She Grew A Little

It was her first performance as a teenager; she was here for a skit in school, talking about how it’s always difficult for a woman depicting women of Mahabharata. Dusky, wavy hairs, big intruding eyes made her perfect candidate for Draupadi. She peeped from the stage sides towards the parents seated over there , as dressed in yellow sari and dressed in artificial jewellary, her eyes had earnest shine in search of someone but as she concluded the search, her eyes lost the glamour as usual there was no parent from her side. This was not new, she never remember any of the time where her parents had ever attended any of her school function. Like always, only her care taker Rukmini standing there in her usual plain green cotton saree pleated with a serene smile with happy face of Driver kaka. She understood yet again her parents had not come.

But rather than quitting it in the last moment by fibbing to her class teacher that she is not well and need to leave, and then cry for hours, as she always done that in last few years. She tried a smile on her face and preceded to stage thinking that at least someone’s 

parents are there, at least someone got love, she outdid her performance as a neglected victim of Mahabharata.

After the play, as she came towards Ruku babes and kaka, they hugged her and gave her money and note

 “Had business breakfast.  Sent you 5000 Rs. enjoy lunch outside. As we are not there whole day. bought you a new Anamika Khanna gown try it and tell Rukmini if needs alternation, need that for tonight’s dinner for our business party.

Mom

PS Don’t call me and dad for we are busy for whole day with crunching deal”

She took the money and sat in a Saab convertible and took them too to an ice cream treat, and rest of the day was spend with library.

That day, the world saw a performer, which was missed by her parents, she grew a little.

Her 16^th birthday, she wanted to cry a lot, it was her worst birthday. She was heartbroken, she had lost her first love, that guy whom she loved had in front of whole class proposed her arch rival with flowers and chocolate.

She wanted to cry the whole night, so she returned home early as usual no one was at home, as after Ruku babes left, she never had a care taker. She was alone though an army of servants were there but none were her governess.

She went to kitchen and saw there was nothing to eat so opening the fridge she took out last night’s boiled veg and mixed with a sauce and taking out stale chapattis from the servant’s container, she made a roll and digested it. Though the roll was inedible due to super hard chapatti  but she needed it as she was now having a weakness due to extreme dieting forced upon her  by her super figure conscious  mother, she was in crash dieting plus with her type of busyness as she was forced to play badminton and  learn violin, except that she was highly active with drama club , and being a topper was difficult, so she had more 4 hours of tutorage every day.  

She was turning 16 today but nothing was special except that this weekend her parents were giving a huge bash for her birthday but rather than today it was to be celebrated on Saturday to accommodate their business associates and their merger. She was about to faint when she braced herself and dragged herself to room and slept a while, she would call her maths teacher that she today has extra class of history and vice versa so that she could rest for an hour or so.

In days like that she used to miss her governess, Ruku babes or Rukmini but she quitted the job a year back, when she got married and now only driver kaka was left. His Babyji reminded her that for someone she was still baby. He was the reason that she could sustain in days like this. He has always feeded him half of his lunch.

She looked into the mirror and gave a smile from sarcasm. That she was to entering the most beautiful phrase of her life yet she was alone.

That day, she became heartless, she grew a little.

She got her first salary; she was terrified with happiness, the first taste of your own money after years of dependency. Though it was a measly 3000 Rs, after tolling hard for last 3 weeks yet it was her first earned, it was special.

After joining into her college, she had never called her parents much because they were busy so does she but that day she decided to call them and share her happiness and the good news.

But as usual the home’s phone was unanswered s by evening there was no staff at home and when she called office she  was given only one answer that her parent were busy with some foreign delegates and so they had asked not to disturb them.

She had knew this answer yet she had hoped something different just this time, people who didn’t had time to visit their only daughter to hospital when was there how will they have time . in her whole life she had being critically hospitalized only once,  that was when she was 17 years of age due to getting drenched she ended with viral that turned into serious dehydration and she was wheeled to hospital from her  school. Though she was admitted to biggest hospital in Mumbai, yet none of the days her parents visited her in all 5 days of her hospitalization.

After getting the  bitter taste of that day, she just didn’t want to even inform then that so returning to regular times, she said to the PA not to even inform her parents that she called because she knew that they would be informed really late and then also they would just give her uninterested call about what was the reason for the disturbance and just send her some cash.

At least, here in Kolkata she was free from their shadows and loved the warm homely environment of typical Bengali Bari where she lived with few of her friends.

She just turned and entered the first cake shop bought herself a piece of chocolate cake, Chocó Ecstasy and glass of coke. She herself sometimes questioned that why even after such non caring parents she became so displined in life with no bad habits

That day, world saw another stone to carved into diamond, she grew a little.

At 24, she was a single child of super successful parents with herself having a shining academic and  theatre career, she didn’t want to grow a little, she wanted to turn to kid and throw a tantrum .

Since when she was forced to marry a guy who was just B. Com pass just because he was a big time business magnate, but all through their courtship he never bothered to even try to get acquitted with each other, all through her life she was a trophy daughter and she didn’t want to be a trophy wife, she wanted an identity rather than this.

But her life would set her free she didn’t want to grow a little that day so she smiled to the world with her tear filled eyes and kept a blade in her mehandi clad wrists and just then made a slit. The blackened hands were now red.

She became a child again…………..free and without borders…………………..

But this is not the end of her story because she would rise from her ashes and claim the world again with her growing………..

The Media Circle - Scene 10

He was pulled back to present by his wife, his room now had a photo of his father dressed up in the black trousers and white shirt with dark grey silk sleeveless stand collar jacket standing with a slight smile and she standing very close to him in one of his arms with a full blown smile wearing a beige saree with red halter-neck blouse, with her was him with grey jeans and black waistcoat with cream silk shirt her father standing next to him as if straightening his cuffs of black three piece with a slight smile. This was the photo of their wedding whose theme was beige and black. She wore beautiful necklace with matching earnings. The room other than this had two more evident photos, one of them in Austria where she stood with him wearing a knee length skirt with his black turtleneck sweater, her favourite so obviously loved by him. And he was also in the photo with his large baggy jacket and jeans. Other than this it had a photo of their where her father was sitting a large sofa with Prasant in Jodhpuri Suits or should say Coats with all men diamond accessories and she is standing in back all decked with traditional jewellary in an orange colored traditional frock. He stood close to her dressed the way both set of fathers were dressed. They were The Dobriyals….

