Borrowed But Mine: An Arylie FF

Borrowed But Mine: Chapter 26

Good morning, loveys. Updating today, but likely taking a short break until next weekend. I will start the usual schedule thereafter (M, W, F IST). Enjoy this update.

Also, do listen to the song linked in the chapter. It is beautiful and very apt at this juncture and for the situation. An absolute must listen, IMHO! 

To Chand Rati by Shreya Ghoshal, composed by Ajay-Atul from the movie Chandramukhi. 

Previously,

Aryan has a breakdown after hearing that Madhulika works to provide soothing comfort to newborns and visits his therapist. The conversation with his therapist, paves the way to Aryan subconsciously entertaining the idea that the woman he was married to was no longer Madhulika. He learns of her growing friendship with a handsome doctor. This news has its intended consequences and a territorial Aryan decides it was time to bring his wife back home to Mumbai.

Ab aage. 

Chapter 26

Friday evening.....

"Tumchyakade Diwalit kille banvayche ka re? (Did you build forts during Diwali?)"

"Ho tar!! Mawale hote na majhyakade and Shivba! (Of course! I had figurines of Maratha soldiers and Shivaji!)"

Aneesh grinned at memories of time spent with Jaideep and his cousins. Long afternoons of scooping clay from his grandmother's gardens and bringing it to the front yard to build forts.

"Mmmmm....I miss it." She sighed wistfully.

"Aata diwali kuthun aali? Ajun ganpati whayche aahet! (Where is Diwali coming from? We haven't finished with Ganesh chaturthi yet!)" Aneesh reminded her.

"Asach. You know a secret? I love Diwali much much more than Ganpati." She covered her face in mock mortification.

Aneesh chuckled. That was such a quintessential Maharashtrian sentiment. To be embarrassed that they preferred any festival over the arrival of Lord Ganesha.

"Shame on you!!!" He teased her in an admonishing tone, "For me, being a Maharashtrian and liking anything over Ganpati is blasphemy, did you know??"

Madhulika simply laughed at his statement, staying otherwise silent in response.

They'd been strolling after dinner in her neighborhood. One would never know that they had only met a couple of weeks ago. She had quickly become a part of his day.

Aneesh observed her quietly.

Back to the matter of building forts. How could she miss it? Building forts with clay, complete with cannons, figurines of soldiers and the Maratha king, Shivaji was a pastime of children in the cold winter months in Konkan during Diwali.