I entered the house with numerous questions swirling in my mind. It was approximately 7 pm. I returned home late, aware that some close relatives and neighbors had arrived after hearing about the incident. However, some were still present.
"Ah, the bridegroom has arrived..."
"But, my dear Nanduta, if you harbored such a wish, you only needed to express it... It wasn't proper to call and fetch it, especially at this hour of study..."
These words were spoken by an aunt. I felt a wave of relief wash over me upon realizing that everyone assumed I had been summoned.
"Where have you been, Nanduta?"
My sister-in-law emerged from the room and inquired.
"Uncle, who hadn't seen you, has just come down."
I proceeded into the room, thinking everything was alright. As I stepped in, I found a cluster of girls. Aunty's daughter and several other girls were gathered around her, laughing and playing.
Seeing her smiling face triggered an inexplicable urge to react. What on earth was she pretending for so long...
"Is that your sweet boyfriend coming?" Aunt's daughter, Malu, asked upon seeing me in the room.
"My dear Nandu, this poor girl... How could you not console her? She was crying and crying for so long. Just now, she started to smile."
Although Malu is one year younger than me, she calls me by my name.
"Anyway, you won the lottery."
"Lottery... enough with your nonsense..."
"Why do you speak ill of me? What have I done?"
"My dear Malu, nothing. You go out. Take her with you..."
"Her? Which one?"
Malu inquired.
When she saw me, she jumped up and realized that I meant the same thing, and silently took Malu's hand and went out. Along with that mischievous group.
As if a wave of tranquility washed over me, I slowly reclined on the bed and dozed off.
To be continued...