Hidden Hues Of Henna

Kasmein waadein (II)

Part-2

A heavy knock resounded at the bedroom door making her stand up straight from where she bending at the wash basin inside the bathroom. To be sure,she closed the tap off,stopping the water flow,and waited till another knock sounded,a louder one than before.

Grabbing the towel placed nearby, Pallavi dabbed it over her wet face hurriedly as she moved out of the bathroom to open the door. It was still pretty early in the morning and she did not know whom to expect at the other side. She was just glad she had been able to wash her face and clean her mouth.

As she opened the door,she was more than surprised to find not one but four people standing outside,each one with a different expression on their face.

"Good morning beta." Jaya was first to step inside and immediately Pallavi felt herself being engulfed in a hug which she returned whilst simultaneously nodding at Farhaad who stood behind her and then give a confused look at the two members of the mansion staff standing by with large bags in their hands.

As Jaya finally let Pallavi go,she moved back with a confused smile to let them all file into the room.

"Aunty,what-" She opened her mouth to be questioned only to stop in surprise as the other two people and Farhaad stepped past her to reach the bed,which was still unmade from her having slept on one side,to deposit all the bags they had brought in with them.

With a confused expression she further watched as they exited the door and went out only to return within a couple of minutes,this time with more bags in their hands than before. She was suddenly pulled forward by Jaya who had excited expression on her face as she eyed all the packets and boxes that laid on the bed. Then there was Farhaad standing by with a large briefcase of his own which Pallavi just noticed hanging from his left hand.

"This,"Jaya said as she slid out a fancy, velvet sheathed box from inside an equally fancy paper bag,"Is what I was waiting for to give you. Something worthy of my daughter in-law."

Pallavi held the deceptively heavy wooden box quickly as Jaya laid it in her hands and hid her confusion behind a small smile as Jaya cupped her face and pulled her down to kiss her forehead lovingly.

As she finally let her go, Pallavi asked her with a smile of confusion.

"Aunty,ye sab...." She trailed off looking at all the things that now covered the expanse of Raghav's bed.

Upon her question,Jaya clasped her hand in excitement before going ahead to uncover more than a handful of packets each of which contained a saree, every next one prettier than the first.

"This is all for you!" Jaya told her grinning before coming back to unlock the big box in Pallavi's hand and turn to around in her hold so that the girl could look inside,"And this -is for you to wear today."

More than a little hesistantly, Pallavi glanced down into the box which emanated a scent of fresh flowers only to have her eyes stuck at a beautiful,red Kanchipuram silk saree. Other than a broad yet an equally beautiful golden zari border and perfectly round golden dots of zari that were scattered across it's length,the entire saree was a dazzling shade of red. It was a red saree,through and through. Beside it,in the same box was a shiny new golden,small yet utterly regal,traditional sindoordani. Pallavi failed to believe that it was made out of any other metal than gold itself. Right above that piece of craft was a long string of fresh jasmine placed properly in a neat bundle.

A little out of breath for some reason, Pallavi looked up at Jaya and tried to give her a smile.

"This is beautiful aunty-"