The Rajput BAHU

# 1

The hawk eyes of the woman in her late 70's followed the movements of the little girl sharply.

Prathima stared at the girl intensely, whose whole concentration was on the mehendi that she was applying on the other woman's hands.

There was a smile playing on her lips which made her look more beautiful.

Prathima wanted to know more about this quiet and peaceful girl.

She has been observing her for a while now. The way the dimple on her cheeks played hide and seek when she smiled, the way she greeted people respectfully showed how much of a good upbringing she had.

Prathima saw that after a few minutes she got up as she had finished applying the henna.

Prathima stopped her as she was passing by her, "Oye Chorri , zara idhar aao to."

(Listen, come here)

Hearing her voice the girl turned around. Prathima was mesmerised by her beauty.

"Ji Daadisa, aapko much chahiye tha?" She asked walking towards the Charpai (cot) where Prathima sat. Her voice was also aa sweet as her.

(Yes grandma , did you need anything?)

"Haa. Tujhe mehendi lagani aati hai na? Mare haath mein bhi laga de." She said closely observing her face expressions.

(Yes. You know how to apply henna right? Apply it on my hands too ,will you?)

"Ji bilkul!! Main zara mehendi ka cone leke aati hoon." She smiled warmly and left , only to come back after a few minutes with the cone in one hand and a glass of water in another.

(Yes of course!! I will just go and bring the henna cone)

Prathima mentally appreciated her thoughtful gesture, already liking her very much.

She sat on the floor near the charpai as she adjusted her dupatta.

"Aree!! Tu niche kyu baith gayi?? Mere pass yaha aakar baith ja." Seeing her sitting on the floor prathima said . She patted the place beside her gesturing her sit near her.

(Why did you sit on the floor?? Come sit beside me)

She just smiled in response, "Na Daadisa main yahi thik hoon."

(Its ok grandma, I am fine here)

She took the cone and started applying the henna, secretly making sure to not make the old woman uncomfortable.

But her efforts went in vain because nothing could miss the eyes of prathima Chauhan.

"Tharo naam ke hai??" Prathima asked in between.

(What's your name??)

"Aratrika hai Daadisa ." She replied. Her eyes not living the hand where she was busy drawing different patterns. There was a smile on her face.

"Aratrika." Prathima whispered lowly , which went unnoticed by the said girl.

'A beautiful name for a beautiful girl.' Thought prathima.

"Bado chokho nam hai."

(Its a beautiful name)

"Chokha to hogahi mere papa ne jo rakha hai." Aratrika stated looking at prathima with a grin .

(It would be beautiful because it is kept by my father.)

"Dulhe ki behan lagi ho kya??" Enquired Prathima, curious to know her relation with this house.

(Are you the groom's sister??)

"Naa Daadisa, main toh dulhe ke behen ki nanad hoon."

(No grandma, I am groom's sister's sister in law.)

"Umar kitni hai thaari??"

(What's your age??)

"Ji, 17 saal."

(17 years.)

Prathima hummed as Aratrika busied herself in applying the henna. She took in the features of this small , graceful woman who was dressed in a simple anarkali suit. This clearly showed that she respected their culture and tradition. Her hair was tied in a braid which fell on the floor. Her hair was that long. Her ears adorned in jhumkas. Thin bangles decorating her wrists, the sound of her ankles echoed softly aa she moved her legs. Her skin was flawless .

But the thing which added to her beauty was her eyes, her chestnut brown eyes.

It had been 30 minutes when she completed the henna of both the hands.

"Ab main chalu Daadisa??" She asked smiling as she got up.

(May I leave now Daadisa??)

Prathima nodded & she left, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

Shraddha who been observing this interaction , made her way to her Mother-in-law seeing her waist deep in her thoughts.

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Hey readers😁

Did you enjoy it??

I hope you did😊

Meet you in the next chapter.

One question,

"Some readers like long chapters and some like short chapters, which one are you???"