Sapphires in Scarlet Chains | ONC 2024

01

The sun hung low in the summer sky, painting the narrow streets of Jaipur with a warm, golden glow. It bathed the vibrant pinks of the city in hues of amber, creating a lively tapestry of colours that danced in the air. The laughter of neighbourhood children becoming the orchestra to the symphony of everyday life.

"Fresh vegetables! Juicy tomatoes forty rupees per kg. Fresh vegetables for the farm. Ladies, sisters, grandma come and get your vegetables." The chants of the street vendor pulled the ladies of the colony out like the mice to the piper.

The matriarch of the Malhotra household, Madhuri, a strong and resilient woman in her forties, was already halfway through her well rehearsed morning routine.

The sunlight filtered through the curtains, reflecting off of the trophies and family photographs displayed proudly in the room.

Madhuri moved between the kitchen and dining room, preparing for the day ahead, the scent of spices and the whistle of the pressure cooker adding to the domestic feeling. As she strained the chai and packed the lunches for her two daughters.

The front door creaked open, and Anisha, Madhuri's spirited and enthusiastic youngest daughter, entered with bags of fresh produce.

Madhuri's face lit up, and she exclaimed, "Nisha, my angel." Her smile conveyed a blend of gratitude and affection

Anisha grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, someone's got to make sure we have the best veggies in Jaipur. After all, Anu didi's future in-laws are coming to see her"

As they unpacked the bags, to the smooth sound of seventies bollywood music, Ananya, rubbing sleep from her eyes, emerged from her room.

"Good morning, Ma. Anisha," Ananya greeted, the morning still clinging to her in the form of pajamas and a toothbrush in hand.

Madhuri turned to Ananya with a warm smile. "Good morning, beta. Why are you not ready yet? You have to drop Nisha off to college before work, there's a city bus strike.

"Seriously?" Ananya rolled her eyes before sticking her tongue out.

"It's not like I enjoy hanging out with you anyway. I'm just waiting till you are married so that I can get your scooter." Anisha retorted, which earned her a playful hit over the head from Madhuri.

She shook her head at her daughters' antics. "She's your elder sister, it wouldn't kill you to be a little nicer. Also Ananya you'll miss her once she's not around you constantly."

"Ma, we should make your special paneer dish today. Bharat uncle would love it," Ananya suggested, a subtle hint of hesitation in her voice, her eyes searching her mother's face for approval.

Madhuri's eyes met Ananya's, a silent understanding passing between them. "Whatever makes you happy, beta. Just remember, it's your happiness that matters the most. Be yourself, they'll adore you as much as I do."

Anisha, sensing the underlying emotion, nudged Ananya playfully. "Oh, I see what's going on here. Someone's trying to butter up the In-laws."

Ananya rolled her eyes, but a faint blush betrayed her true feelings. The mention of Rohan and his family, had stirred a mixture of nostalgia and apprehension within her.

The morning traffic in Jaipur proved to be as unpredictable as always, forcing Ananaya to navigate through the winding streets with patience. The imposing skyscrapers of the city were a perfect representation of the subtle tension that lingered in the air.

Ananya, dressed in her work attire manoeuvred the scooter expertly, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of the impending meeting with Rohan's family.

As they idled in traffic, Anisha, perched behind Ananya on the scooter, sensed her sister's unease. The rhythmic honking of nearby vehicles became the backdrop to the unspoken tension between them.

"Di," Anisha began, her voice cutting through the noise of the street. "You know you can talk to me, right?"

Ananaya glanced at Anisha through the scooter's side mirror, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "Talk about what, Nisha?"

Anisha's expression softened. "About this whole marriage thing. I can tell that something is clearly bothering you."

Ananaya let out a sigh, her grip on the scooter's handles tightening. "It's just... I didn't expect things to move so quickly. We just said yes to Sumitra aunty's proposal last week. And, well, you know how Ma is. She's already juggling so many responsibilities; I don't want to add to her worries."

Anisha placed a comforting hand on Ananaya's shoulder. "You won't be adding to her worries, baba. As much as I hate admitting it she loves you more than anything, and your happiness matters as much as anyone else's."

Ananaya hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "Oh, you know, it's a big step. I mean, it's been years since we last saw Rohan and his family. It's just different."

Anisha studied her sister's profile, noting the carefully chosen words and the thoughtful expression. "Different how? Talk me through what you are thinking."

Ananaya sighed, navigating through a particularly chaotic intersection. "It's not that I'm not happy about it. It's just that I want to make sure that I'm doing the right thing. I want to make Ma and Papa proud."

Anisha rested her chin on Ananaya's shoulder, offering a comforting smile. "Ma's always proud of us, no matter what. As for Papa, you were his perfect little princess who could do no wrong. But this is your whole life. Are you sure about all this? I mean, really sure? Because if any point you second guess yourself I'll get the getaway car."

"Its not that serious. And knowing me, I'm probably making it a bigger deal than it is. Besides, we've known Rohan and his family for so long. It's like fulfilling a promise."

Anisha nodded, though a subtle doubt lingered in her eyes. "Just promise me you're doing it for you too, okay?"

Ananya flashed a weary but appreciative smile. "Yes Mom. Now, let's focus on getting you to college on time. Don't want Ma to worry about you failing, do we?"

The two sisters continued their journey through the morning rush of the city, the scooter weaving through the chaotic traffic. Ananya's thoughts remained clouded with uncertainty, a silent struggle hidden beneath the surface of her composed exterior.