MY FOREVER WITH YOU

CHAPTER-3

I groaned internally thinking of the most polite way to decline her. By the way her left hand is pressing her back faking a pain, I could tell she had planned the possibilities already.

"What about Leena, she could..."

"No." Almost yelling, the girl comes into view.

Leena is the eldest granddaughter of this family dressed in way more traditional outfit with always makeup on even for being at home. She is more pretty without makeup not that I would tell her. She is also most pampered girl who could do anything for being center of attraction in the family. 

Ayesha cannot tolerate her brattish nature for one whole minute. I don't know for what she always has to compete with me.

Ayesha points out she is being jealous but I don't get it. Of what she could be jealous, she is remarkably pretty with her perfect slim figure, mid length long hair that is always styled in curls, straight nose, fair skin deep brown eyes. Everyone in the family shows her adoration giving way more importance than me and Bhai. 

Then again we are not technically part of this family. Still she seems to be unsatisfied, I tried to befriend her but she would always land me in trouble somehow. It took me a lot of efforts to win this family's trust, even now I know they would trust her over me in heartbeat.

She comes jogging with her usual pasted smile "I have to submit my project today so I can't be late. I hope you understand Mammi." she gives a innocent look clutching Mammi's hand.

"Oh, poor baby."

I roll my eyes at their dramatics still I'm not backing down today. Not happening.

"Meera..."

I turn around at the calling seeing Mamma stepping in the kitchen with a questionable look dressed for her duty already. Before I could say anything Mammi rushes to her aid again blabbering everything. She has to always explain needless things first. 

Once finished Mamma looks at me with a conflicted expression, I internally chant hoping she would not back down. Both Mamma and I are supposed to commute long distance to reach our destinations respectively, not to forget on our own. 

Still everyone at home ignore our situation. I'm fine if they don't want to help us at least they should not make it worst.

We live separately from them not interfering their lives it doesn't mean they have to corner us whenever they want.

I grind my teeth in annoyance seeing Mamma taking off her wrist watch the way Mammi's eyes glint she understood Mamma took her bait. She almost put her shoulder bag down when I interrupt her.

"It's alright Mamma I can wash the clothes, you cannot be late for the work."

"Are you sure?" she is already putting on the watch.

I nod once, "Don't be late for the college, okay?"

Even Leena chuckles at her rhetorical question, she knows I will be late. She simply doesn't pay attention to it. I give her a small smile she opens her mouth to say something but as usual she doesn't and rushes out to leave. I don't wait for other two to find more entertainment and walk away quickly to get done with this unwanted task.

I never disliked joint families so much before meeting these people.

After the washing I climb upstairs to the small penthouse, walking into my room directly. I dry off my hands with a towel and rush in bathroom to complete  my routine. I had already decided my clothes and prepared my bag the previous night. I'm bad with last moment preparations anyways. 

Seeing myself in mirror brought a smile as I twirl slightly actually feeling pretty in my new look.

This was one of the best thing happened in my life, for past eight or nine months I have been taking care of my diet along with doing some physical activities. I'd say it was my own realization but it was actually due to my frustration. Frustration due to everyone in the family or the relatives randomly taunting or giving their needless advices regarding my weight.

 As if it is their birth right to find faults in girls whether on weight or skin color or any typical homely duties. I had been crying for years over their mean comments.

Even Mamma was worried but she couldn't console me. So my frustration combined by encouragement from Bhai, Ayesha and her mom, kairat aunty motivated me to take some measurable steps. And the results are unbelievable.

I still can't stop my cravings for sweets or in general because I simply love food. Though I came on terms with it.

The progress was not much I had only lost seven Kgs but for me it was one of the greatest achievements in my life. When I see myself in mirror I always remember two things, this change was not for anyone but for me and I'm proud of myself.

Although I still hear so called advices about how much more I have to lose or apply this or that creams blah, blah but instead of crying I have learnt to ignore such comments.  I stopped giving importance to people who doesn't care about my feelings.

Randomly, my eyes landed on the only family photo frame on my bedroom wall. It was the last photo showing our once complete family. Since, papa has decided to take monasticism, all the remaining three lives that is me, Bhai and especially Mamma- had turned upside down. It was suddenly out of blue, he wrote few pages of letter to Mamma and then left us on our own.

Mamma's family had come to our aid bringing us to Mumbai with them though their care and sympathy lasted only for few months. Much to their objection Mamma eloped with papa as it was an inter caste relationship mamma being Bengali and papa was Jain.  Their allegations about how wrong their marriage indirectly their point was proved. 

Amidst all this mamma had turned colder with everyone including her own children. She now works as nurse soon going to be next head nurse in line, in one of the famous hospitals of the city. She has always been strongly determined woman in her life so it was no wonder when she decided to be independent and pay the rent for this penthouse.

I don't know what is with people to show how greatly right they are in everything. They might be true but they shouldn't find opportunities to rub it off every time. Due to their menacing attitude Yuvraj Bhai had suffered emotionally a lot. He is exact photocopy of papa in height and physical features, so naturally he was the precise target for their demeaning taunts. 

It pushed him in many bad habits, I had struggled a lot to bring back his goodness and strength. To take hold of his life, Bhai took it upon himself to become a surgeon. He chose to study in Delhi University.

It was again a toughest moment when he was leaving but we both knew it has to be done. He desperately needed a fresh start, away from this family.

I sadly chuckled to myself thinking how a single decision of a person holds the power to shatter many lives.

Still I don't hate papa not even Mamma hates him.

Though living with ten members of so called family, we were alone. Always had been...

Glossary:

Mammi- mother's maternal sister in law. 

Aloo Pushto- Bengali potato side dish. 

Paneer paratha- South Asian style cottage cheese Flat bread. 

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