Since my family visited during the summer, we decided to take a trip to the Salar Jung Museum followed by some evening shopping near Charminar. Ashwin took a day off work to join us. His BMW X7 comfortably accommodated all five of us. My Uncle Alok, being a car enthusiast and a driver himself, couldn’t hide his excitement at seeing such a luxurious car. With a bit of hesitation, Alok Uncle asked, “Ashwin, if you don’t mind, could I drive?” Ashwin’s initial blank expression made my uncle a bit anxious, and he started to retract his hand. But Ashwin quickly smiled, took his hand, and handed him the car keys. Ashwin then took the front passenger seat, while Uncle Alok sat behind the wheel. My Aunt, Yogesh, and I settled into the back seats. Uncle Alok’s face lit up with joy as he started the car, clearly enjoying the experience. We soon arrived at the Salar Jung Museum. After purchasing our tickets, we began our exploration of the museum’s vast collection. The museum housed a fascinating array of antiques—swords, jade statues, old furniture, and many more artefacts that transported us to different eras of history. The sheer size and diversity of the exhibits were overwhelming. Each room offered something new and captivating. Uncle Alok, with his newfound interest in driving the BMW, seemed equally excited about the museum’s exhibits, enthusiastically explaining the significance of various artefacts to Yogesh. Aunt Aruna, usually so critical, seemed genuinely impressed by the museum’s collection. She marvelled at the intricacy of the jade statues and the craftsmanship of the old furniture. Even Yogesh, usually restless, was captivated by the grandeur of the swords and armour. Yogesh was jumping with excitement when he saw the old swords and weapons, pretending he was a samurai. "Didi, this sword is just like the ones in old movies and anime!" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with wonder. I nodded and smiled, playfully pulling his cheeks, "Yes, Yogesh, it is." After wandering through the museum for what felt like hours, my Aunt Aruna tugged at my hand and whispered, "Dolly, let's go find something to eat. I'm getting hungry." Turning to Ashwin, I suggested, "Ashu, let's head out and grab a bite to eat." Ashwin agreed, "Okay, let's find a nice restaurant. The canteen here is too crowded." We decided to head towards the Charminar area, known for its famous biryani restaurants. We found a cosy spot and took a table. Knowing we'd be doing a lot of walking around Charminar later, we decided to have a substantial dinner. Ashwin ordered veg lemon rice, while the rest of us went for a family pack of biryani. We dug in, savouring the rich flavours and enjoying the meal together. The food was delicious and set the perfect tone for the evening. After dinner, we strolled through the bustling streets of Charminar, lined with vibrant bangle shops and street vendors. My Aunt Aruna was in her element, flitting from one bangle shop to another, her excitement contagious. My Uncle Alok, on the other hand, was starting to look a bit tense as he tried to keep up with her. Eventually, he gently pulled her aside and whispered something in her ear, probably reminding her to pace herself. We continued our walk, taking in the lively atmosphere and colourful displays. When we reached the saree shops, my Aunt's eyes lit up like a child's. She gazed at the intricate handwork on the sarees with hopeful eyes, silently pleading with my Uncle for approval. Her enthusiasm was endearing, and despite his earlier reluctance, my Uncle couldn't resist her charm. Seeing the situation, Ashwin took my Aunt Aruna's hand and led her into one of the shops. My Uncle, realising what was happening, quickly followed them inside. I, along with Yogesh, trailed behind. Inside the shop, Ashwin picked up a beautiful saree and draped it over my Aunt's shoulder. "Look, Aunt, you look so gorgeous in this. Uncle, doesn't she look like a new bride?" Ashwin then selected three more sarees, encouraging Aunt Aruna to admire herself in the mirror. Uncle Alok, looking concerned, said, "Son, these sarees are very expensive." Ashwin paid no heed to my Uncle's words and purchased the sarees for both me and Aunt Aruna. "Aunt, you should teach Dolly to be as elegant and graceful as you. Look at how she carries herself compared to my monkey of a wife," he joked. I rolled my eyes and playfully smacked Ashwin's shoulder. My Aunt glared at me and scolded, "Dolly, how can you smack your husband in public?" I retorted, "So, does that mean I can do it in private?" My Aunt facepalmed herself, then dragged me and Yogesh, whom I was still holding tightly, back to the car. After a tiring but enjoyable day, we returned home with all smiles, our bags filled with bangles, sarees, and fond memories.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.