She was looking a treat in that green lace saree with a sleeveless blue blouse he gifted her few months back, with just the dash of chandelier earnings and her mangalsutra…if it wasn’t a compulsion to attend the party he would have not left the room nor would have let her leave the room….

“Who knew that the biggest playboy of our times will settle for one girl and too with such intensity that he never left her alone. And here we have Mr. and Mrs. Dobriyal entering the party. ” as they waived to people standing at the top of stairs and as they went down. The floor was cleared and they shared the first dance….where he said “You look yummy. I wasn’t wrong that you look divine in sarees. I should not let you wear this as I have promised you not to kill anybody in my life due to my anger.”  She just smiled shyly and hit him in chest. Then answering the media everybody was like “How Shankar Dobriyal did got hitched by a girl.” He just laughingly replied “Shankar Dobriyal was not hitched, he hitched her. So 4 years of stalking one night of heart-felt discussion brought her in my life. And so Ms. Priyashi Kelkar became Mrs. Shankar Dobriyal.”

Later in night, the toast was raised and it was in favour of Priyashi’s birthday, she turned 27 today…………………

The Media Circle - Scene 9

The wedding was dream come true, the whole concept of marriage was fusion. So the groom Shankar wore a jet black jodhpuri sherwani whereas the bride wore a typical Ghaghara.

Everybody was just mesmerised the bride, as well Priyashi was extremely beautiful and her beauty was any way a matter of discussion and admiration, and here today she looked like some tanjore painting coming alive, she wore a heavy pink lehariya ghaghara which had beautiful long balls in way of knot making its mark with sleeveless short green choli which had crystal strands as straps, with that there was an orange chunni with heavy borders draped in perfect rajasthani princess pattern, the chunni had green pearl drop border with crystal borders. With that there was red odhani which was draped upon her, the red odhani was the most beautiful part of her trousseau, it had heavy pink borders and huge golden embroidery flowers and the moment this was tied to the dupatta in Shankar’s neck, it became gath-joda meaning a bond which can’t to severed off in any case. She was wearing the necklace he proposed with and long necklace which was inspired by rajasthani royals as it resembled to long heavy pearl necklaces, it was of pink in colour and also had orange and silver in one side. With that she had worn a traditional Haryanvi gold chain which had gold emblissements in it which had ruby and emerald polish. She had taken the necklace given by Shankar as inspiration and designed her whole jewellery in similar basis from her cummerbund, maang tikka and chandbali and payals. She wore many number of bangles. She wore few rings too two of them were her engagement rings and one was her wedding ring with that there was one ring which was part her full set.  While he wore silk jodhpuri sherwani which was entirely plain except heavy gold work on its cuffs.

The wedding was dramatic event with lots of fireworks and celebration, the reception lasted the whole night but during all this events everybody saw how fiercely protective is Shankar about his Priyashi, no one was allowed to hover around her unreasonably and even he took full care of her food and her comfort. With friends and business people pouring like hell the whole night so it was bit tiring for Priyashi to stand in such heavy ghaghara so he let her go for some hours for rest.

Though Priyashi is just shifting few floors up and she has being there huge number of times but leaving forever is a different story. Being someone’s  lover is different from ones wife. She was now a  married woman. And she silently wept for going away from her maternal house or maayka. But as its always said a maayka remains a maayka. For the first time in life she saw Vikas crying so was Prasant. She kept her head on their chest as they both stood there both side of her. And from far way Shankar admiring his family, now bonded by holy matrimony.

Priyashi was shocked to see the house, the house now had a huge photo of them in formals in the hall. It was of one of business mergers they were together. And in every corner of the house she saw her photos hanging. The house where they will have their lives together, but was most touched by his concern when suddenly she turned and saw that he was holding one of her night suits and he said

“Piu you need the change the clothes I know that your would be hurting and so you now need some rest, I understand last few days have been exhausting. So lets loosen, we have whole life time of togetherness so today its of peaceful and much needed sleep.”      

Labour Room

It was one of busy days at Bhaskar Artitectects as today they had official merger with Bakshi Enterprises. Bhaskar & Bakshi was the new name thought for this firm.

Plus today even a PA interview was there for the new firm as both Ms. Bakshi and Mr. Bhaskar will need a common PA. difficult job because being never met Ms. Bakshi nobody actually knew her requirements but they had received a fax stating Ms. Bakshi’s requirements for PA, they were simple, a girl, young age, ready to travel, educated with English. Similarly, Sir’s list was always short too, a girl, not very engaging in relations, English educated, preferably young.

There was a long candidature list with all kinds of females but the most interesting was a girl, she entered as she owns this place and when she tried asking receptionist about something, she was shown this couch and nobody let her complete her sentence.

She was wearing a plain white cotton shirt and plain blue trousers, maternity jeans. With her 7^th pregnant bump. She had worn simple black slippers and her hairs were cut short reaching till ears over which a plain white cloth hair-band. With that she was holding a sling bag of multi coloured flowers. 

“Well just a suggestion that you will not get the job with such huge bump, Mudil Sir doesn’t like to work with popped up women.” Was a snide comment passed on her by a passing employee. “But, I am not…..” “Leave all that if she is so determined to get her insulted who are we to say something.” Said another.

Just then entered Mr. Bhaskar, the boss and was shocked o see her waiting in the reception area. All thought that now even Mr. Bhaskar would pass some comment on her. But was shocked to hear “Ms. Bakshi, you are here. Didn’t we discuss that I would be late so you should inquire about your cabin or conference room from reception.” “Well I tried but here no one is there to listen; now I can see the competency of staff recruited by you.”

He took her hand and they both took the lift up and from triplex balcony, he said to the staff “Attention please, you all know me I am Mudil Bhaskar, but now we meet our other director of Bhaskar & Bakshi, Ms. Swaha Bakshi from Bakshi Enterprise. Now she would be resuming all of you in conference room in 30 mins. Be there.” 

They both proceeded to the conference room where they both signed the last formal papers “Mr. Mudil Bhaskar it’s rude to stare at full time pregnant lady” said Swaha as she signed the papers. He could see a great mother in Swaha as even in her full business form, he could feel her care for the child as she was very precautious of her every step. “Congrats we are now officially directors in this new firm. Plus I would like whole privy over the matter I speak so I would not like any interference of any sort from your side.”

