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“Hi, Alisha. Hope you are not busy.”
A female voice breaks my trance of thoughts.I blink as fast as I can, ignoring the sting in my eyes.My heart is in a miserable state, but I do my best to keep my smile in place. I clear my throat and have a sip of water in an attempt to gather myself and give her a small smile.
“Not at all, Sonam. It’s always a pleasure to have you. So, what can I do for you today?” I’ve made a few regular customers since I started, and one of them just walked in through the door.
“It’s my thirty-first birthday tomorrow, and I don’t even have a dress for the dinner party,” she says with a sigh. “I know it’s kind of a last-minute thing, but do you think you have something for me?”
“You have nothing to stress about. I have a perfect dress for you. Come, follow me.” I smile at her and then rise to my feet. Crossing the room with Sonam right behind me, I pull out a golden sequin gown from the hanger and show it to her.
“This gown will do wonders for your slim figure and will highlight your flawless complexion.”
“It’s gorgeous,” Sonam says as her brown eyes shine.
“Why don’t you try it?” I grin and hold it out to her.
She quickly goes into the changing room and tries the outfit. It needs a bit of alteration, but nothing which can’t be managed. After cross-checking her exact measurements, she pays the bill, saying she will be back tomorrow to collect it, and then walks out with a happy smile on her face.
I check my watch. It’s almost seven in the evening. I sigh, feeling the exhaustion in my bones. It has been a really long day. With a vision of a peaceful night with my parents, I grab my belongings and lock the store behind me. Walking to my car, I let out a breath of relief when I move behind the steering wheel and then kick-start the engine. Soon, I am driving to my parents’ place.
Thirty minutes later, I take a turn into the lane. The sight of the house makes my heart dance. It’s the same house where I grew up. My eyes take in the vast green that surrounds the house. Last week, Dad got the house repainted brownish yellow, thus the shine. Pulling the car in front of the house, I park at my usual spot next to Dad’s car.
Mom opens the front door and walks out onto the porch, waving excitedly at me. I smile back. Mom always keeps a tab on what time I get back home. She has never missed a day to come out and welcome me. Killing the engine, I open the car door.
“Alisha, my baby,” Mom says as she walks down the steps. She still looks the same to me as she did when I was young; the only difference is that her hair has a touch of white. I walk around the car and make a beeline for her. She holds her arms out, and I hug her. “We missed you today, sweetheart,” she says softly, smoothing my hair.
Smiling, I shake my head. “Mom, it’s been only a couple of hours.”
“Did I just hear my princess?” I hear Dad’s voice as he walks out of the house. I jog to him and hug him. Pulling away from his huge arms, I see how much he’s aged. His beard is salt and pepper that matches the hair on his head. “There’s my girl,” he says softly, his eyes abundant with love.
“Now let’s feed you, I have made all your favourite dishes.” Mom beams, and I look back at her.
“Mom, you didn’t have to. How many times do I tell you that you need to take it easy, and stay off your feet for long hours?” I can’t help but frown at her. She needs to take care of herself!
“You think she’ll take your advice?” He raises his eyebrows as he regards Mom and then leans closer to me and whispers in my ear, “She has been in the kitchen since morning.”
“Rishi, I heard that.” Mom glares at Dad.
I shake my head. “Mom, you…” I say, but she holds up her hand.
“Let’s go in before the food gets cold,” Mom says in that no-nonsense tone, which doesn’t leave any scope for debate. So, we simply nod our heads.
“This guy can’t keep anything in his stomach,” Mom mumbles and then looks at my dad. “Will you bother to help me set the table?”
“At your service, Mrs Aahna Kapadia.” The way Dad is mock-saluting Mom, I am having a tough time keeping myself from bursting into laughter.
Mom rolls her eyes as she turns and walks into the house.
When Dad makes a face behind her back, I can’t hold myself any longer and throw my head back and laugh. “Dad, Mom really keeps you on your toes.”
“Tell me about it.” He makes a grumpy face as he says that while we step in.
The aroma of Mom’s food hits me right away, and my mouth starts watering. I smile as I walk inside, and our lovely family pictures lined on the wall catch my sight. My hand comes out on its own, and I trace a frame.
“How was your day?” Dad asks from beside me.
That’s Dad, always checking on me, probably trying to ascertain that I have not slipped into the gloomy mode again. Turning back to him, I smile. “It was good. Are you not going to the bar tonight?” Dad owns a small bar which is about fifteen minutes’ drive from here. It’s not expensive or over the top but a small one which helps him to pay the bills.
“Not tonight. It’s been slow anyway.”
