All Strings Attached

Chapter Fourteen

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Sita

Conversation flows freely across the table, with family members roping me into conversation every now and then, but uncharacteristically for me, I enjoy watching them interact with each other rather than add to the conversation, choosing silence for once.

I notice how Dhruv and Dhushyanth banter, with Sanya joining in every once in a while to gang up with her Dhushyanth Anna against Dhruv. I observe Mahendra Uncle's watchful eyes on Dhushyanth, as he eats quietly. Sarika aunty nudges him from time to time, encouraging him to add to the conversation, but he seems to dislike the idea, his conversation is limited to whispers with his father.

Thathayya looks peaceful, enjoying a dinner with his family. From time to time, he butts in on the cousins' conversation, telling them to knock it off when Dhruv gets annoyed.

Vani aunty mentions how Dhushyanth looks calmer than ever, and wonders if the change is to be attributed to his marriage or his career. Dhushyanth jokes that if he doesn't keep his calm, he'd have neither. At least he realises that.

I enjoy the feeling of being included in this dinner, with everyone checking up on me every few seconds to make sure I'm okay, and to see if I need anything.

~.~.~.~.~

Dhushyanth and Sita stay until after everyone else leaves. "Sita," Dhushyanth's mother addresses her daughter-in-law, interrupting the conversation she was engaged in, with her younger son.

"Is it okay if we have the Satyanarayana Swamy Vratam here?" She asks. "Dhushyanth and you can come over and stay here," she proposes.

"Why can't we just do it in our house?" Dhushyanth voices, slightly surprising Sita.

Sita's eyes flit towards Dhushyanth for a slight moment. Did he mean their house? As in, the both of theirs?

"There's going to be a lot of people," Sarika tells her son. "It would be better to have it here. And I will be able to manage things here, what do I know about your house?"

Only all the ins and outs.

Sita remains mum, letting her mother-in-law delude herself into thinking Sita really is stupid enough not to get wind of whatever network of spies she has placed around their house.

"How long would it be?" Sita enquires, softly, her voice low and sweet.

"Just a morning," her mother-in-law assures her. "I was just suggesting that the both of you stay over so that you have enough time to get ready for the puja in the morning."

Sita looks at Dhushyanth, who shrugs mildly, as if leaving the decision to her. She nods at her mother-in-law, agreeing to the puja. Perhaps this would help her understand the family's dynamics a little bit better.

It seemed like Mahendra hadn't been speaking much recently, but he was usually a loud and cheerful man. She wondered if their marriage had made the man shell up. Did he not approve, still? After the very expensive, very elaborate, grand wedding that they had organised?

"How many people are you expecting at the puja, aunty?" Sita asks her mother-in-law. The thoughts of her grand wedding reminding her of the hundreds of people who had come from the family's ancestral village to bless the couple.

"Just friends and family," her mother-in-law assures her. "And, Dhruv's friends are having their baby's naming ceremony on Thursday, it would be really nice if you could attend along with me."

"Dhruv's friends?"

"Arvi and Arjun," Dhruv supplies. "It would be really nice if you could come. Dhriti is going to be there as well."