Nani’s sister was very intimidating, she barely spoke to kids and even when she did, she either gave them candies or was only interested in ensuring they didn’t dirty her house. Heer was indifferent to her but she still loved going to her house. She called her Badi Nani, and going to Badi Nani’s house meant exploring never ending stairs and numerous rooms of a humongous house and playing the swing without having to give it away to someone because it was their turn, and all of this followed the best part of the day— a fun-filled visit to the Gurudwara.
Every Saturday Heer and Nani went to Badi Nani’s house where they spent an hour in the morning, most of it waiting for Badi Nani to get ready, Heer mostly played the swing or ran up and down the house. Once she was ready they all left for the Gurudwara, Bade Nanu accompanied them, he was mostly quiet.
Heer loved going to the Gurudwara with her Nani, that’s how she saw it, while there were others with them for Heer it always felt like it was just the two of them. The Gurudwara visit meant entering a large sacred hall with a long red carpet on which they walked while people sat on both sides of the carpet listening to the bhajans being sung by the Gyaaniji, it always felt very grand. She paid her respects with her nani to the holy book. They took a circle around it and sat right in front of the female section which was on the right hand side of the carpet. While Nani sat inside the prayer hall all through, Heer would mostly go down with her friends and play their way to glory. They played so many games, hide and seek, catch me if you can, London bridge and so many more. It was something all the kids looked forward to, not to forget the Kada Prasad that was given at the end of the prayer– hot sugary mouth- melting goodness. Heer and her friends would sometimes go and ask for a second portion. They always ate langar and returned home. Heer couldn’t think of a better way to spend her Saturday and on days that they didn’t go because of some work or exams she would anticipate their next visit.
It was only Thursday but Heer could not keep her excitement, for Saturday was coming. At lunch she asked Nani if she could wear her new lemon top with jeans to the gurdwara. Nani was upset and said that she didn’t know if they should go this Saturday. Nani had an argument with her sister the last time she visited and they had not spoken since. Heer expressed her sadness and Nani ignored the conversation and asked her about school instead.
Next day after school Heer was very glum and so was Nani. At lunch they just spoke about the neighbours dog having puppies soon. They both went on with their chores until dinner when Heer couldnt resist and ended up talking about the Gurudwara visit. Nani told her that she was upset that her sister hadn’t called her after their argument and it was unlikely that they would go.
They were both going to bed and it was Heer’s turn to read a story to Nani. They read to each other in turns. Heer instead closed the book and reminded Nani of the time Heer was upset with her mom and didn’t speak to her for five days. She reminded Nani what she had told her, that calling first would not make Heer the guilty person instead, it would make her the kinder person. While for a moment Nani almost regretted giving Heer this lesson on morality; she realized that heer or rather she was right when she had said this.
Nani called her sister, who spoke very normally and mentioned calling her on Tuesday evening, perhaps when Nani and Heer had gone to buy vegetables. Nani felt bad for overthinking and not calling her sister, but she looked at her Heer and felt so glad that this little kid had made her realize the importance of giving people a chance and the need to take the first step in making amends.
Next morning they both got up early to leave for the Gurudwara. Nani wore her orange floral saree and Heer wore her lemon top with blue jeans and off they went to Badi Nani’s from where they drove to the Gurudwara and Saturday was beautiful again.
