"Mom, what's this, it's almost 12 now... I asked you to sleep right?" Thulasi's voice sounded with a mixture of anger and affection.
Saradha didn't say anything but just raised her hands as if calling her daughter. Thulasi got the message and went and sat next to her mother. Saradha embraced her daughter fondly.
"I am very much worried about you Thulasi.... How long can you lead your life like this?"
"Amma... what is there to worry? My boutique is doing well... there is no problem for money... and now Kavya is almost done with her studies.... For her good marks, she will be surely getting a good job......."
"Then...?"
"Then we can close our debts and can live freely... after two three years we can find a suitable groom for Kavya..."
"What about you?"
"You are there for me Amma..... What else do I need?" said Thulasi in a low voice.
"But how long can I stay with you Thulasi... another five or six years... and then... after my death... what will happen to you?
Thulasi was absolutely shocked to hear those words from Saradha.
"Please Amma, don't say that. No one can predict the future. Did we expect our life to change like this ten year back??? And did we expect to reach this stage five years back???? Let's not think too much Amma... Let's take small steps... Now for me Kavya's future is the most important thing... If I can marry her to a good person... then both of us can be free....."
"Do you really think I am happy to hear this???? How can I be happy when you are not happy?"
"Amma... what's wrong with you today? I am very happy... believe me...."
"Thulasi.... I am your mother don't lie to me.... at this age you may think its ok... But when you are in your forties and fifties you will feel bad...."
"No mom... I will not feel bad... After Kavya's marriage, I am planning to adopt one boy and one girl. So I will not be alone...."
"In this time, even your own blood relations, don't bother about you..."
"Very true mommy... and that's why I am opting for adopted children" said Thulasi interrupting her mother with a smile.
"Thulasi, please listen to me..... You just say yes and I will try to find a suitable match for you...."
"But then mom... What about you and Kavya?"
"Kavya will start earning in some months right? Then we can handle our expenses with her salary...."
"But then what will you do all alone after Kavya gets married????"
"What is there to worry about me? I just need a room and some food... I can manage it at our native place... "
"No mom, it's not going to work out... now stop worrying about me and start thinking about Kavya.... "
"But Thulasi...I am already worried about her also... You are giving too much liberty to her... She is grown up now and it’s good time that she understands our family situation....."
"Come on mom, don't be so harsh... Kavya is an intelligent girl... She knows our situation... But now she is in her college... You can’t expect a little girl like Kavya to adjust.... She will understand it herself soon.... and now, come let's go and sleep... I need to start early tomorrow ..."
Thulasi helped her mother in preparing her bed in the hall. Saradha usually slept in the hall while the sisters shared the bedroom.
After making sure that her mother is comfortable with her bed, Thulasi switched off the hall light and slowly opened the shut bedroom door. As she entered, she could clearly hear her sister's whispering voice,
"Chee poda... you keep talking like this... wait for our marriage...."
A shocked Thulasi stood there like a statue.
To be continued...