Better Together | ✓

2 | meet

Ruhaani Khatri wasn't a pessimist but she was a realist. She had learned very early on that life was not designed to be fair. So she never complained about life not treating her well and accepted whatever life threw at her. Life would throw lemons at her sometimes even hardened ones, but it was up to her what she decided to do with them make juice or store them as weapons that she could use at a time of need. 

It was yet another new day. Today had the potential to either alter her life's course or remain just like any other day, marked by the cycle of sunrise, sunset, and invisible stars. She did think about it but chose to not let it mess with her nerves.

She leaned closer to the mirror as she applied the lip color. It was a dull shade of pink. It went well with her kurti and straight pants. She had just finished tying her waist length espresso brown hair tied into a low ponytail. When she was little she hated the fact that she didn't have the natural waves or curls. But now she was so thankful for her naturally straight hair it didn't take much time to style them. Her cousin Arti whose hair was of a similar length took about ten minutes to only comb through her waves and another five to tie them up or plait them, when she was at her best efforts. 

"Why have you worn that dress? Light colors make you look older. Should have worn something in red or that royal blue kurti, you look nice in that." Her aunt commented as she walked into the room to check on her.

"Chachi, relax."

"At least you could have chosen a red lip color. Do me a favor, take it and apply it before meeting him. It's not everyday such a rich man sends requests to meet with marriage in mind.

"His Bua sent the message." She corrected.

"But obviously he told her he was interested to meet you. Here wear these."

Ruhaani turned around and her gaze dropped to the hands of her aunt. She held two heavy gold bangles in her hand.

"What are these for?" She said her tone softening. 

"They shouldn't think that we are not that well to do. You don't wear gold earrings at least wear these."

"Chachi, there's no need."

"Listen to me, Ruhaani. Today's dinner meeting can change the course of your life. Give it your best shot. If you marry this man, yours and Pari's life will be sorted."

"I know Chachi." She said softly.

"I hope he is a nice man and you like him."

Ruhaani smiled. "I won't wear these. You should keep these back in the locker. Only Arti has right on them."

Her aunt passed her a small smile. She nodded and left the room.

Ruhaani blew air out of her mouth.  She loved those designed gold bangles. They used to belong to her grandmother. Since her parents were gone before her grandmother, her grandmother had passed it to her aunt on her twenty-fifth anniversary and asked her to pass it down to her kids. It was a petty matter that had made her feel bad. But again, she was used to the harsh taunts and obvious neglect that came with being an orphan first and then a widow.

 She walked over to the bed where her little angel slept. She smiled and gently stroked her soft hair calling out to her to wake her up. "Come on princess, wake up,"

"Mummy," she murmured turning away.

"Oye, sleeping beauty wake up. You will be late for school."

"I don't want to go to school."

"Pari, good girls go to school. Come on wake up. If you're late then Nana will drop you to school not me on his scooter."

At once the girl was up. "Don't go, I want to go with you." She said hugging her.