Shrishti Reborn

Chapter 77. Raghav's Secret

Shrishti might have been excited for the cycling marathon but before the cycling race was the three nights out of the nine Garba nights. As the days neared, Shrishti was approached by Megha.

'Can you help me dress up for the nights?'

Shrishti was delighted by the request and agreed to it. 'Are you coming with me and your Arpit Bhaiyya the last few nights of navratri?', she asked curiously.

Megha frowned and shook her head. 'Raghav Bhaiyya did not allow. He said you won't be able to take care of me.'

Shrishti was shocked. Then her shock turned into anger. Then the anger turned to hurt. How dare Raghav assume such things about her? Did he think she was that irresponsible?

She turned and stormed over to his house, ready to demand answers.

Arpit opened the door, took one look at her and shouted, 'Bhai!' before scrambling out of the way.

She did not give him a single glance. She stormed over to Raghav who was sitting in front of TV and glared down at him. He stood up in surprise.

'Why did you say I won't be able to take care of Megha!', she barked.

'What?', Raghav was confused.

Shrishti turned and ordered Megha. 'Tell him!'

Megha looked scared. Arpit slinked over like a thief and stood nearby looking at her with trepidation.

Megha explained what had happened.

Shrishti turned back and glared at Raghav. She pointed to Megha. 'Explain!', she shouted.

Raghav was staring at her and she could see the alarm in his wide eyes. Then he smiled softly. 'Calm down. I had no such intention.'

She narrowed her eyes. 'Explain.', her tone slightly calmer than before.

'I just said that you must be so busy during those nights that you would not have time to keep an eye on her. Moreover, you should be enjoying yourself, not looking after a little kid.', Raghav explained peacefully.

Shrishti's anger cooled down at those words. 'Oh.' She turned and glanced at Megha before turning to Raghav. 'But I can take care of her. Arpit would be with us too. Let her come.'

Raghav shook her head, looking at her with gentle smile. 'Shouldn't you be enjoying yourselves? You four should have fun and not worry about her!'

Arpit butted in just then. 'Why don't you come with us then? Between five of us, we can enjoy too and keep an eye on Megha too!'

When Shrishti glanced at him, he winked at her. Her cheeks warmed but she too turned and faced Raghav. Hey! If her Raghav was coming with her to Garba nights even outside the society compound, who was she to stop it! He was welcome! Actually, he was more than welcome!

'Bhaiyya! Bhaiyya! Lets go na! Please!', Megha pleaded. With two stares and one puppy dog eyes, it took Raghav only few minutes to cave in. They did not even had to argue their case!

'Fine. Lets go.'

'Yes!', Megha cheered.

'Nice!', Arpit looked at Shrishti and waggled his brows.

Shrishti smiled shyly before turning and leaving. She had preparations to do. She had to change the outfit she was planning to wear on the last Garba night!

The first night of Garba came soon and Shrishti found herself attending the aarti of Devi Ma alongside her Pappa, the staff of her house and her neighbours. She wore a simple chudidaar kurta and was pleased to see Raghav wearing one of the simple kurtas she chose for him a while ago. He paired it with jeans and Shrishti really had to stop herself from glancing at her crush.