The weather was cloudy but pleasant with the fresh breeze blowing across, refreshing and cool. But Aditya's attention wasn't on any of it at all because he was more worried about falling off the cycle! Imlie turned to look at him now and then and his fearful expression made her giggle internally though she put up an annoyed face while facing him. The next time she turned, he held her head instantly but gently and made her look front, the reaction unknown to him causing weird sensations within her.
"What are you doing? Look front and drive!! Oh Lord! Why did I even agree to come with this Jhalli!! I just pray that we reach without me having to break any bones!"
"Hey Sita Maiyya! (facepalming herself) Are you some kid Babusaheb that you are behaving such? Stop that and look around. Spread your hands and take the feel of the village." Imlie said
Aditya just shook his head and looked around. After a few reluctant moments, he spread his arms and looked up at the sky. It felt blissful. Imlie smiled seeing him so happy and they reached their destination.
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The day was eventful with the two roaming about in the entire village. Right from learning about age old customs like ManMilan at Pagdandiya to picking up mangoes from the tree, from watching farmers harvesting their crops to potters making pots, they did it all. The belief in the sanctity of Sindoor and how it was prominently considered here made him very intrigued. The villagers based a majority of their belief on this very Sindoor. He knew sindoor was of importance to a married woman but he dint know it was this important. And with this arose his interest in taking some sindoor for Malini since she had specifically asked for a gift from him, probably the first time since they began dating. He spoke of the same to Imlie readily agreed to take him but of course, did not back down from teasing him continuously. He couldn't help but smile at her lively chatter and teasing remarks.
Enroute to the temple where Imlie informed he would get the sindoor, Aditya spotted a bangle shop with glass bangles gleaming in various colours.
"Imlie, stop here. I want to buy something" he said making her stop. They both got down the cycle and while he walked towards the bangle shop, she followed behind with her cycle.
"Kaka, how much will this pair of bangles cost?" he asked showing a set of silver bangles, which were more of a greyish silver shade.
"It costs 10 rupees Sahab" the vendor said. Aditya nodded and paid for it. As soon as he turned, he saw Imlie looking at him with a questioning look.
"Who are these bangles for Babusaheb? Sheher waali Memsaab?"Imlie asked with a teasing glint in her eyes.
"What is this Sheher waali Memsaab? Her name is Malini"
"But I can't call her by her name right? She's elder to me"
"Hmmm.....Didi!"
"Hein what? I'm not your Didi!!" Imlie exclaimed horrified, her eyes wide.
Aditya chuckled at her silliness and said
"Jhalli kahiki! You are not my Didi! I said you can call her Didi!" Aditya said unaware that he had connected two people who would change his world by who they really are!
"Oh! Okay then! So are these bangles for Malini Didi?" she asked again, a strange sense of warmth spreading in her at the name, something she hadn't felt for Malini, but felt at the mention of Malini Didi.
"No!" he said making her furrow her eyebrows in confusion
"Then for whom?" she asked utterly confused.
"Its for you" he said making her eyes widen slightly.
"For me? But why?" she asked, a smile on her face. She hadn't received any gifts from anybody apart from her Amma and Dadda and that too would most of the times be stolen or destroyed by Nakli Nani.
Aditya himself dint know why. He had just felt it right to buy something for her. But why? Unable to and also not wanting to answer himself, he just said
"Just to say thank you" he said with a slight smile
"Thank you Babusaheb" she said with a wide smile even as she accepted it. The gleam of delight and childish happiness at receiving a gift in her eyes made his smile widen as well. He just kept looking at her even as she happily slipped the bangles onto her wrist and showed them to him, their clamour weaving an enticing tune. It was a simple moment, one with no malice in it yet the pair of eyes watching them with a disgusting smirk could only see in which way she could use it to her advantage.
They continued their journey happily, unaware of the storm waiting to engulf them!
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She clutched the tiny blue dress in her hands, caressing it gently even as she felt tears pool her eyes to the brim. She placed her cheek on it, trying to get some solace from its soft warmth even as her tears started flowing down freely.
"My baby" she whispered tearfully even as her hands went to her belly, caressing it gently. Her broken heart burned with agony. It felt like burning embers had been placed on her tender, shattered heart, its heat burning her and driving her at the same instant.
A warm hand caressed her hairs gently and that's when she looked up.
"Mumma.....m-my baby....mumma....." she muttered brokenly even as she slipped into the warm and comforting embrace.
"I know my child.....I know.....I can't heal your pain even if I want to. All I can do is lend you my shoulder to lean on. Cry my child, cry and let it out"
And hearing these words, she broke down completely.
Love,
Pratyusha
YOU ARE READING
Lakeerein - Ties That Bind Us
Fanfic------ 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...
