"Hey kichumatti! .( How are you child! It is going to be long since I have seen you?) Krystal's father enquired me. We halted our car when we saw him passing by.

"Oh uncle ! I am good. ( How are you uncle? How is elder sister doing uncle). I asked while nudging Ben knowingly. He blushed slightly.

Alvin and Steeve grinned knowingly while glancing at each other.

It is kinda small cousin love story. Ben and that sister whom I mentioned about are kinda meant for each other guys. Our parents and her parents fixed their marriage when Ben was four or so. And Krisy was just two .

Weird and whakoish culture isn't it?. I don't understand what has gone wrong with my educated parents.

In my opinion such stuff should not be encouraged or entertained to its least bit.

But I must say Krystal is a gem of a girl with rules of her life and ambitious to the core.So is Ben. But now his slight deviation from normal responsible guy makes me think harder.

I agree he is my one and only darling brother. But I can't just speculate his way of living for the past two years. No job, No earning, just roaming around like a hooligan. This is his definition in my mind at present. So to waste a wonderful girl's life by making her his bride would be like murdering her with our own hands.

I like her and would love to see her as my (sister-in-Law).

Ben too likes her. But never shows. I don't know why?whenever they happen to cross their path they just glare or never bother to look at each other.He nowadays behaves a bit presumptuous and rough. Dunno why he is fluctuating from his normal stance.

still I could somewhere scoop up a silent amity setting sparks around them when their eyes meet. okay that is a bit sick imagination. So over to current happenings.

Now we came out of the car and were having a light chat with uncle. Krisy is two years elder to me. She is a well behaved, well tamed and well nurtured girl of her age.

Their home is nearby.

I looked around while the elders were busy catching up with their lives.

"Uncle where is Krissy. I wanna see her" I said still my eyes searching to catch a glimpse of her.

"She is at home child preparing for her exams. She is second year in uni na. So there are a whole lot of mugging up and sleepless nights" uncle said in a worried tone.

I nodded in understanding .

"I will pay her a lightening visit which will be like a thunderstorm for her" I said with animated expressions while walking towards their home. Ben caught up with me.

I looked at him mischievously.

"Come kichi, I will accompany you." Ben offered.

I know he just wanted to see his girl. He never talks to her . Leave it, she never let him start a conversation. instead glare at him like he had done something wrong to her eons before.

"I know the way kicha. Don't trouble yourself. Take care of your old parents" I said sarcastically.

You should have seen him. He was all thousand shades of crimson red adorning his face. I snickered at this.

""(shall we proceed to see our sweet sister in law ) I heard a united chime behind me.

Is it necessary to tell you that sarcasm was just making a somersault in their voice and words.I turned my head and winked at Alvin and Steeve with a mischievous grin on my face.

".(yeah,yeah why not?) come and have fun at your bro's cost" Ben said huffing and in a retired voice. we laughed and high fived each other. Ben scowled at us. I wiggled my eyebrow in a wavy manner

Only time I could catch him off guard was with the mention of Krystal. It seems like cat has caught his tongue or what.

"Girl .( dont fly too high You will have your share of blush real soon). " Ben said in bouting rage.

I stood frozen at this open disclosure of a secret which is known more or less to everyone in the family. Still it was kinda secret.Alvin and steeve glanced at each other in utter shock. They patted Ben's shoulder and whisper something to him hoodwinking my observation.

I stood staring blankly ahead.

"Chal titli. he is just crazy.( He is not being able to see his girl alone. so he is taking it out on us like this) steeve said trying to lighten the sudden tension which began to wrap around us like a wild blazing fire.

suddenly Steeve's iphone sprang into life indicating a new caller. his ring tone was "Agar tum saath ho" I flexed up my eyebrow skeptically while steeve looked a bit perturbed and flitted his gaze from Ben to Alvin. Alvin mirrored his stance.

Steeve cut the call while gesturing Ben and Alvin something which only these crazy boys know for all good heaven's sake.

"Ben, we gotta go urgently.Our friend is waiting. Will meet you guys at home. (We will meet sis-in-law sooner)

Alvin said suddenly while gesturing something to Ben which he easily caught up with and nodded slightly upset ,

I watched my twin cousins running to the other side like their tails were on fire.

I looked at Ben who held a stoic expression which clearly screamed out that it is better you don't ask me what they are up to.

I just shrugged and walked slowly, yet so many thoughts swamping my peace. Alvin and Steeve never behaved like this when they are with us. But today something seemed off in their behaviour.

I am not a nosy poker. I never intervene in others matters especially when they willfully avoid me.

