Learning to Love

Chapter 2 Priya.

Priya Malhotra was a shy, traditional Indian girl.  Even though she was raised in a palace, she was brought up with traditional values.  She was very obedient and never questioned her mother or her absentee father.  She knew her father worked hard to create his business empire, which is why he spends most of his time in Mumbai or Delhi rather than at home with his family. 

            Priya diligently prepared breakfast.  Sure, there were servants, but she preferred to make breakfast herself.  Priya was an excellent cook. She enjoyed cooking.  Her mother told her the one way to win a man’s heart was through his stomach, so she just had to learn how to cook well.  She was finishing up making the last of the parathas when her younger sister, Payal, came bursting into the kitchen.

            “Didi! Look at this!” she was holding up a fashion magazine. 

            Priya glanced at the picture Payal held in front of her.  She saw a glamorous model wearing a short red dress.  The dress was much too short and the neckline was cut a little too low.  Priya noticed the model’s confidence and a hint of jealousy rose inside of her. She knew she could never dress like that. 

            “Why are you reading these types of magazines? You know we can’t dress like this.” Priya said, moving the magazine aside as she finished preparing breakfast. 

            “A girl can dream, can’t she?” beamed Payal. Payal was always an optimist. She was four years younger than Priya, but believed she was much older and all grown up. 

            “Take these to the table.” Said Priya, handing Payal plates full of food. 

            Priya adjusted her braid and put on the veil she had removed while she was cooking.  She brought out the rest of the food and called everyone down.  She lived in a joint family, so most of her uncles and aunts and a plethora of cousins lived with her.  She enjoyed being part of a large family.  She couldn’t wrap her mind around how children actually left their parents behind to live on their own.  She never wanted to leave her family, but she knew one day she would have to get married and leave.  Every girl had to get married one day. 

            Priya’s younger cousins sauntered down the grand staircase and surrounded the table.  Her aunts and uncles leisurely followed.  None of her cousins were her age.  Most were much younger than she was.  A few of them were married with families of their own. 

            “Mmm smells good.” Commented one of her uncles.

            Priya smiled and began to serve her family members.  Her mother made her way to her seat.  Payal served her.  Priya’s mother looked up at her, approving of her job well done. 

            “Payal, you must learn to cook like your sister.” She said.

            “Of course, but just wait and watch Ma. I’ll be better than Didi,” replied Payal. She made a face at Priya.  Priya smiled back at her. 

            Priya glanced out the window and noticed a black Mercedes parked outside.  She studied it for a moment and then quickly made her way towards the front door.  She paused for a moment and took a deep breath.  She opened the door to see her father with a fist in the air.

            “You always get to the door before I even knock!” her father said.

            Priya smiled.  She always knew when her father came home even when he tried to surprise her.  She bent down and touched her father’s feet. 

            “Be happy.” He gave her his blessing and enveloped her in a hug as he entered the house. 

            “Ma!” Priya called to her mother.  Priya’s mother walked around the corner and shyly smiled as she saw Priya’s father. 

            “Baba!” Payal came running around the corner.  She also bent down to touch her father’s feet before giving him a hug. 

            They loved when their father came home.  The house always seemed brighter, happier when he was home.  Priya noticed that her father wasn’t as happy as he usually was when he came home. He kept glancing over at her as the rest of the family members tried to greet him and welcome him home. 

            “Priya,” he finally said, “I need to discuss something with you.”

I feel like I need to explain some things about the culture. They touch their father’s feet as a sign of respect. It was meant to exemplify their traditional upbringing.  Joint families are also pretty common in India.  Priya’s father mainly lives in Mumbai, where he does business while the family lives in a smaller town further away from Mumbai which is why they’re so happy to have him home. 

Hope you guys like it so far. I’ll update like crazy through my Spring Break but then the updates will begin to slow down because of school. Sorry!