I served chai for Maa before sitting beside her on the couch.

"Bhairav nikalte waqt itni jaldi mei kyu tha?" She asked me.

(Why's Bhairav in such a hurry to leave?)

I fidgeted with the end of my pallu, "Ji woh bol rahe the ki ab bhi bahut kaam hai..."

(Ji, he was saying he had a lot of work pending...)

And I was the reason he couldn't work last night.

"Par raat bhar woh kaam kar raha tha, hai na?"

(But he was working the entire night, right?)

I coughed, and Aradhya almost smiled to herself. She was there while I was scolding Bhairav Ji in the morning for leaving too early. "Raat bhi kaam karne nahi diya, aur subah bhi nahi dogi?" My husband had muttered in annoyance.

(You didn't let me get any work done last night, and now you won't let me work in the morning either?)

"Um... W-woh kal raat ko jaldi so gaye..."

Maa hummed, "Chunaav ke karan mere bete ko ek pal ki chein nahi hai. Aaj mandir mei jaakar uske liye puja karni hai, theek hai?"

(Because of the elections, my son barely has any peace. Today you have to go to the temple and do a puja for him, okay?)

"Ji Maa," I nodded.

(Okay Maa.)

The maids brought the children to me soon after. I had already fed them, and my little troublemakers were absolutely lively in the morning. Even Saarang was excited as he ran outside to play with the kids in the neighborhood.

"Kya keh rahi hai?" Aradhya hissed in surprise when I told her about the birth control pills that Bhairav Ji had gotten me.

(What are you saying?)

"Woh admi bilkul pagal ho gaye hai..." I muttered to myself.

(That man has gone insane...)

Raghav, who was on my lap, immediately reached for my face and began talking in his baby gibberish, making Aradhya laugh, "Raghu toh apne Baba ke saath hai!"

(Raghu is on his Father's side.)

"Baba?" Janaki looked up from her toys as soon as he was mentioned. She had learnt to say his name far before Raghu.

Sometimes I couldn't understand how the children adored him so much. The man was barely home. And even when he was, he'd sit in his armchair and listen to music, or he'd be working. I had rarely seen him play with the kids. At most, he'd let them sleep on his chest while he lounged on the armchair. Late nights when the kids refused to sleep, he'd carry them on the balcony and hum the songs he loved.

"Jeth Ji toh sirf tumhare liye pagal hai," Aradhya chuckled, "Aur bache, unke liye."

(Jeth Ji is crazy about you... And the kids, about him.)

My cheeks burned as I glared at her, "Tum kabhi nahi samajh paogi kyunki Bhargav toh tumhari har baat maanta hai."

(You'll never be able to understand because Bhargav always listens to everything you say.)

She smiled to herself while caressing Janu's hair, "Aisa mat bolo... Woh bahut pyare hai..."

(Don't say that... He's really sweet...)

"Aradhya!" I groaned. It always disgusted me when she talked like that about Bhargav.

Even my nonchalant husband had complained to me about them. The couple blushed whenever talking to each other. Bhargav got her flowers almost regularly, and he was often distracted at work while daydreaming about his wife.

I had fought with Bhairav Ji once because of them. He thought they were disgusting only because he didn't know the ABCs of romance. I, on the other hand, thought the same because it made me jealous.

Besides... The Bhargav I knew had never been sweet like this. At school, he'd pick fights to prove that he was stronger, when in reality, he was very dumb. He had always been the reckless, impulsive one. But considering Aradhya's innocent and kind personality, she truly loved him for what he was.

Maa cleared her throat, startling us. She had a warm smile on her face as she scooped Janaki into her arms and kissed my daughter's face. "Yeh ghar bachchon ki hansi se kitna roshan ho gaya hai..."

(The house has become so lively because of the children.)

Tears damped her eyes, "Bas... kaash Bhairav ke pitaji bhi hote. Unke aankhon mein yeh sab dekhne ki kitni ichchha thi... Par kismat ko shayad yeh manzoor nahi tha."

(I wish... If Bhairav's father were alive. He longed so much to witness all this... but it seems destiny had other plans.)

I gave her a pained smile. Raghu tried to crawl onto his grandma's lap, and she hugged him before turning to Aradhya, "Bahu dekho... Bache hi parivar ko poore karte hain. Amma ka tabiyat kharaab hoti jaa rahi hai. Har din puchti hai mujhse, Bhargav aur tumhare beech sab kuch theek hai ki nahi..."

