Shrishti Reborn

Chapter 17. Raghav's secret

It was three weeks into the vacation and Shrishti woke up one day feeling upset. Few days back, when she found her diary and realised that she wanted to live a life with no regrets, she felt light and relieved. Living a life without regrets sounded a good life motto, according to Shrishti. But that did not negate the fact that at the end of the day, Shrishti still had no idea what to do about her career. What did she want to do in her life? She could be a house wife like her many ladies in her family. But that life did not appeal to her. Moreover, knowing her father, she would end up marrying a household with servants and maids. She would literally have nothing to do other than sit at home and wait for her husband to come home. What a boring life!

Shrishti wanted to do something with herself. But what? She could not understand. She went to her father to talk about it. He only told her that she needed to figure it out herself. What a luck she had! No one wanted to help her. Hence, one morning she woke up feeling upset. Her future felt uncertain, her life felt dull and her days felt long. Is this what people meant when they said, empty mind is devil's workshop? Surely, if she was busy with something, she wouldn't have felt this dismal? Suddenly, Shrishti yearned for her college to begin so that she would be busy again.

That reminded Shrishti. Her friends! After breakfast, Shrishti sat down with her mobile and phoned Divya and then Daljeet and even Shashi. But the calls only seem to bring her down. Divya was learning some kind of computer skill while Daljeet was attending sports camp. Even Shashi seemed busy with his cycling training. Was Shrishti the only one with no plans in life for anything?

The thought of plans reminded her of that folder she saw in Raghav's hand when he came to discuss his career options with her Pappa. That fellow seemed to have his life sorted out, Shrishti mused as she roamed around the house listlessly. Lunch was one hour away and she genuinely had nothing to do. Even Arpit and Megha seemed busy, Arpit with his internship and Megha was in maths camp. Apparently, the girl loved Maths and hence, her brother sent her to a camp where they learnt advanced maths. It was not a camp in the traditional sense. She went in the morning and came back in evening.

Once again, Shrishti thought of Raghav who was the only other person she knew, who like her, had no plans for the summer vacations. The man had claimed that he wanted to relax during the vacations after the gruelling final year. She sympathised with him, having studied final year in her past life. Arts or Commerce, final year was nothing short of hell.

Maybe she should check in with Raghav and see what he was doing, Shrishti mused. Moreover, the man put effort in researching his career options and having a big folder made just for it. Surely, he would have some tip for her about it. Or maybe he could tell her how he figured out what he enjoyed doing and that would help her figure out her career. The more she thought, the more she felt approaching Raghav about this matter was a good decision.

Informing the butler about visiting Raghav, Shrishti nearly flew out of her house. She knocked on the door of the neighbouring house and it took a while for the door to open. And when the door did open, Shrishti stared at the man in front of her blankly. For few seconds, she remained stunned. And then she burst out laughing. Because there was Raghav standing in front of her with his usual pink frilly apron and flour on his cheek and forehead which was in contrast to his stern expression making him look very hilarious.

'What? What's wrong?', Raghav asked in his usual monotonous tone.

Shrishti chuckled as she pointed at his face, 'You got flour all over you.'

Raghav did not react but Shrishti had a distinct feeling that the man was rolling his eyes at her mentally. Shrishti chuckled again.

'How may I help you?', he asked, ignoring her laughter.