prompt :I Refuse

I am going Manjula, see you all after Monday.

Where you going Swapna?

I am going to my in law’s home. Hope to see you all later.

Ok, you all take care.

Mom, where is Swapna aunt going? 

I think it is to her in law's home, she will be going.

On Monday we have an art class, can you help me with it?

Sure I can, sweetheart.  What for, were you asking about aunt Swapna?

‘Mom, will tell you later,’ Lata ran away to play as soon as she changed into her play clothes and drank milk.

****

‘What’s  the matter Emily,’ asked Lata.

I am so not ok with what they tell and what they do, said Emily. 

Whatever is bothering you?

I like to have cake, and coffee but I am never allowed.

Emily went into the restroom and wiped her eyes and lightly touched her hair and came out.

‘Emily, my dear, you are still young and coffee causes acidity in kids system. It is not about you, your sisters are all grown up, now they are going to high school and college. Why don’t you wait till you graduate elementary school?’

Emily gave a beautiful smile and said that is fine, as long as my cake is still there, I don’t mind not to have instant coffee!.

There, that’s my girl. Lata patted Emily and let her to go play. 

Lata, can you go with me this evening, we are going to town and watching movies tonight, Dinesh said to Lata as she was returning from her tutoring class. 

Oh, sorry Dinesh ji, I am busy and have no interest to go out tonight.

It is ok, jeered Saloni. We are better off without you my dear, saying sarcastically. 

Salon is very grown up looking and always in her mini skirts or jeans and T shirt and keeps playing shuttle cock or jump rope.

I think she is been watching too much of teenage shows and Sabrina shows, thought Lata.

You seem to be upset, asked her dad. Yeah. No, nothing Lata faltered.

Oh you seem to be having a rough time, was it the boys, who upset you?

No, I mean not really, but my own friend who was good with me, suddenly changed to someone I do not know.

Why, what happened, what did you do? asked Manjula.

Major Nallappa will be visiting our school tomorrow to make selections, for weeks we were working hard, marching, parading, practicing daily at least an hour during morning, and once in the afternoon, missing lunch and breakfast, at least until recess and get refreshments. 

Oh, what you got today, her brother asked pouring a cup of Orange juice in his glass. 

So why are you so irritated, father asked again. 

I do not like the way some girls go around caring neither studies nor norms to be followed.

Is that all or are you jealous of Saloni, akka, asked brother Manoj.

Manoj! Yelled Lata.

She is very responsible with etiquette,  Manoj, don’t talk to your sister so rudely. That kind of behavior is not encouraging  advocated grandma Pushmataha amma.

Alright naani, don’t support your namesake so much, and took a laddoo from her plate and ran away. 

Manjula, you must take care of your lalla, complained grandma Pushpalatha amma garu.  

Guys, it is time to have personal time, take care, father went to the living room to watch national news, lighting his triple 5, and in a corner, watching it all, Lata was quietly doing her homework as she was listening to the news, read by Yoshika Ratnam. I need not worry, if I refuse to follow some peer pressure, thought Lata, and realized, she has higher goals.