Sonia and her sister reached the gates of the house. They paid the fare of their transport and went inside. They climbed up the stairs to the first floor where her sister’s children greeted. They were all close age-wise and would be great friends with Sonia, although Sonia was by relationship actually their aunt.
Five days went by and Sonia only cried, slept and ate. Once more her sister came to her rescue. They had a heart-to-heart talk.
Her sister finally said, “Sonia, you just can’t stay idle like this. How about going to college and doing your Honors?”
Sonia replied ruefully, “I am not interested in studying now.” Her sister popped in, “What would you like to do then?” Sonia replied blatantly, ”I don’t know”.
Her sister suggested,” There are lots of things to do other than studying. You could learn boutique, handicrafts and cooking. Do they interest you?”
Sonia’s enthusiasm sparked. “Yes, I would like to try those.”
Accordingly her sister fetched addresses from friends and admitted Sonia to these learning schools. Yes, Sonia enjoyed doing them and she got back the mojo of life.
Not long before, Sonia was an expert at making doll’s dresses and outfits, handicrafts like paper cuttings, flowers and the lot and doing boutiques on lady’s shirts.
The house became full of Sonia’s creations that she learned at school and she neatly decorated the house with them. She even made boutique shirts for her female nieces and they were more than happy to wear them and show off to their friends and speak proudly of their aunt.
It was not long before a sister of Sonia who lived abroad was also coming to her eldest sister’s home to stay along with her family for a vacation. Sonia’s eldest sister took this opportunity to take advantage of this sister’s help in convincing Sonia about something important which she herself failed previously.
There was great hustle and bustle as Sonia and her eldest sister and family left for the airport the day their sister and family from abroad were landing in the city.
At the airport, the plane landed – the plane Sonia’s sister from abroad was flying in. Soon the family was in sight. They had passed checking of their luggage section and were free to leave the airport.
They talked to their relatives who had come to receive them. It was a nice family reunion. They happily got inside vans with luggage and headed for their eldest sister’s home.
Two days passed, and the three sisters got together to speak how painfully their mother had passed away – an event the sister from abroad missed and tears filled her eyes. Even Sonia got teary again.
Another day passed. Then another. It was then the eldest sister had an important conversation with the sister from abroad.
Eldest sister said, “Sonia did not like to go to college. So I decided to let her learn boutique, handicrafts and cooking. She did learn a lot. Look at those. They are all her creations.”
Sister from abroad said, ”Great. She learnt a lot of stuff.”
Eldest sister remarked, ”If you want, she can make your daughters boutique shirts. She is an expert at them. Look at those boutique frames on the wall. She made them.”
Sister from abroad looked at the walls in wonder. Then her eldest sister hit on her point of the conversation, “You see, learning these and spending time with these don’t give you much credit when you look for a bridegroom for Sonia. I have been thinking of putting her in marriage. And for that to happen, she first has to complete her Honors studies otherwise it would be hard to find a good hubby for her. Can you somehow convince her to go back to college?”
Sister from abroad said, ”Hmm. I will give it a try definitely. Hopefully she will heed my words.”
And the most amazing thing followed. When the sister from abroad suggested to Sonia why she should be going to college, Sonia thoughtfully agreed. She knew she couldn’t stay with her eldest sister lifelong. She needed to have a family as well. She was well aware and thankfully she agreed to go to college.
Everyone in the house celebrated the news with sweets distribution. Yes, a week later, the eldest sister’s husband’s car was traveling to college carrying Sonia. Soon she got used to the route, could get a taxi herself and ride to her college.
A month passed. Sonia was absorbed in her studies. And it was also time for her sister from abroad and family to return abroad. So Sonia and the host family bade the other family goodbye while Sonia carried on.