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"Rashi Dikra.. Can you please take care of the.." Hetal stopped as she found Rashi rushing downstairs.. "Mummyji. I am in a hurry. I told mummy I will meet her. Please take care of the kitchen today." Rashi rushed out without another look leaving Hetal nodding her head.
Hetal walked downstairs slowly thinking about what happened two weeks ago on Holi.
..FB...
"Kokila, you always blame Rashi for everything.." "But Mota Bhabhi.." "I am your Jethani. Please do not order my Bahu about again. And I do know what you and Aham are playing at. So please, Let it go" Kokila looke stunned at Hetal an wordlessly left the ground to go inside.
Hetal missed Rashi and Urmila smirk.
It had been an uncomfortable day after that. Hetal remembered being mad at Kokila for blaming Rashi and her vevenji of stealing and hiding a bag of money. There was no bag to be found. She remembered how she had stopped talking to Kokila. Kokila too had not said anything after her outburst at the holi grounds. Fortunately they had been talking in a secluded spot. But then a day later..
"Mota Bhai.. My mother wants my help and I thought why not help her. I am taking Gopi vahu with me. I could help her better. I need your permission Mota Bhai, Baa." Chirag had accepted without any questions. Kokila had also informed everyone that Parag and Aham would come with them. Aham had a project near Naani's village was her excuse. There had again been no arguments..
..FB...
That was two weeks back. Hetal walked into the kitchen to see the unwashed vessels and hurriedly got on to prepare breakfast. "Meethi..", she voiced and continued getting things ready for making Cheela, her husband's favorite. "Ji Mota Bhabhi" "Can you please wash the vessels please?
Where were you by the way?" Meethi answered her that she was washing the clothes as Rashi instructed. Hetal frowned for a minute and then sighed. "It is ok. Please wash the vessels. I need them for breakfast"
As Meethi got on with the job, Hetal prepared the dough for Cheela and thought back again.
It had started so well. She had felt free when Kokila left. It felt like she had done the right thing. That day at dinner she had made everyone's favorite. But somehow none had enjoyed. Jigar had complained of having too much work in Aham's absence from office and her husband had been worried about a meeting the next day. Baa had been quiet.
Then it had become worse.
"Rashi Dikra, should we make kadai Paneer today.." "Mummyji, can you make it please. I just went for manicure. You know mummyji, it has been so long before I went. I know you will not mind. Thank you"
After that it had been nothing but work for her. It seemed her Rashi bahu was always busy. But Hetal could not understand why then it looked like she had to work all day long.
There were four people missing in the house. She should have found it easy to complete the work. But these days she found it harder and harder. The mandir needed cleaning everyday, the plants needed to be watered, there was the milkman in the morning, the house needed to be dusted.. So so much. Hetal did not remember the last time she had taken a nap in the afternoon. It had been so easy when Kokila and Gopi were there.
"Hetal.. It is getting late. Can you bring my breakfast please?" Hetal looked up and hurried out with the cheela. Father and son looked haggard.
"Jigar, that meeting was saved by Aham yesterday. Call Aham and tell him to be here today too, will you?" "Ji papa. Kaki said Aham bhai already started. It is a long travel for him but he said he will make it for today. And Papa, he was the one who made the presentation too. That is why.." "I know Jigar. Aham told me you are doing well. Keep it up and take his advice next time." Hetal saw her son nod and went back to the kitchen.
"Mota Bhabhi.. I am done here. Do you want to go back to the clothes?" Hetal nodded. She was getting a migraine.
"Kakiji, you are not well. Can I massage your head with oil? You will feel better.."
"Mummyji, I have work at the temple. Can you take some tablet for now? I will come back and I promise I will massage your head." "But Rashi.."
"Mota Bhabhi.. Are you ok?"
Images flashed through Hetal's mind and she woke up with a start. The phone was ringing. Meethi handed it over to her.
"Mota Bhabhi. This is Kokila. Jai Shree Krishna." Hetal remained silent. "Ji, I called because, today is the last day to pay the bills for electricity and water. I informed Rashi. Just called to see if.. Never mind. Is everyone alright there Mota Bhabhi?" Hetal heard a catch in Kokila's voice. She could just get a "Haan" out. She heard Kokila finish the call. Somehow her heart felt heavy.
"Mummy, I had a great time. Come in mummy. Eat some tea and snacks and Go" Hetal heard Rashi and she could hear her mother also in the hall. It was four. "Rashi, did you pay the electricity bill and the water tax?" Her question was met with a look of utmost dismay and then there was something she had come to see often on Rashi these days or was it something she had just started to notice..
"Mummyji.. Bill? Tax? You never told me. And Kakiji.. She never said anything.." "Haan vevanji. My dikri never forgets. See your devrani did not do what she is supposed to. Now you are suffering." "Mummyji, you do not worry. I will call them up now and we will pay the bill."
"The office closes at 3:30 Raashi." Hetal's sounded defeated as she went to get snacks for her vevanji.
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I had to write this today.. I was so frustrated with Hetal.. She is just 😡 Not even sure if this makes sense.. But 😊