Yeh Ishq

Chapter 9

Richa: Anika's potential brother-in-law?

Gauri nodded and replied with an annoyed tone: I am going to kill that stupid monkey! I should have known that he was pretending to be Shivay!

Richa: didn't you pretend to be Anika?

She said, remembering how earlier during Gauri's long rant of rich people, Gauri mentioned that she pretended to be her older sister to Anika's potential husband and brother-in-law.

Gauri: that's different.

Richa: how so?

Gauri looked at Richa then tried to think of a reason that justified why it was different for her to pretend to be Anika but not for Omkara to pretend to be Shivay.

Gauri: it just is. I didn't expect Omkara to play me at my own game. Now come on, let's get gol gappa.

Richa rolled her eyes, hearing Gauri's 'justified' reasoning as she got dragged by Gauri who had a strong grip on Richa's arm and a strong grip on the iPhone.

Gauri and Richa navigated the familiar market area with an easy confidence. The vibrant marketplace was a tapestry of colours and scents, bustling with activity. The sun cast a warm golden glow over the scene, adding an extra layer of charm to their surroundings. As they strolled through the market, the gentle hum of conversations filled the air, a symphony of local dialects and occasional tourist accents blending harmoniously. The narrow lanes were lined with an array of shops, stalls, and carts, each displaying their own unique treasures.

A kaleidoscope of fabrics adorned the storefronts, flaunting intricately embroidered textiles, handwoven sarees, and vibrant scarves that fluttered in the light breeze. The girls couldn't resist running their fingers over the soft fabrics, appreciating the craftsmanship that their hometown was known for. The aroma of street food wafted through the air, mingling with the fragrant incense and the earthy scent of the nearby Ganges River. As they walked, they passed by a stall selling fragrant marigold garlands, the vivid orange petals adding a burst of colour to the scene.

The sounds of laughter and friendly banter surrounded them as locals haggled over prices, tourists marvelled at the handcrafted goods, and children darted playfully between the bustling crowd. The occasional tinkle of bells from a temple added a melodic backdrop to the scene.

Richa's eyes caught the sparkle of delicate jewellery displayed in a shop window, while Gauri's attention was drawn to a group of street performers playing traditional instruments, their music filling the air with a sense of cultural richness.

As they approached the gol gappa stand, the scent of tangy tamarind water and the sight of crisp gol gappas piled high on a plate greeted them. The vendor, a familiar face, smiled warmly at the girls as they joined the queue.

Gauri's excitement was palpable as she eagerly placed her order, her mouth watering at the thought of the explosive burst of flavours that awaited her with each gol gappa. Richa couldn't help but share in Gauri's infectious enthusiasm.

Gauri: you eat gol gappa in such a boring way Richa! Let me show you how to eat it. Richa: I honestly wonder how you haven't gotten a Bollywood offer yet.

Gauri: me too Richa, me too. Now let me show you.

She said with a laugh as she threw her gol gappa in the air...not knowing someone was heading near her.

"Phone, phone, phone! How did I manage to lose my phone? Dadaji will kill me if i lose yet another phone!"

The owner of the voice said. They was heading to approach the gol gappa stand to ask the owner if they had seen anything when....