Going again

The present environment seems like a nuclear bomb has landed on the table. Everyone is staring at Tarika as if she is the one to do so. Though, she has not bombarded the table with a bomb but just a single piece of simple news. The news of her expedition. It may be a tensed situation but it was not unexpected. Tarika knew that the reaction of her family members was going to be more or less the same. Even she was preparing herself to convey this information from at least the last two weeks and it is today, just a day before, that she is telling them.

Initially, she tried the best way to escape from their gaze, by looking at her plate as if the food in it is fascinating to her or maybe saying something. Although she doesn't want to speak anything, she is not comfortable with the silence around her. She wants them to speak none the less to enquire her. Aware of the stares by others, finally she looked up.

The look on their faces is making her perplexed. She is not sure of the coming time but for now, what she is sure of is that this silence is killing her and it is to be ended. Maybe her thoughts are reflected by her expression, and to her rescue, her sister Anamika asked.

"When did you say you are going?"

"Tomorrow!"

"And you are informing us now?"

"I thought about not bothering you with this." Partially, she thought. Partially because she knew that they will surely be able to pursue her not to go.

"It's okay. You know better late than never! And I think the more important thing is the destination. So where are you going?" Asked her mother who seemed happy by this news.

"Umm. The same place as the last."

"Same? You mean where you went for your research"

"Yes"

Hearing this her mother's mood changed a bit and she look towards her father. And then both of them looked towards her in confusion.

"Why?"

"I am going to attend a function."

"Ahem!" said her father "Is it… is it really necessary for you to go there?"

Tarika knew that this question is going to coming and today she is prepared for this. She looked towards her father and said "Papa--"

Her father cut her in between and resumed "Look we are not trying to stop you from travelling. You are young and, well, even an independent and successful girl. Even we both were going to suggest you for a tour somewhere. But this--- Let me be clear, is a bit worrisome for us. You know what I mean, right?"

"Yes, Taaru" exclaimed her mother "Even I am not convinced in sending you there." for some reason she put more emphasis on the last word.

Getting the point of her mother, Tarika appealed "Please, Mummy! Papa! the place has nothing to do with anything. It is just that my friend seems to exit there and he is organising a function where I am supposed to be a part of. … You are saying as if that place is jinxed!"

"Yes! that place is a jinx. And, how does the place have nothing to do with it? Did you forget what happened to you last time? You escaped from that accident also don’t forget what happened to him…" stopped her mother abruptly.

After a few minutes, very calmly her sister Anamika continued "Do you think we don't notice, uh? Since you came back from there four months back you have changed completely. We no more see that cheerful, happy and chatty Tarika. Do you think we are blind?"

"Who knows the situation gets reversed this time," said Tarika in a very low sound.

"Do you still think like that?" Asked her father.

"I don't know. But then who can?" I can't even know whether I will enter the airport well or not, forget about the whole journey, thought Tarika.

"Watching you, I can make it that you have decided to go. And to be true we don't have a right to control you. But we are still worried about you. How will you manage everything alone? You know you will not be able to ignore the bad forget about the worse."

"As if I had it here," murmured Tarika.

"What?"

"I won't be alone there. Everyone will be going to gather. … And don't worry too much I will be alright there. I know how to handle myself well and will handle myself just I have in the last months."

"Are you sure you handled yourself well?"

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