"Now, square root of length squared and breath squared of the rectangle will give you the length of the diagonal.

This is the Pythagoras theorem.

Did you all understand?", I asked.

My students nodded as I distributed their worksheets for today.

Their exams were approaching and I have been taking additional hours in taking mock tests, revisions and remedial classes.

To put it all in a nutshell, the tution centre along with everyday chores have been keeping me on my toes.

Waking up to a 4 A.M. alarm, sliding away from the warmest embrace of my sleepy husband, a cold water bath that would intially numb the body, but keeps me going for the rest of my day, wearing the saree that my husband would have pointed out the previous night, matching them with simple and elegant bangles, bindhi and  earrings, placing my sindoor on my brows and well, I step out of my room at 4.30 A.M.

That's the start of my daily chores; cooking, washing utensils, decorating the pooja altar, sweeping and mopping the house, preparing tea and well, the second round as well, and more household work, is all that came and somehow, I felt time to be running and literally deceiving me.

The Einstein's theory of relativity, seemed to be proven, ironically, time and again with my life. But, however I could balance it all out because my sister-in-law seemed extremely cooperative with everything from a past few days.

She is in her study leave now, since her board exams were approaching. Her level of independence and the flavour of womanhood was shown explicitly. Her maturity and conduct, her responsibility towards her career and her family had started showing vividly through her actions. This, on a serious note, made me rethink of her relationship with Sushant as well.

But, is now the time?

No.

She has to finish her basic education and get into a good college. For now, I really need to mend the relationship with her brother first.

It is after post-afternoon I get time to sit with the coursework for the tutions. Since it had been the exam time, I take extra classes for these kids and kept prepping them with practice tests.

Initially it was difficult to cultivate the discipline in them, but they seemed to like the gifts that I presented post every good performance. All in all, the routine somehow found its way through the wildfires of this chaos.

"Ma'am, ho gaya"

"Accha, Suraj, thumne kardiya kyaa?Even the 8th question?"

Suraj  smiled with pride of accomplishment.

I gave him my today's gift. It was an exam pad, a few pencils and pens.

"Ma'am, today is the last class right?"

"Yes Suraj, you are now prepared. Study at home and any doubt, you can come here any time."

"Thank you ma'am.", he smiled and left.

Whilst I waited until all my students left, I turned and looked at Rekha, who was immersed in her preparations.

"Rekha?"

"Bholiye Bhabhi"

"How is your preparations going?"

"It's fine Bhabhi, just stuck with a bit of Integration by parts, you know, it's a tough one to crack."

"Yes, just look out for the order in which you solve them-"

"Pavi, woh, Ma is calling you-", my husband stopped in mid-sentence after really seeing his sister sitting with me on the terrace at our tution centre.

My husband is an extremely supportive man. This was all possible just with his analysis and trust in me.In a marital life, let me tell you, space is as important as intimacy and right now, it was a test of whether can we survive this space. But, he is done punishing his sister with his silent and cold treatment and today he has to resolve this.

"Ji, Rekha bhi hai"

Silence.

Awkward silence.

"Ji, bacchi hai, aur aapki behen bhi hai. She has done so much these past few days, amidst her exams and helping me and Ma ji out. You too have seen it.

Please, kindly talk to her. She is not herself without her brother to support and love her-"

"Well, she should have thought about all of this before-"

I felt a sniffle from Rekha's side.

"Ji, she has exams now, she made a mistake and by now she has realised it. You are more important to her than anything else.

Please-"

"Pavi thum kabse iski side mein ho?"

"Ji-"

"Bhabhi, because of me...

Please don't-", she choked in between these words.

I looked at her plight and then at my husband. I just deeply and earnestly looked into his eyes asking him to analyse and just talk to her.

He sighed. I know he misses his little sister too.

"Accha, Ma is calling all of us for dinner. Rekha you also join."

I smiled. She just burst into tears as I saw my husband walk towards her and embrace her.

"Accha accha, bas bas, now let's go and have dinner."

"Aap log yahaan kya kar rahe ho?"

Oops, now this was my mother in law. I just prayed quickly that she didn't notice Rekha's tears. To quote the whole situation, my mother in law was also trying to understand the workload that I had, but it did take the first two month's fee and literally watching me nibble through it all.

"Ma ji, woh-"

"Challo challo, Babaji neeche raah dekh rahe hai...baad mein ye sab baath karenge bahu!"

I immediately silenced and thanked the lord that Ma ji didn't notice what was really happening here.

Raj ji and Rekha led the way as I followed them.

"Bahu rukh jao..."

I stopped immediately and turned to face my mother in law.

"Bahu, it's been almost 8 months since your wedding.

Saas, maa ki staan hoti hai.

I know today is the last class for your tution centre and until May, you will be free.

The money is definitely helping the family, bahu..."

I have never seen my mother in law beat around the bush and praise me.

It was all very new.

"Ma ji aap-"

"Bahu, these days newly married kids go out to some place, alone, without family, just husband and wife...

What is that?"

"Honeymoon?"

"Ha, yes yes, that only...

You are free now no?

And your Baba and me will take care of the shop.

You and Raj go out for a few days..."

What is happening here? I literally felt clueless.

"Ma ji, I am not really understanding anything-"

"Bahu, mujhe Dadhi banaao..."

*****

A/N:

Hey guys, this book may have a bit of mature content from next chapter onwards. If you are okay with it, you can read. Else, I shall provide I warning and you can skip that portion.

Hope it is cool!

Stay home and stay safe.

Have fun.

Cheers
R