Anay had returned home and was now managing most of his work from there. He was able to walk around, though exerting himself too much would cause the pain to return.
During this time, Advika hadn't come to see him even once. All his meals and needs were being taken care of personally by Thakurain.
One evening, when Anay requested kheer (a traditional rice pudding), Thakurain herself went to the kitchen to prepare it. At that moment, Advika was grinding coriander and mint chutney on the stone grinder.
"Hey girl..." Thakurain called out.
"Yes..." Advika responded.
"It's been days since Lalla (Anay) asked for anything. We must make this very well. Do one thing—go outside and ask someone to fetch fresh cow's milk..."
"Yes..." Advika said and began to step outside.
As Advika stepped out, a cool breeze swept through the courtyard. Clouds had gathered in the distance. She wrapped her dupatta tightly and moved towards the door.
At the door stood Shambhu—the old servant, who now only handled outdoor errands.
"Shambhu Kaka, Thakurain has asked for fresh cow's milk. Could you check if someone can bring it now?"
"Yes, bitiya, I'll tell Gopal… he's close by."
Shambhu left, and Advika stood there for a moment.
"Advika…"
Someone called her name.
"Mister Rajvansh…" Advika said, turning around.
"The Sarpanch is going to a party today. Thakur won't be going. It's a good opportunity..."
Advika looked at him for a moment, then said calmly,
"There won't be a need."
Just then, Shambhu Kaka returned with the milk. Without another word, Advika went back inside.
In the kitchen, Thakurain was roasting dry fruits for the kheer. The aroma of desi ghee had sweetened the whole house.
Advika quietly placed the milk into a pot.
"Listen, bring out the rice… and make sure it's properly cleaned."
"Yes…" Advika replied and got to work.
The kheer had now begun to take on a golden hue from its original milky white.
Advika washed the rice and placed it in front of Thakurain.
"Here, they're perfectly clean."
"Good. Now chop these roasted nuts—almonds and pistachios, very thin..."
Advika nodded and picked up a knife, her fingers working quickly.
Once the kheer was ready, Thakurain looked at it carefully, then poured it into a beautiful silver bowl. Handing it to Advika, she said,
"Go, give this to Anay..."
Advika hesitated. Her hands instinctively pulled back. She looked at Thakurain, surprised.
"What happened?" Thakurain asked gently.
Advika said softly,
"Don't you think… you should be the one giving this?"
Thakurain watched her for a moment, then smiled. "Yes, I should," she said, "but I have to feed his father too… and a wife's duty is greater than a mother's, isn't it, bitiya?"
Advika looked at her for a few seconds and then said gently,
"I think… you forgot to add raisins."
"What...?" Thakurain was startled. "Oh my, where's my mind these days? Good that you reminded me... His father won't even touch the kheer without raisins."
Saying this, Thakurain quickly turned to fetch the box of raisins kept on the shelf.
Meanwhile, Advika slowly picked up the bowl of kheer and quietly added a few pieces of dried figs into it. She stirred them in gently with a spoon.
Thakurain, having filled a handful of raisins, added them to the portion meant for the Sarpanch.
"Don't forget to give this to Lalla."
"Yes, Thakurain..." Advika said quietly and walked toward Anay's room with the plate.
With each step, her heartbeat quickened. In all these days, she hadn't looked at Anay properly, nor had she asked about his health. Now the time had come to face him.
Steadying her breath, she knocked on the door.
A voice from inside called out,
"Come in..." — it was Shrey's voice.
As soon as Advika stepped inside, Shrey snapped,
"What are you doing here?"
"Thakurain sent me..." Advika replied calmly, holding out the kheer, and glanced around the room—Anay wasn't there.
"Now that you've kept it, leave..." Shrey said harshly.
Without a word, Advika turned and walked out.
Just then, Anay came in from the balcony, slammed his phone on the table, and said to Shrey,
"I have to go to the election office with Sarpanch ji. Some important documents need to be submitted."
"Alright..." Shrey said, standing up.
Anay's eyes landed on the bowl of kheer on the table. He walked up, took a spoonful, and tasted it.
"Did Amma bring this?" he asked.
"No… some maid brought it," Shrey replied with a mocking tone.
"Hmm..." was all Anay said.
Shrey quickly finished up and left with the Sarpanch.
Meanwhile, when Advika returned to the kitchen, she saw the glass bowl of kheer meant for the Sarpanch still untouched.
She was shocked.
"Thakurain..." she called out.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Did Bada Malik (the Eldere Master) not eat the kheer?"
"Oh no, Shrey took him out for something important. Didn't get the time to eat… With elections around the corner, there's barely any time!" Thakurain replied casually.
Advika clenched her fists in frustration.
The entire plan... all that effort, had gone to waste.
To be continued...