Anamika and Ruhana are alone at home, and they are a little disheartened that their father isn’t home yet. He will take two more weeks to return home. But the girls plan to go out on Saturday and spend Sunday at home.

Anamika is super happy to learn the plan. She hugs Ruhana and runs to take a bath. Ruhana also gets ready, and they have their breakfast along with a chocolate milkshake for Anamika and a vanilla milkshake for Ruhana. Anamika looks happy, and Ruhana knows that it’s been a long time since they have gone out.

“Di, thank youuu!!!” Anamika hugs her, locking her hands around her waist.

“Kyun? Behen hoon na main teri! Behen ko kaun thank you bolta hain?” Ruhana slaps Anamika’s head lightly.

“Main bolti hoon na! Aap hi kehti ho na main aapka unique and antique piece hoon. Toh main toh wahi karungi jo mujhe acha lagega. You cannot change it!” Anamika smirks at Ruhana.

“Chal chal! Ab zyada baatein na bana tu! Bol kya chahiye?” Ruhana looks at her baby sister.

“Main soch rahi thi ki hum pehle shopping karenge, fir lunch karenge, aur fir beach pe jayenge. Aur derr tak beach pe rukenge. Okay?” She confirms the plan.

“Han han! Jayenge. Ab jaldi kar, nai toh bheed ho jayegi fir tu pareshan karegi.” Ruhana says softly.

“Han han chalo! Late nai hona mujhe! Chalo!” Anamika almost pulls Ruhana with her.

They lock the house and leave for their shopping spree. Anamika is quite excited, and Ruhana is happy to see her sister’s happy face. Ever since they lost their mother, Ruhana has been protecting her little sister. Anamika respects Ruhana, and for her, everything that Ruhana says is final. She won’t look at her dad for approval. Their dad, Jayant, is quite content with it. He knows that these two girls will be available for each other, and they will take care of each other.

And they have indeed been the examples of ideal sisters.

*****
The sisters reach Serenity Plaza Mall. It’s their favourite place to go. This mall has a cineplex and a food court. The mall is home to branded shops. As soon as they step into the mall, Anamika pulls her sister towards the Lifestyle store. Whenever they visit this mall, they always buy something or the other from this store.

“Di, mujhe night dress lena hain. Chalo naa! You promised me!” Anamika says softly.

“Han,han! Chal rahe hain. Tu aaram se chal!” Ruhana says trying to calm her sister.

“Nai Di, jaldi chalo. Weekend hain toh abhi bheed ho jayegi. Jaldi chalo.” Anamika says, pulling her sister along with her.

Ruhana follows her and they begin to roam around in the shop. Anamika picks a few crop tops and a night dress. On the other hand, Ruhana is looking for kurtis as she likes. Picking up her things, Anamika runs to her sister and smiles cutely. Ruhana smiles, she knows, it’s mandatory to buy whatever her sister picks up. They move to the billing counter and luckily, there are only two people before her. Anamika runs out of the shop leaving Ruhana at the billing counter.

Fifteen minutes later, Ruhana takes the bags and moves out of the showroom. She finds Anamika outside a toy shop that’s adjacent to the Lifestyle shop. She points at a twin teddy bear set inside the shop.

“Tujhe ab teddy chahiye? Kya karegi?” Ruhana asks.

“Haan! Kyunki aap office jaati ho, main kya karungi akele akele? Mujhe  teddy chahiye.” Anamika says babyishly.

“Dad leke aayenge naa! Yahan kyun chahiye?” Ruhana reminds her as she demands an imported teddy bear.

“Wo papa laayenge. Abhi toh aapko dilana hain. Aur aap toh dilaate rehte ho na!” She says cutely.

“Toh is baar tu mujhe dilaa! Main kyun dilaun hamesha?” Ruhana says, gazing at her.

“Wo twinning wala teddy hain, ek aapka, ek mera! See, I thought of you.” Anamika chuckles.

Ruhana smiles, she knows she can’t win over this girl. They head into the shop and buy the toy. Anamika chuckles with happiness. That’s her weekend treat. Whenever these two sisters go shopping, it’s obvious that Anamika earns such sweet treats as soft toys or dining treats. Seeing her sister happy, Ruhana is elated.

They head to the grocery store and Ruhana gets busy purchasing groceries, leaving Anamika with the bags. Time passes in a blur, it’s almost 1 p.m. and after finishing their shopping, the two sisters reach their favourite hotel – Hotel Rainbow. Anamika looks happy as she runs ahead into the hotel and grabs a corner seat. Ruhana follows her shortly and Anamika takes the opportunity to order for them.

They order a mix of Chinese and Indian cuisines. Anamika is the one who’s speaking while Ruhana is just listening. The former has many stories to narrate and the former loves to listen to her. Anamika is telling something about her college and her sister is listening to her with utmost interest.

Few minutes later, their order is served and as per her habit, Ruhana begins to serve the food on her sister’s plate while Anamika is watching her. She loves when her sister pampers her and loves her.

“Di, ek baat puchun?” Anamika asks.

“Kya hua? Itni formally kyun puch rahi hain?”Ruhana asks.

“Main aapko pareshan karti rehti hoon, lekin phir bhi aap itne pyaar se sab kuch manage kar leti ho. Aaj bhi aapko kaam tha, par aap mere sath ho. Why?” Anamika asks softly.

“Kyunki, that’s a promise I made to Mumma and Papa. And that’s what I love to do.” Ruhana replies smilingly.

“But you have your own life, Di. Kabhi kabhi mujhe lagta hain ki I am limiting you.” Anamika says.

“Nai, Anuu! Aisa nahi hain. Jo bhi main kar rahi hun, it’s for us. You’re my gift toh usko sambhalna bhi mujhe hi padega. Chal ab khana shuru kar.” Ruhana taps Anamika’s cheeks.

Anamika nods but says something that leaves Ruhana touched.

To Be Continued.

What did Anamika say?

Stay tuned.