•·•·•·•·•·•·•·••●❍•❅•°•❈•°•❅•❍●••·•·•·•·•·•·•·•

~ under the moon's gentle gaze , I sit and sigh

In the corridor of memories , where Grandma's love did lie.

One night till my birthday, but she won't be here,

I wish I could turn back time, and hold her dear.

Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment,

Until it becomes a memory, and you are left with just a longing ~

•·•·•·•·•·•·•·••●❍•❅•°•❈•°•❅•❍●••·•·•·•·•·•·•·•

18th Sept 1890
Calcutta , Bengal

KAVITA POV~

"Jaldi jaldi karo, sabko bhookh lagi hai" my mother's voice rings in my ear as I'm making rotis (tortillas) while payal didi is cooking the vegetables.

[ HURRY UP, EVERYONE IS HUNGRY ]

"Yes, Maa" Payal didi and I reply in unison, hurrying with the cooking.

After finishing, we arrange the dishes on the floor mat in the dining room. Once everyone is served, we settle down to eat as well.

As I reach for the last dessert, my elder brother, Nakul, snatches it up.

"Bhaiya, it's mine! you have already ate two!!" I protest, but my mother interrupts, "So what? If my son wants to eat one more, what's the problem? You can have it another day."

I fall silent, knowing it's useless to argue about this matter. My parents always favor Nakul bhaiya as he is their only son, first in the family bloodline, with pranay being the second, my 5 year old cousin brother.

I grit my teeth in irritation when I see him grinning victoriously, clearly mocking me. Rolling my eyes, I feel a pang of hurt from my parents' negligence towards us sisters.

After dinner, we both sisters walk to wash the dishes. Just as I pick a dirty plate to start washing them, payal didi hums, with a small smile "Here", giving me her dessert.

Before I can refuse, she lifts her hand to my mouth, feeding me with a warm smile, cheering "let's finish the work fast so we can go to sleep soon". She lovingly ruffles my hair.

I smile, feeling comforted by her positivity. Seeing her confidence and positivity always calms me down. I nod my head with a smile.

While washing the dishes, we both talked a lot and enjoyed splashing a few droplets of water at each other.

Once the utensils are clean and our little fun game is over. We both head back to our room, finally ready for some rest and sleep.

------------------•°•°•°•-----------------

"Why am I not feeling sleepy tonight !?" I wonder, letting out a small whine. I glance at Payal didi, who's sleeping peacefully beside me.

"It's already past midnight, yet sleep escapes me! What might be the reason? It's unusual! I usually fall asleep on time "I wonder, trying to figure out why I can't fall asleep, feeling the frustration mount.

Being in bed and trying to sleep, but not able to sleep, is TIRING!. After what felt like an eternity, my patience reached its peak.

"Bored..." I whisper.

"Kyu na hum bahar bagiche me chale jaye. Acha lagega, shayad phir neend bhi aa jaye!!" I whisper softly as an amazing idea pops up in my brain.

[ WHY DON'T I GO INTO THE GARDEN OUTSIDE. IT WILL FEEL GOOD, MAYBE I CAN SLEEP THEN ]

Feeling a little excited, I quietly slip off the bed, careful not to disturb payal didi's beauty sleep. With slow, deliberate and quiet steps, I make my way to the veranda and glance towards the backyard.

As I step outside the garden, my eyes catch the sight of the full moon, glowing brightly in the night sky.... it looks too beautiful to be real.

"WOW!! The moon is so big and bright tonight " I murmur, admiring the serene beauty of the night.

The full moon casts a silvery glow, illuminating the garden in soft, dancing shadows among the mango trees.

The leaves rustle with the cool breeze. I smile, spotting a cuckoo perched on a mango tree's branch, its soft cooing blending seamlessly with the quiet of the night.

I dust off a spot on the ground and sit down, gazing up at the moon with a soft smile, the cool night breeze flowing around me.

