The room was filled with silence as the man treated Dhruv's wounds. Anaaya stayed out as she phased back and forth not knowing what to do. The silence and the foul mood was practically similar to the ones she used to feel at her house, the kind that made her feel like a stranger, like she do not belong there.
Dhruv noticed she was feeling awkward to walk in on them. He sneaked up from behind, startling her with a goofy grin on his face as he flicked her forehead making her pout at him. "What are you doing here? Let's go somewhere fun!" Before she gave her permission he dragged her off with a big grin plastered on his face. She was feeling thankful towards him for getting her out.
"This is the place where all the kids in the village gather to play."
They played in the mud for a long time. Anaaya was having a lot of fun than anyone else. For a moment there, it felt like all her worries and disappointments were thrown in the mud as she beat the hell out of it. Seeing her so enthusiastic the kids and Dhruv beat up the mud like she did until their clothes became dirty.
It was evening, the sun began to set. The mothers of the kids called them. They got an earful from their mothers, seeing them all covered in dirt from head to toe. Anaaya rubbed her nose being all awkward towards Dhruv as she cleared her throat and spoke in a low voice, "Friends?" She could feel her heart ringing on her ears as she blushed a little.
Dhruv had a mischievous smile on his lips as he teased her. "What did you say? I can't hear you. Haha."
A vein popped on her forehead seeing him tease her, "I said nothing!"
"No. I swear, I heard you say something. Say it again. Say it again, okay?" He pleaded with his cute puppy dog eyes. Anaaya grumbled at him as she continued to walk back to their hut.
Both Anaaya and Dhruv were greeted with the wonderful scent of boiling potatoes. With all the things that had happened, Anaaya's hunger was long forgotten. But when the smell of the boiling potatoes reached her nose, her stomach started growling. When she tried to reach the potatoes, the man slapped her hands away. She never would have imagined to be in such a situation before.
She looked at him with her puppy dog eyes on the verge of tears, "Mrs. Devi. I deeply apologize for being a picky eater. This guy here is not even allowing me to eat a potato!" Dhruv burst into laughter as he casually placed an arm over her shoulder, "Who is Mrs. Devi?"
"Someone you don't need to know of!" Anaaya glared at him as she pinched on his hand over her shoulder. The man looked at them as he sighed and spoke in a cold voice, "No potatoes for you both, unless you guys wash up!"
Dhruv whined at his brother, "Why me!?" But he stood firm by his word. "Just what have you been doing out there? No food unless you wash up!" He turned towards Anaaya suddenly, making her freeze on her spot while she tried to steal the potatoes. A vein popped up on his head as he glared at them both, "Charu, accompany her to the river nearby. Don't come back until she is squeaky clean."
"Shut up you neat freak! My potatoes!!!" Charu dragged her out giggling all the way by her hysteric expressions.
~~~~~~
"The water is freezing..."
"You will get used to it soon miss." Charu smiled at her sweetly as they both took a dip. Her body was covered in wounds, Anaaya wanted to ask but decided against it since it might be a sensitive subject to her. In any case, she was glad to see her doing okay. "You can call me Anaaya..."
"I am Charu. I haven't had the opportunity to thank you properly for your help earlier. Thank you Anaaya. You made me live a dream... Thank you." Charu's eyes were glistened with tears as she spoke her mind out to Anaaya.
The girls bonded well with each other. Charu told her how she got separated with her brothers, Dhruv and Bhaswar during a war. She told her it had been 5 years since she got kidnapped and sold as a slave. Anaaya told her how she doesn't belong there and how she seem to have come from the future. She knew that her situation doesn't make sense but it couldn't be helped since it had already happened.
Charu couldn't believe her at first but gradually she started trusting her. Anaaya was moved to tears by her trust. "It's indeed good to have a girl friend in this situation who could understand me..."
The girls dressed up in their new cotton saris. Anaaya chose the light green dyed one while Charu took the yellow dyed one. She helped Anaaya with her sari as she was absolutely not aware of how to wear it. She is a modern girl who never thought of wanting to try the traditional Indian wear. The girls had a good time together. Charu made sure Anaaya was squeaky clean just like Bhaswar said before they headed back.
~~~~~~
Anaaya happily munched on her potatoes the first thing upon their return. Bhaswar apologized to her that they don't have much to offer apart from a few potatoes.
"If I may ask, how much do you owe them Bhaswar?" Anaaya's question made him sigh in frustration, "I initially borrowed 20 silver coins from him. As days went by, he added a lot of interest and now he wants me to pay him 20 gold coins along with the 20 silver ones...."
"How about I give you the money to pay off your debt?" Anaaya's casual question made them doubtful.
"Hey! I am serious! I will help you with your debts and you take care of me while I am here. Not a bad deal right?"