MOONLIGHT | Driti

HIS EYES MET MINE

CHAPTER  2

'The Day' had arrived.
The reason why Rhea is in Ratnagiri.
'The auspicious housewarming ceremony day!'

7:15 am

"Good morning girls!" I heard a sweet voice as sunrays clashed my eyes.

Squinting towards the door, I saw an image of a woman.

"Morning!" I greeted back, my eyes still not quite awake. After rubbing my eyes gently for clearer vision, I gazed at the woman near the entrance of room.

I couldn't believe what I was witnessing.

I was looking at Mrs. Seema Dev, my mother, clad in a nine yards (navaari) green saree having a thin golden edge; hair tied in a bun surrounded by aaboli gajra. Authentic gold-green  bangles in both her hands and traces of minimal make up on her face.

For a working woman Mrs. Seema Dev was, draping a traditional nine yards saree before 7 in the morning seemed nearly impossible. She opted for kurtis and formal shirts while going to her office in her hectic lifestyle of Mumbai. Draping a saree was one thing she did only for festive occasions.

"Maa...you're looking...gor..geous." I stammered as she had left me speechless.

"Thank you sweetheart." she gave out a grin,
"Listen dear, your father and I will be in A-wing flat performing the house warming rituals. Meera aunty and uncle will also be there to help us. Till then, you and Aashna are expected to freshen up, eat the breakfast kept on the dining table and meet us in the flat till 8:15. So see you girls there" she said, almost on the verge of closing the door.
"Also, don't forget to wear the saree. Aashna will help you with the draping. Bye!" informing this she closed the door completely and left.

Oh shoot! The saree.

I had totally forgotten that I have to drape a saree for this occasion. I have never ever draped a saree earlier in my life and was very nervous to wear it for the first time.

********

7:45 am

The warm sunrays coming from the window had enlightened Aashna's whole room. I sat on the bed eagerly waiting for Aashna to finish her breakfast and help me wear the dandelion yellow six yards saree my mother had chosen for me. The saree had a golden border which made it stand out.

"Here I am. Let's get started." Aashna called, distracting my constant stare from the wall clock.
"What took you so long to finish the breakfast?"
"I am sorry for being late but the idli sambhar was worth being late. I am still relishing it's taste."
"Enough explanation. Now help me drape the saree." I impatiently ordered her.
"Sure."

She started taking rounds around me, tucking the saree in my petticoat. She further pleated the folds and tucked them under my bellybutton within a span of two minutes. She was fast as Flash while doing the clumsy job. Finishing the look by placing the pallu over my shoulder, she gave out a broad smile with a intense look of pride.

This wasn't the first time she was draping a saree. She had done it for herself earlier, when she attended some local Ratnagiri weddings. Her saree draping skills were impressive for a 13 year old girl she was.

"Tah-Dah! Here you go Ms. Rhea." she exclaimed turning me towards the mirror of the dressing table.

When I looked at myself in the mirror, perfectly draped in a regalia Maharashtrian six yards saree, I was beyond suprised.

The saree fitted my figure and the colour of the saree complimented my skin tone well. I never imagined I could look this beautiful in a saree. I preened in front of the mirror as I was in awe of myself.

"Aashna, you have impressed me with your style of draping a saree. I so proud of you!"

"Thank you so much. Now before you start fangirling over yourself, let's get moving. You remember we have to reach there before 8:15, don't you?"
"Yes, I do" I answered as we both moved out of the room, walking towards the house door.
"Also, you're looking the pure epitome of beauty in this attire" she complimented me as she locked the house door.

I severely blushed at that and gave her one of my appealing smiles acknowledging her compliment as we walked towards the basement of C-wing.

******
8:00 am

Climbing down the staircase in a saree was a task. The building was three storey which is why the builder didn't provide a lift.

On the path from C-wing to A-wing, I took a quick glance of the society in bright  morning. Some people drying clothes in the balcony, a few doing yoga and some people watering the plants.

As I glanced, my eyes fell on the second floor balcony of B-wing.

Achintya leaning on the glass parapet of his balcony, bare chested wearing black shots, yawning as he stretched his arms. It appeared that he had just woken up.

Before I could distract myself from nervously watching him, his eyes met mine.

He wide stared at me without looking elsewhere. I sensed his pupils dilate on the account of seeing  me wrapped in a dandelion yellow saree on a bright wednesday morning, as I anxiously rolled a thin strand of hair around my index finger. He then slightly blushed realizing that he was half naked when he was romantically gazing at me.

"Rhea, why did you slow down on walking?" Aashna's voice helped me get back in senses.
I abruptly looked away from Achintya and answered, "No nothing."

She loosely held my hand helping me to walk fast in the saree and after a few steps we had reached the basement of A-wing.

*****
9:00 am

The holy rituals of house warming ceremony were carried out smoothly. The priest chanted Sanskrit mantras as he flung the leaves immersed in goumutra in all rooms of the house. The further formalities were performed by the elders while Aashna and I sat on the couch, munching on some sweet snacks and frequently helping them.

After the entire ceremony was completed, all of us clicked some photos as a memoir of this occasion.
My parents, Aashna, Meera aunty and uncle sat nonchalant in the living room of the newly furnished house but I, somewhere in the back of my mind, was still trying to figure out my unexpected encounter with Achintya in morning as it flashed in my mind.

*******

A/N: A-hello people!

How are y'all doing?

I wore a saree only once in my life, so tell me if the description of draping a saree is right or not.

Also, should I name this chapter Aankho ki Gustakiya?

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Stay tuned for further updates and Stay Safe :D

Love,
Driti.