Hidden Flames

𝟏• 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐲

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T A R A ' S  P O V 

"Tara, beta, neeche aaiye, khana lag chuka hai," Mummy's voice floated up the stairs, interrupting me from feeding grains to the pigeons in the balcony. 

I gently placed the bowl of wheat grains on the floor, watching as the birds pecked at them eagerly, then turned towards the door.

"Ji, Mummy, abhi aaye," I called back, a small smile playing on my lips at the sight of the birds

I quickly checked myself in a mirror as I walked by. I was wearing a simple white dress with some pretty designs on it, a small black bindi on my forehead, and an outline of kohl. I wore beautiful jhumka earrings that tinkled softly and a set of silver bangles, I felt good in it. infact, i looked beautiful.

then i joined everyone for lunch, Daadi sat at the head of the table, her silver hair neatly tied in a bun, papa wa taking to chachaji, while Mummy and Chachiji were busy setting the dishes on the table. I smiled and joined them at the table, taking my seat beside anvika, my cousin sister. 

"Haye ree hamari bacchi, Tara, kitni sundar lag rahi hain aap!" Daadi exclaimed as she looked at me.

"Daadi, aap bhi na, hamesha hamari itna taarif karti hain," I spoke with a chuckle.

"Aur kyun na karein, beta? Aap toh hamari shaan hain," Daadi replied affectionately.

 Anvika couldn't resist interjecting,  "Aur Daadi, ham?"

daadi  turned her attention towards Anvika, "Anvika beta, aap bhi bhot pyaari lag rahin hain"

Anvika's expression soured slightly, but she quickly masked it with a forced smile, "daadi aap toh Tara ko hamesha hi zyada importance deti hain."

I sighed inwardly at Anvika's behavior. She's not bad. not at all, but she's under pressure from her parents to compete with me. Anvika and I had grown up together, yet we never got the chance to be as close as other sisters. It's not like I didn't want us to be close; in fact, I craved that bond more than anything but we couldn't be close because of the constant comparisons and jealousy fueled by her parents means my chacha ji and chachi ji.

I smiled politely at Anvika, "Daadi loves us both equally, Anvika okay?."

Chachiji chimed in, her tone slightly mocking, "chhodo, Anvika, Tara ki tarah toh tum ban hi nahi sakti, after all, she's the pride of our family."

It's weird how in our family, everyone calls each other using 'aap' only, except Chachiji, who uses 'tum'. It's not like I mind, but it does highlight the subtle differences, like she wants to assert her closeness or perhaps superiority.

"Bas karo, nehal," Daadi's voice cut through the tension, her tone firm "Humari dono potiyaan hamare liye ek jaisi hain. dono hi hamare parivaar ki shaan hain"

"Ji, Mummyji," Chachiji replied with an eye roll.

Papa cleared his throat, "Tara, kaise chal raha hai apka NGO ka project? Aur woh school jo aapne shuru kiya tha, usmein kya progress hai?"

I smiled proudly, my eyes lighting up as I talked about my work. "Papa, sab kuch achha chal raha hai. NGO ke project mein humne ek naya health camp organize kiya hai, jismein humare volunteers ne local community ke logon ko basic health check-up aur awareness sessions diye. Aur school mein bhi enrollment badh rahi hai, ab tak humare paas 100 se zyada students hain."

"Proud of you, beta," Papa said with a smile i looked at chacha ji who rolled his eyes slightly but his opinion doesn't matter. does it? no.

I'm a firm believer in using my privilege for good. Growing up in a royal family comes with its perks, but it also comes with responsibilities. I've always felt a deep sense of duty towards the people in our community, and my work with the NGO and the school is just one way of fulfilling that duty.