CHAPTER TWO

                  I shake off my thoughts and walk out of the room with my luggage, " Good morning, Momi!" I kiss her cheek and sit next to my brother. Momi bends down and kisses my head. She's the best mother in the world, " Good morning dad, Haughty brother. " I smile. 

       Momi serves me my breakfast and I stare at it with a little frown. It's my sleeping time, not eating. 

      " Morning, Rani, " My dad chuckles. 

      Raj glares at me and then frowns, " Just brother is enough, " He rolls the Paratha and gets on his feet, " I'm waiting outside, little sister. "

     " Huh!" I snorted. 

     "I'm three years older than you," I hear him in his merry tone. 

     I'm twenty-one, the youngest among them. My parents laugh. I love my family. My parents love us and they didn't raise their hand on us. Abruptly, I yawn still staring at my plate. 

     " Your this habit. " Momi stares at me, " Take a nap in the car." She says and puts a glass of chocolate milk on the table. 

      " You know. I can't sleep properly with blowing horns, sudden brakes, the smell of petrol and diesel. '' I pout and blink at her. 

      My dad laughs again, " My princess! Soon someone will come and take you to his kingdom. " I heard it a lot when I was a little girl. Whenever my father says this to me, I see a strange kind of sadness in his eyes. I couldn't decipher it. It was the old days when he raised his hand on my mother, but he does not do it now and I'm glad. He didn't do it after they found my brother looking at them. 

     Fighting! 

     My mother rubs her hand on the back of his meaty hand, " She'll be happy after her marriage." She assures dad with her beautiful smile. 

     " She will, " Dad holds my mother' hand and glances at her with love in his eyes. 

      They really confuse me when they show love to each other. I can't see hatred anymore in her eyes. I can't understand this bond. 

     I pretend to cough, " I'll be going, Momi." I say as I get on my feet. I didn't touch the glass. 

     " Rani, stop! " Dad says. 

     I stop my hands near the handle of the bag and look at the most beautiful couple. I smile. Momi rushes into the kitchen. 

      She comes back with a black sipper in her hand. She pours the chocolate milk in it and tightens the lid. She extends her hand toward me, " Ain't you coming? " I ask them. 

      " Right behind you, " Dad smiles. 

      I grab the sipper from Momi. Giving them a final nod, I walk out of the room. I stop in the doorway. I glance at them. I always wanna see them happy, no matter what. My dad is forty-seven years old, tall and fit. His hair is dark and brown eyes with a sharp jawline. He's handsome. My mother is forty-three years old. She got married when she was eighteen. Her dark brown hair is very long, her skin is white, hazel eyes, slim and fit body. She's beautiful, so beautiful. They have maintained themselves very well. 

      I still can't believe Sim is going to marry and she's so glad about her arranged marriage. Whatever it is. If she's happy then all settled, I'm happy. But I don't see myself in her shoes. 

            

      I gaze around, the street lamps are making everything visible. The pitch-black sky is gleaming with half moonlight and stars. The insects are making noise in the dark, making it a bit spooky. I feel goosebumps on my skin as this time of night is cool. 

      I spotted the white Toyota Innova Crysta from afar. Money and Raj are standing out of the car. Money is Sim's brother. Both look like brothers, with the same height, lean but muscular body. 

     I saunter toward it. The door was already opened. I look at them. They are looking fresh, not lazy like me," Hey! Morning siss! " I say with a smile and hand my luggage to Money. I peep in the car in befuddlement. Sim always sits in the back seat with Sas or Saavi. 

      My eyes meet Sas and Saavi, " Morning! Shelly, " Sas returns it with the same fervour. 

      Saavi smiles ear to ear, " You look pretty, " She says with a full smile. 

      These both angels always make me feel special. I love them and I can die for them, " Thank you, Saavi," I smile. 

      " Morning sis! No brothers? " Money complaints as he gets in the driver seat after putting my luggage in the second car. 

      Raj and Money both are staring at me in amusement. I roll my eyes. I'm the youngest one so they think it's their right to pull my leg, " Morning brothers! " I say. Instantly, I turn to face Sas. I don't wanna make any of them uncomfortable because of me, " We can exchange seats. " I say to Sas. 

      She gives me a disbelief look, " And leave you behind to vomit and suffocate." Sas shakes her head and thins her pink lips. 

       Saavi stretches her legs on the long seat and pulls herself down, straightening her back on the seat. She adjusts the small round pillow under her head, " I'm going to sleep. Brothers, drive carefully. I don't want your bad driving skill to break my sleep. " Saavi says and stretches her legs again in the air. 

       "Same words from me too," Sas stretches her legs too. Her legs touch Saavi's feet. Saavi doesn't mind.

       Money turns the keys and drives the car out of the property. The Guard closes the door behind us as we cross the iron gate. 

       I lean against the window and avert my eyes from Sas and Saavi. Sim didn't try to make any talk to me. At least, this wedding would free her from her jealousy. 

       From me! If I'm not wrong. 

      Putting my thinking aside, I close my eyes. I recall my mother and father's faces. It fills me with peace. I know I'm not going to sleep, but it will trouble me later. I'm gonna feel lazy until I complete my sleep.