Kashibai Peshwe

Part 6- A winter picnic bonfire

"Kay Vahini Saheb? What do you think of this trip?" Chimaji's tone was friendly as he addressed his sister-in-law Kashi. "It was wonderful to visit the temple at Kurkumbh, considering the Goddess in our family deity!" Kashi replied. She felt fortunate to be married into the family. Her relation with both her sisters-in-law was cordial. Even Chimaji was like a brother to her and she doted on him. Her husband and father-in-law were busy with their professional lives but Radhabai handled things so well in their absence that domestic harmony was always maintained. Kashi could not have asked for a more perfect home.

"Oh, we were actually referring to something else, if you know what we mean! You have hardly been out of the wada and this is your first trip along with Rau. So what do you have to say now?" Chimaji smirked as he saw Kashi blush. "Chala Bhaoji, khatyaal kuthley! As if your brother has time for us even if we have travelled together so far!" She complained. She was right, ever since Bajirao had been made incharge of his own Huzurat last year he was too occupied with his work to spare much attention to his young bride. 

"Don't worry Vahini, he will come around quickly. After all we have something special planned for the evening." Chimaji whispered to her surreptitiously. "And what would that be, may we ask?" She was curious. "No, you may not! Guess you'll just have to wait to find out!" He smiled at her look of anticipation. Just then Bhiu and Anu returned from their survey of their camp's surroundings. 

"Vahini, do you know that there are green fields of jowar and sugarcane all around us? Come, let us explore the place. We came back to get you." Bhiu said to Kashi. "But how can we? It is not proper for us to be wandering off by ourselves." Kashi voiced her doubt. As the elder daughter-in-law of the Peshwa she was required to maintain decorum. She was tempted to join them but she hesitated.

"Arey Deva, Vahini! You are such a scaredy cat! We are not in our wada at Saswad right now, we are on a holiday, we are supposed to unwind. And Aai Saheb is not here for you to tiptoe around. Let us take Appa with us. Appa, would you mind accompanying us girls?" Bhiu addressed Chimaji who consented immediately. "Inform Rau Saheb that we are going for a walk through the fields toward the river bank." Chimaji told a guard to convey his message to Bajirao, who was in the midst of a discussion with his council of soldiers.

Soon the four of them- Anu, Bhiu, Kashi and Chimaji were strolling through the verdant fields enjoying a snack of freshly cut sugarcane. Chewing the cane was an effort and needed strong teeth but those who took the trouble won a juicy sweet reward. "Appa look!" Anu held out a broken tooth for them to see. She was nearly six and her milk teeth were ready to fall out. This one, a lower centre incisor, had been shaking and it came off effortlessly when she bit into the cane.

"Congratulations Anu, here's a medal in honour of this brave little soldier who sacrificed himself after serving you loyally for five long years!" Chimaji handed her a silver coin and Anu received it with a happy grin, celebrating her first fallen tooth. "Vansa, this a good sign. It is nature's way of saying that you are growing older. In a few years you will be ready to move to your in-laws place!" Kashi said to Anu indulgently. "We don't want to leave Aai Saheb, Rau and all of you. Let that family come and live with us in our home if they want to!" She declared firmly and everyone laughed at her innocence.

"Looks like Baba Saheb and Rau will have to build you a mansion close to ours so you don't have to move away when you are older!" Bhiu said to her younger sister. Anu was everyone's favourite and Bajirao pampered her like a princess, what Bhiu predicted about him building her a home close to theirs could well become true.