School got closed for the day as the Principal, teachers and staffs were questioned by the media. Ankita was happy to go home early. She was merrily skipping alongside her friends when suddenly, a familiar car came to her notice. As she doubtfully scrutinized it, an even more familiar figure stepped out. Squeals and murmurings erupted upon seeing the dashing figure walk up to Ankita.
Tanmoy ruffled his sister's hair and said, "Hello tiny tot. How're you?"
Ankita made an incoherent sound, expressing her annoyance towards his deed and began fixing her hair. Tanmoy smiled mischievously and ruffled it again. Ankita bit his palm.
"Ow! Are you a dog? Why are you biting me?" Tanmoy said, rubbing his hand.
Ankita snarled like an angry puppy, "That's what you get for ruining my hair,"
Tanmoy made a face at her and then, greeted her friends. Last time, he had heard that his sister had made friends with the boys from Antariksha, but seeing them so close as to walk home together was quite a surprise. After some bickering, Ankita bid farewell to her buddies and got inside the car.
Noticing Anulekha, she whispered in a teasing voice, "Is she your girlfriend?"
But Anulekha could still hear her, and secretly blushed at her question.
"No."
Tanmoy's bland response made Anulekha freeze.
She quickly hid her expression with a cough and tried to sound cheerful, "Ankita, hello. I'm your brother's assistant. You can call me Anulekha Di."
But her smile came out to be a little stiff.
"You know me?" Ankita said, surprised.
Anulekha nodded.
"Where do you want to eat?" Tanmoy asked Ankita.
"We're eating outside today?"
She excitedly straightened up and looked at him with sparkling eyes.
"Mhm," Tanmoy laughed.
"Then, let's go anywhere you want. I'm very hungry." Ankita rubbed her belly.
His eyes lowered to her abdomen where she was hit by Deepa. A chilly glint flashed passed his eyes and he clenched his jaws. Ankita did not notice the change in his expression and happily chatted with her new sister with whom she bonded instantly. Her bubble personality matched perfectly with Anulekha's gentle one. Reaching the restaurant, Ankita almost dragged Anulekha to their seats.
"Hey Anu, let's wait for Sir," Anulekha tugged her back.
"Leave the grumpy old man to himself. He knows my order. Let's chat in the meantime."
She was about to roll her eyes, when she suddenly spotted her brother smiling at her very sweetly from the payment counter.
Ankita panicked and corrected her words, "Ahem. I mean we should wait for my dashing, handsome, super cool brother."
Anulekha chuckled, seeing their interaction.
No sooner did their order arrive than Ankita started digging in. She was also talking at the same time and ended up choking.
Tanmoy scolded, "How many times do I have to tell you to not talk while eating?"
Although his voice sounded stern, his actions were the opposite. He gently rubbed her back with one hand and used the other to pick up a napkin and her wipe her face.
Once Ankita calmed down a little, he handed over a glass of water, "Drink two sips."
Ankita santched the glass and was about to down it all in one go when Tanmoy knocked her head.
"I said sip, not chug the glass down."
Not trusting his stupid sister anymore, he held the glass near her mouth, helping her drink. She coughed a couple more times and finally settled down. The rest of the meal went uneventful. Ankita ordered a few more dishes and even licked the plates clean.
Tanmoy made a face, "The restaurant owner pays their employees to clean the dishes. You don't have to shoulder that responsibility."
Ankita ignored his taunt. By the time she finished, Tanmoy could see his face reflecting on plates and bowls. He was speechless. Ankita took licking plates clean to a whole new level. From the side, Anulekha laughed.
"Wow. I've seen so many girls your age trying to avoid oily food to maintain their figure. You're different."
"Yup. I've got a big belly to fill and my mission is to eat till my brother is broke." Ankita said proudly.
She patted her tummy which was then bulging round from all the food she had stuffed in.
"My sister doesn't need to eat less to become beautiful. She can eat as much as she likes as long she likes. Whether she's fat or skinny doesn't matter as long as she is healthy." Tanmoy said caressing his sister's head.
Ankita gave a little burp, "Ah, Dada she was just joking. And what she said is true. Even my classmates do that. Anyways, I don't think I can get up anymore. Let's rest for a while and let me digest a little before we set off."
She loosened her skirt a bit and sprawled on the chair. Anulekha gave a forced smile. She did not expect Tanmoy to react that way.
Reaching home Ankita, walked like a penguin and plopped on the sofa.
"I'm sleeping here. Don't ask me to climb that Everest of a staircase now."
She passed out the moment she finished her sentence. Tanmoy looked at his sister and shook his head before heading to his room.
Anulekha called after him, "Uh... Sir, do you really not want to undertake any of the cases for the next two months?"
As she looked up at him enquiring, her face appeared even more gentle. Her doe-like eyes had soft sparkle in them, and a slight smile hung on the corner of her lips as usual.
Tanmoy paused for a moment and stared at her, then said, "I already told you in the car. Cancel them."
He began climbing up.
"Alright Sir, I'll inform them. Good bye, Sir. Take care."
Anulekha's melodious voice rang behind him. Tanmoy just waved his hand. Anulekha lowered her head and stood in place motionless, deep in thought. Then, she turned on her heels with a sigh. Just as she was about to step out of the door someone bumped into her. Anulekha staggered back and raised her eyebrows in surprise, seeing a middle aged woman, in business attire.
Composing herself she introduced, "...Hello Aunty. I'm Tanmoy Sir's assistant."
She had once seen pictures of Tanmoy's family members, when he was handling a case in Uttarakhand. From those photos, she recognised the woman before her to be his mother.
Mrs Dey nodded at her with a polite smile.
"Are you going home?" She asked.
Anulekha nodded, "Yes Aunty. Sir and I had lunch together with Ankita and I came to drop him off."
"Alright. Bye. Get home safe."
Mrs Dey moved out of her way. Anulekha smiled at her and walked out of the house. Crossing the gate, she swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat.