Between Duty and Despair

Sarika gently caresses his cheek, then washes her hands and returns to quickly finish her meal. Tanishk sits beside her, chatting and sharing stories from his school, making Sarika smile and laugh at times as she listens.

After finishing her meal, Sarika begins washing the dishes in the kitchen while Tanishk stands nearby, talking to her.

Just then, Yamini Ji enters the kitchen and, in an ordering tone, says, “Vishakha’s brother and sister-in-law are coming this evening, so make all the arrangements. And listen, prepare snacks like samosas, bread pakoras, onion fritters, tea, and chocolate shakes for the kids. They’ll also have dinner here, so make shahi paneer, naan, arhar dal, fried rice, salad, papad, and gulab jamun for dessert. Got it?” Saying this, she leaves.

Hearing this, Sarika takes a deep breath, picks up Tanishk, and heads to her room.

In the room, she lays Tanishk on the bed, sits beside him, strokes his hair, and sings a lullaby to put him to sleep.

After a while, when Tanishk falls asleep, Sarika covers him with a blanket, carefully closes the door, and goes back to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Sarika starts preparing for the evening snacks and dinner.

In the evening,

The doorbell rings, and Sarika, wiping her hands on her clothes, rushes to open the door.

As she opens the door, she finds Nishchay and his wife Shivika standing there with their 10-year-old son, Nihal.

Seeing them, Sarika adjusts her pallu over her head, smiles, and greets them with folded hands, “Namaste Bhaiya, Namaste Bhabhi!”

Nishchay and Shivika smile and reply, “Namaste, Sarika!”

Sarika invites them in, and they enter. After they step in, she closes the door and escorts them to the living room. Nihal touches Sarika’s feet and says, “Namaste, Bua Ji!”

Sarika smiles, pats his head, and asks, “Namaste Nihal! How are you?”

Nihal smiles and replies, “I’m good. How are you, Bua Ji?”

Sarika smiles and says, “I’m good too. Alright, sit here; I’ll bring your favorite chocolate shake.”

Shivika interrupts, “Sarika, we just got here, and you’re already working. Sit with us for a while; I’ll help you later. How will you manage everything alone?”

Sarika shakes her head and says, “No, no, Bhabhi, please sit. Everything is almost ready. I’ll be back in just two minutes. Please, you sit.” Saying this, she excuses herself and hurries to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Sarika arranges everything on a tray and brings some items to the table. She then goes back to fetch another tray and sets it on the table.

Seeing the spread, Nishchay says, “Sarika, there was no need for all this. We’re not guests; we’re family.”

Sarika smiles, offering him sweets, and says, “I know, but you don’t come every day. When you visit, it’s only right to take care of you.”

Hearing this, Nishchay and Shivika smile and shake their heads. Sarika gives Nihal a glass of chocolate shake, and he smiles, saying, “Thank you, Bua Ji!”

Sarika smiles at his gratitude. Just then, Yamini Ji and Vishakha arrive. Nishchay and Shivika greet them and then sit back down.

Yamini Ji signals Sarika to go to the kitchen and manage everything. Sarika nods and leaves.

After Sarika leaves, Adhik comes downstairs and greets Nishchay and Shivika. They smile and bless him, and Adhik takes Nihal to his room.

The rest of the family continues chatting in the living room. A little while later, Tanishk rubs his eyes and comes downstairs, shouting, “Mumma, Mumma!” without noticing anyone. He heads straight to the kitchen.

Seeing this, Vishakha frowns and says to Yamini Ji, “Did you see, Maa ji? Tanishk went straight to the kitchen without even greeting my brother and sister-in-law. He didn’t even say hello. This is all because of Bhabhi. She spoils him so much that he’s now becoming insolent.”

Yamini Ji, mildly annoyed, replies, “You’re right. I’ll deal with Sarika later. First, I’ll teach my grandson some manners.” Saying this, she starts to get up, but Shivika stops her, saying, “Oh, Aunty Ji, please sit. Tanishk is just a child. He was probably sleepy and didn’t notice us. Otherwise, he would have come running to us. Don’t worry; Sarika will bring him here in a moment.”

No sooner had Shivika said this than Sarika appeared, carrying Tanishk in her arms. Seeing this, Shivika smiled and said, “See, I told you Sarika would bring him.”

Hearing this, Vishakha sulked inwardly, thinking, She’s always chanting Bhabhi’s praises. I’m her sister-in-law, but it feels like Sarika bhabhi is her real family.

Sarika asked Tanishk to greet everyone, and he obediently said, “Namaste” to all. Then, looking at Sarika with innocent eyes, he said, “Mumma, I’m very hungry. Please give me something to eat.”

Sarika smiled and said, “Alright, sit here. Mumma will bring something for you right away.” Saying this, she left for the kitchen.

Tanishk sat beside Nishchay, who lovingly pinched his cheek and asked, “How’s your school going, Tanishk?”

Tanishk smiled faintly and replied, “Very good, Mama ji. By the way, is Nihal Bhaiya here with you?”

Nishchay nodded, “Yes, he’s in the room with Adhik. Why don’t you go join them?”

Tanishk shook his head and said, “No, Mama ji. I’ll meet them after I eat something first.”

Hearing this, Nishchay smiled and nodded. Yamini Ji frowned and said, “Why can’t you go now, Tanishk? Go meet Nihal and then eat.”

Tanishk pouted and said, “Dadi, please. I’m hungry now, so I’ll go after eating.”

Before Yamini Ji could respond, Shivika interjected, “It’s okay, Aunty Ji. Let him eat first. He can meet Nihal later.”

Yamini Ji reluctantly remained quiet.

Just then, the doorbell rang again, and Vishakha excitedly said, “Looks like Dev has arrived. I’ll open the door.” She rushed to the door but frowned upon seeing Adrijay instead. Her excitement faded, and she stepped aside. Adrijay entered with his bag and greeted everyone before placing his bag on the sofa.

As he met Nishchay and Shivika, Sarika brought a plate of sandwiches and a glass of chocolate milkshake for Tanishk. Seeing his favorite snack, Tanishk happily kissed Sarika’s cheek and said, “Thank you, Mumma, for making my favorite sandwich and chocolate shake!”

Sarika smiled, stroking his hair. Her eyes then met Adrijay’s, who was staring at her. Embarrassed, she quickly looked away, went back to the kitchen, and soon returned with a glass of water for Adrijay. He drank it and handed the glass back to her. Taking it, Sarika silently returned to the kitchen and resumed her work.

Meanwhile, Tanishk finished his snacks and went to his room with Adhik. After a brief chat, Adrijay also went to his room to change.

A little while later, the doorbell rang again. This time, Vishakha eagerly opened the door to find Devansh. Smiling, she took his bag and welcomed him inside. Devansh greeted everyone warmly and began chatting with them.

Vishakha sat beside him, engaging in conversation, until Shivika said, “Vishakha, why don’t you bring some water for Devansh Ji?”

Reluctantly, Vishakha got up and went to the kitchen, where Sarika was busy. Pouting, she said, “Bhabhi, could you please give me a glass of water? Your brother-in-law has just arrived from the office.”

Sarika quickly washed her hands, filled a glass of water, and placed it on a tray with some sweets. She handed it to Vishakha, who left without thanking her.

Vishakha placed the tray on the table in front of Devansh and resumed her seat beside him. Shivika noticed this and exchanged a knowing glance with Nishchay, who signaled her to stay quiet, aware that any comment might escalate into a scene.

By then, Adrijay had returned and joined the group for a conversation.

At dinner, everyone gathered at the dining table. Sarika comes and starts serving food to everyone by plating it up. Just as she is about to serve, Shivika interrupts her, saying, “Sarika, leave it. Everyone will serve themselves. Come on, let’s go to the kitchen together. We can chat there; otherwise, I haven’t had the chance to talk to you since we arrived. You’ve been busy in the kitchen the entire time.”