I press my feet into the grasses, feeling them plush and velvety underfoot, chilling me as dew clings to each blade, refreshing against my warm skin.

I sigh softly as the cool, calming air brushes against my sensitive skin, and hum contentedly as the fresh night air fills my lungs.

The chirping of crickets is audible clearly and even fireflies dot the area, illuminating it with their natural light. I see a few fireflies flickering softly beside me, their light mirroring the stars above, as the crickets' song fills the silence.

I stretch my body inhaling the cool air, which is infused with the sweet fragrance of jasmine, mingling with the earthy aroma of damp soil, creating a fragrant atmosphere.

Lowering my gaze to my wrist, I look at my grandmother's ruby bracelet, glowing softly under the moonlight, deep crimson red, luminescing with the moon's silvery light.

I lift my fingers to touch it, smiling softly, feeling dadi's warmth and love through the bracelet. It always comforts me and reminds me of her presence.

I smile softly at the moon, feeling its glow on my face, and whisper, "dadi.... Payal didi and I miss you so much. Do you miss us too? You know, I'll be 9 years old tomorrow !!"

I start talking to her like I always do, it's my daily routine to talk to her, no matter the time or place it is.

"If only I could hear her voice one more time.... If only I could feel her warmth again, like in the moments she'd hold my hand and soothe my fears" I murmur sadly, recalling her face, her smile, her calming presence, even though I was just 5 when she-

I glance at the ruby bracelet, carefully tracing its intricate designs. It has detailed floral patterns, beautifully carved with rubies, it was hers.

The smooth, polished surface of the bracelet feels cool to the touch, with each stone nestled securely in its delicate setting, inviting gentle caresses, reminding me of her warmth.

She gave me this ruby bracelet, Payal didi the emerald, Irya the amethyst and Prachi the sapphire, all during her last moment.

I miss her so much. She was the one who took care of us. Now, Anjali chachi looks after us even more than our own mother. I miss her, too.

"When will she come back from her maternal home?" I sulk, missing Anjali chachi, Pranay and Prachi; wishing they would return. Karan chachu went to pick her up. It's been a month since we've seen them. Payal didi and I miss them so much. I hope they come tomorrow for my birthday.

After sitting for some more time, eventually I pulled myself up, feeling calmer, and tiptoes back to the room.

I settle into the bed, cuddling Payal didi, and finally drift into deep slumber with a small smile, remembering Dadi, Anjali chachi, Pranay and Prachi.

-----------------•°•°•°•----------------

NEXT DAY -

19th September 1890

While sleeping peacefully, I feel some water droplets on my face. Scrunching my eyes open, I adjust to the bright light.

"Happy birthday Kikku!!" Payal didi squeals happily, tightly hugging---- NO... SQUEEZING ME.

"D-d-didi.. i-i can't.. brea--" I try to gently push her back. She steps back with a sheepish smile. "Sorry sorry... Now close your eyes!!" Payal didi jokingly apologizes then quickly covers my eyes.

I smile feeling excited about what she might give me this year. Compiling with her, I close my eyes with excitement evident all over my face.

She holds my hand and happily chirps "here! Open your eyes" while placing a small but thick box on my hand.

I open my eyelids, excitement bubbling inside, seeing a blue coloured small but beautifully covered box. I open the box, jumping in happiness, seeing my dream poem books that I wanted to read for so long.

I can't believe Payal didi is gifting me a total of 5 poem books.

" The woman's labour " by Mary Collier
" The tyger " by William Blake
" The daffodils " by William Wordsworth
" The evening songs " by Rabindranath Tagore
" The lotus " by Tarulatta Datta.

[' THE WOMAN'S LABOUR ' & ' THE TYGER ' IN SIMPLIFIED VERSION, SUITABLE FOR KIDS ]

I feel as if I'm on cloud nine and happily jumps over payal didi causing both of us to tumble back over the bed, laughing and giggling.

