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Chapter 22
“A new grandchild and a new daughter-in-law, both in a day!” Shakti said with some amusement looking at Tej who was still recovering from Rudra’s revelation a couple of hours ago.
“Can you imagine that!” Tej said looking at his brother. “What a day!But that’s our life now, getting surprises from our children.”
“Be thankful Bhaisaheb!” Shakti said smiling at Tej. “Our kids have only given the good kind of surprises.”
During dinner, the cool vibes between Pammi and Simran were unmistakable; Simran’s aloofness was at a new level, and Priyanka was exceptionally jumpy.
“Not today. My news will be just too much to handle now. It will have to be after the opening. I need to tell Shikhar.” she thought as she munched on her last bite.
Soon everyone retired to their respective rooms. Simran was walking over to her room after having ignored her mother’s dagger like eyes. She felt exhausted and just wanted to hit the bed when a pixie voice caught her attention. ” Sim Run. Wait.”
Simran turned around to find Aanya half walking-half running towards her. A flustered Anika followed closely behind.
“Aanoo, time to get to bed.” She looked at Simran with exasperation. ” She slept after we came back from shopping, and she is a bundle of energy while we are all wiped out.”
Simran looked at Aanya’s upturned face. “You should listen to your Mumma Aanya.”
“Aanoo not sleepy. I talk to Sim Run.”
“Arrey, but Simran was working all day. She is tired.” Anika reasoned patiently.
Aanya looked at her mother for a couple of seconds. Then she turned her doe eyes to Simran. ” I be nice Sim Run.” she said feebly in a final attempt to prolong her fun for the evening.
“Aanoo, be nice and listen. No means no.” Anika said in a firm voice.
Aanya’s shoulders drooped and she hung her head dramatically. “Okie. Byee Sim Run.” she said in a theatrically tragic tone and started to walk behind Anika.
Simran burst out laughing looking at the kid’s extreme drama.”Anika Bhabhi, let her stay with me. I am sure she won’t trouble me. If she does, be sure I’ll bring her to you. As you can tell, I am not shy.” Simran said chuckling at Aanya’s rapidly brightening expressions.
“Are you sure?” Anika asked doubtfully.
“Yes. We’ll be ok. I’ll bring bring her to you or text you to get her if I start to get tired.”
“Ok. Thanks Simran.” Anika said giving Aanya a quick hug.
“Byee mama” Aanya chirped waving at her mother as she left.
“So Aanoo boss. Now what?” Simran asked holding the kid lightly in her lap as they sat on the bed inside the guest room. “What do you want to do ?” The cloud of gloom that had hovered over Simran a while ago had already started to part and a bright moonbeam shone over her soothing her and making her feel lighter. She could not believe the effect Aanya had on her. “Is it just me or does she have that effect on everyone?” she thought absent-mindedly.
” I make you pretty. Aanoo make your hair.” Aanya said looking thoughtfully at Simran’s face. She had the look of deep calculation that made Simran chuckle.
“Ooh! A girlie sleepover. I like that.” Simran said feeling very childish all of a sudden. ” I’ll tell you what! You comb my hair and then give me a facial”
“Okkay!” Anya said bouncing with excitement. ” But Aanoo have no fa-shel.”
Simran fell back on her bed from shaking with laughter. Aanya looked very happy sitting on Simran’s tummy and imitated Simran’s laugh to the best of her ability.
Eventually, Simran wiped the tears that had trickled out of the corners of her eyes. “I’ll teach you how to give a fa-shel. Let’s start with combing though.” With a little hop, Simran got back up, placed Anya on the bed and went to collect a comb and a bottle of lotion from her dresser.
Two hours later when Anika came to check on Aanya, she found her curled up in the nook of Simran’s right arm. Both their faces were slick with lotion and both lay in a deep, peaceful sleep. Anika took in the scene, a soft smile curving her lips. She walked over to the switch board and turned off the lights. She did not know why Simran had been so gloomy all evening but she was thankful that she was sleeping peacefully now. Still smiling, she left the room, closed the door behind her, and walked back to her own room. Tomorrow was going to be a hectic day.
