He is on his way back when he is informed by Rupi Didi that Imlie has been discharged. It helps him breathe easy despite the heaviness in his chest still lingering. He rests his head against the bus window and delves into the memories in his head.
F L A S H B A C K -
(N o t e - The Flashback will be in authors pov)
It was a pleasant day in Pagdandiya, the breeze slightly cooler than usual. Riding her cycle on the kaccha road amidst the lush fields with a wide smile playing on her face, Imlie was on her way to deliver the leaves required, enroute wishing all of them with a sweet "Ram Ram". The girl was entirely synonymous to live bundle of joy, an adorably free spirited soul with dreams and a fixed goal in life.
She reached the area where her Halka mausi's daughter's wedding rituals were going on and delivered the required leaves which were to be used to serve food to the guests.
"Arey Imlie, come here and sit with me" Megha, Halka mausi's daughter called out.
Smiling, she sat down next to her. The two got engrossed in a conversation of their own.
"What the hell is this? We wouldn't be eating in these leaves! Don't we have some class and respect? Serve us in steel plates or else we aren't going to stay here any longer" an elderly man from the groom's side arrogantly shouted. Tensed whispers could be heard among the ladies with Halka breaking down at the thought of her daughter's wedding getting called off when they were still in the mehendi function, for once a girl was to get rejected, there would be no one willing to marry her ever.
Imlie looked around and studied the situation. Though she really wanted to tell off the arrogant man, she knew this particular situation had to be handled sensibly and not in a moment of fervour.
She walked towards the man, a smile adorning her face, her eyes gleaming with confidence and said
"Why are you getting angry and spoiling the entire ambience for such a trivial reason Kaka? You want food in steel plate, fine you'll be served in steel plate. Raju, get the steel plates from within. Ok Kaka?"
The man nodded smirking.
"Arey wait Raju..umm..Kaka spoke about class and respect isn't it? We'll give him that respect. He shall be served in something which is really precious and used for God's murti itself. Panditji, what all do you put on Sita Maiyya's Murti, gold ornaments...."
"No no bitiya! All these are products of the greedy world. God's pious statue is decorated with just leaves as God needs our devotion, not hypocrisy portrayed through gold ornaments without an ounce of devotion!" Panditji said.
The arrogant man just stood bowing his head, realising the young girl infront of him had cleverly got him to agree to eat on the leaves. Without doing much, she had handled such a sensitive situation. All the onlookers were awed by the maturity this young girl of 18 had within her. Halka thanked her repeatedly and even blessed her. Smiling, Imlie bid farewell and set off on her cycle again.
Parallely
Parking his bike in his usual spot, he rushed into the office. As soon as he entered, everybody began pouring their good mornings which he reciprocated with a smile. Aditya Kumar Tripathi had a strong aura which commanded and demanded respect from anybody near him. His eyes gleamed with an innate confidence which always lighted his black orbs, it's lustre never failing to awe the person infront.
"We've finally got the lead sir! He's in Pagdandiya!" Vinod said.
Aditya's whole demeanour gleamed with joy as their hardwork of a month had paid fruit! He immediately rushed towards his boss's cabin but was stopped by Sheetal, his boss's PA.
"It's important for me to meet sir now Sheetal" he said but she repeated that sir was in a meeting with Sethji and that he would have to wait.
"Sheetal" somebody called out and her attention diverted, thus giving Aditya the perfect opportunity to barge into the cabin!
"Sir we've got the lead! All I need is your approval!"
"Aditya, I'm in a meeting with Sethji now. Wait for sometime...."
"Sethji, could you excuse us for a moment please. This is really important!" Aditya said looking at a stunned Sethji who nodded. Aditya escorted him out and then ran back like a kid running to his mother for permission to go on a trip!
"What will you do going amidst those rebels? Why are you so much into this project?"
"Sir, farmers are the ones who provide our country with food which is our primary necessity. There must have been something that drove these people who have a simple style of living into becoming rebels. I want to find out that cause and bring it out so that everything can be fine again. Or if not completely fine, a bit better?" Aditya said
"This is why I'm proud of you! I approve of this! I'll give you 5 days to get the work done"
"Thank you sir but it'd just require a day or two"
"Aditya, you wouldn't go on a trip or outing on your own accord. Now that you're going somewhere, why not enjoy that place and look around as well" his boss said and patting his back left the cabin.
Aditya smiled to himself and stepped out of the cabin. Just as he did, he received a call. Seeing the name of the caller, his smile widened.
"Malini"
Love,
Pratyusha
YOU ARE READING
Lakeerein - Ties That Bind Us
Fanfiction------ Can Be Read As General Fiction ------ One night. One event. Lives of two people altered completely. When Aditya Kumar Tripathi, Chief Executive Reporter at Bhaskar times stepped into Pagdandiya and met Imlie, he did not know how his life woul...
