"aap log yahan kaise?" (why are you guys here?) I ask.
"Hummari behen aayi hai, usse milna toh padega na." (Our sister has come; we need to meet her or not?) he asks smiling at me. I felt as if father was there again, the warmth of the smile, went straight to my heart.
I didn't know about the tears until Balram Bhaiya wiped it and pulled me into a hug. I felt like I had the warmth of the universe, it felt divine, calm, soothing.
"Achcha lag raha hai?" (Does it feel nice?) Balram Bhaiya asks. I smile at him, pulling away from the hug reluctantly. I happily nod, my tears now long gone.
"Bahut achcha." (Very good.) he says. "Ab yaad rakhna, mere pas koi bhi dikat le kar aa sakti hai. Theek hai?" (Now remember, whenever you have any problem, you will come to me, ok?)
"Ji Bhaiya." (Yes, Big Brother.)
"Janma din kee shubha kaamanaen, Anni" (Happy Birthday, Anni) Balram Bhaiya wishes me. As he hands me something wrapped in cloth. It's a box.
"Shukriya, Bhrata shree." (Thank you, brother dear) I beam at him.
"Usse bad mein kholna, Abhi apne dusre bhai se baat karo." (Open it afterwards, right now go talk to another brother.) He tells me and I nod in understanding. Caressing my hair once, and kissing the top of my head he walks out of the room.
"Hum kaal baat karenge, Didi." (We will talk tomorrow, elder sister.) Subhadra says before vanishing along with Balram Bhaiya.
I turn to my brother, who is observing the idol.
"itna achuck, hai." (It's so acute) I observe. Krishna Bhaiya just hums.
Taking my hand, he takes me to the bed, and settle down him laid back on the bed, while I am sitting near his stomach, beside him.
