Chapter-14

Shraddha Kumar
 
I woke with the loud music blasting in my bedroom. I kept a pillow on my ears and tried to sleep but the blasting music didn’t let me sleep. I woke up and looked towards the music system and there was standing a She-Devil aka My best friend. Divi was smirking looking at me.

“Divi, why are you playing so loud music early in the morning and that too in my room?” I asked her, irritated.

“Miss. For your information, it's 8:30 am and we have to go for Shopping with Shreya.” She said switching off the music system.

“Oh… I forgot about it. I’ll be ready in 20 minutes.” I said rushing towards the washroom.

“Ok come downstairs soon. I have selected your outfit for the day.” Divi said stopping me midway.

"Ok Chiku," I said in a loud voice and rushed to the washroom because if I stay for a moment also then I’ll surely die. She doesn't like it when I call her Chiku.

"Shraddha Kumar, you're going to die in my hands when you’ll come downstairs.” She screamed and went downstairs. For now, I’m safe.

Divi kept blue jeans and White top. I paired it with white shoes and a bag.

After getting ready I went downstairs to the dining room where all were having their breakfast. There sat my parents, brother and best friend who is now throwing daggers at me. I wished good morning to everyone and started having my breakfast.

After being done with breakfast we bade bye and decided to take the car with us. Divi wanted to drive so I gave her the car keys and settled myself on the passenger seat.

I called Shreya and asked her.

“Good Morning. Where are you?”

“Good morning to you too, Bhabhi (Sister-In-Law/ Brother’s wife). I’m in college.”

“Are you done with lectures or are there any lectures pending?” I asked her.

“No. I’m done with lectures for the day.” She said sighing tiredly.
“Then please be at college. We will pick you from college then we can go shopping.” I said collecting my stuff.

“Ok Bhabhi (Sister-In-Law/ Brother’s wife).” I can feel her tiredness in her tone but still there is excitement in her body.

God she is shopping freak.

“We all are wearing a kind of the same colours,” Shreya said suddenly and then we noticed that all three of us were wearing White Blue combination.

In Mumbai, traffic sucks especially at the peak hours. By 10 o’clock we reached and picked Shreya from her college. We decided to go to the Bandra for the dresses of Shreya, Riya and Divi. We went to Anita Dongre’s Store in Bandra where we bought dresses for all the three to wear on the day of Wedding. I also bought 2 outfits for me to wear for wedding ceremonies.

After that, we went to the Kalki Fashion Store. Kalki has been my favourite brand for occasional wears. They have a wide range of variety in outfits. We bought many different types of outfits from Kalki for us.
Then we decided to have lunch. Shreya never tried street food so we decided to show her street food. We went to the Linking Road, Bandra where various street food stalls are situated.  We all had enjoyed the street food. Even Shreya loved her first experience in street food.  We even decided that at least once in a month we all should have Girls day out and enjoy ourselves.

After having lunch at street stalls we all moved towards South Mumbai. In south
Mumbai, we decided to roam and shop from the street vendors. We went towards Colaba Causeway where we bought some cute tops and T-shirts as well a few artificial jewellery items.

We were done with all the shopping so Divi decided to take us towards Marine drive. It was almost sunset time so the environment of Marine Drive was very beautiful. We all made ourselves comfortable on the space of the Marine Drive. We chatted about our life. We enjoyed the cool breeze of the evening. After spending 3 hours at the Marine Drive we decided to leave for home. We dropped Shreya to the Malhotra mansion. We were on our way to our home which is in the opposite direction of Malhotra mansion. Our home is near Marine Drive.

Our whole day has been amazing. We all had a good bonding with each other.

I came home and had a light dinner. Mumma told me that tomorrow we all will be going to Punjab. So I have to pack my bags. I’m sad that I’ve to leave my home in 5 days. I was in my bedroom. I was looking at my bedroom, my picture wall where I
hang pictures of my lifespan till now. The one with Papa is my most favourite picture hanging in the middle of the wall whereas other pictures are surrounding it.

Then there is my small library which was very big but I moved those books which I rarely read or one time read books to the café. So now I have this small library connected to the Study table. This study table is where I and Kary used to fight to have more space to study. From childhood, Kary always did his studies with me then be it my exams, his exams or our regular homework.

Every corner, every wall has my memories which I’ll be leaving soon. I was standing on the balcony. This corner is wholly decorated by me. I planted those small plants in pots and kept it near the railings. The lamps are made of the threads which are also made by me. It also has a swing which is my most favourite part of the balcony.

Suddenly Mumma came into the room. I wiped my tears which were on my face. I entered the room and sat on the bed. Mumma came near me and she hugged me. I
also hugged her back and I started crying.
Mumma laid my head in her lap and she was caressing my hairs lovingly. We both were remembering and talking about my childhood. We both were having our own Mother-Daughter time.
Mumma told me to pack the bags with the outfits and essentials. I can move my other things after my wedding. Mumma helped me pack my bags. After that Mumma made me sleep. I was tired and sad and soon I drifted to sleep.
 
Morning

I woke up and had a shower. I picked the simple outfit for today. I wore a cream and beige salwar suit paired up with a pink and orange ombre shaded dupatta. Simple footwear and a tan sling bag rounded out my simple salwar look. I went downstairs to have breakfast. Mumma told us to bring our bags downstairs after breakfast. So after breakfast, I went into my bedroom and cross-checked my list of whether I have packed all the things or not. I with the help of Kary carried all my bags in the living room.