(Bahu, look... It's children that make a family whole. Amma's health is deteriorating. Every day she asks me whether things are alright between you and Bhargav...)

Aradhya's cheeks burned, and I was holding back my laugh. It felt like yesterday when Maa and Dadi had tried to talk to me in the same manner. Now it was my turn to tease the new bride.

"J-Ji Maa... Sab theek hai..." she looked away.

(Y-yes Maa... Everything is fine...)

"Kuch zyada hi theek hai," I giggled, "Humare devar toh bilkul diwane hai iske karan. Aapko toh pata hoga Maa... Shaadi ke pehle hi Bhargav Bhaiya iske liye kya kya karta tha!"

(A little too fine. My devar is completely head over heels for her. You probably remember everything Bhargav Bhaiya had done for her before they got married!)

Maa laughed at my words, and Aradhya's embarrassment only deepened as she squeezed the fabric of her sari, "K-kya karta tha...?" She whispered.

(Wh-what did he do?)

I smiled, "Humse bina bataye sheher se tumhare ghar seedha pahunch jaata, aam ya seb dene ke bahane."

(He went to your home directly from the city without informing any of us, under the excuse of giving you mangoes or apples.)

"Tumhare liye Bhairav se ladai bhi hui hai," Maa sighed.

(He fought with Bhairav for your sake.)

Aradhya gasped, "Aap sach keh rahe hai?!"

(Are you serious?!)

"Jhooth kyun bolun? Shaadi ke baad mere dono beton ko na jaane kya ho gaya hai... Bhagwan jaane ki tum ladkiyo ne unpar kaisi jadoo ki hai."

(Why should I lie? God knows what has happened to my boys after getting married... You girls have bewitched them somehow.)

I blinked at her innocently, "Maine kya kiya, Maa Ji?"

(What did I do, Maa Ji?)

"Kya nahi kiya?" She smiled and squeezed my chin. I didn't understand what she meant, but Aradhya was giggling.

(What have you not done?)

"Ab jao, dopahar ka khaana banana hai, aur Dadi ki davai bhi dekar aao beta."

(Now go on, lunch has to be made, and Dadi needs her medicine as well.)

"Ji."

Aradhya and I resumed our chores. Dadi's health had been deteriorating for the past few months, and it also put her in quite a temper. Thus, it was I who often gave her the medicines, as I was used to her scolding. Even if Bhairav Ji didn't eat his breakfast or left home early, it was my fault. She scolded me for not taking care of the kids properly as well, and also because the chai felt tasteless. If the chai had been truly tasteless, my husband would have been the first to complain.

While I was busy in the kitchen, the children got into a fight and began kicking and pulling each other's hair. I had to break them apart while trying to stop them from crying.

"Raghu!" I smacked my son's hand when he raised it to hit his sister. Jaanu screamed and cried before he even touched her. At least now they were babies, and I could physically overpower them... But what happens after they grow a little older?

I'd have no peace whatsoever.

"Thakurain Ji," a maid came into the kitchen with her eyes lowered, "Mehmaan aaye hai. Maa aapko bula rahe hai."

(Thakurain Ji, guests are here. Maa is calling you.)

"Mehmaan? Bina bataye?" I frowned, "Theek hai. Tum log rasoi ko sambhalo, mai bacho ke saath jaati hu."

(Guests? Okay. Take care of things in the kitchen, I'll take the kids with me.)

I lifted both Jaanu and Raghu in my arms, but at the very moment, my daughter lunged at her brother and tried to pull his tongue. Aradhya was quick to my rescue as she took Raghu with her. Janaki was far more atrocious than her brother, but she always cried louder than he did when scolded.

After fixing my veil, I went out to the verandah to find Maa talking with Payal and Jagdish. I froze in my tracks. It had been ages since I saw the girl properly like this. She looked worse than before, while Jagdish was quite cheerful about something. Her eyes were even more hollow than before, and she looked at me for a brief few seconds before turning away.

"Ah, Thakurain Ji, namaste!" Jagdish almost had a mocking smile on his face as he looked at me, "Abhi abhi Thakur Ji se milkar aa raha hu... Keshav ko unke daftar chod aaya tha. Bache bilkul unpar gaye hai!"

(Ah, Thakurain Ji, Namaste! I'm just returning after meeting the Thakur Ji... I dropped Keshav off at his office. The children are his carbon copy!)

I feigned a smile at his words. Maa didn't know about the malice he held towards our family because his parents were our friendly neighbors. He could lie so smoothly in front of her.