In her room Priyanka finally said bye to Shikhar and looked at her phone screen. They had been talking for over an hour! Priyanka smiled and reached across her bed to lay the phone on her nightstand and switch off the lights. Having talked to Shikhar and having explained everything to him she finally felt at peace. Her mind restful, she closed her eyes and soon fell asleep.
The next morning was full of frenzied activity. The boutique opening was hours away and everyone was getting ready in batches to get there on time. Priyanka stood before the mirror taking deep breaths. The soft material of her cream saree flowed gently in the air. The light brocade patterns on the sleeve of her blouse and the full brocade work on her aanchal caught the sunshine coming in from the window and glimmered. She brushed her hair one last time, smacked her lips to blend in the soft pink lipstick, and adjusted her feet in her low heeled pumps. They shoes were Simran’s idea to ensure comfort through the entire day. Just as Priyanka’s thoughts went to Simran, she peered through the open doorway. ” Om bhaiya is calling you. Are you ready?” Simran asked looking wide-eyed at the ethereal beauty standing before her.
“Wow! You are the name of your boutique today. Celestial!” Simran said looking a little awed.
Priyanka smiled. ” Says the girl who looks stunning no matter what, from the moment she wakes up till she is exhausted and ready for bed.” She walked over to Simran who looked gorgeous in her black silk, straight cut churidaar suit. It reminded her of the first time she had met Aashi. “That’s a beautiful suit Simran. Love the golden tissue dupatta.”
The two girls left the room discussing the intricate details of their attires and went downstairs to join others.
By eleven the entire family was gathered at the boutique, ready for the media and the special guests to arrive. Aashi had stayed home with Aanya and was to come a few hours later to avoid prolonged activity. Priyanka felt her heart race as she saw a few media person’s arrive with their cameras and other equipment. She turned away a little as sweat started to bead her forehead.
” It’ll be ok. Just take deep breaths.” said a familiar soft voice as a strong arm slipped around her waist. Priyanka turned to look into Shikhar’s smiling face and let out a sigh of relief. “Thank God you are here.”
“Of course I am here! Let’s go and get this done!” he said smiling at her.
From a distance Om and Shivaay looked at the couple. A slight smile played on Om’s lips while Shivaay looked thunderstruck. “Ye Shikhar, Om, vo Prinku…I think she needs us. ” Shivaay babbled on.
Om came back to his senses realizing what it must look like to Shivaay. “Yes, relax Shivaay, we will go and help Prinku. meddia has started to arrive; where is Anika? Go call her. We will need her here.”
Shivaay looked at Om in some disbelief. Then he looked at Priyanka and Shikhar again. Then he turned to stare at Om one more time. Om flattened the top of his hair looking a little sheepish. “I will go and call Anika” Shivaay said in a robotic voice and left. Om sighed heavily and walked towards his sister and his best friend. “This is going to be a long day.” he thought with some apprehension.
Soon the boutique was full of a steady in-flow of specially invited visitors. Dressed in a beautiful pink anarkali suit, a creation of Priyanka, Soumya talked to a bunch of her colleagues whom she had invited for the special hour of the opening. She walked around the boutique showing them various categories from the collection and feeling proud of her best friend as she saw the admiration in everyone’s eyes.
Before long Rudra joined her, walking around casually with her as she went from one display to another. She gave him brief glances, then realizing something she introduced him to her friends. ” Everyone, this is Rudra. Rudra, these are my colleagues from my workplace.”
Rudra smiled sweetly as he shook hands with a bunch of ladies. Then he shook hands with the two men accompanying them. ” Hi, I am Soumya’s fiance, Rudra. Very nice to meet you.” he said with a sophisticated air.
“Oh! Soumya, you did not tell us.” Exclaimed one, while others joined into the protestations.
Soumya turned to look at Rudra who stood there still smiling unapologetically. She shook her head smiling.” Sorry, it just became final yesterday and today is my best friend’s day so I wanted the focus on that.”
“Oh we were just pulling your leg. Of course we understand.” said one of her friends grinning at Rudra. ” But we want a party ok?”
“Of course! All of you are invited to our official engagement as soon as it is finalized. Right Somu?”
