" Come on don't stand in the sun....sit in the veranda. " she said spreading a mat for us in the veranda " Diya get some water for uncle and aunty..." she ordered one of her daughters. we sat in the veranda.
" where are the kids ? why are they not with you ? " she asked while passing the tray of water and gur to us [ its tradition here that they don't serve water without giving sweets with it. ]. " They are busy playing ....where is brother ? " asked Adrik looking around the house.
" He just had his lunch and went to buy some fertilizers for the fields. Mom and dad went in the neighbour house for some work. " she said and while she was talking a tall man entered the house. His face matches with Adrik but he looks little older...not handsome like adrik.
" Brother...sister in law ...its so nice to see you. " he said walking towards us. Adrik stood up to greet his brother. " Brother you're back. " said Adrik and I just gave a nod with a smile. " sister come inside let us sister talk....and let the brothers do their boring talking. " said my sister in law.
I nodded and came inside with her. The room we walked in is the kitchen. Her kitchen is well organised. She laid a mat for us to sit and we sat down awkwardly. " I brough some sweets for you all to eat. " I said her handing her the bag of sweets.
" Aww thats so sweet of you ...thank you. " she said taking the bag from me. " We didn't start our relation very sweety and with my mind ...I wasn't ready to be related with anyone but now that I know we are family ...I wanted to start with something sweet...hope you will forgive my past mistakes. " I told her , it was not me but still as elder daughter in law of the family she deserves an apology.
" Its okay...you never said any bad word to me or never did anything bad... why say sorry. I am just happy to see that you have finally settled in with your family . We are going to be good together. " she said and I already love her, so cute. " Thank you. " I told and from this moment things became much better.
" And that box contain yogurt for the little one. why should he be away from little joy. " I told her showing the little container. " But my baby only drinks milk..." she said with a smile. " But I thought your kid is ten months old....old enough to start solids. " I told her and her eyes opened like she learned something life changing.
" Kids of that age needs to eat solids , you mash up potatoes or fruits or vegetables and feed them along with milk...it will keep them full and they will not be picky eaters in future. I feed my arav solids and look how healthy he is...just make sure you paste the food well for the kid to swallow. " I told her and she nodded.
" Now that you said it....I will surely try that " she said with a cute smile. " Now lets serve the sweets to the people waiting outside ....I made some crunchy papar bowls ....lets make tea first. " I told her. we together made tea for the people sitting outside.
She poured tea and I placed the aloo puli in the papad bowl , two for elders and one for each child...that's how I have calculated it. she has four daughters and five sons....one too little to eat so four sons. she served adrik and his brother two puli and two cups of tea.
Than she started taking puli for the kids in four bowls she took two puli's and four other empty. so the girls get nothing ? How can I just sit watch her do that. " Bhabi I actually didn't make many...next time I will bring more but for now...give each kid one puli. " I told her and distributed the puli equally.
" The girls wouldn't mind to eat only the papad bowl..." she tried to explain. " I would mind...its for everyone not only for the boys. " I told her and distributed the sweet equally, the girls were very happy but the eldest was having hard time to eat with the baby in her lap. So I took the baby from her and fed it some yogurt while the eldest daughter of the family eat.
I am new and my family got separated so I shouldn't too much about her house rules or about her parenting. we talked about how naughty the boys were and time passed quickly. Our In laws came back after sometimes and I think its time to announce what we have planned. I signalled adrik and he started saying .
" we are here to invite all of you for a family dinner .....next Monday , its my eldest daughter purvi's birthday. we have decided to celebrate it with family, a little dinner and I hope you all will be their to bless her. " said adrik and everyone in the family have different reaction. Some confused , some surprised ...no one happy.
" Its just your daughter ..why bother so much ? " said adrik's mother in taunting tone.
" Thats my daughter, the eldest daughter of the family , my sensible , beautiful daughter ....and I will celebrate her birthday , showing her that she was welcomed with open heart...not a burden ...." I told her calmly.
" we will be their....don't mind your mother.....we all will be their. " said my father in law . " Thank you father . " I said giving him a bow as respect. After that I didn't want to stay their any longer...so I made an excuse and came back home with adrik. All the way he was holding my hand which is new cause he is not a person who openly shows emotions.
As I entered the courtyard I saw my children's playing , purvi came running towards me as soon as she spotted me in the door. I opened my arms and pulled her in a hug. I am not saying my boys are bad...no they are very sweet and I love them like I love my daughter . But they are loved by their grand parents and other , where my daughter gets nothing.
Today I promise myself I will teach my daughter to respect others but also be someone who knows her worth , will educate her and let her decide about her life. And I will teach my boys to respect girls and make them better people. I will try to teach them everything I know , I will not let others harm my kids mentally or physically.