"Khair, ab bahut der ho rahi hai Bua Ji. Mai chalta hu. Mehmaan ki tarah math socho," he said, squeezing Payal's shoulder, "Apni bahu ki tarah hi hai."

(Anyway, it's getting late now, Bua Ji. I'm leaving. There's no need to consider her like a guest; she's like your daughter-in-law.)

Maa smiled before turning to me, "Beta ise andar le jao."

(Beta, take her inside.)

I nodded, and Payal quietly followed Aradhya and me inside. The inner courtyard was a peaceful place. Usually, it was the spot where Aradhya and I talked for hours without anyone disturbing us, but now it seemed like Payal needed the safe place the most.

The little pool of water caught her attention, and I smiled at her, "Bahut se chote machli hai andar, dekh lo."

(There are a lot of little fish in the pool.)

She nodded quietly and sat beside the pool before watching the fish. I pulled Aradhya aside, "Bacho ke saath yahi baitho. Mai naukaraniyo se bolkar aati hu."

(Sit here with the kids. I'll be back after informing the maids.)

"Par... Yeh ladki hai kaun?" She whispered in confusion.

(But... Who is this girl?)

I glanced at Payal, who seemed to be lost in her own thoughts, "Us barrister ko yaad hai? Jisne humari madad ki thi bazaar mei... Unki behen hai. Jagdish se shaadi ki hai, aur woh yahi pados mei rehti hai."

(Do you remember that barrister? The one who helped us that day in the market... She's his younger sister. Jagdish is her husband, and they live in the neighborhood.)

Aradhya's brows raised in surprise. Despite Payal being the only other girl in the neighbourhood our age, she had never been seen outside. It was a mystery for Aradhya. But now wasn't the time to explain everything. I asked the maids to bring us water and sweets before returning to the girls. To my surprise, Aradhya was talking sweetly to Payal.

"Aapke Bhai ne humari bahut madad ki hai, shukriya," She smiled.

(Your brother has helped us a lot, thank you.)

Payal was quiet as she stared at Aradhya. Her eyes glanced my way briefly. I could see the torment in them, but I didn't know how to help her anymore.

"Humare Bhai toh sabka seva karte hai... Par... Apno ka nahi karte."

(My brother helps everyone out... Except his own blood.)

Her words honestly broke me. Aradhya looked very much confused as Payal moved away and dipped her alta-painted feet in the water. When I sat down beside her, the children fought with each other to crawl onto my lap.

"Sasur wale sabhi ek shaadi mei gaye hai, aur Jagdish ko sheher mei zaroori kaam hai, isliye mujhe yaha chod aaya. Aapko dikkat dene ke liye maafi chahti hu," she mumbled without meeting my eyes, "Unhe dar hai ki agar mujhe akele chod diya toh mai apni jaan le lungi."

(My in-laws have gone to a wedding, and Jagdish had some important work in the city, that's why I'm here. I'm sorry for inconveniencing you. He's scared that if I'm left alone, I might attempt suicide.)

I sighed, "Kaise baate karti ho? Kitni bhi der chahe, yaha ruk sakti ho humare saath."

(Don't talk nonsense. You can stay here with us for as long as you like.)

Payal didn't reply. Aradhya could sense the tension between us, but she didn't say anything. She distracted herself by playing with the children. It seemed like they had suddenly made up as Raghu hugged his sister and kissed her cheek. They could honestly make any difficult situation much lighter.

Janu suddenly left my arms and crawled towards the stranger. She stared at her with large, curious eyes before turning to me and shouting, "Maa! Maa! Lo!"

She pulled my hand before pointing at Payal, almost to show me that there was a new person among us. It made me laugh, and I could see the corners of Payal's mouth lifting up as well.

"Jagdish ne sahi kaha..." She mumbled, "Bache bilkul Thakur Ji par gaye hai."

(Jagdish was right)

I smiled at this. The maids brought sweets and buttermilk for Payal, and I compelled her to eat them even when she refused. Aradhya talked with her for a long time about her hometown and how the sweets had been sent by her uncle, who owned a dairy farm. It kept Payal entertained, but I couldn't help but notice the hollowness in her eyes.

Even though she smiled a little, she had dark bags under her eyes. The girl barely slept, and I noticed faint fingerprints on her throat that she kept covered with her dupatta. There was a bruise on the edge of her lips, and she looked much thinner than I remembered. Jagdish was definitely assaulting her.