your love is more than my life ...

--- This story is from a small village named Jaitsar, near Jaisalmer. in Rajasthan( India) The village was full of excitement and celebration that day. Everyone had received an invitation. (At the village square) Shamu (speaking to Ramu): "Hey! You’re still here? Haven’t you left yet?" Ramu: "I don’t understand… left where?" Shamu: "Ah! You're always so forgetful… I’m off to the Badi Haveli (Big Mansion) for the feast." Ramu: "Why? Is there a feast there today?" Shamu: "Yes!" Ramu: "What’s the special occasion?" Shamu: "Today, the most beloved and eldest son of Badi Haveli, Arjun Sa, is returning from America after completing his medical studies. A grand feast has been arranged to celebrate his homecoming!" Ramu: "Oh wow! That’s wonderful news. I must go too!" Shamu: "Yes, yes! Everyone in the village is invited." --- (At the Haveli) Chintu’s mom: "Hey! Chintu… where are you going? Come here and eat your food! You naughty boy, always running around!" Chintu (the youngest son of the Rawat family, and Arjun Sa’s younger brother) Chintu runs and sits next to his grandmother. Chintu: "Dadi Sa! I don’t want to eat." Dadi Sa: "If you don’t eat, you’ll grow up thin and weak… come on, eat your food. Why don’t you want to eat?" Chintu: "Dadi Sa, I don’t like this vegetable." Surekha (Chintu’s mother): "Chintu, dear! I told you earlier that there’ll be a lot of yummy dishes at the feast this afternoon. Just eat a little now." Dadi Sa (sternly): "Who are you to speak between me and my grandson?" Surekha: "Nothing, Maa Sa. He just wasn’t eating, so I…" Dadi Sa (scolding): "I’ve told you a thousand times! Whatever my grandson doesn’t want to eat won’t be cooked in this house again! Why don’t you ever understand?" Surekha lowers her gaze and silently listens to the rebuke. Dadi Sa (noticing flowers): "Oh! These flowers… who told you to put them here? Who asked you to do this? You’re only called to do proper work, but you can’t even manage that right." Dadi Sa: "Will you just stand there and listen or call Gehna as well? Her son is coming home after so many years. Does she even care?" Surekha (nodding respectfully): "Yes, Maa Sa. Jiji (Gehna) is nearby, preparing the puja plate. I’ll go call her." Surekha goes to call Gehna. Surekha: "Jiji, Maa Sa is calling you. Please go to her. I’ll manage everything here." Gehna: "No, no! You handle the rest. Durva will take care of the puja." Gehna (calling out): "Durva! Can you hear me? Please prepare the puja thali. Arjun must be arriving any moment now." Durva: "Yes, Badi Maa. I’ll take care of everything. You can go without any worry." Gehna walks toward Maa Sa. Meanwhile, Arjun had already landed in India with the first flight and was on the second one heading to Jaipur. Gehna (reaching Maa Sa): "You called for me, Maa Sa?" Maa Sa (glaring): "Come sit here." As Gehna was about to sit on the sofa, Maa Sa scolded her loudly: Maa Sa: "Don’t you understand anything? Forgot your place? Want me to remind you? Sit quietly on the floor!" Gehna sat silently on the floor without a word. Maa Sa (rebuking): "I told you clearly that I don’t want any flaws in the arrangements for my eldest grandson’s return. Did I not give you that responsibility?" Gehna (in a soft voice): "Y-Yes, Maa Sa." Maa Sa: "Then who was supposed to do it? Your father??" Gehna remains silent. Tears start flowing from her eyes — silently expressing the pain she hides inside. But she knew… Maa Sa was kind at heart, and that’s why she quietly listened to everything. Just then, Chintu came running to them. Chintu (excited): "Maa Sa! Maa Sa! Arjun Bhai Sa has reached the airport. He could be here at any moment now!" --- Guys, please like, share, and comment... This is the first part of my novel. I hope you all liked it. And if you feel anything is missing, do let me know in the comments. To be continued…