Word Count: 1500

October 19, 2022

TARA reclined beside her grandmother, gazing up at the ceiling in contemplation. The responsibility of rising and preparing for her college day pressed on her thoughts, but her mind remained fixated on her nani's disapproving response to Niti. It wasn't news to Tara that her nani didn't hold much warmth for Niti, but the extent of her nani's aversion troubled her deeply.

Shifting her attention toward her nani, who was engrossed in a newspaper as if yesterday's incident was nothing more than a breeze passing by, Tara grabbed her phone to glance at the time. Seven thirty, it read – she still had ample time to indulge in some morning laziness.

With a sleepy undertone, Tara greeted, "Good morning, nani," her words softly wrapped in remnants of slumber's embrace.

Nani responded with an affectionate smile upon hearing Tara's awakening, briefly setting aside the newspaper and reaching over to fondly stroke Tara's hair. The profound bond between the eighteen-year-old and her grandmother was unmistakable. Being her sole living grandparent, Tara held her nani in the highest regard and had always seen her as the epitome of kindness. The recent events, however, left her baffled. Why had her sweet-natured nani reacted so strongly against her brother's girlfriend?

"Nani?" Tara shifted, curling towards her nani and nuzzling her face into the warmth of her grandmother's side. Her voice emerged subdued and tentative, as if she were hesitant to uncover the truth. "Why do you harbor ill feelings towards Niti di?"

Her words, muffled, hung in the air with a palpable sense of vulnerability, as if she wasn't entirely eager to hear the answer to her own question.

"Hmm?" Nani lowered the newspaper, locking her gaze onto Tara's face. "Could you repeat that, beta? Ab utne ache se nahi sunai deta."

Tara seized this opportunity to steer the conversation away from the pressing topic of Niti, an unspoken tension weighing heavily between them. A sudden unease gripped her, leaving her feeling restless and uncertain.

"Do you recall Kavya di?" Tara inquired, choosing to delve into a memory that felt both safer and more distant.

Her eyes witnessed a fleeting sparkle before being shrouded by a trace of sorrow, yet her lips curved into a smile—a smile tinged with a melancholic aura. "Of course I remember her," she affirmed, gently setting aside the newspaper. "After all, she was my best friend's granddaughter."

Tara found herself intrigued by this newfound revelation. "Really? So, Kavya di was like a close family friend?" she inquired with an eager anticipation, her posture suddenly straightening as she leaned forward on the bed, her eyes brimming with curiosity.

Nani's eyes took on a playful glint as she corrected Tara's assumption. "Family friend?" A soft chuckle accompanied her words. "No, more like family itself. I considered her as my own granddaughter."

Tara, a picture of eagerness, showcased an image on her phone's screen—her lock screen picture. "Isn't that Kavya di? My memory is hazy since I was so young back then. I just remember hearing stories about how much I enjoyed playing with her."

Her nani accepted the phone, squinting slightly to inspect the image. Unexpectedly, laughter bubbled forth from her lips, much to Tara's astonishment. "That's not her, Tara," she chuckled, a gleam of amusement dancing in her eyes. "That's little Samarth."

"What?!" Tara snatched her phone back and glared at the image. As she observed more closely, the features did indeed start resembling her brother. "Why does he have such long hair then?" Tara's incredulity was evident. It was a revelation that her cherished possession was actually a picture of her brother, not Kavya, as she had assumed. She had identified the person in the photo as Kavya because she was the only sister she had heard of. Now, looking at her phone with a fresh perspective, she recognized that the other images of Kavya portrayed her with a short boyish haircut.

"He's wearing a wig in that photo, courtesy of Kavya," her nani explained with a chuckle. She continued, a hint of mischief in her voice, "Your mom and I even joked about arranging a marriage between your brother and Kavya!" The sound of her laughter filled the room, a reminder of the lighter moments shared between generations.

Tara found herself immersed in a whirlwind of new revelations and emotions. Why had none of this been shared with her before? If their families were as close as it seemed, why had she never crossed paths with anyone from her nani's cherished past?

"Wow, I had no idea their bond was so strong," Tara whispered, a tinge of melancholy lacing her words. The realization that she couldn't be part of these cherished moments cast a shadow upon her excitement.

