HALF-SISTER (COMPLETED)

Shalini: I got a call today. This Saturday, your Ankita Masi is organizing Pooja in the evening. She invited all of us.

Vidyut: I will be on the field trip.

Shalini nodded. Ruhi and Khushi were silent, sensing a serious conversation.

Anirudh: Either me or Saurav... Only one of us can make it. As we have an important meeting on Saturday evening.

Harsha: Ruhi?

Shalini: I don't know how Ankita will react.

The atmosphere turned thick. Khushi pout sadly looking at everyone.

Harsha: Umm... Pooja is on Saturday evening. So, we have to leave in the afternoon and will be return on Sunday afternoon.

Shalini: We can't travel back late at night. So, for a night, we have to stay there.

Harsha: I will be here with Ruhi then. Anirudh will handle his meeting.

Shalini: Ankita ne Khushi ko leke aane bola hai. Vo Pooja Khushi ke hatho karana chahti hai. (Ankita specifically requested to bring Khushi along because she wants Khushi to participate in the prayer.)

(A/N: I'm not sure if this exists. The baby is attempting Pooja. So, please consider this for my book. 😅)

Anirudh (sad smile): Maa hoti to har baat me Khushi ko hi aage rakhti. Masi bhi maa tarah hi hai. Masi ke liye Khushi jayegi. (Even Mom would have thought for Khushi first. She is also like Mom. Khushi will be there)

Shalini (looking at Saurav): Will you be here for a meeting and take care of Ruhi?

Saurav gulped, looking around at everyone. He sat quietly, caught in a dilemma. Everyone was quietly waiting for his reply.

Ruhi might not understand the situation exactly, but whenever the topic is related to her, she senses the atmosphere turns thick. The moment she feels sad and alone, she longs for her mom to come and embrace her.

Khushi, who was beside Ruhi, patted Ruhi's cheek, as Ruhi seemed sad.

Khushi (showing her 4 new teeth): Yuhiiii...

Ruhi forced a smile. Everyone can sense Ruhi is sad. Vidyut felt pity for her, whereas Shalini patted her head, pulling her in a side hug.

Saurav nodded after a long pause. He noticed Ruhi, who seemed innocent and sad. A wave of nervousness rushed inside him.

Everyone quickly had their dinner, without exchange of any other words. Everyone knew that everything was too much to digest.

After dinner, everyone called it night and went into their rooms. As usual, Anirudh went into Saurav's room.

Next morning...

It was early morning; Everyone was sleeping in the room except Shalini and Harsha. Harsha was busy with the Housemaid. Shalini pushed the wheel of her wheelchair towards Saurav's room.

She went into Saurav's room, to see Anirudh and Saurav were sleeping peacefully. She went towards Saurav's side and caressed his hair, pecking his forehead, she took the paper which was beside his pillow.

A habit Saurav and Shalini have built after Vibha's death. Whenever Saurav felt low, weak, alone or sad. He pens down his feelings on paper, and the next morning, his Dadi reads it. He was very well aware of his Dadi reading his feelings and later explaining him. He loved it, how she understood, that it's difficult for him to share his thoughts and feelings verbally and how she helped him in finding the solution. Since then, he started to pen it down and keep it beside his pillow. So, she can read it.

Shalini once again pecked his forehead and went out of the room. She went into her room and opened the paper.

Maa... (Mom...)

Kis raah par jana hai kaise samajhe? Ye do raahe to bahut mushkil lag rahi hai.

Rassi ko chod diya to samne wala ko chot lagegi, rassi ko pakd rakhne se hath kat'te jaa raha hai.

(How to decide which path to choose? Both the paths seem difficult to choose.

If I let go of the rope, other people will get hurt; if I am holding on, I am getting hurt myself)

Shalini sighed folding back the paper. She understood the inner turmoil Saurav was going on. A wave of happiness filled her heart as she realized Saurav's thoughts were considering Ruhi too.

Shalini (smiling): Maybe it will take time but I know my monkeys will accept Ruhi as their sister. She will be pampered by her elder brothers.

She mumbled, looking at the piece of paper, she was holding in her hands.

She stepped out of the room and spotted Vidyut sitting on the sofa. She went towards him.

Shalini: Vidyut?

Vidyut: Yes?

Cupping his face in her wrinkled hands marked by sun spots and dry skin. Shalini showered kisses on his face, making him smile widely.

Vidyut (smiling): What happened?

Shalini (playfully slapping his head): Can't I pamper my son?

Vidyut (rubbing his head): Uh-huh!!

Shalini smiled and turned to find Saurav and Anirudh standing at the entrance of the room.

Shalini: Saurav, come here.

Saurav walked towards Shalini and knelt down in front of her. She held his face as well in between her hands, pampering him as well with the kisses.

Anirudh (raising his eyebrow): What about me?

Shalini (giving him a side-eye look): What? You are married, and you have a daughter, too.

Anirudh (mock crying): Am I not your son now? Not your eldest grandchild?

Vidyut (making eww face): Chi! Chii!! Chiiii!!!

Anirudh raised his hand, indicating he would give him a slap. Vidyut innocently placed a finger on his lips.

Shalini pulled Anirudh in a hug. Saurav immediately joined them. Vidyut jumped from his seat, joining the embrace.

Shalini pecked their hair when her eyes fell on Ruhi, who stood at the door watching them.

Shalini: Come here, Ruhi

Taking a hesitant step, Ruhi walked towards them. None of the brothers releases the hug, feeling contented in Shalini's motherly embrace.

Vidyut shifted slightly towards Saurav, making some space for Ruhi.

Over the past few days, he had noticed his grandmother trying to make Ruhi feel comfortable. Somewhere along the way, he realized he was also starting to feel okay in Ruhi's presence.

Shalini smiled at Vidyut's gesture and pulled Ruhi closer, bringing her into the hug as well.

To be continued...