Pinky Promise

Adya and Devi were pretty excited that day as they got down from the bus, laughing and giggling while gulping their last bit of cola popsicles. Their class 3 exams had ended and the summer vacations had finally arrived. They planned on what they would do in the month long vacation while dancing their way to home.

Both of them were from economically moderate families with Adya's father being a head constable and Devi's a broker. Their mothers were both homemakers and both the families were always amicable with each other. Although Adya's family was traditionally more conservative and never ate or accepted food from Devi's house.

The girls met each other every day after lunch to play and talk about the things they saw on TV. The summer had started to get scorching and they finally decided to meet in the evenings. Both their parents very concerned about the girls, taking extra precautions wherever needed. On one of the weekend's Devi's parents had to go to their village to settle some property dispute, leaving Devi alone under the care of Adya's parents.

On the other hand Adya's father had to work overtime due to certain disturbances in the town and hardly came twice a week home.

Devi stayed at Adya's place most of the time during the day and Adya's mother took good care of her.

A few days passed by when Adya's mom fell sick all of a sudden due to growing heat and her habit of tirelessly working in the absence of her husband.

Soon she was bedridden and unable to cook.

Adya was tensed because her father was away and didn't know what to do. Devi, as usual, came over to her house that day.

Devi decided to help Adya with the cooking and went to Devi's house without telling Adya's mother. They did pinky promise among themselves that whatever they do remains with them and that Adya's mother should recover.

They gathered whatever vegetables and rice they had, put it in a vessel and boiled it to make Devi's favourite khichdi. They put it in one of the containers and took it to Adya's home. Her mom was tired and asleep not aware of what the girls were up to. Adya, slowly went up to her mother and offered the khichdi cooked by Devi. Her mother was elated and shocked and had it with much delight. This went on for 2 more days and by this time Adya also started cooking khichdi along with Devi. Adya's mother unaware of everything happening in the background. Soon both their folks had come back and Adya's mother also became well.

One day when Adya and Devi were playing in their garden, finally Adya's mother asked Adya on how she knew to cook such good khichdi.

To which Adya smiled and said - "Its a secret recipe I and Devi know. See it cured you".

Everyone laughed at it.