We reached Krystal's home within no time all the while silence befriending us. Cooling and soothing summer breeze enveloping my being I spread out my hand inhaled the comforting richness of nature whole heartedly.

Relief washed over me at the green visuals playing before my eyes. Ben walked beside me silently.

We reached her home within no time. I took a look at her home before standing on my tip toes to open the gate which was pretty much huge for my small frame to reach. Ben snorted while flipping off the lock with ease with his forefinger. even before I could reach. I glared at him but he just shrugged coolly.

Her home was a lovely cute one in opinion. Neatly and splendidly planned one. It is a two storeyed building.

The main Door was open ajar. When we entered the hall, we saw a girl sitting on the corner with a big book on her hand, leaning against a pillar. Her reddish brown streaked hair,which floated past her shoulder, was hovering slightly when the breeze caressed her hair at times.Ben stood stunned like he has got a shock. I smirked evilly at him while nudging him back to reality. He hid his embarrassment like pretending to view his milieu. I nodded my head sarcastically.

This home is fully furnished with all modern equipments. I wondered how they managed to be this aesthetic in home decor while residing in a country area like this

Then also to whom am I kidding, Krissy has a great taste in all this.She has a great aesthetic sense when it comes to home decor and allied arrangements

"Hey Krisy!! What is up girl??" I squealed making Krystal jump out of her skin

.

She yelped a bit while throwing the book swiftly to her side.

Ben chuckled a bit at this sudden reaction from his girl.

She stood up in panic mode and stared from me to Ben impecunius of any emotion like trying to figure out from which planet we hails.

When she got over her initial panic. Realization dawned on her. A shade of pink tint was seen embellishing her beautiful cheeks on seeing our handsome Ben.

I smirked at them while looking from Ben to Krissy.

"Is it over or should I go out for you to sit and stare for an eternity" I asked waving my eyebrows.

". (hey Talkative girl, you come with me, who wants to see him?.) " She said glaring at him while pulling me along with her towards her room which was by the side of the hall.

Ben looked pissed off. Yup ego hurt and bundle of other men's stuff.

I rolled my eyes at Ben before weaving my way towards krisy's room. Also men are not allowed to enter a girl's room here. Especially an outsider.

The room was a medium spacious one with plenty of light and calmness the beige shade provided with . I looked around me taking in the milieu.

" ( what news?) " krystal asked smiling at me. while making me sit beside her on a couch which was pushed over to the other side of the room beside the bed. I sat on the couch while rummaging through my mind to pick out stable and believable lies to jostle in her direction without leaving any shade of doubt in her mind.

"Exams over! Enjoying freedom with a bit fear of joining college. All these years spend in the safety of a disciplined school and all. Now college means freedom and every unwanted things marching into our life." I said worriedly. Which was kinda half lie.

"Nope I think you are worried about some other thing." Krisy said thoughtfully.

Am I that easy to read. I felt my face with my palm.

"Your face clearly says what is happening inside you pearl. May be everybody is not capable of finding it but those who are close to you and care for you will detect your mental agony and read it. Am I right?" Krisy said while patting my cheek.

I sighed heavily. Smriti and Sudha aunty too found some distress in my stance.

"You should have taken psychology as your major than this literature Thing." I said apprehensively and half jokingly.

Krisy smiled sadly.

"You know how hard it was for me to make them cave in to my request?? I too wanted to study psychology. But that paper is not available here in any nearest colleges in this locality. So I took literature to escape other inevitable fates in form of marriage in store for me ." krystal said while heaving a sigh and grimacing.

I patted her shoulder. Every girl in this place is going through similar story of despair and disdain. We lead the life like caged doves

I dunno why parents of this era still behave whackoish and reckless to control kids like this. See girls are achieving greater heights but still in some places things can be like this as well.

". ( please wait for some time sis-in-law) you will get to study your fav sub. I will let Ben know about this wish of yours" I said teasingly. Krisy smiled sadly. But her eyes widened when my words got registered in her brain

"Don't you dare girl. I warn you ! Also don't call me anni. I am not gonna marry Ben." She said stubbornly. Yeah miss stubborn she is.

"Oh yeah! You think he will leave you that easily" I asked tauntingly.

Kristal gave me a horror stricken look.

"Chill krisy. He is not a monster. He is my bro. Yeah at times he can be a little off . Besides he has a loving,caring and respecting heart. I assure you that. For further details you can ask his mom. Also I will beat him to death if he does any wrong to you. Okay even before that plan begins to hatch in his brain. He will be a dead meat. That I promise" I said while pinching my throat.

