Maya's flight landed on Mumbai exactly at five. Taking a taxi to her home, she breathed Mumbai' s fresh air through her nostrils. 

Tired to hell , Maya just wanted to sleep but not before meeting her sister. The door was opened for her by the househelp.

Maya barged into Masha's room , she knew her sister never locked the door. As expected, Masha was reading a book on the reclining sofa. Masha was delighted to meet her sister after a whole week. Both sisters jumped to each other's arm and held each other  tight.

Masha wanted to talk to her sister, know what all she did in Goa , but then a look at her sister, and she knew Maya was exhausted. 

Maya gifted Masha with the books that she had bought for her from Goa. She delightly took the gift in her hand and started going through it.

Maya opened the door to her room and, right away, slept off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Masha and Mrs Sarayya, we're in the kitchen,  preparing dinner together.  Mrs Sarayya preferred making dinner for her family and wouldn't let househelper's help her. And Masha would help her with the chopping and other works. Sometimes,  Masha, too, would cook . Masha loved cooking , just the way she loved reading.  And what the world can't fix can be fixed if you work along with your mother.  She'd prefer talking to Mrs Sarayya while cooking, and Mrs Sarayya preferred Masha in the kitchen helping her. 

Masha knew her mother would start talking about the alliance as soon as Maya steps in for dinner. In order to avoid verbal conflicts , she said, " Maa , apne ne khana khane ke baad Maya se baat karna."

"Why?"  Narrowing her eyes , Mrs Sarayya asked her youngest daughter. 

Putting the chopped vegetables into the fry pan , Masha replied , " She would be , of course,  angry. Phir aap dono ladenge. Then you'll,  in case you get no comebacks ,walk away,  leaving the food. Woh dekh ke , aapke peeche Papa bhi nikal jayenge. Maya ne bhi gusse mei plate feke jana.  Ab in all this situation,  Mai khana nahi kaa pavungi. Isliye. "

Mrs Sarayya was shocked listening to Masha , though what  she said was the truth, but how can a mother accept it. Instead, she said,  " Would you prefer a slap or food?"

Chuckling,  Masha dashed out of the kitchen to let the other members know that it's time for dinner. 

" Maya , how was the trip?"

Mr Jagdeer asked his elder daughter,  whom he was meeting after a whole week. 

" Acha tha Dad, Goa is a beauty. Beautiful people and food. Seashore mei tha hotel."

" Haan woh toh dikh rhi hai , kitni patli ho gayi hai , ek hafte mei hi ."

" Mumma yaar."

" Don't mumma me , khana toh tum khati nahi ho , kabhi gym trainer mana karte hai ya phir dieting. "

" Acha, Acha, thik hai. Sarayya Ji , dieting waise aap bhi karti hai."

" Aap chup chap khana kha lijiye. "

Giggling Masha said , " Haan papa , apne thik kaha."

" Papa ki chamchi ne toh unki hi support karna haina.  "

" Arey, Sarayya ji,  bachi ko kuch mat boliye. Waise bhi woh zyada bolti nahi hai, aur jab bolti hai , apne use chup kara deti hai. "

" Papa meine apko support kiya and you're making fun of me. This isn't funny. "

" Acha , bass , sab khana khao chup chap."

After the dinner , Sharma family, like every assembled in the garden where they often sat discussing on various topics.

Mrs Sarayya served everyone with a cup of turmeric milk and sat next to her husband. She wanted to talk to Maya , so she elbowed her husband to stop talking.  Mr Jagdeer,  in turn,  looked at her and then again turned to Maya , as they were talking about marketing strategies and business. 

Masha was the only listener among the four , she'd listen, but never talk as she didn't really understand business, and neither marketing.  Though her work required marketing strategy,  she'd reach  to her father or her sister.  Mrs Sarayya always talked about her student's shenanigans , which, too, yield no impression in Masha.

Masha was like always observing her family , her father's mannerisms while speaking , her sister's nonchalant replies, and her poor mother's failed attempts to get their attention.

That brought a huge smile on her face, Masha has an unexpressive face, not stoic, but gloomy. There were times when everyone thought she's rude and arrogant due to her presence. Little did that affect her , she never bothered to make friends, neither colleagues. 

" Aap dono ek min chup rahenge toh , I wanna say something. " At last, Mrs Sarayya said and waited them to give her full attention. 

" Bataye."

" We've good news." Mrs Sarayya looked at her husband and then informed her daughters.  Mr Jagdeer almost spitted his milk and started coughing.  Maya was baffled, and Masha laughed out loudly. 

Once Mr Jagdeer settled down,  he chided,
 "What are you even saying,  Sarayya?"

" Haan, toh pura sunein na."

Mrs Sarayya,  with her cute antics , shushed her husband and then turned towards her oldest daughter and said, " Maya, ek alliance aaya hai apke liye. From a very renowned family , acha padha likha hai...."

" Wait a minute, Mom, I'm not ready. "

Getting up from her seat , Maya announced and almost left the room when she was reckoned by Mr Jagdeer,  " Maya , sit and listen. "

" Dad, I'm not ready. That's my answer."

Masha remained silent,  for she surely knew , indulging herself would backfire.  Masha hated the heated arguments and shoutings. 

Mr Jagdeer tried  pacifying his daughter,  "Maya , walking out never solves any issue. Beito , baat karte hai. "

" Kya baat karna, I'm not ready to marry that renowned family ka ladla. "

" Wait , Maya,  you know nothing about him , so don't speak rubbish. "

Maya controlled herself and sat down with huffing. 

" Maya , you're 27, and we want to see you settled.  You've achieved everything,  making us proud. Ab ek baat keh rhe toh sunlo , not saying that you should marry him right away.  Ek baar mil lo , baat karke dekhlo."

Hesitating,  Maya blurted,  " I love someone."

Mr and Mrs Jagdeer shared  a glance, and Mr Jagdeer said, " Okay. "

" Dad , seriously ."

" Aap kisiko pasand karte hai, and it's totally fine.  I want to meet him , abhi marriage ki koi plans nahi hai toh bhi I want to meet the boy and his family."

" His family,  they kind of don't know. "

" Mayu , mera bacha koi baat nahi , aap baat karle."  Mrs Sarayya declared , she can't accept, but she tried to reason.

When Maya and Masha bid them and went to their known rooms. Leaving Mr Jagdeer in a dilemma and Mrs Sarayya disheartened and disappointed.

To be continued.......