Divya also came with her bags.

“What is the time of the flight?” I asked.

All were gawking at me. I felt nervous thinking what wrong did I said that all are looking at me like this.

“Nothing, you don’t worry. We will make sure that you will reach Amritsar before My Bhai (Brother)” Divi said teasing me.

Sometimes I feel that why do I have such a devil's best friend. I decided to be quiet because I didn’t want more teasing.

I’m very much excited to go to Amritsar. It has been my favourite place in childhood. My extended family, as well as my grandparents, lives there. Many of my summer holidays of school life we trio has spent in the Amritsar. I’m also eager to meet my cousins and nephews/nieces.

My whole family knows Divya and vice versa. Divya is a part of my family. Now Malhotra’s will be added to that. I wanted to have some Papa-princess time so I moved towards papa’s study room. I went inside and saw that papa was looking at some pictures but his eyes were filled with tears. I moved near him and saw that those all were my pictures of childhood. I have more pictures with Papa. I always teased with this Kary a lot. I’ll miss all of them.

I back hugged Papa from the neck and cried in his neck. He got up and moved near the sofa where he tried to shush me but I was very emotional. Papa also lost control over his emotions and hugged me back and started weeping. We both didn’t speak but we know what we both wanted to convey. I hope that My would-be husband is also like my Papa who will understand my silence.

After some time I wiped my tears. I wiped papa’s tears and reached for the glass of water. I gave it to papa. He drank it. Kary called us to come to the living room. Everyone knows not to disturb Papa or me.

We went into the living room chatting about other things smilingly. Mumma and Kary were shocked looking at us because they expected us to be sad. Mumma called servants and told them to keep bags in the cars. We all decided to travel in one car with the driver so he will bring the car back at home. We took Papa’s car. Driver uncle and papa sat in the front seat whereas me, Mumma and Divya sat in the middle seats and our Kary sat in the back seat.

After half an hour we reached the airport. I took my trolley filled with my luggage bags and started to move towards boarding when Kary stopped me and directed me towards another direction. Behind me, all followed in the same direction. I looked towards the place where one Private Jet was standing. It is in black and has Initials of M in Golden.

“Whose jet is?” I asked curiously.

“You’re would-be hubby’s” came the smart reply from Devil a.k.a. Divi.

“But… How… when?” I asked in confusion.

“When your hubby got to know about the wedding venue, he offered us the Jet so we can travel smoothly,” Divya said smirking.

“How sweet……” She continued. I blushed. He cares for us. I thought in my mind.

We entered inside. Our luggage was kept in it when we were talking outside. I loved the interior of the Jet. Shreya came and hugged me tightly.
“I missed you Bhabhi (Sister in law/ Brother’s wife.)” She said happily.

“It’s not even 12 hours after your last meet,” Kary said. Listening to him her face fell.

I showed him eyes and whispered to him to ask for an apology.

“I also missed you very much,” I said to her. She smiled.

We all settled ourselves properly. Elders were seated together and we four were sitting together.

Looking at both Kary and Shreya’s Smiles and glances; I think both have sorted their issues. I’m happy if they both have feelings for each other.

Hopefully soon Divi will also meet her soul mate. After 3 hours we reached Amritsar. We bade bye to Malhotra’s and went in the direction of the Villa.

We reached our Family Ancestor Villa. It was built in the time of the late 1960s.

There was my extended family standing to welcome us. I ran towards my Granny and Grandpa. I took blessings and hugged them tightly. Being the only girl child in the family I have been pampered a lot by everyone. I met all my family. My Chachu- Chachi (Uncle/father’s brother -Aunt), Bhai- Bhabhi (Brother- Sister Inlaw/Brother’s wife), Cousins.

I have two nephews and one niece. I love all of them very much. They also love to be with me and Divi. After meeting everyone we settled ourselves in our rooms and took a small nap. In the evening we freshen up ourselves. I and Divi share our room. Then we had dinner with chit-chatting and teasing.

After dinner, we all were seated in the Backyard and enjoying the Bonfire. Dadi (Granny) was massaging my head with her homemade oil. All were talking about Mr I’m-Busy-Businessman a.k.a. My would-be husband.

“You are getting married so you will leave this family. Now, everybody will pamper me.” Kary teased me.

“No. I’ll be always the princess of this family and I’m never leaving my family,” I said stubbornly.

“Look, we’ve got a new princess for us so no need for you. Now everyone will love and pamper her only.” Rohit Bhai (brother) said teasingly. I looked at my grandparents. They both smiled and pulled me in a hug and said,

“You will always be the princess of this family. No one will take your place in our family as well in our hearts. We love you.”

"Don't say a word against my princess,” Papa said sternly. Even Chachu (Uncle/father’s brother) also supported papa.

I hugged Papa and showed my tongue to both my evil brothers. I also hugged my Chachu (Uncle/father’s brother).
I smiled and showed tongue to both of them.

“But the new addition has been made in the family and she is the Pari. Our angel.” Dadi (Granny) continued. I smiled looking at small Angel sleeping in her cot near Bhabhi (Sister-in-law/Brother’s wife).

We all had great family time in our backyard by remembering the beautiful memories.

I have only a few days with my family which I want to enjoy with them. I want to have many beautiful memories with my family. I'm going to miss their love, their pampering, and their teasing.
 
 
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