In few minutes everyone assembled in the conference room where they saw her sitting in the head’s chair beside her stood Mudil Bhaskar. Till then they knew Mudil to be tough task master but she had madder gleam of workaholicism. As everybody settled in their places. They saw what they didn’t see in the first time, she was thin, extremely thin till the point of being fragile, but she looked such a person who was very strong from inside, she said

“As you all know, I am Ms. Swaha Bakshi, your new Director in the firm, but remember one thing I am not that social butterfly kind of Director who just comes once in a while with no work I will be here every day or my fax will there to notify you of your work on my instructions. Plus your behavior today with me has made realize that how poorly you see a woman who’s pregnant. But just remember that just because someone is pregnant doesn’t make them a weaker person to work with and I hope you remember my words for a long time because. I am pregnant yet I can work anywhere more than you. Plus I hate gossips, if found you gossiping about my life then better be prepared to be fired. We have highest pay scale so expect work of that level only and no doodling like free interns. Am I clear and yes Ms. Rishika your doubts of your boss working with me have being cleared or not. Similarly Rosy and Prasant listen very carefully let the person in front of you complete his/her statements you never know who would change your course. Three of you are demoted. Meeting dispersed.”

Bakshi Enterprises was something she owned with her sister and now its whole responsibility lies on her plus she always believed that one should never back-out from its responsibility. This is her pride, one of the biggest interior designing firms settled by her father, she took over it almost 5 years back and now and better. It was this moment she decided that with partnership or merger with someone of architectural line would help the firm so she decided on the Bhaskar & Bakshi. 

He could clearly see that she loses her strength easily as it’s hard to work on the 8^th month but as usual Swaha Bakshi believed in fulfilling every duty to the fullest. So she sat down in most of the discussion and her face looked none less than professional. He sometimes felt that how would be to partner of such a staunch workaholic.

He next saw her in a golf course with some clients and when they forced her, she stood to play the game. She was wearing a fitting white dress. It was below knee length with boat neck and short sleeves. With that she was just wearing a charm bracelet in white base colour and trendy ankle length golf shoes. Swaha played golf easily even with full grown bump which was clearly visible from the dress, just when she heard “Ms. Bakshi I never thought to see a pregnant woman in my office as associate but now let’s proceed. And especially in client meeting in a golf course I had never expected you to be present.”

“Swaha will do. And get used to seeing me as I plan do work till last day of my pregnancy as you would have known, my sister is foreign settled so I handle Indian branches and mostly I am travelling. So next week you are invited to my place for my baby shower. And Mr. Mudil Bhaskar as now we are partners so it would be nice if you be there. Your other acquaintances are also welcomed. It’s one huge party in honour of my unborn child. The next generation of Bakshi dynasty”

She was asked by one of the clients who was also pregnant that “Swaha, congrats, I myself is in 1^st trimester of my pregnancy. Can I touch your bump and feel the kick, you experience it naa? Have you decided upon the name?” as she touched Swaha bump feeling the kick. “Actually it’s a pact between me and father of the child that if its girl she keeps my surname and if it’s a boy then he has his father’s surname so just let’s wait to know the full name of my child” she replied.

“Mam, there is a man claiming to know you and meet you, he says he is your business partner, Mr. Mudil Bhaskar, he is pressurizing to enter the room but we only allow people related to mother in labour room but as you don’t have anyone, if you allow he can be here. It’s still time for you to have baby you can talk to him”

Mudil found himself in a very clean private labour room where Swaha was lying in the bed looking exhausted, it seemed that she was going through a lot of pain but was controlling it. She was wearing a plain white gown, mid length. Her short hairs were looking sticky due to sweat. She just said “Mr. Bhaskar what made you come here? Some documents need my signature?”

“I thought it would be nice if you had someone to talk to. I was told it was some few more hours before you are actually ready. Your contractions are still irregular. And your family is also not here” he said sitting on the stool

“Don’t worry, I’m a big girl, you can see that and I am more than enough to manage myself plus I don’t need any sympathy or support. I prefer to say alone.” For the first time in their meetings over weeks, she had first time lost her calm, looking teary not that perfect decent smile that has always being plastered in her face.

She now looked so young so her age 23, at 23 she was going through her first pregnancy, she was in this line since 18 but then she just doubled as her father’s PA for pocket money and simultaneously studying in her interior designing course. A year ago, when her father left the nation with her elder sister to UK after her marriage, she became the sole owner. Her elder sister, Aahuti, was just 1 year elder but joined business late because she was more the daddy’s girl rather Swaha who believed in standing for herself, so she took their father to UK to help her there.

 Seeing her wither in pain, Mudil got a totally different visual, she withering under him in red colour nightie, sexy one in pleasure. He stopped the horses of his fancies and just decided that it has being enough.

He took out a small box from his grey hoodie he was wearing and filled her partition with vermillion or sindoor and searched from his jacket the wedding chain or mangal sutra. She was shocked but composing herself, she said “Mr. Bhaskar what are you doing? Do you actually understand the meaning of this? What had you thought that I am labour room, would be high on emotions so would accept anything?”

 “Swaha, enough is enough, what started as small prank has dragged too far don’t you think that my child should be born from my wife, Mrs. Bhaskar. Swaha I never had undermined your capabilities then why are doing this. Just because I joked that you would not be handle the child alone so you took such a decision.

We are married for last one year, at 25 how would you feel if your wife said that she is expecting at age of 22, and that too just 2 months after your marriage. Swaha I just pulled your leg and you fell for it. I thought you would come back to me in a week or two. But you decided to have your way. Since last 8 months you are here all alone, you don’t give me your working schedules, your PA is not transferring my calls to you. I get to talk to you only few minutes in a day that too when you call me or you don’t pick up the phone. You use your maternal name everywhere. You know how much it hurts to see that my wife is always alone with my child. I agree I had only said that…………” When he realized that she having breathing troubles and she pressed the bell when frantically running came a doctor. A man in his early 60s. Grey hairs and seemed he was the familiar doctor to case. He consoled her to a sleep due to exhaustion, she slept some time.

Turning to him, he said “I am the doctor handling her pregnancy, Dr. Ajay Joshi, may I know who you are and what are doing here?”  

“Doctor, I am the father is there any problem?” said Mudil as he saw her struggling in pain as she loses her strength.