"Yes, indeed," her grandma's gaze turned distant, as if she had momentarily traveled back in time. "They were inseparable, always playing, studying together, and don't even get me started on their Maggi obsession!"

Tara chuckled in response, imagining her brother squabbling over a bowl of instant noodles. It was amusing to think of, considering his current aversion to Maggi. It had somehow evolved into one of his "disliked" foods, if such a term could be applied.

"It's unfortunate that she's no longer with us," her grandma's tone shifted to a somber note. "If she were, I'd be preparing to officiate their union."

Tara felt that her grandma's words weren't directed at her; it was as though her nani was voicing her inner musings aloud, bringing them into tangible reality.

Watching her nani's demeanor shift, Tara was overcome by a wave of empathy. Kavya might have been a cherished memory, but she needed to help her nani move beyond the past. After all, Samarth now had a loving girlfriend in Niti.

Maybe she dislikes Niti because she still thinks about Kavya and bhai? If I tell her that Niti di was Kavya di's friend, will it make her feel any better?

Tara's mind raced as she contemplated her decision. She was certain that her nani wouldn't have favored any girl Samarth introduced to them. The internal debate continued as she wrestled with whether to divulge this newfound connection between Niti and Kavya.

"Nani, you might be officiating his knot sooner than you think," Tara blurted out.

Nani's attention snapped back to her, curiosity sparked by the unexpected statement. "What?" she questioned, her focus now fully on Tara.

Tara's excitement couldn't be contained. "Yes! Despite your reservations about Niti di, she was Kavya di's friend!" she exclaimed, enthusiasm evident in her voice.

But when her nani's response remained muted, Tara continued, her urgency growing. "I only found out yesterday! It surprised me too! Nani, won't you accept her? Bhai and Niti di are in love," she pleaded fervently, her words flowing without pause.

However, the silence that followed shattered Tara's hopes. Her nani's smile faded, her lips forming a thin line, eyebrows knitted together in anger. It was a sight Tara didn't expect nor wished to witness.

"Do not utter her name in my presence," her nani's tone turned icy, a glare accompanied her words.

"But—"

"No!" Nani's voice thundered. "It's because of that girl that my dear Kavya is no longer with us."

Nani's words cut deep. Tara struggled to comprehend the meaning behind them. The pieces didn't fit together; how could Niti be responsible for Kavya's tragic fate?

As Tara grappled with her shock, she saw her mother rushing towards them. She embraced Tara, shielding her teary face from any more distress.

She must have heard us...

"Ma," Tara's mother interjected firmly, her tone tinged with exasperation, "please, let's not linger on this. I've implored you countless times not to do this, and now you're doing it even in front of Tara?"

Without awaiting a reply, Tara's mother gently guided her out of the room, her touch conveying a mix of comfort and urgency. The door closed softly behind her, creating a temporary barrier against the turmoil that had stirred within the confines of the room.

As Tara waited for her mother to exit too, she spotted Samarth emerging from his room. His steps faltered upon encountering Tara's tear-stained face. Genuine concern etched his features as he inquired, "What's going on?" Tara could only offer a sniffled response, her emotions still running rampant.

Samarth closed the gap between them, his voice tinged with worry as he repeated his question, "Tara, what's wrong?"

Before Tara could respond, a resounding crash echoed from the room they had just left. Both siblings startled, their gazes zeroing in on the source of the commotion. The door swung open, revealing their mother, her frustration evident in her demeanor as she surveyed the room's disarray.

Tara's eyes fixated on a broken vase, a visual representation of the upheaval that had unfolded within. Meanwhile, her nani lay safely cocooned in her bed, her lips moving in unintelligible whispers, a poignant image that spoke of both vulnerability and strength.

Mrs. Verma heaved a sigh, her gaze shifting between Tara and her brother. Weariness and determination mingled in her expression.

"Tara, go get yourself ready," her voice carried a reassuring undertone, a reminder that amidst the chaos, a sense of normalcy still beckoned. "Samarth," her tone turned resolute, "come with me. We need to have a conversation about Niti."

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A/N

We are back to present! What do you think Samarth's mom is going to say about Niti? Will she tell him to break up?

Let me know in the comments!

Do not forget to vote and share if you like my story!

Cheers!
~Aeon