Episode 2

*** "Oh my goodness. what happened Archisha" my mother asked, immediately she saw me walk through the door. she has an offering plate on her hand which means she just got back from the temple. she she stood there, staring at me with shock written all over her face. "Oh wow, she must have done something bad in the market and that's why this happened. I don't know what you've done this time. you always seem to enjoy giving us problems" my aunt said earning a glare from me. "Arkisha?" my mother called again but I simply walked past them. "it's nothing. a car splashed me mud on my way back but it's okay I took care of it" I said putting the items on the kitchen counter. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil and I feel like slapping him so hard on his cheeks. "You mean you fought him?" "no mother i–" I stopped halfway when I noticed my two siblings walk up to me. "who did it" Kuhu, the eldest asked "I don't want to talk about it now please let me go change" I said walking upstairs to my bedroom. "Seema, you have better find a suitor for Archisha, so she'll learn to be matured. she's already twenty but still acts like a child" i overheard my aunt telling my mom but I simply ignored. I don't want to get married, at least not yet. I want to work and help my family, marriage is the last thing on my mind right now. and I want to get married to a family where I'll not only be a house wife but a working woman as well. my dream is to be a successful businesswoman and help my husband too. I quickly put out the dirty dress and wear a new one. I tie my hair in a ponytail and wear my slippers. I was about to walk out of my room when I glance over at my desk and my eyes lits up. a smile makes its way on my face as I walk towards the desk. there it was lying there. safely put away in my jewelry box. My most priced possession. a gold bracelet embedded with silver stones. I smile as my hands caress it all over. The memories of that day flooding through my head like it were yesterday. * "I'll be leaving tomorrow." he tells me. we were sitting on the stairs during lunch time and he just said it. "but where are you going? you said you wouldn't go" I sniffed "I'm leaving the country. at least that's what dad told me. he wants me to study abroad and come back when I'm of age to take over the business. I don't want to go but he said it's whats best for everybody" he said sadly I was already crying "but I promise I'll come back and then I'll make sure that I look for you I promise. we'll be friends forever" he assures me but that didn't stop me from pouring my eyes out. "and what if you don't recognize me. you'll be gone for a very long time right?" he didn't respond but brought out a bracelet from his pockets and placed in front for me to see. "I don't know when I'll be leaving but I want you to have this" he said putting it on my hand "it's our family's crest. it's one of a kind. just like you. if I see you wearing this then I'll definitely know it's you" "But isn't this stealing?" I ask "everyone in my family has one so I'm giving you mine. I know it's safe with you" he tells me and I smile. "here" I say removing my pin from my hair and giving it to him "it's not fancy or expensive but I want you to have it" I tell him and we smile giving ourselves a bone crushing hug. * And that was the last I saw him. I never wear the bracelet cause I don't want to be reminded of him. but I really do miss him a lot. most times I wish he was still here with me but I would never see him if I wanted to cause firstly we've moved from Narela after our house got demolished and we live in a small village in Najafgarh. I mostly go into town when I have something to take care of. and I don't think he'll ever want to see me again as well. "Arrrggghhh" I heard someone scream and I quickly put the bracelet back in the box and headed downstairs. "What's going on? why are you screaming?" I ask feeling concerned. "Your sisters, that's whats going on. they put cockroaches on my bed and when I tried to rest, it went under my Sari and I was so scared" she explained, sweating like someone who's just got out of the shower. I turn to look at my sisters. they had a grin on their faces and I knew that they were the ones who did it. "Dayal I'm so scared. please don't take me inside that room again" she shivered "Apologize right now" I yell at the both of them "We're sorry aunt" "no you're not you silly little rascals. that's what you say everytime. even the time when you put frogs inside my jewelry box" she yelled but they only find it amusing. "I'm sorry Aunt on their behalf' I say and walk away to the kitchen to make dinner. Pihu and Kuhu are only eighteen but they keep acting like kids. they were born pranksters. if you insult them or any member of our family then you have yourself to deal with. that's their motto. but I can't condone any more of their behavior and childishness. I am angry and I guess they know it too. "we're sorry Arkisha" they hold their ears and apologize but I pretend not to hear. "Set up the table so we can serve dinner" I tell them. they do as I say but I didn't spare them a single glance. "Sister please don't get mad at us." "you should have at least thought of that before stuffing her bed with cockroaches. what were you both thinking. I know aunt isn't the nicest person on earth but I thought I raised you better than that" "we didn't like the way she spoke to you and that's why we did it" Kuhu says "and I never asked you to help me out either" I say walking past them but they held me in a hug. "we're really sorry. please don't be mad at us" "ok fine" I sighed after giving it more thought. I couldn't stay mad at them even if I wanted to. "I forgive you now serve dinner" I order and they simply nod. . "Arkisha, the priest is inviting you to the temple so you can dance for the festival tomorrow." my mother tells me I nod. "Can we come?" pihu and kuhu asks "yes you can. It'll keep you out of mischief anyway" I tell them. "it's not like they're paying you to dance. I wonder why you waste your time dancing in the temple anyway" my aunt say in between meals "I'm not doing it for the money. I love dancing in the temple, especially for the Almighty. he does so much for us so what better way to repay him" I smile "And besides its not like we're paying him for all the sacrifices he makes for us so why not do it." I tell her "whatever you say. it's not like anyone can win an argument against you" she says but I only smile "this food is delicious Archisha. you always know how to make great meals" "thanks Arav" I take my seat and dish out for myself. After the temple, I go in search of a job so that I can help the family too. Oh Almighty please help me. Make everything happen the way it's supposed to. . . LOVE WITH BENEFITS . .