Frustrated Minal

The morning sun cast a soft golden glow over the family compound as the day of Yidi's seven day prayer arrived. Everyone in the house seems to be busy and the air was heavy with a mixture of grief and solemnity. Family members, friends, and neighbors from the village had gathered to pay their respects and offer prayers for Yidi's departed soul.

Inside the kitchen, where the aroma of breakfast mingled with the preparations for the day, Boddo found herself facing Atine once again. The tension between them was palpable, a constant undercurrent that seemed to taint every interaction.

Atine, with her usual air of coldness, looked at Boddo and a cruel smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Oh Boddo, I must say it's a wonder you can even look at yourself in the mirror. Even though you seem to have changed but...a missing a lot" she taunted.

Boddo, her eyes flickering with a mixture of sadness and frustration, held her gaze steady. "What do you mean, Innah?"

Atine's smile widened, her words dripping with malice. "Well, dear, isn't it obvious? Your husband can't even stand the thought of sharing a room with you let a be around you. It's quite embarrassing, really."

Boddo's heart clenched, a mixture of hurt and anger coursing through her veins. She knew that Atine's words were meant to wound, to remind her of her status as the "village champion" who had married into their family.

"It's because I'm still very young and my education." Boddo replied, her voice surprisingly steady. "My relationship with Datti is of a brother and sister, that's why we don't share a room."

Atine's laughter was harsh and grating. "Oh, but for all I can remember is that you're not brought here to be his sister, but a wife to him instead. After all, I'm the one who has to watch your parade around this house like some queen since I arrived. It's quite laughable, really."

Boddo felt her patience wearing thin, but she knew that engaging with Atine would only escalate the situation further. Instead, she took a deep breath and turned her attention to the breakfast preparations.

" You should have married Manga, especially now that he's studying what did they called this place again? Ah, India! That's where Gidado send him and his father for treatment but now he's even studying there. Hmm, only he will understand your value not this Datti."

Just then, Nana entered the kitchen, her presence a welcome reprieve from the tension. "Everything is almost ready for the prayer," she announced, glancing between Boddo and Atine with a knowing look.

Atine's expression shifted slightly, a hint of annoyance crossing her features. "Well, I have other things to attend to," she declared, turning on her heel and leaving the kitchen.

Boddo let out a sigh of relief as Atine's presence retreated, the weight of the conversation still heavy on her heart. Nana walked over and placed a comforting hand on Boddo's shoulder.

"Don't let her get to you," Nana said softly. "She's just trying to provoke a reaction."

Boddo nodded, offering a small smile. "I know, Nana. It's just hard sometimes."

As they continued with the preparations, the sounds of prayers and mournful chants from the gathering outside filled the air. The family came together to honor Yidi's memory, to offer their love and support to one another in the face of grief.

As the male members of the family sat outside, their voices resonating with prayers and solemnity, the atmosphere was one of devotion and unity. Some of them took the opportunity to exchange greetings and catch up with the new visitors, who had arrived for Yidi's prayer. The day was heavy with emotion, yet it also carried a sense of connection and shared grief.

Minal's car was parked at a little distance from the house, providing her with a clear view of the family members gathered outside. Her impatience was palpable as she glanced at her phone, expecting a call or a response from Datti. She had been waiting for him to visit her for the past seven days, and her frustration had grown steadily.

Seeing him among his family members, engaged in prayers and conversations, only added fuel to her simmering anger. She couldn't comprehend why he had been avoiding her and their son for so long, " would it be that he wants to be with that village trash?". she said it loud.

In a fit of frustration, Minal decided to vent her feelings through a text message. Her fingers swiftly danced across the phone's screen as she typed out her message, her words laced with annoyance and impatience.

"**Datti,**" she began, her tone sharp even in written form, "**I can't believe you've been ignoring me for a whole week now. Do you even care about us? Or is it that, you're with that village thing, that you can't make time for me and our son? I need to see you right now! or do you want me to make my way to the house to find out from your family? and I need you to explain yourself. This is not our agreement to begin with, and I won't tolerate being treated like this.**"

As she sent the message, she couldn't help but feel a mix of anger and desperation. She knew that their relationship had been rocky lately, but this silence and avoidance were pushing her to her limits. She awaited Datti's response, hoping for an explanation that would appease her restless heart.

Datti's heart raced as he read Minal's message, her words slicing through him like a knife. He felt a bead of sweat forming on his forehead as he glanced up and saw Minal's car parked not too far away. Panic surged through him. His father and Ardo were both with him, engaged in prayer and conversation. He couldn't afford to be caught in this predicament.

His eyes darted to Kamal, who was sitting nearby. Datti knew that if Minal's message was discovered, it could lead to more trouble than he could handle. He needed a solution, and he needed it fast.

With a sense of urgency, Datti discreetly tapped Kamal on the shoulder, trying not to attract too much attention. Kamal turned to him, his brow furrowed in curiosity.

"Datti, what's going on?" Kamal asked in a hushed tone.

Datti quickly whispered to him, "Kamal, Minal is here, and she just texted me now. I don't know what to do. I can't let my father or Ardo find out about this."

