28-10-2025, 09:03 PM
## Update 54: The Return of the Chachis (Avi and Chachis)
My Chacha arrived back from the village, bringing the house to life. As the family spilled out of the vehicle, the familiar sounds of luggage and greetings filled the air. Suman Chachi reached me first. She pulled me into a tight, maternal hug, her familiar scent washing over me. Then Seema Chachi embraced me, and finally Meena Chachi, all hugging me after the week-long separation. My Chacha, exhausted from the travel, walked straight past us and collapsed onto the bed.
Suman Chachi slowly surveyed the hall. Her eyes passed over the swept floor and dusted surfaces. She smiled, a hint of surprise in her expression. She rested her hands on her hips, observing the clean space. "You cleaned the house and kept it so well. What was the need for all this effort? We were coming today anyway," she said.
I shifted my weight, relieved the cleaning had been noticed. *I remembered Rati's words about her mother checking up, and the cover story held.* "Chachi, Mangala Kaki had sent Rati to help me," I explained.
Suman Chachi frowned slightly. "You should have said no to Mangala Chachi."
"I did say no," I explained, trying to sound responsible. "But Kaki said that when you came, you would complain that I didn't take care of myself. She insisted on sending Rati," I finished, letting the blame rest innocently on Mangala Kaki.
Suman Chachi nodded, mollified by the explanation. "That's fine. Did you study or just play all week?" she asked.
"I've stopped playing now," I reassured her. "I have exams in one and a half months. I'm studying with Komal." I quickly changed the subject. "Is the work in the village done, Chachi?"
"No, it's not finished yet," Suman Chachi said, the smile fading slightly. "The result of going to the village is still pending."
I frowned. "Will you have to go back to the village again?"
"No," she replied firmly, shaking her head. "I won't have to go now."
Seema Chachi and Meena Chachi returned from the bathroom, fresh from their baths. Suman Chachi went to take her turn. Seema Chachi headed directly to the bedroom to rest.
Now it was just me and Meena Chachi in the quiet hall.
Meena Chachi sat down on the sofa, crossing her legs. She looked at me closely, a small, private smile on her face. "How was your one week, Avi? It was the first time you were completely alone at home. Did you eat well, or did you just mess around?"
I thought of Pooja Bua's desperate pleasure and Rati's bold exhibition. I kept my answer carefully vague. "I don't know how one week passed with Pooja Bua. It went by so fast."
Meena Chachi smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. She leaned back against the cushions. "Sounds like you had a lot of fun with your Bua."
"Yes," I agreed, keeping my tone innocent. "Playing with Raj, talking… I don't even know when I fell asleep and when I woke up."
Meena Chachi shrugged. "Yes, there's no one here at home to play with you."
"That's not exactly true," I countered, thinking of my new arrangement with Rati.
Meena Chachi leaned forward, her voice dropping to a teasing register. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Someone might be coming to play with you soon."
I straightened, alert, my curiosity spiking. "Who's coming?" I pressed her.
She winked slowly. "That's a surprise. It's up to you whether you're ready or not. You will find out soon," she insisted.
I felt a sudden, hot wave of anticipation wash over me. *Was she talking about Rati, or was Meena Chachi suggesting something entirely different and far riskier?* "I'm ready," I insisted, leaning toward her. "First, tell me who's coming."
Meena Chachi just chuckled, the sound low and knowing. She rose from the sofa. "That's what I'm waiting to see," she said, her smile broadening.
Suman Chachi came back, tying the drawstring of her clean skirt.
Suman Chachi and Meena Chachi moved into the kitchen, the familiar sounds of cooking starting up. Seema Chachi also got up, and my Chachaji finally emerged from his nap, looking refreshed. He took a bath. We all ate the food together. It felt genuinely good to eat as a full family again. After talking for a little while, I went to my room and fell asleep. I couldn't shake the feeling that my Chachis knew more about my week than they were letting on.
---
My Chacha arrived back from the village, bringing the house to life. As the family spilled out of the vehicle, the familiar sounds of luggage and greetings filled the air. Suman Chachi reached me first. She pulled me into a tight, maternal hug, her familiar scent washing over me. Then Seema Chachi embraced me, and finally Meena Chachi, all hugging me after the week-long separation. My Chacha, exhausted from the travel, walked straight past us and collapsed onto the bed.
Suman Chachi slowly surveyed the hall. Her eyes passed over the swept floor and dusted surfaces. She smiled, a hint of surprise in her expression. She rested her hands on her hips, observing the clean space. "You cleaned the house and kept it so well. What was the need for all this effort? We were coming today anyway," she said.
I shifted my weight, relieved the cleaning had been noticed. *I remembered Rati's words about her mother checking up, and the cover story held.* "Chachi, Mangala Kaki had sent Rati to help me," I explained.
Suman Chachi frowned slightly. "You should have said no to Mangala Chachi."
"I did say no," I explained, trying to sound responsible. "But Kaki said that when you came, you would complain that I didn't take care of myself. She insisted on sending Rati," I finished, letting the blame rest innocently on Mangala Kaki.
Suman Chachi nodded, mollified by the explanation. "That's fine. Did you study or just play all week?" she asked.
"I've stopped playing now," I reassured her. "I have exams in one and a half months. I'm studying with Komal." I quickly changed the subject. "Is the work in the village done, Chachi?"
"No, it's not finished yet," Suman Chachi said, the smile fading slightly. "The result of going to the village is still pending."
I frowned. "Will you have to go back to the village again?"
"No," she replied firmly, shaking her head. "I won't have to go now."
Seema Chachi and Meena Chachi returned from the bathroom, fresh from their baths. Suman Chachi went to take her turn. Seema Chachi headed directly to the bedroom to rest.
Now it was just me and Meena Chachi in the quiet hall.
Meena Chachi sat down on the sofa, crossing her legs. She looked at me closely, a small, private smile on her face. "How was your one week, Avi? It was the first time you were completely alone at home. Did you eat well, or did you just mess around?"
I thought of Pooja Bua's desperate pleasure and Rati's bold exhibition. I kept my answer carefully vague. "I don't know how one week passed with Pooja Bua. It went by so fast."
Meena Chachi smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. She leaned back against the cushions. "Sounds like you had a lot of fun with your Bua."
"Yes," I agreed, keeping my tone innocent. "Playing with Raj, talking… I don't even know when I fell asleep and when I woke up."
Meena Chachi shrugged. "Yes, there's no one here at home to play with you."
"That's not exactly true," I countered, thinking of my new arrangement with Rati.
Meena Chachi leaned forward, her voice dropping to a teasing register. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Someone might be coming to play with you soon."
I straightened, alert, my curiosity spiking. "Who's coming?" I pressed her.
She winked slowly. "That's a surprise. It's up to you whether you're ready or not. You will find out soon," she insisted.
I felt a sudden, hot wave of anticipation wash over me. *Was she talking about Rati, or was Meena Chachi suggesting something entirely different and far riskier?* "I'm ready," I insisted, leaning toward her. "First, tell me who's coming."
Meena Chachi just chuckled, the sound low and knowing. She rose from the sofa. "That's what I'm waiting to see," she said, her smile broadening.
Suman Chachi came back, tying the drawstring of her clean skirt.
Suman Chachi and Meena Chachi moved into the kitchen, the familiar sounds of cooking starting up. Seema Chachi also got up, and my Chachaji finally emerged from his nap, looking refreshed. He took a bath. We all ate the food together. It felt genuinely good to eat as a full family again. After talking for a little while, I went to my room and fell asleep. I couldn't shake the feeling that my Chachis knew more about my week than they were letting on.
---
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