret spy stuffs, don't you?" I shook head head, "No, I will talk to elders. Now hang up and get some sleep."

"About the texting . . . "

"I am your Little Black Book. Now . . . "

"Yeah yeah, jeez, you are serious about sleep." With that, she hung up.

That night, I dreamt about a girl in secret agent suit who played Baki baatein peene baad on her guitar.

******************************************************************************

Unlike my other Brothers and sister, I was never squeamish to ask something from elders. Lucky will basically have nervous breakdown before he utters two words, Adarsh bhaiyya will mumble and hope nobody heard him. Uttara will play with her dress and hair and divert topic until she loses the confidence. Me? I would walk right in and ask something. And no, it's not bravery. They are our family, if our demand is legitimate theywill give permission. Even if they do not, we can have a proper conversation about Why. There is no need to get scared.

So when I told Lakshya that I think he should meet Ragini away from family member and take her to lunch, obviously he jumped in. Then he got cold feet and added two conditions- one, I should go with him. Second, I have to be the one to talk about it.

It was during dinner that I asked Bade Papa about it. Like a dramatic moment, everyone stilled as if I was ordering non-veg or talking Latin. He stared at me, fixed his glasses, and went on chewing his food.

Lucky let out a deep exhale which indicated he is sure we are done. I was not about to give up.

"Hamare parivaar mein shadi se pehle milte nahi hain, ye ushoolon ke khilaf hain." Badi Maa said instead. What?! What is this ushool anyway?

"It will be Lunch. And Sanskaar will go with you." Bade papasaid right after her. Uttara and Adarsh bhiayya grinned at us while Lucky was fist pumping under table.

 "Hum bhi to mila karte the, Annapurna." Bade Para was smiling now. Badi Maa blushed and said no other word, while Mom's mouth hung open. Parineet bhabhi was kind enough to snap it shut.

While we were returning and I was making online reservation for lunch of four on my phone, I heard Mom saying to Bhabhi, "Kolkata doing wonders for Jethji's mood. I wonder why it's not working on your Father-in-Law."

She gave me a funny look. I hoped maybe it will go better in Swara's house.

2 days later we four met at CafeKolkata, a much recommended restaurent on my holiday app. Me and Swara gave an excuse and Lucky and Ragini went inside to sit.

"Creep, spy buster, secret keeper, match maker." Swara was counting on her fingers, "What other face do you have, Mister?"

"Time will be tell, Kitten." We headed inside.

Lunch was silent, like too silent. Ragini and Lucky were stealing glances at each other and trying to show they didn't and me and Swara tried to pretend we didn't witness them pretending and staring. Lucky tried to make small talk about food but every word that came out of his mouth sounded wrong and Ragini was blushing so much that I was worried about her health. Swara choked on her food every now and then and Ragini gave her glares through-out. My eyes played ping pong between Lucky-Ragini-Swara.

Couples.

"So, Lakshyaji." Swara spoke for the first time during the lunch, taking a break from internal smirking and choking, "I heard others call you Lucky."

"That's right. It's my nickname since childhood." He gave a small smile.

She nodded, waving a fork in her hand, "So, what do others call you? Sanky?"

Lucky started coughing just as Ragini hit Swara on her back. She tried to fake innocence, but the mischievousness in them were dead give away.

The lunch was bearable after that. We actually knew things about each other which our parents didn't fill up us on. We came to know Ragini is pursuing Masters in History, but she wants to study more, maybe get a Phd in music one day. She is closer to her Mother even though Evil Grandma really smothers her. She likes this city but wants to visit her Father's village, Randhawa, in south Rajasthan, one day. She also likes Tea, waking up early morning to watch the Sun coming up andBhagvat Gita.

As we got into Music Lucky got really interested. He never had a good voice, or the skill to handle an instrument, but he liked to know about things. From his face, I could not tell if he liked hearing about Music or just Ragini's voice. Ragini blushed hard after talking straight for 5 minutes and started fumbling with the table cloth. Swara came to her rescue and started talking about her.

I had an idea from the first conversation I heard between her and Ragini that she teaches kids Guitar, and it was right. The school she teaches, it's the properly of an old man who was the reason she discovered her passion in guitar. One day she wants to reconstruct the property and open a big school where many can come and learn music other than just Guitar. A music academy.

She liked to keep talking about Music school and guitar and kids, but nothing of those words told me much about her. I discovered other things from our banter conversations, like her uncompassing love and protectiveness for Ragini, a bit of inborn craziness, her fear/dislike(?) for evil grandma, but it was only me. Lucky knew nothing, nobody knew nothing, and I had a feeling she will avoid talking about her personal life and family as far as she can.

Not that I can blame her, but I wanted to know more.

And they say, curiosity killed the cat