“Mr. Bakshi…” he interrupted “No, its Mudil Bhaskar” “Ok, Mr. Bhaskar, if you would have being there in her consultancies you would have known that being mother in young age is not easy plus she is so underweight that it has become a risk that the child would also under weight so we need to super precautious with her, but the major risk to her only as we have low opinion of her surviving so much struggle. Have you any idea how difficult this pregnancy has being on her. Happy woman make happy pregnancy is an old saying but I think you youngsters just don’t feel it the same way. She has being on and off with emotion management therapy where she has seen both very highs and breakdowns in the matter. She has lost around 10 kgs in the starting of this pregnancy due to morning sickness leading to more weakness from her side to sustain delivery

She needed to put on weight for this pregnancy but I don’t see that happening.  As being informed she works 18 hours a day to keep herself busy, ok we are not against that because she was very physically fit to work. But have you ever thought that these long working hours in last week of pregnancy are not to be thought of.”

“But Doctor she didn’t told me anything, I agree we had different opinion of this child but she never asked my opinion or help?”

“Great, so now both of you in your egos have reached into this stage. Till today I was highly brittle about Ms. Bakshi but now I know only she is not responsible, you too need a good smacking from me. Do you have any idea that your wife was carried from her cabin to this hospital for her delivery? She was working on some papers alone at midnight with almost no staff when her labour pain started.”

“Doctor, is the baby fine? Will he/she survive?”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Bhaskar the baby will survive but we are not too sure of mother. In your egos you may lose Ms. Bakshi. You can clearly see that she has almost lost her strength but if you are here for the child, don’t worry, you will get it. Mr. Bhaskar in last 30 years I have seen many couples, but yours is the most weird.

I assume you both have enough money because that it is the thing which provides best treatment but you both don’t seem that child is something out of love but you two are paranoid about the health of child meaning you both love it, meaning it was a product of love but now I feel that maybe I was wrong. You seem to be lost on winning so is she. Even if she dies in it, is that the price of this wager? A young girl loses her life in her first pregnancy and a motherless child. Now if you excuse me I have to prepare for her because now not much time is left for delivery, just one request please don’t exert her any mental pressure. She has enough in her plate already…..”

Mudil was lost in the thought of last one year, they met in her sister wedding, and he was the best friend of groom, within a month they realized that they want to spend time forever together, so they got married in UK only with permission of her father and his grandmother who lived in Paris. And they returned India after they got to know of her pregnancy and in last 8 months they have had nothing more than a professional relationship. But hey talked to each other as expecting parents for five minutes daily. They had their egos standing as he wanted her to come to him and she was not ready to bend down. He always knew that she was staunch workaholic and he also never opposed thinking that they met regularly for work so that’s enough.  It was a pact between them that if it’s a girl, she gets the surname Bakshi and remains with her whereas if it’s a boy, he goes to Mudil with surname Bhaskar. But everything seemed meaningless.

But when he got a panic call from office that she is admitted to Maternity Home, he came to find her more stubborn and so that led to their confrontation so badly that she lost all her energies in that and now talking to the doctor he realized how much she had being hiding for just to prove her superiority and now he understood her moments of weakness , when he arrived.

He entered the room more calm and saw her struggling in sleep too and soon the whole room was filled with nurses and the doctor all trying to help her as she was going through a nightmarish pain, her white gown now had huge patches of blood and other fluids flowing from her body he just sat there and tried to calm her by looping his hand around her bump and soothing her sweat from her forehead but then they all heard her cries as she tried to push and suddenly they heard a cry, a baby’s cry.

Someone said “It’s a boy.” But this happiness didn’t lie for moments also because, doctor said her heart-rate is dropping so they tried to revive it by pressing it and it worked, but she was shifted to ICU for observation, when Mudil was left with his child alone. He saw the small baby in his arms wrapped in white blanket, probably sleeping after so many struggles though nurse informed him, that when he will wake up he would crave for milk so she should be informed. They were not sure that whether this baby would get his mothers feed or milk powder and Mudil taking him in his arms was scared, he now realized the gravity of situation that he would always remain alone with the child, Vikramaditya Bhaskar, this was the name picked by them because he wanted Vikram and she wanted Aditya so both.

Sitting in that hospital metal chair he called her father and his grandmother about the child, both was shocked to hear about critical condition of Swaha. Looked she hadn’t informed anybody about herself. He just wished a second chance, after a grueling hour, he was informed that she is stable, he saw her from window, there she lied peacefully in changed new white gown.

White, he smiled the only colour he disliked so after they had their way with the child matter, she always wore a white dress or white shirt and had especially requested the hospital for white gown. White reminded him of two words- virgin and widow and she was none, yet now he realized she wore white for peace and calmness with what she lied.

After a week, she was strong enough to go home and see saw that during that week Mudil spent most of his time with baby. so when she standing in front of hospital premises in a plain white dress with a belt of silver to show her petite figure trying to call her PA to storm her for not sending the car, he came from behind and firmly took her hospital bag and kept it in his car as pooled by his driver and sat with his baby in backseat, she followed him into the car.

The Media Circle - Scene 8

Today, Prasant and Vikash had given Sindhara party to Piu and the major reason is to announce that she is now unofficially Mrs. Priyashi Shankar Dobriyal. The party was on peacock theme where she came by wearing a flowing blue purple palazzo pants with a short fitting bustier. With none jewellary because she knew that jewellary was given to the girl by both the sides of party because its the first sidhara her sasural, so was her last sidhara from maayka side. She just entered the Dobriyal farmhouse. It was beautifully decorated in the peacock theme, with wall painted in green colour and blue flowers were there in all the arrangements. In one side all kinds of food stalls were there with  foods overflowing and it looked more like a market in Jaipur then anything else. The most intricate part was that there was a swing made in the side of the hall it had being decorated with roses and peacock feathers. And the seat was covered with with cushion having vibrant silk patchwork.

She entered finding most their business associates in there, that was the time when  Prasant and Vikas stepped in and said “Many of know that generally Sindhara party is given by the women but in our suitation we both have that in our house and only girl we have is the one for whom this party has being organised. Many of you know that our daughter is now getting married and too with our son, Shankar, so we decided to kick start the wedding ceremonies with this party. As you all know they will get married this weekend in great pomp and a engagement is also there. So we thought whats the better way to kickstart wedding than this. We may not be very good with customs but yet it’s the heart that matters.”

