Lakeerein - Ties That Bind Us

34| Chapter 31: Naata

Aditya felt anger bubble within him. How is it that she knew Malini hadn't eaten anything since morning and he dint? The entire time thoughts about Imlie, their forced marriage was what had been revolving in his head because of which he hadn't even noticed how pale Malini had looked when he saw her and that she hadn't eaten.

Malini on the other hand was wondering how Imlie knew she hadn't had food when no one, not even Aditya did! She hadn't once spoken with her yet Imlie had so much warmth and affection in the way she had been enquiring about her well- being. She felt a calm of different sort rest in her heart calming the remnants of stress that stayed after those flashes. She felt tranquil and with that she felt her headache reduce to a great extent.

"This girl is different Aditya" she whispered with a wide smile on her face, making him look at her immediately. He dint know why but it irritated him surely.

"You haven't even met her properly Malini. We never know how people are from one interaction" he said annoyed.

Malini looked at him amused. He looked grumpy. Before she could reply, they heard the door click and saw Imlie enter with a cup of steaming hot coffee.

"Drink this Malini Didi. You'll feel better. It'll help your headache as well" she said and handed the cup over to Malini carefully.

"Where did you bring this from?" Aditya asked.

"How do you know I had a headache" Malini asked, both asking different questions but at the same time.

Imlie couldn't help but let out a smile at their words and expressions.

"To answer your question Babusaheb, I got this from the canteen. I spoke with Mridul Bhaiya there. He happens to be from my village. So he let me make this" she said looking at Aditya.

Turning towards Malini she said
"When I don't have food from long, I get headache. Amma gives me a champi to help the headache. But then I don't know if you'll like it so I brought this"

"Thank you Imlie! I did need this" Malini said tearfully and extended her hand to hold Imlie's. It felt like a wish come true for Malini. One part of the wish had come true. Maybe the next one would too
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Imlie left with Suresh while Aditya dropped Malini home. She hugged him before moving in and he told her to take care.

He then reached his house.

"How is your friend now?" Aparna asked as soon as she spotted him. Aditya's brows furrowed in confusion and he was about to ask which friend when he saw Imlie signal him from behind. He understood that she had lied and that's when he realised she had no idea where the hospital was and so had to ask Aparna for which she had to lie.

"Adi what happened? Is he serious?" Aparna asked looking at Aditya standing simply.

"Umm no Maa. He's much better now. I just dropped him home and reached here" he said looking at Imlie, who then left from there, having received the message that Babusaheb had dropped Didi home and that she was fine.

"Oh great! Go freshen up and get some rest. The rituals begin from tomorrow" Aparna said to which he nodded and left from there
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The night sky glowed with stars which were akin to embedded jewels. The dulcet tunes of crickets added a soothing effect.
Imlie cleared the last vessel which was left and taking some water for herself and a jug to be given to Babusaheb, she wound up the kitchen. She had already asked Kaki if she could use the same utensils or they had any restrictions to which she had replied there were none. This made Imlie breathe a sigh of relief.

Switching off the lights, she placed her glass outside her saree door and moved towards Aditya's room. She knocked on the closed door gently to which he replied Come In.

She opened the door and found him working on the laptop. He dint look up. She placed the jug on the cabinet and turned to leave when she heard,

"Malini ke zyaada kareeb hone ki zaroorat nahi hain tumhe"
(You don't have to get too close to Malini)

She just nodded and left from there. She was too drained to answer him back. Watching her leave brought some sensation within him but he brushed it off as usual.

She reached her place and gulped down the water in one go. Entering her corner, she lied down on the mattress. Tears flowed down carelessly, caressing her tired visage as if consoling her.

"I miss you Amma" she whispered before closing her eyes.

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The next day dawned bright. Imlie rose up before sunrise as usual and finished her bath. She then headed towards the kitchen and made some basic arrangements as Kaki had told her the previous day what she'd be making for breakfast.

Just as she was done with the vegetables,  Radha walked in with an empty jug of water.

"Imlie you're ready and done with your work so soon?" she asked slightly amazed.

"Umm yes Kaki. Kaki had told me that she'd be preparing Puri-Aloo for breakfast. So I made all of it ready so that she wouldn't have much work. There are so many other works due to the rituals c-commencing from today" she said.

"Very good! That's so thoughtful of you child" she said and patted her head.

Imlie smiled with tears in her eyes. It felt good to be loved. It felt good to have some warmth after she's been wrecked in this storm.

"By the way, you call Aparna Kaki right? And you called me Kaki as well. How will we know which among us you're talking about? Yeh toh problem hogayi na"
(This one's a problem right?)

"Hey Sita Maiyya! I dint think of this only! But not to worry, I have a solution ready. You're Badki Kaki and she'll be Choti Kaki. Your respective husbands Badke Kaka and Chote Kaka. Nidhi Bhaujai, Dhruv Bhaiya, Rupi Didi, Tinkle, Sunny and B-Babusaheb - so that's done for the family. I have kept the names for all"

"Yes great! Problem solved then" Radha said with a smile and the two women carried on with their works.

Love,
Pratyusha