On her third day back at her house, Ahaana decided that she needed to step outside more than before. With that thought in mind, she picked out a Forest green churidar with the same colour chudi pants and a pale gold jute shawl to go with it. As she was going to iron it, her mother who saw her with the dress in her hands approached her for a talk.
"Where are you going?"
"Town."
"Didn't you go there just yesterday?"
"I did. But I want to go there today as well. Why? Is there any problem?"
"No there isn't. It's just, you don't step out of the house unless it is necessary."
"Well then for the peace of your mind, think that I have something urgent to do. I will be back before lunch. Ah, and tell me if I need to get something from the supermarket, I'll go buy it for you."
"If you go buy it for me then for what use is that husband of mine?" her mother joked, making her chuckle.
Her mother's eyes softened. She approached her silently from behind and slowly caressed her head. "Mole, you know amma is ready to hear anything you want to share with me right?"
Ahaana smiled softly back at her. "I know amma. Don't you worry, I'll be back before you know it."
"You know it's not about that."
Another easy smile. "I know. Now shoo, you are making me lose my concentration."
Her mother lingered in the hall for another two minutes before going back to the room near the kitchen. Ahaana could hear the sound of the lock turning in the almirah. But she had paid it no attention. A little later, her mother returned with some clothes in her hands and placed them on the chair.
"While you are at it," she started, grabbing Ahaana's attention, "iron them too. I have to leave early today."
Ahaana glared at her mother. "Look at her making me do all the work" she grumbled.
"Did you say something?"
"Nay, did I now?"
"Shut your mouth and do the work mole."
Ahaana rolled her eyes.
By nine-thirty sharp, she was done with all her chores. Ahaana ran her fingers through her locks and started undoing all the knots, cringing when she tugged it too hard. She grabbed the comb lying on the table and moved it down her hair. She gathered a little part of her hair from the sides and clipped it with a black clip (that she 'borrowed' from her mother's box).
Her eyes appeared bigger and much more alive with the help of the smeared kajal and the eyeliner wings above her eyelid. She applied a little bit of maroon chapstick on her lips and puckered her lips to spread it evenly. She exhaled sharply.
Ahaana turned off the lights in her room and headed to the living room where her bag was kept. She strode around the house and started picking up different things that she needed and kept them in the bag. Lastly, she opened the door leading outside and turned the key to pull it outside. She glanced back hesitantly playing with the keys as she recalled if she had done everything properly - locked the backdoors, turned off the gas, locked the windows, etc.
Nodding to herself she stepped outside and wore her chappal. With her bag still in her arm she twirled around and shut the door close, locking it twice before heading towards the scooter.