They made her sit on the swing and mehandi was applied on her hands though she was getting tired sitting yet she smilingly accepted as  she  knew it gave great amount of happiness to two persons standing in front of her. Then they came in offering her some jewellary it included a heavy diamond necklace of contemporary design with emralds and sapphire dangling balls. It was a golden chain which had red and black beads. Both were her own creations. It also had her with earnings. She twitching uncomfortably as she was not having a dupatta and most of the guests were guys who at no cost left a chance to stare at her and now she was feeling uncomfortable, if she would have known that Shankar isn’t coming for the party, she would have something sleeved and less curve hugging.  Just then she saw Prashant and Vikas arriving and said “Piu you very well know the importance of this ceremony and jewels we gave you. As a designer you know that the gold chain is now the symbol of your start in married life. Hope you liked everything. ” “Papa, Dad I understand its value but may I leave, I am bit tired with work as you know its important week going on. Please wind up party soon” she just said when they informed her that she now has to here as everybody would be giving her presents. The moment which Priyashi didn’t wanted as she would be left alone with these hovering eyed men. Now her mehandi has also dried and so she was about to wear the bangles when she felt someone nearing her. So she decided that now she should rest a while in the room and in room only she will have her food. So just as she was about to enter the room she felt a tap on her shoulder and she saw Shankar, her Shankar standing there in front of her with her bangles in hand, he took her to swing and slided them in her hand, it had many pairs of precious stones bangles in sync with her dress and lots of red glass bangles.

They sat together in swing with his one of the arms covering her with him and then asked the waiters to bring the food; it was Mughlai as it was Priyashi’s favourite cuisine. While making her eat saw that her hands which now adorned with mehandi which had turned coal black till her upper arms and her legs had also similar designs on foot. He was fanaticising how she would look wearing sun dress with her red bangles and all mehandi.  But he saw that sweet pink blush never leaving her face since the time he came. He fed her with all kinds of kebabs with chutneys. In their courtship, he came to know that Priyashi can never eat before him so like good lover, he always returned home in time and always made her eat first. The two lover-birds were in their own world when they were interrupted by the fathers saying they need to take Priyashi as she needs to accept gifts from every guest as a custom of Sindhara party but Shankar was adamant not to leave her alone so insisted that they should be here only in the swing and whoever wants to gift her gifts, should come over here only. No one was allowed to touch Priyashi all gifts passed through Shankar.

Later, in night they were alone where Shankar’s fancies got a chance as he saw Priyashi in beautiful white coloured cotton sleeveless sundress. There he saw that not only her hands had mehandi up to upper arms but it also had mehandi up to her knees. She gave him gratitude filled smile while rubbing her shoulders. Then only he went to her SUV and brought a shawl as they both were visiting a temple.

The temple was suitated in hillock, with beautiful sun setting background and she stood there in her bridal preparations. He took her to chai stall and they drank the tea and seeing him without sweater, she offered her shawl and they both snuggled into that big shawl. She said “Sunte Ho, What should I call you after marriage, because then I could not call you Mr. Dobriyal for sure and Shankar won’t look good as your wife.” She said teasingly, but he looking intently replied “Piu, if you can’t call me from name due this marriage so I will not marry you because I can’t bear you being anywhere subordinate to me. I studied MBA in Yale, so are you post graduate jewellary from Denmark. We are equal owners in Dobriyals plus you are more talented you have your own boutique. Its Shankar or me being guilty all life. I may be the devil Shankar Dobriyal for world, but for you I am and will remain the same lover boy for you.”  She then said “Shankar you know I always wanted the same fairy-tale kind of love story. But my reality is better than the dreams. Thanks for coming today. I know it’s hectic for you to be there without me in office then too you came. You know I was very uncomfortable with so many guys with me in the party because they all just need a reason to be there to hover around me.” “That’s the reason I was there, I cannot let you feel uncomfortable anytime or anywhere” he said in just a mere whisper but the words echoed in Piu’s heart each time she was alone without and strangely found herself in peace.

The Ex

As she entered she saw someone as chilled out as her. She was standing there in her satin powder blue fitted pants and a button down white shirt and huge bun. She was one of the best photographers of the nation. Mogha, one of the celebrated photographers. Isn’t it strange even her boss’s surname was Mogha, but barring it as co-incidence, I entered for photo shoot she told that she had just returned from an international convention so we need to give her 30 mins before shoot.

Later after 30 mins, she looked totally different; she was wearing grey slacks and a sleeveless boat-neck top. Her hairs were braided in to long plait reaching upto her hips. Standing in front of the tripod setting the environment for the shoot. She looked in ease with the things and nothing shows her tiredness and exhaustion.

Her boss was here and they seemed to be at ease and they were supposed to be like that only.  She was one of his early associates. Her boss who owned one of the top fashion magazine and was chief editor in market and she was his right hand, G T Mogha, called as Giti.

“Tarun, the photo shoot is bit dry I need a air blower to play with dress plus the dress colour is dull for the spring shoot so we need to carry it out with very bright background, something like a party light background or sun rise in forests. And the model for today is famous international model Carol Datta, but you know she is blondie types so I need Alam to handle the makeup, rest some neon helium balloons in the shoot thereafter for the celebrity wedding profile shoot of your stars where I want them to be contrasting the subtle taste of the shoot as they will give a peek-a-boo from the balloons. Then tomorrow it’s more about the busy day with Mridula as she and I are coming up with modern hippie fashion, so be there at evening for the finalized look. And this weekend I am off to Milan as I have there a shoot of Hermes lined up. So I need to relieved from this shoot by Thursday.” She said as taking some random shots.

Sometimes seeing them no one would believe that they are team as one hand where Tarun only attends 5 meetings in a week and who better than she knew as she as she was his PA, Akansha. Whereas Mogha’s Mam calendar overflew as according to her aide, Donna. But still they were best friends some even said they are the IT couple which broke Akansha’s heart as in a way or other she liked Tarun.

 Tarun Mogha was the youngest editor of fashion world at 30, he had created a niche for himself as his magazine “Chalice” was the top Indian fashion magazine plus it was internationally acclaimed with a run in more than 50 countries. In just 5 years it created a global huss. Its each Mumbai edition was like warfront for many designers and collections as its review is all that matters. And single article written by him in its Mumbai edition under the name of “Black Silver Sword” could make and break the careers. He did his graduation in Journalism and started small but after his and Giti’s combination came “Chalice”. Giti is currently 29; she did her photography honours from Paris where she has also did her fashion majors. So actually she is the fairy Godmother of Chalice. As she is there in Mumbai for just 5 days a month, all these days are taken up by Chalice staff as she is also the major fashion consultant for it plus helps with important shoots.

