Her father was reading the newspaper whilst the news on TV was going at a low volume. She knew he'd have done some exercise to keep himself occupied, even though the doctor had told him not to strain his body and give it time to recover. They went for a run together in the morning at that was their exclusive time together. She was close to her dad and shared everything with him. Bulbul on the other hand liked doing everything with flair so got along more with their mother.
Bulbul came running out from their room complaining. She was annoyed that she didn't get admission in the same school as Pragya but refused to understand that her year had full classes and there were no more spots. It wasn't really that much of a problem as she quite liked her new school but she wanted to study with her Di and that annoyed her that they weren't going to the same school.Her mother had said that they would try and get her in the following year but chances seemed quite slim.
Bulbul started chattering about the friends she'd made, what classes she had and already decided which teachers she liked and disliked. Pragya only half listened while putting all her things away and getting her books out for homework. After freshening up and having a small snack that Amma had kept ready, she finally spoke to Bulbul and told her to take a breather and get her books for homework. It was Pragya's responsibility to get Bulbul to finish her homework as she never listened to anyone else. They would wait for their mother to come home before having dinner as a family. It was hard keeping Bulbul entertained once homework was over, unfortunately she didn't like reading so Pragya knew that she'd have to do something else to distract her. Pragya suggested a hot oil massage knowing that Bulbul loved having her head massaged and hair oiled so they would be soft when she washed her hair out and readily agreed. She would keep quiet as that was the only thing that her Di requested when giving her a massage.
After dinner Pragya read for a while till her mother came and switched off the light. Pragya was tempted get the torch out of the drawer and continue reading as she had just gotten to an interesting turn in the book but she knew her mum would find out. Her mum always knew when she was reading with the torch under the blanket and she didn't want to disappoint her. She also had to wake up early for her time with her dad. The last thought that came to her mind was that of Abhishek stopping the kids at school from bullying her and she fell asleep with a smile on her face.
Abhi got home and quickly freshened up and made his way to help dadi. He knew taiji was an expert at making excuses when it came to doing the housework. He never heard her complain, she always said that taiji was like that daughter she never had and you accept family no matter what they are like. Aliyah was seated outside the house on the front steps and after making sure that she had all her books for that day's homework and telling her to come and get him if she needed any help, he continued towards the kitchen where dadi was making dinner. He quickly got all the plates and cutlery out and arranged them on the floor, all the hole telling dadi about his day. It was a ritual him and dadi had and his day felt incomplete if he didn't tell her every nitty gritty detail.
He told her everything about the new girl, how she was in Purab's class and how they helped her today. Dadi was glad that she had gone right somewhere. She knew that her Abhi had a heart of gold and no matter what he would never let her down.
After dinner abhi went outside and sat with his books to finish his homework. He knew that everyone in school thought him to be an average regular guy and he never acted any different, to change their misconception. He felt it was noone's business but his as to what he did with his brain. Purab came and joined him awhile later and they both sat together, each doing their own work in comfortable silence. Abhi finished before Purab and sat doodling in his book lost in his thoughts all the while humming an unknown tune.
Purab knew that he was thinking about something and would only mention it when he was good and ready, but curiosity still made him ask, "Bhai is everything alright? Anything you want to talk about?"
Abhi looked at him and replied that he was thinking about the guitar he'd seen in the shop window close to their school. Purab knew which one he was talking about. It was quite obvious, abhi always slowed down as they neared the shop and he would look at it longingly. But he knew that they would not be able to afford it. Purab never thought of him and Abhi as separate and knew Abhi thought the same.
They spoke for a while longer and called it a night as it was getting late. Purab went back to his place a few doors down and Abhi walked back inside the house. Everyone had settled for the night and Abhi made sure that a plate of food was ready for tayaji when he got home later. He got into bed with dadi and Aliyah and saw tear filled brown eyes as his eyes closed.
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