Kristal looked at me for sometime before bursting into a fit of giggles and laughter.

"You are still that tiny whiny kichi" krisy said while patting my head.

This is what makes Ben and krisy similar. Their approach towards me is almost the same. Both consider me as a baby.

"Okay krisy I need to get going. I have to settle there. Help mom with some arrangements . I am dog tired. But still there are so many works for me to do" I said while yawning snapping my fingers before my mouth.

"Lie down for sometime. You need good rest. I will tell mami( aunty)" krystal said with concern but I shook my head in denial and got up.

"No krisy I need to go, show up when you have time. Will be waiting there.bye!" Saying so I dashed out of the room.

"Come Ben ! Lets go! " I said while walking towards the living area. Ben shot a glance at krystal. This happens always. I wonder are they conversing just by staring at each other.

But it looked more like they are about to tear each other in rage. I dunno what is it with this staring and glancing if you ask me.

"If you guys are done with your glaring spiel let me know I am still here" I said clearing my throat a bit harshly.

Krisy turned to the other side. Ben just skimmed his fingers through his Raven hair. Gosh his hair looks perfect. Minutes before it looked like a electrocuted wire. See! This beauty queen combed it just to look prince before his princess.

I waved my eyebrows at him with my smirk. The look he gave was priceless. I felt my life's mission is complete. Now I can happily die.

Yup irritating my bro to the core that too incapacitated of any move from him doesn't sound like him. But see krisy did the magic.

"Krisy bye! It seems like the rate of intense look he gives. He will be ingrained to this place and stare at you forever. You are this world class beauty. So my prince of a brother would do that " I said playfully. Both of them were blushing beet red at this open revelation of their state or plight.

"Someone is blushing today. " I said playfully while pinching my brother"s long nose. He slapped away my hand and glared at me like if he had a weapon he would have murdered me right there.

"Pearl behave! This is not some sick joke. You will come to know real soon" Ben said through his gritted teeth. I watched him in horror.

He is not insufferable to jokes. But today he turned all angry panda. I looked at krisy. She nodded at me and beckoned me to go with her.

I bit back my tears. I turned to go .

"Sorry pearl." Ben said quietly.

"Keep it with you Ben. Never talk to me" I snapped at him.

"How long will you remain like this to your big bro child?. Anyway you have to come to me complaining about the old people" Ben said swinging his arm around my shoulder kinda strangling me.

"Are you planning to strangle me to death or what?" I asked in between gasps. His grip was tight.

He laughed and pinched my cheek fondly.

This happens always ,one minute you can see us fighting like cats and dogs. Next moment you can see Ben pampering me like a ( baby doll)

"Come guys! What are you doing here? We need to be home ? Your periyappa and family arrived. " I heard my dad's voice.

Krisy walked upto him and took blessings from him(

I smirked at Ben while waving my eyebrows. He gave me a look which told "i will pluck your eyebrows girl if you don't stop doing this !!

I laughed at this.

I am enjoying this helplessness and frustration of my bro.

"Come!! Periyappa and family is waiting. Krystal kanna. We will come some other day. We will be here for quite long . So we will get to meet each other on a daily basis. Do come to our home. Your presence will be divine" dad said patting her cheek.

"Yup divine and delightful to a special person dad. Why did you forget to assert that point ? " I said grinning like an idiot at my bro.

He caught my ear and started rubbing it sharply sending shooting pain all over my nervous system.

"Ahhh! Ben ! ( leave)you monkey! " I yelled. My dad shot a warning glance at Ben. He instantly left my ear.

I gasped in relief.

"It is painful ( You idiot! Malayalam word). Look what you have done to my ear." I said wincing while rubbing my ear softly.

"You call this thing ear..eh? It is not even the length of a small shell we used to collect girl." Ben said smirking. I scowled at him.

I have a very small ear. Dunno if it is good or bad. But it is very tiny. I am still enduring the taunting of my brother for this. Actually the thing is because my ear is small it is pretty difficult for his large long hand to hold it tightly at times. I used to swiftly move out of his clasp.

So it is good na. I am proud of my small ears. Because it helps me to get out of my brother's torture.

We headed towards our car after bidding bye to my extended relatives.

I occupied the front seat.

"Ben! Drive the car. Be a man ya. Help your old parents ya" I teased him.

"Mom I am telling you she is turning into a peevish pevensie. I don't know where it will land her." Ben said Shaking his head

while taking his place on the driver's seat.

"May be in a kitchen" I mumbled snidely while looking out.

I heard triple gasp at the very moment these words left my mouth.

"You know girl ?" Ben asked in disbelief.