As Diya's mother and father entered her uncle's house, Diya's aunt rushed forward to greet them and gave Diya's mother a warm hug right there in the courtyard.
Climbing the steps to the outer veranda, they saw Diya's uncle sitting beside their mother—Diya's paternal grandmother—on an old wooden cot. The cot looked almost as ancient as the grandmother herself, a thought that briefly made Diya's mother smile.
Following tradition, Diya's parents bent down to touch the grandmother's feet and seek her blessings.
Diya's father, being the elder brother, then turned toward his younger brother, eager to greet him with an affectionate hug after such a long time. But the moment he tried to pull him up, something strange happened.
Diya's uncle stood up, gently pushed his brother's arms away, and without saying a word, walked off with a deep frown on his face.
The gesture stunned everyone.
With the New Year just a day away, such behavior was completely unexpected. Diya's grandmother immediately shouted after her younger son, asking him to return and hug his elder brother properly. But he ignored her and continued walking away.
Sensing the tension rising, Diya's aunt quickly stepped in and smartly changed the topic before the situation could worsen. She asked everyone to freshen up, mentioning that dinner was ready.
The meal that followed was unusually quiet. The lively family gathering that one would normally expect before the New Year was replaced by an uncomfortable silence.
After dinner, everyone retired to their assigned rooms.
The house itself was large—built years ago by Diya's grandfather. Along with the house, he had also left behind a vast piece of farmland that legally belonged equally to both brothers.
As Diya's parents sat in their room later that night, the uneasiness that Diya's mother had been feeling resurfaced.
"See," she said softly to her husband, "I told you I had a bad feeling the moment I saw that sarpanch leaving the house. Something was already brewing here. Otherwise, why would your younger brother behave like that?"
This time, Diya's father had no easy answer.
"Yes," he admitted quietly. "I noticed it too. Something doesn't feel right. But I don't think it's anything too serious. Maybe my brother is having some dispute with that man."
"If that were the case," Diya's mother replied firmly, "why would he ignore you like that?"
Diya's father fell silent for a moment before saying, "Maybe tomorrow we will find out. Let's get some rest."