Juli had given up all hope of reuniting with Jude. She had buried her memories of the sunny, rainy, and funny days spent with him deep in her heart. It was tough, but she knew it was necessary for her future. After earning her law degree, she considered seeking good job opportunities. Her father wanted her to follow in his footsteps and start practicing, but her procrastination held her back. The sight of her father in his intimidating black gown sent shivers down her spine. She felt the need to take a break from studies and work. Despite being like any other girl her age, she was determined to pursue her interests in cooking, gardening, and homemaking. However, she understood that her destiny and luck would play a significant role. While her parents were subtly concerned about her marriage, she was focused on her path.
Juli and Jude started as schoolmates and gradually developed a strong friendship that eventually turned into infatuation and then love. They had a great time playing together and, despite their fair share of squabbles, they made many fond memories at school. Both of them excelled in their studies. It was only after completing their schooling that they realized they were sincerely in love with each other. Jude had moved to another city for his higher education, and they managed to maintain a long-distance relationship during that time. However, when the time came, Juli's parents objected to their relationship, as they had only ever seen Jude as her classmate.
Juli sat by the jarred window, savoring the gentle, cool breeze that followed an unexpected drizzle after hours of sunshine. A vibrant, seven-colored rainbow adorned the turquoise-blue sky, a delightful sight as birds returned to their nests. The fallen dry leaves from the trees announced the arrival of spring with a conscious rustle. Children, captivated by the rare sight, ran about joyfully. The rainbow, a heavenly spectacle to them, brought a radiant smile to Juli's face as she reminisced about her pampered childhood, being the youngest in the family.
She loitered in the lap of nature with her friends. Sorrows and sufferings were far away from her. Jasmine also proved a loving sibling to her. She took care of her all the time. Jasmine was the wiser of the two. She protected her wherever she could. Once, Jasmine got annoyed with her extremity. She returned home crying from school. Her grandparents seemed worried, especially her grandmother.
Grandma pulled her spectacles from her eyes to scream, "What has come upon you, my child? Why are you crying at the top of your voice?"
The child didn't stop weeping. Granny appeared curious to see the sobbing child.
She stood up from her cot, adjusting her glasses upon her eyes, "Jasmine, stop my child. Won't you tell your granny why are you crying? What happened in school? Where is your little sister? Don't make me nervous at this age. I would die out of anxiety."
Jasmine looked around in search of her father. She was in no mood to answer the string of questions woven by her granny. She wiped her tears with her hands and sobbed more, gathering the whole house into one room, but Juli was nowhere to be seen. Stella couldn't contain her silence.
She screamed, "Stop creating a scene. First, tell me where Juli is?"
That was enough to frighten poor Jasmine. She walked slowly towards the corridor and ran out of the main door. After a few seconds, she was seen taking her sister, catching her hand. Juli was also teary-eyed. Her face was red as a tomato, the same as that of Jasmine. Stella guessed they might have had their share of a fight, but if that was the case they might have noisily complained about each other's fault. The level of anxiety grew to proximity. Granny enveloped both the children in her arms as they came closer. As usual, George took the matter into his own hands.
He summoned Jasmine, "Jasmine, come here my child."
Jasmine loosened the grip of Granny and reached for her father's embrace.
She opened her mouth to speak, "Father, I don't want to go to school with Juli."
George coaxed her, "But why my child?"
When she realized all eyes were upon her, she declared in a clear voice, "Your little daughter sleeps throughout her lessons and her teachers call me to complain. I feel ashamed of her deeds. Tell her if she goes to school to sleep, I will not accompany her to school."
Silence prevailed for a while in this tense atmosphere. Granny and Mom tried to control their subdued laughter. They knew this was not the perfect time to burst out. Juli hugged her granny tightly hiding her face. The case needed to be resolved. It was the right time to call the accused.
He gently freed Juli from Granny's lap and held her in his arms. He rubbed her eyes, plucking a kiss onto her cheeks.
He maintained his calm by saying, "Is it true what your sister says?"
Jasmine showed resentment, "Yes Father I am not wrong."
Juli maintained her solitude, she had nothing to speak.
Granny consoled them, "Your teachers are at fault. They should talk to their parents. Why trouble poor souls? She might be getting bored with the lessons. That is why she sleeps often. Wait, I will talk to her teachers tomorrow. Don't worry children, your granny is here to make you happy. Their eyes are bleeding due to excessive crying about a silly matter. Stop!!"
George made Juli sit on his lap to explain,"I will ask you a question. Please answer me correctly without any hesitation. Why do we send you to school?"
Juli turned her face towards her sister expecting an answer. As soon as Jasmine began to speak, George interrupted, "This question is for Juli only, Jasmine, please keep quiet. Now, Juli, tell me, why do I send you to school?"
Juli understood what his father meant by the query. She preferred to remain silent, but there was no escape. She was facing a grave insult, and it was high time to offer her voice. She stared at her beloved grandmother to get her attention. She found that everyone was staring at her. It was an opportune moment to prove herself. She spoke very slowly, "Father to study."
George was satisfied, but he probed further, "You know well that you go to school to study. Then.... Why do you sleep in your classroom?"
Juli was clueless. She thought for a while and made an answer, "Father, I feel sleepy in school, that's why I sleep, but I don't sleep every day. Some days I am unable to control myself from sleeping, and you know Jasmine hit me on my back."
Jasmine turned her sharp eyes in anticipation of some more allegations. She found that her sister was ready to open her mouth.
Before Juli could charge her she announced,"Father, she is telling a lie. I pulled her ears very slowly without hurting her. I gave her a warning when she hit me, but she never listened to me. Trust me, father. I am not lying."
Grandmother placed her palm on her parched lips to utter, "George, leave them alone. They will not understand. Let them alone, they will be one again. Tomorrow you will go to her school to talk about it. Children should not get involved in all this."
Jasmine felt contented. Juli thought it was the rest of it all. Stella returned to her kitchen to serve them lunch but Grorge seemed dissatisfied. He was in the mood to give a long lecture to his girls just like his legal case. He made them sit patiently on the bed and sat in front of them. Granny retired to her room to help Grandpa with his food.