Akansha both awed and was jealous of Giti because she is comfortable with Tarun. The next time she saw her was in New York Airport where she came to pick Tarun for New York fashion week. While coming out she reminded Tarun that they need to attend the 50^th Anniversary party of “Cosmo” so they need take a present for their Editor chief as they are business collaborators.    

“Giti you are buying a present as you clearly know how bad I’m in this department.” Tarun said laughingly as he got down at Starbucks for coffee.

“Yaah! Yaah! I remember who else would have gifted a girl a microwave oven on her birthday. Two large double shoot Cookie crumble and one strawberry pastry and a cheese-corn sandwich. And yes we want the cookie to vanilla cinnamon not peanut butter as he is allergic to nuts. ” Giti said in flow, Akansha was shocked to know that Giti had all the knowledge about his eating habits to his allergies, even she after being his PA for 3 years never knew about all this.

She was more frustrated to see that Giti knew everything about him. she knew his favourite colour to the brands he wears. Actually it was Giti only who picked each of his outfit from ties colour to shoes. Plus they seemed to very much involved with each other and were very intimate with each other. Like they shared every spare minute with each other plus she helped him buy presents for his family. On one hand Akansha didn’t even knew his exact family members, Giti had all the knowledge about them. They together bought a diamond drop earrings of Chopard for the editor which had sapphire set in between. Plus expensive leather gloves for his brothers, which were two and a huge make up kit of Bobby Brown for his sister. And some scarves of Versace for rest of the family. Plus she even bought his things like she gave him a shinning new Cartier watch for him. Then both shopped for her dress in Alexander McQueen. Plus his family whenever call is so excited to talk to her and they talk for hours like she is a family member.     

Frustrated by all this Akansha one day stormed in Giti’s room “You actually know that he had an x wife. Why are u wasting time on him? I can see in your eyes that you love him. Don’t you, but remember I’m have harvested it from a long time and I will ready to fight for it. I know you like for the glamour that’s attached to his name.” Akansha came to know that he had an ex-wife   just 2 months ago during something from old documents where she found Tarun’s wedding reception card dated 6 years back, the wife was Gitika.  

“I know him before this time also and please I don’t love him in that senses I am his ex-wife, Gitika Mogha. I know him before he became the Tarun Mogha. We were into an arranged marriage 6 years ago and in 6 months only we realised that we are not compatible for each other so we separated. We both too different to stay together if he was sun so I was moon, his life was in precision but mine ran on impulse. But we both shared common passion for fashion.  We both at that time was working in the initial stages of Chalice so we continued and we realised. We make great friends. And still we are friends. We are soul mates yet not couple because it’s not necessary that you find your soul mate in that person only whom you want to be romantically involved, it’s just a person who compliments as the missing piece of your puzzle like ying and yang, we balance each other.

In last 5 years things may have changed between the dynamics but we still remained great friends and now we are inseparable. Actually he was the one who cut short my name, Giti and the full name of mine is Giti Tarun Mogha, G T Mogha.  And I am also cordial with his family and I’m legally not his ex-wife because we are separated not divorced.

So Akansha before blaming others next time, please try to find the truth first because half baked truth is dangerous than lies. And lastly an advice, please stop pursuing him, you will never get him and I am not saying this as his ex wife who is jealous of you. But as his soul mate who knows he doesn’t wants the life partner………….” 

That Meeting

Ajj Shab Jo Chand Ne Hai Roothne Ki Than Li

Gardisho Mein Hai Sitare Baat Humne Maan Li

Andheri Shayh Zindagi Ko Sujhi Thi Nahi Kahin

Ki Ek Aaj Haath Thamlo Ki Ek Haath Ki Kami Khali

“Your regular Mam, Should I pour in the  glass or first you want something else.” Asked the same guy she saw since last 3 years.

Since last three years she drinks till drop dead and then one of the waiters would help her to get into the car which was duely there by one of the drivers of her mother or father. Her parents’ one of the biggest business tycoons of India. But never had time for their only child, Ms. Nayonika Das. She was a famous super model plus was the only heir to Nayonika Fashions, her parents company. She had drowned herself in alcoholism totally to survive. The name Nayonika was related to success and only success. But with that came aloneness which she could not handle. So she drank till she feels drowsy and then she went to empty house. Relationships were never she actually gave try because she was scared from them.

It’s not that she was never approached; she was approached a lot of times from different guys.  When you are dusky beauty with height of 5’ 11”. With the killer figure to die for. She had inherited the typical huge Bengali eyes. She was totally a diva in total. Plus she was the best known model so her face was always there in media.

Many people would think that if she was so lost in the drinks why never tried to take advantage of her but actually she was that one kind of girl whom everybody knew was the forbidden fruit because when you are related to Das empire and too the daughter of them, you are the person whom would you like to stay away from her.  

Kyun Khoye Khoye Chand Ki Firak Mein Talash Mein Udas Hai Dil

Kyun Anpne App Se Khafa Khafa Zara Zara Sa Naraz Hai Dil

“Hey, Vikki something looking different.”  As she entered the bar that day for having her daily dose of vodka. Today she was feeling different as if something is to change. “Yes, this hotel is now bought by Mr. Tejas Vasishtha, the famous hotelier so that’s the reason of hustle today. So regular Mam or something more………..”

“The regular and a plate of paneer tikka” she replied monotonously. As she had her share of drinks and snacks she was thinking how her life was there having everything yet she was alone.

Today she had featured in Times as one of the most influential faces in this decade. It has being 9 years since when she started her career. A thing which was started as hobby and a means to kill time in that huge mansion has now leaded to a situation where she models almost 18 hours a day. 

She felt that in her late 20s she had everything a successful business, a great career yet how alone is she. On that note she decided that she had   enough and she stood to leave but she never reached the parking that night.

Yeh Manzilee Bhi Khud Hi Tai Karein,

Yeh Faslein Bhi Khud Hi Tai Karein,

Kyun To Raston Pe Phir Shem Shem Sambhal Sambhal Le Chalta Hai Yeh Dil

The next day she woke up to find herself in the hotel room correction suite of the hotel she visited for her drinks. She looked around and found that she was in her last dress means she wasn’t being molested but how come she is in the hotel room.