As Kamal thought about his own reluctance to get involved in Datti's troubles, a pang of guilt and responsibility washed over him. He realized that their mother and Boddo had also been through a lot lately, and the last thing they needed was more family drama. Kamal knew he had to step in and help Datti navigate this situation, even if it wasn't his problem initially.

Resolute, Kamal decided to take matters into his own hands. He didn't want Datti to face Minal alone, especially given the recent tensions between their family members. Kamal got up quietly, excusing himself from the gathering of male family members who were still engaged in prayer and conversation.

He made his way towards Minal's car, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. Kamal had always been known for his calm demeanor and diplomatic approach, and he hoped it would serve him well in this situation.

Approaching Minal's car, he knocked lightly on the window. Minal, who had been anxiously awaiting Datti's response, jumped in her seat, startled. She rolled down the window to see Kamal standing there, wearing a composed expression.

"Assalamualaikum, Minal," Kamal greeted her politely.

Minal, somewhat surprised to see Kamal, replied, "Wa alaikum assalam, br...brother. What are you doing here?"

Minal looked surprised to see Kamal, her face showing a mixture of emotions. Kamal spoke in a low, composed voice, "Minal, I understand that you have concerns, but right now, our family is going through a difficult time. I ask for your understanding and patience. We should talk about this in a more appropriate setting, away from prying eyes and ears."

Minal regarded Kamal for a moment, her expression softening slightly. She nodded in agreement, recognizing that causing a scene would only make matters worse for everyone involved, especially knowing who Kamal is, she wouldn't want to be in any arguments with him as serious as he looks right now. "You're right," she said quietly. "Let's find a time and place to talk."

As Kamal and Minal arrived at their family's other house, tension hung in the air. Minal's anxiety was palpable as she was acutely aware of Kamal's anger and the gravity of the situation. Kamal, determined to address the issue at hand, didn't hesitate.

Upon parking the car, Kamal swiftly exited and opened the car door, firmly taking Minal's hand. She winced slightly as he held her hand tightly, her protests falling on deaf ears. The gatekeeper and their parents tried to intervene and understand the commotion, but Kamal was resolute.

Ignoring the inquiries from the gatekeeper and their parents, Kamal guided Minal inside the house, their footsteps echoing in the hallway as they ascended the stairs. Minal's heart raced as they headed toward Kamal's room. She continued to plead with him to let go of her hand, explaining that it hurt, but Kamal was unyielding.

Once inside his room, Kamal closed the door behind them, still holding Minal's hand firmly. He turned to her with a stern expression, his eyes conveying a mixture of disappointment and concern.

As Kamal and Minal stood facing each other in his room, the atmosphere was charged with tension. Kamal, his anger simmering beneath the surface, began to speak, his voice edged with frustration and disappointment.

"Minal, how could you disregard me as your brother?" Kamal's words were stern and filled with reproach. "I've always treated you like a sister, and this is how you repay me? By bringing trouble to our family?"

Minal, her own anger smoldering, didn't back down. She shot back at him, her voice quivering with resentment."You say I never regarded you as a brother, but did you ever regard me as more than just your sister? All you ever did was give orders, as if everything should be about 'brother' and 'sister'."

Kamal, his anger still simmering, tried to explain, "Minal, it's not about disregarding you. It's about protecting you, our family, and our reputation. There are boundaries we must uphold."

Minal, however, was not ready to back down. "Boundaries, Kamal? For years, I've hidden my feelings, but it's become too much to bear. You never noticed how I felt about you, how I love you."

Kamal's expression softened with understanding, but he knew he had to be honest. "Minal, I do care about you deeply, but not in the way you want. I've always seen you as my little sister, and that's a bond I cherish. But I cannot reciprocate the romantic feelings you have for me. And what you did is very wrong if it wasn't you, hmm."

Minal, tears welling up in her eyes, shook her head. "That's the problem, Kamal. I can't continue to be your 'little sister' when it hurts this much. I'm tired of pretending."

Minal's desperation pushed her to the edge, and she began to touch Kamal, imploring him to love her back. But Kamal, determined and principled, refused her advances, shaking his head. He couldn't betray his beliefs and feelings.

Minal's frustration and bitterness welled up, and she lashed out at Boddo, calling her a mere village champion, questioning what she had that Minal didn't. Kamal's patience was wearing thin, and he reminded her that both Boddo and Minal were married to his brother, Datti, and there was nothing between him and them.

Minal, however, laughed bitterly, accusing Kamal of lying and hiding his true feelings for Boddo. She couldn't believe he would be blind in love with her, especially when she was right there, willing to offer him everything.

Kamal's face hardened as he retorted, "Minal, it's not about lying. It's about respecting the boundaries we have in this family. I have feelings for Boddo, but they are not what you think. And I cannot betray my brother."

Minal's anger flared as she yelled, "You're a coward, Kamal! You're too blinded by Boddo's charms to see what's right in front of you." With that, she stormed out of his room, leaving behind a conflicted and troubled Kamal, who knew that the challenges and complications within his family were far from over.