“Of course! Soumya said smiling. ” Now can we focus on Priyanka’s work please? She has worked very hard on this.”
Rudra looked a little ashamed. ” Yes, let’s take a look at my sister’s work. She has done an amazing job here.”
At one end of the store, Simran stood completely engrossed in a deep conversation explaining some designs to a couple of ladies. After her mother’s stunt the previous night, Simran had tried to stay as far away from the family as possible. She was so involved in her explanation that she did not notice that someone had come and stood by her.
“Very well explained.” said a gentle voice beside her. Simran jumped in surprised to look at the source of the voice and found herself looking straight at Shikhar who smiled pleasantly at her. Simran’s heart skipped a beat and she looked away.
“Thanks.” she said curtly.
” Has Simran told you ladies that she is an exceptional designer of Indo-western wear? In fact, she is all set to open her boutique in Delhi. Of course, we are hoping to drag her here to Mumbai as well.” Shikhar said with a grin.
“Really?” said one of the ladies. ” I love Indo-western clothes, and I visit Delhi on a regular basis for business. Please let me know once your store is open. I’d love to visit.”
” Of course. I’ll take your contact information from Priyanka and will inform you.” Simran said courteously.
After a couple more minutes of conversation, the ladies departed.
“Priyanka has been looking for you. She can’t stop gushing about what a great help you have been.” Shikhar said as they strolled casually.
“Priyanka is too kind.”
“No. I mean yes, Priyanka is very kind and also one of a kind ” Shikhar said smiling, ” but she is right. You did a tremendous amount of work in just two days.”
” Just two days.” Simran said with a hint of mockery in her voice. ” I’ll never think of two days as “just” ever again. Two days are enough to change one’s life.” she said still looking around and avoiding looking directly at Shikhar.
Shikhar looked at her beautiful profile with sympathy. ” You are right.” he said patiently. ” Actually, even a few minutes are enough to change one’s life. That gives us hope right? You never know what might happen or whom we may meet tomorrow, that will change our life for the better?”
“Or worse?” Simran said flatly.
“Maybe. Or better?” Shikhar persisted.
“Maybe.” Simran said strongly. ” Or worse.”
” Or better?” Shikhar said now grinning comically.
Simran turned to look sharply at him. Looking at the expression on his face, she could not help herself and burst out laughing. ” Ok. For better. Now let’s go find Priyanka. I can’t wait to soak all the praise she is showering upon me.” she said humorously.
“Thatta girl!” Shikhar joked as he guided Simran toward Priyanka, who stood in the distance, shimmering like a star. Shikhar’s heart swelled as he looked at the girl he was going to spend his life with. The shimmer outside was nothing compared to the brightness inside her, he thought as he recalled how she had sent him to go and find Simran and talk to her. “What an amazing woman have I found for myself.” he thought to himself.
As Shikhar walked he suddenly found his leg gripped by something. He looked down in surprise and found a red and gold fairy beaming at him. ” Shika Mama, Aanoo is here.”
Shikhar laughed as he picked up Aanya, and saw Aashi, walk in towards him. He walked over to hug his sister, still basking in the brilliant news she had given him the previous morning. ” How are you Aashi.”
” Just like yesterday bhaiya. What about you? You have something to tell the family?”
Shikhar looked at her surprised, then turned to look at Simran who was walking towards Priyanka. “Yes, soon. But not today Aashi. Please, just go along.”
” Okay.” Aashi said, enjoying his state.
“Shika mama, I want to go to Bua and Sim Run.” Aanya said wiggling in Shikhar’s arms.
Aashi chuckled. “Ok deeyar. Shika mama, let’s go see Bua and Sim Run.”
Shikhar laughed as he put his free arm around his sister and they walked together towards Priyanka.
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After a horrible writing block for this story, here I am again. I have tried my best to wrap up what I had started. A couple more updates will at least wind up this FF. I am so sorry for disappointing you but I guess I just ran out of my creative juices! No idea how this chapter has turned out to be but at least it is a step towards closure. I haven’t proofread as I wanted to post it as soon as it got done. So, sorry about the errors and typos. Thanks for reading. Please do comment if you can. I promise to respond to each one of you. Thanks so much.