Man Mohini | {ON HOLD}

Chapter 6

Mohini and Aishwarya hurried upstairs, their anklets jingling faintly, and slipped inside Aishwarya’s room. As soon as they entered, Aishwarya set her bag on the bed and opened it wide, revealing at least half a dozen splendid lehengas in a cascade of colors rich crimson, delicate pastel pink, a royal shade of emerald, and more.

Mohini’s curious eyes lingered on the fabrics, the intricate zari, and the soft shimmer of the embroidery.
“You want one?” Aishwarya asked suddenly, catching the look in her friend’s eyes.

“Oh no, no!” Mohini shook her head quickly, her voice polite yet flustered.
“Why not? Don’t you like them? Are they not pretty?” Aishwarya pressed.
“They are very pretty,” Mohini admitted honestly, “but… they were bought for you by your brother. How can I-?”
Her words were cut short by Aishwarya, who declared firmly, “Yes, but I want to give one to you.”
“But why?” Mohini asked in mock protest, her tone soft and playful, almost like a child whining.
Aishwarya smiled warmly, her eyes tender. “As our first gift of friendship… sakhi.”

Shree’s heart melted at those words. How lucky she felt to have found Aishwarya, like a blessing dropped into her life.
“But I don’t have anything to give you in return…” Mohini murmured, lowering her gaze.
“You don’t have to, sakhi,” Aishwarya replied as if it were the simplest truth in the world.

“But I want to…” Mohini insisted, her lips curling into a shy pout. Then, almost shyly, she reached for her hair, undoing it to take off her gajra of fresh jasmine flowers. With delicate fingers, she divided it into two halves keeping one part for herself and holding the other in her palm. Messily, she tucked her half into her open hair, the flowers scattering fragrance into the room.
She then tied the second half gently around Aishwarya’s wrist.

Aishwarya’s eyes filled with tears at the unexpected gesture. Her throat tightened, and without another thought, she pulled Mohini into a tight embrace. Mohini squeaked at first in surprise, but soon her soft laughter joined Aishwarya’s warmth.
They had only just met, yet it already felt as if this bond of friendship would last a lifetime.
“You look so pretty with your hair open… and with that gajra,” Aishwarya whispered, smiling through her damp lashes.
Mohini blushed, turning her face away. “Stop!” she cried shyly, her cheeks burning red.

“Oh Mohini,” Aishwarya said dramatically, slipping into a proud, mock-manly tone, “if I were a man, I would have treated you like the queen you are. Men don’t deserve you.”
“Stop it! You’re making me blush!” Mohini squealed, her voice high and sweet as she tried to hide her smile.
Their squeaky, flirty banter filled the room until suddenly, a voice cleared at the doorway. Both girls jumped with a short scream. Yuddhisthir stood there, leaning against the frame, his expression unreadable as he had clearly overheard their playful exchange.

“M-Mohini,” he began, adjusting his voice back to calm seriousness, “we… we have to go now.”
“Already?” Shree whined, her lips pouting.
“Don’t you want to go to the market?” he asked gently, reminding her of their plan.

“Yes…” Shree nodded reluctantly, then turned back to Aishwarya, who was watching her with a soft smile.
“It’s okay, you can go,” Aishwarya reassured. “But wait!” She hurried to her bag, pulled out a rich orange and golden lehenga, folded it neatly into a cloth bag, and placed it into Mohini’s hands.
“Aishwarya, really… there’s no need for this,” Yuddhisthir said politely.

“No, bhaiya,” Aishwarya insisted, shaking her head. “This is not for you it’s for my sakhi. And sakhi,” she added lovingly to Mohini, “don’t forget to wash the fabric before wearing it, okay?”
Mohini’s heart swelled with joy. “Thank you, Aishwarya. You don’t know how grateful I am to the gods for blessing me with a best friend like you!” she cried, hugging her tightly.