One year later...
Radha is now following Avi ( aka Aavnish) everywhere by moving on her knees and hands.She is one year now. Often she would go back after him, sit in the place where he used to and would clap her hands with a perfect smile. No matter how much liya tries to keep her off the way, she would always follow Avi. The new house is not bigger than the old one. But still, it is much better than that dark room. Even though the salary is limited, they lead a very peaceful life.
“Ma, Radha is following me everywhere. Even to the washroom,” Avi shouted and lifted her with utmost difficulty.
“Don't lift her Avi, how many times I need to tell you? “Liya said and got her from his hands.
“You are always telling me something or the other, ma. What did I do?. See how she is smiling,” Avi said pointing at Radha.
Radha is still laughing and clapping her hands in approval.
“She is just a one-year-old, Avi. How can she know all that,” liya said, hiding her grin.
“See, still laughing. I did nothing, ma,” Avi said
“I know you love Radha. But don't lift her again. You are not grown enough to do that, Avi,” said liya.
“Ok! I won't!!” Avi said
“Did you complete your homework, Avi?”
“They didn't give any…… homework. Mam said I'm doing great so no need of homework ah, ma,” Avi said, pondering here and there.
“Is it so? You've become smart, Avi,” liya said and stood up.
She went into the room and returned after 2 minutes with a diary in his hand. She opened and read it aloud.
“Dear mam, aavnish had not completed his homework for last two days. So kindly make him to do that,” liya completed the sentence. “So what did you understand from this, Avi?” Liya said, folding her hands.
Of course, Avi doesn't understand a thing. But the word “Homework” made him to shiver. Radha again laughed and clapped with the same perfect smile. Avi looked at her and signalled “shhhh” by placing his finger on the lips.
“Look here and answer, avi” liya said, raising her brows.
“Ma, I think that is the homework for the next week”Avi said, looking up.
Liya knelt down before him, stroked his hair. With a smile she said, “Yes, it is. I know you will complete it soon. And I know you will complete all the work in time”
Liya picked Radha up and said, “You have a brilliant brother, Radha”. She winked and left.
Aavnish is three years now. He is going to the kindergarten. His homeworks include writing alphabets, numbers for pages. He used to inform liya about the homework every day and then both will do them during the study time.
That evening, liya didn't show up during the study time. Avi went to the kitchen, got her hands and made her to sit with him. Radha followed him and made herself so
comfortable on Liya's lap.
“Ma, I didn't complete the homework for….. two.. days,” Avi said, spitting out the truth without looking at her eyes
“Then why did you tell lie?” Lia asked
“For Extra play time” Avi said, his head down.
“Why didn't you tell me straight away?”
“I thought you will scold me”
“Look here, Avi,” she said, raising his chin. “If Amma doesn't scold you for slight mistakes, then you'll be blamed by others for doing big mistakes. Do you understand?”
“Yes, ma” Avi said, nodding.
Radha imitated Avi and nodded her head vigorously. Liya and Avi burst out laughing.
“See, whatever you do, Radha will follow the same. So you must be a perfect example for your sister,” liya said, looking at Radha.
Radha again nodded up and down by clapping her hands.
“Okay, let we make a deal? Okay?” Liya said. “If I make any mistakes, you'll correct me and if you make any mistake, I'll correct you. Deal?”
“But how do we know whether it's a mistake, ma?” Avi asked, wondering.
“If you don't do any mistake, you'll never think of telling a lie,” liya said.
“But how do I know whether or not someone is telling a lie, ma?” Avi asked.
“If you really know someone, you can feel it like I did. But if you can't feel it, then it means you don't know them even though you think you know them” liya said, firmly.
Liya knows that Avi is not matured enough to understand this. But still she used to explain everything to him..
“Ok! Deal!” Avi said, extending his fist.
“What is this?”
“Fist bump, ma” Avi said, still extending his fist.
Liya does the same and when the two fist met Avi bursted out “fist bump” with excitement. “Radha, Wanna try?”. He went near to her, took her hands gently, folded her fingers, he brought his fist and then he made a gentle “Fist bump”. This time, Radha giggled out loud in excitement.
Meanwhile they heard door bell. Avi dashed out towards the door shouting "Apppa" . Radha followed him with her knees and hands taking step by step. "Go go let's see who goes first" Liya rushed them in excitement. For a moment she felt like happiest mother in the world. Avi opened the door. Radha is siting in front of the door with her head looking up. But Ajith is nowhere can be seen. Avi went out, searched here & there, called out loud “Appa”. Then suddenly Ajith came out of nowhere and screamed “Peek-a-boo”. Avi, stunned, taken aback for a moment. When he come back to senses, he jumped over Ajith, hugged him tightly. Radha was still staring at Ajith with the eyes filled with tears, looking up. She was totally scared. When Ajith leaned down to pick her up, she burst out in tears with a long cry.
“Didn’t you liked it, Radha?. Appa thought you’ll like it,” Ajith said, cradling her.
She didn’t stop crying. Tears oozing out.
“See, what Appa got you” Ajith said, taking out a lollipop 🍭 from his pocket.
Radha is now scanning the unidentified object. Within a few seconds, she started giggling, forgetting that she cried before. Ajith placed her down and gave the lollipop. Radha shakes it back and forth near her ears, intending to hear a sound. No sound. Now she holds it in the other hand and shakes it well. No sign of sounds. She got upset and throws it away.
“No, Radha. It’s not a rattle you play with. It’s a choc-ola-te,” Ajith said, spelling it out.
Radha is looking up, blinking.
“Appa will show you how to eat” Ajith said, taking out another lollipop from his pocket.
Ajith demonstrated. He took off the wrapper slowly and inserted it straight into his mouth by saying “Mmmm, yummy”. It seems difficult to Radha. So she opened her mouth, looked up, inserted her thumb straight into her mouth, showing that it tastes better than anything in the world. Everyone laughs out loud.
Ajith took her up, “My thumb-sucking baby” he said, kissing her cheeks.
Ajith took another lollipop and gave it to Avi. Now it’s Avi's turn to demonstrate. He unwrapped it, licked it, and then took the same near Radha's mouth. Now she understood the importance of lollipop. She bent down from Ajith's hand to lick. But Avi took it back by saying “it’s mine”.” I’ll give you yours” said Avi and gave her the lollipop. She giggled.
Liya is watching everything from the distance and noticed something unusual with Radha. Then she found that unusual part. Radha's left hand!!
What is happening to her?
Does Radha deserve your vote?
To be continued....