Hearing this, Sarika gets nervous and says, “No, no, Bhabhi, please, you stay here. I’ll manage everything. And please eat with everyone; I won’t feel good if you don’t. Please.”

Shivika, trying to reassure her, says, “But Sarika, you haven’t eaten either, right? Then we’ll eat together. No more excuses. I’m coming with you—end of discussion.” Saying this, she gets up and heads to the kitchen.

Sarika nervously looks at Yamini Ji and Vishakha, who are glaring at her angrily. Seeing this, Sarika’s eyes fill with tears as she imagines what’s to come. Hiding her emotions, she quietly walks away.

Adrijay, sitting at his chair, was observing Sarika’s every expression and movement. He couldn’t understand why she was so scared of Yamini Ji, but he assumed it might be because Shivika accompanying Sarika didn’t sit well with Yamini Ji, making her upset. While Adrijay was lost in thought, Tanishk spoke up, “Papa, feed me, please!”

Pulled out of his thoughts, Adrijay smiled and began feeding Tanishk with his own hands.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Shivika was chatting non-stop with Sarika, but Sarika’s mind was elsewhere. She couldn’t stop worrying about what Yamini Ji might do next. Lost in her thoughts, she continued making naan.

Just then, Vishakha entered the kitchen and, glaring at Sarika, sarcastically said, “Bhabhi, if you’re done chatting, could you please make some more naan? They’ve run out outside. After that, you can continue your conversation.”

Her words stung Shivika, but she chose to remain silent, instead looking at Sarika with eyes full of compassion.

Sarika quietly handed over the naan to Vishakha and started working faster. Seeing this, Shivika began helping her, despite Sarika’s repeated protests. But Shivika wouldn’t listen.

A while later, everyone finished their dinner, and Sarika asked Shivika to sit and eat. Shivika insisted, “You come too, Sarika. Please!”

Sarika declined, saying, “No, Bhabhi, I still have to serve dessert to everyone. Please, you go ahead and eat. I’ll join you later. And please don’t say no this time.”

Shivika nodded and went to sit at the dining table. Sarika quickly prepared a plate for her and handed it over before serving gulab jamun to everyone else.

Seeing the dessert, Adik exclaimed happily, “Thank you, Mumma!”

Sarika gave him a faint smile and then sat beside Shivika, talking to her.

When Vishakha saw Shivika and Sarika bonding so well, she came over and joined their conversation. Noticing this, Sarika quietly got up and returned to the kitchen.

After some time, Shivika finished her dinner. She, Nishchay, and Nihal said their goodbyes and left for home, giving money to Vishakha, Devansh, Adrijay, Sarika, and the children before leaving.

Vishakha and Yamini Ji didn’t like that Shivika gave money to Sarika, but they remained silent.

After everyone left, Sarika was completely exhausted. She went to the kitchen to serve herself some food. But when she checked the pot of vegetables, it was empty. She checked other dishes, but they were all empty too. Unsure of where the leftover food had gone, she stopped thinking about it, poured herself a glass of water, drank it, and started washing the dishes.

After finishing the dishes, Sarika cleaned and organized everything, turned off the kitchen lights, and checked the locks on the main door before heading to her room.

Once in the room, Sarika took out her clothes from the cupboard and went to change. After changing, she lay down on her side of the bed.

Just then, Adrijay entered the room, having just put the children to sleep. He closed the door and lay down on his side of the bed. Turning towards Sarika, he asked, “Did you eat?”

His question startled Sarika, but she quickly composed herself and replied, “Yes, I ate. Now you should sleep; otherwise, you’ll be late waking up tomorrow, and then Tanu’s teacher will scold her!” She said this to divert his attention, and it worked. Adrijay’s thoughts shifted, and he said, “Good night,” before soon falling asleep.

Hearing his steady breathing, Sarika finally let go of the emotions she had been holding in. Tears streamed down her face, and she silently cried in the dark.

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