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Dawn..

Beri was a slight deaf.. from childhood.. but she still recognised footfall.. from even farther away.. then average.. she jirked up from over stove she was lighting for cooking in earlier morning.. one winter.. Godho was coming.. her husband.. they had married just last year.. and he doted on her.. he always helped her work at home though she asked not to many times.. neighbours did teased her for .. Soni even more relentless.. she was her childhood friend who also married in neighbouring house.. her farm was a couple of farms across near the "Bhulima devdi.." local diety temple..

Godho: here . .. use fresh brisk tinder ..

Beri felt a jolt and a slight flutter in her heart.. he bent over the wall from across the stove.. to set down a bundle of fresh tinder.. his persuasion despite her complaints about neighbours teasing.. was relentless yet innocent.. she felt older.. and perhaps she was older .. a couple of years.. she remembered him to be toddler.. he was her paternal aunt's son.. both their parents had passed away in last decade.. her grandmother had set them up for marriage declaring they were spoken for each other from childhood..  they had only these two closer relatives her grandmother and Godho's uncle.. who lived in a hut across the farm in the back side of their house.. he was the most handsome man Beri had seen next to Godho.. and was even most gentleman.. he talked rarely and always smiled happily.. he worked whole day in both their and his own farm.. and helped mostly leaving them minimal task.. he had a daughter married in neighbouring village.. and no son.. his smile reminded Beri of her grandfather.. and her own childhood.. Beri cooked sweets and thick buttermilk.. for the elderly man.. on asking Godho remarked he had never known his uncle's favourite food.. he ate mostly without complaints..

Beri cooked spiced loafs for three .. sweet buttermilk.. and spicy green chilli paste.  ..
The winter was full fledged with cold wind crashing across the wheat stood well over three feet.. and yet there was no fear of loss as long as there wasn't untimely rain slash.. crops in both of their farms were splendid and the year was going to be quite prosperous with relatively lighter next second season of the year.. to come by... most probably as well as regular .. .

Beri had to go pick her new blouses that she gave to sew after embroidery she put.. Godho had bought two new saaris for her .. for which she made three pairs of blouses and patticotes..

Godho took off his head kerchief and set beside stove.. As she continued with cooking..

Godho: do you want anything from market..? I am going to buy few things from town.. tomorrow perhaps..

Beri: no .. i.. i want a photo of us together .. as i saw of Soni and her husband ..

She replied slowly.. nearing last part of the sentence..

Godho: very well.. be ready by 4.. photographers is open in the afternoon..

She nodded.. thinking about whether  blouse might be ready.. she wondered what if not.. maybe she had asked for photo too soon without pre thought.. she can't change now.. Godho would bite off her head asking reasons.. and she most certainly didn't want to confirm that she wanted a picture with him in new clothes looking beautiful and bright.. a little closer to each other holding .. just like Soni and ..

Mostly the blouses would be ready.. and if not she will make excuse later.. she will just find out .. had to go after feeding  buffalo after Godho left for field.. Godho most certainly helped her milk cattle in the morning.. Before leaving to work.. she had went red first time he picked up bucket  from edge she set on.. she had spoken in timid voice .. i will.. he said.. " it's my everyday work.. don't worry.. .."

At neighbours teasing when she asked Godho not to .. one night.. he had said he had always done milking for many years after her mother passed away.. .. " everyone knows that i take care of cattle myself.. they are just teasing.. fun.. "

Beri: that's what I am trying to say..

He hadn't listened further and pulled her grabbing her arm and a leg.. kissing.   ..

She spoke slowly..

Beri: yes..

Godho took off his large hankering piece from wood stump by wall.. and got to douse extra lamps in interior and porch.. leaving the single lamp near stove .. as well before daybreak..

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