Chapter 347

The flight was on time and both her brother and Kathy came out with a couple of suitcases each. They both looked horrible – tired and exhausted. They both looked like they had lost weight. Kathy seemed worse compared to her brother. She smiled at Kathy and gave a hug to her brother. Pryag said to her brother, “Welcome back. Let us get you home for a good home cooked meal.” Her brother said, “Oh! That sounds wonderful. I have really missed some traditional food. Your mom’s cooking? Oh boy! I can’t wait.” Kathy smiled and greeted Pryag and they were on their way to the car. Diya wondered how different she and her brother are. She never really cared for traditional food. She always preferred some chat and a snack maybe and leaned towards a nice creamy pasta with some salad and a soup. She grew up eating the food her mom cooked and always complained about it and asked for something else and that has changed until today as she still is not a big fan of any traditional meal. Mostly because she was never interested in food and it was just something she was a fuel for her body to function and was mostly interested in fuel to learn more and satisfy her craving for something new and something to achieve in life. She realized that she was more like her father and had the drive to achieve things in life and prove something. Kathy touched her shoulder and said, “Diya. You seemed to be lost in thoughts. Is everything okay?” from the back seat of the car. Diya smiled and said, “Just lost in old memories. That’s all.” Her brother asked, “If something brings a smile on your face, then that must be good. What was it?” Diya said, “I was thinking about mom. I remembered how much you used to enjoy her home cooked meal.” He said, “Oh! ya. True. She was a great cook. Unfortunately you never learnt anything from her” and laughed. Diya turned around and frowned. “Why me? You are one who loves traditional meals. You should have learnt from her.” Then she spoke in her mother tongue “Now that you are marrying someone from a totally different culture, you are really going to miss it”.

He laughed and said, “You know I was pulling your leg. I really missed teasing you. Now I really feel like I am home. I love you sis”. She frowned and turned to the front. Pryag looked at her and smiled to himself. Every time she falls for this. He provokes her by saying something and she gets all worked up. She couldn’t help but react to his statement and she regretted that and told herself “ I should not have reacted to his comment that way. I should have known that he is pulling my leg. Why do I call for this every time?” Her brother asked, “So what is new with you guys? I have a lot of catching up to do. Any news?” Pryag and Diya exchanged a glance and Pryag said, “Nothing much. I have recovered and I am doing absolutely fine as you can see. And I guess for your sister as usual work, work and more work….. So how about you guys? Too much traveling? The two of you look like you have lost a lot of weight?” Kathy said, “Yes. That is why we decided to take a break for a few months. I took an assignment with UNICEF here and decided to stay in one place for a while.” Diya’s brother said, “You don’t have to look at me, go ahead” Kathy smiled and continued and said “We have decided to get married and have picked a date.” Pryag exclaimed, “That is wonderful guys. Congratulations to the both of you. And I will be glad to extend any help with the wedding.” He looked at Diya and asked, “Isn’t wonderful Diya?” She didn’t respond for a minute. She didn’t expect to hear that. Some she still didn’t comprehend the fact that her brother was engaged and now that they have picked a date to get married came as both a shock and a surprise. Kathy asked, “Diya? What do you think?” Diya stammered for a minute and said, “Great. Just a bit surprised that’s all.” She noticed that her being hesitant and not replying immediately created a tension in the car. So make everyone feel at ease she said, “I never thought my brother was a marriage material. I am just still wondering why a nice girl like you would actually want to marry a guy like him.” Hearing that everyone in the car broke into laughter and Pryag pulled into the driveway.