"Thank you so much didi!! You are the best!! Yeah!!" I beam with infectious happiness.

"Where did you get all these!? What about the money?" I ask her curiously. She replies softly, caressing my cheek " from the library !" Chuckling and continuing with the same soft smile "and don't worry about money! It's not that expensive".

My eyes get moist with happy tears and I hug her tightly. She laughs and ruffles my hair, teasing me while cupping my face "Ab tum nau saal ki ho gayi ho, ab to rona band kar do! Aur muskurao~".

[ NOW YOU ARE NINE YEARS OLD, AT LEAST NOW STOP CRYING ! AND SMILE~]

Didi always knew what I needed, even before I did. That's why she is more than a sister - she is my best friend and an anchor.

I smile and with excitement, I start flipping through the books, but then I hear some chattering murmurs from the living room.

Frowning, I glance at Payal didi with confusion to see her grinning while looking at me, making me even more Puzzled.

Suddenly she grabs my hand and mischievously cheers "come outside~" which fuels my confusion and suspicion. Still I follow her, with caution, feeling the buzz of something special. As we should never fall for our sibling's honey sweet tone.

As soon as I step into the living room, I get surprised with a few flower petals falling on me.

The soft petals tickle my skin making me giggle and soft laughter bubbles up inside me - joyful and surprising all at once .

Before I can compose myself, two high-pitch shrill voices make me flinch "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DIDI !!!" .

I look in front to see pranay and prachi running towards me, wrapping me in hugs. I turn into a statue with shock yet overjoy.

Turning, I see Anjali chachi and Karan chachu beaming at me, their smiles filled with warmth and love I crave.

Anjali chachi comes over and kisses my forehead with love, wishing me a happy birthday while Karan chachu also caresses my head, wishing me.

I bend down to touch their feet, seeking their blessings and they touch my head, caressing me happily with love in return.

Then I see my parents coming out of their rooms. Nervously, I walk to them, and bend down to receive their blessings too. I feel them placing their hands on my head.

"Who messed up the living room? Who will clean all these ?" Maa asks with annoyance.

"I will clean it, bhabhi ! Don't worry, "Anjali chachi interjects with a smile.

"Okay whatever! Clean this mess properly" Maa mutters, going back inside her room. My heart sink a little, watching her leave without wishing me. My father follows her, not wishing me too.

Even though I know what to expect, a small part of my heart still aches, just hoping and wishing for a silver of warmth..... for some change.

"Kavita ! Look what we have for you!" Karan chachu beams, and I turn to them with a smile.

We all sit down on the mat and then, they show me a black box. I happily accept it.

"Open it didi" pranay squeals excitedly, urging me to open it. I open the box, finding a very beautiful green coloured frock with pink flower printed patterns .

When I take the dress out, I discover a stunning silver anklet adorned with rubies, jingling with the slightest movement. I glance at them, as a happy smile spreads across my face, and I tightly hugs karan chachu. "Thank you~" I whisper gratefully.

"This anklet is from Radhika jiji" Anjali chachi reveals. My eyes widen with surprise and love, and I can't help but smile like a toddler, who got her candies.

"Really!!!!!!! She gave me this anklet...? Yayyy!!!! Love you, Radhika bua..." I squeal, slipping the anklet onto my ankle and jumping with joy, giggling at the soft, lovely jingles.

I pout, missing Radhika bua, Vikram bhaiya, Irya and Vijay uncle, wishing they were here, but they are not, as they live in Allahabad.

"I wish you God, please bring them here for forever! I'll give you 20 laddoos!!" I pray to God, wishing for my wish to be fulfilled one day.

My whole day, filled with joy and games as I celebrated my birthday with my loved ones. In their laughter, I feel a warmth that reminds me of Dadi's love, her blessings wrapped around me like the ruby bracelet on my wrist.

~ Sometimes you will never know the value of the moment until it becomes a memory ~

჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻.✾.჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻

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