Bani squinted at the image, nodding as if she understood. Truth be told, she wasn't knowledgeable about vehicles. To her, they all looked the same—metal frames on four wheels. "So, you think this is a good one?" she asked hesitantly.
She had never bought a vehicle before, let alone a truck. Seeing her confusion, Aman took it upon himself to explain things in simpler terms.
Aman shook his head. "It's decent, but let's not settle yet. There's another one I liked—a Tata Ace, 2020 model. It has done around 75,000 kilometers and gives better mileage, around 17 km per liter. It's smaller than the Bolero, though, so it might not carry as much load."
Just as Bani was about to comment, Aman's phone buzzed with a new message. He checked it and his face lit up. "Wait, this one might be perfect!" He quickly pulled up the details.
"It's a Force Kargo King, 2021 model. The owner is selling it because he couldn't pay off a loan, so he wants to sell it quickly. It has only been used for 78,000 kilometers, which is much lower than the others. The body is in great condition, and the tires are also good—no urgent replacements needed. The mileage is around 15 km per liter, which is a good balance between power and fuel efficiency. It's medium-sized, so it's not too big or too small—perfect for carrying farm products without wasting fuel on unnecessary space."
Bani listened carefully, trying to absorb all the information. She hadn't realized how much thought went into buying a vehicle. It wasn't just about the price—it was about mileage, maintenance costs, durability, and how well it suited their needs.
Aman noticed her hesitation and smiled. "Don't worry, Didi. I'll make sure we get the best deal. If we rush, we might end up with something that looks good but gives trouble later."
Bani exhaled, relieved. "Alright, I'll trust your judgment. Just let me know when you've found the best one."
Aman nodded, his excitement unwavering. "Leave it to me!"
As he continued his search, Bani felt a sense of gratitude.
Bani and Aman sat together, their eyes shining with excitement as they discussed which vehicle to choose. Their careful selection made their mother pause. Watching them, she called both of them to her room. Inside, their father was lying on the bed, immersed in a Kannada novel.
As she approached the iron Godrej cupboard, she opened its small locker, her fingers moving with familiarity. One by one, she took out pieces of gold jewelry, carefully placing them on the bed. The soft clinking of metal filled the room, catching their father's attention.
Laid out before them were one a heavier 20-gram chain Beside them were two bangles. 30-gram chain—the very chain that had once been Bani's mangalsutra. Traditionally, it should have been given by the groom's side, but it had been demanded from Bani's family instead. Her father had agreed without hesitation, believing that, after all, he was giving it to his own daughter.