Just then she saw a strong hand passing her a glass of disprin, as she drank the content thirstily. She then looked for her belongings just then she saw the man who helped her the previous night. There stood a man who was around 6’5” in height. Had an athlete body and long hairs tied in a sleek ponytail. He was wearing casual grey jeans that hung low on hips and a t shirt. The man had a little stubble but most intruding factor was his eyes, the colour of caramel, molted caramel over which he wore a rimless specs by look she could clearly guess that he was reading something.

“Thanks for helping me.” She said as she gathered her things from the room and was about to leave when she felt a pull in her hand and she landed in his chest. She was shocked and scared. She was looking fragile doll in front of him, “You are here to stay.” Nayonika got very pissed and said “Mr. Whoever you are. You don’t now to whom you are talking. I said I will leave so I will go. No one has right to stop me. I am………..” He interrupted  her “Mr. Tejas Vasishtha , my name Tejas Vasishtha and I know you are Nayonika Das, the heiress of Nayonika Fashions and the supermodel. But when I hold someone’s hand its forever and nothing less would suffice me.” She is shocked to now the person in front of her was Tejas Vasishtha because he never met anybody and by his success she guessed that he would have  being much older. But he didn’t look more than early 30s. She was really excited as for the first time someone claimed to be with her but she was  angry too as she believed she is not some property that someone can own so she said “Mr. Vasishtha, thanks for being there yesterday but I think your hospitality its more than enough extended. I will leave and that’s final” “If I get you word of your parents that they are fine with you staying with me. Will that be ok” he said tucking a loose strand beside her ears. “And for you it’s Tejas, just Tejas, Nayonika”

Zindgai Sawalo Ke Jawaab Dhondnne Chali

Jawaab Mein Sawalon Ki Ek Lambi Si Ladi Mili

Saawal Hi Saawal Hai Sujhti Nahi Gali

Ki Aaj Haath Tham Lo Ek Haaath Ki Kami Khali

He took her to meet her parents in their office and they seemed ok with them, she was shocked because as far she knew her parents they were conservative in their philosophy of live in yet she too this chance.  They were both in the car when she noticed he was wearing perfect black 3 piece suit with silk trousers -coat and satin waistcoat and tie complementing a crisp white shirt and aviators.  His long hairs were gelled to perfect back pony. While had some dresses delivered to his suite which was actually presidential suite, so she was wearing a beautiful floral skirt with a blue blazer and plain cream t shirt .He while returning from their visit from office, he had his stop at her house and allowed her to pick her things and when she had her things packed as she came down, one of the uniformed man came and said “Mam, Ritwik Sir’s PA and now your also, please pass it to me. Sir is waiting for you in BMW while I load your luggage in SUV.” In one day actually one night her life was in different track.

Jee Mein Aata Hai

Murda Sitara Noch Loo

Idhar Bhi Nooch Lo

Udhar Bhi Nooch Lo

Ek Do Ka Zikar Kya

Mein Sare Noooch Lo

She found herself in front a huge modern house with beautiful garden as they descended. Seeing her confused he replied that “I don’t want to keep you in hotel so this small home. Feel home and make it one as this is our new place.”

She saw the whole home was beautiful with large windows and all her luggage was arranged properly in her room which was next to his divided by a glass partition. It was totally white from paint to furniture to linens in home. She was amazed how he arranged everything so shortly then she realised that whom she was joking he was Tejas Vasishtha who came make her parents agreed to this arrangement can do anything. She was lost when she felt him near him saying “I may not be always there but Ritwik and others will make it more than comfortable for your stay. Actually I travel a lot but I will try to stay more with you. I would like to have one of your pictures but not the ones where you pose for them, just spontaneous one.” And he clicked her one pic in that moment in her full length white kurta and her curly flowing through her face. And she is smiling genuinely.  True to his word he tried to stay with her, except living with him, he was very cool about what she did, he never came in between her work but she always found herself with the company of Ritwik or some guard, he was paranoid till the extent of madness about her safety. He also didn’t allowed her to drink again public. Vikki was shifted to mansion and he used to fix her drinks in home only. Though he never stopped her to drink but he never drank himself and after a limit to which she drank he took her to the room and let her sleep. 

During this time only they tried explore each other, for the first time she barred her insecurities and her loneliness in front of anybody. She came to know he was also single child of his parents and they died in a plane crash when he was 14 and now he lives with his Nani. He doesn’t drinks or smokes because he feels that life as more addiction than anything else and he doesn’t like any addiction which loses its effect with time.

Idhar Bhi Nooch Lo

Udhar Bhi Nooch Lo

Sitare Nooc Lo

Mein Sare Nooch Lo

Kyun Tuu Ajj Itna Vaihshi Hai Mizaj Mein Mazazz Hai Aye Gum-E-Dil

She was sitting alone in the window setting, she felt very alone today, it has being more than a week than he had visited her, not that she could blame him as he was very busy with a takeover. Yet she decided to surprise him so she asked Ritwik to get the car ready as she wanted to visit his office alone. She got dressed in a decent peach coloured lace dress with a tight belt on her waist marking the thin waist. She wore a soft fur coat over the dress.

When she arrived at the office, Ritwik had already seen her there so told that he was in conference hall and when she entered there she saw a young girl throwing herself on him and that was enough for her to run away from there.

Later when frustrated Tejas returned his cabin in high tempers due to that clingy girl with whom he had to work because she was the lawyer of other side and saw worried Ritwik informed about the surprise visit of Nayonika, he cursed the timing. He knew that she will not be found in his house or her parents place. Suddenly he realised she once told when she needed to be alone she went a small flat she bought in her college and when he came there he saw her sitting in the edge of balcony ready to fall any moment and an empty liquor bottle proving that  she drank it all and she was crying.

He quietly sat beside and took her in his embrace and she cried whole heartily while hugging him. Seeing her cry he realised that now Nayonika was also in love with him. He just took her in his structure and nested and cradled as some kid and said “I love you and only you. She was and is nothing........” She said in between “I was scared that I am not there anymore where you just belong to me and was worried about that you also like someone else. Tejas I just can’t live that fact.”

She then fainted but they had not realised that destiny decided for both of them.   

