At the southwest of the village, at the foot of the mountain, a small house was standing alone in an area enclosed by simple plants.
The house was small but cozy. The house has one master bedroom, one big hall that is having a bed, serving as second bedroom, a small Mandir*, and then there are two veranda, adjacent to the main door, serves as reception for any guests and the other veranda is at the right hand side, and is used as dining room, more like a partition used at the right hand side for two mud stove, there are dry firewoods stacked neatly. A water vessel, the rice grains and vegetables are on the other side of the very varenda, with the plates and other utensils.
It was night time, the surrounding was enveloped in a serene silence only the sound of cicadas buzzing and the crickets in the field was chirping gently. A site almost next to impossible to see in the bustling mainland cities even now, much less in the future.
A small figure can be seen sitting on a bag, in front of the main door and closing her eyes, as if to enjoy the fresh air and serenity.
She was thinking, since she got a second chance in life, she will fulfill all her regrets and strive to improve herself. It is still unknown why she was reborn, and from all the novels she had read, she at the very least know that there is no free lunch in the world. So, she had to improve and strengthen herself and protect her family before the reason for her rebirth comes knocking on her door, no matter good or not.
"Little sister come inside the house, I'm going to study now." a child's voice came from inside the hall room.
"Wait for me!!!" Snapped back by her big brother's reminder little cutie ran back to the room, after putting everything else to the back of her mind.
Upon entering, she joined her brother in studying.
Bankim was first taken aback by his little sister's sudden request of studying together with him. After all she is not even two yet, but he was more than happy to have his sister accompany him during studies.
Despite his young age, Bankim can feel that after passing out of high fever, his sister has changed. His once naughty and cute sister has now became somewhat calm and hmm... mature, huh? Even if she was the same naughty and clinging, he can still feel the faint difference, though he is not sure others can feel the changes or not.
After a few days of studying together, Bankim realised that despite her inability to pronounce properly, which has to be with her too young of a age, his little sister might very well be a genius. And he was very much happy to help his sister to study, even if she were not that bright. From the mo moment he knew that he was going to be a big brother, he had decided to protect his younger sibling. And after knowing he has a younger sister, Bankim had already decided, and secretly promised himself, to love and protect his sister with his all.
Mrs. Das, upon entering the room, saw her son and daughter studying together. She marveled at her daughter's little antics, and remembered, how cutely she pouted her little baby lips, and said with gleaming eyes that, she wants to learn reading and writing with her brother. Though she thought the little doll was too young to study, she eventually agreed, which earned her a big, almost toothless smile.
Remembering that time, she can't help the smile spreading across her lips. Coming to her senses, she went to her mother and after a short conversation, with the fatigue of the whole day work, fell in a deep slumber.
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*Mandir=tample (here, a small tample inside the house to worship the god/goddess/bhagwan/dev/devi)