Lust Or Love ?

Part - 31

"How is this?" Narayani asked, through a video call from the jewelry shop.

"It's beautiful, mother! Pallavi will love it." A wide grin appeared on Parvati's face looking at the purple sapphire pendant set her mother was thinking of purchasing for Pallavi. 

"Okay, I will buy this," Narayani said. 

Parvati disconnected the call after ending the conversation and she got back to her work of preparing dinner for the night. 

Later on, Pallavi stopped her car in front of Narayani's mansion. She hated coming here. Her blood boiled  even at the thought of seeing Parvati and Suyash disgusting faces, but she couldn't say no to Narayani who invited her with motherly affection. 

Parvati, Suyash and Narayani were in the main hall when Pallavi entered the mansion.

"How are you, my dear?" Narayani hugged Pallavi warmly.

"I'm good as always." She smiled as she broke the hug. "How are you, aunty? I'm so sorry for not being in touch with you lately, the past month has been the busiest time of my life because of fashion week."

"You don't have to apologize, my child, I understand that…" Narayani looked at her with fondness, "forget about it, now it's time for some celebration! Congratulations, dear, for the successful show."

"Thank you so much, aunty!" Pallavi said with a smile. "But, aunty, you didn't have to do all this, your good wishes are enough for me."

"How can I not celebrate?! You are just like Parvati to me. I want to celebrate my other daughter's success," Narayani said.

Pallavi hugged Narayani once again, her heart felt warm with the love that Narayani showered upon her. Even her parents wouldn't do this to her; celebrate her success, as they were not supportive of her career. It was not like they didn't love her. They did love her, in fact she was the princess of their home. They didn't even cut ties with her when she moved out of home to start her career. They would visit her sometimes or she paid a visit to them but when it came to her career they would act like it didn't exist which would hurt her feelings sometimes. But Narayani had always filled the void of her parents' support, and had always been supportive of her.

"Thanks for everything, aunty," she murmured affectionately and pulled herself from the hug. When she turned to Parvati, her anger towards Parvati and her family surfaced back. 

"I am so happy for you, Pallavi," Parvati embraced Pallavi in a hug.

"Thank you, bestie, it's been a long time since we spent time together like a family," Pallavi said, pulling from the hug. Parvati nodded her head in yes and felt glad it wasn't as awkward as she thought it would be on meeting Pallavi. 

"Hi, Suyash!" Pallavi smiled at Suyash who in turn smiled back at her, masking his discomfort and acknowledging her greeting. Though he didn't remember what happened that night between him and Pallavi, he was glad there weren't any memories of it, yet the knowledge that he slept with her would make him detest himself and uncomfortable around Pallavi. 

Minutes passed as all settled down on sofa chit chatting with each other. "Pallavi dear, did you like it?" Narayani asked when she gifted the pendant to Pallavi.

"Absolutely loved it, aunty!" Pallavi's eyes gleamed with happiness. "Thank you so much!" 

Soon they shifted to the dining area and Pallavi said, savoring the taste of her favourite food, "hmm…So tasty."

Parvati smiled looking at her friend who was enjoying the food with a childlike enthusiasm. It gave her immense happiness to her heart knowing the time she spent in the kitchen preparing those dishes brought joy to everyone, especially to Pallavi.