On the way...

The first encounter!

By then, we were called for lunch. We walked into the dining room as a team remembering we shouldn't be late when called for food and as we took a seat, we could see many people around the big-long refectory table. Our whole team alongwith Ishwa sat on the right side with few other members of the house and our opposite side was filled by the family members of Jaganath uncle. But both the ends were left free until all the delicacies were served, there were few grandparents already on the podium.
I asked Akshi gesturing, "Who are these many elderly people?"
She came near me and whispered, as she served a bowl of hot creamy soup, "One couple sitting on my mom's side is my mother's parents. The two grandma's sitting in the round table is my grandpa's sisters. There husbands are that two grandpa's sitting in the rocking chair, opposite to each other. Then that grandma who is blushing, standing next to that grandpa is my grandma's brother and wife. And there's one more couple..."
I nodded without too much of understanding, I asked, "Where is your dad's parents?"
"Oh aye! They are the eldest of all in this family. The real founders of Taj group. So you know we treat them with royalty in here", she replied until I cut in, "So?"
"They will come when the clock strikes the perfect time, completing that circle to begin our lunch time", she answered.
I stood up, because there was four minutes for the circle in the clock to get completed. I just went to the side walkway, were there were another couple of grandparents. I thought it was the last couple Akshi was referring to. So I just walked past them, without much of a conversation. But suddenly I stepped on something and I could barely feel that untill some old sweet voice stopped me, "Dear," but it grew rude, "Would you please let go off my gown?"
I looked back to find an old woman in a long purple granny-gown that stretched a long way behind her, dragging along the floor, and I was still standing on it.
I jumped back on my finding and replied, "I am really sorry to..."
I was cut in, "Who are you in here?"
"Mm...", I began remembering it's a surprise party and so she shouldn't know I was an event organiser, I suddenly made up, "I am Akshi's friend. We are here to stay for five days."
Grandma asked, "Who are the We?"
I replied, "My friends are here with me, we all are Akshi's friends."
"Fine, it's time for lunch! You have delayed me for a minute," said the angry grandma.
This statement cleared to me that this must be uncle's parents. I didn't think of this kind of encounter with them, I planned for an impressive one.
I apologized and ran to the dining room through the kitchen door, without standing for a lengthier chat.

I was sitting on one corner and then sat my team members, then a few house members and on the other corner sat Ishwa. As all raised in respect, we also stood up only to find a cute and sweet looking 70's couple walking in to the dining room together through the walkway. Grandpa and grandma sat on the two different ends, grandma sat on the end of my side and stared at me for a few seconds and then smiled while grandpa sat on Ishwa's side and smiled. Then all sat and began the lunch. We were asked not to disturb the grandparents, so we were sure we couldn't talk to grandma now. And exactly not now, after the first encounter. This wasn't a good time to talk with the angry bird who at times, was still staring at me.

Right after the lunch, the table was cleared and all went to wash their hands. Just after that was a small family talk time and we were permitted to sit and listen to them.

We had just three and a half day, to mingle with grandma and arrange the event and earn the sign. I worry if all this will be possible because of the first encounter.

When the family dispersed the talk time, I was walking back with my team to the open yard in the side of the house, it was where we had to arrange the event.

That's when I stopped by a familiar sweet, angry voice, "Akshi's friend!" I turned back to know if that call was for me and definitely it cannot be a no. It was for me. There was Akshi's dad's mom standing in the gazebo. I looked at her and gestured to know if she really called me. I went to her as she nodded. She asked me to sit, I sat on the ground and so she asked me to sit in the cushioned seat. She made sure I was comfortable, hence I had to sit beside her. She was still looking at me and then she gave a sweet, relaxing smile filled with positivity. I too smiled in return.

Grandma began, "Do introduce yourself to me. Your team members already gave a brief introduction to me when you were in the kitchen."
I replied, "Mam! I washed my plates... I was standing there because I didn't want the aunt to wash my plate, already they were having too many dishes and jobs to be done."
"That's fine, tell me, who are you?", questioned grandma.
I replied, "I am Ishika Rai Dhwaj, called Ishi. Akshi's friend."
"Ya! I know. I know, okay go along with your friends. They might be waiting", replied grandma.
I thought this must be the best time to ask few likes and dislikes to her that would help us to arrange the party.

I was about to began when grandma was called by Akshi's mom. Grandma stood up and walked to the kitchen door, when she looked back at me who hadn't moved, and was still in seat. She told, "Will meet you dear!"
That was somewhat postive and so did I smile.

Just then I and my team members made a rough plan of the event to be organised. Where is the stage to come, the projector and light and sound settings, the welcoming arch pillars, catering service side, family sitting tables side... And more.

Now we had made an estimated budget and our plan was set. Now only to arrange it we needed to talk with grandma, to know whether we should decorate with flowers either ballons, welcome drink or bouquets to guests, main theme and colour for setting, tone of music and a lot more...

By that time, we were supplied with tea, coffee and snacks. And according to our semi-planed budget and organising plan, I was lecturing for my team members to get an idea so that we could begin our work tomorrow. Every members were assigned with their job, and my duty was to know the favs of grandma.

Time ran...

We were called for dinner and so we all walked into the dining room, where everyone was waiting for grandparents to join. Just like lunch, dinner went on smoothly but what distinguished the time was that grandma was smiling at me and she urged me to eat like at my home.
That's so sweet of her!... Even though the first encounter left me a spin!

*≤=≥*
SSK here!
Comment it! What could have happened further?
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Will be continued in the next part, so stay tuned...
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