Adrijay nods his head, picks up his bag, and leaves. Watching him go, Sarika wonders to herself, "What happened to him all of a sudden? Why is he behaving like this? He's never said goodbye to me before, so what changed today?" Thinking this, Sarika heads to the kitchen and starts washing the dirty dishes.
After finishing the dishes, Sarika begins preparing lunch. Around 1:30 in the afternoon, the children return home from school. As always, Sarika feeds them with her own hands and then puts them to sleep for a while.
After putting the children to bed, Sarika takes food to Yamini Ji and Vishakha, and then starts doing the laundry. While washing clothes, her back begins to ache terribly, but somehow she endures the pain, finishes the laundry, and takes the clothes to the terrace to dry them.
After spreading all the clothes, Sarika comes back downstairs, takes a plate of food from the kitchen, and sits at the dining table, staring blankly at her plate with empty eyes.
From school, a young Sarika arrives home exhausted, collapsing onto the cot in the courtyard and saying in a tired voice, "Maa, I'm home!"
Hearing Sarika's voice, Krishna Ji quickly comes out of the kitchen and, seeing Sarika, asks, "What happened, Laado? Are you more tired today?"
Still lying down, Sarika nods her head and said, "Yes, Maa, I'm very tired today because I had my practicals. (Then, sitting up excitedly, she says) You know, Maa, I was so nervous, I couldn't even speak properly. But when Sir told me to speak without fear, I explained everything to him very well, and I did my practical excellently too. Sir even praised me in front of the entire class."
Krishna Ji smiles, gently touches her cheek with love, and said, "My Laado is so talented. Alright, now go wash your face and change your clothes, and then I'll feed you with my own hands."
Sarika asks happily, "What's for lunch today, Maa?"
Krishna Ji smiles and replies, "Your favorite rajma chawal and roti... because your Baba said that today is such a big day for our daughter, so her favorite meal should be made."
Overjoyed, Sarika kissed her on the cheek and said, "Maa, you're the best! I'll quickly wash up and change." Saying this, she picks up her bag and leaves.
After she leaves, Krishna Ji heads to the kitchen. A little while later, Sarika comes back after changing and sits on the cot. Krishna Ji starts feeding her with her own hands, and while eating, Sarika tells her all about her school day.
Thinking of that moment, tears welled up in Sarika's eyes. She looks at her plate with tearful eyes and said, "You're not here with me anymore, Maa, to feed me with your hands... I miss you so much. I wish I could meet you just once, Maa. I wish!" Saying this, tears start streaming down her face.
Just then, Tanishk comes running in and hands her the phone, saying, "Mumma, look, Papa's calling!"
Sarika quickly wipes her tears so that Tanishk doesn't see them. Smiling at him, she takes the phone and answers the call, "Hello!"
Hearing her voice, Adrijay remains silent for a moment before saying, "Hello, Sarika!"
Hearing his voice, Sarika feels nervous but, looking at Tanishk, smiles slightly and says, "Yes?"
Adrijay, nervous himself, asks, "Did you... uh... have you eaten?"
Hearing his question, Sarika is surprised. Never before had Adrijay called her to ask this. He only called when he needed something or to talk to the kids. So, her surprise was natural.
When Sarika remains silent, Adrijay asks again, "Hello, Sarika... can you hear me? Have you eaten?"
Coming out of her thoughts, Sarika said, "Uh... yes... I was just about to eat."
Looking at the clock, which showed 3:30, Adrijay asks worriedly, "Why are you eating so late?"
Sarika is surprised by his question but quickly composes herself and said, "I was busy with housework."
Adrijay, now more firmly, said, "No matter what work you have, eat first. From tomorrow, eat with the kids. Got it?"
Hearing his tone, Sarika becomes anxious. Yamini Ji had made it clear that she would eat first, and only then could Sarika eat. Yamini Ji never ate before 2 or 2:30, so Sarika always ate around 3 after serving everyone else.
Thinking about this, Sarika becomes nervous. Just then, Adrijay speaks sternly, "Did you hear what I said?"
Startled out of her thoughts, Sarika hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, I'll eat on time."
Adrijay sighs deeply and said, "Good. Now eat your food and rest for a while. I'll hang up now. Bye!"
Sarika simply hums and disconnects the call. Seeing this, Adrijay mutters in mild irritation, "Why does she always behave like this with me? She didn't even ask if I've eaten. (His conscience said "Oh, and when she used to ask, you used to snap at her. Have you forgotten that?")
Hearing this, Adrijay says to himself, "So what? At least I'm trying to improve myself now. Why can't she take a step forward? Am I the only one who has to make efforts? And just now, Madam couldn't even say 'bye' properly, as if it costs a tax." Saying this, he makes a face.
Meanwhile, at home, Sarika stares at her phone in confusion. Just then, Tanishk, who was sitting beside her and dozing off, said innocently, "Mumma, eat your food and then put me to sleep. I still want to sleep more."
Hearing this, Sarika comes out of her thoughts. Looking at his innocent face, she smiles and said, "Alright, let me put you to sleep first. I'll eat later."
Stopping her, Tanishk opens his big eyes wide and said, "No, Mumma, eat first, then we'll go."
Sarika pulls his cheek and said, "You're not scared of me at all. In fact, you look even cuter!"
Tanishk, pouting, said, "Mumma, please don't pull my cheeks. It hurts!"
Sarika lovingly rubs his cheek, then washes her hands and comes back to finish her food quickly. Tanishk sits beside her, chatting about his school stories. Listening to him, Sarika sometimes laughs and sometimes smiles.
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