Krina steps outside the rickshaw as exhaustion takes a toll on her body, but the warm breeze in Jodhpur's air quickly awakens her.
"Ah! The beauty of this place", She thinks to herself as she closes her eyes.
Krina loved being in her hometown. The bright sunny weather and the clear skies, all year round! What more could she ask for?
Furthermore, the royalty and culture this place manage to retain till date always surprises her.
From opulent palaces to imposing fortress to shiny blue houses to vintage shops to scrumptious food, this city never fails to allure her.
The same exact place also carries the sweet memories of her summer vacations, mostly spent with Dadusa and her younger brother, Veer.
Every summer vacation, they would beg to their parents to go Jodhpur, so that they could spend time with their grandparents.
Krina was the apple of Dadusa's eyes. She took massive interest in understanding the history and the culture of the city. So, Dadusa would take her to new places every other day and dispense great amount knowledge to her.
She was greatly inspired by the story of the kings and how they arduously fought battles to win kingdoms. Krina would often ask to his grandfather, "Why not queens",
This would then end up as long due debate on the dinner table which was fairly enjoyed by all.
Most of the days after dinner, Dadusa would spoil her and her brother by taking them to eat luscious sweet dishes.
A quick smile forms on her face as she thinks about those days.
It was the first time in the hometown without Dadusa. After her Dadusa's death , she never dared to visit Jodhpur. But now she is here, to meet her so called prospective groom.
"Ironic", she thinks to herself.
She helped her father and her brother in unloading the luggage from the trunk of the rickshaw while her mother and grandmother opened the door of the ancient house.
Once the door was opened, a sense of anxiety picks in her body. She didn't wanted to enter the house anymore. She didn't wanted to brood over her grandfather's tragic death and the sweet bitter memories it brought with it.
While Krina was contemplating whether to enter or not. She received a phone call from her best friend, Ria.
She smiles and speaks to the phone, "Thankyou for saving me Ri, Ma I am going out to take some fresh air."
Before her grandmother or mother could refuse, Krina makes her way to the small streets of her hometown.
"Ri, where have you been?"
"I am so sorry, Kri. The network here is so bad"
"That's alright, by the way how's the family trip going?"
"Don't even ask about that. I am so done with this trip. Our parents are having time of their lives, while I am stuck with my cranky cousins. You know? Disha is always on her phone talking to her clingy boyfriend. Prisha being the fashioninsta is invariably stuck on shooting reels and content for her Instagram. While Sahil and Akshi are my saviour for this trip, but what can you expect from 10 year old kids? By the way, you tell me, how's your summer so far! What is going in your life,ha?"
Krina sulking and ready to break the big news to her best friend, "I got accepted to NYU school of law".
"Wowwww! Kri.This has always been your dream. I am so freaking happy for you." Oh my god with excitement in her voice. "But wait why are you sulking then." Ria inquires.
"Dadisa disapproved. Apparently, she has find a prospective groom for me."
"Whattttt!"
Krina could hear her best friend screaming on the other side of the phone. The kind of reaction she expected.
She continues, "I am here in Jodhpur for the big community event. I have to meet Shrey, my prospective groom here".
"Are you serious? Will you meet him? Then what about your dreams, Kri? Is there no other way", worriedly Ria asks Krina.
"I don't know. I did think of ideas like running away from here and I even pretended to be sick for this trip. I tried to convince Dadisa too. But you know my Dadisa and her melodrama."
"I know! Oh my god Kri, what are going to do now? "Do you want me to elope you here?", With seriousness in Ria's voice.
"Haha, you want to elope me to Singapore with your "cousins"."
"I know it's not the best option. But you know we might save each other."
"Thank you for your help but Dadisa would definitely kill us for that".
Before Krina could say any further. A car with high speed makes the way in front of her.
Oh my god!! She almost got hit by the car.
"What the hell! Do you not know how to drive a car?" Krina yelling at the driver.
Ansh comes out of the car, removing his sunglasses, he speaks to his car, "oh my baby are you alright?"
"Are you crazy? You almost killed me and here you are, busy pampering your stupid car."
"Almost, right. Nothing happened so chill, don't make a big issue out of this." Ansh still pampering his car.
"What! how can you be so laid back about this. By the way, Why are you driving an SUV in the small streets of the town with such a speed?" Krina asks while crossing her arms.
"Excuse me, you are the one who came right front of my car. Can't you see?"
"Don't you know how to blow a horn at the junction. That's the basic rule."
On the other side of the phone, Ria speaks, "Krina are you there, Everything's alright?"
Krina realised that the call was still connected, quickly she responds, " Yaa Ri, I'll call you back."
Ansh smirks and continues, " You are so double standard. You were on the phone, you are irresponsible and here you are trying to blame me?"
"If you had blew the horn, I would have been alarmed. But no you are a rich brat, why do you care about people's life right. This road must have been built by your dad right." putting her phone inside her pocket.
The fact was indeed true. His dad did provide the money for reconstructing the roads of this street. But Ansh detested to talk about his dad. Before he could argue any further, He receives a phone call from his sister.
Ansh picks the call
"Yes, Di.
"Ansh you need to be here quick. Dad and Kakusa are fighting again."
"What! Okay I'll be right there", Ansh quickly making his way to the car.
"Excuse me wait. Where are you going? Stop. Apolo...", Krina screaming at the top of her lungs with anger fuming inside her body. She tried to chase the car. But he quickly drove the car ignoring Krina.
"What a brat. Next time if I meet this guy, I am definitely going to take an apology from him no matter what." Krina promises herself.
___________
Woah! Jodhpur series begins. I am so excited on what lies ahead. I hope you are too. Bdw, What do you think about their first encounter?
Do vote, comment and share and don't forget to spread the love.
QOTD: What's the name of your hometown?
Mine is Bhabhar.
YOU ARE READING
My Ticket to America
عاطفيةKrina Jain always dreamt of becoming a top notch corporate attorney. Her dream was about to come true. She was accepted to NYU School of law. But her grandmother had some other plans. She dragged Krina to Rajasthan to meet the so called prospective...
