Kolhapur Chronicles

7. light

"And then Aaji Angel said she wants Ice-cream! If I get her an ice cream at 8:30 in the morning, Vahini will freeze me in the freezer along with the ice cream!" Aaji laughed so hard that she had to sit down to breathe. Raghav had dropped Sona to the preschool today and then they had visited the temple together. The boy never says no to accompany her, and it is genuinely evident he loves spending time with her and Sona. He may seem to be this tough bad guy, and when Pushkar first told them who Raghav Rao was, she was honestly scared for her Piu. Getting married to a man whose reputation is anything but positive is not great news, but Aaji soon realised how fake the media can be.

Watching the Raghav Rao everyone portrayed to be bad in front of her, she knew this guy was someone who was worthy of being called good. Her train of thoughts was interrupted when Raghav got a call. "Aaji, it's Farhad. I'll have to take this."

"Sure baccha." she answered. She had heard him talk about Farhad and now she couldn't wait to meet him. Raghav had told her how if he was the base on which the entire Jayati Jewels is standing today, Farhad was the cement which held it all together. He knew every detail- personal or professional- of every employee of their home branch, everyone approached him for guidance or any kind of help. He also managed the deals, domestic or international, and he always had everyone's back. Even Raghav's house staff were more attached to Farhad. Just by the way Raghav talked about him, she knew he was one of a kind and Raghav was immensely proud of him. Raghav had never once failed to mention how he was more family to him than anyone.

Girija Sawant was a strong, honest and straightforward woman. The entire Kolhapur knew her and her late husband, and she was one of the few ones from her generation to make it this far. She had wisdom filled in her and almost everyone- young or old- came to her for any sort of advice. She was a mentor to all, they knew her and respected her to no extent. Hence when her son and daughter-in-law had passed away in the road accident when Piu was barely even 4, the entire Kolhapur had gathered to help her and her husband to raise the kids. There would be days when it would be extremely hard to manage the farms and work and make ends meet while taking care of Pushkar and Pallavi, that is when everyone would be there.

Piu and Pushkar had spent her entire childhood in the houses of everyone around them, as they would take turns to take care of the kids after school when Aaji would be busy. Kolhapur was her home, her heaven and the place which gave her solace. Hence whenever anyone is in the slightest of troubles, she makes sure to try everything from her side to help them solve it, without invading their private space.

But she couldn't do it with Piu and Raghav. She very badly wanted to know what was wrong between them and what she could do to make it work, but she didn't take any step in confronting Pallavi.

Pallavi was an opinionated person right from the beginning. She always decided on her own what she wanted to eat, or wear at home, or help someone in what way. She had a precise thought process, the one where she clearly knows what she wants and what she doesn't. If she is having a tough time figuring out she takes a break, distracts herself and then makes a decision. This is how she is, and hence aaji could never ask her why she hasn't forgiven Raghav yet. She knew whatever Pallavi was doing fit right in her ethics and it was what she wanted, or else she would never have let Raghav in the house. Asking Raghav was not a question, she had begun to know him recently and it would be like a betrayal to Piu if she listened to his point of view before hers.

She would wait till Piu comes and tells her if she feels, then she'll ask Raghav. If not, she'll become a silent spectator for the first time in her life and just let her Piu take charge.

Raghav returned after the call and they proceeded to go back home. Lunch was yet to be made so Raghav helped Pallavi to paste the stickers on the delivery boxes like the other day. She was silent but her eyes seemed different. He couldn't make out, nor could he stare for too long or else she would throw the pickle on his face, along with the container. Trying to steal glances here and there, he made sure to appear as normal as possible and not some pervert who stares at a girl while packing pickles.