Everything Was Fine Until...

Behinning Part V

19th July, 1999

"Meira keep the lentil bowl over there." Divya said keeping serving spoons on the side.

Amrita came bustling from the kitchen, "Everything's ready!"

"Okay so finally, everything's made. Rice, lentil gravy, fried aubergine, paneer and flat bread. So let's all sit." Anshuman said pulling a chair for her mother and took a seat beside Meera.

"What about dessert? We haven't made anything." Divya said worried.

"Mom, I've made white chocolate mud cake and I've brought some ice cream." Anshuman said smiling at the Divya who was sitting opposite him.

"That's my favorite!" Meira exclaimed beside Anshuman. He smiled warmly at Meira and held her hand from under the table.

"I'm so happy to see you both like this. Now lets take a photo!" Amy said who was standing behind Anshuman and Meira with her arms around both of them.

"Yes that's a good idea let's click a photo. Mom come!" Anshuman said beckoning Divya to come.

"Mrs. Menon you don't have to make this sign. I doubt it would look decent." Divya said sitting beside Meira to Amrita who is posing with a yo-yo sign.

"Oh come one Mrs. Kapoor, you also do it." Amy took Divya's hand and made the yo yo sign, and she made a face which said she doesn't like this weird gesture.

Anshuman leaned into Meira and was whispering something in her ear and she was giggling just then the camera captured the shot. It was a sweet candid photo and to say Divya didn't like it much.

Anshuman stood up and went to his mom and nudged her.

"Yes Anshuman?" Amrita said holding the camera, while Divya and Meira were chatting.

"Mom, it's just. She is coming and that incident keeps surfacing in my mind. You know, what if she hasn't changed at all. I can't let Meira, you or anyone near her. Even I don't feel comfortable, I don't even know who she is now. It's been almost 6 years since she went." Anshuman said worriedly, that incident still haunted him at times.

"Anshuman what is it? Are you thinking about that?" Meira said referring to the incident which happened when they all were going to give their final exams of class 12th.

"Yeah dear, and I don't think it'll happen again. I mean it's been a long time she must've changed a lot." Amrita said assuring Anshuman.

Anshuman silently nodded, Meira held his hand and rubbed his forearm in comfort.

"Don't worry nothing will happen. It'll be alright" Meira said softly giving his hand a gentle squeeze, Anshuman kissed her on the forehead and nodded fully assured.

The doorbell rang and all them got up and went to open the door. Amrita opened it with Divya beside her who was really anxious as this was the first time she was meeting their family who happened to be very close to the Menons.

What if they didn't like the way she had organized the spoons? What if they didn't like Meira? Divya pushed all her thoughts aside when Amrita opened the door.

Amrita didn't give Neela a chance to speak, she just embraced her in a hug. This made Divya very awkward, seeing Neela's reaction she was used to this as she returned the hug. Someone emerged from the shadows behind her.

Neela was a short statured woman, she had rosy cheeks and looked overall very joyous and a happy woman, her hair was in a bun. Her emerald green saree was suiting her.