Hidden Hues Of Henna

Aadhi manzoori

Pallavi strained out the final batch of gujiyas from the frying pan onto a plate and turned the stove off. Untucking her saree pallu from her waist,she washed her hands in the sink and then smiled as she took up the plate full of gujiyas and turned towards the dining table.The family along with the guests were cheery as they devoured on the special breakfast she made today on Holi.Her heart warmed in content as she watched them laugh and smile as they enjoyed the many dishes.

The previous two days had been quite tensed right from when Vijay's uproar about being 'assaulted' by Raghav Rao. While the rest of the three had been able to placate Vijay this way or that,Pallavi had not been able to talk to her father about it at all. Why? Because Vijay would not let her.Each time she had walked up to him with every intention to apologise and make amends,he had walked away from her making his distrust in her and in her judgement very clear. At some point,Pallavi wanted to just give up but guilt was an ugly feeling and she had too much of it to add some more.

Hence,here she was roaming around the house with a plate of gujiya in her hand to find her father.

"Baba.." She called out to him when she saw him standing at the main entrance of Deshmukh Niwas.

Vijay's back stiffened at her voice but he did not turn around.

"Baba,I've made gujiyas for every one. Please have some." She pleaded softly as she came to halt by his side.

Turning his face the other way Vijay had just turned to go away when Pallavi stopped him, placing a hand on his arm.

"Baba, please. Ek baar meri baat to sunlije." She tried once again.

Shrugging her hand with a deep sigh,Vijay turned to her with an indifferent look.

"What is it?"

"Baba, you have to understand that I am not choosing Raghav over you. I am ju-"Her explanation was cut off even before it started properly.

"You call him by his name?" Vijay asked,his stony expression unchanged.

Not seeing the relevance,a confused Pallavi nodded her head slowly.

"Ba-"

"And what does he call you? Wait,I know, something like dukaan."

"Saree ka dukaan." Pallavi mumbled lowly still not getting what her father wanted to point to.

Nodding his head with his eyes boring into Pallavi,Vijay spoke in an angry tone.

"Bohot kuch pata tha uss aadmi ko tere baare may." He grit his teeth."He talked about you as if he knows you so well."

Alarmed at the sudden shift in his calm expression,Pallavi quickly shook her head not knowing what to say.

"It's not like that Baba. I-"

"You are young and misguided Pallavi and men like Raghav Rao prey on those qualities."Vijay spoke before she could protest."You have associated yourself with the wrong man and I would have liked for you to learn your own lesson but sadly you are a part of this family,my family,and we cannot have our name tarnished just because you made bad decisions."

Pallavi felt her head ready to explode with confusion.

"I don't understand what you're saying baba." She whispered lost,tears pricking in her eyes.

"You do understand Pallavi,I know you do. Please don't make a fool of yourself by thinking you can fool me. All I would say is,abhi bhi waqt hai. Khudko sambhaal le."Turning away from Vijay let out a frustrated breath before striding away.