Dil Ko Samjhna Keh To Kya Asaan Hai

Dil To Fitrat Se Sun Lo Na Baimaan Hai

Yeh Kush Nahi Hai Jo Mila

Bas Mangta Hi Hai Chala

Next time, he saw her she was trying to change herself. She had signed up for rehabilitation centre. He was shocked to see that she trying to fit in the typical stereotype of perfect partner. From cooking to dusting to managing hose even preparing his stuff

He pulled her and asked the reason. She just said “I want us to last forever.” He was surprised that he is the reason of her changes; he pulled her towards him as he did when they argued for first time “I too want us to be there forever but in the cost of your identity. I have loved Nayonika Das, that Nayonika I helped who was over drunken supermodel the spit fire who made me fought with the moment she regained composure. Not this docile Nayonika. I love you the way you are just as you are there for me for the sense I am.”

With that he slipped a ring in her left ring finger. A ring with a huge sapphire resting in the borders of the diamonds set in platinum. “This is also to stay.” He said as she noticed the sudden weight in her fingers. She blushed and took him to her room where she also took out the box from the locker and pulled out a ring, it was a simple platinum ring with a diamond patch in middle. “I also had it chosen” she said blushingly while putting it in his finger.

“Nayonika you don’t need to change, I love you the way you are but yes I would love the idea of your quitting drinking so I’m also in favour of rehabilitation.” He said as they both settled for celebration. “But I would like to be perfect for you. And I am more than confident that now my drinking is thing of past.” She said.

They both announced their status in press publically with the promise that soon there will be formal engagement and wedding following soon.     

Janta Hai Har Lagi Ka

Dard Hi Hai Bas Ek Sila

Jab Kabhi Yeh Dil Laga

Dard Hi Humne Mila

Dil Ki Har Lagi Ka

Sunlo Dard Hi Ek Sila

She was really scared to meet his Nani but she seemed to be warm person who was very happy that he has finally decided to get married and was also more happy because his Nani and she shared the same ancestry as she was also Bengali, as Nayonika met her first time in simple jeans and t shirt and full sweater.

She was a jolly lady who generally wore typical Bengali sarees with a simple strand of gold beads. And her hairs were generally tied into a plaint and was quite stylish as for right now she was great fan of fishtail but rather preferred a French plaint or Dutch plaint. It was felt by Nayonika that it’s important that Nani likes her as she was to live with her. Nani didn’t had problem from her profession plus she was also cool about what she wears because Nani herself was from army back ground as her parents were arm doctors so she was from liberal back ground but same was not the case with Dadi.

Though Dadi was just like any visitor to their home, only a week in a year because she liked her life more of Vidhwa ashram. She was just anti-thesis of Nani. She wore typical cotton sarees of white colour with no jewellery and her hairs were tied in juda.

She just frowned upon her about everything from her name to her profession to her choice of dress. But Tejas had assured to her earlier that only Nani’s opinion that mattered so she was little relaxed. So she entered her study to see her huge photo hung over there, the same photo he clicked of her, her first photo by him. Just then Ritwik entered and told that all his cabins world over have the same photo. She just wanted to talk to Tejas about that and found him in the room, when asked he just replied taking of his reading glasses as he was busy with his files “The reason is simple I just miss you so much that I couldn’t bear to part from you even for some moments so I decided to have it everywhere I work plus I proves that you are taken and you belong only to me. Don’t you remember I had said you in the suite of the hotel that I hold the hand not to leave and will settle for nothing less, so since then I just wanted the world to know that yes I am the one who has Nayonika Das as his lover.”  

Kyun Naye Naye Se Dard Ki Firak Mein Talash Udas Hai Dil

Kyun Anpne App Se Khafa Khafa Zara Zara Sa Naraz Hai Dil

She was sitting in front of the holy fire in the mandap as he made her wear the mangal sutra, a short single strand black beaded one with a small diamond pendant and filled her maang with sindoor. She was there in a heavy red ghaghara whereas he was there in cream sherwani with indigo and purple safa and gath-joda which was tied to her red chunni. She was hell nervous as she never thought in her life a day like this will also come but seeing Tejas she realised that was the correct decision. If she was meant to be with someone it was him.

Later that night she was standing in the balcony lost in her thoughts. For Tejas she looked more like fairy than anything else in that short silver lace shorts and top. He could sense she is still stunned that they are married so was he.

Tejas told her that the first time he saw her was in one of the mirrors of the reception of the hotel and that was the moment he realised that whatever happens in their lives it was him to meet her and from that moment only his planning has being there from her waking up in his bed to her parents readily agreeing to let her be with him. He does agrees he never thought of her to be so strong willed as she turned out to be , she  in ways reminded him of his late mother who world thought he hated yet the most close  was to his mother that’s the reason he lived with his Nani rather than Dadi after the death of his parents.

Actually his mother was also a working woman and was very successful but both his parents also couldn’t give time at home same as Nayonika and that was the reason he understood her very well from her addiction to her insecurities as he had suffered them 16 years and gradually with his Nani’s love everything just sorted out fine.

He also told that the reason her parents allowed to let them stay together was that he had convinced them that he wanted to marry her but will do that only after he was sure that they both and especially she were happy.

Yeh Manzilee Bhi Khud Hi Tai Karein,

Yeh Faslein Bhi Khud Hi Tai Karein,

Kyun To Raston Pe Phir Shem Shem Sambhal Sambhal Le Chalta Hai Yeh Dil

She woke up and saw the man who entered her life like storm and changed it like whirlpool was right now sleeping peacefully on his stomach. Beside her on side table laid a photo, it was there photo in which he stood back hugging her.  Now also their house was mostly white but was coloured with several of their photos.

It ranged from photos her modelling photos, to his photos in many award ceremonies plus it had many of her photos with Nani as they both found best friends in each other as both were Bengalis so rest you could imagine. But the most were their photos together, he still liked to that photo of hers in all his offices. Just then she felt someone kissing her cheeks lightly and saying “Happy Birthday. What do you want for birthday?”

She just turned to her husband and said “Mr. Tejas Vasishtha I got my present a year ago only when you entered my life and swept me off my feet.”

“Ok, Mrs Nayonika Das Vasishtha but it was me who got you as present.”

Kyun Khoye Khoye Chand Ki Firak Mein Talash Mein Udas Hai Dil

Kyun Anpne App Se Khafa Khafa Zara Zara Sa Naraz Hai Dil